Frilly Details

Panzanella - A Delicious Summer Salad

2011-07-25T19:33:00.006-05:00

Well, I think I have found my new favorite summer salad! I've had my eye on the Panzanella recipe from my Our Best Bites cookbook for several months. I made it tonight for our 'Meatless Monday' meal {my husband loves Mondays - ha!}.

I cut the original recipe in half and it made more than enough for the two of us.

Here's what I used:

1/2 of a Cucumber

1/2 of a Red Bell Pepper

3 Tomatoes

1/2 of a Red Onion

3/4 c. Fresh Mozzarella

Handful of Basil, chopped

1/2 loaf French Bread

Olive Oil

Garlic

Chop veggies to desired size and toss together in bowl with mozzarella and basil.

For the dressing, mix together:

1/4 c. Olive Oil

1 T Balsamic Vinegar

1 T Red Wine Vinegar

1/2 tsp. Dijon Mustard

1 clove garlic, minced or pressed

Kosher Salt

Pepper

Combine everything and whisk until blended. Set aside.

Cut french bread into 1 inch cubes. The original recipe said to bake the bread but I heated olive oil and garlic in a pan until hot and added the bread. Sprinkle with a little salt and stir until pieces are crispy.

Combine the veggies and bread and top with dressing. Toss together and serve.

I knew the recipe would be good but it turned out amazing!! I will definitely be making it again soon.

Linked to: Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Delectable Tuesday

Happy Friday!

2011-07-22T13:22:00.001-05:00

Our guest bedroom is ready for our weekend visitors!

I like to place a little vase of fresh flowers on the nightstand whenever we have company.

I gathered up some hosta leaves, a hydrangea and a few sprigs of greenery from our bushes.

I love all the green!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Try to stay cool :)

A Super Exciting Day and Yummy Caramelized Onion Flatbread

2011-07-19T07:59:00.008-05:00

Last Friday was an exciting day around here. Trader Joe's opened its doors in Kansas City!!! I have been dreaming of this day for years. I did a lot of shopping at Trader Joe's when we lived in Phoenix and I've been going through withdrawal the 3+ years of living in KC. My hubby and I braved the craziness and shopped at our favorite spot Friday evening. We couldn't believe how packed it was! It was nearly impossible to shop and the checkout lines went to the back of the store. We didn't buy a whole lot since the aisles were jam packed, but we did pick up some of our favorite items.

pic from my phone

For dinner tonight I made THIS recipe for Spinach, Caramelized Onion, and Feta Flatbread Pizzas using our goodies from Trader Joe's. I made a few slight adjustments.

Here's what I used:

Trader Joe's Tandoori Naan

Olive Oil (instead of alfredo sauce)

Spinach

Caramelized onions

Rotisserie chicken

Feta cheese

Smoked Gouda cheese

I layered all the ingredients and baked @ 400° for about 10 minutes.

What an easy, yummy dinner!!

Linked to: Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Helloooo Tomatoes!

2011-07-11T08:01:00.005-05:00

I was out of town last week and came back to a garden full of ripe tomatoes!!

Thanks to my hubby for taking such good care of my garden and flowers while I was gone. :)

I ate several of the cherry tomatoes last night and they were so tasty.

Summer is here and I'm loving it – triple digit heat index and all!!

Linked to: It's Bloomin' Tuesday, Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

My New Wicker Vase

2011-07-01T09:03:00.002-05:00

It seems a little crazy to me that most of the stores around here are marking down all the summer stuff and sending it to the clearance aisle. Didn't summer officially start just last week?! There are some stores I refuse to walk into this time of year (ahem, Hobby Lobby) because I am not ready to be greeted by Christmas and Thanksgiving decor.

I guess I can't complain too much because I've found some great deals lately — like this cute wicker vase. It makes the perfect centerpiece for our kitchen table and I love how it looks filled with hosta leaves.

Linked to: Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Flower and Herb Pots

2011-06-27T08:05:00.006-05:00

It seems like all of a sudden my flowers and garden are growing like crazy. I love it! I planted my pots similar to last year with the exception of a little herb pot on the patio. So when I'm feeling lazy I can walk a few steps from my kitchen and grab a handful of fresh rosemary and basil instead of walking out to the garden. I just love all the different flowers and colors that are right outside my window...

Hope you are enjoying your summer as much as I am!

Linked to: Bloomin' Tuesday, Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Our Trip to Colorado

2011-06-17T14:24:00.002-05:00

We spent 7 lovely days in Colorado last week. It had been too long since I've been to Colorado this time of year. The weather was perfect and everything was beautiful! We stayed in Frisco and ventured to Vail and Breckenridge for some exploring. It was a great week full of gorgeous scenery, relaxing outdoors, and great food. The perfect vacation!

Frisco, CO

Arapahoe Basin was still open for skiing!

Vail, CO

We stopped for a delicious crepe while in Breckenridge

We ate breakfast at Butterhorn Bakery & Cafe in Frisco a couple times.

Their 'Eggy Bread' topped with fruit was amazing!

We had a great time!

Tomato Update

2011-06-01T08:43:00.001-05:00

I snapped a few pictures of my tomatoes last night.

They have grown so much just in the last three weeks!

There are lots of buds and blossoms and I even spotted a little green tomato. So exciting!

Here's my garden 3 weeks ago:

And today:

Linked to Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

My Birthday Flowers {aka - Peonies}

2011-05-23T07:45:00.009-05:00

Every year on my birthday (which is today!) my peonies are always in full bloom and look absolutely gorgeous.

What a great birthday present!

Hope you have a wonderful week!

My Homemade Patio Fountain

2011-05-18T14:38:00.010-05:00

The last couple of years I've been on the lookout for a fountain for our patio. My top priority was to find something that created a soothing, bubbling brook sound. I found several fountains that were pretty but they were as quiet as could be and others that sounded great but were way overpriced. So last year I decided to make my own. It's not the fanciest fountain out there, but it makes the best fountain sound! Perfect for summer evenings on the patio. I meant to blog about it last year but never got around to it. I snapped some pictures yesterday while I was reassembling it for this year.

Here's what you need:

Large pot

Bucket

Fountain Kit (got mine at Lowe's)

Hardware Cloth

River Rocks

1. Drill holes in the bottom of the large pot.

This will allow rain water to drain out.

Stanley is such a camera hog! He tried to weasel his way into every picture.

2. While wearing leather gloves (super important!!), measure and cut a square piece of

hardware cloth to fit on top of the large pot.

3. Place bucket in large pot, then bend the hardware cloth until it fits properly (again, wearing gloves is a must!).

Now cut a square opening in the middle of the wire mesh for the fountain head.

4. Place fountain in the bucket and adjust height to desired level.

5. The fountain kit should come with several different nozzles.

Pick your favorite and securely attach it to the extension tube.

6. Fill the bucket with water and place mesh on top.

The water level affects the sound of the fountain. I usually keep mine about 2/3 full.

