Drumsticks on the Barbie!

We have some super picky eater grandkids.

As a lover of all things edible 🤪 (except for oysters....I won't do oysters. ever.), their parents know it makes me a bit cray.

(sorry parents)

Actually H is not a real picky eater.

Hang with me on the recipe because I need to share some other things first. wink.

So...about 3 weeks ago we went to visit "W"s parents in North Carolina.

Brevard to be exact.

BTW....GREAT place to go for the day!

Here are a few pics.

Inspiration for my next painting....

Who's loving green for their interiors right now???

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We got lucky and saw a bunch of white squirrels!!!

Brevard has some fun shops to peruse.

OH....I went SO crazy over this hand turned salad bowl.

I wanted to give it as a wedding gift but it was out of my 

"wedding gift" budget.

But...here is the artist.

Truth.

My 5th grandchild loved the twister game we bought for the kids to go crazy on!

He also loved playing with Baby Boggs' feet.

Meme and Daddy Bob loved meeting their newest great grandchild!

Now, before I get to the whole purpose of this blog-let me show you a few other things.

I finally put some of MY art in my house....

See that corner by the plant? That has needed art since we moved in a year ago.

I love how these turned out!

Aren't my backyard hydrangea's beautiful in these vases from Anthropologie?

Now on to the chicken

Getting back to my picky g-kid eaters.

They ABSOLUTELY LOVED THESE when we first made them while in Brevard.  "W" came up with this simple recipe.

My youngest was here this week and she LOVED them as well!

So, after a long day of working and bless her heart she had not eaten all day, I surprised her!

Get a package of drumsticks.  Y'all, they're cheap.

I mean this was 5.60 worth of chicken.

Put them in your re-usable😉plastic containers.

Rub with olive oil, sprinkle all sides with garlic, pepper, and (the key) Montreal steak seasoning. I did half with the regular seasoning and half with the spicy seasoning.

Let that all marinate for about an hour

I grilled these chicken legs on my new electric George Foreman grill because I don't know how to use our Big Green Egg.

"W" was on the golf course.

The rest of the recipes:

Junk Yard Salad

This blog was a long time ago and none of the art is available

(just in case you are interested)😉

https://kendallboggsfineart.blogspot.com/search?q=junk+yard+salad

Those peaches....OMG, OMG, OMG.
I am seriously not sure I have ever had anything that good.

They are Chilton County (Alabama) peaches

I split them in half, took the pit out, and sprinkled Swerve confectioner's sugar.

That's the sugar that Keto diet recommends.

Then grilled them for about 10 minutes. Really it was more like searing them.

Then the Brussels sprouts:

I boiled them for about 30 minutes.

Drained

Spread them on a baking sheet.

I added sprinkled with white truffle oil, garlic powder and pepper.

Baked at 425 for 30 minutes.  

Enjoy!

I want to give a shoutout to the place our kids stayed near Brevard. Y'all. SUCH a great place! And if you're in to fly fishing it is known world wide! Just know.....it is literally in the middle of nowhere.  Like really nowhere USA.
http://www.trouthousefalls.com

Have a great day y'all!

xoxo

kb

Going Green!

Well....I'm trying to at least.

A couple of months ago I saw a disturbing picture on Facebook.

(sorry, I know this is hard to view)

This and visiting the beaches where our beach house is and seeing the debris that people just leave after a day at the beach seriously repulses me.

So...

After almost 60 years of my life ahem, my 60th is August 8th...if anyone is interested🤪🤪🤪Seriously dreading but will make the best of it, I am really trying to make a change in my life.

So, let's get back to this "going green" thing.

After seeing the Sea Turtle pic around the same time as I was at my semi-annual trip to show my art at the Roundtop Antique show 3 months ago, I was determined.  Why did an art show make me wanna change my ways?

Single use plastic to be exact.

The shrink wrap we all use to wrap everything from paintings, to furniture, to rugs and everything else in between is mind blowing.  And what happens to it? It gets thrown right in the trash.

