Sip Sip...

Here is what we'll be enjoying for our weekend happy hour...

Fresh Pea Hummus Crostini 

From Bon Appetit

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups fresh shelled green peas (from 1 1/2 pounds peas in pod)
• 1 cup drained canned garbanzo beans

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• 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 1/4 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
• 3 tablespoons chopped green onion
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 25 thin baguette slices, toasted
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup pea tendrils (for garnish)

Preparation

• Puree first 8 ingredients in processor until almost smooth. Brush toasts with olive oil and top with pea hummus. Garnish with pea tendrils.

To drink we are going to have an Herbal Lillet Cooler from Martha Stewart

Herbal Lillet Cooler

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup cup chopped fresh tarragon, plus 6 sprigs for serving
• 1/2 English cucumber, cut into chunks, plus 6 spears, for serving
• 8 strips orange zest
• 2 1/4 cups (18 ounces) Lillet Blanc, chilled
• Ice, for serving
• 2 1/4 cups (18 ounces) dry white wine, such as Pouilly Fume, Chablis, or Sauvignon Blanc, chilled

Directions

1. With a wooden spoon, muddle tarragon, cucumber, 2 strips orange zest, and the Lillet in the bottom of a pitcher. Let stand for 20 minutes. Strain into a serving pitcher halfway filled with ice; discard solids. Add wine; stir. Divide among six 8-ounce glasses. Garnish each with a tarragon sprig, a cucumber spear, and a strip of orange zest.

Last Minute Holiday Ideas

Here are some quick, last minute ideas you can do for the Fourth of July!


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Household Perfection Tip #4

In continuing with the Domino Magazine Household Perfection series here is this week's tip:

Tip #4

Label the shelves in your linen closet.  That way you never mix up which sheets belong where.

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Another tip I have read was to also store the linens in a pillowcase, that way you know you have everything you need when you make the bed.

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4th of July Desserts

Here are some fun Red, White, and Blue desserts that I have found online.  They'll be great for next week!

The American Flag Tart and other patriotic sweets from Martha Stewart

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A Stars and Stripes Pie from Woman's Day

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Fourth of July cake pops from Bakerella

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Ice Cream

I am making homemade mint (fresh from our garden) ice cream with chocolate shavings this morning and it made me think of this quote:



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 Have a great weekend!

Whats for dinner?

Here is our menu for next week...

Sunday - Steak Fajitas with Fresh Lime and Roasted Garlic Guacamole

Monday - Chicken Salad with Apple and Basil

Tuesday - Strawberry Salad with Speck and Halumi

Wednesday - Dinner Out

Thursday - Fettuccine with Peas, Asparagus, and Pancetta

Friday - Beef, Watercress and Peach Salad

Saturday - BBQ at a friend's house

4th of July Ideas

In less than two short weeks the 4th of July will be here.  I can't believe summer is almost a third over, how did that happen?  I have started scouring the web looking for fun, easy ideas for entertaining this 4th of July holiday!

If you are thinking of having a party check out Tip Junkie for free printables.



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Celebrations at Home has some great Fourth of July styling tips.

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If you want some great decorating ideas head over to Hostess with the Mostess

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Martha Stewart also has a great 4th of July invitation idea

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Words of Wisdom

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Sorry, I don't really have much to post today, I have been busy doing yard work (weeding - no fun!) and reading The Help. The book is AMAZING and if you haven't read it yet go to the library and check it out! 

Household Perfection Tip #3

In continuing with the high end household tips here is the next installation...

Tip #3

Keep all of your bathroom linen the same.  That way you never have to worry about finding matching sets for guests and when one or two items get worn out they can be easily replaced.  And  forget about keeping everything white, it shows stains so easily so why not pick a dark brown or blue instead? 

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And if you missed my good tip about where to buy amazing, economical bath towels click here.

Ring the Alarm

We had a close call yesterday with a grease fire in the grill.  I am so thankful we had a fire extinguisher on hand to take care of the flames.  I can't stress enough how important it is to be prepared for fires in your home. 

I realized that we don't have any escape ladders on the second floor, so I am headed out tomorrow to pick some of those up.  And I think I am also going to make sure I have another fire extinguisher for the basement and one for the garage. 

Please make sure your home has fire protection at the ready. 

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Happy Father's Day

Wishing all of the Dads out there a very special Father's Day, including my wonderful father and my husband.  Two men who are terrific fathers and give their children so much love.

"My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it."  {Clarence B. Kelland}

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What is for dinner?

Here is what we are having for dinner next week:

Sunday - Dad's Day to Grill

Monday - Leftovers

Tuesday - Creamy Fettuccine with Corn and Arugula

Wednesday - Fresh Salad of Grilled Corn, Cherry Tomatoes, Red Onions, Chickpeas, Avocado, and Halumi Cheese

Thursday - Pizza Fritta

Friday - Lemony Shrimp with White Beans and Couscous

Saturday - Spinach Salad with Salmon

Happy Hour

Today I am headed to pick strawberries with the little one, so I hope they will be sweet enough to use in tomorrow evenings cocktail...Sparkling Strawberry Cocktail!  What better way to kick off Father's Day weekend than with fresh strawberries and something bubbly.

Sparkling Strawberry Cocktail - from Everyday Food


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Ingredients

• 2 cups hulled strawberries
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 bottle chilled Prosecco or other dry sparkling wine
• 1 orange, sliced into rounds
• Mint sprigs, for garnish

Directions

1. In a blender, puree 2 cups hulled and 2 tablespoons water until smooth. In a pitcher, combine strawberry puree, cup 1 bottle chilled or other dry sparkling wine, and 1 sliced into rounds, and stir gently. Serve garnished with sprigs.

