Surviving Dominica

Island Destinations, Land Adventures, , , , , , , , ,
Beach carin

Rain pings against the metal roof of the treehouse, torrents that rip the hillside and drown the music of the tree frog serenade. Peering out an open window, I watch immense tropical plant leaves fill with water, sag, then douse the already saturated soil.

“No hiking today,” grumbles my husband, in a pre-caffeine stupor.

“Wanna bet?” I reply, eager for our planned trek. We’re part of a small group adventuring to Dominica’s famous Boiling Lake. The volcanic crater sits within 17,000-acre Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Our six-hour round-trip takes us through the Valley of Desolation, where sulfuric fumes killed most of the vegetation. But, on the return route, we’ll stop to soak our tired muscles in thermal springs.

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Halloween Mummy Hot Dogs

Food Tales, , , , , ,
Make Mummy Hot Dogs for Halloween dinner.
Mummy Hot Dogs

I made Mummy Hot Dogs years ago when Laura was little, but resurrected the recipe for my grandson’s birthday party. Kids love them and so do adults. Best of all, you can use any kind of hot dog- turkey, kosher, fat free, vegetarian or all beef.

Just open a package of hot dogs; rinse and pat dry.

Unroll a carton of refrigerated crescent dinner rolls, keeping two triangles together to form a square. Roll dough to eliminate perforations and cut into thin strips.

Wrap the dough strips around the hot dogs, leaving a space for the mummy’s face.

Place on a cookie sheet and bake in a 350-375 degree oven until the rolls just begin to turn light golden brown, around 13-17 minutes.

Remove from oven and use a toothpick to create mustard eyes- or ketchup eyes. Easy!

The author and cook with a Mummy Hot Dog.
Debi holds a Mummy Hot Dog.

That photo goes way back because my grandson is now a sophomore in college!

Mummy Hot Dogs with legs or the Walking Dead.
My attempt at the Walking Dead or Mummy Hot Dogs with legs.

I recently saw an updated version of Mummy Hot Dogs that looked more like the Walking Dead. I tried to create them, but my attempt was poor. But, you can try it. Just cut the lower third of the hot dog to create legs. Happy Halloween.

The Hunt for Red October

Travel Journal/Blog, , , , , , , ,

Red October Sunset
Red October Sunset

I didn't have to hunt very far to find red October. Last night, I decided to photograph the sunset and got lucky with sizzling, fiery orange hues.

This morning I awoke to a beaming full moon. I snatched the tripod, a cup of coffee and headed down to the dock to start capturing the light. Before I knew it, a red sun was rising. I kept shooting, still in my p.j’s, filling up the memory card.

Sometimes, the best place in the world is your own backyard.

Red Sunrise