The goldilocks dining table

I wrote a post awhile back and acquiring my dining room table, I had been searching for the perfect farmhouse table but knew I wanted something genuinely old with some good history and sturdy bones. I found my table on Craigslist and eagerly called the number to find it was still available, upon arriving to pick it up, I may have promised the owner that I would not alter it in any way after I casually mentioned how pretty the legs would be white... I did not sit and the table and had every intention on keeping the table in it's original state...

But then I got it home and sat to eat dinner at it, and i could barely scoot under it, my legs scraped and jammed against the skirt. After living with it for six months and a few people, mainly my 6'2 boyfriend not fitting at it in the least, I decided something needed to be done. I contacted a lady who owns a shop in hazel green and she agreed to take off the old legs and build new chunkier taller legs in their place, I asked to make the table 6 inches taller. The table took a trip in my papas pick up and a few weeks later I picked it up and brought it home. And it was too TALL...

I didn't factor in how long the skirt was when deciding on how much height to add- luckily the legs she built had an odd little extension past the ball of the leg, so we got out the saw and hacked it off and now it's perfect! This will definitely be a table to be passed down. 

Taco Pasta

Sounds like a weird combination, right? But I love pasta, and I love Mexican so when I saw this recipe I decided to give it a shot.  This is probably one of my top five favorite dinners.

Gather your ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef (I used ground deer, yum!)
• 12 oz. pasta of your choice- shells or rotini complement this nicely.
• 1 small onion, chopped fine
• 1 love of garlic, minced
• 1 can mild rotel
• 1 packet of taco seasoning (I use the hot and spicy, but it is truly pretty spicy)
• 3 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Getting started:

Cook your pasta and brown your meat and onions.

Add your Rotel (don't drain),  garlic, and taco seasoning and simmer for 5 minutes.

I put the 3 oz of cream cheese in the microwave briefly to help it melt down some, then add it and the 1/2 cup sour cream into the meat mixture (I transferred to the pasta pot to allow more room), stir it all together.

Add some fresh cilantro in if preferred

Enjoy! 

Project courtyard complete!

In my last post on updating my courtyard- I was still on the hunt for the perfect thing to go along the long wall that connects the garage door to my homes back door.  I knew a potting bench would be the perfect solution but hadn't found any I thought would fit the part.  I also had plans with my boyfriend to build a patio table.  Well during the last few weekends- I have finished the courtyard! We built a patio table, I found the perfect potting bench, and bought new cushions for my wicker chairs.  I searched online for a DIY patio table- I had plans to build one out of a pallet but then stumbled upon this blog post 

www.wouldntitbelovelyblog.blogspot.com/2013/04/diy-chevron-patio-table.html

She goes into detail on how to build the table including a supply list, measurements, and drawings.  My boyfriend reconfigured the drawing to make it half the size and square and we got to work....

We used untreated 2 by 4's for the frame and chevron top and later stained with a deck stain, the legs are treated cedar 4 by 4's.

The galvanized metal chairs and rug are from target, A man who has a booth at University Pickers built the cooler, the metal chicken and white plant stand were from an auction, and the Pig was found on a yard sale site on Facebook by a good friend of mine.

I think the potting bench is perfect for this space, it has a hole cute out where a bucket fits to mix soil.  It will also double as a counter for food during get togethers.

My only further plans for this space include finding some old shutters for the window that shares a wall with the door.  I would also like to find some old signage to hang on the brick. 

Now if only spring/summer could stick around forever...

Spring is in the air

Every year I try to grow basil and cilantro- and every year I usually fail, killing it within weeks of buying it.

But this year it's looking like a success! I actually have enjoyed taking care of my plants and having them be the first thing I see leaving and entering my home. Since my courtyard space is so tiny- I wanted to create a more vertical system for my pots as to save space. I found a three tiered metal plant stand at an auction and painted some cheap terra cotta pots black on the bottom half and painted the names of the herbs. I also planted some perrineals and put a hydrangea in an old whiskey barrel my papa gave me. 

Still deciding on the perfect way to plant and display these succulents inside, I've heard they are pretty indestructible. 

