Sunday, May 26, 2019

Orange-Salsa Pork....


Here's an easy way to "spice" up your pork chop.....


Thursday, May 23, 2019

Pretty Wine Glasses for a Bridal Shower Favor....

My niece is getting married at the end of June and she just had her Bridal Shower.  I painted wine glasses for each guest to use and then take home as a favor.


I enjoy painting on glass, so painting over 30 did not seem like a chore!


The hostess made a pretty display of the glasses and also little floral "grow" kits of daisies and roses for the guests:


It was a backyard shower and a gorgeous day in Massachusetts!

Jen was surprised when a "unicorn" stopped by for a visit:


Jen will be the prettiest bride, always smiling and happy!


While she opened her gifts, I made her a "hat bouquet" with all of her ribbons:


We are now anxious for the wedding!!


And I know they will live happy ever after!

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Easy Chive Vinegar....


All you have to do is strain it and store it in pretty little jars and you have a few "last minute" hostess gifts!

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Mackenzie-Childs' new Royal Check....

MacKenzie Childs recently introduced ROYAL CHECK:


A soon as I saw it I hoped it would coordinate with some ceramic pieces I bought years ago at the Christmas Tree Shop on Cape Cod:


A quick setting on the kitchen counter highlights both sets of dishes for  a light dinner of chicken salad and croissants:


We love leftover chicken shredded on garden salad with a light balsamic dressing drizzled over top!


A quick and easy casual dinner served on such pretty dishes!


I love how all of my Mackenzie-Childs dishes coordinate with so many different brand dishes and designs!


Do you like the new Royal Check as much as Courtly Check?


And look how fabulous the blue checks look with yellow:


The Salt and Pepper shakers were from Anthropologie....


...and the salad plates are old macKenzie-Childs Buttercup enamel plates


My Mom purchased the tablecloth in Europe many years ago!


These checked dishes also make a cute stack with my yellow striped ceramic dishes....


...and Buttercup pasta/salad bowls:


All set for a spaghetti dinner with garden salad and warm crusty bread!


Do you enjoy setting the table as much as I do?

Friday, May 10, 2019

Ten on the Tenth....

Our Ten on the Tenth challenge this month was very broad:
 "gifts for Mother's Day, End of School, or any spring/ summer occasion"

I am a "mother" and a "grandmother, so I can come up with a few ideas for that subject.  
I am a retired teacher, so I know "WHAT NOT TO GIVE" to teachers!
And spring and summer ideas are "endless".

I decided to focus on a simple, inexpensive idea:


SPRING COCKTAILS!

La Mojito


I bought a mint plant for $3.99 at the local nursery...


...I never plant it in the ground as mint is quite invasive and spreads too quickly. And remember, herbs like "dry feet" so never over water your mint! 

Fresh mint is necessary for a perfect Mojito:


Mojito :
- 1 1/2 oz vodka
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1 1/2 tbsp sugar
-  4 oz club soda
- 6-7 mint leaves

Tear up the mint leaves and add them to an old-fashioned glass containing the lime juice and 
sugar. Press the leaves with the back of a spoon against the glass to release the aroma. Add 
vodka. Fill the glass with ice cubes and top off with club soda. Add the raspberries (optional). 
Mix and serve in "Old-Fashioned Glass" 



ENJOY!






Any mother or grandmother would enjoy this plant, and I know that any teacher would, too...it is a perfect gift and makes a refreshing spring or summer drink, so I think I have covered it all for this month's challenge and you can make this clever gift for under $10.00!!

SIMPLY:
Buy a mint plant, attach a recipe and a mini bottle of vodka with a can of soda water and a lime !  



For the "non-drinker" add a bottle of lemonade and a cute adult sippy cup with the mint

NOW, let's visit the other bloggers to see what ideas they are sharing:






Monday, May 6, 2019

Garden Chairs....

Odd chairs are pretty inexpensive at thrift stores or garage sales and are perfect to turn into Garden Chairs!

Here is some inspiration for you:









And finally, mine:


The fun part about creating a garden chair is that they can go anywhere, even if you have little space.
Place one on your balcony, front porch, out at the end of your property, under a tree, on your patio - be creative.  And when it falls apart, toss it away and buy another inexpensive chair!!


Saturday, May 4, 2019

The things you find when you are not looking....


While straightening out a section of boxes in our basement, I came across this old MacKenzie-Childs tray....


I bought the "Go Fish" tray many years ago when we had a cottage on the lake.  I also enjoyed using it out by our pool for serving snacks to the girls and their friends.  

Finding it brought back some fun memories!


I have so many trays that I guess I never unpacked this one when we moved into this home 10 years ago!!


It is a nice sturdy tray for afternoon cocktails and snacks!


So I made Moscow Mules and enjoyed this "old tray" and the memories it provoked!!



For the recipe for Moscow Mules, go HERE


Thursday, May 2, 2019

An easy little appetizer....




There are a million ways to prepare "Salad on a Stick", but this is one way we enjoy it for an afternoon snack or at Happy Hour!!

I gather the following ingredients:


If I don't have any Alouette, I have used french onion dip, spreadable flavored cream cheese, a drizzle of salad dressing or flavored oils....


I spread the cheese onto lettuce to act as "glue"....


...you can add a chunk of cheese, an olive, and a slice of bacon can replace the lettuce...


...they can assembled be on longer skewers - the combinations are endless...


....and how could I pass up these cute packaged nuts?

Buy Carolina Nuts HERE


Black and white checks catch my eye everywhere I go....


...and the flavors of these are delish!!


All we need now is a refreshing drink to go along with our afternoon treats!!