Grilled Pineapple

Here's a super easy, but delicious recipe I tried recently.  I made mine on an inside grill...even easier!  Basically, trim and peel a pineapple.  In a bowl mix the zest from one lemon and 1/2 cup sugar.  Place the pineapple into the sugar mix and roll it around until it's totally coated.  Grill the pieces for 5-7 minutes.  Cool slightly and serve.

Graduation Words of Wisdom

 I made these last year for a pal who was hosting a graduation party for her nephew.  The idea was totally hers, I just brought it to fruition.  She was having the graduation celebration at a pasta restaurant and she wanted to give each guest a jar of pasta.  She wanted different pastas, and she wanted each one to have a quote they could read to the graduate.

 I found a bunch of different pastas (repeated some), and a bunch of quotes and words of wisdom.  I found the free tag printable online.  Here are all the quotes/tags I used.  I put each persons name on the tag to mark their place at the table...so the link is just for ideas.

I filled mason jars and put some clothe I found on top that I cut with pinking sheers.  I attached the tag with raffia.  I got a larger jar for the graduate.  Each person read their quote at dinner, added a personal message on the back and then gave them to him.  For the table, she used real basil plants she got at Trader Joe's to line down the center.  I thought it was a super cute idea and would be good for a bon voyage or rehearsal dinner, so...sharing just because.  :O)

A Personal "Paws" :O(

My brother rescued these dogs last Friday night.
Their personalities can hardly fit inside their tiny little bodies.
The only thing they love more than my brother is each other.
I'm known for stealing my brother's dogs and I was planning to do it again.
He took them to the vet on Tuesday.
Layla has a mild case of heart worms.  Gizmo has an advanced case that was causing him fainting spells.
The only course was treatment.
They were dropped off Thursday morning.
The vet called this morning to say Gizmo had not made it.  The disease was too advanced and his little heart couldn't handle the medicine and he died overnight.
I assure you, whether it's a dog I've had for 12 years....or 6 days.  My heart can't take it.
I don't know what my point is-make sure you treat your dogs for heart worms?  Please rescue an animal? Please make my heart stop hurting?  I don't know.
I'm praying that dogs do go to heaven.  They have always felt like a little gift from God.  A slice of pure happiness.  A hug and unconditional love in a cold world.  Surely they'll be in paradise.   If they do, I have no doubt Gizmo lifted his leg on the pearly gates when he entered.  Not out of disrespect, but just as a way to mark the path when the rest of our pack follows...and because he'd never let a post pass him by without marking it.

Apples and Celery Pasta Salad

Here comes the summer.....which means....my oven will be collection dust.  It also means you can find fruits and veggies at the store without having to get a loan in order to purchase a few.  I always love salads with a little pasta that will stick to my ribs and fills me up.  This is an easy one with some different ingredients.  It was originally posted on diethood, but I adapted it little to meet my current laziness requirement-I dropped the homemade dressing and just used my favorite bottle.

Apple and Celery Salad

Instructions:  Mix:  2 c pasta (cooked and chilled), you favorite apple washed and cubed (leave on the skin), 3 celery stalks (slice thin), lemon juice of 1 lemon (to keep the apples from turning brown), 4 c of romaine/baby lettuce mix, 1/2 c walnuts (chopped), 1 c. white cheddar (shredded).  Your favorite Caesar dressing.  Toss and serve.

Flamingo Cards

 Lately, I've been obsessed with flamingos.  Not to be confused with my unicorn obsession.  On another note, my Mom has also started scrapbooking, which is really exciting for me b/c that means that any vacation we go on together.....she will now scrapbook, which leaves more time for me to think about flamingos.  It's also nice to share a hobby with her.  Growing up I remember she sewed and painted and did all kinds of little crafts.  I think I wore her out about the time I turned 10....and so she stopped doing anything other than surviving motherhood until about a year ago.  We've been traveling to scrapbook shows together (something I've never done) and I found this little flamingo stamp/saying at one of those shows last winter.  I decided to use it to make a few birthday cards.

Nothing fancy, but it was a fun way to use up some scraps....and now....I have two fewer cards to purchase at the store.  On the first card-I used some blank white cards and glued down scrapbook paper, on this second card, with the stripes, I used a card from a big pack I got for five bucks at Hobby Lobby.  My stamping skills are primitive compared to the rest of the world, but....I guess this post is just really to say-I was an exhausting child...and my Mom somehow survived to live and tell the stories....and find some hobbies again now that I'm a fully functioning (and even graying) adult...hobbies we can enjoy together.  There is hope if your child is difficult.  And....there are also some pretty cute flamingo stamps available if you want to make your own cards.  The two really don't have much to do with anything...but....it's my blog and I don't have to have a clear reason for posting.

Mother's Day Necklace

I blogged about the easy process for putting these necklaces together last year.  I used definitions I had cut out of the dictionary.  Here is that tutorial.  Last year, my friend, Maurine, welcomed son #3 into her life.  I had previously bought these little initial charms for her first two little guys at a boutique near me.  She likes charms, I like these charms.  Win.  After Bennett joined the crew, I went and bought a B, and I made this little pendant using the word son to add to the charms.  Easy, and unique.  Win!  I also made one for MY Mom and got the initials for my brother and I.