7. Wash the rocks off and place them on top of the wire mesh.

Then plug in your fountain, close your eyes and pretend you're sitting next to a bubbling creek in Colorado.
That's what I do anyway ;)

Here are some pictures from last year.

Linked to: Thrilling Thursday @ Paisley Passions, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple,
Outdoor Ideas @ Centsational Girl, Show & Tell Friday, Finding Fabulous, Think Pink Sundays @ Flamingo Toes,Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Tomato Time

2011-05-13T17:06:00.002-05:00

My tomatoes have been planted! I decided to branch out this year and try to grow a few heirloom tomatoes. I hope they do okay because I'm eager to see what the tomatoes look like. Mr. Stripey, Cherokee Purple, Black Krim, Pineapple... I can't wait to eat them!!

Linked to Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home, Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Major Yard Work

2011-05-08T17:51:00.003-05:00

Whew, I'm back! Things have finally slowed down around here and we're starting on projects that have been on the to-do list for awhile. Last weekend was a doozy. We started on a not-so-fun project that involved 20 tons of dirt, numerous trucks and trailers, a tractor, and a lot of sweat and hard work. The area around our house was sloped toward the foundation, so when it rained, the water ran toward our house instead of away. Not good. We had to add several feet of dirt around our house which meant taking out all the existing landscaping. This was a hard pill for me to swallow. I have a difficult time parting with perfectly healthy plants and shrubs, especially when new ones are a little pricey!

I'm very thankful that my sister-in-law is a landscape designer and designed a custom plan for us. We would have been lost without her expertise. Thanks, Kylea! I'm also thankful for my husband's family and all the help they provided. We couldn't have done it without them.

Here's the before:

We still have a lot of work left!

I'll post an after shot once we have everything planted.

Linked to Anything Goes @ Decor Chick

Beautiful Evening

2011-04-17T17:45:00.004-05:00

We've had a couple of gorgeous evenings this past week. Spring is finally here to stay! The other night Stanley grabbed his beloved teddy bear toy and headed out to the yard and plopped down. He knows when it's too nice to be inside! Anytime I get my camera out, Stanley becomes a little model. He strikes a pose and holds it until the camera clicks.

Without further ado, here is Stanley's mini photo shoot...

He loves to grab wood chips and play keep-away. He knows he's not supposed to chew on them!

I snapped a few pictures of our crabapple tree. I have a feeling it's not going to be quite as full and beautiful as it was last year since our recent storms have knocked off a lot of buds.

Linked to Debbie's Pet Party! Check it out HERE

Southwest BBQ Chicken Salad

2011-03-30T09:22:00.011-05:00

Last year I was trying to recreate one of my favorite salads that I used to get at Cafe Rio when we lived in Phoenix, and it kind of morphed into a southwest bbq salad. This salad has now become one of my favorite meals. The key ingredient is the Creamy Lime-Cilantro Dressing. Talk about a yummy dressing!!

Here's what you do:

In a crockpot add-

Chicken breasts

Your favorite bbq sauce

A little bit of water

Sliced onions

Cook on low for 7-8 hours. Once done, shred chicken.

In true Cafe Rio style, I broil a tortilla with a little shredded cheese until melted and use this for the salad bowl.

Then start assembling your salad -

Romaine lettuce

Black beans

Cilantro

Corn

Guacamole

Cotija cheese

Lime

Creamy Lime-Cilantro Dressing

I promise there is lettuce under there somewhere. :)

Dig in and Enjoy!

Linked to: Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style, Foodie Friday,
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday Parade of Food, Tasty Tuesday,
Home May'd @ Southern Hospitality Blog

Happy Spring!

2011-03-21T14:37:00.000-05:00

Stanley's enjoying having the windows open just as much as I am. Spring is finally here!!

Here's to a great week full of sunshine and beautiful weather...

Roasting Tomatoes {And a Yummy Sandwich!}

2011-03-14T14:26:00.015-05:00

I've seen a lot of recipes for roasted tomatoes and have always wanted to give it a try. I stocked up on tomatoes last week thinking I was going to make a big batch of yummy bruschetta but that never happened. I didn't want them to go to waste so I decided to roast them.

Here's what you do:

Quarter each tomato and remove seeds

Drizzle with olive oil

Sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Top with a few minced garlic cloves

Preheat oven to 450° and roast for about 20-25 minutes.

*I lined my baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up

After about 5 minutes in the oven, the tomatoes were smelling wonderful!

After the tomatoes came out of the oven I decided to make a roasted tomato and feta sandwich. I toasted some french bread then piled on the tomatoes and topped with feta. I stuck it under the broiler for a few minutes and then tried my first bite. OH MY GOODNESS, these tomatoes are one of the tastiest things I've ever eaten! My super simple sandwich tasted like something from a restaurant.

Don't wait as long as I did to try roasting tomatoes!

Linked to: Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tuesdays at the Table , Delectable Tuesday,
Tasty Tuesday, Foodie Friday

Nothing but Tulips

2011-03-10T21:31:00.006-06:00

It's been a super busy week so I don't have any fun recipes or projects to share. But I do have a lovely bouquet of pink tulips that I've been enjoying all week thanks to the husband. :) I think tulips may be my favorite flower. Every time I look at them I am reminded that spring is around the corner...

Happy Friday!!

Linked to: Show & Tell Friday

I {heart} My New Cookbook!

2011-03-02T15:07:00.000-06:00

I received a fun package in the mail yesterday! My favorite food blog, Our Best Bites, just came out with their first cookbook. I have made so many of their recipes and everything always turns out delicious. The cookbook is everything I hoped it would be and more. In between the spiral-bound pages are wonderful photos, fun tutorials, and a helpful section with 'rollover' ingredients — a perfect place to find recipes with similar ingredients.

Here's the link in case you want to order one for yourself. You won't be disappointed!

Chicken Enchilada Sandwiches

2011-02-18T08:00:00.012-06:00

This is one of our favorite recipes. Easy, yummy, and fast. You can't beat that!
The filling is similar to something you would use for enchiladas but instead of rolling it up in a tortilla, you bake it in a roll.

Ingredients:

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

2 cups cubed cooked chicken

1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies

3 tablespoons chopped green onions

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 teaspoon chili powder
2 tablespoons cilantro

4-6 Hard rolls or buns.

Mix everything together and place in rolls. Bake at 375º for 5-7 minutes.

Original recipe from Taste of Home

**I use about half the amount of cheese the original recipe calls for and I wrap each bun in foil before baking so the bread doesn't dry out.
I usually bake mine at least 10 minutes.

Enjoy!!

