Tag Archives: Staycation

staycation atlanta

Calle Latina

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I decided to visit a newer gift store in Decatur called Homegrown..Unknown-1    Unknownbut I decided to stop into Calle Latina…IMG_7643.JPG

I hesitate to even tell you about it, it is that good and a little small. I must let you know it is great. I started out with some fried green tomatoes, because you know that is authentic street food!Calle#2

This was spicy and sweet and salty with the cheese, really very good. Then I got two empanandas, one beef one chicken.168sI cannot tell you which one I liked better, that is how good they both were. Calle#3

I will be back to try more and report back!

staycation atlanta

Lots of Tomatoes

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If you  have lots of tomatoes then you make Panzanella! Bread and tomato salad…Salads #2

I chopped up some tomatoes, a couple large ones, and a bunch of small ones and a few yellow ones. I put them in a strainer over a small bowl. Then, I had two hoagie rolls. I cut them into bite size cubes and tossed them in olive oil and threw them in the oven to bake for about 15 minutes. I sliced a red onion. I put the bread in a bowl, put the onions over them and the tomatoes then I took the tomato juice and made a vinaigrette. I poured the vinaigrette over it all and stirred and threw it in the fridge for 30 minutes. I chopped up some calamata olives and tossed them in. Salad #1

But the most important step was adding basil and some arugala. it is the most refreshing salad and just shouts SUMMER!!!

staycation atlanta

An old favorite Staycation!

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I started out in search of this place…images-3It’s a deli, a gallery and a place to live upstairs.It is in Lakemont Georgia. I have never been there and thought it would be interesting. So, you drive up I-85 to 985 to 441, it actually just changes into each interstate, then Highway. You go past Tallulah Falls, Tallulah Gorge, Tallulah River. IMG_3282

This in itself is a great Staycation! We will visit again soon!IMG_3292.jpg

So, I ended up not stopping but drove on to Lake Burton. It was a new road to me, in the mountains, windy and super fun! The road approaches Lake Burton from the Dam. I had only seen the dam from a boat. IMG_7573

This lake is fabulous, gorgeous and so blue. My photos do not to it justice. IMG_7582

This is a great Staycation. IMG_7585

The campground was totally full, but it looked like fun. Hey anyway to get away for a little bit.

staycation atlanta

Easy Lentil Soup

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images-4  Meatless Monday on the Fourth of July, I decided to make an easy lentil soup.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium celery stalk, small dice

1 medium carrot, peeled and small dice

1/2 medium onion, small dice

3 garlic cloves, minced

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

1 quart low sodium vegetable broth

1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes with their juices

1 1/4 cups lentils (any color except red)

1 bayleaf

1/4 teaspoon finely chopped fresh Thyme leaves

1 teaspoon red wine vinegar

2 ounces spinach leaves

Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion, carrot and celery and cook until softened. Then add the garlic cook till you can smell it. Then season with salt and pepper.

Add the broth, tomatoes, lentils, bay leaf and thyme and stir. Cover and bring to a simmer about 15 minutes. Reduce the heat and continue cooking covered about 15 minutes more.

Taste and add more seasoning, if needed. Stir in the vinegar. Then I used an emulsifier.Then I added in the spinach

It is better the next day! (Oh and I added Tumeric and some cumin)