Upcycled: Patriotic Jars

I shared this simple craft on Mom It Forward earlier this week.  So quick and easy to create!  (And fairly disposable too!) Add some patriotic flair to your decor by upcycling a few glass jars with some red, white and blue.

Everyone has glass jars around the house.  Create some patriotic vases, or how about just a cute way to set out silverware for your summer BBQ?

Supplies needed:

• glass jars
• red, white and blue spray paint (yes, you could use acrylic...)
• painter's tape
• twine or ribbon

Tip: start your paint projects upside down, that way you're sure to get all of the tricky nooks andcrannies.

1. Gather your supplies.

2. Spray the outside of a jar with the white paint.
3. Spray the other jars with the blue paint.

Let the jars dry completely.

Take painter's tape and create "stripes" on your white jar.  It doesn't need to be perfect.  (It's an upcycled jar... so it's already kind of rustic and quirky.  Go with it.)  Spray red paint over the jar.

Remove the tape when dry.  Add some twine or ribbon, then decide how you want to use the jars.
Easy!

  

The SoCal Social is back!!!

OK, I am on a people meeting, relationship building, fun-having, networking roll over here!  After Haven and SNAP!  it is increasingly obvious to me how important our relationships are.  Life is short... play a little.

That being said, my friend Bev from Flamingo Toes and I are so pleased to announce that the second (annual?) SoCal Social is scheduled for October 20 in Historic Downtown Orange, California.

We designed this event to be an opportunity for Southern California bloggers to get together to meet, mingle and have some fun.  Our Swag Walk was a big hit, and Mark Montano was the life of the party.  Here's my wrap up from last year.

Last year was so successful that we have already heard rumors that bloggers from Northern California and Arizona plan to attend!  Woo Hoo!  We're pretty excited about that type of a response.  Keeping that in mind, we will be capping our ticket sales at 55.  Once we sell all 55 tickets, that's it.

The details:

When: October 20, 2012

Where: The Orange Circle, Orange, CA

How much? $45

Tickets will be going on sale at the end of July, and we'll give you plenty of notice so you can get yours.  Remember, we're only releasing 55 tickets, so you'll want to make sure you get yours asap.  To keep up with the latest, you can like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, add us to your circles/follow us on Google + or just plain ole follow us at The SoCal  Social blog.

Feel free to grab a button


   <a href="http://www.thesocalsocial.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AQkV0r0QdmE/T-v2wWXf-ZI/AAAAAAAAAG4/TqMNG4lASUk/h120/SoCal-Social-Button-2012.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a><br> Anyway, we're super excited! (The only bummer is that our pal Holly from 504 Main will be in the middle of a move and won't be able to join us.  Boo.)  Make sure to check in with us regularly... we'll be letting you know about all sorts of sponsors and fun details as we go!
Can't wait to see you all again!

What brought me to Haven.

I was in Atlanta for the Haven Conference last week, and I have to tell you that it was just fantastic!  I had high hopes after SNAP! (my first conference) and Haven did not disappoint.  What made me decide to attend?  Meeting the people I have developed friendships with online.

First of all, I hit the jack-pot in the roommate department...

All of my roommates are drop-dead gorgeous, super-duper creative and talented and had great senses of humor.  I loved them!  Pamela from PB&J Stories, Kim from Sand and Sisal and Ann Marie from White House Black Shutters were even more fabulous in real life than I imagined.   

This is the point where I could describe all of the fab classes I sat in on, or all of the things I learned, but instead I am going to briefly tell you My Blog Story and how I got here...

When I first started my blog it was so that I could chronicle the things the boys were doing.  (Grant Stories, anyone...?)  I don't scrapbook, so this seemed like a good way to do it.  

I had no idea there were other blogs out there.  

None.

  

I have a writing background, so gradually, social commentary and stories from my life started showing up on my blog alongside the funny stories about the boys.   Then one day, I noticed a 1 in front of the word "comment."  

A comment?  

What is that about?  Turned out it was a mean comment.  (That comment eventually became my first unofficial Hate Mail post.  Read it HERE or search Retorts)  Anyhow, I couldn't understand where this guy came from.  Once I figured out how to see where readers came from, I was shocked to discover that people besides my mother and uncle were reading my blog.

Someone came from a site called Thrifty Decor Chick.  I was intrigued... I'm thrifty!  I love decor!!  I'm a chick!!!  I clicked that link and fell down the rabbit hole into crafty/DIY blogland.

I read everything Sarah, the Thrifty Decor Chick, had written up to that point, then I scoured her blog for more.  Through Sarah, I found Melissa from 320 Sycamore, Kate from Centsational Girl and Chris from Just A Girl.  I started reading and discovered that there was an entire online community of people who think like me, DIY like me, thrift like me... (I can hear Slim Shady right now, can you?)  