Linked to Foodie Friday @ Designs by Gollum, Tuesday at the Table, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday @ 33 Shades of Green

Green Grass and Flowers via Charleston, SC

2011-02-09T21:04:00.005-06:00

I'll refrain from making this my third blog post in a row where I complain about snow and cold weather. I won't say a word about how we got MORE snow last night and how I'm sick of these frigid temperatures. Not a word…

Since I'm dreaming about green grass and flowers, I thought I would share some more pictures from our trip to the south last fall. We spent most of our time around the Savannah area but ventured to Charleston, SC for a couple days. Our first stop was to the Magnolia Plantation. We toured the house and then walked around the gardens. Everything was stunning. The history behind the piece of property is amazing. Some sections of the garden are 325 years old, and they opened them to the public in the 1870s.

You can check out their website here and read more about the history.

After we left the plantation we found a roadside stand selling boiled peanuts. What a yummy southern treat!

Linked to Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

How About a Little Snow?

2011-02-01T21:26:00.005-06:00

I braved the elements this evening and snapped a few pictures of the snow from our crazy storm today. I am SO done with winter! The weather better behave in the coming weeks or I may fly south for the rest of the season.

Here are a couple from earlier today.

Stanley was sporting his snazzy little winter coat :)

Linked to:

Wow us Wednesday@ Savvy Southern Style

Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Stanley the Snow Loving Dog

2011-01-23T20:34:00.002-06:00

I have not been enjoying all the snow we've received lately.

At least our little Stanley likes it!

We love our little snowball!

Check out Debbie's Pet Party @ Debbiedoos Blogging and Blabbing

My Newly Organized Pantry

2011-01-20T16:41:00.011-06:00

I've been meaning to clean out our pantry for a few weeks now. It was a total mess. I would just throw stuff in and quickly shut the door hoping it would stay. I've never been crazy about the design of our pantry. The shelves are so deep that stuff would get shoved to the back and never see the light of day again. I was reading Lisa's blog over at Popcorn Served Daily and she had just posted pictures of her organized pantry. I was completely inspired and started on ours that evening!

One of the biggest changes I made that has helped a TON was taking out two of the shelves. You would think that more shelves would equal more storage. Nope. Taking the selves out made organizing so much easier. And you can actually see the back of the pantry now!

Look at this mess!

I made some fun container labels using Photoshop.

These aren't really necessary but once I start organizing I get a little carried away.

A well stocked stash of popcorn and hot chocolate is essential for these cold winter evenings. :)

I have all the baking items in this corner.
It's so handy to have the flour and sugar right there instead of digging around in cabinet for it.
Why didn't I do this sooner?!

I've found that Big Lots has a great selection of little shelves and bins. What I didn't find there I got at Target.

It was a big job to tackle the mess but It's making things so much easier in the kitchen.

Thanks Lisa for inspiring me to organize!!
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Linked to: Inspiration Friday @ Southern In My Heart, Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home, Kitchen Clean Up Party! @ Beneath My Heart, Between Naps on the Porch, Organize It @ Thrifty Decor Chick

Sentimental Artwork

2011-01-18T16:40:00.014-06:00

I am such a sentimental person. There are several "memory boxes" around our house that are full of notes, menus, ticket stubs, maps, cards... you name it and it's probably in there. I love the memories that are brought back to mind when looking through everything. Since I rarely see all these special items, I decided to frame a few things so I can look at them everyday. I'm in the process of revamping our computer room and the sentimental artwork adds the perfect touch.

Here are the two pieces I chose for the project. A coffee sleeve from The Coffee Shop in Gilbert, AZ. We loved relaxing on their beautiful patio and munching on their amazing pastries when we lived in Arizona. Definitely a happy memory. The other piece is a business card from a cute little cafe we visited in Hawaii.

I used some inexpensive frames that I spray painted black.

I thought about using scrapbook paper for the background but decided it was too busy looking. I just wanted a nice white background. I looked around and found a leftover box from Christmas. The base made the perfect background - nice and sturdy.

I taped the items on the white cardboard then placed them under the glass.

I set The Coffee Shop art next to a photo collage I made of the cafe.

What an easy project that's filled with wonderful memories!

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Linked to: Boring to Better @ Savvy Southern Style, Creative Share Wednesday @ The Trendy Treehouse,
Somewhat Simple, House of Hepworths, Inspiration Friday @ Southern In My Heart, My Romantic Home, Between Naps on the Porch

Extreme Makeover {Savannah Episode} on This Sunday!!

2011-01-13T11:45:00.000-06:00

Remember back in November when we stumbled on the cast of Extreme Makeover Home Edition filming in Savannah? Well the show is going to be on air this Sunday! We are so excited! We were able to watch all the filming that was done outside of Paula Deen's restaurant, but didn't get to see what was happening inside. This Sunday we'll get to find out!

Be sure to watch at 8/7c on ABC

Click HERE for my original post about all the excitement!

Delicious Tomato Feta Bruschetta

2011-01-10T19:44:00.007-06:00

I've seen this recipe floating around Blogland and decided to make it for my family's get together on Christmas Eve. After one bite, I was hooked! This is the easiest recipe to make and it tastes absolutely wonderful.

The original recipe is from Clover Lane.

Here's what you need:

Olive Oil

Tomatoes

Green Onions

Feta

Cavender's Greek Seasoning

Here's what you do:

Pour olive oil on the bottom of your platter, then add all the other ingredients.

Mix together and serve on lightly toasted french bread.

Linked to:

Tuesday at the Table
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
Foodie Friday

Happy Snowy Monday

2011-01-10T10:29:00.002-06:00

Our week is starting out very cold...

Can you spot a furry little someone?!

A Week Full of Owls and Cupcakes!

2011-01-03T18:54:00.003-06:00

Whew, I'm back! The last couple of weeks have kept me busy with all kinds of fun-filled Christmas activities. My 11 year old niece came back with us to Kansas City and spent the week here so we could continue on with the fun. We had a busy week full of movie watching, eating out, shopping, and cupcake making. It was pretty rough. ;) My niece is really into owls so we got online and found a cute idea for owl cupcakes. After stocking up on Oreos, Junior Mints, banana Runts, and frosting, we got to work.

She even had an owl necklace on while making the cupcakes.

Here are the finished owls! We had a hard time eating them because they were just too cute. Each one seemed to have their own little personality. We were about to name each owl but thought that may be taking it too far. :)

Later in the week we rang in the New Year complete with festive cupcakes. She came up with the design and sketched out the plan. I was just there to help. :)

My niece is in the process of redoing her room so we decided to make some owl pictures to hang on her wall. We searched Google images and found some ideas we liked, then I traced them in Adobe Illustrator {love that program} and added our own touch to the design. We found some inexpensive frames and spray painted them white. We were very pleased how they turned out. Talk about cheap wall art!

I love the orange and blue color combination in this print so I had one made for myself!

We had such a fun week! Being an Aunt is the best. :)

Linked to Show & Tell Friday

Molasses Cookies {aka - Best Cookies EVER} and a Winner!!

2010-12-20T22:31:00.004-06:00

I have been baking up a storm today! This is the only time of year when I get excited to bake. Making cookies is not at the top of my list of favorite things to do, but something gets into me right before Christmas and I start baking up a storm! I've been making these Molasses Cookies every Christmas for the last few years and they are my absolute favorite and they seem to be a hit with my family. This year I doubled the recipe so there would be plenty to go around.

