A "Poppin" 4th with Skinnypop Popcorn~

Hello friends.  Happy day after 4th of July.  I pray everyone had a safe and fun holiday.  In typical Atlanta fashion, it rained on and off all day.  Boo.  But, that didn't stop us from having a little fun on our covered porch.

I was recently contacted by the Outreach Coordinator for Skinnypop Popcorn. They have put together a great list of cocktail and popcorn pairings to enjoy this summer.  Most of you know, we love our popcorn!  I couldn't pass up an opportunity to share a brand that we have come to love with my readers.

Please note, I am in no way being compensated for this post.  All opinions are that of my own.

What I love most about the brand is their packaging.  When selecting a bag you know exactly what you are getting.  No hidden ingredients, nothing I can't pronounce.

Dairy Free (in the case of their White Cheddar popcorn, a win for this dairy free family)
Non GMO
Gluten Free
Peanut Free
Tree Nut Free
Preservative Free
No Artificial Flavors
Zero Trans Fat
and DELICIOUS!

How fun are these simple pairings? Moscow Mule/Original, Blueberry Mojito/Sea Salt & Pepper, Blackberry Smash/Aged White Cheddar/Dairy Free White Cheddar, White Peach Sangria/Naturally Sweet, Coconut Margarita/ Pepper Jack/Jalapenó.

We decided to get a little creative ourselves.  We were thrilled to learn that Skinnypop White Cheddar Popcorn is dairy free.  And Rosé wine is so hot now.  So, why not combine the two?  Who doesn't love wine and cheese?

The table setting came together quickly with things I already had around the house.  I will share the recipe for the Rosé Lemonade at the end of the post.  The perfect cocktail for a hot humid summer day.

To anchor the table setting I used my galvanized tray and lanterns from Target.  For the centerpiece I used a small white pitcher from Home Goods that I tied a bit of red, white and blue ribbon around and filled with inexpensive carnations from Trader Joes.  The blue and white J napkins were a gift from a girlfriend.  We had blue Solo cups on hand as well as the red and white striped paper straws.  My #2 created the "Have a Poppin' 4th of July" flags on her computer for me.  We attached them to the straws with a bit of double stick tape.  The red and white popcorn bucket is an old Target dollar section find we use for movie nights. My go to glass pitcher and wine glasses finished it off. Y'all we pulled this off in 20 minutes.  

The Solo cups filled with the White Cheddar popcorn are the perfect portion size, and the cute little flags just add a festive touch.  This could be done with any number of the colored cups available for a variety of holidays.  Think the Naturally Sweet popcorn in red Solo cups with a bit of red, white and pink sprinkles on top.  Attach one of those yummy cinnamon gummy hearts to the straws and you've created a fun, sweet treat in no time.

I just loved the blush pink color of the Rosé Lemonade.  Sliced lemons in the pitcher and on the rim of the glasses just scream summertime. 

A closer look at the darling flags #2 designed for the occasion. 

A centerpiece doesn't have to break the bank.  These sweet carnations were under $5, and will last a few weeks.

Rosé Lemonade (original recipe found on kitchn)

Makes 8 servings

Ice

1 (750-milliliter) bottle dry rosé wine

3 cups lemonade (we used Real Time lemon juice-1 C juice, 1 C sugar, 6 1/2 Cups Water)

1 medium lemon, sliced (I used two so we could rim the glasses)

1 (12-ounce) can club soda

Combine the rosé, lemonade, and lemon slices in a large pitcher filled with ice.  Top with club soda.  Pour into 8 glasses, adding ice from the pitcher to each glass as needed.

***This recipe could easily be doubled to fill a drink dispenser making serving a breeze for a larger gathering.

I hope this will inspire you to try the many Skinnypop flavors that are available, and maybe create your own cocktail to go with it.

***photo credit goes to my talented #2

Mexican Chopped Salad~What's for Dinner Wednesday

Yesterday, my sweet blog friend and fellow empty nester Vicki, Life In My Empty Nest posted this wonderful Mexican Chopped Salad she had pinned the recipe for.

Fast forward, honey and I were at the grocery store (TJ's to be exact) and were trying to decide what to make for dinner.  Neither of us were super hungry and we did NOT want to heat up the kitchen using the oven (it is hot enough here already).  So, I suggested the salad Vicki had posted. Game on...