I joined my people and started to post my projects.  That's how I got here, and why The V Spot is the way it is today.

My bloggy besties aren't into the DIY thing, but they encourage me to follow where my creative paths lead. Friends on line are still real friends.  If you had told me that 4 years ago I would have thought you were a nut job.  Now I know better.  

I was super excited to see blog friends that I had previously met:

1. Stacy from Not Just A Housewife, who is adorable inside and out.  I love her!  

2. Tauni from The SNAP Conference is a Renaissance Woman.  She juggles speaking engagements, running conferences, a family, and still has enough time to talk to me bloggers and encourage me them. 

3. Gina from The Shabby Creek Cottage is deee-lightful.  She is one of the nicest people I have met and is super talented.  (Be sure to check out her shop too.)

I am kind of cranky that I didn't get a photo with one of my very favorite blog friends, Brittany from Pretty Handy Girl. Boo. 

Kate, Sarah and Chris, along with Rhoda from Southern Hospitality (who was the boots on the ground to make Haven happen) Marian from Miss Mustard Seed,  Kristi from Creative Kristi, Traci from Beneath My Heart, and the uber-fabulous Beth, from Home Stories A2Z were the fabulous organizers of this conference, and I am so grateful for their hard work, and for the opportunities to make some new friends:

1. Sandra from Sawdust & Paper Scraps.  I must confess:  I have a HUGE Girl Crush on her.  I thought she was hilarious and she speaks smart-ass, so we got along great.  She is my people.   

2. Miss Charming from Charming Zebra.  She didn't think I would remember meeting her, but I do! How can you forget a sweet person who even matches her business cards?!  Adorable! 

3. Debbie from ReFresh ReStyle is every bit as sweet and lovely as I thought she'd be.  I loved meeting her!  

And... 4.  One of my goals for Haven was to meet Heather and Vanessa from At The Picket Fence.  I flat out adore these two sisters who live on opposite sides of the country and share one blog.  Love it and love everything they do.

Oh!  And on top of all of the fabulous people I got to meet and classes I got to take...?  In addition to all of the fabulous swag we were given, I won a new  iPad  from Homes.com and a 31 piece set of drill bits from Ryobi!  Seriously!  I never win anything! So Cool!  (I'm glad I brought the iPad in my carry on baggage or the TSA agents in Atlanta might have swiped that too!)

**Note: I actually did pack other clothing, but I didn't take any pix with my "real" camera until the last day.  Think of all the wrap up picture taking like yearbook signing...

The cherry on top of my Haven cake was getting to spend extra time with Amy from Mod Podge Rocks.   She didn't attend the conference, but she lives in Atlanta so I got to hang out with her for an extra day and night.  My whole family fell in love with her when she stayed with us a few days back in May.  She returned the favor and I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out and just visiting.

We visited Stone Mountain.  Amy called it the Mt. Rushmore of the South.

Thanks to Amy for making sure I wasn't homeless on Saturday, and thank you to all of the fabulous people I met.  You all made the Haven Conference great!

You can read other Haven Wrap-Ups HERE.



This article contains affiliate links

The Atlanta TSA stole my son's yo-yo.

So I just got back from The Haven Conference, which was fabulous and I'll tell you all about it in the the next few days.  There were lots of great sponsors there and one of them, Fish Foam, was giving out toy yo-yo's along with samples of their product.  
Most women aren't that into yo-yo's, but I wanted one for Grant.  My roommates gave me theirs to bring back for him too.  I wanted several because he is notorious for getting them snarled into terrible knots and ruining them.  Basically?  I wanted a few spares.  
I had 3 in my suitcase, which I checked.

When I got home, I opened up the suitcase to give Grant one of the three yo-yo's.  Sitting on top of everything was a notice that the TSA had searched my bag.

I wasn't surprised they inspected the bag... I had won a set of Ryobi drill bits and had lots of weird things in there from the conference.  I bet lots of Haven attendees had baggage filled with DIY swag and had it inspected on their way home.

I pawed through everything looking for the yo-yo's.  Two weren't there anymore.  I searched every nook and cranny.  One yo-yo... not three.

You guys?  The TSA stole my kid's toys.
Perhaps they thought I had so many that I wouldn't notice...?  I bitched and moaned and posted my cranky status on Facebook.  I tweeted it.  And I reported it on the TSA's website.