So, my friend Lisa Moore (my artist friend who goes with me came up with a solution for at least us)

It's much more expensive but we can reuse (for the win)

It's called cohesive corrugated wrap

https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-618/Paper-Cushioning/Cohesive-Corrugated-Wrap-30-x-50?FromOrderHistory=Y

I will still use bubble wrap bags since I can re-use them, but the shrink wrap is going to go.

Next, what about all those plastic baggies we use?

Here is a great solution.

Mesh bags from Amazon.

Perfect to use instead of the plastic bags in the produce section.

Just remember to take them with you to the grocery.

I've bought a separate trash can strictly for recycling.

 YES!

And let me add if you need a green painting....ahem

"Irish Blessings" in the background of this pic is still available!

36 x 48 framed

2,200.00

The next thing to go is water bottles.

NO. MORE. PLASTIC. WATER. BOTTLES.

Seriously y'all, what a waste of money.

I found these terrific glass bottles on amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079MDQZ2N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They are beautiful when you diffuse with mint, strawberries, blueberries, or whatever your heart desires!

Another goodie!

My youngest daughter gave me these:

Actually these are not the actual ones because I couldn't find the ones that EmerginC sells. 

But...let me tell you how I love a stainless steel straw.

The drink gets colder when it goes up the straw.

🙌🙌🙌

Here are some off Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-HuaQi-Straight-Reusable-Drinking/dp/B0761KNS2R/ref=sr_1_17?crid=1E6FHLV8Z7BPQ&keywords=stainless+steel+straws&qid=1561465123&s=gateway&sprefix=stainless%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-17

I also found these at Target for the moms who make school lunches for their kids.

Seriously, how cute are these? They come in two colors, and you can write your little love notes on them, like my oldest does!

Finally,

TAKE YOUR REUSABLE BAGS TO THE GROCERY STORE.

Ya'll, it's not that difficult and I will tell you, you can put more stuff in them which means it saves you time unloading your car.

They are also stronger than plastic so they don't bust!

I really, really, REALLY cannot believe how many people I see walking out of the grocery with plastic bags.

Just slow down a bit, take your time, and do the right thing.

Trust me.

If I can change my ways, anyone can!

I want our earth to be better for our kids and grandkids.

Have a terrific day y'all!

xoxo

kb

Summer Surprise 2019

Summer Surprise 2019

Well....I have been told by my oldest g-daughter that I need to start blogging again!

The fact that she reads my old blogs warms my heart

(even if she's the only one who reads them😂)

Blogging is hard.  And I was a little obsessed for the 8 or so years that I blogged almost every. single. day.

But I'm going to try to do better!

It's kinda like a journal for me.

You know, recipes, pictures, thoughts, etc....etc....etc....

And well, if Evers says she wants me to start back

then there ya have it!

SO....

We will start with our 5th annual Summer Surprise!

What is Summer Surprise anyway?

"W" and I started this 5 years ago.  We take all the grandkids (over 3 and potty trained) on a surprise trip.  No one knows when (except the parents) or where we are going (even the parents don't know) (normally-except for this year)

Per our decision, it has to be cost effective, has to be within driving distance, has to involve state parks, has to be educational, and has to be adventurous.

I've also (since I am trying to add a "green" element to my almost 60 year old wasteful body) trying to teach the g-kids about conservation issues.

Some years we have stuck to that, others not so much.

But, we have stuck to the State park thingy.

So, Saturday we went to Montgomery, Alabama for the wedding of my handsome nephew and his beautiful new wife.  It was a perfect 12:30 wedding, which also set us up for perfect timing for SS.

Here was after the wedding in the packed to the gills car.

I really don't know how we got everything in the car.

Next year when Bear turns 3 I think we may be renting a van😳.

I packed all of them goodie bags for the LONG drive.

We stopped in Tallahassee, Florida overnight.

