procrastination gardening

Procrastinating is, by far, one of my favorite pastimes. I consider it a skill, really. So I saw something on Pinterest the other day that left me feeling inspired. “20 genius ideas for BACKYARD DECORATING”. After a long, dreadful winter – we are finally feeling the hope and promise of warmer weather. Spring has sprung.

So let’s talk about the yard for a minute. My “spring” was still covered by “winter”. All that dead stuff that needed to be trimmed and raked and shoved into bags… Ugh!! It made my back ache just thinking about it. Which is EXACTLY what I did about it. Think about it.

I thought about it for ~~weeks?~~ days. What did I do about it? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. There was always a good excuse why that particular moment, day, week wasn’t going to work.

So yesterday morning rolled around. I was outside with the dogs for morning potty. It was a beautiful morning. No rain. No snow. No tornadoes. Aha!! But what about dinner… plan the menu, hit the grocery store, send out invites, starch the linens (ya, right) Oh wait. It’s leftover night. Dang it! Even the dogs seemed to be looking at me with judgement in their eyes. Ok… WHATEVER!!! I give!

Out came the trimmer, and the gloves, and the rake, and the bags, and the…… GEEZ! This is SO not my thing! As much as I love pretty flowers, I would definitely not list “gardener” in my resume!! Truth is, I’m just too cheap to hire someone. And the hubster’s not exactly the “gardening type” either. His solution is to let his fingers do the walkin’, and his checkbook do the talkin”.

About halfway thru this earthly experience, I had to stop and laugh at myself. Looking for my shears was like something from the pages of a “Where’s Waldo” book. Remember my post the other day when I talked about making a mess when I cook? Well, apparently I am very consistent. There were piles, and equipment, and tools and dirt and grass… everywhere!! I looked at the clock on my cell phone, making a mental note of how many more hours it was until 5:00.

My arms were cut up and bleeding (stupid barberry bushes) and my back felt like an elephant was standing on it… but the reward was sweet. The bags were crammed full, the sidewalk was swept, the pansies were watered. I shut the front door behind me. Ahhhhhhh…

And that’s when it hit me. UGH!!! We have a backyard…..!!!

lazy days & BBQ’s

8 / 28 / 13

So here we are nearing the end of another summer… Wow. Where, oh where, did the time go…??? This was originally posted just in time for Memorial Day, the unofficial start of the summer season. With Labor Day weekend right around the corner, I figured it was worth sharing one more time!! Enjoy…

lazy days & BBQ’s

5 / 20 / 13

I’m taking part in a blog series to help you plan and throw the best BBQ this summer. Follow the below links for the all the tips, tricks, and recipes!

Step 1: Planning {Dawn of Joyful Scribblings}

Step 2: Decor / Tablescapes {Cathy of Creations by Cathy}

Step 3: Appetizers {Chelsea of Whatcha Makin’ Now?}

Step 4: Main Dishes and Sides {Nicole of Daily Dish Recipes}

Step 5: Desserts!!! {Katie of What Katie’s Baking}

Step 6: What to wear {Ginny of My New Favorite Outfit}

Now to my section….
So it’s almost party time, and we are ready to set the table and set the mood. I love, love, love a theme! It just seems to make everything so much more fun and festive for you and your guests! Whatever your theme, I’m a big believer in carrying it through from beginning to end.

Let’s start with the front porch, or wherever your guests will first enter your gathering. This is not something that should break the bank! In fact, most of your “shopping” can probably be done right there at home! Let’s start with fresh flowers. If you are a gardener, flowers from the backyard are perfect. Otherwise, a big bunch from Costco should cover it. Touches of fresh flowers here and there, including a little sprinkling in the guest bathroom… Always a nice touch. For this little gathering, why not sub in a stack of bandanas next to the bathroom sink in place of your guest towels?

When it comes to setting your table and arranging your food, start by “thinking out of the box”. We always hear decorators telling us to bring a touch of the outdoors; in. Same goes for bringing the inside…out! Here I mixed my everyday plates with fun “outdoor” utensils and bandanas for the napkins. Slip a slim glass vase inside a cowboy boot, and you’re ready to display your fresh flowers. One thing that I like to do is take a few specific items and integrate them throughout for a sense of continuity. Since this was a BBQ themed party I selected bandanas, cowboy boots and pigs! (Even down to the cute little silver piglet S&P shakers!) I must admit that I’m a little partial to cute little “pig stuff”…Ha! Tying a bandana around your wine or water bottles keeps them from becoming slippery with condensation. Plus it just looks so darn cute!

