Fun Summer Movies!

I was trying to think of all the things that make me think of Summer! I already gave you my list of favorite summer cocktails, so I thought it was very fitting to do a list of fun summer movies to go along with those cocktails! So, after you are too tired from the pool, and the kids are in bed, pop that popcorn, grab that drink and enjoy!

National Lampoon's Vacation!

Every summer the Griswold Family goes on a little trip. This was the summer cross-country drive to Walley World theme park. There are so many hilarious twists and turns that make you happy you didn't travel the country with them!



Meatballs!

This is a Bill Murray movie so you know it will be funny. This is a movie about summer camp where hijinks's are inevitable!



Indian Summer!

Indian Summer is a story about adults who return to their childhood Camp Tamakwa to save it from being shut down. For anyone who has been to summer camp as a kid, this is a fun movie and will definitely bring back memories of your youth!



Endless Summer!

1968 Movie about two young surfers who go searching for the perfect wave around the world!



10!

Dudley Moore's character sees an attractive beach babe played by Bo Derek and then follows her to Mexico! I'm not a huge fan of Moore's but still, it's a classic and many laughs!



Beaches!

On the beach in Atlantic City, 11 year old CC Bloom and 11 year old Hillary Whitney strike up a friendship that will endure through life's many obstacles. Fantastic must see movie!



One Crazy Summer!

One Crazy Summer was the second film that made John Cusack a heartthrob with the ability to make you laugh. Remember him in Better Off Dead, I still laugh when I see that one! Cusack's character heads off with his buddy to Nantucket Island to get away from his love forsaken life. There, he meets Moore, a raspy singer who is trying to regain control of her grandfather's home. Not as funny as Better Off Dead, but if you love John Cusack like I do, its a must see comedy.



Weekend at Bernie's!

Two goofy nerds try to pretend their murdered employer is still alive but still try to keep him away from the murderer! Kind of a stupid movie that just makes you laugh!



Happy Relaxing!

Another Book Review!

Well I just finished Rosie Dunne and yes folks, she did it again. I told you before how much I adored P.S. I Love You, well this book was another home run!
I think I loved this book just as much. I am so in love with Celia Ahern, that I will be heading to the library to check out a few more from this amazing author.

Rosie Dunne and Alex Fletcher have been best friends since the age of five. Their story plays out in a series of emails, text messages and even IMs between themselves, family and friends. While Rosie and Alex are exchanging these messages, a trail of missed opportunities keep getting in the way.

They are the living example of the right love at the wrong time!

Any girl who has fallen for her "were just friends" type of guy will be able to relate to this book. It’s funny, heartbreaking, upsetting, pathetic and touching all at the same time. I cried a lot reading this but then again I can cry at a drop of a hat!

This is the copy I have!



But this is another way the book was printed! Same exact book, different title and cover!



"A home without books is a body without soul.”
Marcus Tullius Cicero quotes (Ancient Roman Lawyer, Writer, Scholar, Orator and Statesman, 106 BC-43 BC)

I Love CSN!

As many of you know, I did my first giveaway not too long ago. I was so excited for it to be with CSN stores because I had read from so many fellow bloggers, how wonderful the company is! Since I have nothing but time on my hands, waiting for my ankle to heal, I have been bookmarking several things from the CSN websites. I have been trying to decide which room needs a makeover or should I say which one I would like to give a makeover. What I like about CSN Stores is that they have over 200 online stores where you can find everything from dining room sets
to luggage, and even school supplies. Yes, you heard me. If you don't want to brave the crowds come school time, go to CSN and order them. I'm telling you they have it all!

Well I haven't yet figured out which room to do because I can't stop drooling over these lights! Aren't they amazing?







Well I am excited to say that I will be doing a product review for CSN very soon. So stay tuned, who knows what I will pick!

Our Garden, Oh How It's Growing!

Remember a while back my post on How Does Your Garden Grow?
Well, the garden has sure changed since those pictures were taken.
We've been able to munch on a few things and are eagerly awaiting some other yummy treats! Lets tiptoe through the tulips shall we? Ok, maybe not tulips but how about some Day Lilies?

This is our first Day Lily of the season! A friend's father in-law makes his own version, so there isn't a name for them!



Look at all the buds! Soon this whole spot will be bursting with Lilies!



Same Lily, my husband thought it was so pretty it needed two pictures!



Here is a picture of the whole garden. Please ignore all the weeds. If I didn't have this darn cast on, it would be weed free!



Yummy Peas!



Cucumbers!



Beans!



Tomato plants! Look closely and you can see a little red one in there!



We have been having fun picking strawberries! But so have the ants!
Hey, where is that lawn boy, the grass needs mowed?



Blueberries!



And even more blueberries!



Onions!



Green Peppers!



I hope your Friday is a beautiful one!

BOOK REVIEW!

I just finished reading another one of Jennifer Weiner's books called
Certain Girls and I have to say, she did it again! Every time I read one of her books I find myself laughing out loud! This book is a funny and poignant follow up to her book "Good in Bed". So if you haven't read "Good in Bed" read that first, it too was fantastic!

Brief Description:
Who could not fall in love with Cannie Shapiro, a smart, single, sharp witted, recovering from a bad break-up heroine of Good in Bed. She writes a book about her relationship that quickly becomes an overnight sensation and changes her life completely.

Fast forward 13 years when Cannie is married and the mother of a 12 year old girl. Joy is a typical adolescent daughter who is embarrassed by everything her mother is and does. Cannie is a mother who only wants to protect her child basically from the world. When Joy discovers Cannie's book and starts reading what must be her mother's life story, with more sexual details than she'd like to imagine, she begins questioning everything she knows about herself, her mom and her family.

