for my jackson

Dear Heart of Jesus.
In the past I have asked you for favors. This time I ask you for this very special one (mention favor). Take it, Dear Jesus, and place it within your own heart where your Father sees it. Then in your merciful eyes it will become your favor, not mine. Amen
Say this prayer for 3 days, promise publication and your favor will be grnted. Never known to fail.

 

try this..it works

Dear Heart of Jesus.
In the past I have asked you for favors. This time I ask you for this very special one (mention favor). Take it, Dear Jesus, and place it within your own heart where your Father sees it. Then in your merciful eyes it will become your favor, not mine. Amen
Say this prayer for 3 days, promise publication and your favor will be grnted. Never known to fail.

 

100 things

12.  Playing golf with my boys

13.  My owl bell

14.  The big daddy elk that ate most all the apples off my apple tree.

15 Candlelight during a thunderstorm.16.  Fresh fruit smoothies.

 

 

 

silver tray

I have an old tarnished old silver tray that holds the liquor bottles on the buffet in the dining room.I took this picture to show you how elegant the liquor looks displayed on the old silver tray.  When I looked at it the picture I noticed the yellow piece of paper attached to one of the bottles.

The note made me smile.  The Mr had a habit of telling the boys when one of them had done something special of funny or terrific that he was his “best boy.  This note from #1 son originally said “….from you best boy”.  #2 son happened upon the note before the Mr saw it.  #2 son said to me with a great big smile across his face,
” I thought I was the best boy, if that is true, I should change the note so it’s correct”.  He then proceeded to insert the carrot and the word second making the note read,”…..from your second best boy”.   I hope the story made you smile, but I also hope that you can find and old silver tray to display your liquor bottles .  They look so elegant and sparkly and make an eye catching display….until next time     xoxo

 

 

candles

I regularly stop at the Goodwill Store nearest my house.  If you are a thrift shopper you know that you always seem to seek out certain types of things.  My favorites to hunt for are vintage coats, furniture that can be revived or restyled or repurposed, and of course old tarnished, beaten up silver.  While I was perusing the aisles I came across a pair of silver mugs/steins that must have been given to Lois and Jim for their 25th wedding anniversary (they are engraved).  They were almost black with tarnish, but I just knew they could be something wonderful.I paid $5.00 each for them ( which is maxing out my flinch point).  I brought them home and polished them, all the time wondering what I was going to do with them. Candles kept running through my mind, but they were too big for tapers and too small for an larger candle, and too tall for the candles that would fit inside them.  Then I had an idea……make the silver cups less deep.  I filled them with some barley.

Next I found some 3 inch candles which were about 2 inches in diameter.  I worked them down into the barley and viola…..a pair of lovey sophisticated candle stick,

Until next time…….xoxo

 

Tequila-Lime Chicken Thighs

It’s Tuesday, so it must be recipe day.  This recipe comes from a magazine (publication ??) called “Summer Cottage Style with Fresh Charm”.  It is wonderful and fits in with most all diet plans….. gluten free, high in protein, low in fat, and wonderfully delicious.

1 cup tequila

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup white wine vinegar

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 tbs lime zest

2 tbs fresh lime juice

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbs chili powder

2 tbs kosher salt

1 tbs freshly ground black pepper

1 (4-pound) package chicken thighs

1 lime, quartered

In a medium bowl whisk together tequila, olive oil, vinegar,cilantro,lime zest,lime juice, garlic, chili powder, salt and pepper.  Place chicken in a 13×9 baking dish.  Pour tequila mixture over chicken, cover and marinate in refrigerator for 12-24 hours.

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade, discard marinade.  Grill tights fat side down for 15-20 minutes with grill lid closed. Turn and grill with lid closed for another 15-20 minutes, or until juices run clear when pierced with a fork.  Squeeze lime quarters over chicken before serving.

Serve with lime scented rice.  Just cook rice as directed on package, substituting chicken broth for water and adding 2 tablespoons of fresh lime zest.  Until next time…..bon appetit……xoxo

 

pretty porch

Summertime is all about pretty spaces.  Light, cool colored slipcovers for the furniture, covered porches and sunny decks,  fresh mowed grass, brightly colored intriguing gardens, and shady inviting gardens that invite you to lay down on the grass and take a nap. I thought I might share some pictures of my yard which try to accomplish some of these things.  Grab a glass of lemonade, sit back and enjoy the lazy days of summer. Until next time…..xoxo

 