I actually got the recipe from the back of the Molasses bottle. It sounded easy enough and after I tried a cookie from the first batch, I knew I had found a winner.

Molasses Cookies

1 cup white sugar

3/4 cup softened butter

1/4 cup molasses

1 egg

2 cups flour

2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ginger

1/4 tsp cloves

In large bowl, combine sugar, butter, molasses and egg. Blend well. Stir in remaining ingredients and blend well. Chill dough for easier handling. Lightly grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper. Heat oven to 375º F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls, and roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges are set. Cool 1-2 minutes before removing from sheet.

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I couldn't resist adding a little Christmas light bokeh to the picture :)

I linked my recipe to these yummy parties: Tempt my Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesdays, Tuesdays at the Table

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AND...

The winner to a year's subscription to Taste of Home magazine is...

# 9 - Lori @ My Heart with Pleasure Fills

Congrats Lori!!!

Taste of Home Subscription Giveaway!

2010-12-15T11:45:00.001-06:00

Taste of Home is one of my favorite cooking magazines. I recently renewed my subscription and with it came a great offer to give a year's subscription to a friend for Christmas. So... I decided I would give it to one of my blog friends!

All you have to do is leave a comment to enter!

I will select a winner Monday, December 20th.

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The winner is

Lori @ My Heart with Pleasure Fills

Congrats Lori!!!

My New Stainless Steel Pot

2010-12-14T09:46:00.003-06:00

Back in October I was contacted by CSN Stores to do a review for one of their products. If you've visited their website you know they sell pretty much anything you could ever want or need. For an indecisive person like me, selecting an item took much longer than necessary. :) I changed my mind numerous times but finally decided on something.

My final decision: An Emerilware Stainless Steel Soup Pot

The ordering process was incredibly fast and easy.

I couldn't believe how fast my package arrived! I ordered it on Wednesday and by Saturday morning it was sitting by my front door.

So shiny and pretty!

Love this little pour spout.

It has a very solid aluminum and copper bonded base.

Handy measurements right there in the pot!

I am very pleased with the quality of the piece. It seems sturdy and well constructed. I can't wait to use it!

You can order your own here

Join the Fun Ornament Link Party!

2010-12-07T08:45:00.001-06:00

Stop what you are doing, grab your camera, and snap a few pictures of your favorite memory-filled ornaments and join my sweet blog friend, Bev over at Flamingo Toes for her fun Ornament Link Party! She was inspired to have this link party after she saw my Favorite Ornament blog post. So I will definitely be joining in on the fun!

Favorite Ornaments

2010-11-30T11:51:00.006-06:00

I've been saying the last couple weeks that I don't feel like decorating for Christmas and that I will probably keep the decor very minimal this year. Ha! Yeah right. Last night hubby and I pulled out the Christmas bins from storage and I forgot how fun it is going through everything. I also forgot how much stuff I bought after Christmas last year. Score!

One of my favorite things to unpack are the ornaments. I like having a few whimsical, memory-filled ornaments mixed in with the pretty ones. Our new thing is to buy a "vacation" ornament. Those bring back wonderful memories!

Here's our newest ornament from our amazing trip to Savannah.

These two ornaments may be my all time favorite. It doesn't get much cuter than a little tiny knit hat and sweater. :)

Our cheesy little ornament from Hawaii.

A mini version of us on our wedding day :)

This is one of my favorite "pretty" ornaments.

Everyone needs a blender ornament, right?!

Little Stanley.

And no tree is complete without a Christmas pickle.

Linked to Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge

Favorite Things @ Bargain Hunting with Laurie

Favorite Things @ Funky Junk Interiors

Our Favorite Ornaments Party! @ Flamingo Toes

Savannah Trip {Extreme Makeover Home Edition Excitement}

2010-11-23T10:55:00.005-06:00

Eating at Paula Deen's Restaurant was a high priority on my Savannah to-do list. I'm a Food Network junkie and have always enjoyed watching her show. So Friday morning we set out to make reservations for lunch and as we rounded the corner, this is what we found. The street in front of the restaurant was blocked off and police were directing traffic. We had no idea what was going on and then we spotted the Extreme Makeover bus. Ty?? Are you in there?!? There were a few people gathered around but there wasn't a whole lot happening.

Once we got back from putting our names on the list for lunch, we noticed a little more commotion. Pretty soon there were fancy cameras and people sporting sound gear all around us. We found out they were getting ready to tape the ambushing of the next home makeover family who was inside eating at Paula's restaurant. How fun!!!

And look who came out of the restaurant. Jamie Deen! This is the point when I realized I get very giddy when I see famous (ok, semi-famous) people in person. For the sake of my husband, I tried to keep the excitement down to a non-embarrassing level. :)

And then suddenly Paula Deen comes out as well! This is the only picture I got of her. Apparently she's so famous she has to be escorted into a van, driven a block away to a SUV with tinted windows, and whisked away by her driver. Really?? Anyway, I was pretty excited I got to see her.

And then out came Ty. {insert giddiness}

Here's the whole crew getting ready to ambush the family.

Paul DiMeo was definitely the most outgoing and friendly out of the bunch.

Carpenter Ed was on his phone the entire time.

Here's the family getting ready to board the bus. I think the show is going to air sometime in January. We will definitely be watching!

Savannah Trip {Part 2}

2010-11-18T11:40:00.007-06:00

It's been a full time job going through my photos from Savannah! I go a little crazy with picture taking. :) My thinking is that you can always delete pictures but you can never go back in time to retake a photo. Here are a few more from the trip...

The architecture and wrought iron work in Savannah is just gorgeous.

Mercer Williams House

The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist

River Street

Next up...

Our encounter with the Extreme Home Makeover excitement.

Linked to: Friendly Friday @ Thanks Mail Carrier

Special Day

2010-11-17T08:00:00.002-06:00

Before you think I'm crazy for spending so much time Photoshopping a party hat and party blower on a picture of Stanley, it was for one of my graphic design classes. We were practicing cutting out backgrounds of photos in Photoshop. However, I AM crazy enough to celebrate my dog's birthday! Stanley will be getting extra treats and maybe a new bone or two today. :)

Thinking About Christmas Cards…

2010-11-17T05:13:00.000-06:00

With Christmas quickly approaching, that means it’s time to start thinking about Christmas cards! This time of year I always look forward to checking the mail for Christmas cards from family and friends. I have to admit that my favorite cards are those that include photographs. Last year is the first time I’ve sent out a picture card. I scoured various websites looking for the perfect design and I finally found it on Shutterfly’s website. The whole process was so simple, and I really like the fact you can change the wording and font on most of the cards. I was very pleased how our cards turned out, so this year I didn’t even think twice about where I would be ordering our cards.

