Splash of Kitchen Color GIVEAWAY ~ Winner!

************ WINNER ************
Chris Lyles (she's so lucky, this is her second S&S win!)
Congrats and thanks to all who participated!
Stay tuned for more Favorite Things giveaways.
*********************************
Life is too short to use boring kitchen gadgets. I like to infuse a little color wherever I can, it makes all the time I spend in the kitchen that much more enjoyable.

Today, because it's Thank You Thursday, and because I'm so thankful for you, I'm giving away a few of my favorites. Not only are they colorful, they are sure to make your kitchen a little happier!

I've broadcast (numerous times) my love of Core Kitchen products. These silicone measuring bowls are so handy and when I drop them, they don't shatter into a thousand pieces. I can't say the same for a poor ceramic scoop that met its unfortunate end and littered the air with a cup of flour! Ugh!

I found these little cuties at a quaint little kitchen shop and immediately knew they had to be mine. They make me so happy every time I pull them from the drawer. An uneventful act of measuring baking powder becomes oh so much fun.

To register, comment below with the answer to the following question. "Are you a white flour or wheat flour fan?" I'm curious because I have a new love of wheat flour and I'd like to know I'm not alone! Much like my season of jellies and mall bangs.

The winner will be selected Saturday evening. Happy registering!

Happiness is a tiny pizza!

I'm a loyal lover of all pizza, fruit pizza, veggie pizza, dessert pizza, ALL pizza! Having said that, I must confess there's certain times of the month I REALLY want pizza. Some people feed a cold and others starve the flu. I say, "Hey, PMS...here's a little pizza."

Works every time!

Hormones make us do irrational things. For instance, the only thing that could make a pizza better is if you took a second pizza, chopped it up, and sprinkled it over the first pizza as topping.

I might need an intervention...or Midol.

In one of my bloated states, I came up with this less guilty solution to my craving...then I ate six!

Apparently, lack of self-control is my bigger issue.

Ingredients:
1 pizza dough crust
1 cup marinara sauce (see my Meatball post for recipe)
1 1/2 grated mozzarella
1/2 cup grated parmesan

Roll out dough on floured surface.

Cut into 3" squares.

Place in muffin tin with corners up. Fill with one tablespoon of marinara sauce and sprinkle of both cheeses. Feel free to add your desired toppings, pepperoni...sausage...bacon and pineapple...oh my!

Bake in 400 degree oven for 10-12 minutes until filling is bubbling and crust is golden.

They are Little Man's favorite and they're great for on the go...there they go...

While you're here, take a moment and peruse my other pizza posts (Meatball Pizza & Barbecue Pork Pizza).

The Glamorous Outdoors

For my family, summer means outdoor dining. Super Hunk fires up the grill and we invite all the flies in the neighborhood. With waving and flailing of arms, we sit back and soak up the sunshine.

With plenty of sunscreen and bug spray, of course.

It's lovely...

"Bistro dining" (as my bestie, Rekah, calls it) requires a whole different set of dishes and serving pieces. In fact, Melamine is the summer party hostess with the mostest! I love her durability...her flair...and her ability to remain timeless!

Here are a few of my favorite summer dining pieces (with links, in case you want one of your very own).

Starting with Little Man, of course.
Juice in the Box (shout out to our S&S friend, Chris, for sending these cuties over.)

These aren't necessarily outdoor specific but I LOVE THEM (I have a set of acrylic wine glasses for the patio, they're perfect for them)!
Wine Glass Shades

 Carrying your Grandmother's antique cake stand to the picnic table? Just the thought of it makes my palms sweat. Here's a less breakable option.

Bark Pedestal Cake Stand

The cutest cooler on the planet and it's extremely affordable. Red is a power color, in case you didn't know!
Retro Cooler

Because we all want to feel like a Moroccan Princess...
Jewel Tone Goblets

Finally, these are my absolute favorite. They make my salad so Happy, I hope they do the same for you!
Sassy Salad Servers

Let's make the outdoors a little more glamorous, one colorful dish at a time.

Steak & Avocado Stir-Fry

Every year, our little town in Texas has a full week of festivities celebrating its heritage. Today was the 48th Annual Parade. My friend, Lana, and I loaded up the boys and perched ourselves on Main Street (straining to hear each other over the blaring Country Gold tunes).

The boys were content trading matchbox cars until they fired up the sirens. Here comes the fire trucks! (I couldn't get a photo with both of them standing still, the excitement was too much to handle so MK's handsome blonde locks are partially visible.)

By the time the parade (which I'm convinced, included EVERY horse in the county) was over, we were hungry! Little Man had also consumed (more like devoured) two popsicles (and I suspect, half of MK's) so I thought I better counteract the large amounts of sugar with something of substance. 

With all the hoopla (and Super Hunk's float preparation), I hadn't planned anything for lunch. With a quick glance in the fridge, I grabbed a leftover sirloin (which was heavenly the first time around), green chiles (because in our home, every meal deserves to be adorned with these green goddesses), zucchini (our garden overfloweth and I'm running out of ideas), and avocado (one more day and it would've been compost).

