Pottery Barn Look-Alike

Maybe you noticed all of the lanterns in one of the latest Pottery Barn catalogues.  They filled them with candles and seashells.  I have wanted something to use as a centerpiece for my patio table and thought this would be perfect.  I live on the gulf coast.  I need a few seashells in my decor. So, did I order a $50-$80 lantern from Pottery Barn.....NOPE!  I took my 40% coupon to Michael's Craft Store (after looking a few other places first) and bought a beautiful lantern for about $15 (regularly $24.99)!  I bought a $3.00 candle, and the shells were free from my mother-in-law.  I tried to collect my own shells while at the beach last week, but I didn't find any that were big enough.  FYI: You can buy a package of beautiful shells at Hobby Lobby....maybe they have them at Michael's. I don't know, I didn't look.  I still want to buy a starfish to prop up against my candle.

You can check out their versions here.

Here is my version:

Easy Summer Meals: Meal #1

I LOVE cooking on the grill in the warmer months. Clean up is easy, and my husband usually does the cooking and I just have to prep the food.

One night last week, we made Asian Grilled Pork Chops.  I got the recipe from a Bruno's ad that came in the mail. Check out these YUMMY puppies!

In addition to the pork chops, we grilled some fresh summer squash.  I used a little EVOO and sprinkled them with Kosher salt.

I also sliced up a tomato and cucumber for a nice, cool addition to our plates!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the vibrant colors of summer.  Now, for the recipe.

Asian Grilled Pork Chops

1 TBSP soy sauce

1TBSP vegetable oil

1/2 TBSP honey

1/2 TBSP fresh lime juice

1/2 TBSP ground ginger

1 large garlic clove, smashed (I used the jar of the minced garlic)

The recipe calls for 8 thin, center-cut pork chops (about 1 3/4 pounds).  I used 3 bone-in thin, center-cut pork chops. 

2 scallions, chopped (I used green onions.  I don't know the difference.)

Preparation:

Combine soy sauce, oil, honey, lime juice, ginger and garlic in a large zip-top bag. (I must admit, I didn't read carefully, and I add my green onions to the bag. Oh, well.) SMUSH it all together. :) Add pork chops, squeeze air out, seal and turn to coat pork.  Chill for 15 minutes (I prepared them about an hour ahead of grilling time). Prepare a grill or grease a grill pan and place over medium heat.  When hot, add chops and cook until nicely marked and just cooked through, about 7 minutes total, turning once.  Transfer chops to a platter and let stand for 3 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with scallions.

Bow Hangers

I have made a couple different styles of bow hangers. The first one I made was for my little girl.  I made it before she was born.  I used the inner hoop from a small cross-stitch hoop set. I wrapped it with ribbon, securing it with hot glue.  I used about a yard of ribbon for the "tail." I did no sewing.  Everything was done with hot glue. You can't see much of the hanger, because of all the bows.  My grandmother used to make them for me, but I have figured out how to make them myself!  I'll show you my bow making method in another post. What I like about this style is that you can hang it on a door knob or anywhere.  We currently hang hers from her curtain rod.  I know that sounds weird, but she can't reach it, and that is a good thing. Otherwise, I would be picking up bows off the floor all of the time!

 

I recently made this one. I used an unfinished wooden cross from Michael's Craft Store. You will also need a sheet of scrapbook paper, paint, brush, Mod Podge, some sort of hanger and a hot glue gun.

Materials:

I forgot to include my hangers in the initial materials pic. You will need a hammer if you buy this kind of hanger.

First, paint the sides and back of the cross. Wait for the paint to dry.

Lay the cross (or initial or whatever you chose) FACE DOWN on the back of your scrapbook paper. Trace as close as you can. (Please ignore the yucky looking spot on the back of the paper.  That is where the bar code was.  I tried to remove it.  Bad idea, I guess.)

Cut out the shape.  Cut just inside the pencil line.  Lay it on the object and see if it lines up perfectly.  You may have to trim in certain areas.  You don't want any of the paper to hang over the object.

Brush a layer of Mod Podge on the unpainted face of the cross.  Carefully lay the paper cross on the wet Mod Podge.  Brush a layer on top of the paper and the sides of the cross.  I let the first coat dry and applied a 2nd coat of Mod Podge to the top and sides. Then, use a hot glue gun to attach the ribbon tail.  Use a lighter to seal the end of the ribbon to prevent fraying. Attach your hanger to the back.  VOILA!

I've Got My Toes in the Water

I've got my toes in the water,



My toes in the sand,



Not a worry in the world,



A cold (rasberry) tea in my hand,
Life is good today. Life is good today!

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Mother's Day

I now have two reasons to celebrate Mother's Day.....Madison who is 2 1/2 and Brantley who is still incubating. Madison gave me a radio that I can use with my iphone. Brantley gave me indegestion.  I loved both gifts just the same, of course, because they came from my children.  I LOVE my job as a mother.  I would not trade it for any amount of money in the world.  My husband and children are such a blessing to me.

Madison & Mommy

Brantley (18 weeks)

Mother's Day was a great day.  It started with a yummy breakfast cooked by my darling husband: biscuits, eggs and turkey bacon. YUM!  Then, we went to church.  After church our family met at a yummy restaurant downtown.  We took pictures in the square across the street from the restaurant.

Daddy, Madison & Mommy

My wonderful family

My wonderful in-laws

Madison fell asleep as soon as we got home.  So, I threw on a swimsuit and enjoyed some time by the pool. I took with me a Pottery Barn catalog and my leftover strawberry tea from lunch. aaahhh....nice! My hubby did some yard work while I relaxed.  When Madison woke up, she joined me.  We stayed outside until almost 7:00.  It was a wonderful day! Thank you to my amazing family for making it so great!

I hope all mothers had an amazing Mother's Day.  Be blessed!

Testing, testing, 1,2,3

I just installed BlogPress on my iphone. I am curious about how it works. Just playing around right now.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone