Bicycle Tray

What says summer is near better than a bicycle built for two!  I found this on the shelf at Target and there were a few other choices, too!

Street Corn

What a great side dish!

Peel 6 ears of fresh corn, and cut off the kernels.

Heat olive oil in a skillet and grill the corn until it starts to brown, stirring often.

Meanwhile, mix 1/2 cup sour cream with 1/4 cup grated Parm, 1 T lime juice, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper.

Remove corn from the heat and stir in the mixture and serve!

Tastes delicious!

Pita Bread Spread

Just made this chicken mixture today, served it on pita bread.

Take cooked chicken and chop it (mine was just grilled in a pan with S&P), Add in a can of drained, rinsed chickpeas, chopped cucumber, sliced radishes, chopped cilantro, ground cumin and olive oil mixed with lemon juice!

That's it!  And it's so good for a picnic, or just lunch at home!

Garlic Home Fries

I made these garlic home fries (recipe from Food Network Magazine) and they were so deliciously good!

Just cut red potatoes into 1/2 cubes and boil in salted boiling water (covered) about 6 minutes. Drain, and then cook in a cast iron skillet of 2 T unsalted butter and 2 T olive oil (preheated).  Spread into single layer and cook undisturbed for 5 minutes.

Add 1/2 chopped onion and 1/2 tsp paprika, flip potatoes and cook 5 more minutes.  Stir once, then cook another 5 minutes.

Meanwhile chop 1/4 cup fresh parsley with 1 clove chopped garlic and 1 tsp salt - chopping and mashing together.  When potatoes are done, add this mixture to the skillet and toss - cooking through - about 2 minutes.  Season if needed, with S&P (taste first - may only need pepper).

This is a great side dish to any meal!

Restaurant Salad at Home

Just had this amazing salad at a local place called Verskebap.  This photo is NOT enhanced - that's just how fresh and colorful the salad is!  It was very tasty, low in calories, and I will definitely be making this at home!

It consists of:

• spring mix, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, red peppers
• veggie patties on the side
• garlic viniagrette dressing

It's easy to put the salad together, with your favorite ingredients.You can purchase veggie patties if you like, already made.  Here's a great recipe from Epicurious for the dressing:

Ingredients

• 1 to 2 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
• Zest of 1 large lemon (about 2 teaspoons)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 cup canola oil or other neutral salad oil, such as walnut
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Preparation

Using a mortar and pestle, grind or crush garlic, lemon zest, and salt into a fine paste. Combine lemon juice, vinegar, water and sugar. Add to the garlic paste and then whisk in oil slowly; adjust seasoning to taste.

Fence Herb Garden

A friend of mine purchased kids' beach buckets at Walmart for 97 cents each, planted herbs in each one, and hung them along her fence.  She used zip ties around the bucket to attach them to the fence. A super cute idea!

Boots for Rain!

We live in a rain soaked area right now, with way too much rain coming down...so I thought I'd post a cute pair of rain boots for wearing...to stay dry!  from Kohls! They have sooo many cute styles!

Elegant Totebag

Elegant bag with lining that is waterproof, and it has leather straps and pockets. A bit pricey, but a bag that should last and look great while you tote it!  At a cool site  Apolis!

Patterns in Black & White

Patterned shoes from dressy to casual - in black and white - a classic!  ALL from Old Navy - under $25.

Best Oatmeal Cookies!

Made these dark chocolate salted oatmeal cookies and they're delicious!

You'll need:

2 c old fashioned oats
1 cup flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temp
4 T vegetable shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
6 oz bittersweet chocolate chopped coarsely

Heat oven to 375.  Line two baking sheets with parchment.  Combine oats, flour, soda, cinnamon, 1 tsp seal salt in medium bowl and set aside.

Beat the butter, shortening, both sugars, on med-high til fluffy 2-3 minutes, beat in egg and vanilla.  Reduce speed to low and gradually add flour mixture, til just combined.  Mix in the chocolate.