I threw them all together and this bit of deliciousness was born. Sometimes, the unexpected is the most delectable...proving, once again, my opinion that whipping up something yummy doesn't have to be difficult (and your dishes don't always look like something straight off the pages of Southern Living).

Ingredients:

1 zucchini

1/2 ripe avocado, diced

1/2 cup diced sirloin, cooked

1/4 cup green chiles, diced

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt & pepper to taste 

In a saucepan, over medium high heat, add olive oil. When heated, add zucchini and brown slightly on each side. I prefer a little crunch but feel free to cook to your liking. Add diced sirloin and green chiles to zucchini. Reduce heat to medium low. Since your meat is already cooked, you're simply heating it. Toss ingredients and add salt and pepper. Finally, add diced avocado and stir ingredients until the avocado has warmed and created a creamy coating on other ingredients. Mmmmmmmm! Feel free to add another pinch of salt and pepper, if needed.

I'm not kidding when I tell you, I wish I'd made a bigger batch...I was longing for seconds...

...or a smaller stomach!

This is...IN NO WAY...a Food Network worthy post but the recipe is a Courtney's Kitchen favorite! Enjoy!

Rainy Day Marble Races

Lately we've had quite a bit of rain. You'll never hear me complain but I can't speak for Little Man. He doesn't yet value the little drops from heaven, he sees them more as an inconvenience...an unwanted interruption in his outdoor wonderland adventures.

With his activities restricted to the great indoors, Mommy was scrambling to come up with fresh ideas (I need to refresh my list).

With a bag of marbles and a pool noodle, Mommy is a hero, uh hum...heroine, once again!

I propped one end of the noodle on the coffee table and placed a few pillows on the floor to keep the marbles from launching all over the living room. It was a good idea, in theory.

We took turns loading marbles and watching them shoot out the end. Notice I said "we", I think I had more fun than him. 

There was also quite a bit of time spent retrieving the marbles, I may or may not have sent a few rogue marbles down the pipe to keep him on his toes! He never caught on that Mommy was doing strictly launching, no retrieving. Two is such a great age! :-)

At times, it became a scavenger hunt...which extended the overall playtime. These two simple objects became an afternoon of fun and this rainy day Mommy has never loved marbles more (with close supervision, they strongly resemble grapes).

Keeping it simple!

Lana's Macaroni Salad

This delicious recipe (which might be my new favorite) is from our friend, Lana Hamblin, regular Guest Contributor. Prepare for a party in your tummy!

By Lana Hamblin

Tis' the season for firing up the grill!

In my family we have a staple for all backyard gatherings, macaroni salad.

It's a crowd favorite and it's pasta, which in my book is ALWAYS good. I'm just a carb girl, living in skinny world. Ha! 

Just to warn you, I usually make a double batch because it goes fast. So, here goes...grab your biggest bowl!

Single recipe:
12 oz. package of macaroni noodles
1 can whole kernel corn (drained)
1 large jar of diced pimento (drained)
1 tsp celery seed
1 tsp mustard seed
3 tbsp white vinegar
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2/3 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion

Cook noodles and place in bowl. In a separate bowl, mix corn, pimento (in the photo below, I substituted for red bell pepper because I had a toddler at the grocery store and bypassed the pimentos), bell pepper, and onion.

Add veggies to the noodles and mix well. 

Add sour cream, vinegar, and mayo. Stir until evenly coated.

Add celery seed, mustard seed, salt, and pepper. Stir well until combined.

Once salad is mixed thoroughly, place in fridge and let chill overnight. (If making the same day, I place it in freezer for about an hour then stir and place in fridge.)

Hope you enjoy this as much as my family does!

Have a blessed day,

Lana

A Space For My Stuff

When Super Hunk and I purchased our little abode, it was the perfect size. Quaint, great layout, just enough storage, and easy to clean!

Three years later, we added a baby with more stuff than both of us combined. How does something so small require truckloads of swag?

Needless to say, our perfect home is now a bit more cramped...but oh, so worth it.

I've been desperately needing an office but with the above mentioned dilemma, I've resigned to working at the kitchen table. This is much to Super Hunk's dismay as he has a strong aversion to clutter. It's also hard to keep my papers from becoming sticky notes (or "jelly notes").

Pinterest, here I come!

I recently stumbled upon this image and was instantly in love.

So bright, so cheery...and yes, there's a thank you note on the desk! This is my space...minus the Mac (it's smarter than me), minus the candle (open flames and hot wax with toddlers...BAD), and minus the white fluffy pillow (one word, blueberries).

The part I'm in love with the most is the art above the desk. So simple, yet so fun. "Oh darling, let's be adventurers".

Let's make one...together! It seems like a simple design, we can do it. I see a Crafting the Cape post in my future. Stay tuned...

I better skedaddle, I'm off to find a space for my stuff!