Im baaaaaaack!!!

Yes, it's been a while...wow, almost a year to be exact! Im back on the blogging train. Can't wait to show you all of the updates we have done since Ive last been on! Stay tuned :)

Cool Collage!

So, normally I get nervous hanging things that need to be centered and measured and spaced out evenly, BUT today, I was feeling a little anxious and decided..."I can do this!" I found this cute letter "B" for "Blocker" yesterday at Kohl's (a whooping$6.49!!)and thought it would be a great idea to make a collage of the boys beach pictures that we took last summer! Here is the finished product! I pat myself on the back, it really wasn't as hard as I was making it out to be! On to the next thing....

The Cornice is hung......

.....finally

Giveaway!!

It's giveaway time, so head on over to Our Suburban Cottage to see what exciting giveaway Annicole is giving away!! Hurry, its a good one ;)

go to http://oursuburbancottage.blogspot.com/

It's almost FINISHED!!!!!

Well, last week they started on our basement! Mike, the carpenter (and friend of our family) came last week to finish framing and getting the basement ready for the drywaller's to come on Monday! The material company came yesterday, dropped off all the drywall material and today "they" came...."they" meaning the massive crew of drywallers arrived at 10:30am and by 1:30 pm we actually had walls and a ceiling! Man, these guys work FAST!!!! I will post some before/after pics! I wish I had more pics of the unfinished part but I only have 2, you'll get the idea ;)We can't wait to see the finished product!!!!!!!
~Before~

This is the bar area...will have a bar with tile and flat screen tv right on the wall!

This is a pic of bedroom #5 which will be our official guest room and (Nana's room)

Stairway leading downstairs

HallwayBar area

Guest Room

Theater room

Guest Bath

Move over Spidey.....

....Gavin and Grant are here to save the day!

(I LOVE this picture and had to share it)

~Glidden~...Free Paint Giveaway!!!!

Yes, thats right! FREE!!!!!!

Go to https://www.glidden.com/promotions/free-paint-giveaway.do

pick your paint and thats it....they will send you 1 free quart of eggshell paint! Promotion ends on July 2nd or while supplies last so HURRY and get movin' and pick out that paint color!

FWI...I picked *Olivewood* for our basement bathroom! Ill post pics when the project is complete!

California Pizza Kitchen ® BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad

(Pictures Courtesy~ California Pizza Kitchen)

Ok, who doesnt LOVE California Pizza Kitchen! I do for sure and so do my boys! My ultimate favorite salad of all time comes from this place! I think its more the Garlic Herb Dressing that just makes this salad so, when I did some research on the web to copy this recipe, I was thrilled to find it online! I am actually headed out tonight to buy all of the ingredients (its alot) to make this for dinner tonight! Im so excited, I had to share with all of my blogging friends! Enjoy!

For the Garden Herb Ranch Dressing:

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 teaspoon cold water

2 3/4 cups mayonnaise

1 cup buttermilk

7 tablespoons sour cream

2 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 1/2 tablespoons thinly-sliced scallion greens and whites

2 teaspoons minced garlic

2 teaspoons minced fresh Italian parsley

1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon minced fresh dill

1/2 teaspoon minced fresh oregano (or 1/4 tspn dried oregano)

1/2 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon minced fresh basil

For the Grilled Garlic BBQ Chicken:

1 1/3 tablespoons olive oil

1 1/3 tablespoons minced garlic

2 teaspoons soy sauce

2 teaspoons salt

4 boned skinned chicken breasts - (5 oz ea)

1/4 cup good-quality sweet-&-spicy barbecue sauce

For the Salad:

1/2 head iceberg lettuce -- cored, rinsed, dried, and cut 1/8"-wide strips

1/2 head romaine lettuce leaves -- separated, trimmed, rinsed, dried, and cut 1/8"-wide strips

12 large fresh basil leaves -- cut 1/8" strips

1 pound jicama -- cut 1/4" x 1/4" x 3/4" strips

2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1 cup canned black beans -- rinsed, drained

1 cup canned sweet white corn kernels -- drained

3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

2 pounds fresh ripe tomatoes -- cut 1/2" dice1/2 cup good-quality

sweet-&-spicy barbecue sauce

1/4 cup thinly-sliced scallion greens

To Make the Garden Herb Ranch Dressing:

In a mixing bowl, use a fork to stir together the mustard and cold water, forming a paste. Set aside for 10 minutes. Add the remaining dressing ingredients to the bowl and, using a handheld electric mixer at low speed or a whisk, blend together just until smooth, taking care not to incorporate too much air into the dressing. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

To Make the Grilled Garlic BBQ Chicken:

Preheat a stovetop grill or the broiler. In a mixing bowl, stir together the olive oil, garlic, soy sauce, and salt. Turn the chicken breasts in this marinade and leave to marinate at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Grill or broil the chicken breasts until cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes per side. Chill thoroughly in the refrigerator. Cut the chicken breasts into 3/4-inch cubes and, in a bowl, toss with the barbecue sauce to coat well. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

To Make the Salad:

In a large mixing bowl, toss together the lettuces, basil, jicama, Monterey Jack cheese, beans, corn, cilantro, dressing, and half of the Fried Tortilla Strips. Transfer the salads to chilled serving plates. Surround each salad with diced tomatoes and the remaining Fried Tortilla Strips. Top each salad with chunks of Grilled Garlic BBQ Chicken and drizzle the chicken with the barbecue sauce. Garnish with the scallion.