I would give our dinner at Steak and Shake a big fat ZERO on the 

1 - 5 scale because 4 tired kids and 2 tired adults really didn't need a 1 1/2 hour dinner. Fast food (really?) We will never eat there again.

So....The next day we headed down to Ocala, Florida to get my state park fix in.

Silver Springs

SO beautiful and great! The glass bottom boat ride was just so fun and the perfect stop to break up the ride and have some lunch.

SO...back in the car!

It was only 1 1/2 hours to our destination but the real fun started the next day (Monday)

But first, a stop to eat at what is it? The Disney Kingdom or something like that.

At any rate, we

had to get hats.

Mine says "I'm so fly I Neverland"

So clever don't you think?😂😂😂🤪

On Monday.....

We went somewhere I said I would NEVER, EVER, EVER, in my whole life go back.

But, grandparenting life has a way of biting you in the buttocks right?

My girls went to Disney EVERY single year for dance and cheerleading competitions (I think maybe 6 years in a row?  and so after that....I was totally over Disney world.

But, here I/we go! Back to the Magic Kingdom

This was the Philharmagic show. I love a 4-D show.

The BEST part of the day was when we decided to go to the restaurant Uno.

WE. WERE. EXHAUSTED.

PERIOD.

I mean like non other.

So....we wanted a quick pizza.

It was quick, but, at the end of dinner 

THE MOST MAGNIFICENT BALLOON ARTIST CAME TO OUR TABLE.

Y'all.

As an appreciator of art and anything artistically related, this guy was simply AMAZING.

The kids told Miquel what they wanted and just check this out....

I'm pretty sure he could have replicated me if I had asked....but I digress.

So....a little background on Miquel.

First of all he is ONLY at Uno - Lake Buena Vista on Mondays so if you go, just know you have to go on Monday to see him work his magic...

He is from Venezuela and has been in the US for 3 years.

Came to get away from the horribleness down there.

He has an engineering degree but could not find a job in his field so he started making balloon art.

AMAZING HUMAN.

Now, back to the resort where we stayed.

BEST. PLACE. EVER.

And economical for 6 people.

The Vistana Sheraton Resort

2 bedrooms, 2 baths, living room, and kitchen.

oh, and the most important thing.

A washer and dryer.

(I'm a washaholic)

Short drive to all things doable in Orlando

and remember the economical part of our SS decisions?

Well, we had Marriot points but I think it's only about 250.00 or so a night.

Really, who needs to stay in the parks anyway?

So....the next day we laid back and did one of the I don't even know how many pools, slides, putt putt courses or whatever your heart desires to do.

We chose the pool.

Perfect.

After we had enough of that, "W" took the kids to the slides and I took myself to the outlet mall.

OMG.

I mean, Ted Baker sales were unreal.  Ferragamo shoes? 1/2 of the price at Neimans.

I'm all about some shoes but since I'm simplifying my life, I refrained.....

Thank God.

I took these pics to send to my sister since she's a designer shoe um. person.

But...I did invest in a few Ted Baker scarves💪🏻

So, the next day we went to SEA WORLD!!!!

FUN. FUN. FUN.

The kids ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.

And, I got my education fix with the kids learning all about the sea animals.

The shows were just amazing!

And the rides, y'all.

First of all get the quick que (we were leaving at 3 so it was a must)

best. picture. ever.

Henry was safe and not traumatized I promise.

And no one threw up🤮

5 minutes in to our trip home H was out cold.

bless his sweet heart. He hung with the best of them!

We made it to my hometown in South Alabama pretty late and stayed there so we could see the newest member of the Boggs clan!

One day this lil guy will get to go on Summer Surprise too!

SO....back home we went!

All in all Summer Surprise was a HUGE success!

We can't wait for the two other B kids to be able to join us.

We are already trying to decide what to do for next year!

Please comment with ideas! Cause we're kinda running out of them!

Have a great day y'all!

xoxo

kb

A New Year and a New Home!

Happy New Year Folks!

I hope you guys are starting your New Year off right! 