Mexican Chopped Salad

Ingredients:

Dressing:
1/4 C fresh lime juice
2 TBS honey
1/2 tsp cumin
1 clove garlic (we used minced)
1/2 tsp salt
2 TBS canola oil
2 TBS extra virgin olive oil
freshly ground black pepper

Tortilla Strips:
6 6-inch corn tortillas
1 1/2 TBS canola oil
1/2 tsp sea salt

Salad:
1 medium head romaine lettuce, chopped approximately 1/2 inch pieces
1 medium bell pepper, diced in 1/4 inch pieces, you can use whatever color pepper you prefer.
1/2 medium red onion, diced into 1/4 inch pieces
1/2 medium jicama, peeled and diced in 1/4 inch pieces
1 medium zucchini, diced in 1/4 inch dice
4 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced into 1/4 inch dice
4 ears corn
1 1/2 cups canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 C finely chopped cilantro, plus whole cilantro leaves for garnish, if desired

Directions:

1.  For the dressing, combine lime juice, honey, cumin, garlic and salt.  Stir to combine. In a slow, steady stream, add the oils, stirring continuously with a fork or small whisk. Taste and add more salt or pepper, if needed.  Set aside.
2. For the corn tortilla strips, preheat oven to 400* F. Stack corn tortillas on a cutting board. Cut in half. Cut each stack of halves into thin strips, about 1/4 inch thick.
3. Transfer tortilla strips to a sheet pan.  Drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with salt and toss to coat.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, or until light golden brown and crisp.  Set aside to cool.
5. Place corn, two ears at a time, in the microwave and cook 3 1/2 minutes. Remove from microwave with a hot pad and allow to cool for 5 minutes.  After cooling, cut bottom end of corn off, about 1 1/2 inches from end.  Pull back husk and silks (almost all of the silk should easily pull away).  Cut kernels from husks and set aside.
6. Combine corn and other salad ingredients in a large bowl.  Stir to combine.  Add dressing and stir to coat all ingredients.  Garnish with cilantro leaves, if desired.
7. Serve with tortilla strips on top or place a bowl on the side and let guests help themselves.

Original recipe found here.

Couple of notes:

1.  We omitted the jicama-TJ's did not have any.  Will add next time for that extra crispness and touch of sweetness.  Whole Foods carries it already diced.
2. We omitted the tomatoes.  I have a slight allergy to them and hubby does not like them uncooked.
3. We used a small (very small) green bell pepper from our garden.  I would use an orange one next time for more color, especially if serving for guests.
4.  We also omitted the tortilla strips.  While I can have corn tortillas and they do make GF as well, like I mentioned we did not want to heat up the kitchen.  We didn't miss them.  However, you can always purchase the strips premade in the salad section of the grocery store if you want them and like us don't want to heat up the kitchen.
5.  Our ears of corn were already husked (so much easier), and I have a handy dandy corn husker I purchased at WS that made it super easy.  Just watch your fingers!!!

This salad is delicious.  Perfect for a light summer meal, or as a side dish.  We are eating the leftovers tonight along with Tequila Lime Chicken.  Would be wonderful with shrimp as well.

Enjoy!!!

Signs It Is Surely Summer In The South~

Blueberries are ripe for picking! YUM!!

And, Hydrangeas are in full bloom!

The candle is a recent find with a scent called Back Porch...smells Heavenly!

This bush took off this year and is producing blooms like never before!

Love this lavender blue color!

 Summer is officially here!  Hand picked blueberries in our very own back yard, and hydrangeas in full bloom.  Doesn't get any better than this.

Summer Wreath~

Five minutes to a beautiful summer front door!

Supplies:

2 grapevine wreaths (one smaller than the other)
Seashells
Jute twine
Burlap (or ribbon)
Glue gun

Attach the two grapevine wreaths together, the smaller on top of the larger.  This makes the wreath appear fuller.  I used zip ties!

Randomly glue your seashells around the grapevine wreaths once assembled.

Add some jute twine, and finish with a burlap bow (or ribbon you have on hand).

Instant summer decor for your front door!!

