LOL, yes it is! It’s summer time and I love those fruity girly summer time cocktails, don’t you? We are having company tonight, 3 other couples, to celebrate one of the couple’s recent engagement. The menu is easy and lets us all sit by the grill and visit while dinner is being cooked.

I whipped up these “cocktail napkins” for us to use while having appetizers and our fruity cocktail drinks Aren’t they fun?

Oh back to the menu, you asked? Well one of my goals was to use some of those herbs I planted in the spring, remember? I have a bumper crop now so I need to use some. We are having:

Appetizers/Drinks:

• Cut vegetables (red pepper, cucumber, carrots) with freshly made dill dip
• Colby Jack cheese and grapes
• Sangria with fresh fruit

Dinner:

• Balsamic glazed grilled salmon
• Fresh fruit kabobs
• Caprese Salad
• Fresh garden salad with lemon basil salad dressing
• Thinly sliced ham wrapped on asparagus spears, grilled

Dessert:

• Chocolate brownies (gluten free)
• Frozen strawberry banana all natural yogurt (I tested it last night and it is SO DELICIOUS!)
• Decaf Green Mountain coffee (the very best I’ve ever found, bar none!)

Wish you all could come join us! It would be so much fun to have everyone visit.

Yummy, quick fix for the cool evenings we have been having in the Midwest.

Skillet Lasagna

adapted from Family Fun

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups ricotta cheese or cottage cheese (I used low-fat cottage cheese)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 medium zucchini, diced (about 1 cup)
• 1 (26-ounce) jar pasta sauce
• 6 oven-ready (no boil) lasagna noodles

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta or cottage cheese, water, salt, basil, oregano, pepper Parmesan, and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella. Set the mixture aside.
2. Brown the beef in a large skillet set over medium-high heat until cooked, about 5 minutes. Drain fat. Add the zucchini. Stir in 2 cups of the pasta sauce. Reduce heat to medium-low.
3. Top the mixture with 2 lasagna noodles, set in the center. Break 2 more noodles each into half  and fill in the edges. Spread the cheese mixture over the noodles.  Break 2 remaining noodles in half each and lay on top. Pour the rest of the sauce into the skillet and spread evenly, then sprinkle on the remaining cup of mozzarella.
4. Cover the skillet and simmer the lasagna over medium-low heat until the noodles are tender, about 20 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and let the lasagna cool for at least 5 minutes. After about 10 minutes most of the liquid was absorbed. Makes about 6 servings.

A little garlic bread and salad on the side and you have all you need for a delicious meal on a budget too.

I found this really cool idea for Mom’s at Busy Bees blogspot.  The idea is to reward a child with ice cream treats.  You can pick the occasion and let it work for you and your children.

Check it out by clicking on the Busy Bees link above and you will find a free ice cream treat coupon you can download.

What do Mother’s love to do most?  Brag about their children.  I am doing that today.

Some of you may recall the post I did on folding an Easter Bunny napkin.  Today I am posting a napkin Debbie made.

Can’t you just see this napkin setting in the middle of a pretty red, green, gold or any color plate?  It would “wow” my guests for sure.

I am “hoping” Martha, you know,  Martha Stewart whose instructions I gave you for Easter Bunny fold sees this so Deb can get her napkin in a national magazine!

Well I am her Mother so I can dream big for her.

I thought they were cute beyond words and loved the fold she put on them and wanted to make sure you had a chance to see how talented she is

I never seem to never get tired of chocolate!

So thought I would share this fast, easy chocolate recipe with you.

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)

(It is best if you mix all ingredients in a bowl before putting in a cup)

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.  Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well..
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don’t be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT ! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day

I’m not a big TV watcher, but I have to say there are two new shows that I am thoroughly loving to watch these days.

DISCOVERY CHANNEL’S LIFE – Planet Earth follow up series called ‘Life’ which premiered March 21st on Discovery Channel at 8 p.m. This 11 part series is narrated by Oprah Winfrey. But the really great thing is the incredibly spectacular photography and videography…can you say breathtaking and unbelievable?! Oh and educational too

Next up, Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution. I knew school lunches needed addressed when I had lunch with Kevin in 5th grade. Quite frankly it was food I wouldn’t serve at home. {I was equally disgusted by all the boys I sat with you who had no table manners and ate with their mouths open…totally gross!} It was really sad and such a far cry from the awesome lunch ladies who prepared home cooked food when I was in grade school…eons ago.  Back to Jamie. I couldn’t agree with him more in what he is trying to accomplish and the views he is trying to change, but he has a serious uphill battle in this country of over processed, over fried, calorie packed, and under nutritional food. Go Jamie!! I’m cheering for you chap and truly hope you succeed … for the benefit of our children.

What little boy wouldn’t be in heaven with this birthday party theme? Save the Date for Cupcakes, every party planner (or Mom’s) creative inspiration where she is sharing a new party idea just about every day. Yeehaw, it’s a barn party by Atelie da Ju!

And look at this laundry room for inspiration from Room Remix. Why mine NEVER looks like that, usually because there are at least 5 loads of laundry in baskets, clean cloths completely hanging across the cross bar, extra stuff thrown here and there. I keep thinking when all my children leave home and my husband retires, I’ll paint my laundry room a soft blue. It may make doing laundry a bit more enjoyable…if that is even possible.

Can black and white be my favorite colors when technically they really aren’t colors? Well I love how bold, dramatic, dressy or classic they always look together.

The napkins have an offset design that gives you 2/3 scroll work design on one side and on the opposite side it is 2/3 black with 1/2 scroll work fabric.

Using fabric placemats and napkins means they are washable, reusable and helping to save the earth one step at a time

These new placemat and napkin sets were just added to our store. You can find them at Creative Chics Home Store if you’re interested in having a set for yourself or for a friend.

Hello dear friends and welcome to Tablescape Thursday hosted by Between Naps on the Porch. Yes it is that time of the week again where I play with my dishes This is the first time I’ve used this new Home Goods purchase and oh I am so in love with these fun and festive dishes with their retro twist.

The blue and green placemats were Wal-Mart finds at $1.50 each I couldn’t pass those up and they matched my new dishes perfectly!

I have a set of big salad/soup bowls with that same colorful design but tonight we had burritos so need for a soup bowl

Simple glass drinking glasses. My napkin rings are from Pier 1. White, it goes with everything.

Oh and did you catch that centerpiece? Yes, it is the terrarium my Mother made for me. See the little teal blue froggy inside? He is a perfect match for this fun table setting. And no, we aren’t having frog legs for dinner so he’s safe.

So glad you could stop by for this Thursday’s tablescape. Come again!

I just had to share this adorable Easter idea for making cupcakes very cute and special for your family or others.  Skip to My Lou is a feed I subscribe to that always has creative, easy to do projects with step by step instructions and lots of pictures.

These cupcakes will be on my “to do” list and thought you might enjoy also.

Seriously these are so cute and the template for the face is free in PDF on her website….let me know if you tried them too.