Two new obsessions came home with me from my beach vacation last week.
Ponies and Pickles.
Ponies, actually, are an old childhood obsession, rekindled last week. On our way home, we detoured to Assateague Island where the Chincoteague wild ponies roam free.
Did you read that carefully? Ponies. Wild. Roaming free!! How did I not know about them before?!
We did see a group of them. But a little too far. We tried to get a closer look, but the mosquitoes were vicious. We abandoned plan at the half-way point (more like the starting point, truthfully). That’s right, we’re wimps when it comes to mosquitoes. We actually sprinted out of there with tails between our legs.
Next time, next time… I kept telling myself and the kids. Next time we’ll plan better. Starting with a repellent.
The other obsession is fried pickles. That’s all I wanted to eat all day! And fries, of course. There’s something about being on the beach that makes you crave fried finger foods. Can anybody explain this phenomenon? Or is it just me?
Anyway, fried pickles are my current crush. Anyone got a good recipe?
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While I was gone, Kaila and Sarah were busy partying with you all, and selecting features. These are their selections:
Perfectly Portable: Blueberry Lavender in a Jar from Naina@Spice in the City
“Naina brought us right into her dessert by sharing why she wanted to make a portable treat. However, the presentation is so elegant, you wouldn’t even know it was designed for travel. Her pictures are stunning,
and her blend of flavors is sophisticated.” — Kaila
“This is just such a beautiful and delicious dessert! I loved the photographs!” — Sarah
3C’s Cookies & Cream Cake from Shani @ The Weekend Sugar
“I am a total Oreo addict and this cake looks so so good!” — Sarah
The Duo Cake from Mila @ milkandbun
“I think this is a great combo! The cake looks delicious and I could imagine myself eating the whole thing!” — Sarah
Oreo Cupcakes from Sarah @ Sarah’s Little Kitchen
“Sarah may have been my co-host this week, but her oreo cupcakes were the cutest dessert this week. These cupcakes had a rich flavor, and I loved the oreo on top. And, my favorite final touch is the matching cupcake liners!” — Kaila
There you have it, guys! Apparently, desserts were really in last week, but who’s complaining?! I want a dessert, too. And ponies… And pickles…
I wasn’t able to party much last week, but I’ll make up for it this week, okay? I’ll be hanging around, along with Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook and Elaine @ foodbod.
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It sounds like you had a fun (even if mosquito filled) vacation! I used to be the girl who would never be phased by mosquitos because I grew up in the woods of New England as a bug bite covered child. However, after living in Colorado (without those pesky bugs!) I now tend to be annoyed by them more back home. Can’t wait for this week’s fiesta!
I’m a mosquito magnet. If there’s only one mosquito in a mile radius, it would find me! But there was a swarm of them! We could see the ponies from inside the car, though. So it was cool. ๐
There’s a place near us used to do calamari with fried pickles and artichokes and a herb alioli – it was the best! But sadly they’ve taken it off the menu and replaced it with a more ‘regular’ calamari with marinara. This catering to the masses thing…anyway, I keep meaning to try to make it myself but haven’t tried yet. Cool seeing the wild ponies, even if not that close this time. I was lucky enough to see some wild przewalski horses in Mongolia a number of years back. Pretty special. Thanks for hosting as ever, looking forward to seeing all the great recipes!
What? Seeing wild horses in Mongolia? Now that’s a story you’ll have to tell! Maybe serve it with Mongolian BBQ? ๐
Can’t believe that place would take that wonderful calamari w/ herb aioli off the menu!! Too bad, it sounds amazing!
It was good, particularly the fried pickled artichokes.
I have many a story to tell, and happy to share them over food with you any day, Angie ๐
Sounds the perfect combination! And what wonderful features – I missed the action as I am still in the throes of the summer holidays …
You are talking about ponies & pickles? It does sound like the perfect combination. For instance, you can eat pickles on a pony. Or let the pony eat the pickles. Either way, can’t go wrong.
Well, I was thinking about salami and pickles ๐ OK, no. I’d never do that…
Really? But that sounds good, too! Maybe I’m just hungry. I just had a slice of bread and coffee all morning. I need more food! ๐
Have been slicing a beef heart for the past half hour in preparation for our Peruvian-inspired bbq this weekend. I need cake more than anything!
Peruvian bbq, wow!! Can’t wait!! We had Peruvian bbq chicken a few times, so good! I also love the giant Peruvian corn on the cob!
Ponies and pickles…pickles and ponies…a good tongue tie! I’m a mosquito magnet too, I always just assume I’m tasty!!
Welcome to another fab Friday, time to greet some guests and enjoy some fabulous cooking…???
Lol! All the tasty food you’ve been eating must make you tasty. This is going to be a fab affair, with you and Jhuls at the helm. I really should just take a nap. ๐ ๐
Go for it…I just did!!!!
Okay, only ‘coz I follow orders. I’m obedient ๐
Yeah, I believe that….not!!! ๐
I’m serious. I’m typing this lying down, haha…
Ha ha! I nap sitting up!
Next time you need to just wear a mosquito net. Well not just a mosquito net unless you want to. :))
We always get fried pickles at a little stand near our vacation home in Florida. It used to be very quaint but know it is way to crowded and expensive. Sorry but $9.00 for a basket of fried pickles is a little steep.
Thanks for hosting and have a great weekend. Happy FF! :))
Maybe we need to start a fried pickle food truck, Quinn. And travel to all the beaches with it. Wouldn’t that be awesome? I’m a dreamer ๐
The Cinceteague mosquitos have been around for generations Angie! We vacation in Rehoboth Beach and my husband remembers them from his childhood and never wants to revisit! I will add the interactive link back to the hosts when I get back to my desktop. Can’t seem to get that working from my ipad at the beach. Welcome home!