 I am going to serve some burrata cheese and a nice french baguette to go along with it.  The star is clearly going to be the drink.  Enjoy!

Father's Day Ideas - Part 2

Hopefully you have your Father's Day gift identified and ready to go.  If you have something ready yet, take a peak at Monday's post, I found some great ideas on simple, homemade gifts.  Today I have ideas for Sunday. 

Martha Stewart has some great ideas on how to wrap them below...

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For the big day you can have a golf theme like the one below from Hostess with the Mostess:

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If baseball is more his game check out the table ideas from Celebrations at Home:

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Household Perfection Tip #2

Tip #2 in the series from Domino Magazine for a perfectly run household is about having a signature color and wrapping style.  If you pick something that can be used for all occasions you can load up on paper and ribbon and save yourself money and space by streamlining the wrapping.

I picked a nice silver paper and red ribbon so I can use it during the holidays, for birthdays, etc.  So far it has always seemed appropriate. 

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Father's Day Ideas Part 1

Next Sunday is Father's Day so  here are some great homemade gift ideas to spoil him rotten!


I found this on Pinterest, I thought this was such a great idea, maybe next year I'll get around to making it, to late for me this year...

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Martha Stewart has a number of great gift ideas, here are a few of my favorites: 

Help your little one make their father his own custom cufflinks... 

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 Dad can keep "love notes" close as hand with this note-cube...

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 For the Dad that likes to eat...

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 You can find free Father's Day printables over at PaperGlitter

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Saturday Sayings...

This is how I am feeling this weekend...the weather is going to be nice and I have time to read. 

Wishing you a terrific weekend!

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What is for dinner?

Here is what we are having for dinner next week...

Sunday - Simple Salmon Chirashi

Monday - Chicken Skewers with Tarragon-Pistachio Pesto

Tuesday - Dinner Out

Wednesday - Date Night!

Thursday - Spiced Lemon Quinoa

Friday - Grilled Cilantro & Pistachio Pesto Shirmp Skewers

Saturday - Bacon, Lettuce, and Cherry Tomato Salad with Aioli Dressing

Summer Sips

I have decided to enact a Friday afternoon cocktail for my husband and I this summer.  Hopefully the weather will be nice and we can enjoy it out on the patio tomorrow afternoon.

Here is what we'll be enjoying...

Cucumber, Mint, and Basil Soda - from Bon Appetit
(We'll probably add a dash of vodka to give a little kick)

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Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups Simple Syrup (click for recipe)
• 1/2 large cucumber (about 8 oz.), thinly sliced crosswise, plus 12 slices for garnish
• 24 fresh mint leaves plus 12 sprigs for garnish
• 12 fresh basil leaves
• 6 cups soda water, divided

Preparation

• Bring 1 1/2 cups simple syrup to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove pan from heat and add cucumber slices (reserving 12 for garnish), 24 mint leaves, and basil. Cover and let steep for 30 minutes. Strain cucumber-herb syrup into a jar, pressing on solids in strainer. Fill a 12-oz. glass with ice cubes. Add 2 Tbsp. syrup and top with soda water (about 1/2 cup). Stir to combine. Garnish with cucumber slice and sprig of mint. Repeat to make 11 more sodas.

 

Tomato, Mozzarella & Thai Basil Crostini - from Bon Appetit



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• 12 slices of seven-grain or sesame bread
• 1/2 garlic clove
• 2 cups (about 10 ounces) halved cherry or grape tomatoes
• 1 small shallot, minced
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Sliced fresh mozzarella
• Thai basil leaves

Preparation

• Grill bread slices and rub with garlic clove.
  
  
• Put sliced fresh mozzarella on toasts. Spoon tomato mixture over mozzarella and garnish with Thai basil leaves. Season with sea salt and pepper.

Ingredients

Slather It On...

Since it appears as though summer has arrived this is a polite little reminder to WEAR YOUR SUNSCREEN!  It is so important to protect that skin of yours.  I have fair skin and need to see my dermatologist twice a year for mole checks and he has told me that the number one thing I can do to prevent wrinkles. 

I slather it on my face every morning and make sure to use a body lotion that contains sunscreen too! 

Here are some great links for more sunscreen information:

Real Simple - What to look for in a sunscreen

Whole Living - Your holistic sun-protection plan

Self - Your sunscreen protection guide

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Household Perfection - Tip 1

A few years ago Domino magazine had an article about the superrich's household tips.  I have implemented a number of these in my home and surprisingly they aren't as costly as you might think.  Over the next couple of weeks I plan to share these tips with all of you - in case you never saw the original article.

Tip #1

Have pencils and notepads next to each phone and also in the car. 

When we moved into our first home a few years ago I did implement this tip.  I even one-uped it.  We have personalized notepads and pencils at every phone and also on each bedside table in the house.  They provide a nice little finishing in each room. 

Here are some resources for notepads and pencils:

Vistaprint

Vistaprint has various notepad styles that can be personalized.

I really like the colorful notepads at Stationary Studio, and they even come in different sizes.  (Sorry, I couldn't pull images off their site.)

Write-On Pencils has some great options.

Write-On Pencils

Pencils and More

Weekend Inspiration

After spending the weekend at the lake I am inspired to have a lake house one day.  Here are some wonderful houses...

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