Night Stand Makeover (Part 1)

Thought I would ease back into the blogging world now that we are back from vacation and pretty much done with the kids' summer activities :).  I haven't been doing a whole lot of crafting, but I have a growing list of projects that have been on my "TO DO" list that I'm trying to tackle.  Last year my daughter wanted a nightstand  next to her bed so instead of buying one, I had an old one from before my husband and I were married (I know...not very stylish but we were on a budget, and besides, it matched our lodge pole bed).

Anyway, I sanded and painted it...the knobs too, and transformed it into this...

I loved the way it turned out and so did my daughter BUT because the drawers aren't on rollers, they stick and are difficult to pull open :(.  She has lived with it for over a year now without too much complaining, so I hadn't made it a huge priority to find another option.  Well, earlier this year we had a community garage sale and I took this little beat up nightstand off my neighbor's hands for 5 bucks!  

This is the perfect size and the drawer and cabinet open easily.  Soooooo...I got this back in February, bought the paint for it in March and sadly, it is still sitting in the corner waiting to be made over.  I hope to have this one done within the next month so stay tuned...

Bacon Wrapped Artichoke Hearts

Lauren here...spent 4th of July with my brother in Huntington Beach....he made these amazing Bacon Wrapped Artichoke hearts on the grill for an appetizer...they were sooooooo good. What a great summer recipe when you are having a backyard BBQ. 

Photo from Zula's Cafe

I found a recipe for them at Zula's Cafe. My brother used Apple smoked bacon and a very thick cut. 

So yummy, if you love artichokes you will love these!

On Vacation

Michele and I are both on summer vacations, she is chillin' out in the mountains and I'm going to soak up the sun at the beach. We will return in a couple of weeks and be refreshed and ready to roll again. 

Happy Summer everyone! 

Cowboy Ciao Stetson Chopped Salad

There's a restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale called Cowboy Ciao that serves the yummiest chopped salad.  I've had it several times, but it never dawned on me (until just recently) to look up the recipe online so I can make it at home...and I'm glad I did because it is sooooooooo good!  Although the salad itself contains some unique ingredients, it is pretty easy to put together.  It's the dressing that takes a little bit more work, but in my opinion it's worth it!  

It even looks pretty :).  This is how they serve it at the restaurant...and then they pour the dressing over it and toss it at your table.  Their original chopped salad is served with smoked salmon, but it can be ordered with chicken.  I like both, but I chose to make it with chicken.

I found several recipes online and they were all similar, but I pretty much followed this one on Flickr that is a printout from the actual restaurant!  The dressing recipe makes a lot so I halved it...was plenty to serve 2 and have some leftover.  

So here is the recipe for the salad (serves 2):

2/3 cup cooked chicken breast, diced (or smoked salmon)

1/2 cup Israeli 'pearl' Cous Cous, cooked according to package

1/2 cup arugula, chopped

1/4 cup pepitas (toasted pumpkin seeds)**

1/4 cup black currants**

1/4 cup Asiago cheese, crumbled**

1/2 cup super sweet dried corn

1/2 cup Roma tomato, diced

**combine these 3 items and use as 1 row of the salad.

Arrange the above ingredients into 6 rows on 2 plates or large shallow bowls.

Recipe for the Pesto Buttermilk Dressing:

1/4 cup basil pesto*

1/2 shallot, roughly chopped

1/2 cup aioli*

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 tsp coarse pepper

1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

salt & pepper to taste

*I actually made my own basil pesto and aioli, which is probably why the dressing seemed so time consuming.  Next time I will use prepared basil pesto, which I found at Trader Joe's.  You can make your own simple aioli by mixing 1/4 cup mayo, 1/3 cup olive oil and 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic in a food processor.

For the dressing, combine basil pesto, shallot and aioli in a food processor and blend.  With the motor running, add buttermilk and the rest of the ingredients...mix well.  It will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.


Serve dressing on the side...when you are ready to feast, pour it over the salad and toss.  DELICIOUS!!!

We're back....

Happy Summer everyone!!!

We've been on a hiatus while school was getting out and we are back and ready to share again. So stay posted to check out some of our projects!!

Enjoy your summer!

29 Ways To Be Creative

Who knew there was a list of ways to be creative, I would've checked this out a long time ago!
A friend posted this today from Life on Michigan Ave. Reading this really kinda was a refresher and honestly something that I'm going to print up and keep with me to refer to. I'm definitely a #1, just started the #2, do too much of the #6, never do #7,  love #8 of course, and my most favorite is #28. Why are we taking life so seriously....just have fun! 

Kozie Kuties Winner!

We have a WINNER!!!

Congratulations to 'Cinchworm' (Alyssa)!!!  She is the winner of this adorable Easter ensemble from Kozie Kuties...you lucky gal!  We hope you enjoy your prize!  And a big thanks to Lisa at Kozie Kuties for putting together such a cute basket!  Remember if you live in the Phoenix area, Lisa will be at the City North Farmer's Market this Sunday (4/17).  You can also find her products locally at Moonbeams and Girly Girlz.