Drop heaping tablespoons of dough into sheets, 2 in apart.  Sprinkle with remaining tsp of sea salt.

Bake, rotating pans halfway through, til cookies are lightly browned 10-12 minutes.  Cool a bit on sheets, then transfer to cooking racks.

Makes about 2 dozen.

Enjoy!

Wear Them 3 Ways!

I love kimonos, dusters (not your grandmother's dusters!), or whatever you want to call them - because they're great over swimsuits, shorts, or sundresses for summer!  Charlotte Russe has several cute ones...super inexpensive!

CROCHET TRIM

BORDER PRINT

FLORAL LACE

Summer Party!

The Dollar Tree is a great place to buy items for parties, picnic, or small gatherings for summer.  I found these cute glasses in different patterns, along with trays.  It's fun to pull out these and plan your tablescape around one of the cool colors for summer!

Check out these:

Pitcher for Summer

In love with the colors in this glass pitcher found at Uncommon Goods - what a fun buy for summer entertaining!

Color Bowl

This was a recipe for Hoppin John, but I didn't have all of the ingredients, so I modified it.  It turned out super tasty, and we ate it with some grilled sausage!

Chop up 1 cup each of celery, carrots and onions.  Grill in olive oil for about 7 minutes.  Add in one minced garlic clove for about 30 seconds, then 1 cup brown instant rice (uncooked), 3/4 cup vegetable stock and 1/2 cup water, 3/4 tsp kosher salt, dash of paprika and chile pepper, 1/2 tsp chopped fresh thyme, and 1/2 tsp ground pepper.  Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes until the rice is cooked.

Meanwhile, rinse and drain a can of black beans, and chop some fresh tomatoes, and green onions.  After the rice is cooked, add in the beans to warm through, and top with the tomatoes and green onions when ready to serve.

It makes a pretty bowl that tastes oh, so good!

Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies from Martha Stewart are made with almond butter, and only include five ingredients!!!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup almond butter
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, stir together almond butter, chocolate chips, sugar, eggs, and salt until a dough forms.
2. Place 1-tablespoon mounds of dough 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake cookies until puffed and tops are set, about 10 minutes.
3. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container up to 3 days.

Road Trip Goodies

The Dollar Section at Target has a lot of cute items for picnics and kids, and since we're headed out on a road trip soon with little ones, we are loading up.

This cute three can caddy is great for the plastic cutlery, we will be eating in paper lined baskets, and the kids can play bingo on the road, as well as connect glow sticks at night!

Jellies Revisited

Jellies from the 90's are revisited and are so cute in these sandals from Papaya!  I can't find these on line, but they are in the stores (outlets) - at just $12.90!  There are two styles - this one and one that's more like the fishermen style shoe.  This one pictured has gold flakes in the sandal - so it can be worn casual or dressed up!

Jacket Sale!

I know...it's May and summer is coming...but these jackets are on sale at Target for $19.99 and they're so fun - several styles!  Get one before they're all gone... This one has a ribbed collar, cute pockets, and fits so snugly and warm...

Almond Mint Pesto

I found this pesto recipe in a magazine:

2 c mint
2 T roasted salted almonds
1 clove garlic
1/2 freshly grated lemon peel
1 T fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp each salt and pepper

Pulse in processor until coarsely chopped, then with processor running, add 1/3 c EVOO and puree until coarsely ground.

Toss with your pasta, and top with grilled chicken.

Tastes even better as leftovers!

Granola Delight

These granola bars from Barefoot Contessa are really so FULL of ingredients that make them fresh and gooey, crunchy, and delicious!  Almonds, coconut, apricots, dates, cranberries - oh my!

Check out the recipe here!

Slider Bites

Love these sliders that are so easy to put together, and look so darn cute!

Purchase crescent rounds, cut each strip in half, roll up and sprinkle with poppy seeds, then bake.  These will be your slider buns.

Slice a link of sausage into rounds, and grill up in a pan until browned.

Set out mustard relish, pickled jalapenos, cocktail tomato slices, mustard, and dill pickle slices.

