HOLY SQUASH!

Jerad and I have loved working in our garden this year.  We have big plans to expand the back flower bed even larger next year.  Check out our summer squash!

Explosion!

 What a nut!

Do you have suggestions for other veggies that grow well?  We'd love to hear your input.  So far, we've only done cilantro, basil, oregano, rosemary, and mint and green pepper, jalepeno, and squash. 

Small project and a recipe

I brought this platter back from Arkansas- was in B.C.'s closet in the garage, so I'm not sure what it was used for before.  It could have easily been tossed, but I decided to give it a good sanding and spray paint.

Painted black

 I love the simple shape

 I added some of these little fuzzies to the bottom, so it wouldn't scratch whatever surface it sits on.  (Fuzzies...aka, my name for the things you put on the bottom of chairs to prevent the legs from scrapping the floor)

 It found a new home as the centerpiece on our kitchen table.

Recipe for brunch.  Jerad and I slept in last Sunday, so I decided to make him a special treat.  We both LOVE breakfast!

Ingredients:
package of crescent rolls
bacon crumbles
swiss cheese
3 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1 T onion (minced or fresh)
1 T parsley (dried or fresh)

Spray baking pan with Pam, layer crescent rolls on bottom.   Add one layer of swiss cheese on top.

In a bowl, mix all remaining ingredients except bacon.

Pour egg mixture over cheese

Add crumbled bacon to the top

Bake at 425 for 15-18 minutes, or untill golden brown.  YUM!

Stella and Dot!

I'm hosting a Stella and Dot trunk show on Tuesday night from 6-8 PM at mi casa.

Stop by and check out the jewels!!

I have my eye on a couple things....delicate hoops.  Not too fussy and just the right amount of feminine.

Gold chandeliers...love the VaVaVoom of these earrings!

LaCoCo Necklace.  This is so versatile! 

It can be doubled for a shorter chain necklace, worn long, or with a brooch for additional detail.

 Aren't these turquoise beads fantastic?!  Perfect for spicing up a boring outfit.  Turquoise is always in!

 Fun bangle to be worn with other gold cuffs and bracelets.

Love this edgy necklace.  It definitely makes a statement!

Check out www.stelladot.com/emilybase for other fabulous finds or to shop online!

Arkansas

Mom, Jerad, and I recently made a trip to Arkansas to visit my grandparents. B.C. is not doing well- he's been diagnosed with a form of dementia and has been moved to a nursing home, where he is receiving hospice care.  We've been blessed with 91 years of wonderful health, so this rapid change of pace has been hard to swallow.  Jerad and I are fortunate to have both sets of grandparents still with us and the thought of losing any of them is just awful.

 Mimi is still doing well- she's still driving, doing water aerobics, and having lunch with her "PTA" group. The movement of BC to the nursing home worries me, as I'm sure she's lonely, but she remains upbeat. 

Picture of my cousin, Katie, Mimi and BC and me.

Jerad and BC

Our visit before heading back to Dallas.  It was heartbreaking to say goodbye...I'll see you soon...and I love you, because you just never know.   Be grateful for what you have, while you have it!

Arkansas has taught me so much-  how to love people, how to value your family, and how to respect and nourish your Faith. 

 I brought a few things back from their house-  the red umbrella can at the foot of my entryway table.

B.C.'s rules for employees sign that includes the following:

• Each employee must not pay less than $5.00 per year to the church and must attend Sunday School every Sunday
• Any employee who is shaved at a barber shop and goes to dances and such places of amusement, will most surely give his employer reason to be suspicious of his integrity and all around honesty
• Men employees are given one evening a week for courting purposes, and two if they go to prayer meeting regularly
• Leisure time must be spend in reading good literature

Could you work for BC?

The basket on the left of the TV.  Mimi said her maid as a little girl used this basket to clean the clothes for her family in the backyard of their house.

Wonderful people and wonderful treasures!

Little of this, little of that

First, my azaleas are blooming- Yipppee!!! I didn't kill them!

I purchased a new rug a couple weeks ago from...where else... HOME GOODS!  This is a 8 X 10 for $200!  Can't beat the price and I love it's pattern and bright colors.

It ties in perfectly with our table and chairs and really gives the room a nice POP!

Quick recipe just for fun!-
Taco Casserole
Brown ground beef (I typically try to use less meat and more vegetables)...so about .7 lbs
Once browned, add whatever veggies you have on hand-
Green pepper, Red pepper, Tomato, Corn, Carrots, Onion, Garlic, Tomatillos, Mushrooms, Cilantro, Can of beans (used white beans in the picture below)...sometimes I even put squash and zucchini.  Honestly, the more veggies, the better...and of course, it's better for you!  =)

Add some seasonings-  Couple shakes Chili Powder, couple shakes Cayenne pepper, garlic powder, dash of salt, dash of Cumin, fresh cracked pepper. 
If you're nervous that you'll mess this up, just use a Taco Seasoning packet.  I typically taste as I season.  Don't add too much salt-  you'll get extra from the fritos on the bottom!

While that's simmering for a minute, place a layer of fritos in the bottom of a pyrex. 

Pour your skillet mixture over the fritos and top with a handful of cheese.  Bake at 350 until bubbly (25 minutes).  Enjoy your Veggie Taco Casserole!

Front Door

Reminder of the before:  Old roof, dark trim, dated door....

Next: new roof and freshly painted trim and gutters

Third:  Updated hardware, painted mailbox, and stained front door!  I might spray paint our light fixtures this weekend....we shall see!

Love it!

Exterior Update Part Two

After we got our new roof, we took the opportunity to re-paint our trim before putting on new gutters.

Before:  Dark Green

Jerad and I experimented with about ten colors...

Before of the back patio

Ahhhh I can breathe-  much lighter and brighter and cheery! 

Freshly painted garage

Back patio is now fresh and inviting....no longer gloom and doom!

We're so pleased with the turnout!

Exterior Updates

This is the before-  roof was in rough shape...about ten years old...damaged from recent hail storms in Dallas.  Jerad and I were proactive and called State Farm to evaluate...and they granted us money to replace our roof!

I hated our silver cable-thinginmabopper on the top of our roof. It didn't serve a purpse and looked gross!

Day One- Roofers are hard at work!

They'll be ripping off the front soon!

View from the backyard-  we had them completely remove our roof, replace the decking and apply new shingles.  Our roof now has a lifetime warranty!

Day Two: MUCH smoother shingles and a darker color.  We decided to go with Barkwood Brown since our bricks are pretty neutral.

The darker color draws your attention to the front door!

All new flashing and wind turbines that MATCH the roof.  Bye bye silver. 



Further updates to follow....