Pesto Pasta Salad

My friend Alisa gave me this delicious recipe...perfect for a summer dinner.

Pesto Pasta Salad

Penne Pasta

Pesto sauce (Costco brand is great!)

Sun dried tomatoes

Pine nuts

Purple onion

Grilled chicken

Olive oil

Fresh lemon

Parmesan cheese

Sugar

Salt and Pepper

Cook pasta according to directions.  Marinate chicken in brine (1/3 cup salt, 1/3 cup brown sugar mixed with water) for a few hours prior to grilling on bbq.  Cut chicken in cubes.

Once pasta is cooled, mix with pesto (about a cup to every pound of pasta used).  Mix in chicken, tomatoes, pine nuts and chopped onion.  Dash with olive oil, fresh squeezed lemon and parmesan cheese.  Add 1-2 tablespoons sugar and salt and pepper to taste. 

Thanks Alisa!



A Summer Night Out

Thought I'd do a quick advertisement for Sundance (and a break from home life for a day)...

Lisa made plans for a girls night out in Sundance the first part of August.  I'm so excited.  Surprise your significant other or a group of friends with something different and fun to do. 

Playing July 29th through August 20th.  Tickets are only $20. 

Hope you find some great things to fill the last month of summer with...can't believe we're getting to August already.

BHG inspiration...

Of course I have something to share from Better Homes and Gardens.  They have a great idea for an ice cream social in the August issue I just received.

The magazine article is actually featured online at www.bhg.com/icecreambonus  It shares some recipes that look delicious including these ice cream cookie sandwiches...

Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens.com

 And love the invitation idea.

Photo courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens.com

I couldn't find the recipe posted but it shows pie crust cookies she puts with ice cream that look so yummy...need to figure out how to make them!

This sounds like a fun end of summer idea which I'm hoping to pull off if I can get over pregnancy sickness!

Peyton's New Room

So I'm working on Peyton's new room for the basement.  My thoughts are vintage/summer/carnival/whimsical etc.  Here are the pieces I have so far (most not purchased or made yet...)

This was my first purchase for the room.  I splurged and did Pottery Barn because it was exactly what I wanted...I did buy it on sale :)

 Have plans to make one of these.  Found a great tutorial on this blog...

Photo courtesy of yourhomebasedmom.com

 Will be purchasing the MALM dresser from IKEA and adding hardware.  Can't beat $160!

 I mentioned Sarah Jane Studios a few weeks back but can't wait to order this as artwork...

 And I did purchase this darling green chair a few months ago at Forget Me Not in Lehi...

I have the beginning pieces...the process can begin!  Now looking for small, old metal trikes, wagons and other accessories.  I have a feeling I'm going to love this room...

Fun Find...Restoration Hardware for Baby

A new friend of mine, Kelsey, introduced me to the baby bedding line by Restoration Hardware.  Although not the cheapest you can find, it's sweet, simple and just what I've been looking for.  I've got my eye on a few for either boy or girl...

If it's a girl, I've had an idea to do all white bedding with a colorful quilt to drape over the crib.  This would be perfect.

Love the simple slate blue color for baby boy.  It's time for a change in my nursery and I can't wait to start!

This week will be a week of simple posts for me...I'm MIA for the week but wanted to share just a few of my latest favorites. 

Summer Corn Chowder

This corn chowder is absolutely delicious.  I made it on Tuesday with Harward Farms corn.  It is a great day when their stands open!  Try it tonight!

Ingredients:

• 6 ears fresh corn
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 4 slices bacon (preferably thick-cut), chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cups low-fat milk
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Directions1. Shuck the corn, then stand each ear up in a bowl and use a knife to scrape off the kernels; set aside. Put the cobs, 1 cup water, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper in a 4-qt. pot with a tight-fitting lid over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat so the water bubbles gently, cover, and cook for 20 to 30 minutes. Leave the cobs in the pot until you are ready to make the soup, then discard them, reserving the corncob stock
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until it begins to render its fat and turn golden-brown, about 4 to 6 minutes. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, another 5 minutes or so.
3. Add the milk, reserved corn kernels, and bacon and onion to the stock, and bring to a boil; lower the heat so that the soup bubbles gently. Cook, uncovered, stirring frequently to prevent scorching, until the corn is tender, about 10 minutes
4. Whisk the cornstarch in a small bowl with 2 Tbs. water until smooth. Add to the soup, stirring until the soup thickens, about a minute. Taste, adjust the seasoning, garnish with parsley, and serve.