Create your sliders and insert a pick and you've got yourself a small bite packed with flavor!

No Bake Cheesecake

From the TV Show The Chew:


NO-BAKE SUMMER BERRY CHEESECAKE
1 store-bought graham cracker pie crust (removed from pan and crushed)
2 tablespoons melted butter
8 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
14 .5 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 orange (zested)
16 ounces frozen mixed berries
1/2 cup mixed berry jam (warmed)
1 cup whipped cream

Spray a loaf pan with nonstick spray. Line the pan with parchment paper so it hangs over the edges creating handles. Spray the parchment with more nonstick spray.  In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and butter. Press into the bottom of the prepared loaf pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and orange zest. Fold in the frozen berries. Pour the berry mixture over the graham cracker crust. Spread the top out into an even layer. Place in freezer for 4 hours or overnight. Remove from freezer 15 minutes before serving. To serve, cut cheesecake into slices. Spread a spoonful of the warm jam on the plate, place a slice of the cheesecake on top and garnish with a dollop of whipped cream.

Tips: - You can also build the cheesecake in the store-bought pie crust for an easier assembly. - If you desire seedless jam, push the warmed jam through a fine mesh strainer.

Fun Treats

We have five little kids at our Mother's Day table for dinner tomorrow night, and I thought i would be fun to have something by each one's plate for them to play with, while we eat, since we are going to be on a patio at a nice restaurant.

These items are all from the Dollar Store and I don't expect them to last more than just for the evening, but I hope they feel loved and have fun!  Each one gets a cup or purse, a pinwheel to blow, a glowing Frozen or Avengers stick, a dinosaur or doll, and a crazy straw!

Double Bagging It

Did you know there is a trend to carry more than one purse at a time?   Would you try it?  Here's how it might look, and below that are a couple to try from Charming Charlie.

Smart Umbrella

Found this Senz Smart S umbrella in a magazine and it's made this way to help you stay dry when wind is blowing the rain sideways!  Comes in two colors...and you can order it from Brookstone.  Pretty cool!

Pizza Muffins

Pizza muffins in a tin - so fun and good! This recipe makes four.

You'll need:

• refrigerated pizza dough in a can
• pepperoni 
• mozzarella cheese grated
• pasta sauce
• a 6-muffin pan

Preheat oven to 425

Unroll the dough and cut into four squares.  Press each one into a muffin tin, making sure the sides come up around the edges.  Bake for about 4 minutes until just barely starting to brown.

Layer the sauce, cheese and pepperoni in the muffins.

Bake again about 5-6 minutes until golden brown.

Lift out and enjoy.

3 Fun Buys!

I found these fun pieces tonight at Earthbound and Cotton On.  I love the jewelry gold tone, and the fun length, they were both on clearance and buy one/get one half off.  And the long cardigan was only $10 - they had them in gray and an off-white, as well!

You'll have to visit the stores because I don't see these bargains on line!

Chicken Salad w/Honey BBQ Dressing

This salad is super delicious and can be made mostly ahead of time, then put together before the meal!

You'll need:

pulled chicken (i just grilled chicken cutlets salt&peppered, then chopped)
1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 cup grape tomatoes halved
1 cup grilled corn (i grilled frozen corn in a pan with lemon pepper)
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 cup sharp cheddar grated
1 avocado diced
romaine lettuce, chopped or torn
fresh lemon juice

bbq sauce mixed with lemon juice, for dressing

using a rather large in diameter salad bowl, place the romaine lettuce on the bottom.  next, lay out each ingredient around the circumference of the bowl.  squeeze lemon juice over the top of the avocado.

toss just before serving.  serve with honey bbq dressing and tortilla chips.

Cold Shoulder Top

I just recently purchased a "cold shoulder" top and remarked how indeed the shoulders do feel cold when bare!  However, the shirt is really cute and shoulder baring is trendy this spring - so why not! The bottom shirt in these pictures is the one I bought and it's great buy, from Rue 21.