Lemon Shake-Up

Who’s loving summer?  Yeah, me too!

Who thinks it’s been ridiculously hot.  Yeah, me too.

Who is always on the lookout for a refreshing drink that’s easy to make?  Yeah, me too.

Today I want to share with you one of Nate and I’s summer favorites.  The Lemon Shake-Up.

I had not experienced the wonders of the Lemon Shake-Up until I met Nate.  That husband of mine is good for so many things.

Is your mouth watering now and you’re wondering how to make this delicious concoction? Well, you’re in luck.  I will share our super secret recipe with you. Don’t let the simple ingredients fool you. So good.  And very low calorie!

Here’s what you’ll need…

Lemon Shake-Up Ingredients (1 serving):

• 1/4 cup Splenda or sugar
• 14 oz water
• 1/2 lemon
• ice

The secret ingredient is the water. Bahaha.

1. Squeeze lemon juice into a container with a lid.  (You will be shaking it later.)  Use a utensil to muddle the lemon in the bottom of the container. Muddle is a fancy word for mush.  Nate taught me that.  It’s important to get all of that juicy goodness out.

2. Add water and ice.

3. Add Splenda (or sugar)

4. Shake!!  Make sure your lid is on tight!  Singing that “Shake It Like a Polaroid Picture” song is optional.

5.  Check with the dog to make sure it’s ready.

6. Enjoy!

What’s your go-to summer drink?  Who’s sweating to death? Who else thinks muddle is a funny word?

Double Shower Curtain

If you’ve been reading awhile, you know that I’ve struggled finding the right shower curtain for our guest bathroom.  The room is long and narrow with high ceilings.  There is also a shortage of cute shower curtains in the world.

I think I solved my design dilemma. I went with a double shower curtain and I like it.  If you don’t, please keep your opinions to yourself or I will virtually slap you.

Wait, let’s start over.  Good morning/afternoon/evening.  Welcome to Décor and the Dog!  I just updated my guest bathroom!

(Also don’t tell me to rip up my cheap linoleum floor (previous comment).  It’s tile.  It was installed 3 years ago.  It photographs more tan than it appears in person.  It wouldn’t be my first choice today but life goes on.)

Wait, what.  Again…good morning/afternoon/evening…

The rug is the Olin runner from Crate and Barrel. The shower curtains are actually just plain ol’ curtains.  They are the Target Home Farrah Fretwork Window Panels in black.  The curtain rod is the Zenith Double Tension Shower Rod from Bed Bath and Beyond. 

The curtain rod was not easy to install.  You were supposed to be able to twist and install.  We’re still unsure how you twist with two rods.  The rods kept moving and lacked tension.  Luckily the curtain rod had the option to screw it into the wall.  And that’s what Nate did…while I Instagrammed (a verb) him.

When I originally saw the double shower curtain idea on Pinterest, I was confused as to how you showered without getting water all over the floor.  There’s a gap in your shower curtain.

Where does the liner go?   A double rod!  That’s genius!  Sometimes it’s hard having a doctorate…

Ike thinks the double shower curtain is for easy dog access.

Guess he’s right!

This room is by no means done.  We need to figure something out with that giant mirror.  Overall I’m happy with the decisions we made when building our house.  I’m not so happy with our builder grade mirror decision.  I’d love to rip it down but that’s not exactly an inexpensive/easy fix.  We’ll see.  I think we have some plans for some moldings in here as well.  Maybe new light fixtures?  And of course art…and some color!  But we’re making progress!

Was anyone else previously confused by the double shower curtain? Who feels virtually threatened by this post?  Who thinks I have a problem with black and white bathrooms?  Yeah, me too.  It’s a sickness.

Michelob ULTRA Light Cider Review

Can you believe it’s already the end of June? Yeah, me neither.

The husband and I have decided that we need to start enjoying this summer before it slips away from us. Part of our problem is that we both have a bad habit of wishing away the work days. There are still a few good hours after 5:00 PM that we need to take advantage of.

One easy way to enjoy those after 5:00 PM hours is cooking something on the grill with a cold beverage in hand.

We recently had the opportunity to try Michelob ULTRA light cider.



