shrimp boil and banana splits

Handyman's parents are visiting this week. We always love when they come for a visit. Our time always seems to include a house project, taking in a current movie (this weekend it was Snow White and the Huntsman), lots of down-time and conversation, and of course, good food.

My mother-in-law loves to cook and collects much of her inspiration from watching the Food Network and the Cooking Channel. Except, this lady watches the show, then goes to the grocery store and purchases all the necessary ingredients, and whips up some tasty meals.

This weekend, my mother-in-law treated with a classic New England dish, shrimp boil with clams and lemon. She served it with a buttered bread on the side.

Shrimp Boil with Clams and Lemon

Photo: Shrimp Boil with Clams and Lemon

Dinner was topped off with one of my Mother-in-law's favorite chef's dishes -Paula Deen. We're such big fans, we may or may not have flown to Savannah for a weekend last fall just to eat at Paula Deen's restaurant, and eat a slice of her pecan pie, which we may or may not still talk about.


Frozen Banana Split
This is a serious summer dessert. Using classic sundae toppings and ice cream sandwiches, it delivers a banana split ice cream sundae all in one bite. It's easy to make too. Just allow enough chilling time.

What did you do this weekend?

top five {may}

Just in case you missed one, here are my top five posts from May:

1) front steps
where I shared why we rebuilt our home's front entry steps

2) favorite souvenirs
where I shared my favorite souvenirs from our recent Costa Rica trip

3) boston cream cupcakes
where I shared how to make these classic pastry cream filled cupcakes from scratch

4) if you give a mouse a cookie
where I shared why how we went from just painting a room to a complete-down-to-the studs makeover

5) practical home accessories
where I shared some of my favorite home accessories and where to purchase them

A special thank you to my readers! Thank you for stopping and reading my blog. I appreciate all your comments and for joining me on this journey as we take baby steps towards updating, renovating, and decorating our little yellow cape.

hardwood

Progress is moving {slowly} on our family room makeover.

After a little more research, we decided cork flooring, posted about here, was not the right choice for this room. According to those we have spoke to, it doesn't hold up as well as we need.

(Of course, if I thought I could get away a polished cement floor, I would. But that may be a tad too modern for our little yellow cape.)

We decided to go with a factory-finished hardwood from Home Depot. It needs time to acclimate to home's temperature and humidity before installation.

Verifying that we didn't have a hidden gem hiding under the vinyl brick flooring.

No such luck. Just the typical plywood sub floor.

Here's hoping we will have a new floor for this room soon. . .

color blocking with flowers

The other night my daughter had her end of the year chorus concert. My chivalrous husband thought ahead and bought her an inexpensive bouquet of flowers from the grocery store to celebrate the event.

That night we got home late, so I just dropped the entire bouquet into a vase of water and forgot about it. The next day, I knew these pretty little flowers needed some more care to ensure the longest life possible, so I took my cue from one of today's hottest trends, color blocking.

un-arranged flowers

Color blocking is one of the hot trends in both fashion and home interiors. But with a little know how and some simple household supplies, you can transform any boring bouquet into a trendy arrangement.

  

SUPPLIES

• flowers
• water filled vase
• scissors
• clear tape
• measuring tape

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Measure the height of your vase and the length of your flowers. Decide the vase to flower ratio. (For example, a 3:5 ratio -where the container equals 3, the flowers equal 5, and the entire arrangement equals 8).
2. Cut your flowers' stem -this is best done under running water. Cut the stems on angle to allow for maximum life. Remove any leaves that will fall below the water line -this prevents bacteria growth.
3. Tape off sections of your vases. (Make certain, the vase is dry. The tape won't stick to a wet surface.) For this particular arrangement, I created a simple grid.
4. Arrange the flowers in your vase. I wanted a diagonal stripped color block, so I started with the tall yellow lilies in the back corner and worked my way to the white daisies.

Actually, in the wold of floral design, color blocking is not new, as evidenced by the Biedermeier style originating in 1815 in Austria and Germany.

There are so many fun ways arrange flowers. What are your favorites?


Linking up to SerenityNow, SundayRoundUp, It'sOverflowing, BNOTP, Debbie Doos, MopItUp, Making the World Cuter, LinesAcrossMyFace, NifyThrifty, CRAFT, HomemakerOnADime, MadeByYou, MadSkills, KurtzCorner, SweetAnneDesigns, S3, HowtoNestforLess, NotJustaHousewife, CoastalCharm, Carolyn'sHomework, SugarBeeCrafts, ClaimingOurSpace, MyUncommonSliceofSuburbia, aBowlFullofLemons, CozyHomeScenes, theMommyClub, GingerSnaps, SavvySouthernStyle, OrganizeandDecorate, DIYByDesign, UncommonDesign, Michelle'sTastyCreations, LiveLaughRowe, ShabbyCreekCottage, FirefliesandJellbeans, HouseofHepworths, the36thAve, LovingThisCrazyLife, FindingFabulous, AtthePicketFence, TheShabbyNest, ALittleKnickKnack, 30HandmadeDays, CheeriosAndLattes, ClassyClutter, NYMelroseFamily, , MakingLemonade, BlissfulandDomestic, TipJunkie, One ArtsyMama, ThrifyDecorChick, 52 Mantels