Monthly Archives: June 2008

Jun 27

B.Y.O.B. Indoor/Outdoor-a-Q

This year I’m hostessing the Fourth of July BBQ, and I’m planning ahead for the weather. In Fourth of July past, it is either too hot, and we hang out indoors until nighttime, or it is raining, and we hang out indoors and play games. Either way it is always fun!

I’m keeping the menu simple and flexible. I can grill outside, or set up the grill pan indoors and still get the grilling job done. A few of the dishes I can assemble the day before, so it will make everything extra simple on the day of the BBQ. I’m also trying to stay on track with the budget ($35), by asking everyone to bring their favorite beverages.

Here is the menu for the party:

  • BBQ Chicken
  • Grilled Hot Dogs
  • Pasta Salad
  • Veggie Tray
  • Chips and Dip
  • Cherry Jell-O Cake
  • Iced Sweet Tea and Ice Cold Lemonade

I’m looking forward to the Fireworks and spending time with the family, rain or shine…

Do you have a Fourth of July BBQ planned? If so what dishes are you serving?

Jun 26

Butterfly Rescue

We were grocery shopping this morning, and on our way back to the car Thade spotted a butterfly in the parking lot. It had a broken leg, and was unable to fly. It was already getting really hot out, and I couldn’t let the butterfly lay on the hot asphalt, so we picked it up and carried it off to the car. Thade held onto the injured butterfly, and I found a little lid to give the butterfly a drink of Dylan’s Apple Juice.

The butterfly perked up after the sweet drink, and batted its wings. When we got home Thade carried the butterfly to a nice spot in the yard. I hope the butterfly is happy at its new home, I know Thade is happy to have the guest.

Jun 25

Garden Check-In

This week I needed to re-plant a few hanging baskets with shade friendly plants. I lucked out and ran into a buy one get one free sale on plants.

I picked up 4 exotic Impatiens for $7.49 (with tax), and I got them happily re-planted into their new homes. The back porch looks much cheerier now that there are no longer empty hanging baskets.

The Garden is still growing. I’ve been making sure to get out and water the plants in the morning and at night too. Thade can’t wait for the veggies!

Jun 24

Nico vs. The Weed-Eater

This weekend my hubby made an interesting proposition to me. If I can learn how to use the Weed Eater, he will mow the Front Yard and the Back yard. Sounds good to me…

Boy was I wrong!

I was outside replanting 3 hanging baskets, and already dirty from the task, I decided that I was going to give that Weed Eater a shot. I had a plan to get both yards finished before my hubby made it home from work. Dylan was napping, and Thade was sitting in the shade on the porch. I ventured into the dark garage, and found the Weed Eater. I read the start menu on the side, and gave it my best attempt to start it. Six pulls later, I couldn’t get it started.

Gas,I thought, maybe it needs gas. I walked up to the porch, and grabbed the pre-mixed gas and added a little to the Weed Eater. Thade gave me some encouraging words like, “are you ever going to get the Weed Eater started?” I totally am.

Gas added, and we are ready to go. I pull and pull on the darn Weed Eater, and nothing. Frustrated and already exhausted I set the Weed Eater down because maybe I’ve flooded it. Now I’m even more determined to get this darn thing started.

I give it one more try, and do my best Maria Sharapova impression as I’m pulling my hardest, and I swear I can hear my neighbor giggling on the other side of the fence… It finally it starts. I’m amazed, and I proceed to start Weed Eating the back fence. I made it an entire 3 feet and the line breaks on the Weed Eater!

Now I’m getting really grumpy, so I re-string the Weed Eater, and give it another go. As I’m re-stringing the line Thade yells out, “Mom just quit already, and come sit on the porch!” I reply “Mommy really wants to finish the yard”, with a big fake smile on my sunburned face.

I pull and pull and awesome, it started again. I walk over to the other side of the yard by the garden, and I start to work on the impossible to mow patch of grass that it mysteriously lower than the rest of the yard, and the Weed Eater dies on me again.

Thats it, I give up! I put the Weed Eater away, and go to sit on the porch with Thade. I then looked down at my hand and notice a gigantic blister, just lovely. Thade said that I could use one of his Batman Band-Aids to help my aching hand. I still want to get the yard finished, but I don’t know if it is going to happen any time too soon.

Any Weed Eater tips would be greatly appreciated… So far it is Weed Eater 1, Nico 0 …

Jun 23

Storing Sugar

A few weeks ago I ran into this great deal on Domino Sugar at Walgreens. It is my favorite to bake with, so I stocked up on the sale. Its Summertime though and that means that occasionally little ants find their way into the kitchen, and they love Sugar. To keep the bugs away, I re-used clean vegetable bags to wrap around the Sugar. The bags worked and no little ants found my stockpile of baking supplies.