An absolute worthy sequel!

The book I'm reading now is Rosie Dunne by Cecilia Ahern. She is also the author of P.S. I Love You. I adored that book. Seriously it was one of my favorites. Now some of you may remember that was a recent movie. I have to say I did enjoy the movie but thought there were too many key things left out from the book! In my opinion the book will always be better. This book is a must read!



I won't tell you anything about Rosie Dunne until my review, which will be coming soon!

Happy Thursday and Happy Reading!

~ Chicken with Honey Dijon Apricot Glaze ~

Have you ever felt it was just too hot to make dinner? Well, yesterday was just that kind of day. In fact it was almost too hot to eat! I haven't been in the kitchen much since my surgery, so my husband is the one who gets stuck with deciding whats for dinner. Thank God he doesn't look at it as a punishment like I do! Remember, I'm the one who would rather do laundry then cook! He really enjoys it! He uses cooking as a kind of therapy after a busy day!

Instead of a frozen pot pie, which is something I might have throw in, this is what he created for dinner last night!



The chicken was so tender and juicy. There was a nice sweetness from the apricot preserves and honey and that little kick you get from the mustard really sealed the deal. He served the chicken with risotto (he used chicken stock instead of water), spears of veggies and fresh fruit!

Ingredients for Glaze on chicken

1/4 cup apricot preserves
1/2 jar of Grey Poupon Dijon mustard
1/3 cup Honey
salt
pepper
brown sugar
4 breasts cut long wise = 8 pieces

Poke several holes in each chicken piece. Take salt, pepper and brown sugar and rub all over each piece of chicken. Let sit in dry mixture for 1/2 hour.

For glaze:

In a bowl, combine apricot preserves, mustard, and honey. Cook in microwave until fruit is melted and heated through.

Place chicken on grill over medium heat. Cover and grill until chicken is no longer pink, turning half way through cooking.

Remove each piece of chicken and dunk in glaze and return to grill for about 2 minutes and enjoy!

Summer Cocktails!

It's officially summer! So you know what that means? Yep, cocktails!



I decided that before I would show you some yummy looking recipes, I thought I'd take a little quiz. It's called the........

"What Kind of Cocktail Are You?"

The results are in and..........

It says I am undoubtedly a Daiquiri
This means ~ Your easy-going nature and pleasant disposition make you a welcome guest at any gathering. Like a daiquiri, you know how to put people at ease and ensure a good time. Hmm, what do you think, am I a Daiquiri kind of gal?

Now look at all these cool and refreshing cocktails I found ~

Watermelon-Mint Margarita


Ingredients
4 cups seeded and chopped watermelon
Fresh lime juice
Sugar
1/2 cup tequila*
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon grated lime rind
1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 3 limes)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
Garnish: fresh mint sprig

Preparation
1. Place watermelon in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze 4 hours or until firm.

2. Coat rims of cocktail glasses with lime juice; dip in sugar.

3. Process frozen watermelon, tequila, and next 4 ingredients in a blender until slushy. Pour into glasses. Garnish, if desired.

*1/2 cup orange or apple juice may be substituted for tequila.
Southern Living, July 2006

Honeydew Mimosas


Ingredients
1/2 medium honeydew melon (about 4 cups), cubed
1 cup crushed ice
1 tablespoon sugar
1 (750 ml) bottle sparkling wine, chilled
Garnishes: lime wedges

Preparation
Combine first 3 ingredients in a blender. Process until smooth. Pour mixture into a large pitcher; add sparkling wine. Pour into glasses. Garnish, if desired. This recipe can easily be doubled. Just be sure to make the mimosas in 2 batches. For best results, chill melon overnight.Yield: Makes 6 cups
Coastal Living, January 2003

Pimm's Cup


Ingredients
3/4 cup Pimm's No. 1
2 cups ginger ale, chilled
1 1/3 cups sparkling water, chilled
4 lemon slices
1 medium cucumber, halved lengthwise and cut into 4 spears

Preparation
Fill 4 tall (12-ounce) glasses with ice cubes.
Pour 3 tablespoons Pimm's into each glass. Pour 1/2 cup ginger ale and 1/3 cup sparkling water into each glass; stir to combine. Garnish each serving with 1 lemon slice and 1 cucumber spear. Serve immediately.
Cooking Light, August 2004

Cosmopolitan Slushy


Ingredients
10 ounce (1 1/4 cups) citrus-flavored vodka
1/2 cup Rose's lime juice
2 cups cranberry juice
4 ice cube trays

Preparation
Combine vodka, lime juice, and cranberry juice in a pitcher with 2 cups water and stir to blend. Divide between ice cube trays and freeze at least 4 hours or overnight (the drink cubes will freeze only partially). Just before serving, empty trays into a large bowl and using a fork, break up cubes to loosen ice crystals (the ice will be slush like). Spoon slush into tall stemmed glasses and serve immediately. Yield: Makes 6 servings
Real Simple, June 2000

Bloody Mary Punch


Ingredients
1 (46-oz.) container low-sodium vegetable juice, chilled
1 tablespoon freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon hot sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
1/2 cup vodka (optional), chilled
Celery sticks (optional)

Preparation
1. Combine vegetable juice, next 5 ingredients, and, if desired, vodka in a punch bowl or a pitcher. Serve over ice in glasses. Serve with celery sticks, if desired. Yield: Makes 1 1/2 qt.
Southern Living, February 2008

Now go to Martha Stewart
and see for yourself what kind of cocktail you are!