I really like these Christmas cards:

I’m thinking I may need some of these cute address labels:

They also have some really neat calendars you can personalize with your own photos. What a great Christmas gift idea!

**I’m participating in Shutterfly’s special offer to bloggers. Click here to find out how to get 50 free Christmas photo cards.

Trip to Savannah

2010-11-15T08:22:00.003-06:00

My husband and I just got back from our trip to Savannah Georgia. I don't even know where to begin to describe our week. It was simply amazing.

Sunset on Hilton Head Island, SC

Forsyth Park - Savannah, GA

Paula Deen's Restaurant

Do they look familiar?!

More pictures to come!

Mums and Kale

2010-11-09T08:02:00.003-06:00

This is the first year I have planted ornamental kale and cabbage and I'm loving the color and texture it adds to my fall pots. I will definitely be planting these every year!

Linked to Bloomin' Tuesday, My Romantic Home

Dining Room Light Makeover ORB Style!

2010-11-01T18:04:00.026-05:00

I've been on the lookout for a new light fixture for our dining room pretty much since we moved into our house. One Saturday a few weeks ago while hubby and I were out shopping, we made a stop at our favorite lighting store. We usually just go there to 'ooh' and 'aah' over the outrageously priced light fixtures. The store was having a huge "garage sale" and was advertising how their prices were being drastically reduced. For this particular store, that usually means instead of a chandelier costing $900, it's reduced down to $500. Not a deal in my book.

After looking around for a little bit, I spotted it. The light fixture I've been searching for!!! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the price -- it was originally $250 and was marked down to $40!!! I think my hubby was a little hesitant since the fixture was YELLOW. Nothing a little spray paint can't fix! :)

I didn't get the best 'before' picture. Here it is ready to get a makeover:

I used my trusty Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint.

And here's the after:

We installed a dimmer switch to control the light. I love being able to dim the light in the evenings.

Here's the old light. The fixture was way too small for the room and never provided enough light. I listed it on Craigslist and we sold it for $40!! That's how much we paid for the new light! Oh how I love Craigslist!

Here's the view when you walk in the house. Stanley's always ready to greet us when we walk in!

{Anyone else having issues with Blogger? It keeps changing my font size and it's driving me nuts!}

Linked to: Anything Related @ All Thingz Related, Before & After Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick, Before & After Party @ Savvy Southern Style, Power of Paint Party @ Domestically Speaking, Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Gourds Galore

2010-10-29T17:19:00.003-05:00

I've been eyeing all the cute gourds every time I'm at the grocery store. While shopping this afternoon I noticed they were marked down to 20 for a $1.00. 20 for a $1.00?!? Let's just say I went a little gourd crazy :) Once I got home I realized I probably didn't need 20. I would have been fine buying 10. Oh well!

I added a few to the dining room table centerpiece. Three down, seventeen to go...

Linked to Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home, Bargain Hunting with Laurie

Yummy Apple Snack

2010-10-22T13:26:00.002-05:00

I think I've had this for a snack almost everyday the last couple of weeks! There is something about eating an apple with sharp cheddar cheese that is so yummy. I just discovered Honeycrisp apples this fall and can't stop eating them. They are so sweet and crispy, hence the name Honeycrisp - ha!

Pumpkin Waffles

2010-10-18T21:12:00.004-05:00

I clipped this recipe out of a Taste of Home magazine a couple years ago and finally decided to give it a try. Since I love all things pumpkin, I had high hopes for these waffles and they did not let me down! The pumpkin flavor is very subtle but it makes the waffles so incredibly moist and delicious. I still need to give the Maple Cranberry Butter that's included in the recipe a try. It sounds really good!

Click to enlarge recipe

Linked to: Tempt My Tummy Tuesday @ Blessed with Grace, Foodie Friday @ Designs by Gollum, Saturday Swap @ Quit Eating Out

Weekend Wishes

2010-10-15T17:07:00.000-05:00

Fall Garden

2010-10-07T19:57:00.003-05:00

I'm sad my garden is slowly ending its growing season. Even though my tomato plants are brown and scraggly, there's still some green in my garden. My chives are shooting out beautiful blossoms and I found a caterpillar chomping away at my parsley.

Linked to: Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Coming Soon: CSN Stores Product Review!

2010-10-06T15:42:00.004-05:00

I'm excited to be teaming up with CSN Stores again! I could spend all day looking at their website. They have everything from great cookware, to modern bar stools, or cute shoes! The list could go on forever!

I am thrilled to be reviewing one of their products soon, so stay tuned!!

Gotta love CSNStores.com!

Poblano and Guacamole Burger

2010-10-03T19:08:00.010-05:00

This is quite possibly the yummiest burger I have ever eaten! My husband and I always order the "New Mexico" burger from Ted's Montana Grill and just recently it occurred to us to make our own burger with a southwest twist.

Here's what you need:

Grilled Burger

Cheese, Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack work great

Roasted Poblano Pepper

Guacamole

Butter Toasted Bun

Enjoy!

Linked to: Tempt My Tummy Thursday @ Blessed with Grace, Tuesday at the Table @ All the Small Stuff , Foodie Friday @ Design by Gollum

Favorite Apple Cider

2010-09-30T19:33:00.000-05:00

You know fall has arrived when you walk into the grocery store and there is a huge display of Louisburg apple cider right at the entrance! This is the best cider I have ever tasted and it's made just down the road from us in Louisburg Kansas. When we lived in Phoenix a few years ago, I was shocked when I found Louisburg cider at the local market. So check out your grocery store and see if they carry it. You won't be disappointed!

Touches of Fall

2010-09-28T11:24:00.004-05:00

I finally dug out my fall decorations from the attic and have been sprinkling little touches of fall around the house.

Take a look...

I think these pumpkin baskets from Michaels are so cute.

I picked up these beautiful mums at the grocery store for $3 each. What a deal! They are so full and lush.

**Note to self: Don't leave your favorite fall candle in the hot attic all summer. How sad :(

Linked to: A Silly Little Sparrow, Falling up @ Cottage & Vine, Show & Tell Friday My Romantic Home

Happy Fall

2010-09-22T20:19:00.004-05:00

Getting Organized

2010-09-14T13:33:00.011-05:00

Is it just me or do other people have a problem with mail and paperwork taking over their kitchen table and counters? I have the best intentions of being organized but I often fall short, especially when it comes to paperwork. I have a filing cabinet in the office upstairs, but most of the time I feel lazy and don't want to run up and down the stairs to file something. I saw this idea on Alyssa's blog and thought I would give it a try.

I found this cute file holder at Big Lots for super cheap.

Then I stumbled upon these file folders at Michaels. They were on sale - 50 cents for a 4 pack. Score!

The idea is to keep the filing system around where you open your mail so things get filed right away. Then every week or so you transfer everything to your primary file cabinet. So far it's been working great!

Thanks for the idea Alyssa!