Is it a teeny, tiny little thing of no monetary value?  Yes.
Is my world going to be affected by this crime? No.
Am I pissed off that someone whose job it is to keep us safe, is stealing yo-yo's instead of making sure I don't have explosives?  Yep.
Is it the principle of the matter? Yep, yep, yep.

Does Grant care?  Not a whit.

When I was finished with all my rants and reporting, I gave him the yo-yo:

Me: "Hey bud! Look what I brought you from my conference!"
Grant: (turned it over in his hands a few times...)  "Thanks mom, but I'm not really any good at yo-yo's."
He handed it back to me and walked away.

Yo spelled backwards...?  Oy!

Grillin' tips: 3 fresh ideas to top off your hot dogs.

Handsome Hubby and I love to cook, and we love having friends over for dinner.  Sometimes it is a complicated menu, but there are plenty of times when we just want to have a good old fashioned BBQ and grill some burgers and hot dogs.  

The nice people at Hebrew National asked me to whip up a few yummy toppings to serve on their 100% kosher beef hot dogs, so we invited over a few friends and got to cooking.

Here's what we came up with...

The creaminess of the diced avocado balances the spicy kick of the coleslaw.

1 cup mayonnaise
2 Tbsp honey
juice of 1 lime
2 tsp finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1/4 head of green cabbage, finely shredded
1 cup shredded purple cabbage
1/4 cup finely diced red onion
2 Tbsp fresh, chopped cilantro
(Fresh avocado, diced)

In a non-reactive bowl mix the mayo, honey, lime juice and chopped peppers add the cabbages and onion, toss to coat.  Garnish with cilantro. Spoon over the hot dog and fresh avocado.


And this one too...

Is there anything as tasty as grilled onions?  Maybe grilled onions with bacon.  And cheese. (BTW - yes, I know bacon isn't kosher.  If you keep kosher... don't add the bacon.  Simple.)

2 yellow onions, thinly sliced (I cut mine into half circles)
4 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp fresh cracked pepper
1/3 cup whiskey or bourbon
1/2 lb bacon, diced and fried crisp
shredded jack and cheddar cheese

In a large skillet melt butter over medium-high heat.  Add onions and brown sugar.  Stir to coat then let sit without stirring for about 2 minutes so the onions can brown.  Stir every minute or so until they have some nice color and are soft.  Add the whiskey.  (Be careful as it will splatter a bit and send up a lot of steam.) Stir in the pepper and remove from heat.   Spoon over hot dog and top with bacon and cheese.  (Adding a little spicy brown mustard is yummy too.)


Several years ago Handsome Hubby took a trip to West Virginia and was introduced to this hot dog: yellow mustard, chili and creamy coleslaw... 

Messy, but SO good! (Apparently back in WV there is much controversy over whether or not the chili or the mustard goes on first.  I personally don't have an opinion either way... it tastes good no matter how you add the toppings.)


For the chili
2 Tbsp oil (I use canola)
1 yellow onion, finely diced
1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground pork
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp oregano
1 tsp cumin
1 bottle of beer
1 chili brick (available in the deli/cheese section)
2 cups of your favorite salsa

In a large stock pot, saute onions over medium heat. While onions are sauteing, brown ground beef in a skillet, crumbling it into small pieces. Transfer into stock pot with slotted spoon.  Using the same skillet,  brown the ground pork.  The oil from the beef prevents the pork from sticking and imparts a bit more flavor.  While pork is browning, add the beer, spices and chili brick to the pot.  Add the pork to the pot and bring to a low boil.  Stir in the salsa, turn burner to low and simmer for at least 2 hours. (I use a diffuser for this to ensure the chili doesn't burn on the bottom.)

For the coleslaw
1/4 head of green cabbage, finely shredded
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 Tbsp olive oil
juice of 1/2 sweet lemon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper

Mix all ingredients but the cabbage in a non-reactive bowl.  Add the cabbage and toss to coat.  Garnish with a little fresh parsley or cilantro.

We had such a good time!

Good food, good friends... there's not much more you need, right?
Oh!  Well, what about a weekly chance to win a $100 gift card to the grocery store?  Or what about a chance to win a trip to New York City to take in a baseball game?  Sounds great, right?

Hebrew National has a special contest just for their Facebook Fans.  Head on over to their Facebook Page, "Like" them, then enter The Hunt For Hebrew National: Snap & Share Photo Contest.  I entered  the contest and shared this photo...

With all of the special toppings I made, this little guy said "It's good just by itself."

Hebrew National tastes great because, for more than 100 years, we've adhered to the highest quality standards. Hebrew National all-beef franks contain no artificial flavors, no artificial colors, no by-products, and no fillers. That's our guarantee. They are made with premium cuts of 100% pure kosher beef and provide premium taste and high quality every time, for any occasion

 Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Hebrew National via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Hebrew National.