We passed by Rehoboth since we had to take the ferry back to NJ. I like Rehoboth; seems very clean, but haven’t spent time there much except for shopping ๐ I had trouble w/ my iPad too at the beach.
Yay! Glad to know that you enjoy you fun-filled vacation, Angie. I am a mosquito magnet as well. I must be super sweet and tasty. ๐ The features today makes my sugar on the highest level – be warned everyone! Haha! Happy Fiesta Friday, Angie! And have a lovely weekend! Sending you hugs!! xx
Uh oh!! Jhuls is high on sugar, everybody!! Be scared, be very scared, lol… ๐ ๐
I imagine myself being like Tigger – keeps on bouncing! Haha!
Fried pickles are a secret lover of mine… and mosquitoes are a long time arch enemy of mine. I’ve heard that taking Vitamin B helps ward them off and have a couple of friends swear by it and although I didn’t think I noticed a difference after taking it for a year, my mom pointed out to me this summer when I was visiting that it seemed like I had fewer bites than I did when I was a kid. So instead of a million, it was only half ๐
Lol!! Can’t hurt, I’m willing to give it a try. So instead of my whole arms and legs covered with red itchy spots, maybe half will show skin ๐
Mosquitos love me too – living in Florence in summer time was a nightmare! The locals used to treat me as though I had a skin condition, so covered in red welts was I!
Just dropping in this week to check out all your amazing recipes and say hi – my post today was about DIY abstract art (not had time for much cooking lately sadly) so I’m not officially joining, but you know, I’m here, drinking your drinks, eating your cakes, and, er, not contributing to the feast at all! Sorry all!
It’s a bank holiday weekend here in the UK (three days off!) so hoping I’ll have time for cooking and a recipe for you all next week, and happy weekend to everyone! ๐
Why says you can’t bring abstract art to the party? We love art, too, you know. We’re multi-dimensional people over here ๐
Ha! Okay, in that case I’ll bring the party decor! ๐
Yum! I love fried pickles. I’ve never made them at home, only had them and fairs and whatnot, but if you find a good recipe, let me know ๐
I only had them at Hooters before. I’m not a big fan of Hooters, but the menfolk likes going there. I only tag along for the pickles. I’ll give them a try eventually. But I’m guessing they’ll splatter a lot ๐
Oh wow, thanks so much for featuring my recipe Kaila & Angie! ๐ I feel honored ๐
Do you have a large garden, Angie? Maybe it’ll fit a pony ๐
I actually don’t really crave fried finger food at the beach, only ice cream ๐ Oh and fries but I crave that all year, all day ๐
A pony will fit in my garden and I can even use it as a lawn mower, that’s a great idea! But then I’ll get unwanted fertilizer, too, lol! Oh, yeah, I crave ice cream too on the beach. Basically all the junk food ๐
A nephew loves these pickles and I have been collecting recipes to make some for him. I have one in “draft stage” and there are more online, even a copycat version of Hooters.
I’d rather wait for your recipe. I trust your recipes! I’ve bought several jars of different pickles ๐
Excuse me… Wild ponies? Really?! I’d love to see that in real life! ๐
Thanks so much Angie and Sarah for choosing my choco-cheesy-cake! It’s so good,and that not only my words: I made it for a baby shower party, where people gathered from different countries, and they all loved it… ๐
I know, right? I can’t believe these wild ponies have been there for centuries and I only came to know about them last week! Your choco cheesecake is to die for. I think I’m going to make it soon!
Fried pickles, seriously? That just sounds too weird for me, not sure how my stomach would cope with that ๐
No, they’re really good. You should try them. Kinda addicting, especially dipped in ranch. I’m dead serious!
what’s ranch? x
Ranch dressing. It’s a tangy sort of buttermilk kind of dressing.
Ooooh sounds nice. You made this one up yourself? X
You think I’m that creative?! Of course not! It’s something you buy in a bottle. Although you can also make it yourself easily, but I haven’t. Maybe I will one of these days. Are you still hosting tea time?
of course your that creative!!!! tsk tsk…..I was meant to start up the tea time in Sep, but just started a part time job and with the kids around all holidays everything went on a back log, so havn’t even had time to read blogs, let alone post anything proper, I missed FF Friday just gone I think that’s a first for me…sobs…but I will re-instate it…i need to sit down and start working out what things I need to stop doing, some of it will be the volunteering I do….revamp time x
you gonna post on my tea time? ๐
I was thinking of making something with green tea but I haven’t even had time! I’ve gone back to work myself. I’m going to have to start organizing myself and my time better!! ๐
I might re start tea time in October when I finally hopefully perhaps settle down so will let you know but something with green tea sounds amazing x
Okey dokey, let me know!
will do ๐ x
I hope you had a restful vacation and getting ready for school again? Ooops, I shouldn’t have said that “s” word :). My good friend here has another home in Chincoteague, I’d love to visit when the ponies cross, but I’ve yet to experience that spectacle yet.
I’m bummed summer is pretty much over for me. I’m not ready for school! So many errands to do! Why is there only 24 hrs in a day? ๐
You should definitely visit your friend. Seeing those ponies swim would be quite an experience!
My munchkin is a mosquito magnet and she gets badly bitten every time we travel to India ๐ My sympathies Angie! But I hope the free roaming ponies made up for it D
Thank you so very much to Kaila, Sarah and you for featuring my cheesecake!! Happy End of Summer!
Seeing the ponies was a consolation. That and a stop at a cookie & ice cream food truck! ๐ Your poor munchkin! My daughter still has her “mosquito spots” on her legs even now. What, 3 weeks later? Poor kids! Your cheesecake was to die for!