Linked to: Toot Your Horn Tuesday @ A Silly Little Sparrow, Make It Yours @ My Backyard Eden, Pony Tails and Fish Scales, My Romantic Home, Remodelaholic's Anonymous, Organize It @ Thrifty Decor Chick

My Favorite Fall Candle

2010-09-08T16:34:00.004-05:00

Even though I am a spring and summer kind of gal, there are several things I love about this time of year. Right at the top of my list, next to eating pumpkin muffins :) is burning yummy smelling candles. I have a new favorite candle that I found last year and just got out today. The scent is "Mulled Cider" by Tyler Candle Company. These aren't the easiest candles to find, but they are amazing! I found a local decor boutique that sells Tyler Candles and all of their scents are wonderful.

Do you have a favorite fall-scented candle?

Linked to: Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Super Easy Pumpkin Muffins

2010-09-01T21:31:00.005-05:00

Now that fall is around the corner and the weather is cooling down, that means it's time for pumpkin muffins! I love all things pumpkin and these muffins are no exception. You can't get much easier than this recipe. Well, actually you can... Instead of using yellow cake mix and spices, you can just use a spice cake mix and skip adding your own spices.

Here's the recipe:

1 package yellow cake mix
1 can pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Mix together cake mix and spices. Add the can of pumpkin and chocolate chips, stir until combined.

Bake @ 350° for 20-25 minutes.

Fresh out of the oven...

So yummy and super easy!

Original recipe from allrecipes.com.
Linked to: Fingerprints on the Fridge, Foodie Friday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tuesdays at the Table

Before and After Chair

2010-08-22T20:54:00.002-05:00

Remember THIS post about all the furniture projects I need to finish? Well, I checked one piece off of my list. I finished the chair this weekend!

Here's the lovely before picture:

I sanded everything and then primed the chair. I applied two coats of black spray paint and another two coats of a spray polyurethane.

Here are the products I used:

While everything was drying, I recovered the seat with the new fabric I found at a local fabric warehouse for $5 a yard!! What a deal!

And here's the finished product:

I distressed some of the edges so a little red would show through (even though it looks kind of orange in the pictures!). I like how it ties together with the red fabric.

And the final before and after:

Now on to my next project!...

Linked to: Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch, Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative, Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping it Simple, Power of Paint Party @ Domestically Speaking, Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home, Finding Fabulous, Before & After Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick

Buffalo Chicken Tacos

2010-08-19T20:29:00.002-05:00

My husband and I came up with the idea to make Buffalo Chicken Tacos after eating something very similar at On the Border. Not to sound snobby, but we think our version tastes way better! :) These tacos are such an easy thing to make and they take no time at all. A perfect dinner after a busy day. The element that makes these so delicious (besides the tasty hot wing sauce) is the flat bread. I've never had a problem finding it at the grocery store and it's usually around the pita bread.
Here's what you need:

Chicken
Hot Wing Sauce
Onion
Blue Cheese
Flat Bread

Here's how you make them:
Cook the chicken, then add a generous amount of hot wing sauce. Make sure the chicken is thoroughly covered in sauce and set aside.

Next, add the sliced onion to the same pan. I add a little bit of sugar, then cover and cook at a low heat until the onions are translucent.

The final step...
Slightly heat the flat bread then top with chicken, onions, and blue cheese. If you wish to add an extra kick, drizzle some more hot wing sauce on top of everything.

And there you have it! A Buffalo Chicken Taco. Yum!

Linked to: Fingerprints on the Fridge, Foodie Friday, It's a Hodgepodge Friday, New Friend Friday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tuesday at the Table

Mug Shots

2010-08-17T20:53:00.004-05:00

I am quite fond of my little collection of coffee mugs. I like to drink my coffee and tea out of a mug that tells a story rather than the boring coffee cups that match our dinnerware. I realized as I was going through my favorites that most of them are from my husband! Isn't he sweet :) He's given me some really neat mugs from his last few business trips. Gotta love souvenirs!

B-day gift from the hubby. Starbucks has the cutest mugs!

Moose mug from Starbucks

Souvenir mug from Spain

Starbucks mug

Cute souvenir mug from Chihuahua Mexico

Souvenir mug from London

Target clearance - 78 cents!

Linked to: Show & Tell Friday

Homemade Ice Cream

2010-08-12T21:51:00.006-05:00

Help!!!! I'm completely addicted to homemade ice cream! My sister suggested checking myself into ice cream rehab. For the sake of my waistline, I may look into that. I found this little ice cream maker at Target a few weeks ago on clearance for $12. It's the kind that doesn't require the use of rock salt. You just keep the canister in the freezer and use it when you have a craving for ice cream (which for me is like every night).

I've been using this recipe I found online. It's incredibly easy and unbelievably delicious! I cut the serving size way down since our ice cream machine is small and it provides just enough for the two of us.

Here's the recipe:

1 cup Half & Half
2 T Whipping Cream
3 T White Sugar
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
Pinch of Salt

Mix together and pour into ice cream maker.

Since we are big Shatto Milk fans, I decided to swap out the half and half and use Shatto's flavored whole milk instead and boy did we hit the jack pot!! AMAZING! My favorite so far is the strawberry, but the banana was wonderful too. If you live around the Kansas City area you HAVE to try Shatto Milk. Everything I've tried of theirs has been superb and their dairy farm is just a short drive away.

We like our ice cream topped with toasted walnuts. Yum! This is the perfect treat to end a hot summer day.

Linked to: Foodie Friday, New Friend Friday, Feature Yourself Friday, Show & Tell Friday, Tuesday at the Table, Tasty Tuesdays, Tempt My Yummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday

Summer Harvest

2010-08-11T14:16:00.003-05:00

This is why I love summer...

Nothing like gathering garden fresh tomatoes and cute little zinnias from right outside my back door. It's the best.

Linked to: Show & Tell Friday

99 cent Vases

2010-08-09T15:38:00.002-05:00

I found these adorable little vases at Hobby Lobby the other week on the clearance aisle. They were originally priced $9.99 each which seems very high for a little tiny vase. Everything was marked down 90% off so I nabbed these cute little guys for 99 cents!

I added some zinnias from the yard.

Linked to: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Pizza Time

2010-08-02T23:39:00.006-05:00

Ahhh, pizza. By far one of my favorite things to eat. I love a good ol' greasy pizza that's delivered to my door, a delicious Chicago style pizza, Costco's cheese pizza by the slice... You name it, I eat it. I also love homemade pizza. I usually cheat and make the dough from a packaged mix, but this time I decided to make the crust from scratch. It was totally worth the extra effort and it wasn't nearly as much work as I anticipated.

I used Wolfgang Puck's pizza dough recipe. It was simple to make and the dough was very easy to handle.

I baked the crust for about 8 minutes before adding these toppings:

And here they are fresh out of the oven. Both pizzas were delicious! I love the combination of pesto and tomatoes on a pizza, and something wonderful happens when artichoke hearts and bacon are combined - scrumptious!