Linking this to Home Stories A2Z

 

5 blogs you should be reading.

Since I'm hanging out at The Haven Conference, I thought I'd share a few of the blogs I really love (even though I am woefully behind in my reading.)

R We There Yet Mom?



I've mentioned this blog before.  Becca is chock full of great travel tips, reviews and information.  Especially, especially fabulous for those of you who live in the Austin, TX area.  She's the mama of 3 and loves to travel and explore.  I have gotten some really great tips on creating summer adventures for Grant.

Empty House, Full Mind

With the exception of Mr. Grant, my guys are old enough that I think about them leaving the nest soon.   I don't need to worry about diapers, developmental toys, choosing a pre-school or finding organic juice boxes any more... I worry about paying for college, and whether or not we've raised good people, (and how much fun Handsome Hubby and I are going to have when they're all outta the house.)

Sharon is very witty and is a fantastic writer.  Her observational posts about life now that the kids are out of the house are a treat to read, even if you've still got little ones at home. No matter where you are on your parenting adventure, I strongly suggest you give her a look-see.

Redoux

 

Karen is a self-proclaimed Francophile.  She says she was supposed to be born a daring French Girl... c'est la vie!  She also has pink hair.  I wanted to meet her at the SNAP! Conference, but at the last minute she couldn't attend.  Boo.
She also has an amazing knack for transforming dumpster dived objects and roadside rescues into the most GORGEOUS redone furniture pieces.  (Hence her blog's name.)   She hosts a fab linky party on Fridays and never ceases to inspire me.

Homework

Carolyn is amazing.  It seems every single day she has some fabulous new tip or project.  For lack of a better word, I would describe her projects (and blog... and her demeanor) as elegant.   She has a real talent for upcycling and hosts a linky party on Tuesdays, as well as an ongoing one where you can see a big list of current giveaways around the blogosphere.  I don't live too far away from her, and I hope someday to meet her in real life.  (I will try really hard not to act like a star-struck dork.)

Mural Maker and More

First of all, Colleen is a crazy talented painter  (And not just the spray paint kind, but a bona fide artist...) ... they even trust her talent enough to let her teach classes!  Tragedy struck her family in May and she bared her soul by sharing her story and working through some of her pain by writing it down.  Having read her posts about her husband, Marlon, I just love her even more.  
By the way, I think she is the "Go-To" expert for all things Google Plus related.  If you are at all confused by those G+ signs you see everywhere, Colleen can set you straight.

I hope you check out these fab blogs and add a few new favorites to your reading list!

Summer inspiration.

While I'm in Atlanta at The Haven Conference, I thought I'd do a little recap of some previous summer posts.

Have you checked out my post on turning an old washing machine drum into a fire pit?

Perfect for camping or the beach.

How about making your own Pottery Barn inspired shell candles?

And did you catch my recent post about choosing a sunscreen...?

Important stuff!

Heading out to Hot-lanta!

I am on my way to The Haven Conference in Atlanta today!  After my fabulous experience at the SNAP! Conference, I am very, very excited to be going.  I am looking forward to meeting my roommates: Kim from Sand & Sisal, Ann Marie from White House Black Shutters and Pamela from PB&J Stories.


The only thing I'm worried about?  Atlanta.  In June.  
I think no matter how I try to fix my hair, I am going to end up looking like this:

Humidity?  You are not my friend and I don't like you even one little bit.

I'll be posting updates from the conference.  You can follow along with me on Twitter and on Instagram

By the way, I am guest posting at The Elegant Nest today. Come on by and say hello! 

Easy, make ahead Baby-back Ribs... just in time for your summer BBQs.

With summer here and 4th of July festivities just around the corner, lots of people start thinking about BBQs.  Burgers and hot dogs are usually the go-to menu, simply because they're so easy.

You know what else is super easy and can be prepped ahead of time?  Ribs.

Want to know how to give them loads of flavor and then have them so tender they just fall apart on you? Rub them, smoke them, then bake them.  (You can finish them up on the BBQ if you really want to, but we don't.)

I cook my ribs based on Emeril's recipe in this cookbook: Prime Time Emeril: More TV Dinners From America's Favorite Chef I make his Orange Chipotle Glaze, which is ah-mazing.  I combine equal amounts of Chinese Five Spice, kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper in a bowl and rub into both sides of the racks of ribs.

If you don't have a smoker, no worries.  Wood chips can usually be purchased in any grocery store, near the charcoal.  Soak the wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes.  Set your gas BBQ to low, or get your coals to a nice low temperature.  You want it about 250 degrees or so.  Make a foil "trough" for the wet wood chips to sit in, put it on the grill and close the lid.  When the chips start smoking, add the racks of ribs.