Don’t drop the ball when it comes to your appetizer and/or beverage set up! Keep that theme going! My theory is that you don’t have to make everything difficult, or “homemade’, when it comes to the food – as long as you make the décor something fun! And “out of the box” certainly works here, too. A cowboy hat to hold the chips, a margarita glass for the salsa and some cute (inexpensive) cocktail napkins for the “margarita bar”! Easy peasy!

One final note, and then I think we’re ready to start the BBQ! Always pay attention to those small details throughout the planning process. Little things like selecting your playlist ahead of time can really enhance the tone of the party. I am a detail person, so for me it’s really all about the little stuff. (Yep. “Can’t see the forest for the trees“, kinda gal) I may run out of time to take a shower, but you had better believe that I had time to put the mayo, BBQ sauce, mustard and relish in cute little decorative serving jars… Ha! I know. It’s not right; is it? Oh well. I’ll just meet them at the door with a margarita and a big smile. Tonight I’m a cowgirl and I’m ready for a party!

a sweet little fourth of july

7 / 2 / 12

So the Fourth of July is a “midweek holiday” this year. Kind of a fun way to put a little fun, family and friendship into an (otherwise) ordinary week. Perhaps you’re heading to the lake, popping over to the neighbors or entertaining in your own backyard… I will tell you that I have a tendency to focus more on the main part of the meal when it comes to entertaining – and the cocktails and desserts are often an afterthought. (I can hear some of you laughing already… Perhaps “cocktails” are where you START your planning…? Ha!) Anyway – I thought it would be fun to share a few little last-minute “sweet” ideas for the Fourth of July holiday that is upon us!

Well – First of all – I have got a recipe here for a “Double Berry Margarita” that is calling my name. Loud. And it’s not even noon yet. (Houston – we have a problem…) Anyway, I’m going to share it with you in the hopes that you will make it for the 4th, or sometime this summer, and share your “results” with me. (Well, maybe not ALL of your results. We’re sticking with a “G” rating here, friends! )

Double Berry Margarita

1 oz. tequila blanco

1/2 oz Cointreau

1/2 oz Chambord

1 splash sweet and sour mix

2 raspberries, muddled

2 blackberries, muddled

2 lime wedges, muddled

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass. Shake hard and serve in a glass with a salted rim. Garnish with a lime wedge, raspberry and blackberry. Oh my, that sounds good!!

Doing a little “last minute” entertaining? Need something quick & easy in the beverage department?? Well, icy cold lemonade – or pink lemonade – works great for any outdoor entertaining… perfect for the kiddos, and even more fun for the adults (Hint, hint: Keep a bottle of citron vodka in the freezer for an icy little “adult lemonade cocktail”!!)

As for dessert, nothing is sweeter and simpler than a cupcake. These cupcakes can be made with your favorite cupcake mix/recipe (Red Velvet, perhaps?) and a simple white buttercream frosting. I just fell in love with the simplicity of these decorations…

Stars & Stripes

Tint 1 cup buttercream a bright blue with gel-paste food color. Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a small plain tip (#4). Frost each cupcake with a smooth layer of untinted buttercream.

To finish, cut red licorice laces into seventy-two 1-1/2 inch long pieces and seventy-two 3/4 inch long pieces. Arrange three longer pieces and three shorter pieces to form a flag pattern. With blue frosting, pipe nine dots in each open corner to form “stars”.

Need something for the kids to help with while you are sipping on your “Double Berry Margarita”?? Staying with our “sweet” theme – a little project that will give an ordinary blue napkin a festive feel in a simple way… Starlight Spangled Napkin Rings!! Not a lot of supplies and simple directions. Just trying to give the kiddos something to do while you are busy sipping on your margarita…!!

OK – so there you go. A few “sweet” little ideas for your upcoming Fourth of July holiday!! Say a prayer for our troops, and the families who are missing them. Be proud, be safe, be American; Keep calm and eat a cupcake!

Happy Fourth… Live happy