weekend catch-up

- more grilling.....baby back ribs

I tried a new rub by A1. Here's what we did: Rub the ribs and wrap in foil. Bake @250 degrees for 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Peter put the grill on low heat {with smoker chips} and brushed rack with olive oil. He let the ribs cook 15-20 minutes {turning a few times}, then brushed with bbq sauce and grilled for 15-20 minutes longer. YUM!!!

 We had grilled asparagus, fresh tomatoes, and this flavored rice {which was pretty good}.

- It's Peter's birthday tomorrow! I made his favorite lemon meringue pie today. He opened his gifts last weekend while Nathan was home. The boys and Lindsey gave him a Sirius radio for the SUV for Father's Day/ birthday. He loves it and was super surprised!! Logan and Lindsey also gave him an Outback gift card and Nathan got him a Chase Elliott hat. He really, really loved my gift.....which I'll post about soon :0) :0) He was completely surprised!

- Things have picked up at the b&b and we've been pretty busy this week. I can't believe 2 months of the season have already come and gone, and we'll celebrate the 4th of July this week. As of today, I have 99 days of work left!!

- summer countdown update

JULY
6 days- July 4- *cookout/beach/fireworks*
13 days- July 11/12/13 *summer getaway
16 days- July 14-18 - VBS week
19 days- July 17- Lindsey's birthday

AUGUST
47 days- August 14/15/16 - Homecoming
63 days- Labor Day weekend

SEPTEMBER
67 days- September 3- Logan's birthday
68 days- September 4- Football begins!!
71 days- September 7- Bears first game of season

OCTOBER
99 days- October 5- last night for b&b season and......going to football game in Charlotte, NC (Bears vs. Panthers)!!!!!

grilled pizza

We checked off the first item on our summer bucket list today.....grilled pizza! Now, I've tried all kinds of pizza, but I think this pizza was the best  I've ever eaten!

It was super easy!

Here's my recipe:

Pizza crust- I pulled out my bread machine and made the basic pizza dough recipe.

I divided the dough in half and pressed it out flat. I sprinkled with corn meal (or you could use flour) so it wasn't sticky. Brush the grill with olive oil as well as the crust. Grill over low heat until edges start to bubble a little. Turn with tongs and grill a few minutes longer until crust starts to brown. Next,  I spread pizza sauce on crust and topped with pineapple tidbits, green pepper, onion, pepperoni, mushroom,  mozzarella cheese, and a little fresh parmesan cheese. I grilled a few minutes longer, until cheese melted and veggies wilted a little. Delicious!!!

#tbt disney dreaming

2008

Dreaming of Disney! Time to start planning our next trip!!!

The Simple Woman's Day Book: June

Outside my window....a gorgeous, sunny, summer day.

I am thinking....{actually worrying a little} about Nathan driving back to work tomorrow morning. The CBBT makes me nervous! Praying!!

I am thankful for....my family!

In the kitchen....

I tried soft shell crabs on the grill today and they were so good! Normally, we deep fry them, but a friend told me about cooking them on the grill {thanks Candice!}, so we gave her recipe a try. I lined my grill pan with foil, brushed the foil with olive oil. Put crabs on tray then drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Old Bay, salt, and pepper.

Grill on low heat, turning once.

D-e-l-i-s-h!

I also did a pan of yellow squash and onions on the grill. I brushed a foil pan with olive oil. Slice squash and onion and put in pan. Drizzle with olive oil and put a few pats of butter on top. Sprinkle with seasoned salt and pepper. Cook on medium heat. Turn frequently with tongs until tender.

I am wearing....pjs!

I am looking forward to....the 4th of July.

Around the house....still working on 30 Spaces/ 30 Days of organizing. Today, I emptied out the freezer in the shed, defrosted it, and did an inventory. I have so much in there that needs to be used up. I could actually cook for the next two weeks from what I have on hand, which I plan to do!

A favorite quote of the day....