The husband is a beer dude but I’m picky when it comes to alcoholic beverages. They must taste yummy. Unfortunately tasting yummy usually means loaded with calories. No bueno. The Michelob ULTRA light cider has only 120 calories which is one-third fewer calories than traditional ciders. This drink is naturally sweetened and made from hand-picked apples. Fancy. It tasted like a green apple hard candy. It had a crisp, light, and refreshing taste. And can you believe that it’s gluten free? There are a few good things left in life for you gluten free readers.



I like my drinks very cold. I’m not as bad as my mother who puts ice in her white wine but I’m getting close. Michelob ULTRA cider can be enjoyed from the bottle or over a glass of ice.



I usually think of ciders as being a fall drink but the Michelob ULTRA Light Cider is quite refreshing on a hot summer evening. It’s a great substitute for white wine, champagne or heavier ciders.
We are looking forward to many more nights of grilling and ice cold beverages ahead.

Want to know more about Michelob ULTRA Light Cider? Visit the sponsor's site.

Also be sure to check out the Michelob ULTRA Light Cider page on Blogher.com!

Which favorite summer meal or activity do you think would go best with Michelob ULTRA Light Cider? We think Chicken Hobo or Parmesan Crusted Steak followed by some Bocce seems about right!

Build It or Buy It

I’m a total blog liar.  I WAS going to take a break.  And then I got a last minute e-mail that I needed to post today in order to participate in an ad thing.  Eh.  Why not?

Nate and I had a discussion at supper last night. I asked him if he was interested in building something this week-end.  He gave me the annoyed husband look. I told him that I wasn’t sure he loved me.  He gave me another annoyed look.  I took it further and let him know that he could help me build something this week-end or buy me something to prove his love.  I’m a good wife.

This post is to aid in his decision.  He can build me something or buy me one of these suggested items to prove his love.  Send the Wife of the Year award my way!  Or one of these items if you’re feeling extra generous.

1. TOMS ballet flats   2. JCREW tote   3. The Wheatfield print   4. Kirkland's bar stool 5. Anthropologie Farmers Market basket

What do you think?  Should Nate build or buy?  What are you drooling over these days?

Pass It Project Recipients

I was going to continue with Chicago today but I’m too lazy to edit photos.  All-Star blogger right here.  I actually think I need a little bit of a blog break.  I’ve felt this need in the past but I fought through it.  This time I’m going to give in.  I’ll be back on Monday with a full week of posts!  Some of which may actually be house related.  Whoa.

Last Friday I posted some information about the Pass It Along Project.  I did a little random.org action and the two recipients of my handmade creations will be Mindy (Finding Silver Linings) and Maury (Life On Mars).  I’d better get started soon!  These two are talented ladies so the pressure is on.  I encourage the rest of you to find some blog buddies and keep the Pass It Along project rolling!

Okay, that’s it. I’m out until Monday.  If you miss me too much, I’m sure I’ll be on the Instagram (decorandthedg) or the twitter and maybe even the facebook…because I have a social media problem.

Anyone else feel the need for a blog break?  Who is going to continue on with the Pass It Along project?  Anyone else recently discover the wonders of the maxi skirt?

Eating Our Way Through Chicago

I tried to get a post together for yesterday but my stomach was too large to hold my laptop.  Don’t worry.  I’m not preggo.  I just ate my way through Chicago this past week-end. I was telling one of my co-workers about our trip and she asked if we did anything besides eat. The answer was “not really.”

Nate and I headed to the Windy City with one of my best friends from childhood and her husband. 

We’ll call them Mr. and Mrs. A to protect their identities.   Mr. A had never been to Chicago and it had been awhile for Mrs. A.  Nate and I go about once a year but we usually strike out on food.  You all’s recommendations came in very handy and you most definitely didn’t let us down.

Two warnings:  1. Don’t read this if you’re hungry.  2. Our food photography is atrocious.

We arrived in Chicago around lunchtime on Friday.  Our first food destination was Portillo’s.  Nate did a much better job of photographing the food he consumed.  I did not.  Neither of us used the DSLR that I lugged around.  Blogger fail.

Portillo’s was delicious.  I had a chili cheese dog and Nate had Italian beef.  So very good.

After walking off Portillo’s, we headed for some Chicago style pizza.  Giordano’s is Nate and I’s Chicago style place of choice.  We love the buttery crust and massive amount of cheese.

