Our beachy vacation featured yummy meals at night. Dinner was always a highlight of the day — after hours of hard play in the sun and sand we were RAVENOUS when it came time to eat.

So one night we made beef tacos (customized for each person, of course) with lettuce, cheese, tomatoes and salsa. But this time we made the taco meat with fajita seasoning. It was a little twist on the tried-and-true taco seasoning packet. Plus, I added my own minced onions.

Magnifique!

Oh yeah, I made a rice pilaf, too, to mix it up a little bit from the typical Spanish rice.  I added minced onions to that, too.  Mmmmm, oniony.

This was one meal EVERY person in our group enjoyed. And with 4 kids in the mix, that’s sayin’ something!!!

Did you have a good 4th of July?

We screeched up to our condo here in Florida just as the fireworks were beginning. We were happy to have made it after driving ALL day.

Michael Jackson tunes had been on the iPod the ENTIRE 10-hour drive. My 5-year-old began requesting “Dirty Diana” after a while. And when the kids started to fuss and fight they’d say, “You better not ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Something!'”

On top of the parking garage at the condo (classy, yes) the kids enjoyed the fireworks show for about 7 minutes, then I began to hear, “Mom, do we have any Popsicles? What about strawberries?”

Anything with water in it sounded good. Apparently, they were thirsty, hot and tired.

So inside we went.

Happy birthday, America!

We have so many great meals planned for the week: a roast with potatoes, the mini steakburgers and steaks I ordered, ground beef tacos — oh yeah, and some frozen pizzas thrown in for good measure.

It’s always a good time sharing good food with the people you love. And here in what we think is the most gorgeous place on earth it can’t get any better.