Happy First Day of Summer

Well summer is upon us and we are finally feeling it here. I believe we actually made it into the 90s today. My kids are loving it. Swimming weather. My tomatoes are loving it too. 

Sweet 100 Tomatoes

Even though I have not painted the kitchen yet I just had to hang my new curtains in there. I think they will look great with the aqua colored walls.

Enjoy these more relaxing days. I know I am when I am not painting. 

Linking to:

Rednesday

Very Merry Vintage Style

Summer Schedule

Is this even possible? Can you have a summer schedule? The kids are out of school and life is carefree yet I find myself making up a schedule for the summer days. I want to get a few things done and I know if I just let the days slip by, I will look back on my more free months regretfully having not accomplished my summer goals.  

So here goes.

Mondays-Standing Play date with my 3 year old's friend and mom.
Tuesday- Piano lessons in morning for two kids here at home so outdoor time for little one.
                Afternoon for errands and deal shopping.
Wednesday-Painting for at least two hours. Kids will occupy little one so I can get this done. Dinner is at MIL's house so I won't have to worry about this.
Thursday-Activity for older ones with their friends. Most likely the beach, swimming, movies. Things where we can all do it together or I can drop off as I will have my youngest.
Friday-Either more painting or another project I want to work on in morning and then grocery shopping.
Saturday-Mop floors. I always do this on Sat. when dad is around or working. Free time after that.
Sunday- Church and relaxing followed by a BBQ. We always BBQ on Sundays.

Can you tell I have a lot of painting to get done around here? That is why I am going to schedule it in so it is a priority or you know how that goes. Of course this is all a loose plan for the summer and we will be gone here and there but I feel better knowing I have something down to keep me on track.

Linking to:
Hearts for Home

Laundry Room Surface Update

My goal to clean up those flat surfaces in my laundry room that were collecting everything we didn't have a place for has been a success so far. My plan was to come up with some organizational containers and use only what I already had. No spending and I did it including making my cute chalkboard labels that I already shared here.

One big problem was recycling that was waiting to be taken outside. It was always piling up on the counter. I took a small white trashcan that was not being used in another room and slid it under my butcher block table and slapped one of those labels on there. Genius. Why I had not done this before actually shows I am not a genius but two weeks later it is working like a charm.

Already in use, I had my laundry items corralled in a basket but my daughters would always just leave the lint from the dryer on top of it. So I thought I would put a little garbage can from the bar in here and put one of those labels on it and maybe they would get the hint. It has been working great.

I tend to come in here and sort mail and open packages so I needed a place to put mail until I file it away in my desk so I took a sort of rusty metal planter that was not being used in the backyard, and hung in on the wall. A small bucket hold pens, scissors and other items we use frequently. An old baking pan holds tape and  other clips I use to organize my coupons. So I met my goal and came up with organizational areas and found supplies to create them right here in the house. $0 spent. That is always a good thing.

Linking to:

BNOTP

Barn Hop

Homemaker Monday

DIY Showoff

The Girl Creative

The Saved Quarter

Coastal Charm

Time Warp Wife

Not Just A Housewife

Organize and Decorate Everything

Happy Father's Day

A busy weekend here. We are hosting Father's Day and my oldest daughter's birthday tomorrow so you know how that goes. Lots of shopping and housework today. Feels good though as the house is all ready and I am cozy in my jammies knowing tomorrow I can get up and enjoy the day.

I found some company for my lonely little blue pot on the window sill. These old blue jars were in the house when we bought it. Not sure how old they are. I love how the light shines through them.

Happy Father's day to this guy. My one and only. We are having Carne Asada and sides from our favorite Mexican restaurant. Can't wait. Enjoy the Fathers in your life.

Linking to:
Mod Mix Monday

Tour of Our Little Trailer

Okay, I am going to show you way more than you ever wanted to see of the interior of a little trailer but indulge me as I just adore my little home away from home.

The interior is brown so I worked with that to add some homey touches.

A pillow from Target on our little sofa.

This afghan was made by my mom in the early 80s so it is nice to have a place to display and use it.

A basket of goodies and new marshmallow sticks for making our smores.

