Through the collecting glass

Sigh. I think my martini glass collecting is beginning to wane. (Look above the cabinets) The space I have for them is getting very full and manufacturers just aren't coming out with as fun designs as a few years back.

Instead I think I may be turning my attention to other glass things. I suppose I am like a moth to a flame - A clumsy, barefoot girl with two dogs who likes to relocate a lot collects fragile glass things.

I love this new candy dish shaped like a fan that I picked up for a buck. I also scored a couple heart shaped glass dishes that would look great with some hershey's kisses.

Or maybe glass pitchers. This one in particular has an "A" pressed into it, which reminds my of one of my aunts. I have two other glass carafes. Not quite a collection, yet... but I like where this is going.

And then there is my cake dome. And damn Martha had to do a huge feature on kitchen domes and how hot they are right now. Shoot.

Of my three choices, these are my current favorite to begin a collection with. Of course, of the candy dishes, carafes and domes, the domes take up the most room. Why can't I take up collecting thimbles? Sigh, I'm really trying here!

Just do it already

Okay, this isn't a lecture. BUT, I think we all need to start thinking about the environment more. With gas prices this high (I'm going to start buying my fuel in TJ) and freaky weather, we've got to do something.

My effort this month? I picked up some of those reusable bags they sell for less than a buck at the grocery store. And I'm trying to remember to use them.

Every time I use them at the place I bought them, I am worried that the checker will ring me up for them. So, I added some of my own ribbon.

Another benefit? Carrying in your groceries is WAY easier! The bags fit twice as much as any one time use bag (paper OR plastic) and the have these great straps that will go over your shoulder.

That's my green effort for the day, what's your next move?

That's gonna have to soak for a minute

Oh Betty Crocker, you have done me dirty. I set out to make the boy fudge brownies on Sunday. My thought was to add the extra egg ("for more cake-like brownies") and toss them in to a muffin tin for brownies cupcakes. And for extra measure, why not throw in a few mini marshmallows and tiny chocolate chips.







There's a reason why I named my blog what I did.

The god news? Once I chiseled them out, they were the best marshmallow brownie chunks I've ever made.

Backyard at Night

In case you haven't picked up on it yet, I really love my back yard. After YEARS of apartment dwelling and a backyard under ongoing construction before that, I really appreciate what I have now.

Above is my "tweak-on-the tiki" Somehow roping these together draws more attention then single torches. Plus, it gives the backyard a bit of a Pirate theme.

Hurricane lanterns add a nice touch. BUT, I need to remember not to leave the candles out during the day, or melting can occur. (update - yesterday it was over 105 and that whole candle is mush!)

This is the canopy at night. I have tried to do what all the magazines and shows say - make the outside space a room. I even have a gorgeous Asian rug on the ground.

One might feel guilty putting a Asian rug outside, but, a) it has seen better years (doggie potty training and my aunt's kids) and b) I use it every friggin' day. The lights hanging from the corners are tea lights in mason jars hung from wire.

Thank you Martha Stewart for that one!

Go put something from the inside of your house outside. Then sit back with a glass of wine and tell me it doesn't improve your deck, patio or balcony instantly!

Sigh of relief

Dogs are hard. When I got Lulu, I joked to my then-boyfriend that she was a "practice" baby. Turns out, they aren't practice anything. They get sick, hurt, scared and now (thankfully) better.

Thank you for the calls, the emails and the flowers on our door step. Katana, aka"That damn dog," is happily digging in the garden, burying the new bone she got as a get well gift.

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”