Life has been busy....

I started a new p/t job this week as a jewelry merchandiser...and there's a lot to learn...

(zucchini quiche)

...there hasn't been a lot of time for cooking..

(rhododendron in front yard)

...and there was not a lot of time for enjoying the blossoming plants in my yard or painting my favorite checks...

(my mirror for sale at Shabby Chic Boutique)

...so, blogging will be on the back burner for a few days...

(recycled tin cake lid)

...and I will have to re-organize my "ME-TIME"...

(flowers from girlfriends)

...but all is well - I'm just BUSY!

Tandoori Rub

When I was in Guadeloupe in March, I bought a variety of whole and freshly ground spices.  I just made a bowlful of Tandoori Rub.  Tandoori is a marinade traditionally used in Indian cooking.  The dry spice mix is mixed with yogurt, which is perfect for a marinade because it has a natural acidity, and is thick enough to adhere well to the meat, which keeps the spices in place.  You can also just use the spices as a plain rub.  The color of the spice mix is often very red or very yellow.  

Here is the recipe I used:

I divided the spices into little zip bags:

I placed the zip bags into these cute orange polka dot parchment bags, and I bought coordinating washi tape to seal the bags:

I made a label, adding a variety of ways to use the mixed spices:

I am hosting a "girl's night out" on Friday and these will be little favors for each guest to take home:

Sharing with:

Frugal Friday @ Shabby Nest

Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different, Act Normal  

A MacKenzie-Childs Knockoff Herb Garden

I have had an herb garden for years.  Each year I plant them in different containers (soda crates, wine crates, metal tins, wooden boxes) and this year I decided to try large cans.

My nephew has a pizza shop and I spied these large cans: 

I gave them a coat of spray primer:

Then I quickly added my favorite checks and sealed them with varnish:

This is the beginning of my "Herb Garden":

So far I have planted parsley...

...basil...

...and chives...

I still have a few more to paint to hold rosemary, oregano and thyme!

Sharing this idea with:

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps On The Porch
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple

Tutorial Tuesdays @ Hope Studios

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Happy Mother's Day!

Rainbow Rose from John!

Bathtub Beach, Hutchinson Island, Florida

Bathtub Beach is at the end of Hutchinson Island.

"Sometimes the name says it all. And with water as calm, and soothing as a soak in your home bathtub, Bathtub Beach on Hutchinson Island is, indeed, one of Central Florida's most gentle stretches of sands. And because the sun warmed, salty water gently laps at the sands in the most unthreatening way, Bathtub Beach is also one of the most rubber ducky-friendly shores on the Atlantic Ocean, a favorite seashore outing for children and their families. Protected by a wide band of rocky coral reefs, Bathtub Beach enjoys a low tide lagoon effect, creating shallow pools of water safe for even the toddler tourist. Not just for babies, Bathtub Beach also draws serious scuba divers and kite and windsurfers". source

BUT, last night it was not calm at all!  The waves were crashing, the surfers were in their glory and I walked and walked along the shoreline.

The rough waters washed up many shells:

As the waves rolled in....

...and the skies turned pink...

...and as the sun set behind me over the intracoastal...

....reality set in and reminded me that my vacation ends on Wednesday!

MacKenzie-Childs on Worth Ave in Palm Beach

This is Worth Ave in Palm Beach.  My back was to the ocean as I took this photo:

This is looking the other way:

The stores are lovely, the window displays are stunning and the prices are sky high!  

Of course I stopped into MacKenzie-Childs:

The planters in front of the store windows are decorated with the shards of broken pottery:

Just gorgeous:

My favorite display in this store was the parchment checked fireplace.  This makes me want to go home and paint mine!

And then I could buy this to set across from the fireplace:

As we walked around the store we were offered a cold drink:

In a window of a realty company was this advertisement of a home in the Palm Beach estate section selling for $59 million - imagine the commission check on that sale?  Feel free to call the tel # if you are interested:

It was a fun day in Palm Beach - it's amazing how the "other people" live!

Florida - the ocean

There is something very calming about the ocean....

...the sun, sand, warm breezes and cool water....

.....It just washes away all the worries!

Monday @ Juno Beach, Florida