Every Girl Needs a Tutu

My friend Heather needed something cute for her newborn baby girl's pictures.  So, I made a tutu and headband for her in about an hour.  It is easy and darling.  Just look at her precious Maggie.

To begin, measure a piece of 1/2" elastic for the waist and begin tying knots of tulle (18" lengths) along the elastic.  I alternate between pink and white.

At both ends of the elastic, take long strips of crosgrain ribbon and glue it to the elastic as shown.  You will knot the tulle over the ribbon seam to add extra security and hide the seam.

 Voila, you have a beautiful, full tutu!

To make the headband, cut a strip of fabric 2" by 20".  Tie a knot in one end, tuck the flap on the back,  and begin twisting the fabric to the right, turning as you twist.  Secure with hot glue as you go.

When you get to the end, secure the fabric end to the back side with hot glue.



 I embellished mine with pearls, layered them, and glued them to tulle and felt.  To make the tulle background, cut it into medium sized hearts, and cross cut them as shown here.  Layer a few of the tulle hearts around the back as you like it, then glue the fabric flowers, to the tulle and felt.  (I cut a small oval out of the felt to provide the support for the back.)

For an infant headband, I used stretch lace from the fabric store.  Measure the head of the infant, and then hot glue to the appropriate size.  Then glue on the fabric flower attachment.  For older girls, glue on a large rubberband or pinch clip to the backside!



A Brand New Kitchen

Here is my kitchen before:

And here is my kitchen after with new stainless steel appliances and flooring!

I love my new kitchen.  The appliances were an amazing deal from Home Depot.  They were top of the line Maytag appliances on a great sale.  We've been looking for the last 7 months and weren't happy with the prices.  So glad we waited!

Found these great door handles and drawer pulls at Lowes.  We used a plastic template to mark and drill the holes on the cabinets.  Made it so easy.  Thanks Kallee!

My kitchen now has a high end sophisticated feeling.  I am happy to stay another 8 years!

New Floors

We've been in our house for 8  years now.  When I mentioned to Davy that I wanted new appliances in the kitchen, he came home with new flooring samples the next day.  We went with hand-scaped laminate flooring in Golden Teak.  We got it from Lumber Liquidators and spent about $1300 for 320 sq ft.  It is amazing floor and feels like real wood.  It cleans beautifully and looks amazing!  Check back tomorrow for the reveal of the new kitchen!

Time for New Placemats

My fun find for the day comes from Pier One.  We just re-did our kitchen, (check back tomorrow for the first installment), so it was time for some new placemats.  I found these at Pier One, and they work perfectly with my existing chargers and dishes.  They were on sale for 20% off, so I got 5 for $20.  Love how different and bright they are.

Key Lime Pie

This key lime pie recipe from Better Homes and Gardens is so easy and is the perfect light summer dessert...

Key Lime Pie

3 eggs

1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup lime juice (I used bottled)

3 tablespoons water

Few drops green food coloring (optional)

1 graham cracker crust (I buy premade...you can also make a homemade crust)

In a medium bowl whisk egg yolks with a wire whisk or fork.  Gradually whisk or stir in sweetened condensed milk.  Add lime juice, water and food coloring.  Mix well (it will thicken).

Spoon filling into crust.  Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.  Cool for 1 hour on wire rack, chill in refrigerator 3-4 hours before serving.

Serve with whipped cream



Quick...delicious...dessert

Talking with some of my favorite girls this past weekend in St. George I remembered a delicious dessert found at...Walmart! 

