Memorial Day and an Unexpected Bonfire

We celebrated Memorial Day in the usual way. Family, fun, food......and a bonfire.

It started out with a challenge. We decided to cook ribs, which I had never cooked before. I went to my favorite source of information, the Internet. Reading several recipes I learned that slow and low was the best way to go. (hey, that rhymes) I prepared the ribs as directed, set my grill to the right temp and placed them on the grill. Now, I over estimated how big my grill was and the three racks of ribs didn't fit. I placed one on the upper rack of the grill and two on the lower. Imagine my surprise, after a while, to find that the ribs I had placed on the upper rack were cooking perfectly while those on the bottom were still raw.

After two hours, the ribs on the upper rack were perfect, but the bottom two were still cooking too slow. I decided (because it was close to time to eat) it crank up the heat. When it was time to eat (we couldn't wait any longer) I pulled the "perfect" rack off thinking we would start with those, turned the heat back down, and put the other two racks on the top rack.

I believe it was no more than 15 minutes, from the time I put them on the top rack, to when I went to check them again. When I opened the grill, I saw nothing but flames. Sometimes, when you grill you have flare ups from the fat dripping down. This was expected, but it took a minute for my mind to process the fact that this wasn't a flare up in the bottom of the grill, the actual ribs were on FIRE!

One was singed a little, but this one, was a briquette~ Black and charcoal all over. I still can't imagine how, after turning down the heat and putting them on the top rack, this happened.

Ah well, we had one delicious rack of ribs, one that was so so and then this one. It added a little excitement and amusement to the day.

Funny side note: My oldest daughter's boyfriend came over later and ate some and took the rest home. Goes to show teenage boys will eat anything!

Treasury Fun

This was inspired and mostly created by one of my daughters. She thought it would be fun to try so we searched and created together. I think it's pretty good. Though, when I checked the list this morning it was DEAD LAST in the list...lol. Oh well, it was fun to do with her. Maybe it'll spark some of that creativity lurking in her and she'll get some inspiration to create!

Second Treasury this Week

Okay, okay, I said I was going to feature my friends, but this time I wasn't totally altruistic. Although I didn't put any of my items (as if it would work) I was hoping to put together something timely so that it might have a chance of being FP material. I think it is, but, who can say? I'll share it with you, this may be the only way it gets seen...lol.

*oh wait, TenthStreetSaks is a friend...( the super toiletry bag second row, middle.) does that count?

**EDIT: after I posted this I went back to Etsy and, guess what, IT WAS ON THE FRONT PAGE! LOL too funny!!

You Put the Lime in the Coconut......

My new goal is to try to make treasuries. I think it is an important tool to getting yourself seen and out there in the Etsy community. So far, I haven't been picked for many so I thought, why sit and wait..I'll make my own. Now I don't put my own items in a treasury (although I believe it is allowed to have one), instead of thinking of how I can be put in them, I'll highlight all my friends, favorites, and fun things I find. Do unto others kind of thing...it keeps the focus off of me.

So, this is my new one. Be sure to check out LindaGJ.etsy.com. She is ALWAYS including me in her treasuries supporting the Houston team. She does the cutest artwork featuring her little black and white kitty, Peanut. Also be sure to check out Burntmill.etsy.com. I use her soaps and they are amazing. I'm going to be ordering that lime/coconut soap as soon as the treasury expires (lol, don't want it to disappear out of there).

Other great shops owned by super people are LoveErica.etsy.com and Stavroula.etsy.com. Both are my chat buddies and are always charming, helpful and encouraging.

oh yea, and click on my treasury...help me support these great artists.

Afternoon Snack

Yummy treat~ Jealous?

I grew up with a Dad who always had a garden. Tomatoes were his thing. He would have normal tomato plants growing six and seven feet tall with more tomatoes that we and our neighbors and friends could eat. It was commonplace to go out in the garden with the salt shaker, pick a huge tomato and sit and eat it. Hot and fresh off the vine.

Well, this is hardly the size my dad grew (it being a grape tomato and all) it still tasted wonderful, right off the vine.

I love Picnik!

I love this feature in Picnic~ If you pay their $25.oo per year fee you get many more options for the collage...but this one works just fine.

Pictured clockwise:

Fly Lariat Necklace - sterling silver lariat necklace with a fine silver bird charm (made by me).

Marseilles Necklace with Vintage French Cabochons

Brocade Necklace - Fine Silver Antique Button Charm

Riviera Jeweled Necklace with Vintage French Cabochons (real French Vintage cabochons and a one of a kind necklace)

Ah, it's fun to do new things...