glassware vases kitchen decor

Last month I visited Antiques on Second here in Milwaukee and couldn't seem to stop noticing the blue vintage Ball jars. Apparently it stuck with me because ever since, I've been noticing glassware all over the place. I'm not sure how it came to me to use it as kitchen decor, but it did.

I bought clear and blue Ball jars, clear and blue soda bottles, and clear milk bottles from Michaels and Target.

I also bought fake flowers from Michaels. I bought four single stems and four bouquets, which I cut into single stems so that I could distribute them among more vases. Of course you can use real flowers, but gardening isn't my thing, and I don't like to keep real plants in the house with the cats anyway.

 I really love the soda bottles.

The combination of the blue and white here makes me very happy.

I'm also in love with my new fake wood backdrop that I previewed on Instagram a couple weeks ago.

Here it is, displayed in my kitchen. Both of these shelves were already installed when we moved in, and the top one has sat largely empty for three and a half years. Decor items are perfect for it because it's too high for me to reach without a chair.

Of course I had a kitty helper assist me with cutting the flowers, arranging the vases, and most importantly, taking the pictures. Does anyone else have an ever present kitty photo helper?

 I can't even call this a tutorial because it's just pretty glassware and fake flowers, but I'm so happy with the result. If you need a simple display for virtually any room in your house, this is a great option.

I'm also sharing my kitchen decor as well as some other ideas for kitchen decor using mason jars over on HubPages.

Has anyone else been decorating at home lately?

in my kitchen

One of my goals over the next couple years is to document more of my recipes.  Many of the meals that I prepare on a regular basis are my own creations or heavily modified recipes.  I want to be able to pass these on to others someday.  I also simply enjoying sharing them.

HubPages is having a recipe contest next month so I'm saving up a couple new ideas to turn into great articles.  For now, I'm sharing a few of my older standards.  Enjoy!

What's In the Fridge Cobb Salad

I make salads for lunch on a fairly regular basis.  Most of them are a variation of a Cobb salad with what we have on hand and whatever dressing I'm currently loving.  This is what I included in the pictured salad above.

Handful of lettuce, torn (spinach leaves work well, too)

3-4 slices cucumber, diced

3-4 cherry or grape tomatoes, diced

1/2 avocado, diced (or if you're like me and don't live with anyone who enjoys avocados, the whole avocado)

2 slices deli meat, shredded (I used sliced ham and chicken)

small handful of shredded cheese (I used Colby Jack)

small handful of croutons (we bought these, but you can make them)

I did not include hard boiled eggs, but this is another great option that I sometimes use.

Sloppy Joes

This is a modified Rachael Ray recipe.

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound ground beef

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

2-2.5 tablespoons steak seasoning (I use McCormicks)

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 8 oz. can tomato sauce

Pour the olive oil in a large frying pan.  Brown the ground beef.  About halfway through cooking, mix the brown sugar and steak seasoning.  Add the mixture to the beef.  Finish cooking the beef.  Drain the grease.  Add the red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato sauce.  Mix well.  Simmer for 5 minutes.  I like to serve it on toasted buns with cheese.

I chose to pair my sandwich with some simple raw veggies and Ranch dressing and chips.  There are many great side options for sloppy joes.

Pork Chops

I did document this recipe on HubPages a while back.  You can check it out here.

Garlic Parmesan Pork Chops

Cheesy Orzo

This is another recipe from Rachael Ray.  I don't use a lot of her recipes, but this pasta and the sloppy joes are two of her best.  I cut this recipe in half, but otherwise I didn't make any modifications.  If you're cooking for a larger group, you can easily make a double batch.

1 cup orzo pasta, uncooked

2 tablespoons olive oil

1-2 cloves garlic, diced

1 small yellow onion, diced

1 14-16 oz. can chicken broth

3/4 cup shredded cheese of your choice (I usually use a mix of Colby Jack and Parmesan)

Coat the bottom of a large saucepan with the olive oil.  Cook the garlic and onion for 4-5 minutes or until the garlic has browned slightly.  Add the chicken broth.  Cover the pan and bring to a boil.  Add the pasta.  Turn the heat to low and cover.  Stir the mixture every 3-4 minutes until the pasta has absorbed all of the chicken broth.  Add the cheese and stir until it's melted.  Serve.

The broccoli that we ate with this meal is simple steamed broccoli.  Delicious and healthy but nothing too exciting.

What are some of your standard recipes?  Feel free to share recipe links!

I included this post in Michelle's Delicately Constructed Friday 5/11/12.

Friday feature: it's a lime party

My husband and I are in the process of finalizing the purchase of our first house.  We do own the condo that we live in now, but this will be our first house.  We close next month.  I thought that it would be fun to do a party theme here for my weekly feature since we're hoping to host people regularly in our new place.  It was harder to get a consistent color theme for this than I thought it would be.  I finally settled on an awesome lime set, though.  And of course there are a couple dotted items, too.  Hopefully you'll get a little inspiration for your next party.  Enjoy!

Lime Lots of Dots - Four Piece Place Setting by chutneyblakedesigns

Vintage Everyday Housewife Apron (size small to medium) by momomadeit

Urban Striped Chip and Dip in Chartreuse, Black, and White by owlcreekceramics

4oz Natural Soy Wax Flower Pot Candle with Lime essential oil by FireflyCandles

Cocktail Napkins - FREE SHIPPING - Martini Party - Set of 4 reusable cloth by MaryLittfin

festive hand built lime green porcelain tray by clayswan

Glasses/goblets Large Tear drop, lime green/yellow hand painted by simplethingsbykathy