They are found in the freezer section with a few other really good desserts (one is similar to the molten cake from Chilis!)  For $1.50 for two you can't beat it!  Warmed up and paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it tastes like a gourmet dessert you don't lift a finger for!  

BEAUTIFUL...done by Becky Kimball

I met a beautiful, stylish friend while working at Nu Skin a few years ago.  Becky has the best taste in everything she does.  She kindly shared these photos of her home with me...which she took.  If you're in the market for a photographer check her out.  She's great!  Anyway, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.  Before each room I'll list where some of the signature pieces are from.
Family Room...
Couch...Z Gallerie
Coffee table...West Elm
Foo dog...thrifted
Sun burst mirror...Ballard Design

 Master Bedroom...
Bed...Pottery Barn
Drawers...DownEast Home
Lamp...thrifted

Max's Room
Bed...Pottery Barn Kids
Bedspread...Dwell Studios
"Max" pillow...Urban Outfitters
Frames and shelving...IKEA

Thanks for sharing Becky!

Something sweet...

I have a little announcement...I'm expecting!  (This is Lindsay by the way :)  So thrilled to have baby here in January 2012.  I'll be redoing the nursery as soon as we find out what the sweetheart is so stay tuned...
In honor of my special news, we're giving away a $10 gift card to my favorite sweet spot...The Sweet Tooth Fairy!  LOVE their cupcakes and their stores are decorated so darling.  A fun place to go!  You must try the vanilla cupcake.  It's very delicious. 

Lisa will be giving away the Rod Works certificate shortly so make sure you are a follower to be entered into our drawings.  The Sweet Tooth Fairy drawing will be held a few weeks after Rod Works is given away.  We'd love your help to continue spreading the word about our blog.  We love sharing and hope you've found some good ideas and inspiration here!

Love...Lindsay

Fun Find...Sarah Jane Studios

I like to browse the internet pages of Etsy looking at all the creative ladies out there who make beautiful things.  I think I've found my new favorite children's fabric line from Sarah Jane Studios...

Photo courtesy of Sarah Jane Studios.com

I've always thought her artwork was great (particularly this one...need to buy it for Peyton's room) and she's now incorporated it into fabric.  Her site says this line should be hitting fabric stores mid-July so I thought I'd spread the word to be on the lookout.  It really is so sweet.

Backyard Entertaining

 

So what does one serve besides burgers at your next backyard gathering?  I have two great options for you to add some flare to your next party:  bacon wrapped chicken kebobs and ranch chicken kebobs.

For bacon wrapped chicken, cut chicken into cubes and bacon strip in half.  Mix 1 1/2 c brown sugar, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper.  Sprinkle on chicken.  Wet skewers.  Wrap bacon around chicken cube and place on skewer.  Put five cubes on one skewer.  Grill on medium heat on top rack of bbq for 8-12 minutes.

For ranch chicken kebobs, mix 1/2 c olive oil, 1/2 c ranch dressing, 3T worchestire, 2 t salt, 1t lemon juice, 1t vinegar, 1/4t pepper, 1T sugar.  Pour over cubed chicken and marinate for 1 hr.  Place on skewers and grill on medium for 8-12 minutes.  Enjoy!

Party Plates

I found these plates at Target for $2.  I have a set of solid plastic plates in green, yellow, aqua, and blue that coordinate perfectly.  Instead of always using paper plates, find some great cheap plastic plates to add color and fun to your backyard BBQ.  You'll not only help Mother Nature, you'll have  fantastic partyware!

Likewise, these plastic cups were on clearance for $.75.  I love how they work with the plates. 

So here is my backyard table setting.  The chargers are from TaiPan ($2).

These outdoor lanterns are the ones I posted about earlier.  The big one is from Ikea ($7), and the small from Lowes ($5).  I cut stems from my garden and placed in small rectangle vases from Ikea ($5).

The ambience is perfect for your next intimate backyard dinner.  Call up your friends and host one tonight!