Heard it's supposed to be a nice weekend with temps reaching into the 90's, everyone get out there and enjoy the sunshine! 

Yummy Baked ziti

This is a nice and simple recipe and makes alot for leftovers.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef (or turkey)

Italian seasoning, garlic salt, salt, pepper

1 1/2 jars spaghetti sauce of choice (I love pregos roasted garlic Parmesan for this dish) 

1 tub cottage cheese

1 tub ricotta cheese

1 8 oz. package Italian shredded cheese

A green bell pepper

Carton of mushrooms

Minced garlic

Fresh basil (optional)

1 box ziti or penne pasta

Putting it all together:

Go ahead and boil your pasta

Cook your meat and season with Italian spice, garlic salt and salt and pepper.

Dice your peppers and mushrooms and add to the beef.

I then dumped in about 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic and 4 chopped basil leaves.

Add in your 1 1/2 jars sauce,

Add your ricotta cheese and mix well,

Add in your pasta, 

And your cottage cheese and mix it all up, 

Spread all that into a cassarole dish and top with the shredded cheese,

Bake at 350 until cheese is melted, 

And enjoy! 

Update to my little courtyard

I tend to keep the inside of my home on the nice and tidy side, 98% of things have a place and I try to keep it like that to protect my sanity.  

My garage and courtyard however, have become the spot where things go to die, If I don't have a place for it, it went to the garage and courtyard. The courtyard also had a mixture of outdoor furniture/decor from my previous home that didn't really fit or flow.  My courtyard connects the garage to the home and I walk through it each day and a few weeks ago I had finally had enough. My tiny patch of grass was dead and the whole space was very uninviting. 

Me and my dad started by tiling up the yard and laying 110 feet of new sod, this alone made a vast improvement!

Here it is before: 

Then it was on to the patio, here is what it looked like:

I sold the patio table and red bench, have moved one wicker chair to the garage for now.  The kayak is being stored in the garage, and the ruined carpet went in the trash.  

I wanted a door color that said "welcome!" and I despise builders beige, so it had to go.

After taping off the window and sides, the door got two coats of Hallowed Hush by Behr.

Found the outdoor rug at Target, it's already poured rain a few days ago and the rug still looks brand new, bought a new cushion for my wicker chair, and planted a hydrangea in the barrel.

Bought this planter stand at an auction two nights ago and it will soon house my herb garden.

Still on the To Do list:

• Build a patio table
• Decide what to do with the empty wall on the patio next to garage door- currently thinking between bench/couch, or maybe a potting bench.
• Buy herbs and pots for stand
• Find and hang a pair of vintage shutters on sides of window next to door
• Find a place for the giant 4 foot metal chicken I also bought at the auction.....

Shrimp and grits

I've had shrimp and grits in the past a few times and I've always been a fan- I've been wanting to try a recipe for it-what better night than the Eve before heading to New Orleans? Found a recipe in the gluten free bible cookbook and tweaked it some.  This will be a keeper!

Ingredients: 

1 pound uncooked shrimp

1/2 cup chopped green onions

1 cup chopped celery

1 chopped red bell pepper

1 chopped green bell pepper

Tony's creole spice 

Ground red pepper 

2 tablespoons minced garlic

8 oz shredded cheddar cheese (I found some at publix that had cream cheese shreds mixed in- I think this added a great creaminess to the dish) 

1/4 cup half and half 

3 cups prepared yellow corn grits 

Putting it all together:

1. Cook your grits as per directions- when done add a few tablespoons of half and half and about 1/4 of your package of cheese and stir until melted, keep on warm.

2. Chop all your veggies and peel your shrimp if they are in the shell. Add a generous amount of the Tonys seasoning, some salt and pepper, and a teaspoon of ground red pepper to both the veggies and shrimp. 

3. Melt your 1/2 stick of butter in a pot or Dutch oven- add your minced garlic and sauté peppers, onion, and celery until desired tenderness.

4. Add shrimp and cook until shrimp are done. Taste one and add more Tonys if needed- I like mine on the spicy side :) 

5. When shrimp are cooked through- add remaining bag of cheese and the half and half. 

6. Get a heapin serving of grits onto a plate and spoon the shrimp mixture over top and enjoy!