Thursday, June 27, 2013

Moscow Mule Recipe

Have you tried a Moscow Mule yet?  If not, you should.  They are pretty tasty.  Find the recipe below.

And in case you are wondering where the Moscow Mule originated..."In 1941, in order to sell exotic "white whiskey" (a.k.a. vodka) and move a supply of ginger beer, liquor distributor John G. Martin and Jack Morgan, owner of the Cock 'n' Bull bar in Hollywood, created the Moscow Mule. To achieve the drink's signature strong "mule-kick" finish, be sure to use a quality naturally brewed ginger beer, like Fentiman's or Reed's."



Moscow Mule Recipe (Serves two)

3 ounces Lime Juice (2 limes)
3 ounces Vodka
12 ounces Ginger Beer (1 bottle)

Mix together and garnish with a sprig of mint and slice of lime. 

A lot of recipes include simple syrup, but I think it is sweet enough without it.  

I found the Ginger beer in the Natural/Organic section of Safeway.  And in case anyone was wondering, there is no alcohol in Ginger beer.  I was only made aware of this recently.  It is also caffeine and gluten free.  

It's a nice refreshing drink for Summer!  Typically these drinks are served in copper mugs, but I don't think its necessary.  I've tried them in both a copper mug and a regular glass and can't tell the difference.  But, I don't have a very sophisticated palate, so maybe that's why.  I'm sure some people can tell the difference.  I used stainless steel wine glasses for these, it was the closest thing I had to a copper cup. 






Happy Champagne Thursday!

Cheers!

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Whole Grain M&M Cookie Bars

I love cookie bars for the simple reason that you can make them all at once and get them done quickly.  No scooping out individual balls of dough, or rolling out dough and cutting out shapes.  No hanging out in your kitchen for an hour plus, pulling out sheets of cookies from your oven every ten minutes or so.  Simply put all the dough in a pan, bake, cut and enjoy.



Here is a favorite cookie bar recipe of mine.  Plus its made with whole wheat flour and oats so its pretty much good for you!  

Whole Grain Cookie Bars

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cub brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups quick oats
1 1/2 cups m&m's

Cream together butter and sugars.  Then mix in eggs, vanilla, salt and baking soda.  Blend in flour and oats until just mixed.  Stir in m&m's.  Spread in greased 9"x13" baking dish and bake at 325 degrees for 27 minutes, or until top is browned but center is slightly underbaked.



Happy Champagne Thursday!

Cheers!

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

How to Make a Toyarium

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Miracle-Gro. All opinions are 100% mine.
Terrariums are all over the place right now, magazines, Pinterest, everywhere.  So, when Miracle-Gro offered to sponsor this post, I figured it was the perfect time to make my own.  Parker and I worked together and had fun making our own Gro Project, Toyarium.  You may be thinking what's a Toyarium?  Simple...
Toyarium = Terrarium + Toys
What you'll need to make your own Toyarium:  Somewhat large glass container, small rocks, Moisture Control Potting Mix, succulents, a spoon, small toys and other decorations.
The larger the container the better and the easier it is to plant your succulents.



Directions:
1.  Layer the bottom of the container with small rocks.
2.  Fill container with Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix about a third of the way up.
3.  Plant your succulents in the potting mix, using your spoon.  We used a yellow cactus and a coppertone succulent.
4.  Add toys or small figurines to stage your scene.  We went with a Jurassic Park theme and chose dinosaurs.  We also added a couple rocks to add to our scene.



5.  Use a spray bottle to moisten the soil and only water when it gets very dry.

I think this would be a perfect centerpiece for a dinosaur themed party!
My favorite Miracle-Gro product is the Watering Can Singles All Purpose Plant Food.  They come in indvidual packets and you just add to a gallon of water, for your indoor and outdoor plants.  Makes it very easy since everything is already pre-measured.  A couple other Miracle-Gro favorites are the LiquaFeed All Purpose Plant Food Advance Starter Kit and the Shake’n Feed All Purpose Plant Food.  Miracle-Gro makes it easy to feed and water plants at the same time.
Looking for more gardening inspiration?  Follow Miracle-Gro on Pinterest and check out these fun garden projects.   Get gardening tips for beginners to professionals at Miracle-Gro online, as well as tools to solve common gardening problems.
Find out what others are working on at The Gro Project.  Share your own Miracle-Gro projects on The Gro Project facebook page.

Are you addicted to Instagram or hashtags like I am?  Share your Miracle-Gro Project on Instagram with the hashtag #MiracleGroProject
Happy Gardening!

Happy Champagne Thursday!

Cheers!
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Thursday, June 6, 2013

School Chair Makeover

Little chairs for two cute little boys!  I bought a couple old school chairs at a garage sale a few years ago and  fixed them up and painted them red.  Fast forward to this year, I was ready for a change and tired of the red so I went with a nice oxford blue.  Perfect for my blue eyed boys!

My Goofballs
Initially when I bought the chairs I had to repair one of the seats, tighten the legs and sand the chairs.  I used some wood glue for the seat repair, then sanded, primed and painted them red.  After a few years the red was starting to fade, so I decided it would be a good time to paint them again.  I sanded and primed them, back when I was working on my green chairs and mini bench.  I figured I might as well do them all together and save myself a little time.  After I sanded and primed the chairs, I sprayed about 6 light coats of Krylon's Oxford Blue, then finished with a few light coats of Rust-Oleum's clear gloss.  

Before

Middle 



After
The boys enjoy having their own seats and I think they look cute on the front porch.  I've been toying with the idea of painting our front door for quite some time, but I can't commit to a color.  Any color ideas for a beige house with white trim?  I don't want a red door.  I've been thinking navy recently, but I like bright colors.  I am so indecisive.

Cheese!

Love his blue eyes!

Happy Champagne Thursday!

Cheers!