Simple Dinner

Last night our dinner was simple.

That means quick and easy for me, the head chef, to prepare.

That also means that the picky eaters in this family, everyone but the head chef, liked it!


First we started with a big ole' pan full of Sloppy Joes.

Yummy!  Everyone loves Sloppy Joes and my picky eaters like it with a slice of Colby Jack cheese on their bun.


Next came these delicious little potatoes.

I roasted these little potatoes, just a little larger than a grape, for 30 minutes with olive oil and salt and pepper.
Folks, these potatoes were delicious!
I purchased them at Publix.
Here is a picture of the packaging.

May I suggest, if you are looking for a quick potato dish that you RUN not walk to your nearest grocer and see if they carry these little babies.  Did I say they were delicious???  Yes, oh yes they were. They were buttery at first and then was followed but a sweet burst of flavor.   Well worth the carb intake!!


Now, this is as far as my family went with their dinner. As they would certainly not touch a salad!!

But not the chef.
With the exception of some seafood and the occasional pig (hey I am from the south and we do love our bar-b-que) I do not eat meat.
So I prepared for myself a simple salad.

Lastly, because this has my other business title (the one besides head chef) in the name I just had a have a swallow...or two!

A wonderful dinner was had by all. :o)

Fondly,
Ann

A Busy Day...

Today we started fall clean-up in our back yard.  What a day!  We have many bushes that needed to be trimmed.  Now we have many, many limbs on the ground that need to be raked and picked up.  The work will continue tomorrow.

Below are pictures I snapped of the day.  I love how a good many of our plants and bushes continue to show
us their color and blooms.

 

 

 

 

 

A good looking Hibiscus bloom!

 

For my friend, Pink Flamingo.  Yes your Bougainvillea made the cross country trip with me.

 

 

I love this feeder.  I purchased it at The Christmas Tree Shop.  The birds

seem interested and stop and peck for a minute or two.  But someone always

ruins their feeding time.

Of course, Chui and Oliver helped us with all the yard work.

 

Yes, the leaves are stuck to Oliver's beard!

 Love this baby so much!!

This is what he does all the time when I walk up to him.

 

Now I realize this is an act of submission but I also think he is lazy and wants to be held.  

Which I do!

Chui, on the other hand, expects me to roll over and submit to him.

He reminds me daily that he comes from a long line of Chinese Royalty!

We had a wonderful day.

Just a little glimpse...

Here is a little glimpse at our family room.
The room is not big.
For some reason I can't photograph it well.
So please forgive me for the pictures conditions.

Anyways, here is a glimpse into the most used room in our house....

I purchased the yellow wine jug at an estate auction in AZ.
My mom purchased the green jug in Italy in the early 1970's.

 

 

 

Yes, Oliver has found a new place to lay!  I was so surprised when I walked downstairs
and found him in this basket.  He is such a sweet little boy!!

Long story, but bottom line, I was able to pull this window out of a dumpster in Korea.
I know the sun is bright and this is not the best photo, sorry.

I will try and photograph the rest of the room soon.

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Easy and Quick Metamorphosis

Last week my kitchen bar spoke to me.

In all of her regal and beauty she said..."Get me bar stools.  I am being underutilized."

I said... "sure thing, you pretty piece of Uba Tuba Granite!"

So I went looking.

I looked everywhere in my town that I thought might have barstools.

I saw contemporary stools.  Not for my kitchen.

I saw big swirly back stools.  Too fancy for my kitchen.

I saw stools with suede seats.  Not with my kids and husband!!

I was at a loss.

Yesterday afternoon, hubby and I stopped by Ross.

He spotted them.

I saw the potential.

They were marked down from $29.99 to $20.99 each.

Perfect bar stool.

Perfect price.


Before

During the transformation

Please note the fancy paint tray that I used.

Yep, it is a leftover Halloween paper plate!

After

 

I love my new bar stools.

I love the paint that I used not only on my barstools but my kitchen table, china hutch and corner cabinet.

It is by Martha Stewart, Francesca, in satin.

I would like to find one more.  Next town over has a Ross. I'll be there on Thursday.  Wish me luck!

Now my kitchen bar is happy and so am I!!


I'm going to link this quick Metamorphosis up to Susan's party Metamorphosis Monday.

Head on over to her blog, Between Naps On The Porch, to view some great Metamorphosis'.

Fondly,
Ann

I Like Green

Not all shades of green do I adore.

Shades that range between moss and granny smith are my favorite.

I think they are happy.

Uplifting.

Sunny.

Decorating with these shades are fun. 

They make me happy.

AND you know the saying "if mama ain't happy, nobody's happy!"

 

 

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Rainy Night in Georgia

Hoverin' by my suitcase tryin' to find a warm place to spend the night
Heavy rain a fallin' seems I hear your voice callin' it's all right
On a rainy night in Georgia a rainy night in Georgia
I believe I believe it's rainin' all over the world

Neon signs a flashin' taxicabs and buses passin' through the night
The distant moanin' of a train seems to play a sad refrain onto the night
Rainy night in Georgia a rainy night in Georgia
I believe I believe it's rainin' all over the world

How many times I've wondered it still comes out the same
And no matter how you look at it think of it
You got to do your own pain

So I find me a boxcar and I take out my guitar to pass the time
Late at night now when it's hard to rest
I hold your picture to my chest and feel fine
But it's a rainy night in Georgia it's a rainy night in Georgia
And I believe it must be rainin' all over the world

Song by Ray Charles

This is what happens when it is a rainy night in Georgia in our house...

Fondly,
Gracie the Cat
Chui the Shih Tzu
Oliver the Shih Tzu