Linked to: Tempt my Tummy Tuesday @ Blessed with Grace, Tuesday at the Table @ All the Small Stuff, Tasty Tuesday @ Beauty and Bedlam, Tasty Tuesday Bloghop, Silly Little Sparrow, These Creative Juices, Be Inspired @ Room to Inspire

Hydrangea

2010-07-30T16:51:00.001-05:00

My hydrangeas are finally blooming! I was getting a little worried about them but I guess they just wanted to take their sweet time. Oh well, it was worth the wait.

Wishing you a happy weekend!

Projects I Need To Finish

2010-07-29T14:46:00.002-05:00

I need some serious motivation when it comes to finishing furniture projects. I can't resist a cheap piece of furniture when I see one at a garage sale or thrift store, but then it ends up sitting in our garage forever since painting furniture is not my favorite thing to do! Good thing we have a three car garage ;)
Here are my current projects that need to be finished:

I found this black and blue dresser at a thrift store for $10. It's Bassett and seems to be in great condition.

This next piece was free! I found it at my parents' house and somehow it ended up coming home with me :). The backing was in pretty bad shape so I removed it and will replace it with a new piece of plywood. I've sanded everything and I plan to use a dark stain on the top and paint the rest off-white. I think it will look cute with some wicker baskets on the shelves.

I found this chair at a thrift store for $10. The cushion is pretty gross so I plan to replace it and paint the chair. I found some really cute fabric this weekend to add to the seat.

Here is my find from the one and only garage sale I went to this year. I plan to paint it off-white and use it in my craft room for storage. The cubby holes aren't very big so I've been on the lookout for some small baskets that will fit. I did find some really cute little tin boxes on the dollar aisle at Target that will fit nicely.

Hopefully I'll have some posts soon showing off the finished product!

Linked to: Garage Salen Partay @ Debbiedoos, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, Show & Tell @ My Romantic Home, Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed, New Friend Friday @ The Girl Creative, Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt

2010-07-27T16:20:00.001-05:00

My hubby and I enjoyed the company of our good friends this weekend. On Saturday my friend was telling me about a new frozen yogurt place called Orange Leaf that just opened where they live and it sounded like such a fun place to try. While we were out shopping later that afternoon, we couldn't believe our eyes when we spotted an Orange Leaf that had a big banner saying "Now Open". We gave it a try the next day and we were not disappointed. What a fun place to visit! The frozen yogurt and topping bar is self serve and the flavor possibilities are endless. It was hard to decide on just one, so I tried several different flavors and they were all delicious. Check to see if you have one around where you live. It's such a happy little place to visit!

Dollar Flowers

2010-07-21T13:18:00.001-05:00

While grocery shopping the other day, I happened to walk past the floral department and noticed several bouquets of fresh flowers marked down to a $1.00. How could I resist?! I brought them home and separated the flowers to make several smaller arrangements. After it was all said and done, I had flowers in several rooms of the house. Not bad for only spending $2.00! I love a good deal :)

Linked to: Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple, Show & Tell @ My Romantic Home, Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous

Garden Goodness

2010-07-15T07:45:00.001-05:00

My blog posts from now until this fall will probably pertain to tomatoes and my love of summer. :) I plan on looking at these pictures this winter as I am bundled up in my extra layers of clothing and socks while dreaming of warmer weather and my garden. Until then, I'm enjoying every minute of this season and savoring everything it has to offer.

Nothing like a fresh batch of pesto made with basil from my garden. Yum!

Even though my tomato plants aren't looking super healthy this year, I can't complain about what they are producing!

Here's one of my favorite summer salads. Mix a simple dressing made with oil, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Then add tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and feta cheese. It's also fantastic with kalamata olives. Mmmm...

I just had my first BLT of the summer and it was delicious!

Linked to:

Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple, Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday @ Blessed with Grace, Key Lime Blog Design

Summer Collage

2010-07-12T11:47:00.001-05:00

Linked to: Mosaic Monday @ Dear Little Red House

Summer Evenings {And a Winner!}

2010-07-10T22:19:00.001-05:00

It doesn't get much better than summer evenings on the patio...

On another note, the winner of the $40 gift card to CSN Stores is...

Entry # 46 - Chelsea from Room to Inspire.

Congratulations Chelsea!

Zinnia

2010-07-08T12:28:00.002-05:00

Linked to: It's a Hodgepidge Friday, My Romantic Home

Tomatoes and Adobe

2010-07-06T23:18:00.001-05:00

Here are my first ripe cherry tomatoes of the season. Aren't they cute?! More importantly, they are very tasty and have added a touch of summer goodness to several meals lately. Have I mentioned recently how much I love summer? Ahh, it's the best!

I am taking some Adobe classes this summer and I feel like my eyes are going to pop out of my head from staring at the computer so much. I am taking Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. There is so much to learn with each program and I'm blown away by the graphics that can be designed in Adobe.

I'm not even going to tell you how long this practice sheet took me to make! It doesn't help that my computer isn't able to perform all the functions since apparently it's low on RAM.

Garden Update III

2010-07-02T08:51:00.001-05:00

Last night when I was watering my garden I spotted my first ripe tomatoes of the season! There are a couple sweet 100 and yellow pear tomatoes that are almost ready to be devoured.

I am a little bummed about my garden this year. I don't know if it's due to the massive amount of rain we received in June and now a dry spell, but a lot of the leaves have turned yellow and most of the blossoms have dried up. I'm trying not to think about it too much because it really frustrates me! Last year my tomato plants were so lush and green. I'm going to blame it on the new dirt we added and mother nature. That makes me feel a little bit better :).

Stanley loves helping me outside. He's on bunny patrol and chases those pesky critters out of the yard. Needless to say, he's feeling like a new dog after his knee surgery!

Linked to: Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home, Remodelaholic, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous

A Great Giveaway!!!!

2010-06-29T16:46:00.002-05:00

I'm excited to announce that CSN Stores is graciously offering another gift card to one of my blog readers. If you haven't had a chance to check out one of their 200+ online stores, you should definitely take a look! They have everything!

Outdoor Lighting? They have it.
Kitchen sinks? Uh-huh
Bird feeders? Of course.
New bathroom vanity? Yep.

CSN Stores is offering a one-time use $40 gift card to one of you!!!

You have 3 chances to enter.

1 - Leave a comment on this post. Be sure to include your email if you don't have a blog.

2 - Are you a follower of Frilly Details? If so, leave another comment. If not, maybe now is a good time to become one :)

3 - Post a link on your blog about this giveaway for a final entry.

*Please leave a separate comment for each entry*

The winner will be randomly selected July 10th.

Please note that this giveaway is open for US and Canadian residents.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Congratulations to the winner:

Chelsea @ Room to Inspire

Linked to: Friday Follow

First Time Using ORB Spray Paint

2010-06-27T20:55:00.003-05:00

I did it. I finally used the spray paint that everyone in blogland has been talking about. I feel like I'm a real blogger now. :) And I'm pretty sure this won't be the last thing I paint with oil rubbed bronze spray paint.
I've had this vase set for years and it's been stashed away since we've been in our house. I love how it turned out and can't wait to fill it with my zinnias and cosmos that should be blooming soon!
Here's the before:

After a little of this...

