Guest Posting Today @ Remodelaholic

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I'm guest posting today over at Remodelaholic. Head on over there and check out my post! You can see my guest post right here.

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Thank you Cassity for having me as your guest blogger today! 

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Weekend Kitchen: Spring Linguine with Basil

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This pasta has so few ingredients, I wasn't sure if it would have much flavor.  Boy, was I wrong - it is light, flavorful, and delicious!

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Ingredients

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- 9 ounces uncooked fresh linguine ( I used whole grain; it makes me feel a little better about the massive quantities of pasta I consume. . .)

- 1 cup shelled fresh green peas

- 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

- 1 clove garlic, minced

- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil

- 2 ounces shaved fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

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I'm a fan of pretty much any recipe with fresh basil.

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Have I ever mentioned how much I love my juicer?  It's definitely one of my favorite kitchen tools.  And a tip I learned from Martha - before juicing a lemon or lime, place in the microwave for 20 seconds.  Heating up the citrus will release more juice.

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Preparation:

.1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Add peas to pasta during the last 2 minutes of cooking time. Drain pasta mixture in a colander, reserving 1/4 cup pasta liquid.
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Unfortunately, I ended up using frozen peas because the ones I saw at the grocery store didn't look that great.
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2. Heat oil, butter, and garlic in pan over medium heat 1 minute or until butter melts. Remove from heat; stir in pasta mixture, reserved pasta water, juice, salt, and pepper; toss well.
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3. Divide pasta mixture evenly among 4 bowls; top each serving with 1 tablespoon basil and about 2 tablespoons cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.  Serve immediately.

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I really, really liked this pasta and will definitely be making it again.
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Recipe adapted from Cooking Light Magazine, May 2010.
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I've linked up to Tasty Tuesdays @ A Beautiful Mess.  Check it out!
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In Bloom

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I love this time of year.  Being surrounded by things in bloom makes me so happy.  Sometimes I think I may have missed my calling as a owner of a garden center.  I would love to work in a greenhouse all day!

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My peonies did really well this year.  I had so many huge blooms and my house has been full of peony bouquets for the last week.

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To say I'm obsessed with my peonies may be putting it mildly.

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My Siberian Iris plants were also in bloom this week.

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And these pansies are growing in a pot on my porch.

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These purple petunias are part of a hanging basket on my porch.  I didn't realize how many purple flowers I had until I started looking through these pictures.

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I'm really enjoying the view from my front porch right now.

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Soon my hydrangeas and roses will be blooming.  I can't wait! 

Patio Cushions

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Two of my outdoor patio chairs were in desperate need of new cushions.  I bought these chairs a few years ago and the original brick-red colored cushions had become really faded and discolored after a few summers in the sun.

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Here are the chairs before:

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There was no way I was going to put these chairs out again this year looking like this!

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Of course, this project was on my to-do list all winter but I somehow managed to put it off until last month.

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I started by using trace paper and tracing the existing cushions to make a pattern.

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I pinned the patterns to the fabric and cut out the pieces.

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Once I had the pattern pieces cut out, I wrapped them around the existing cushions and pinned the fabric around them so that I would know where to sew.

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Sewing was a bit tricky, but I'm pretty happy with how they turned out - and they definitely look much better than the old cushions!

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Now that these are finished, I am officially ready for Summer.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!  My Dad helped me put up a new flag up just in time to celebrate the holiday.

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*** The fabric I used for the cushions is by Waverly from their Sun N Shade Collection.  The pattern name is: SNS Lovely Lattice, color is: Citrine.

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I've Linked up to: Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch, We Did it Wednesday @ Sew Much Ado, The Boardwalk Bragfest @ Bobbypins Boardwalk, Show and Share Day @ Just a Girl, Show & Tell @ Blue Cricket Design, Transformation Thursdays @ The Shabby Chic Cottage, Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple, Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic, Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous,

Fabric Fun Thursdays @ Cheap Chic Home.

Sew Much Ado - Flashback Friday

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Abby @ Sew Much Ado has a feature every Friday on her blog called Flashback Friday.  Every Friday she selects a blogger to share something that was made for them or that they made for someone else.  She asked me to participate this week!  Head on over there and take a look.  You can see what I shared right here.

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If you have never been to Sew Much Ado, I think you'll like what you see.  This project is on my list to make for next year and isn't the Ruby Lou Doll the cutest thing ever?  What little girl wouldn't love her?  Abby also has a link-up party every Wednesday called We Did it Wednesday.

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Thanks Abby for asking me to participate in Flashback Friday today!

You Capture: Sky

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This weeks You Capture challenge @ I should be folding Laundry is sky. 

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I didn't think that I would be joining this week but as I sat here the sky started turning beautiful shades of pink & purple.  I couldn't resist taking a few shots.  Looks like a beautiful Summer sky, doesn't it?  I hope this means that Summer is here to stay!

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Weekend Kitchen: Mixed Baby Greens with Eggplant

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I make this salad quite a bit in the summer.  It might look and sound a little strange but it's really good!

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Ingredients:

- Mixed baby greens

- Italian style bread crumbs

- Eggplant (a narrow one is best)

- Red & yellow bell peppers

- Cherry tomatoes

- Goat cheese crumbles

- Olive oil & balsamic vinegar

- 1 egg

1/4 c. milk

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Whisk egg and milk in bowl.  Slice eggplant.  Coat in egg/milk mixture and then coat with bread crumbs.

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Drizzle a tablespoon or two in fry pan and cook eggplant.  A few minutes on each side is all it takes to cook them up.

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While eggplant is cooking prepare greens & toppings.

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Look at that pretty lettuce!

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Drizzle salad with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

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Top salad with eggplant & enjoy!  The warm eggplant melts the goat cheese and tastes delicious.  Now I'm hungry!

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