Seat Cushions Found! I’ve been searching everywhere for round seat cushions for these chairs.  They are in good shape but they don’t look so hot.  I figured it would be cheaper to buy new seat cushions then to buy new furniture, but who knew it would be so hard to find round seat cushions?  I looked in Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, Cost Plus, OSH, etc. with no luck.  Finally I searched online and found a site that custom makes cushions: you get to pick the size and shape and fabric.  And they were only about $20 apiece including shipping.  So I bought them and two weeks later…. tadah!  I love them and the porch is looking cuter and cuter.  I spent Saturday afternoon out there reading a book and relaxing. FYI… the website I got the cushions at is www.thecushions.com.

Seat Cushions Found!

I’ve been searching everywhere for round seat cushions for these chairs.  They are in good shape but they don’t look so hot.  I figured it would be cheaper to buy new seat cushions then to buy new furniture, but who knew it would be so hard to find round seat cushions?  I looked in Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, Cost Plus, OSH, etc. with no luck.  Finally I searched online and found a site that custom makes cushions: you get to pick the size and shape and fabric.  And they were only about $20 apiece including shipping.  So I bought them and two weeks later…. tadah!  I love them and the porch is looking cuter and cuter.  I spent Saturday afternoon out there reading a book and relaxing.

FYI… the website I got the cushions at is www.thecushions.com.

Stage 2 of the Porch Project: After 2 weeks of searching, $35 and a serious sunburn I have finally found the perfect stand for my plants.  I found it at this cute little shabby chic stand in the Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea Market.  I decided on a ladder the week before because I found one I really liked but couldn’t talk the woman down from her totally inflated asking price of $45.  So when Kevin and I went to the Flea Market I knew I was going to leave with a ladder of some sort, I just didn’t know what kind.  And I was going to spend no more than $40.  I made Kevin walk around the entire market with me (and this thing is huge, BTW) so I could scope out everything before making a decision.  But I’m happy with it.  I think it makes a great plant stand and the porch is starting to look very nice.

Stage 2 of the Porch Project:

After 2 weeks of searching, $35 and a serious sunburn I have finally found the perfect stand for my plants.  I found it at this cute little shabby chic stand in the Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea Market.  I decided on a ladder the week before because I found one I really liked but couldn’t talk the woman down from her totally inflated asking price of $45.  So when Kevin and I went to the Flea Market I knew I was going to leave with a ladder of some sort, I just didn’t know what kind.  And I was going to spend no more than $40.  I made Kevin walk around the entire market with me (and this thing is huge, BTW) so I could scope out everything before making a decision.  But I’m happy with it.  I think it makes a great plant stand and the porch is starting to look very nice.

Day 1 of the Porch Project:   Kev and I started the morning at the PCC Swap Meet where we found this really great old wooden stool with an attached step.  It would have been perfect to put on planters on on our porch, but I couldn’t talk the lady down from the $45 she was asking.  Then we went to Big Lot’s and got a set of 3 really pretty pots for only $16.  Finally, we went to OSH to get the plants.  $100 later and I was ready to start.  I had to put on a dust mask just to sweep the porch because there was so much dirt on it.  Then I got bored and just decided to try pouring water on the porch and “sweeping” the gross, dirty water through the drain.  I potted the plants and called it a night.  There is still alot of work left to do but I think it’s a good start.

Day 1 of the Porch Project:   Kev and I started the morning at the PCC Swap Meet where we found this really great old wooden stool with an attached step.  It would have been perfect to put on planters on on our porch, but I couldn’t talk the lady down from the $45 she was asking.  Then we went to Big Lot’s and got a set of 3 really pretty pots for only $16.  Finally, we went to OSH to get the plants.  $100 later and I was ready to start.  I had to put on a dust mask just to sweep the porch because there was so much dirt on it.  Then I got bored and just decided to try pouring water on the porch and “sweeping” the gross, dirty water through the drain.  I potted the plants and called it a night.  There is still alot of work left to do but I think it’s a good start.

I’ve decided to turn our porch into a relaxing garden oasis.  This is what I’m starting with.

I’ve decided to turn our porch into a relaxing garden oasis.  This is what I’m starting with.

I found the bike I want and it is the cutest thing EVER!!!!  REI doesn’t seem to be carrying it right now, but they sell it for $600.  InCycle can get it for me, but they charge $630.  I’m gonna see if they will match REI’s price because I’m a cheapass and that $30 will totally make a difference to me…. I can buy the really cute rear basket I want for the bike.  Let’s hope that this bike doesn’t get stolen because I will not take it sitting down… again!

I found the bike I want and it is the cutest thing EVER!!!!  REI doesn’t seem to be carrying it right now, but they sell it for $600.  InCycle can get it for me, but they charge $630.  I’m gonna see if they will match REI’s price because I’m a cheapass and that $30 will totally make a difference to me…. I can buy the really cute rear basket I want for the bike.  Let’s hope that this bike doesn’t get stolen because I will not take it sitting down… again!

