Beadboard ala Blogland

I find one BIG problem with blogging. There are so many wonderful & creative ideas out there, it's hard not to copy all of them.

This idea, however, is one I've wanted to copy for some time....my family room entertainment center. It always gives me stress.

1. I think it's just enormous.
2. I am constantly struggling to prettily arrange the shelves.
3. I don't completely hate the piece, so I keep it around. Crazy?

I always thought the dull wood background was a huge source of my struggle. Nothing ever shows up against it.

Enter blogland. Enter beadboard. Enter the idea that has been done thousands of times.

My hubby assisted with this project & honestly, he was shaking his head & rolling his eyes the entire time.

Once it was completed, what did my wondering ears hear? He actually said, "I like it. It looks better." Hmmmm.





Score one for blogland!

Linking to Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch:

A Flower Mosaic

Just thought I would share a collage of some of the pretty flowers that have bloomed in our yard this summer.



Everything has really flourished this year, especially my hydrangeas. I have never had so many blooms on that bush in all the 11 years I've owned it.

Today, my daughter & I are going to spend the day shopping. Just we two girls. We're both looking forward to it. I can't help but wonder how many more years before she no longer looks forward to shopping with her mother.

You know what?

I don't want to even think about it. I'll just cherish the moment now.

A pleasant weekend to all..and if you are in the path of Hurricane Irene...I pray that you will be safe.

Sunflower Tablescape

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch is one of my most favorite parties in all of blogland! Seeing so many amazing and creative tablescapes make me very happy.

Today, I'm sharing my Sunflower Tablescape.







Tablecloth & napkins from Kohls. Napkin rings, a steal, from ebay. Blue flatware by Cambridge.



Little square sunflower dish from Christmas Tree Shop.



Sunflower plates also from Christmas Tree Shop. Blue dinner plates from the grocery store, of all places!



My glass candleholders from Hobby Lobby last fall. My sister let me borrow the giant sunflowers.





I had always thought to pair sunflowers with rich, fall-like colors but I found that I really liked the summery blue with them just as much. Who knew?

I'm linking up to Tablescape Thursday.



Fourteen (14) days until we are back to school/work & I'm trying to savor every last drop of summer. I hope that you are all doing the same.

The Little Pear Tree that Could

When I was growing up, we had a HUGE pear tree in our yard. That pear tree always served as home plate when we played ball or home base for tag.

I remember my father would give all the pears he harvested to my uncle because we very seldom ever ate them. (Hmmmm....why didn't we eat them?)

When I was in high school, my father & brother decided to chop down the pear tree. I honestly don't know why they did this. (Maybe it was too much of a hassle dealing with so many pears?)

When we bought our home 11 years ago, there was a small pear tree in the yard. You cannot imagine my delight at seeing that tree! I guess all the childhood memories came back to me of playing in the yard & always having a pear tree standing tall alongside us.

About 7-8 years ago, in early fall, there was a wicked thunderstorm that split our poor little tree in half. My husband wanted to take it down, but I refused. No way was he taking out my little pear tree!

Somehow, this little tree still managed to thrive & bear fruit. Delicious, juicy fruit at that. Somehow, over the past years, without our even knowing it, it has grown a new tree alongside what is left of the old one.



Can you see that the trunk looks old to the left, yet new to the right?



Lots of sweet, juicy pears.



I think we're just about ready to start picking. I am so grateful that we didn't tear this tree down after that thunderstorm. It's kinda funny, but it has become the "little pear tree that could" and I cannot wait to enjoy its bounty!

Caprese Pasta Salad

I made this salad for a cookout that we had recently. It was very well received so I thought I'd share it with all of you. I believe it came from the Food Network magazine.

Now might be a good time to admit that I, personally, did not try this salad. Brace yourselves for this declaration....I don't like tomatoes. I know, I know, terrible, isn't it? They look so delicious, but as they enter my mouth, no, can't do it. (Somewhere my Italian ancestors are crying out in horror. LOL)



I'm taking a gamble here sharing something that I haven't tried, but like I said, it was well received by my tomato loving family.

