JULY 4TH SHRIMP BOIL PACKETS ON THE GRILL

As the July 4th holiday approaches, I was looking for a grilling recipe that would be like a throw back to my younger days.  I think I was about 10 when we took an actual family vacation.  Though I had 9 siblings, my parents packed 8 of the kids up and we headed up to Wisconsin with 4 other families.  Since those were the days that car vans were virtually non-existent, we were sent off in other family's cars for the journey.  We rented an entire campground that had 5 cabins.  It was a blast.  One night we went to a fish boil. I still remember the incredible smell and awesome taste of the meal. 

So, I tried to recreate this meal on a smaller scale.  I looked to Pinterest to find a recipe that I could make on the grill and tweaked the ingredients a bit.  Let's get started.

When I was at the store, I found these petite potatoes in red, white and blue.  I added in some shrimp, corn on the cob and smoked sausage.

I cleaned the corn cobs and cut them in three pieces each.  I cut 1/2 lb. of smoked sausage in 1/2 inch pieces and shelled 16 raw shrimp.

I boiled the corn on the cob pieces along with 16 of the multicolored petite potatoes for 7 minutes. 

Then they were drained and added to a large bowl. Then I melted 4 Tablespoons of butter, 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice` and mixed in 2 teaspoons of Cavenders seasoning.  Most recipes call for Old Bay seasoning but I wanted to try the Cavenders since I like their combination of spices.  Once all the mixture had a good coating of butter and seasoning, I was ready to wrap them into foil packets.

Because I didn't have heavy duty foil on hand, I cut two pieces of regular foil for each packet.

I evenly distributed the mixture into 4 packets and wrapped them up.

The directions call for them to be cooked on medium high on the grill for 8-10 minutes on one side, and flip them on the other side for 5-6 minutes.

I set the table for the Patriotic meal.

Once the packets were grilled, I complimented the meal with a side of rice pilaf.

This meal has a bit of prep work, but once done, you can enjoy your guests and sit down to a worthy 'shrimp boil'.

I served the boil with browned butter.  If I could change one thing about the preparation of this meal, I would probably add 8 more shrimp to each packet.  But then again, I love shrimp.  The family enjoyed the special 4th of July feast--a few days early.



UPDATED WHEAT BASKET

I enjoyed having the wheat basket out for fall last year, but I wanted to update it for the summer.

Again, I picked them stems up for 50% off at Michaels.



The basket fit beautifully on the white bench in the eat in kitchen.

But it needed a few more pieces to complete the vignette.

Stay  tuned for my special 4th of July dinner.



CAP AND GOWN CENTERPIECE

I volunteered to help the high school with the Cap and Gown reception at the high school.  Because our budget was rather slim, I had to figure out a way to create a floral centerpiece to fit the occasion. 

I found the following pictures on the internet.  Since I was planning on using my silver plated champagne bucket, these pictures came up.

This picture didn't show a champagne bucket, but I thought this display would be fabulous at a wedding reception.



I started with using my wispy wreath to lay on top of the bucket. I was also going to use my beautiful cake stand.

This is what I had been keeping in the bucket until this event came up.

I was fortunate enough to know the floral decorator from our church.  I went with her to the flower warehouse to buy white hydrangeas for my centerpiece. 



Collecting dead twigs from a tree out back,  we secured them together and placed them inside the middle of the bucket to give some height.




The effect of a chilled champagne bucket was an added feature.

The food display was beautiful.

I brought the centerpiece home and displayed it on my foyer table.

An added filler known as trick was placed in the area between the hydrangeas.







Using my Waterlogue app, I used the above picture to create a new image.

I enjoyed the centerpiece until the flowers wilted.



FATHERS DAY CAMO WAFFLES

Father's Day is upon us and we celebrated early this year.  Because of our summer schedule having so many conflicts, we decided to celebrate a week early.


My youngest pulled out all the stops to make this morning extra special for her Dad.  Last night I asked her what she was going to do for his breakfast.  She replied, 'camo waffles'.  I couldn't wait to see this.


So, this morning, I send Dad outside with the paper and a cup of coffee.  Little one starts her endeavors in the kitchen. 


Lo and behold, she really knocked this one out of the park.  She looked on the internet and found out what food dyes make the colors green and brown.

Aren't these waffles amazing?

A breakfast made for Dad--he loved it!

I normally don't post pictures of my family on this site, but when I saw the waffle batter on her face and in her hair, I couldn't resist. 


A grateful daughter with her grateful Dad!

THRIFT STORE TREASURES-MAY 2017

While taking part of the softball team to their out of town games there are a few perks.  Last week, I  spied two thrift shops about 4 blocks from the field.  Since they had to be there one hour before the game, it was doable to drop them off and swing back past the stores.  It was a win-win for me.

In the back of my mind, I kept contemplating the number of girls I would have to take home.  I parked and picked the cutest storefront first.

After 5 minutes, I found these two treasures.  The first being a desk repainted with the British flag.  Originally when my oldest was planning on moving into her apartment for next year, she inquired about taking her mirrored vanity.

I was afraid that it would have undue wear and tear in an apartment, so I was on the look out to find a replacement desk.

I spied this piece in the corner, originally priced at $99.00 down to $59.00.  A perfect find!!

While walking past another booth, I found this sweet plastic painted bed molding.  For $6.00, it would be a great piece to hang behind one of the twin beds with thin white gauzy fabric draping from underneath the crown.

All in all, I transported both pieces back home.  A good day for all.

Oh, the other girls got rides home, so my new found treasures had plenty of room to travel to their new home.



MOTHER'S DAY GIFT AND DISPLAY

My requests for Mother's Day gifts are usually a bit different than most moms.  This year, I purchased at the Vintage Market a fabulous window taken out of a Memphis mansion.

I fell in love with this treasure instantly--and I had a place for it in the house.

Its gray chippy surfaces and rod iron decorations spoke to me.

Now, we just need to find a way to hang it on the wall--it is sooooo heavy!

Lovin this.........

The rusty handle spoke to me.  How many different people actually opened  this window over the years?

The iron encased in the window is very unique.

Some of the glass inserts are still visible in the window.  I want  to keep them.

The plan is to hang this window in between the two dining room windows. I believe this architectural piece will fit in beautifully with the newly stenciled accent wall in the room. 


The window is extremely heavy.  Mr. Thrifty asked me how I got it into the house.  It's one of those things.  If I really want to do something, somehow my strength steels me.

It is so hard to photograph the vintage window because of the sunlight always coming in the room.

After  Mr. Thrifty routed a channel in the back of the window, it was hung.  Even he couldn't believe how heavy the window was.  He screwed one screw into a stud and the other, he nailed the second nail into a molly bolt to make sure that the window would not come crashing down. 


I love my new(old) architectural piece!  It is fun to add something old into a newer home.