Today I made red velvet cupcakes to take to Kevin’s parents house for Easter dinner.  They turned out delicious….  The recipe I used for the cupcakes can be found here. Here are some tips I found that make these cupcakes even better: Reduce the oil to 1 cup and increase the buttermilk to 1 and 1/2 cups. Increase cocoa powder to 1 tbsp. Cut the frosting recipe in half- otherwise it makes WAY too much.  (And this is coming from a girl who eats frosting by the spoonful). Instead of spreading the frosting on with a knife, cut a small hole in the corner of a resealable plastic sandwich baggie, fill it with frosting and squeeze the frosting out of the hole.  They look more professional this way… And I also think you get more frosting on them.

Today I made red velvet cupcakes to take to Kevin’s parents house for Easter dinner.  They turned out delicious….  The recipe I used for the cupcakes can be found here.

Here are some tips I found that make these cupcakes even better:

Reduce the oil to 1 cup and increase the buttermilk to 1 and 1/2 cups.

Increase cocoa powder to 1 tbsp.

Cut the frosting recipe in half- otherwise it makes WAY too much.  (And this is coming from a girl who eats frosting by the spoonful).

Instead of spreading the frosting on with a knife, cut a small hole in the corner of a resealable plastic sandwich baggie, fill it with frosting and squeeze the frosting out of the hole.  They look more professional this way… And I also think you get more frosting on them.

I'm putting together a virtual quilting bee... this is were I got the idea....

Twelve women make twelve quilts in twelve months in a virtual quilting bee.

Each month a different quilter mails out fabric to the other members of the quilting bee. Everyone makes a quilt square using that fabric and fabric from their stash, according to some specification, but also bringing their own unique voice to the square. The squares are mailed back to the originator and they have the makings for a full quilt!

It was Kevin’s turn to make dinner this Sunday and he decided to make a dish with linguine and clams and chorizo.   It turned out really good, if a little spicy for my liking (guess that was the chorizo).  I really LOVE clams,  I could totally eat an entire plate just full of clams.  Yum… For anyone who would like to try this recipe, click here.  Kevin modified it a bit by just using 1 & 1/2 lbs of clams instead of 1/2 lb each of clams, calamari and shrimp.

It was Kevin’s turn to make dinner this Sunday and he decided to make a dish with linguine and clams and chorizo.   It turned out really good, if a little spicy for my liking (guess that was the chorizo).  I really LOVE clams,  I could totally eat an entire plate just full of clams.  Yum…

For anyone who would like to try this recipe, click here.  Kevin modified it a bit by just using 1 & 1/2 lbs of clams instead of 1/2 lb each of clams, calamari and shrimp.

So last weekend I decided to make a Rachel Ray recipe.  Normally I wouldn’t try a thing that she makes because she’s Rachel Ray and she says stupid things like “EVOO” (extra virgin olive oil, apparently).  I actually try to avoid following anyone Oprah endorses to be honest.  Everyone seems to think she’s the next coming of Christ… and I disagree.  So I tend to purposely avoid anything she recommends… books, diets, acai berry, Dr. Phil.  But back to my story… I was at the gym and somehow ended up on the elliptical trainer in front of the tv programmed to her station.  And she was making something that looked really yummy so I decided to continue watching.  (I was thinking it would be a great way to eat all the calories I was burning).  When I got home I looked up the recipe on her show’s website and it was “Pancetta-Wrapped Shrimp all’Amitriciana.”  I decided to give it a try and it turned out FANTASTIC… and it was super easy.  My boyfriend really loved it too.  So I guess I might have been wrong about Rachel Ray… I might try more of here recipes in the future. Click here to see the recipe for Pancetta-Wrapped Shrimp all’Amitriciana.

So last weekend I decided to make a Rachel Ray recipe.  Normally I wouldn’t try a thing that she makes because she’s Rachel Ray and she says stupid things like “EVOO” (extra virgin olive oil, apparently).  I actually try to avoid following anyone Oprah endorses to be honest.  Everyone seems to think she’s the next coming of Christ… and I disagree.  So I tend to purposely avoid anything she recommends… books, diets, acai berry, Dr. Phil.  But back to my story… I was at the gym and somehow ended up on the elliptical trainer in front of the tv programmed to her station.  And she was making something that looked really yummy so I decided to continue watching.  (I was thinking it would be a great way to eat all the calories I was burning).  When I got home I looked up the recipe on her show’s website and it was “Pancetta-Wrapped Shrimp all’Amitriciana.”  I decided to give it a try and it turned out FANTASTIC… and it was super easy.  My boyfriend really loved it too.  So I guess I might have been wrong about Rachel Ray… I might try more of here recipes in the future.

Click here to see the recipe for Pancetta-Wrapped Shrimp all’Amitriciana.

“Now is the time for kicking ass and chewing bubblegum… and I am all out of gum.”