Decorating with Potpourri

So, I might be one of the cheapest decorators out there.  My first trick is to look at fun, "fancy" places, but always shop the sale section.  I can't imagine buying something full price, knowing it will be reduced within a month or less.  I frequent Pottery Barn and Pier One.  My second trick is repurposing.  I always find a way to repurpose things, and when I clean, I move things around.  This makes a piece seem new and different, because it is in a new location or in a new setting. 

Last summer, I found a bag of really cool potpourri at Pier One.  It was clearanced out, and it looked great in a large glass candle holder I have on our ottoman.  I recently moved the potpourri to my table in a centerpiece arrangement, and I found more potpourri on sale at Pottery Barn, which I now have in the glass candle holder.  I love to buy simple pieces, which can be changed out and made new without starting all over.  I think the next move I will make with this candle holder is putting fresh limes and lemons and maybe oranges inside.  I will probably move it to our counter top, and it will be a fun summer centerpiece. 
I found the glass candle holder at Target for less than $10.00. 

The red candle holders in the table centerpiece I found at Kohls in their clearance section.  The topiary in the bowl I found for $6.00 at Pottery Barn, and the bowl is a serving bowl with a fun paisley design, which I received for our wedding.  The bowl was too great to put in a cupboard, so I have been finding ways to incorporate it into my decorating.  I am not sure I will ever actually use it as a serving dish!  


This arrangement is on our kitchen counter top.  I received flowers in the square vase, the potpourri is the same as seen in the glass candle holder, the linen ribbon was the tie from the potpourri bag and the candle was given to me by one of my students.

First Day of Summer Vacation

We got out of school on June 14th.  Our flight left for Jamaica on June 15th at 8:50 am.  We returned from our amazing vacation last night around 7:30 pm.  This makes today my first day of summer break.  I took full advantage.  I am making a pact with myself this summer.  It goes a little something like this,

"Self, I understand you enjoy sleeping the day away.  But, I also understand you awake feeling guilty and wishing you wouldn't have.  So, get up early this summer.  Take advantage of every minute.  The time will go all too fast, and soon enough you will be back within the confines of your classroom." 

Today I did all of our laundry from vacation, made Mexican meatloaf and oatmeal raisin cookies and will be making it to the gym with Bill after dinner.  Not bad for my first day!

I am including the recipes for both the Mexican meatloaf and the oatmeal raisin cookies.

Mexican Meatloaf
Ingredients:
2 eggs slightly beaten
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup diced red onions
1 - 7.75 oz can Mexican tomato sauce (I use El Pato)
1 - 4.25 oz can chopped black olives
1 - 4 oz can diced green chilies
1 1/2 to 2 lbs ground beef
1 cup quick oats oatmeal
dash of salt and pepper
1/2 cup salsa (I use Trader Joe's Pineapple Salsa YUMMY)
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (pepper jack would be excellent also.  i didn't have any.)

Directions:
in a small bowl combine eggs, Worcestershire sauce, onions, tomato sauce, black olives and green chilies.

in a large bowl combine hamburger, oatmeal, salt and pepper. (I always use my hands.  It works the best)

add liquid mixture to meat mixture and combine.

pat into a 8x8 baking pan and bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

take out of oven and drain off excess liquid.  add a layer of salsa and cheddar cheese to the top and return to oven for 15 mintues.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick or 4 ounces) butter, softened
2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup raisins

Directions:
in a large bowl (i use my kitchen aid mixer) cream together the butter, brown sugar, egg and vanilla until smooth.

in a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt together. stir this into the butter/sugar mixture. stir in the oats, raisins.

it is best to now chill the dough.  i always hate this part, but it really does help the cookies set up.  i chilled for about 30 minutes.


bake on parchment paper for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees.  watch for the outsides to get a tad bit brown, but the inside still looks gooey. 

let sit on pan for 5-8 minutes after taking out of oven.

transfer to cooling rack.