Outdoor Kitchen -- Dreaming In Progress

Warning!! Ugly Pics Ahead!!

 

Ok, so we are outdoor kitchen and porch dreaming at this point.

 

This is our window from the house that faces outdoors -- tinted.

 

This is the other window old and not tinted.  I think I might add some tint.  Might even add a fake bar to mimic the windows on the other side.  This room is bright and hot in the summer time. Tint might help.  Tint might be expensive.  Not willing to do the expensive part.  Budget, not a bad word, I promise.

Then the Hubs wants this ugly sink to go under the windows -- there is a full faucet hookup behind that wall. Yep, that would mean cutting into the wall.  Yikes.  Always sounds like a good idea, until about 15 minutes in then it becomes a project.

You were warned, ugly photos.  Not glamorous.

So, if I tint the windows to match the others.  Then put a frost on the bottom to hide the sink from the inside.  Would it work?  I don't know if I can get past the ugly restaurant style sink.  Don't know if I want to waste any money on this project. 

Thoughts?

Tortilla Soup - Make it Your Own

Tortilla soup.  I love it.  But, I don't always feel like cooking it.  I have been known to buy the Progresso brand, and Campbells, and the other day I bought Whole Foods 365 Tortilla Soup.  I have to admit it had been sitting in my cabinet for at least a month.

 

Then, I saw the Pioneer Woman make a Tortilla Soup, and I thought oh, ya.  I was home alone, and it was just what I needed.

 

I did do like the Pioneer Woman, and cut up some corn tortillas, and put them in the soup, and boil it a bit.  Then served some baked in my own oven, corn tortillas on the side, and cut up some avacado.

 

I can't cook.  But, I can doctor up a can of soup. 

 

Treat yourself.  Make any soup you open or make your own.

Cuff - Roll Your Jeans -- DIY Boyfriend Jeans

They are all over the magazines.  Rolled/cuffed Jeans.  Want a great way to do it yourself? 

Do the 1950's Roll/Cuff.

 

Take a pair of jeans right out of your closet.  They do not need to be pencil leg.  In fact, a small boot cut, or a jean that is a little loose is best.

 

Pinch the pant in the  middle.

Hold the pinch and roll once.

Roll twice, and even 3 times.

If you prefer you can straighten the pinch.  I leave it pinched, as I am usually using a slight boot cut and want to make it a little straighter.

You can also, pinch the back, if you prefer the bunch in the back.

Roll at least twice, three times works best, these will stay cuffed all day long.

Once you get good at it.  You can do it on your legs.

Summer here you come.  Grab your flats, heesl, flip flops, whatever.  You are good to go.

Best part, you didn't have to buy a thing.  Save your money for something else.

Rhinestone Skull on Canvas - Skull Canvas Art

Skulls.  My obsession.  One of my obsessions.

 

This rhinestone skull on canvas is available in my Etsy shop on the left.  Looks beautiful, and shines and sparkles. 

 

 Silver canvas coming soon.  May be my favorite.

Pink and a sea glass green (doesn't show right in photo).  Coming soon too.

I love art.

Cornbread Muffin Corn Dogs

I have had so many cooking fails over the last week.  I mean total fail, feed the trash can kind of cooking.  That is why, I was happy this worked for me.

I had seen these on the Pioneer Woman (she made homemade cornbread) I knew I had to try them.

I took a box of Jiffy Cornbread mix from the grocery store, (1 egg and milk needed).  Made the cornbread, cut the hot dogs, and cooked. 

Yum.  Now, there is one caveat, I like a little more hot dog, so maybe I should make bigger pieces of hot dogs, or just fry up some extra to eat on the side.  Queso or chili would be great on the side of these. 

Recipe at bottom.

Below, cooked in stand alone muffin cups.

They really were good.  These are the foil muffin cups that you just sit on a sheet pan, a muffin pan would work too.

Hot dogs covered with batter. Ready to cook.

Before covering with batter. I wonder if I could of put two pieces side by side?  Like I said, I wanted a little more hot dog with mine.

So simple. 
Make cornbread.
Cut hot dogs into pieces.
Put a bit of batter in bottom of muffin cup.
Put a piece of hot dog in batter.
Cover with batter, going about halfway up the muffin cup.
Cook according to cornbread directions.
Enjoy.

Outdoor Porch Updates - Lights - Curtains - Doors

It is that time of year again, where everyone is thinking of updating their outdoor space.  Even if you just have a small patio, or just your front door where you enter and exit, a small update can make you smile.

This is our large portal (southwest and all).  It has globe lights, and curtains.  The curtains are just Wallyworld cotton curtains, we got about 4 years out of them, and last year took them down.  I am undecided if I will put them back up or not. 

This is a view of our large portal/porch.  I love the all beige uniform color.  Since it is an old house 1947, it has 2 different back doors.  Instead of replacing them, serious cost, I painted them to match the stucco.  They kind of disappear.  I remember the work in painting them, now about that black door I want.  Do I really want to commit to painting?  Yes, I do!  Now for some warm weather without the 50 mile an hour winds.

Before blue doors.

After tan/beige doors

A fan to blow in the breeze is nice too.

 

 

Think candles, chairs, fans, do something for yourself this weekend.  Enjoy.

My Weekend Inspiration - House Beautiful

Thank you House Beautiful for my weekend inspiration.  Hopefully my allergies won't get the best of me and I can do some projects.  The mulberry is in full bloom in the southwest and makes for horrible allergies.

 

But, if I can get the time, I would love a black front door.

 

Notice the chair and basket, great if you have a mail slot in your wall, or a landing area for keys, etc.

This kitchen makes me smile.  I love the black cabinets, and the fact that they are old, and not perfect.  Thank you, for showing theese.

Loving this dining room, although the chairs are not my style.  What I am really loving is the natural shades on the windows.  I am really coveting these.  I may have to hit Wallyworld and price out.  Don't hate, I have 13 windows in my house, and 4 of them are over 120 inches wide.  Do the math, expensive.  So, I think for a bit I will window shop.

Enjoy your Friday inspiration.  All pictures House Beautiful.

I am currently working on a Slow Cooker Lasagna.  Hope it works, and yes, you can ruin things in a slow cooker, I have more than once.  Don't judge.