Is it summer yet?

Recently we replaced our canopy cover. The original one was destroyed in the Santa Ana winds. Apparently we live in such a throwaway/disposable/single use world that you cannot just by a canopy cover with out special ordering it and waiting for months. Instead of that headache, we used painters canvas for the top and fabric shower liners for the sides. Who know a drop cloth and splash stopper could come out so cute?

The scraps? Well those were used to make (free)covers for the new fire pit and BBQs.

Here is our dinner for tonite. The white paper sack is the sausage. You may notice that I have lettuce in a grill basket. That will be a grilled Caesar salad. I'll let y'all know how it turns out!

Corn with salt, pepper, Cayenne and garlic is wrapped up in foil on the left. The double skewers are teriyaki marinaded portabella mushrooms.

Finished the invitations to our "kickin' off summer" BBQ. Here it is (the folded up piece of paper is covering my address - stalkers aren't so much fun).

Below is my dirt. Actually, we are on Day 5 of wild flower watch. I threw some seeds out there. Let's see what happens, shall we?

I think the Charcoal just caught, gotta run!

Kickin' off another flip-flop summer

Ahh, summer is in the air. The boy and I have decided (well, I informed him) that we will be hosting our first BIG party!

For the event we needed to purchase new patio stuff. Because pulling our indoor dining furniture outside is cool and all...

We almost put the brakes on right there. You see, patio stuff is REALLY expensive. It seems that if you want to entertain, you have to spend a damn fortune filling up your patio.

Have y'all seen gas prices? We needed a quick fix, or our little BBQ as doomed at the gate. So, the boy and I checked out the Memorial Day Sales at the discount stores.

Everything was very economical and I can't wait to warm my toesies under the new fire pit (Walmart, $44.58). We also invested in 2 cheapo grills ($19.94 & $24.38, Wally World again) so we can have "dueling grills" for our party.

Big Lots! yielded us tiki torches, extra large citronella candles and a $5 jumbo beverage (keg) bucket. And at Home Depot we scored 8 solar garden lights for under $20.

Lowe's Memorial Day sale was also a great find! Although it is a plastic set, our 6 new chairs and 36" patio table were under $60.

We also got a whole bunch of other stuff, grill accessories, fuel (torches and Qs) and a surprisingly cute top - as in shirt (Gotta love those big box stores).

I guess the moral is, you CAN have your cake and eat it too. A little extra price comparison, cute fabric to cover a plastic beige table and a "take it or leave it" attitude might get you pretty far and still be able to fill up your tank.

What I need NOW is great grillin' recipes. More then just ribs and corn, I need the GOOD stuff. So let me know, I have to outshine the plastic chairs!

“You can call her an outdoor girl if she has the bloom of youth on her cheeks and the cheeks of youth in her bloomers”

Going back to Cali

As we get ready to hop on our plane back to California, I am reflective of our trip and the nice time we had. My SIL's house is amazing, decorated to the nines tastefully yet boldly. She is raising 3 great kids - William who just starred in his kindergarten musical debut of "Tiki Tiki Tembo", Ally - who is learning sex ed with hr 8th grade class and Rochelle - who is so 15 is brings back all sorts of memories (15 is the hardest age, I think). The house is also populated with my MIL who works the overnight shift and somehow sleeps through all the ruckus in this full house, my BIL and his best friend - they joke that they would get married if only they didn't have to consummate the marriage, and sometimes my nephew - who wants to play basket-foot-soccer-wrestling-karate and maybe, just maybe ninjas.

Bless Rochelle's heart - she let the boy and I stay in her room all week so we had reasonably comfortable digs. We visited the Zoo and Pike's Market. The backyard was graced with multiple games of every sport known to little boys. We ate way too much and drank even more.

Bonney Lake, Washington is a little different then the Bay Area or SoCal...

My SIL gets her milk delivered.

All the neighbors know each other. Really well.

Some people don't have fences.

The boy bet me $10 I would not see a single person at the grocery who was not of European descent - I lost. Twice.

You cannot purchase liquor at the grocery store. You cannot purchase liquor on Sundays. The liquor store closes at 7 (8 on Fridays).

AND - if you attempt to buy booze at the liquor store and realize you left your ID in your other purse back at the house because you just flew in and are a little bit discombobulated - they will admonish you in front of the entire store, yell at your BF and SIL for trying to purchase for a minor and kick you out. Your whole group will be kicked out of the store. Welcome to Washington, bitches.

“Washington is nicknamed "The Evergreen State" because it sounds better than "The Incessant Nagging Drizzle State."” - Dave Berry

Of all the things to do...

The highlight of the trip so far?

I learned how to armpit fart from 6 year old William. He says I'm not bad - for a girl!

Kentucky Derby Day

I don't know why I love the Kentucky Derby so much. Oh, yes I do, the hats. I want a reason to wear a hat, a tea length dress and kitten heels. Sign. Maybe some day I will make it...

“There is something about riding down the street on a prancing horse that makes you feel like something, even when you ain't a thing.” -Will Rogers