Mrs. A and I were doing our part to keep Chicago classy.  Those pieces are deceiving.  We were all disgustingly full after two pieces.  I swore I would never eat food ever again after this stop.

And then Saturday morning rolled around and our first stop was Yolk.  I am thinking about selling my 2800 square foot home and using that money to buy a 300 square foot studio in downtown Chicago just so I can eat at Yolk every morning.  I could write and entire post on my love of Yolk.

I had the Cinnamon Roll French toast.  Life changing.  I am still having dreams about this French toast.  I am thinking about framing this photo and hanging it on the wall just for the happy memories.

We then waddled our way around the city.  I’ll share the waddling stops tomorrow.

For supper on Saturday night we stopped at Rock Bottom Brewery.  We left miserable once again.  Such good food.  Nate and Mrs. A were big fans of the fish tacos.  My Hickory Bacon BBQ burger was also quite delicious.  Like you know you should stop eating but you can’t delicious. (All of you on bump watch, please note my Lemon Drop Martini.)

Beings that we are gluttons for punishment, we headed to Ghirardelli’s Ice Cream.  I can’t go to Chicago without a stop at Ghirardelli’s…and we were running out of time.

You can see my pores leaking grease and sugar.

Nate swears that the hot fudge sundae was the best he’s ever eaten.  I still don’t think I can pass up my chocolate ice cream in a chocolate dipped waffle cone.

Who’s hungry?  Any fans of the above places?  Do you want to frame that Cinnamon Roll French toast also? 

Pass It On Project

Have you all heard about the Pass It on Project?

The Pass It On Project is all about spreading joy through handmade items.

The principle is simple.  You receive two handmade items.  One if yours to keep, the other is to pass on to someone who could also use some joy.  Who couldn’t?  You then make two items and then send them along to a blog friend.  Your blog friend then repeats.  It’s one vicious joy cycle.

Guess what? I recently received some handmade joy in my mailbox from the lovely Amy over at Buffalo Roam.  Amy is hilarious. You should 100% read her blog. She just moved into her new home that her family put a lot of love into.  Beings Amy had nothing better to do, she whipped up these beauties.

Aren’t they cute?  Such a simple idea that has big impact.  And who doesn’t love a personalized gift?

Ike loved it.  Really.  He did.  He just hates the camera now.  Silly dog.

The framed letters looked perfect in our mudroom.  Amy’s good!

Thanks so much Amy! I smile every time I look at it.  The frame is a nice reminder of the fabulous people I have encountered through this little blog!  The “Live” frame will soon find a home with one of my good friends.

I’m going to do my joy spreading a little differently.  Because I’m different. 

Who would like to receive some handmade joy from me?  I will send two people some handmade goodness for them and a friend. I already have an idea in mind.  It’s fun.

Leave a comment below if you’re interested in participating in the Pass It on Project.  If there are more than two of you (I’m waiting for crickets on this one), I will use random.org to select two bloggers that I will announce sometime next week.  If you’re not one of those two, I will encourage you all to look through the comments and find others to continue on the spreading of handmade joy.  Deal? Deal.

Granola Bites

Nate and I recently thought we’d try this thing where we eat better. We don’t eat horrible.  We only eat junk food on the week-ends.  We do, however, eat an okay amount of packaged products.  We’re slowly transitioning to a more cleaner way of eating. 

We both like granola bars.  I eat a lot of them.  I decided to be a hippy and research making my own.  By making my own, I am aware of all of the ingredients in them. I like that.

I think I have finally perfected the art of granola bar making.  Well, I make bites. I like bit sized things.  They trick my brain into think I’m eating more.

My food photography still amazes me.

These bites are so good that I will no longer buy granola bars.  I make these at least once a week.  It’s a slight obsession.

Want to make your own delicious from scratch granola bites? I knew you did.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 C. quick oats
• 1/2 C. crisp rice cereal
  • I used Rice Krispies because I need to finish the box.  A less sugary option will be my next purchase.
• 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • You will probably want a little more if you are using a non-sugary rice cereal.
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 C. canola oil
• 1/4-1/2 C. honey
  • This varies every time I make it.
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 C. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, raisins, M&Ms, whatever you like!

