I know, I know. It's not really an estate, but as I've said before, we jokingly refer to our place as The Bates Estate. I mean, it is our estate afterall. Isn't it?
I am about to go jump in the pool for a quick blast refresher before I hit the garden. The veg garden that is, that we're just getting in a month late. Ah well. So is life.
At least I got my shed window boxes planted last weekend in their usual 'red, white and blue' theme. OK, my 'version' of red white and blue.
I usually have geranium, nicotiana and whatever blue flower I can find. Well,they were out of nicotiana (again, because I'm so late planting everything), so I settled for bright pink geraniums with a white center, and some deep purple petunias. Pretty. Gotta give 'em some water before the sun comes around. It's getting HOT.
We also got the screen house up last weekend. Couldn't sit outside in the evening without it.
The mosquitoes have been horrendous. Vicious even. Don't remember the last time I had so many mosquito bites....just from trying to cook at the grill. Buggers.
The list is long today and tomorrow, so will just take it one thing at a time. Neighborhoodlum Gerry might come over later for chicken on the barbie. Sandee, his other half was off to PA this week. And our other neighborhoodlum Tom is off to wedding, and his other half Joanie is currently stuck in Boston awaiting a flight to Switzerland that supposed to take off Thursday! Can you take it? I would not be a happy camper.
A big HAPPY 26TH BIRTHDAY to Sam at The Junk House. Enjoy the sushi. I hope you get everything else you were wishing for and so much more.
Any big plans this weekend? Somebody must be doing something other than working around the yard (not that it's a bad thing).
Craft Wars. It was a bloody battle. The judges were not kind. They were not wise enough to see the ingenuity behind my blogging pal Traci's creative duffle bag. I think maybe they didn't have their eyes open or the smart hats on, because I thought Traci 'brought it' and took care of business. You see, Traci of All Things Luci Rae had been keeping something under her own hat for awhile, she was going to be on the first episode of Craft Wars on TLC, hosted by Tori Spelling.
As you can summise from the above, Traci did not fair well at the judges table, however she rocked it. She gave it her all and that's all anyone can ask. You see, they brought out a big bin with things you'd find in a Mom van...you know, from shuffling the kiddos from one thing to another. Footballs, ballet slippers, cheerleading uniforms and even tennis rackets.....ah, the imfamous tennis racket. More on that in a second. Traci and the other two contestants, who were battling it out for $10,000 (said in my best Dr. Evil voice with pinky finger to the corner of my mouth), were to use whatever they could from this big bin and also had use of the dreamy 'craft closet'. Each contestant also brought along a helper.The other two gals brought their husbands. Traci brought Pops, who you'll find is a helper extraordinaire if you read a little over on All Things Luci Rae. Back to the challenge, the crafters were charged with creating a duffle bag from the big bin of items and the the craft closet.
Our own Traci, chose to focus on the big bin and only used the craft closet for the cord of her bag. She used a cheer skirt for the top, cheer top for the sides and yes.....a tennis raquet for the bottom of the bag so all those stinky things could air out. Genius, right?
Here's Pops about to cut off the handle of the tennis raquet. Nice job Pops.
(Sorry these pictures really stink, I was taking them while the episode was running on TV. I was distracted and more more excited about seeing Traci, kind of 'in person' and to hear her voice for the first time, than taking good pics. I apoligize for my misplaced priorities.)
I thought it was super dooper. The judges, not so much. You see, two of the sewing machines the crafters had available to them broke while they were making their bags, so Traci, who is a crafter extraoridinaire not a seamstress extraordinaire (I mean, that would be a different show, wouldn't it?), chose to hot glue the hell out of the tennis raquet to position it at the bottom of the bag.
The judges weren't real keen on that idea, wondering out loud, 'would it be strong enough to hold two basketballs'? Who the heck is carrying around two basketballs in their duffle bag? Wouldn't two basketballs necessitate an equipment bag? I digress.
This one little thing is what brought down my favorite contestant on Craft Wars. The other two bags were nifty too, but Traci utilized the bin of sports stuff the best, at least in my humble opinion. Add to that, that her bag was complete which couldn't be said for all (though the one that wasn't quite complete...thanks to this poor crafter's luck at trying to spray glue and then sew....was pretty darn snappy).
So, it all ended too soon and Traci was sent to pack up her glue gun and go home. Seriously, that's what Tori said to her. Crack me up.
At least Traci and Pops got some free time from packing up the glue gun early. They got to get out and about and do the tourist thing, and the best of all, they have a super fun (and sometimes nauseating according to Traci) memory of the crazy ride they took together.
I say, kudos to you Traci Remley for having the guts to be on Craft Wars. You are the Queen of Crafts in my book. If they had asked the contestants to make a lampshade with sweet rosettes, or refinish the ugliest nightstand, you would have been crowned the victor. No doubt at all.
You may have been 'mortified', but I was just darn happy to see one of my blogging pals on TV!
You get two thumbs up in my book because, well, that's all I've got.
Sunset Meadows
And the Queen of Crafts rode off into the sunset with her trusty glue gun.............
The following night the sunset was even more striking. A golden display.
Wish I'd walked across the street for the shot, but again, there is something about the way the wires frame things that I sometimes like.
And last night's.............
Our scoop for the weekend will be all yard and house stuff and getting ready for the 4th. Perhaps we'll get a campfire in, but it may be too hot. If it is, you know what that means, don't you? I'll be in the pool swimming about in all my glory. What are your plans for the weekend?
Freeform Friday
In honor of the never say die attitude demonstrated by Traci on Craft Wars, a little ditty for the champion in all of us. Click here if you're reading by email.