To our Daddy....Happy Fathers Day!

Walk with me, Daddy
Author~ Helen Bush

Walk alongside me, daddy and
hold my little hand.
I have so many things to learn
that I don't yet understand.
Teach me things to keep me safe
from dangers every day.
Show me how to do my best
at home, at school, at play.
Every child needs a gentle hand
to guide them as they grow.
So walk alongside me, daddy -
We have a long way to go.

Giveaway!!!

I am all about some free stuff and giveaways (heck, I won the last one I entered)....hop on over to http://mysweetsavannah.blogspot.com/ where Melanie @ My Sweet Savannah is having some fabulous giveaways! Have a wonderful weekend and good luck!

The writings on the wall...

Yesterday, I went on the hunt to Hobby Lobby (one of my faves) for vinyl wall letters, you've seen them....the little quotes or sayings that adhere to the wall in your entry way, kitchen etc. and when you want to remove it, it peels right off! They are so adorable and oh so smart (wish I would of thought of this idea) This is what I was on the hunt for my entryway......But instead...I have this thing called (SADD, Shopping Attention Deficit Disorder) I ended up with this....
(Two @8.00 a piece) for my mantle!
This looks great in my dining room (4.00)The 11.00 vase (which by the way happens to matches the fabric on my cornice AND my new bench in the entryway) and my cute little 5.00 Fleur de lei!

Last but not least, (sorry no pics, my battery is low) 2 Large Sea grass Baskets with lids for the top of my wall unit (6.00 a piece) and a cute wrought iron towel holder for 1.50!! JACKPOT!!! Thank YOOOUU Hobby Lobby, I just love a bargain!

Fun Facts!! Jon and Kate plus 8

Ok, I admit I am a total sucker of Jon and Kate plus 8!! It seems the Gosselins have had their hands full lately–not just with those adorable kids of theirs, but with their marital troubles (they just celebrated their 10-year anniversary, but not together), an investigation into whether TLC is violating child labor laws by filming at their house, and even some allegations of pet abuse. Then I heard that they aren’t having any luck in the real estate department, either. Their old house has still not sold, and continues to sit on the market in Pennsylvania. Here it is, from the real estate listing.The house is bigger than it looks from the curb — 3,446 square feet, with 5 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths. It’s on the market for $325,000.

The NEW HOUSE!! The Gosselins now live in this reportedly $1.3 million house in Berks County, Pennsylvania

So, if you or anyone you know anyone looking for a house in the PA area...check out the MLS#http://listings.listhub.net/pages/CPMLPA/10176738/?channel=zillow and this famous house could be yours!

Open House!!

Well, the invites are out and we are sooo excited for our Open House Party in July! I think the invites turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself! We are still working on the house, getting things organized and decorated just in time for the party! Lots to do and little time to do it! I wish there were more hours in the day! I look forward to seeing all of our friends and family...it should be a great time!

Summer Adventures!

Thomas the Turtle

Sami the Snake

Yikes...hes HUGE!!

Summertime on the deck!

Though the summer is just beginning...the boys really have taken to the neighborhood well! They have met ~all sorts of friends~ Deer, snakes, turtles and frogs are just to name a few! Yes, they all have names too! Who needs a pet when we have a neighborhood of animals in our backyard! I guess the saying is true, snips and snails and puppydog tails...thats what little boys are made of! Well, at least MY boys are anyway!

What is your STYLE!

Eclectic Style

Everyone has a style whether it be modern, contemporary, traditional, eclectic etc. I enjoy a mix of everything! I would say I am more of an eclectic style. I love walking into a home where the colors are warm, fabrics are rich and it just feels homey! Eclectic style is about mixing rather than matching, though all design elements should coordinate to achieve a look that is fresh. Eclectic style is the fingerprint of innovation and creativity. Borrowing from different sources and periods, eclectic style is a highly individualized style and is easily changed on a whim. A person with an eclectic style is a person with a lot of favorites who finds a way to indulge in them all. Purple and pink together? Why not? Modern and traditional furniture? Absolutely. The eclectic minded person finds a way to have it all and make it make it visually cohesive. Eclectic style is casual and approachable, making it a natural choice for home or business decor. Far from generic, eclectic style is the harmony in contrast and it NEVER goes out of style! So, what is YOUR style....

*photo inspiration by Coastal Living*