One of my favorite things....

summer.....the beach.....flip flops!

top ten & pin it tuesday: summer bucket list

For the past two years we've done a summer bucket list. When I made the first bucket list in 2012, Peter and Nathan weren't exactly thrilled with the idea, but, I was pleasantly surprised when they joined in and actually completed it!

I decided to do another one last summer . This time, everyone was on board, but once Nathan started his job in August, it was left up to Peter and I to go through most of the list.

I decided to skip the bucket list chalkboard this year and just do a top ten list here. Most of these Peter and I will do together, and hopefully, Nathan will get to enjoy a little of this summer fun!!

{one} go kayaking

{two} go to a baseball game

{three} 4th of July bbq

{four} watch fireworks!

{five} make grilled pizza

{six} sunset on the beach

{seven} make pineapple ice

{eight} go out on the boat

{nine} visit a new place or try a new restaurant

{ten} Ocean City { no summer is complete without a walk down the boardwalk!}

Let the summer fun begin!!

I'll link up as we check off the list......

*grilled pizza
*4th of July
*watch fireworks
*boating
*sunset on the beach {bonfire}
*ballgame
*ocean city
*ocean city 2
*beach sunset
*chesapeake dairy
*try new restaurant
*try new restaurant 2

peanut butter brownie trifle

My family rarely asks for cake...not even on their birthday, so for Nathan's birthday today, I tried a new recipe for something sweet that I knew he would love!

Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

1 fudge brownie mix (13x9 size)
2 (13 oz.) pkg. miniature Reeses Peanut Butter Cups
4 cups milk
2 (5.1 oz.) vanilla instant pudding
1 cup creamy peanut butter
4 tsp. vanilla
2 (8 oz.) Cool Whip whipped topping (thawed)


1) Prepare and bake brownies according to package directions. Cool and set aside. Cut into small squares.
2) Cut peanut butter cups in half, set aside enough for garnish.
3) In a large bowl, whisk together milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Add peanut butter and vanilla. Mix well. Fold in 1-1/2 cartons Cool Whip. (Save remaining 1/2 container for top.)
4) Layer a third of the brownies, then a third of the pudding mixture, then a third of the Reeses, then repeat 2 more times.
5) Top with Cool Whip and garnish with remaining Reeses.
6) Chill.

I don't own a trifle bowl (it is something that is always on my to-buy list), so I borrowed my neighbor's Pampered Chef bowl. I really like that the base comes off and it has a lid for easy leftover storage in the fridge. Need to make a Pampered Chef purchase....soon!

This was sooooooooo good!!! 

I had all of Nathan's favorites.....chicken salad, hot dogs and sweet sausages/peppers/onions on the grill, shrimp dip, taco dip, watermelon wedges, this dessert and Mom made a cake!

It was Dad's birthday on Sunday, but Mom waited to make it today. She and Dad, Derek, Mom Mom Lois, and Peter and I, along with Kayla, and friends, Brad, Jonathon, Luke, and Hannah helped celebrate Nathan's special day!

Happy Birthday Nathan!!!!

happy birthday nathan!

Happy Birthday Nathan!!!!!

#specialday #happybirthday #6/20/95
#andrewtawesphotography #♥♥♥

wordless wednesday: s'mores

top ten & pin it tuesday: 4th of july

I love the 4th of July!!! It's one of my favorite holidays. Here are a few 4th of July pins I've been pinning.....

{1} flags & fireworks....

{2} lots of grilling ....

{3} yummy food....

a bowl of watermelon stars & blueberries

fruit skewers

or a tray of red*white*blue fruit

I love this idea of adding a little something sweet!
strawberries*blueberries*white chocolate pretzels

{4} sweet treats....

love these two trifle versions of the flag cake I made a few years ago

{5} patriotic tee......

{6} for the table....

I copied this idea last year, will do again! <3

{7} DIY....

another cute mason jar project

{8} 4th of july=beach fun

{9} and more food....

RED*WHITE*BLUE
Rice Krispy Treats

{10} bonfire.....

Linking up for: 

*all picture sources: pinterest