Caprese Pasta Salad

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 shallot, minced
1 small clove garlic, minced
Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
2 pounds mixed heirloom tomatoes, cored, seeded and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 pound pasta, such as campanelle (I used this), penne or fusilli
12 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (if you're anything like me, you'll have to clench your jaw tight not to eat all of this before it hits the salad! lol)
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil (I used less)
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest

Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, shallot and garlic in a large bowl. Season with salt & pepper. Add sugar, if desired (depending on the sweetness of your tomatoes). Add the tomatoes and gently toss. Marinate at room temperature, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. (I like mine al dente) Drain in a colander and run under cold water to stop the cooking.

Add the pasta and mozzarella to the tomato mixture and toss. Stir in the basil and lemon zest, and season with salt & pepper. Refrigerate, tossing occasionally, until serving.

Good, simple ingredients & a cinch to make. What's not to love? (I won't answer that.)

At the Movies

We've gone to the movies twice in the past week. Isn't it funny how sometimes there isn't a single movie you would want to watch & then suddenly you feel like you want to see everything that's playing?

My daughter & I saw Crazy, Stupid, Love last week. We both loved it. It was funny, it was cute & it had a surprising twist. It was alot of fun.



Surely, my Gleek couldn't possibly have The Glee Convert Movie showing & not see it. So we had to go. Somehow, my daughter even managed to talk her dad & brother into coming along. (My poor husband, the only male in attendance over the age of 13! lol) Anyway, for a Glee fan, it was an awesome movie. My hubby & son even admitted to enjoying it.



So tell me, what have you seen at the movies lately?

A trip to Vermont

We've been away for a couple of days. We took a small trip to Vermont. What's in Vermont you say?

Well, Ben & Jerry's, of course!



The factory tour was fun & interesting. No photography was allowed in case we were all Haagen Dazs spies! :D



Oh what I had to do to get the teenaged daughter to pose for that. She's really ready to scream behind that smile.



The cow mobile.



It's the flavor graveyard. Where all good flavors go to rest in peace.



The tombstones are funny & cute.

We have never been to Vermont and it is quite a beautiful place. I can only imagine how beautiful it must be in the fall when all the green turns into glorious fall color.

I'm going to try to catch up on all of my blog reading if I can. (eek!) Not to mention my housework and we have a wedding to attend tonight.

A happy weekend to each of you...

Linking up at The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays.

The Liebster

Dee of A Lapin Life has given me the something called the Liebster Award. I guess this award originated in Germany and highlights blogs with less than 300 followers.

I accept and now am supposed to tell you 7 things about myself.

Ok, here goes & I shall do my best not to bore you...

1. I married my high school sweetheart.



2. I am constantly making lists. Sometimes I have so many lists, I need a list to organize my lists!



3. As a teenager, I was always told I should be a writer.



4. I wish I could sew.



5. My whole family gets together every Sunday for dinner at my Mom's house. (and yes, it's like a scene out of the movie Moonstruck, but with lots more people.)



6. I really hate to fly and haven't since 1996!



7. I love the change of seasons. I don't think I could ever live anywhere that doesn't have a full change of season (and yes, winter & snow included.)



Assuming that you're all still with me (lol), thanks for stopping over. Thanks to Dee for giving me this award and here's to a pleasant week.

The Ruffled Shade

I've been working like a busy bee all summer long. We've got approximately 30 days of summer vacation left, so I'm trying to make every day count.

I got an itch to cover a lamp shade. Something I've never done before but have seen done all over blogland.

So, I took this old shade that was hanging out in my basement.

I bought some ruffled trim at Joanns & started gluing.

Somewhere along the way, I found a tutorial for making pompom flowers. (I wish I could remember where) It didn't seem too difficult, so I got busy making a few.

And this is what I ended up with.

The shade was originally intended for my living room, but I really loved how it looked in the bedroom instead.

I love it when a project actually turns out well. Believe me, I've had my share of disasters.

Joining:

Roeshel at The DIY Showoff for the Project Parade
Stephanie at Under the Table & Dreaming for The Sunday Showcase
The Girl Creative for Just Something I Whipped Up
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday
Judy at DIY by Design for Sizzle into Summer
Karen at Goodbye City, Hello Suburbs for Workshop Wednesday









Thanks for stopping by today. Make it a good one!

Edited to add:   If you would like to know how to make the Pom Pom flowers that I used on this lamp shade, see my tutorial here.  Thanks!