The Patio Low Down


Last week I shared some pics of my newly made-over patio but now I want to share the nitty-gritty of the process. We refinished a few pieces that were destined for the curbside, made a few pieces with basic carpentry, found some cool stuff to buy with American Express Membership Rewards Points (of course) and DIYed the rest. I’m excited to give you the scoop.

If you happened to read my “before” post, you know that one of our biggest challenges was the big gray cement floor in the courtyard. We considered many excellent suggestions from staining cement to area rugs to decking…
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The Season of Cozy: 25 FREE Knit+Crochet Projects for Baby

Cool mornings, hot soup and lazy football weekends are all on the way, it’s The Season of Cozy! Sounds like the perfect time to pick up a new crafty skill and learn to knit or crochet with one of these adorable projects for baby. I’ve been hearing of so many people picking up the basics on YouTube and becoming masters of the needles +/or hook in no time. Check out 25 FREE Knit + Crochet Projects for Baby

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How to Grill Pizza (+ The Easiest Pizza Sauce Recipe)


Grilling pizza is of course delicious, it’s also crazy easy, a good way to use up random what-nots from your refrigerator, and a super fun activity to do with your kids. We love grilled pizza so much, and there’s just one little trick to having a perfect grilled pizza every time.

Also, we always make our own pizza sauce, because the recipe is just about as easy as buying pre-made pizza sauce, but less expensive.

We have been enjoying a lot of potato pizzas lately (with dill, yum), but also usually do one traditional grilled pizza for the little lady.

So, let me share my pizza sauce recipe and show you how to grill pizza…
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Link Love

Peruse a slew of lovely tutorials including this gorgeous rag rug at Maggie Made.

Turn your kid’s drawing into a pillow using this crazy cool technique from inkodye.

Cute Food For Kids rounds up 14 Decorative Straw DIYs.

Every Little Day turns one of Made By Joel’s fun coloring sheet into an adorable embroidery pattern.

AND

I would like to find a discarded bench and do this with it.

Jaime’s dog has this and it’s getting to that point. She is sad. Anyone out there coped with this? Any thoughts on preparing your kid for the passing of a beloved pet?

Netflix tip: Try not to watch every episode of Party Down in one sitting. We dare you.

Over on our facebook page, a reader asked for some ideas and inspiration for her one year old’s Top Gun themed birthday party. Umm, YES. So far my favorite (I think, it’s a tough call), is a play area labeled “Danger Zone.” Give her some more ideas in the comments!

Are you following us on twitter? I’m kinda becoming obsessed with it. Like this week when Martha Stewart asked “am i hip?”

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A Healthier Zucchini Bread Recipe (Made with Whole Wheat Flour)


With our zucchini growing in overdrive, I make this recipe AT LEAST once a week (this and our zucchini pickles and gallettes). I usually make two or three batches at a time, then give away mini loafs like zucchini bread is going out of style. I’ve tried many things to improve upon the recipe, but it really is best just as is. I discovered it in my favorite cookbook of all time, The America’s Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook. This should be in every family’s arsenal, and they don’t pay me to say that. It gives a healthier way to make just about every basic recipe, and a ton of inspiration for healthy, yet delicious, family meals and desserts, along with lots of basic cooking advice and instruction.

I’ll share my version of the Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread recipe after the jump, I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine.
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GIVEAWAY WINNER: Sewing In A Straight Line by Brett Bara


OOPS! I think we forgot to pick a winner of Brett Bara’s lovely new book Sewing in a Straight Line. So let’s do that, shall we? This lovely new book features many simple and sophisticated projects, all sewn with straight lines.

And the winner is…
Mel Titus Tsai said…
My first sewing project I remember doing was with Girl Scouts, we put a patchwork quilt together for some type of charity…. I remember the leader moms being frustrated that the corners weren’t matching up correctly… but what do you expect of 4th graders sewing?!? 🙂

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The Laziest DIY Cushion Slipcover


After much research, I came to the conclusion that no fabric cushion was going to survive the soul-draining afternoon sun of my Texas Patio. Plan B – Disposable slipcovers. I set out to make the simplest possible covers for my existing cushions from inexpensive {but fun} fabric with the full intention of replacing them next season. Do you have a box cushion that you want to cover in a jiff? Here’s how to make the Laziest DIY Cushion Slipcover.

And actually, I’m loving the way the black is fading (yes, it is already fading after a month) so maybe we will keep these around even longer than planned.

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