Sloppy Joes

Research at the Carnegie Library suggests that the Sloppy Joe began in a Sioux City, Iowa, cafe as a "loose meat sandwich" in 1930, the creation of a cook named Joe."

The term "sloppy" comes from the fact that eating it as if it were a normal sandwich often results in the meat and sauce spilling out. It may also be served "open face", with the bun halves or slices of bread next to each other and the meat on top of each. A sloppy joe served with no bun at all is known as a saucy beefeater.

Sloppy joes are also referred to as wimpies in parts of the Northeast USA, especially northeastern Pennsylvania, as "yip yips" in parts of southwestern Illinois near St. Louis, and as slushburgers in parts of the Upper Midwest, including the Dakotas and Eastern Montana.Where did Sloppy Joe or Joes originate from:

If you look carefully, you can see the Red...White...and Blue colors in my photo; and one more interesting fact is that this beautiful Willow pattern china is from England...how apropos is that?! I served this all American comfort food up for myself for the 4th of July...our Independence Day, ...freedom from the British Colonies!

I mean, honestly! How much more American can you get?...Apple Pie and Baseball...Red White and Blue dessert?...its all good! While I was totally all alone...family still away on vacation/holiday, as the British would say...Cherio Jolly Good, and all that stuff!

I thoroughly enjoyed a tall glass of Zephyrhills Sparkling water with the Sloppy Joes...also all American, from Zephyrhills Florida. A slice of lime, and more lime juice...added ice cubes; wow! totally refreshing.

I'm sure there are lots of recipes for Sloppy Joes, but I happen to choose the recipe from

Ree Drummond (The Pioneer Woman) from Food Network 

Note: I made this with 1 lb. of lean ground beef, and did not use butter...only extra virgin olive oil. Also used less of the spices, of course...just broke it down to half the amount.

My son use to love sloppy Joes made with Manwich sauce with baked beans when he was little:)

 ...and later on in the evening, I walked over to the Intracoastal on the bridge and watched the fireworks!

Have a wonderful week ahead, everyone...and thank you for all your kind comments! xo

Homefries...and God Bless America!

What a long weekend we've had. To me, 4th of July has always been such a special significance of our country's freedom, unlike other some other countries in the world. We have the freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, the freedom of economic... I won't delve into that one, with our economy spiraling even more, downward.

Our forefathers paved the way for us, when they embarked on a New World, to flee from England, to be free from religious persecutions. They took the long voyage on the Mayflower ship, and landed on Plymouth Rock, in 1620...and settled there. Not too many survived the harsh winters, the diseases, and according to history, the constant attack by Indians?! is still a debate, history is not always correct.
Ironically, a year before that, African slaves were brought to Jamestown, which was the first English Colony of the New World. Not only were the Africans enslaved, but the Indians, by the thousands, as well!

Not until 1776, did we as Americans, gain our Independence from the English colonies! The rest is history, and we are finding out more and more...probably a lot more that was "hidden" from us. But at any rate, we all came here as immigrants...our forefathers, our fathers, and many more over the last 235 years.
Although a lot of people claim their ancestors came here on the Mayflower...they have yet to prove otherwise, because not too many of the very first generation have survived.

Fast forward. Are we like a "dysfunctional family" in this "free" land of ours?...I would have to say yes!
We may be a large number of dysfunctional people, not just in our very own homes, but in this land of ours that we should all appreciate, and work together to make it a better place...after all, we owe it to each other. We are all at fault for what has become in our nation, and not to point fingers at "individuals" who caused chaos in the government, our health care system, stop blaming our president...when he is the last person on the "totem pole" to be making decisions on what needs to be done...and yes, do blame your false politicians, and the Congress, and do have your voice heard! Get out there, and vote when you must! Every vote counts!
Our soldiers have fought too long and hard for our "freedom"...it's time to bring them home, and thank them for protecting us, and our freedom. We have to be there for each other, when things go from bad to worse, but mostly, every day in life. Never forget where you came from, never forget who you are, never forget that no matter how tough times may be, but knowing that things WILL get better.
This is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...and we should stand up for this country, love, and honor it, and  love one another...so God Bless America!
Amen to that!

Mango Daiquiri...and 4th of July Weekend!

Just when everybody is planning their 4th of July celebration, I will be all alone for 4th of July. I should feel sad, and bad...but not SO! It will be a relief to spend  that day totally alone. Daughter and family in Italy, son and family will be spending the weekend in South Beach, celebrating their wedding anniversary, and meeting up with relatives...and I will just "chill out" and relax, on Monday.
Not such a bad idea, spending the day house and dog sitting, holding down the fort, as Patty,
 @Patty's Food  mentioned it in my previous post comment.

I'm linking this to: Cookbook Sunday  @Mom's Sunday Cafe

To think I was complaining about not having enough mangos on the tree this year, but the few that mother nature is giving us, is more than enough for mango smoothies, and maybe a few other wonderful desserts, as in mango sorbet, or mango cake...but I opted for the Mango Daiquiri last Sunday, when my ex-hubby, my son, and family was here last Sunday. I was so ambitious to make the special brunch again, but a special refreshing drink addition...Mango Daiquiri. To be perfectly honest, I have not had a daiquiri cocktail of any kind, for over 20 years...seriously, back in the eighties, perhaps. It is so refreshing, I wanted to make strawberry daiquiri, but ended up making strawberry smoothies for my granddaughters. Yumm!

The majestic mango tree, that is at least a half a century old...so regal, so kind...giving us fruit year after year...although this year, not so much but we appreciate every fruit that we can pick up from the ground in the morning...before the squirrels get them and take a big chunk out of the mangos.

Frozen Mango Daiquiri
source: Epicurious

3 oz (1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons) amber rum

1 1/2 cups (1-inch) cubes of firm-ripe mango (from two 1-lb mangoes), frozen

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 oz (2 tablespoons) triple sec

4 teaspoons superfine granulated sugar

2 cups ice cubes

Preparation:
Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Yields: 2 servings