Me? I haven't made one resolution.

Nor have I taken down my Christmas decorations😱

Last year, W and I decided in February we would finally lose the 30 lbs that both of us had put on.

We did the Keto diet.

It was super easy to follow!

W lost 30 lbs

and I lost 20.

(why is it so much easier for men🙄)

We both however, put it all back on over the holidays😱

SOOOO....back to the drawing board.

___________________

Hey, who likes to see a home renovation?

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Back in November we started looking for a home at the beach.

Sandestin, Florida to be exact.

We settled on a darling little bungalow in a great neighborhood.

One that was very, very dated but doable with a small budget.

And I love a good challenge.

Especially when it comes to saving money.  You know, best bang for the buck kinda stuff.

I got my budget together and got busy!

The house is great because structurally it needed nothing. Things that are really expensive (bath remodel, kitchen remodel, floors, etc.) were okay and could go into the 2nd round of remodeling. 

The things that needed changing were just cosmetic.

Soooo, I put on my designer hat (that I gave up years ago) and got busy.

I found tons of stuff at Pottery Barn Outlet, Wayfair, Macy's, and World Market, Home Goods.

I splurged on a few things from RH Design and Stock and Trade (my new favorite shoppe)

So, you ready???

Here we go

Before/after

White appliances, two tiered bar and lighting had to go.  All that stuff above the cabinets gone.

Bar stools - World Market - 400.00

New appliances - Home Depot - total cost - 3,200.00

Quartz Countertop - Destin Discount Granite - 2,500.00

Lighting - Southeastern Salvage - (with installation) 200.00

YIKES!

I wanted to replace everything in this room but budget didn't allow.

Artwork, lighting, white chairs and rug had to go.

Artwork - by me

Rug - Stock and Trade - 550.00

Bistro, and slipcovered chairs - Pottery Barn Outlet - 600.00

New light fixture - World Market - 450.00 (with installation)

Get ready for this one....

So this was just....well, you can see it for yourself.
Everything in this room was removed except the TV and the chair.

Sectional - Macy's - 2200.00

I painted over that painting - 😂💪🏻

Lamps - Home Goods, Stock and Trade - 350.00

Rug - Home Goods - 625.00

Coffee Table - 275.00 - Southeastern Salvage

2 End Tables - Home Goods - 200.00

Accessories/Books - 200.00

Next up?

Master Bedroom

It wasn't bad, just wasn't my taste.

First I changed all of the bedding.

The pale sea green coverlet and ivory coverlet at end of the bed - Frontgate Outlet - 150.00

Shams with inserts - Pottery Barn - 180.00

Decorative Pillows - Stock and Trade - 300.00

Bedskirt - Bed, Bath and Beyond - 35.00

Lamps (spray painted) 5.00

New lamp shades - 50.00

New Art - me

Walls painted - 250.00

Guest Bedroom 😱😱😱

I mean who doesn't want a Hawaiian themed bedroom???

So here I did new bedding.

Navy coverlet - Restoration Hardware - 300.00

Three square Euro shams - Bed, Bath and Beyond - 210.00

Decorative lumbar pillow - Restoration Hardware - 120.00

White duvet - I had the cover - insert BBB - 120.00

Dust skirt - BBB (Hotel Collection) - 45.00

Lamps are previously owned by my daughter

All artwork by me

Bed and furniture was from the upstairs bedroom

Painted walls - 250.00

Upstairs (3rd) Bedroom

Okay, so we changed this room up quite a bit.

We added two queen beds.  One we had, the other we purchased.

New Queen mattress, boxsprings - 650.00

Coverlets, pillows, duvet at end of bed, decorative pillow - Pottery Barn Outlet - (purchased day after Thanksgiving!) 650.00

Room painted - 250.00

Dust skirts - BBB - 90.00

Lamp - Home Goods - 120.00

From start to finish this took right at 2 weeks!

(Planning is the key)!

We are super excited about our new bungalow!

Have a terrific day y'all!

kb