An unexpected leak, and some summer projects~

The past couple of weeks have been a blur.  The last weekend of our spring break, my sweet hubby had gone downstairs to let our big dogs out.  He walked down to water pouring through the floor joists above.  Not good!  We shut off all water to the house (thank goodness I had just taken my shower for the day, he wasn't so fortunate, nor was our youngest).  Hmmm...have no idea where it started, other than it is in the wall of our Master Shower two stories up. 

We called our plumber, and fortunately he was able to get out to us within the hour.  Then the search for the leak begins.  We knew it was the pipes somewhere in the wall that runs between our kitchen and dining room on the 1st floor and our master bathroom and closet on the 2nd.  My fear...our shower was leaking for the 400th time (you see we have had the shower pan leak twice, the drain once, and the knee wall once).  And, each time required a huge mess and a lot of dust!!  I wanted to cry.

At first our plumber thought he'd have to go through the back of my kitchen cabinets (so those got emptied all over the counter).  Thank goodness I'd organized them a few weeks before, so it wasn't too bad clearing them out.  But, then he and hubby decided it would be wiser to go through the closet wall just behind the shower and work from there (my cabinets were spared).  However, that required a nice hole in the drywall...that got bigger and bigger.  Ended up about 18" X 36".  Oh, forgot to mention...all of MY clothes had to come out of that side of the closet first!

Good news, leak found...bad soder joint in the shower valves.  Bad news...they had to be replaced (and I had a hole in my closet wall).  Now, the decisions had to be made.  Fix valves as they are and keep old fixtures , or update valve to new codes and replace fixtures.  We decided to replace up to new codes and get a new single handle shower fixture (ours were the old double handle style).  And, the snowball begins to roll.

Replacing the fixtures meant that six tiles in shower had to be removed and then replaced after the new valves were installed (two trips for the tile guy).  Oh, but wait...now the pretty new shower fixture doesn't match the tub and sink fixtures!  9 tiles come off the front of the tub for it to be replaced and the sinks get new fixtures too. 

This whole time 3 of us are sharing one bathroom upstairs!  We do have an extra downstairs, but it wasn't worth the trip!! LOL

The whole process took about a week and a half.  Plumber in to find leak, then tile guy in to remove tiles, plumber back to install new valves and fixtures (shower and tub, hubby later did sinks), tile guy back to install tiles (and hubby to install plate and handle and sink fixtures).  Then I got the pleasure of replacing the drywall in our closet.  I had done drywall before, but had forgotten how much dust is involved.

We are in the home stretch now.  Fixtures are in, drywall done and painted...just need to install access panel (yes, we got smart this time and are installing an access door in our closet behind the valves).  The painters are coming to paint our Master Bedroom and Bath next week, so I hope to reveal the new and improved then.

In the meantime, I was home waiting on workers so I had a little time to be creative.  Finally, some pictures you say?!!!

I created this sign for our back porch using a board I already had.  I spray painted the board white, then roughed up the edges a bit.  I used an alphabet stencil I had on hand and my handy paint markers to create the words, and then added the flowers using another stencil.  Once dry, I lightly sanded the whole thing to distress it a bit.  It picks up the colors in our back porch decor, which hopefully now that the pollen has subsided will be brought out this weekend!

Then I decided to create a new wreath for our front door.  I didn't want to spend any money doing so, and since I was kinda stuck at home with the workers I really didn't have time to go get supplies even if I'd wanted to.  So, our new beachy wreath was born.  I took two old grapevine wreaths and attached them together (one is a bit smaller than the other).  This makes the wreath appear fuller.  I used zip ties to do so (you'll never see them).  Then I went to my stash of seashells and started randomly glueing them onto the wreath.  Added some jute rope and a burlap bow, and had myself a new summer wreath.

Oh, and did I mention...we are having new carpet installed in my new office and the library today?  Yes, the snowball gets bigger!  All the contents of those two rooms now resides in my dining room!

Thanks for hanging in there with me.  I hope to have some great room reveals next week!!  But, for now I am off to build a snowman!

***THIS JUST IN...WHILE THEY HAVE THE CARPET FOR OUR FRONT STAIRS, THEY SEEM TO HAVE LOST THE CARPET FOR OUR FRONT ROOMS!  AND, THEY ARE JUST TELLING ME 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO WHEN THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO START???