I KNOW you're singing.......................
Have one heck of a fantastic Friday. Thanks, as always, for being here.
Oh how I loved Judy Blume. I read a LOT of her books in the Summer. In fact had a collector's set that included Iggie's House. Great story, great lesson.
The Drive In!!!!!! Poor Gar's never been. Wish they'd rebuild the one in our neck of the woods. Bet they'd be mobbed by all of us with good memories of attaching that speaker to the window and watching the dancing hot dogs.
The pool is finally looking better. Gar may have been right about the filter part he replaced. It's not crystal clear, but it's pretty damn close and it's calling my name. I have a date with the water later.
Have you found any favorite summer finds on etsy or pinterst or else where? Feel free to leave a link in your comments, I'd love to see what tickles your summer fancy.
It's only a week until our big party to celebrate Independence Day. Next Wednesday on the 4th of July our yard will be full of people enjoying a real New England Lobster Bake. You want to know something? I can't wait. Let me elaborate......I can't wait to sit down at the table with my bag of steamers and lobsters, my serving of drawn better, a nice frosty draft beer and have at it.
Yes. I have lobsters on the brain. I haven't had any yet this year so I am nearly salivating at the thought.
One thing you should know about lobster bakes, when the lobsters come off they have the smokey goodness imparted from the seaweed (which they're baked in). Oh my, it is Good with a capital G.
If a lobster bake sounds like too much work, how about lobster dip? I posted my Smorgasbord Lobster Dip a while back, and thought some of you may have missed it. I made it up on the fly and it is a keeper.
It's downright decadent.
Keep in mind that my measurements are approximate (since I was 'winging it'), but you'll get the idea. Adjust as you see fit according to your own taste.
1.5 - 2 cups of cooked lobster meat, chopped (not to small- you want some good sized chunks in there)
1 cup of low fat Hellman's mayonaise
1/2 low fat sour cream
1 8 oz block of low fat cream cheese- allow to soften at room temp for awhile
1/2 cup to 1 cup of crumbled feta
1/4- 1/2 cup of parmesan
sprinkle of red pepper flakes or cayenne
(no salt required, the cheese makes it salty enough)
Make some. Soon. You'll be the hit of the party.
Here's to summer and all that it brings, including our 4th of July Lobster Bake.
You'll be hearing and seeing more about it in the coming days.
What are your plans for the 4th? Are you having close to 100 people over to your house like us? Watching fireworks? BBQing? Picnicing? Going to a parade? Do tell.
A few things that are tickling my fancy and piquing my interest. Who knew, right? I've think I've probably been thinking and writing 'peaked' for years, but I digress. Back to things I'm liking right now.
Can you say strawberry season? I must make these strawberry shortcake popsickles. The look delicious and they're easy.
Check out this great video that Jess made of her process.
So, what are you liking lately?
Bring on the Love
Last night we said goodbye to our friend Mike who passed away last week. I loved what his stepdaughter had to say about him. 'When I first met Mike, I didn't like him. I thought there is no way this guy is so nice, mellow and laid back. There is now way he can make my mother, who is as uptight as me, happy. But he was and did.' Rest in peace Mike.
We also said goodbye to our dear friend Bern (next to Gar) and his daughter Molly. He'll be back home in Cork in less than 24 hours. Our friend Olive, Bern's wife and Molly's mom will join them soon when she's done managing a stellar restaurant opening at the beach. Sadly, we won't see them again until our next trip to Ireland. Damn oceans, getting in the way of everything. Otherwise we'd just take a road trip.
We'll really miss you round these parts Bernie Mc. So sad to see you guys go. You're great friends and we've certainly had a lot of laughs and made many lasting memories.
Until we meet again, be good Miss Moll.
Love you guys. Wishing you the best of luck.
On today's plate: ad design, AR/AP (you know how I love bookwork), organization! What's on yours?
Today marks twenty four years married for me and the G-man. I truly don't know where the time goes.
It seems like just yesterday. OK, not yesterday. How about last week? OK, not last week, but certainly last year. OK, maybe not last year, but it definitely doesn't seem like 24 years ago that we walked down the aisle. It really doesn't.
It looks like a long time ago, but it doesn't seem like it.
Here we are....newlyweds. G-man makes it look like a robbed the cradle, but I didn't.
I show you these two pictures to prove that I've been a crafty gal for a long time. I made my own headpiece which had beautiful opalescent beads on the front (that matched the sequins on the bodice of my gown) and a seriously 80s floral spray on the side.
I also spray painted the hats my maid of honor Tina and bridesmaid Robin wore. I'm not kidding. I spray painted them and nobody was ever the wiser. We also lucked out and found their dresses off the rack at Macy's and they both fit perfectly. They were meant to be.
I guess kind of like us. We fit perfectly off the rack too. No adjustments needed. We clicked right from the get go.
We met when mutual friends Gavin and Nadege were going to see Rocky Horror Picture Show and we were all mashed into the same car. We've been together ever since.
It's been a pretty darn good ride so far.
Sure we're a little older.
Sometimes a little wiser.
We've made a lot of memories and have more to make.
We're a little heavier and have more wrinkles.
Mostly, we're just as happy as when we started and more importantly, happy to be together.
Pretty much, we're still just us.
I wouldn't want to go through life with anyone other than you Babe.
We're at the end of more thundershowers. They're nearly done. It lashed rain. Wishing it would be kind enough to pour down on Colorado to stop the fire.
Hope you all had a great weekend. Ours was full of yard and house stuff, a little swimming in the pool and breakfast at the 401. It was all good.