The quarters are snug but we spend a lot of time outside. I like to eat outside and do lots of walking followed up by a break in the lounge chair with a cold drink.

More bears.

This is the reason we bought this trailer, the bunkroom. There are four beds in here and the kids can sleep in and are out of the way for those of us who like to get up early. I found the cute fleece spreads on clearance and the are perfect in here.

A basket of games and fun items await the kids. I always pick things up to make the trip fun. I am all ready to go. Wish we were leaving tomorrow.

Linking to:

Sat. Night Special

Seasonal Sundays

Boogie Board Cottage

BNOTP

Show off Your Cottage Monday

Dittle Dattle

June Gloom

We have a type of weather in Southern California called June Gloom. Cloudy days where the marine layer comes in off the ocean and doesn't burn off until late afternoon. It can make for some dreary June mornings.

You wake up and the house is dark and not at all feeling like summer. Today I decided to bring some sunshine into the house.

If these don't wake you up and cheer you up even more than I don't know what would.

The mulit-branched sunflowers make the best cut flowers. I just love them as they are so prolific.

Sunshine in a jar!

Linking to:
Show and Tell Friday

Field Trip-Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens

A couple of the kids and I took a field trip to a local Botanical Gardens. The Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens is a lovely spot of winding paths and quiet spots. The gardens are full of only native Californian plants and trees.

This salvia was gigantic. On steroids.

Each area highlights the different areas of the state. There is even a small grove of Sequoia trees as well as coastal redwoods.

The gardens are full of large sculptures.

In early spring this field is full of wild Iris.

Linking to:

Show and Tell Friday

Nancy's Mexican Tortilla Pie

This is a recipe from my old boss when I used to work for the Ninth Circuit. She was a vegetarian so this is a great meatless meal. Layered tortilla pie with lots of sauteed veggies. I make it with ground turkey sometimes but usually it is with beans. My youngest who is three can't get enough of this dish. Funny thing for a little one to love but I am glad she does.

The recipe is for one tortilla pie.

Nancy's Tortilla Pie

Grease a pie dish before you begin.

You need several of the medium sized flour tortillas.

Grated Cheese

Veggies

Frozen Corn

Black Beans

Sliced Olives

Sour Cream 

Salsa

Cilantro and avocado to sprinkle on top (optional but so worth it)

Saute any nice veggies you have. I use zucchini, peppers,onions, mushrooms, corn, etc. Use what you have on hand. Dice up veggies and saute in olive oil until tender. Add frozen corn at this time and 1 can of rinsed black beans. Pour is some salsa to make the mixture spreadable. Set aside.

The assembly is like making lasagna.

Take greased pie pan and place one tortilla on bottom and spread with veggie mixture. Sprinkle layer of cheese, olives and cilantro.

Repeat and top with a tortilla with a layer of salsa and cheese on top.

Bake at 350 for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Top with sour cream and avocado.

Linking to:

Brambleberry Cottage

Thrifty Thursday

Feathered Nest Friday

Foodie Friday

SNS

Handmade Hog

Do You Use Swagbucks?

Occasionally on my blog I mention how I get things for free or cheap from Amazon using my Swagbucks gift cards. I thought I would give a brief rundown on Swagbucks for anyone who might be interested. I have received a few requests to do a post on how I earn the gift cards so here goes.

I first learned of Swagbucks from another blog and have been earning swagbucks for over a year now. I have earned almost $90 in gift cards to Amazon in that time and my daughter has earned more as well. You earn swagbucks in various ways like web searches, surveys and polls. When you accrue 450 Swagbucks you can redeem them for a $5 Amazon e-card. They have lots of prizes but this is what I focus on. There are so many ways to earn but I just use a few.

Now, I am no expert and there are others that rack up bucks far quicker than I, but here is what I do to earn swagbucks. First off, I use them  as a search engine and usually earn points three times a day doing this. The amounts vary but it just takes seconds to open your facebook page or look up your blog to earn a few points.

Second, I always go to the Earn drop down menu daily to do the daily poll, click on the surveys and do the daily NOSO (no obligation offers). Clicking super quick through this earns me 4 points a day. That is 120 a month just by doing this.