An unexpected leak, and some summer projects~

The past couple of weeks have been a blur.  The last weekend of our spring break, my sweet hubby had gone downstairs to let our big dogs out.  He walked down to water pouring through the floor joists above.  Not good!  We shut off all water to the house (thank goodness I had just taken my shower for the day, he wasn't so fortunate, nor was our youngest).  Hmmm...have no idea where it started, other than it is in the wall of our Master Shower two stories up. 

We called our plumber, and fortunately he was able to get out to us within the hour.  Then the search for the leak begins.  We knew it was the pipes somewhere in the wall that runs between our kitchen and dining room on the 1st floor and our master bathroom and closet on the 2nd.  My fear...our shower was leaking for the 400th time (you see we have had the shower pan leak twice, the drain once, and the knee wall once).  And, each time required a huge mess and a lot of dust!!  I wanted to cry.

At first our plumber thought he'd have to go through the back of my kitchen cabinets (so those got emptied all over the counter).  Thank goodness I'd organized them a few weeks before, so it wasn't too bad clearing them out.  But, then he and hubby decided it would be wiser to go through the closet wall just behind the shower and work from there (my cabinets were spared).  However, that required a nice hole in the drywall...that got bigger and bigger.  Ended up about 18" X 36".  Oh, forgot to mention...all of MY clothes had to come out of that side of the closet first!

Good news, leak found...bad soder joint in the shower valves.  Bad news...they had to be replaced (and I had a hole in my closet wall).  Now, the decisions had to be made.  Fix valves as they are and keep old fixtures , or update valve to new codes and replace fixtures.  We decided to replace up to new codes and get a new single handle shower fixture (ours were the old double handle style).  And, the snowball begins to roll.

Replacing the fixtures meant that six tiles in shower had to be removed and then replaced after the new valves were installed (two trips for the tile guy).  Oh, but wait...now the pretty new shower fixture doesn't match the tub and sink fixtures!  9 tiles come off the front of the tub for it to be replaced and the sinks get new fixtures too. 

This whole time 3 of us are sharing one bathroom upstairs!  We do have an extra downstairs, but it wasn't worth the trip!! LOL

The whole process took about a week and a half.  Plumber in to find leak, then tile guy in to remove tiles, plumber back to install new valves and fixtures (shower and tub, hubby later did sinks), tile guy back to install tiles (and hubby to install plate and handle and sink fixtures).  Then I got the pleasure of replacing the drywall in our closet.  I had done drywall before, but had forgotten how much dust is involved.

We are in the home stretch now.  Fixtures are in, drywall done and painted...just need to install access panel (yes, we got smart this time and are installing an access door in our closet behind the valves).  The painters are coming to paint our Master Bedroom and Bath next week, so I hope to reveal the new and improved then.

In the meantime, I was home waiting on workers so I had a little time to be creative.  Finally, some pictures you say?!!!

I created this sign for our back porch using a board I already had.  I spray painted the board white, then roughed up the edges a bit.  I used an alphabet stencil I had on hand and my handy paint markers to create the words, and then added the flowers using another stencil.  Once dry, I lightly sanded the whole thing to distress it a bit.  It picks up the colors in our back porch decor, which hopefully now that the pollen has subsided will be brought out this weekend!

Then I decided to create a new wreath for our front door.  I didn't want to spend any money doing so, and since I was kinda stuck at home with the workers I really didn't have time to go get supplies even if I'd wanted to.  So, our new beachy wreath was born.  I took two old grapevine wreaths and attached them together (one is a bit smaller than the other).  This makes the wreath appear fuller.  I used zip ties to do so (you'll never see them).  Then I went to my stash of seashells and started randomly glueing them onto the wreath.  Added some jute rope and a burlap bow, and had myself a new summer wreath.

Oh, and did I mention...we are having new carpet installed in my new office and the library today?  Yes, the snowball gets bigger!  All the contents of those two rooms now resides in my dining room!

Thanks for hanging in there with me.  I hope to have some great room reveals next week!!  But, for now I am off to build a snowman!

***THIS JUST IN...WHILE THEY HAVE THE CARPET FOR OUR FRONT STAIRS, THEY SEEM TO HAVE LOST THE CARPET FOR OUR FRONT ROOMS!  AND, THEY ARE JUST TELLING ME 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO WHEN THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO START???