 

catch up

So sorry for having been MIA for a while.  I am sometimes not feeling sooo inspired and other times wonder if the little bits I have to say and the little projects I undertake are really of any interest to any one but myself.  So I have decided to have theme days.  I am not sure exactly how they will unfold, but Tuesdays are going to be recipes days…sometimes sweets and sometimes savories.  But before I get started with the recipe of the day…..Grilled Artichokes….I wanted to tell/show you a little story about my family.  Many of you know that the Mr is an engineer.  This being said it follows that he is precise and his ideas are well thought….:-)…

While we were in Chicago, my #1 son finished building his bike.  Living in the city, storage is always at a premium…..so #1 son and the Mr put their heads together and decided that the best way to store the bike would be to hang it from the ceiling.  They found a really neat pulley apparatus and went to work installing it.  There are some facts of which you should be aware.  The ceilings in #1 son’s loft are high, really really high, about 20 feet.  Living in the city, again storage space is at a premium, #1 son does not have a big ladder.  The building in which he lives does have a ladder that can be checked out, but there is a wait.  It was looking as though we would have left Chicago before the ladder became available.  Necessity being the mother of invention the men decided to use what was at hand.

This pictue does not look too bad, just the Mr working, standing on the top rung of a ladder.  But this picture does not tell the whole truth.

Here is the secret…the ladder is sitting on top of the dining table.  Now I am not an engineer, but this did not seem to me to be the safest way to accomplish the task, but the boys assured me I was just being a nervous nellie and there was nothing to worry about.  As it turned out, the boys were correct.  There was nothing to worry about.  The job was completed without a hitch and the bike now resides on the ceiling of #1 son’s loft.

 The Recipe :  Grilled Artichokes

This is my take on some artichokes I had a a restaurant call The Tavern.  I am not sure what seasonings the restaurant used, but the ones I made were just as delicious as the ones I had at The Tavern.

You will need:

2 large artichokes

Monterey Steak Seasoning

Olive oil

Trim the leaves on the artichoke, but leave the stem somewhat long.  Boil on the stove until nearly done           (about 40 minutes in Denver).  Remove from hot water and slice in half long ways.  Remove the thistle center. Drizzle liberally with olive oil and sprinkle with Monterey Steak Seasoning.  Place face down on hot grill for about 7-10 or until grill marks appear on the artichokes.  These are so delicious you really do not need any dipping sauces,  but if you think you might,  I highly recommend clarified butter….Bon Apetit

I am off to ride my bike.  I am still far short of my 1000 mile goal.  Until next time….xoxo

 

chicago love

The Mr, the doodle bug, and I are in Chicago visiting our #1 son and his lady love.  Chicago is such a fun city. There is so much to do.  We have eaten (way too much) fabulous food.  Last night we went to locally sourced restaurant which was housed in the lowest level of an old bank building in the vault…the mouldings and friezes were exquisite.  The upper floors of this wonderful old building were home to a CVS pharmacy (I know it is a good thing to use this building and not let it go to rack and ruin, but a CVS pharmacy????).  This pharmacy had the most incredible ceilings you could imagine (of course I did not have my camera with me…..so sorry 😦  ).

We visited Frank LLoyd Wright’s home and studio.  I think it would be so much fun to live in an old FLW house, but then again, I would probably have to change something which would ruin the whole ambiance.

Miss Jamie and I went to and antique/flea market and I was in heaven.  I saw a truckload of treasures I would have loved to have, but we drove out  ( the car was packed when we left home, so there really wasn’t room to add much more.) …..but oh the wonderful deals were there to be had.  You all know what a soft spot I have for silver.  I just love it…old, dented, tarnished… it doesn’t matter.  I just know that I can find a use for it……and I came across this lovely pedestal bowl I just couldn’t resist, and  it was only $10.  yeah!!!!  Until next time my friends……xoxo

 

happy 4th of july

There is nothing that says summer more than backyard bar-b-qs.  The 4th of July screams it more loudly than any other day.  Summertime just wouldn’t be the same with out celebrations and watermelon.

We are headed up to mountain house for the holiday.  Two of my three kids are going to make it up.  I am so excited.  The fireworks over the lake is one of the best shows I have ever seen.  Sitting there under the stars with a glass of wine and almost all my family…..heaven.  In addition to the fireworks, we hope to ride bikes, play golf, and enjoy each other.  I have some steaks and artichokes to throw on the grill for dinner, eggs and sausages for breakfast, and of course watermelon.  The doodle bug and I are totally ready to go, just waiting for the Mr to come home from work so we can get the fun started.  I hope you have a wonderful holiday…..Until next time     xoxo