And a few of these...

I now have this!

Linked to:
Party On! Debbiedoos Before & After party
Between Naps on the Porch, Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping it Simple, Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative, Making the World Cuter, Toot Your Horn Tuesday @ Silly Little Sparrow, All Thingz Related, Trendy Treehouse, Boardwalk Bragfest @ Bobbypins Boardwalk, Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple, Hookin' up with HOH, Show & Tell Friday @My Romantic Home, Remodelaholic

Mango Pico de Gallo

2010-06-25T07:41:00.000-05:00

I am completely addicted to this stuff. I found the recipe on my favorite food blog a couple months ago and could hardly wait to try it. I have made the pico de gallo numerous times since then and I still can't get enough! It's so fresh tasting and very simple to make.

Click here for the recipe.

On a side note, my new camera lens arrived yesterday and I'm LOVING IT!!!

Linked to: Foodie Friday @ Designs by Gollum, Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous

Farmers Market

2010-06-19T20:36:00.001-05:00

Today was the first of many Saturday mornings that will be spent at the farmers market this summer. What a fun place to shop for fruits and veggies! Apparently a lot of other people think so because that place was packed.

Here are our goodies...

I already bought some fresh mozzarella to make our first caprese salad of the year, and I am eager to use the potatoes and onions for this recipe.

Linked to: Mosaic Monday @ Dear Little Red House

Beautiful Mandevilla

2010-06-17T19:48:00.001-05:00

I think I have a new favorite flower to plant every year. My mandevilla is bursting with blooms and buds and seems to grow a little more every day.

It's fun to see how much my flowers have grown over the last month. I've hardly had to water anything with all the rain we've received lately.

Linked to: Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home, Favorite Things Friday @ A Few of My Favorite Things, Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch, Ms. Green Thumb Jean

My New Wreath

2010-06-10T23:31:00.001-05:00

I was in a craft making mood today so I made a stop at Hobby Lobby to see what I could find. When I spotted the grapevine wreaths I knew what my next project was going to be! I had most of the supplies at home so I just grabbed the wreath and a few sprigs of greenery.

I used the new greenery as the base for my wreath.

I can't get enough of this reindeer moss! I knew I had to add some to my wreath but wasn't quite sure how to attach it. I looked around my craft room and spotted a ball of twine and decided to tie it around the moss and then around the wreath. It worked great!

Make sure it's nice and tight then cut off the extra twine.

At the last minute I added some curly willow.

And here's the final product.

For now it's hanging on the inside of our front door so I can enjoy looking at my hard work! I never go through the front door so once it's there I won't get to see it very often.

Linked to: Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous, Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home, Creations by Kara, *Remodelaholic, Bobbypins Boardwalk, These Creative Juices, Today's Creative Blog, Be Inspired @ Room To Inspire, Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch, Before & After @ Thirfty Decor Chick

My Garden Part II

2010-06-08T13:27:00.003-05:00

My garden is growing like a weed! I'm thrilled that almost every tomato plant has several little green tomatoes. They are so cute!

Here's my garden a month ago:

And now:

Summertime Italian Soda

2010-06-02T17:26:00.003-05:00

Italian Sodas are one of my favorite summer drinks. They are a hit with kids too. My niece and nephews always request one when they come for a visit. The flavor possibilities are endless. World Market has an excellent selection of Torani syrups. My favorite combination is raspberry and vanilla. Kiwi and strawberry mixed together is quite tasty too :)

Ingredients:

Torani syrup
Club Soda
Half & Half

Fill cup with ice and add club soda.

Pour desired amount of flavored syrup and stir.

If you want to take your Italian Soda to the next level of yumminess, add some half & half. I am a huge fan of Shatto milk. If you live in the Kansas City area you have to give it a try. Their root beer milk is ridiculously good.

It's crucial you add the half & half as the last step. If you pour club soda over cream it turns into a bubbly mess, trust me :)

Take your drink out to the patio and sit back and relax!

Linked to: Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple, Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home, Remodelaholic, Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday @ Blessed With Grace, Tuesday at the Table @ All the Small Stuff, Tasty Tuesday @ Beauty and Bedlam

A Few of My Favorite Things

2010-05-27T09:20:00.001-05:00

My new mosaic top patio table my hubby gave me for my birthday...

Gorgeous peonies that are in full bloom...

Spending the day in Manhattan, KS...

Linked to: Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring Decorating

Woo Hoo Wednesday@ Always Nesting

Party Time and Free Food!

2010-05-21T15:02:00.001-05:00

Time to bust out the party hats and streamers - my birthday is this weekend! The last couple of years I have been signing up online for restaurant e-club birthday programs and during the month of May I get quite a few emails offering a free birthday meal or treat. Free food? Count me in! Here's a list of a few of my favorites. If you click on the restaurant it will take you directly to the e-club page so you can sign up!

Red Robin - Free meal

Noodles & Company - Free meal

Mimi's Cafe - $10 off

Culver's - Free sundae

Cold Stone Creamery - Free ice cream

And for my Kansas City friends:

Minsky's - Free pizza

Since a post isn't complete without a picture...

Beautiful irises and hostas from our yard. Ahhh, spring!

Loving My New Bag!

2010-05-20T15:15:00.001-05:00

Last week my blog friend Alisa posted this bag she made for her mom's Netbook and I immediately went head over heels over the fabric and design. I don't think it gets much better than Hunky Dory fabric accented with a little Amy Butler. I've been meaning to buy a case for my Netbook but everything out there is so blah and boring. I knew this bag would be perfect! Alisa was so kind and made a custom bag for me. I picked it up this morning (we live within 10 miles of each other - small world!) and the bag is everything I was hoping for and more! The sides are fully padded with fleece interfacing and there is a fabric covered board on the bottom to keep my computer safe. Oh, and it matches my Netbook perfectly!! I will be toting my computer in style :)

Thank you SO much Alisa!!! I love my new bag. :)

You can check out Alisa's Etsy shop here. She's open to special orders so if anyone else wants a cute little bag, now is your chance!

Linked to Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Seasonal Change

2010-05-18T16:07:00.001-05:00

Remember these Easter egg topiaries? It made me sad to think I wouldn't see those cute little moss-filled pots until next Easter.

So... out with the eggs and in with some cute pom pom sticks!

I had a few extra pom pom sticks from when I made these topiaries.

So all I did was pull out the Easter egg picks and stick in the new topiary tops. Super easy!

Linked to:

DIY Day @ A Soft Place to Land, Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch, Woo Hoo Wednesday @ Always Nesting, Boardwalk Bragfest @ Bobbypins Boardwalk, Look What I Made @ Creations by Kara, Be Inspired @ Room to Inspire, Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home, Before & After @ Thrifty Decor Chick