life in my empty nest

Monday, June 17, 2013

Two Father's Day Cookouts and Two Salads

We had two different cookouts for Father's Day - one at my parent's house on Saturday and one at home on Sunday. At the cookout at my parent's, all the dads took a picture together to commemorate the occasion. We always have a great time when we get together, and more importantly, my Dad enjoys himself when he is surrounded by family.

For Saturday's cookout, we prepared dinner by group effort to take the work off my Mother's shoulders. We grilled cheeseburgers and brats and I made a yummy Tex Mex Frito Salad that I had pinned here. It was full of fresh goodness and I lightened it up by using low fat cheese and no fat dressing. I would make this again, but serve the fritos on the side to sprinkle on top of each serving, so they stay crunchy.

At home on Sunday, we had a quiet family day while watching the U.S. Open golf tournament. My husband took a break from watching the tournament to barbecue some delicious chicken on his brand new grill - his Father's Day present, along with Tiger's tickets for the family.

I prepared one of our favorite salads with strawberries, mandarin oranges and chinese noodles - the perfect summer salad to serve with chicken.

Summer Salad with Strawberries and Oranges

1 bag mixed lettuce

2 cups sliced strawberries

1 can mandarin orange slices, drained

1 bunch green onions, chopped

1 cup shredded parmesan cheese

1/2 can Chinese noodles

Poppyseed Dressing ( I used fat free)

Toss lettuce, strawberries, oranges and green onions in large salad bowl. Right before serving toss in cheese and 1/2 of noodles. Add dressing to taste. Sprinkle remaining noodles on top.

I hope my husband, my father and my father-in-law in Florida all had a wonderful Father's Day and feel appreciated for the great fathers they all are.

Happy Monday!

{Linking with these friends}

Gooseberry Patch

Lil Luna

Sunny Simple Life (From The Farm)

Make Ahead Meals

Rattlebridge Farm

This Gal Cooks
Mom's Test Kitchen

Stonegable

Semi Homemade Mom

Barns and Noodles

Between Naps on the Porch

Savvy Southern Style

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Friday, June 14, 2013

Friday on the Patio

There is something about Friday afternoons on a perfect summer day that beg for a fun drink and the chance to relax on my patio, as the day winds down. The sun shines through the trees, as I sit and reflect on a week where much was accomplished and I anticipate the start of the weekend.

As I sit and relax and wait for my husband to arrive, my view includes all the flowers that give my patio color and fun. Purple, pink and white petunias fill this fire pit turned planter.

Red geraniums spill out of a pot sitting close by.

White pansies, still happily blooming with our mild temperatures, wave prettily in the breeze.

Near the table, many shades of purple flowers overflow in this large planter.

A pretty bouquet in a simple mason jar, tied with raffia, sits on the table for me to enjoy. There is a sneak peek in this photo, of my newly painted table - more to come on that.

A fun drink, sunshine and flowers nearby - a perfect Friday afternoon happy hour for one, on my pretty patio.

Have a great weekend!

Recipe for Watermelon Martini

Blend and purée 1 cup cubed fresh watermelon until very smooth. Place in martini shaker filled with ice. Add 1 1/2 ounces lemon vodka and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Shake well and strain into a martini glass. If you like a sweeter martini, add 1 packet of Splenda along with other ingredients. Enjoy :-)

Linking with Mockingbird Hill Cottage, Favorite Thing and Thistlewood Farms

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Thursday, June 13, 2013

Thoughts for Thursday...reality tv, cooking, etc.

Does anyone know what kind of bush this might be? It looks like some type of lilac, but it blooms later and the flowers don't have the same scent. This bush has never bloomed as much as it has this year and it is gorgeous. I just would like to know what it is!

Another book that has been around for a while that I finally read, is The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom. I know it is a favorite for many book clubs, but we just never picked it for some reason. I did like it and it was an interesting and in depth view of plantation life. However, the constant sorrow and misery were a little too much throughout, even though there was hope in the end.

My daughters and I had a cooking lesson on Sunday and they learned to cook pot roast, mashed potatoes and gravy. It was a delicious dinner and we had a great time during the cooking process. I didn't realize how hard it would be to come up with step by step instructions for the old fashioned, basic recipes I have been cooking my whole life. They were asking me where I learned to make this meal and while I don't remember my mother teaching me, I must have learned by watching her. Now, I have passed this same knowledge to my daughters. I like the symmetry of that.

I haven't mentioned reality tv in a while, but I am still watching. The Real Housewives of New Jersey is back and it looks like more of the same. I'm not sure how I feel about using the autism diagnosis as a storyline on a crazy reality tv show. It just feels a little exploitative to the child. Also, there is not much I care to say about the latest Real Housewives of Orange County and the bachelorette trip to Mexico. Do they know they were on national television acting that way? It boggles the mind.

Have a happy Thursday - more rain for us!

Linking with Ramblings of a Suburban Mom, Thursday Thoughts

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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Pinterest Inspired - Candlesticks

With the start of June, I changed some decor around the house to give things a summer feel. One of the items I like to change with the seasons are these candlesticks that sit on the coffee table in my great room. It all started when I saw an interesting way to use candlesticks and pinned the idea here. I have a lot a of candles, but what a fun and different way to add some interest and height to a table.

For the summer, I am using preserved boxwood balls on the candlesticks. I like the natural element and color.