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:)

Keep it simple....:)

A few weeks back this guy celebrated his 83rd birthday:) Meet Norm, my hubby's dad. Yep, he's as sweet as he looks:) I thought I'd have him over for a little impromptu dinner the night of his bday:) Only, I didn't reeally think it thru. See, I'm the queen of procrastination and the queen of wanting things to be perfect. Soooo at about 3:00 on the day of said dinner, I started to panic. Wha? What? And then I stopped and took a deep breath and said, Seriously Dorie? NO ONE CARES ABOUT THE RIDICULOUS DETAILS!! It's true. So often times I get worked up about silly little things that I feel like I lose focus on what really matters. The time spent together- THAT'S what matters:) (okay, and the WINE.)

So I set my table outside with what I had. The vintage tablecloth was Norm's mothers:) How lucky I am to have some of her linens!

I took a tag, wrote a message on it, used a fork for a holder and...done:)

I love to mix my really good stuff with inexpensive things to give it that casual look:)

-the plates are Match, the glasses are Reidel.

-the flatware was a TJ Maxx clearance and the glasses are Kerr jelly jars.

-the fab cloth napkins were a bday gift from my sis in law:) from Domestic Bliss:)

And just to keep it real, I'll show you the beast I have to fight off my patio all day-everyday!

She leaves me little gifts like this, and I don't like it:( Moving right along.....

I served my favorite go to meal. Pasta with Prosciutto and Peas. It's super quick and easy and really tasty:) I used leftover cooked chicken instead of the prosciutto, cause that's what I had!

A simple salad of arugula and pine nuts dressed with olive oil and sea salt- perfect:)

And the birthday cake? I stopped off at Fresh and Easy and picked up this tiny little cheesecake. I sliced some strawberries and sprinkled them with a little sugar and let them sit in the fridge for a while so they create that yummy strawberry syrupy stuff:)

Poured that over the top and added a sprig of mint- and there you have it:)

And yes, I made him blow that candle out twice cause I didn't get a pic the first time!

I'm writing all this to say, that it really is all about relationships. And people. And not sweating the small stuff. And not missing an opportunity to make someone happy. And taking the time to enjoy those around you. No matter what:)

Kale and Kayola...:)

OK, so you all know of my love for my local Farmer's Market. It takes place here in Mesa on Friday mornings, and it's one of my favorite things. I know, I need to get out more:) I just love the idea of supporting our local farmers and eating fresh and local. My daughter LOVES her some Kale chips, so last Friday I bought some bunches of Kale and made her some:)

Seriously folks, it's embarrassingly easy to make these! You'll need 3 items- kale, olive oil and sea salt.

Cut the leaves off the hard stems into bite size pieces. Drizzle with olive oil,

Sprinkle with sea salt,

and spread on a parchment lined sheet pan.

Put into the oven at 350 for about 15-20 min or until the edges are golden. I do not however recommend you sit down and watch your dvr'd episodes of Kitchen Nightmares while waiting. This will result in a little over browned kale chips:( Ugh Gordon!!

If your really feeling your inner Martha (or just need a cute blog pic) you can serve it up in a brown bag with a sweet little stamped saying on it:) And there you go. Kale chips. Super tasty and super good for you:) You can eat em up guilt free!!

Orrrrr- If you're like me and you love a little guilty pleasure, you could dive into these AMAZING cinnamon rolls made by a sweet blog follower of mine:)

Meet Kayola Skinner. She showed up at my doorstep one evening with these lovelies. Still WARM!! It was the sweetest thing! Literally. I had never met her before, she just reads my silly little blog and thought she'd stop by with her gift of handmade yumminess for me. We chatted about a lot of things and found we had so much in common. I loved how she came to my door a stranger and left a friend:) What a sweet woman that Kayola!

So if you're local, and have a hankering for the yummiest in sweet, buttery, cinnamon goodness- you have to give Kayola a jingle. Yep, she hand makes these scrumptious delights and sells them for $20 a dozen, or $25 a dozen with nuts. Order up!!

Trust me, you'll be glad you did :)

Kayola's Fat and Sassy Buns 480-643-0089 email: pkfamdmly@aol.com

Or check out her blog:)

Summer's a comin.....:(

So this was the lovely sight I took in this morning as I was having my cup of coffee. Why do I insist on believing I can keep a hydrangea alive here in AZ?? UGH!! I adore these flowers. But sadly, the Arizona heat is on my doorstep:( and looking at these sad flowers is just another reminder. **ooh and I just remembered that I need to start growing out my fingernails, you know- so I can drive with them this summer:( anyway....
After work I stopped by my local Trader Joe's for a few things for din. OF COURSE the flowers are the first things you see when you step in the door. Genius move TJ's!! Fresh flowers are one of my many weaknesses. I mean leaving TJ's without flowers is like shopping at Target without eating popcorn, or going to Costco without spending $100!

Hello lovelies!!

And welcome to my kitchen. Where you will be enjoying the next week or so before the AZ inferno takes you oh so prematurely from me:( and at which time I will most likely (sniff sniff) be replacing you with a succulent:(