White trash...:)

Since moving into our home sweet home, I've hosted many a get together. I love, love, love having family and friends over:) but without fail, I always forget about one detail- the trash. The hubby always wheels out this p.o.s to my horror. EVERYTIME I say to myself, " I have got to get a better trash can!!"
And finally I did! I love the old "Oscar the grouch" look! I found mine at Home Depot for $22.98.

The hubby gave her a little sanding (while trying to ignore little bully and his relentless need to play ball) and prepped her for paint.

It took 2 cans, but maybe if you use a darker color you could get away with 1.

And here she is- all crispy white. But the black bag? HIDEOUS!! Dear garbage bag people, not all large bags have to be BLACK!! Ugh!

And it never fails that the bag ends up half in the can from the weight of the trash:(

So I got to thinkin... and I came up with this. A garbage bag scrunchie! And let me warn you, I DO NOT know how to sew. I know only the verrrry basics. I'm a figure it out kind of gal. I paid absolutely no attention in home ec:( I think I was so distracted by my teacher who wore bright red lip liner with pink frosted lipstick. NOT a good look I tell ya! Anyway... I took a scrap piece of fabric and cut it about 4-5" wide and double the length of the around of the trash can. Ugh! Sorry, I'm the worst at directions! I used a 1 1/2" piece of elastic and cut it to a little over half the around of the trash can. And then just sewed it together to make a big scrunchie:)

Then I took a large tag and sewed some ribbon around the edge for cuteness. I just scrunched it up as I went creating the ruffle:)

And here she is- with her scrunchie. It holds the bag secure and hides the ugly black edge:)

The finished product! Soooo much cuter doncha think?!

A close up of the tag:)

I made a recycle tag too, cause if your parties are at all like mine- this one will end up more full;)

One morning I was emptying my trash from the night before and cringing at the sound that all the bottles were making so early in the morning, and then I laughed remembering how my neighbor said that when she hears that sound she thinks -it must have been a good one!!

**I'm linking up to these sweet parties!

A bowl full of lemons

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Savvy Southern Style-wow us Wednesday

Crrrrazy Cucumbers!!

It's stinkin hot here in the ole AZ, and the thought of doing any cooking outside of grilling or boiling water makes me sweat:( This time of year is when I only want to eat something light, cold, and refreshing:) Weeell, my hubby's garden has been growing like crazy!! My fridge was being taken over by cucumbers!! What to do with sooo many?? Make cucumber salad of course!! Every time the hubby and I go to Kabuki for sushi, I get their cucumber salad. It's fab:) and COLD, Sooo I thought I'd try making it at home.
All it took was:
Cucumbers- peeled, seeded, and julienned
1 oz. Tobiko ( those yummy flying fish eggs)

And for the dressing: This is where I'm the worst! I don't measure anything, just do it to taste. I guess like making a vinaigrette? I used mostly Ponzu, a splash of both sesame oil and rice vinegar, a spoonful of white sugar, pepper and I sprinkled the sesame seeds.

Poured it over the cucumbers,

Then topped it with the Tobiko:) **I got my Tobiko at AJ's at the sushi bar:) and yes, a little pricey, but sooo delish!!

Yummy yummy yummy!!

Then I moved on to dinner. Where I was hoping to use the other 7000 lbs. of cucumbers:) Enter- Trader Joe's rice sticks. You can get them in the pasta section, and this yummy recipe is on the back:)

2 c. Romaine lettuce, shredded
1 1/2 c. cucumber, peeled, seeded and julienned

1/2 c. mint leaves, roughly chopped

1/2 c. basil leaves, roughly chopped

2 c. cooked meat ( I used shrimp)

** I added bean sprouts too:)

Oh and look at this sweet little baby that was living in my mint! Now that's organic!! :)

Put all your chopped ingredients and cooked meat in a bowl, and pour hot noodles on top. The heat from the noodles wilts the greens perfectly:)

I took some soy sauce, sesame oil, red chili pepper flakes and honey (again, no measuring-all to taste) and poured the mixture over the top and tossed it all together:)

And can I just say, do NOT omit the mint or the basil! The combination of the two gives the best flavor:)

And there you have it. A yummy, refreshing and speedy dinner:) and most importantly? All done with one pot of boiling water:)

Go ahead, have a seat...:)

So here's a look at my little breakfast nook. A sweet little place where maybe I would have my morning coffee, or a little lunch. But no. Why you ask?
Cause you can't sit in these stinkin antique chairs!!

They're fabulously cute, and have that perfect worn wood look to them. But seriously? They creak and crack with every slight little move whenever anyone sits in them! Scaaary I tell ya!
This sweet little room was sadly being ignored because of those chairs. Enough!! I could take it no more!

On Sunday, the hubby was BEGGING me to go to IKEA. Juuuust kidding!! I had been searching for some little inexpensive chairs and saw these and for a sweet $59.99 ea, they were perfect:)

Really? Can I just take ONE picture without little bully in the background? Anyway, I LOVE how they brighten up the space! Me sooo happy:)

I already had the runner, and yes, it might be a bit long but I'm kinda liking it:)

Now what to put on that bare wall?? I'll think about that over my morning cup of coffee in my new chair:)

And she did it!!.... :)

A dream is a wish your heart makes, when you're fast asleep

In dreams you lose your heartaches, whatever you wish for you keep

Have faith in your dreams and someday, your rainbow will come smiling thru

No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing

The dream that you wish

Will come true

~Cinderella

10 years ago this coming July, we hosted a foreign exchange student from Slovenia. It happened actually by accident. My sister was going to host her but realized she couldn't and asked me and the hubby to take her. I (of course) jumped at the chance. We had never done this before but thought we'd give it a shot. Soooo happy we did. I love her as if she was my own. The hubby? He ADORES her:) She's truly an amazing girl. She graduated top of her class here in AZ and as for her swimming? No one could catch her:)

She went on to receive a full ride scholarship to BU where she broke records and worked hard toward her dream of becoming a doctor,

Just like her parents. They are both doctors in Slovenia. The sweetest people you could ever meet. THEY are the reason she's so amazing:)

She came to us 10 years ago with hopes and dreams of becoming a doctor, and on this past Friday...She DID.

Meet Dr. Lidija Breznikar McGrath:)

Liddy, you are truly amazing and I couldn't be prouder of you. You will make your mark in this world with your ridiculous smarts and absolutely wonderful heart:) Oregon Health and Science University is lucky to have you:)