I used to check for swagcodes and other things but since blogging I don't have time. You can put the Swagbucks button on your sidebar and earn if others sign up through you. The site has so many things I have not even mentioned you will have to poke around to get a feel but I just wanted to share with you how I earn Amazon gift cards to buy some of the good deals of the day. I often get free or cheap things this way. You can email me if you have any questions. I hope this helps answer those questions. I feel as if I was really rambling here.

Can You Have a Veggie Garden In Your Front Yard?

After I posted a few pictures of my little veggie garden the most interesting thing occurred. I received a few comments and e-mails about whether veggie gardens are appropriate for the front yard. I honestly had never even given it a thought. The reason I grow mine in the front is this is my most sunny planter. But my answer to this question would be yes. Why not grow veggies in your front yard. A tomato plant with dangling red fruit is a thing of beauty to me. If well tended, a veggie patch in your yard is something to be proud of. Lots of people walking by pay nice compliments about my garden and I think the veggie patch is a conversation starter.

Some might ask if others take my veggies without asking and so far no, I have not had that problem, though one year my neighbor was witness to a man pulling up, hopping quickly out of his car, to cut a bouquet of sunflowers. The nerve. He could of asked.

A garden patch is the perfect place to display fun little birdhouses and other goodies you might not display elsewhere. This birdhouse is mounted on an old rusty shovel.

Garden tools are like works of art and are perfect for display.

Here is a view from across the yard. I think a veggie garden in the front yard is as lovely as any flower bed and you gain so much more in return.

Linking to:

Wow Us Wed.

Wandering Wed.

Whatever You Want Wed.

Good Life Wed.

Shabby Chic Cottage

Alphabe-Thursday

Open House Party

Cottage Flora Thursday

Home Sweet Home

Show and Tell Friday

Rice Krispies Treats and Summer Plans

I have a daughter who leaves tomorrow for Marine Biology camp out at Catalina Island. She will snorkel, kayak, hike and of course get real hungry so she requested some snacks from home. Of course she wanted Rice Krispie Treats.

So I went poking around their site and thought this was just the cutest thing to make for Father's Day.

A remote control Rice Krispie Treat is perfect for my hubby's dad. He loves his remote. I am so going to make this for him for Father's day. They have lots of cute ideas on their site. The link is below.

Giant Remote Control Recipe - Kellogg's® Rice Krispies®

Flag Day!!

Sue Loves Cherries had the greatest vintage poster on her blog today in celebration of flag day so I decided to chime in with some of our patriotic decor.

We fly these flags all summer until Labor Day. We love our flag and country in this house. It evokes all sorts of emotions in me and many others. During World War II, my father was on a ship that helped save some men when their ship was torpedoed. Among the survivors was a gravely injured sailor, who before dying, handed my father a small blood stained flag he had in his pocket. He told my father he wanted to pass something on to him before he died. He lived only a few minutes after this exchange.

I never knew this story until after my father died and going through his things I found this small, very worn and stained little flag. My mother then told me the story. I cried. Why hadn't my father ever shared this with us? I suspect it was very emotional for my father. He and others witnessed so much loss perhaps it was easier to just tuck it away and never bring it up again. I choose to think of it as a wonderful story of the sacrifices made by our soldiers.

The neighbors flying the start and stripes. Now there is still daylight so go fly your flags!

Linking to:

An Oregon Cottage

Not Just a Housewife

Old Toys

Aren't old toys the best? Made of quality materials and bright colors. I love to use them in display.

My husband's old Tonka trucks from when he was a boy give a ride to my little Mia doll.

They are still used by our littlest one but only in the house as we don't want them to get rusty out in the yard. I bet a toy from now would never last that many years.

This rough around the edges little sewing machine was picked up for a few dollars at an antique's store about twenty years ago.

This top is from the early 60s. My husband said it was always at his grandma's house when they were growing up. All the little ones used to and still do play with it but I have it in a tray of goodies when not in use.

Linking to:

Twice Owned Tuesday

Rednesday

Wow Us Wed.

Blue Cricket Design

BNOTP

Common Ground

Thrifty-things-Friday