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350.  I always forget to preheat my oven. I wish my oven could read my mind.  That would be amazing.

Mix together all ingredients except for the chocolate chips.  You want the mixture to be well mixed.  The oats will start to clump a little.  If your mixture seems to dry, you can add more honey or oil.  I prefer adding more honey. It keeps the bites from being too greasy….like my hair currently.  Mmmm, appetizing.

Once the oats are well mixed.  Add in the tasty stuff.  I’m a fan of Nestle’s Chunks.

Grease a mini-muffin tin.  I use cooking spray. 

Scoop the mixture into the muffin tin.  I usually fill each one to the top using a cookie scoop.

Bake in the oven for 13-14 minutes.  You want the tops to be lightly golden brown.  (If you cook the bites too long, they will be dry.  If you don’t cook them long enough, they will fall apart.  Honestly, they will taste delicious no matter what.)

Seriously.  When is the Food Network going to hire me as their photographer?

Pop out the bites and store in an air tight container.  My bites don’t last long.  These things are so stinking good. 

Any fellow hippies making their own granola out there?  Any other good granola recipes? 

I’m 30 Quilt

So, I’m participating in this Block a Month thing over at In Color Order.  Well, sort of participating.

To quote myself… “Once a month.  That’s pretty low pressure.  Finish a quilt top in a year.  That’s about right on schedule for my normal projects.  Let’s do this!”

Ummm.  Yeah.  I finished January's on time.  I finished February's at the end of March.  Follow through isn’t one of my strong points.

I have now decided that this quilt is going to be named the “I’m 30” quilt.  When I snuggle up with it as a rocking old lady, I will remember that I made it in my 30th year of life.  I’m using this as motivation to actually finish it in my 30th year.  And beings that June is half over and I was only on February, I decided to get to work.

I now present you with March’s block.

And April’s block.

April’s pattern is my favorite so far!

I’d totally be killing this quilting thing….if it was April.  At least I’m not extremely far behind now.

That would totally keep my….arm warm? 

I’ve been eyeing old quilts at antique shops.  Most of them sell for around $80. I can totally see why now.  Quilting is no joke.  My squares aren’t perfect but I can’t wait to have a quilt made by little ol’ me.  I will finish this thing.

Anyone else stink at follow through?  What’s the most recent thing you’ve started and failed to complete?  Anyone else participating in the Block a Month?

Summer Sunday Mornings

I know I’ve mentioned it before but I really love Sunday mornings.  It’s my favorite morning of the week.  I thought I’d document a little of our summer Sunday morning.  I have a feeling it may change in the next few years and it will be nice to remember a little slice of our quiet mornings.

Sunday mornings usually start with Ike and I waking up and heading downstairs while Nate sleeps later.  We grab the Sunday paper and plop in on the kitchen table.  And yes, it’s almost 10:00.   Life is good.  I usually don’t sleep this late but we had a busy Saturday and not much planned for Sunday.



Hydrangeas from the yard always put a smile on my face.  Especially in the morning.



Sometimes we run.  Sometimes we don’t.  Yesterday wasn’t a run day so we hit up Pinterest for a breakfast idea.  Yesterday morning’s selection was Glazed Donut Muffins.



Good choice. Good choice.

While I was mixing up the muffins, Ike and Nate catch up on some tv.  I know some bloggers are into showing their homes “as is” and it looks like a hurricane has hit.  This is our “as is”.  We are both pretty OCD.  Nate’s in denial about his condition but it’s true.  We like a tidy home.  Minus a stray dog bone and some smushed couch cushions/pillows.



Ike gets bored with the television and decides to keep a close eye on his fox.



I set the table as the muffins finish up baking.  Only the fanciest table setting at our house.



The muffins come out of the oven and get a good triple glazing.  We don’t mess around on Sunday mornings.



We read the paper.  The Food Network is on in the background.  Ike keeps a close eye on us.



After breakfast, we clean the kitchen and get on with the rest of our day. Yesterday’s “rest of the day” included some cleaning and yard work and a whole lot of wasting time on the interweb.  It was a scorcher out!

Man.  Can every morning be Sunday morning?

What do your Sunday mornings look like?  Any great breakfast recipes for us to try?  I’m running out of new stuff!  I like easy.  Nothing with vegetables.