I smoke them for about 30 minutes, then bring them in and wrap them in plastic wrap then wrap them in foil.  (The first time I tried this, I worried that the plastic wrap would melt all over the ribs while in the oven.  I guess the foil protects it, because it was fine.)

Bake them for about an hour and a half at 350 degrees, then let them sit about 20 minutes.  Unwrap, coat with that fab glaze or your favorite BBQ sauce and cut apart.

You can cook them up, cut them and then just keep them warm until your guests arrive.  Easy-peasy!

Bacon Waffles with a Peppered Egg (So bad for you, but SO good!)

I had kind of an odd Father's Day Weekend.
Handsome Hubby took the two younger kids and went up to spend the weekend with his parents (they live about 3 hours North of us...)  I wanted to stay around to make sure that Devin and Conner got through their first Father's Day without their dad (they did, they spent time with their uncle and his family)  so I ended up spending Father's Day weekend with (gasp) my Father!

My sister and I spent the weekend at my parents' house.  It was just the 4 of us, which I don't think is something that's happened for about 20 years!  (No husbands or kids, just us.)

My mom made an amazing (really bad for you) breakfast on Father's Day morning.

Bacon Waffles with a Peppered Egg.

Oh my word, but this was good.
She fried up little bits of bacon so they were nice and crispy, then she mixed up a basic waffle batter (using Bisquik, I think) and added the bacon and a generous dollop of good vanilla extract to it.  While the waffles were cooking, she fried up the eggs (in the bacon grease!) with a lot of pepper.

Bacon Waffle...  Egg on top of Bacon Waffle...  Warm syrup over Egg and Waffle.

Good grief it was good.  What did you do for Father's Day?

I must brag a bit. I must.

OK, I am proud of all of my boys, but can I just take a moment to brag on Conner?

Most of you know that Devin and Conner went through an emotionally exhausting experience in March.  For three weeks, they basically lived in the hospital at their father's bedside during the final days of his battle with colon cancer.  (You can read about that HERE.)

Both boys are doing remarkably well, but Conner had the added hurdle of catching up with his school work.  He is a funny, exceptionally bright kid who is in Honors and AP classes.  As a 9th grader, he is taking classes alongside 11th graders.  No easy task.

Due to all of school he missed, Conner's grades dropped to D's and F's in all of his classes.  He took his last finals yesterday and he just checked in with his counselor: He brought everything up to a A's and B's and made the Principal's Honor Roll.  That means he not only made up three weeks' worth of past due assignments, he caught up on the knowledge he missed AND kept up with current lessons.
(Just think about that with something like math, which builds on itself... you have to catch up on what you missed before you can learn the current stuff.  Amazing!)


Woot!  For all my worrying about him, Conner really is in pretty capable hands... his own.

(*UPDATED: A reader pointed out that Conner (and all of us) are in God's hands.  Yes! Absolutely!  We are still so grateful for the many prayers that you all sent up for our family during that horrible time.  I posted this update on Conner to illustrate as an answer to those prayers... that the boys would find strength, and be resilient, and have faith that all things are possible with God.)

Keeping a busy mind occupied: VTech Switch & Go Dinos

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of VTechKids for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

One of the perks that blogging sometimes brings me is that I get to try out new products.  On occasion, the boys are able to enjoy these opportunities.  Grant, like most little boys, loves dinosaurs.  And cars.    So when I was asked if I would like to try out Switch & Go Dinos from VTech, I said Yes! immediately.  (And by "I", what I really meant was Grant.)

He was told there would be a box coming just for him.  Watching him open it was a delight.

I had not seen him this excited since Christmas morning.  While I read the outerpackaging, he immediately sat down and thumbed through the product manual.

He was thrilled to discover that he had received cars that could switch into dinosaurs (and back again!)

Grant loved playing with these toys as cars and as dinosaurs.  There is an interactive LCD screen that shows a driver when the toy is a car and eyes when it is a dinosaur.  The dinosaurs share fun dino-facts and the cars make zooming, racing noises, which, when accompanied by Grant's own sound effects, it sounds like Wild Kingdom combined with a Nascar race.  (The best part?  He is so busy playing, I don't think he realizes he's learning too.)

He has thoroughly been enjoying these and I think they will make great gifts.  I am always needing Little Boy" gifts for birthday parties and these are very affordable, starting at about $16. Buy today on Amazon.

What do you think?  Do you know any little boys (or girls!) who would like these?  They were sure a hit over here.

Have fun!