GAME TIME APPETIZERS!!

Grab some napkins and get ready to munch, these "chicken wings" are yummy and easy!!! Just in time for football! 
These "wings" are almost as sloppy as traditional ones but a little different (like no wing :)  Here's two styles to try & just 2 steps:

I

INGREDIENTS

Buffalo chicken breast from the deli

Pretzel rods

Celery sticks

Blue Cheese dressing

How to/Celery Style 
(these have that nice crunch!)
Fill your celery with blue cheese, I like to use as much of the blue cheese chunks as I can get
Roll your sliced buffalo chicken around the celery stick 

How to/Pretzel Rod Style
(these are perfect when your wanting some carbs:)
Dip your pretzel rod right into the blue cheese bottle (yep, I keep blue cheese dressing just for this :)
Roll your sliced buffalo chicken around the pretzel rod

BAM!!! Your munchin and tailgating! 

STARTER HOME MAKEOVER!!...rental apartment decorating

We've been in little life change transition over here.  It's been crazy good, a little scary & a whole lot of holy guacamole what are we doing & how are we going to do it!!  All in all the general feeling is super excitement & were not looking back, we'll figure out all the details as we go :)


Since we're in transition, were renting a house; we've owned houses before but right now in a way this is our starter home.  Wow!,   It's kinda like I didn't know life would end up this way but now that I'm here I've got my life experiences to back me up.  So bring on the opportunities I'm ready!   

To put it mildly, this house isn't really my style and could really use some updating - big time! As all renters do, we compromise, it has a fenced in back yard, excellent school district just...well :) I don't want to put a lot of money into this place but I do want to make it our home, so the challenge is on!!!  

After we moved in, I stumbled across  Compass, a dreamy website that I wish was national because it's just the coolest way to find an apartment!  It's like talking to a good friend who is in the know about the neighborhood you want to move to.  Even though we've got our roots in the south now, I found myself exploring all the NY neighborhoods and was captivated by the beautiful photography on this website.  I loved the personal feel and can't wait to tour all of these NY neighborhoods the next time I'm in the area.  After getting completely side tracked, I got back to the task at hand...

Creating my "Shangri la"!! I could mention a whole lot of what this house doesn't have but why do that?  It has this upstairs, screened-in-porch off our master bedroom that has been calling my name!!

Since I don't want to spend a bunch, & I needed a lot of curtains I decided to make my own and since I don't sew I bought sheets in a poppy turquoise color, some clothing line hung them up and used the extra line to tie them...easy peasy!!

Next, I just grabbed a few things that were still in the garage (found my old typewriter in Mom's attic!!), made some cute stars, & blew up an air mattress. How easy, its just up to me to really enjoy this space that's now my home; looks like Dodger is totally lovin' his new view :)

I'll keep you posted as I get to other rooms but now off to a daydream :) 

WINTER TIME FUN... regardless of what climate your in!

Hey Everyone!
Since it's the change of seasons and I'm no longer in the cold this winter, I'm kinda seeing things through new glasses so to speak :)   I think this is the first time I've met people who haven't seen snow, WOW, right?!  Also, I guess it's the New Year so I'm feeling a little reflective.

I know how difficult it is to get through those days of winter - whether your wishing for sun or snow; I'm sharing a few of my favorite go to ideas that will make any climate fun.

CRAFTS!!, something about getting creative just makes me happy regardless of the weather!  
Making winter baubles will work regardless of the climate, you can make these in the snow or your freezer :)

This is a little crafty that really needs little explaining.  How can you go wrong regardless of the climate or person, I  mean how can you have stress when bubble wrap is around?!  Go ahead get to popping those seasonal blues!

Giving a fun little surprise gift just makes everyone happy!  Here's how to recycle those soap boxes.

If your on a creative roll try some of these fun ideas, it will be a new season in no time!

FOOD & DRINKS!

Nothing is better than a yummy cup of coco in the winter or a frozen Margarita in the summer, so why not switch it up? Call your friends & family and plan a winter time staycation (vacation at home).  (check out my yummy recipes for some more ideas).

Margarita Popsicles! are fun any time... We made these for Father's Day (& not to brag but these pop's were tweeted by Shutterfly!)

                                      I love, love, love

cranking salsa music in the heart of winter & having one of these pops!

If your throat is a little sore from those winter time sniffles or it's hot & toasty...frozen grapes are a tasty treat!

SMORES! They are sooo yummy anytime, you can have them by campfire or oven & they just are such a fun memory!

SNOW!  If you live where there is snow why don't you keep your snowman till summer? That's what we did last year - it's a fun little surprise in your freezer, that will keep those snowy memories frozen in time :)  Or try to make snow, we did last night, it's as close as you can get to the real thing and will give kids that haven't seen snow before some of the fun!

INSPIRATION!

Find your inspiration, whether from a friend, store, media or getting out of dodge so to speak.  Season's change & we all get tired of where were at sometimes, the thing is when we stop & really look around, its only temporary so we might as well have some fun right?

I'm sending each and everyone of you snowflake smiles & sunbeams of love, Have a fantastic day!