Gorgonzola Burger with Avocado Mash

So far our summer in Oregon has been amazing. We had a pretty hot week a couple weeks ago and I think that is going to be it. It got near 100 degrees and we don't have an sort of air conditioning. As a result we did NO cooking/baking inside and used the bbq. Most summers we do a lot of chicken kebobs, but this summer one of my easy favorites are gorgonzola burgers! I must thank my dad and his love of that delicious cheese because without that introduction as a young adult I don't think I'd be as big a fan. It has now become a staple in our household. Thankfully Costco stocks it in wedge form at a cheaper price per pound than already crumbled.

So, here is it:

Gorgonzola Burger with Avocado Mash, red onion and mixed greens

Gorgonzola Burger with Avocado Mash
Ground beef
Crumbled gorgonzola cheese
Sea salt
Fresh ground black pepper

Mix it all together, form your patties and grill it up!

Avocado Mash
2 ripe avocados, pitted and diced
2 cloves of garlic, crushed (take out before eating or finely mince it to leave it in)
fresh lemon juice (1/2 to 1 whole lemon, to taste)
3 tbsp yellow onion, minced or diced your preference
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

fine sea salt, to taste

fresh ground black pepper, to taste

1/4 cup Italian parsley, chopped (optional)

Mix all ingredients together and then season with the s + p to taste. I leave the avocado slightly chunky. I like the texture of it more chunky rather than totally smooth. There is a good balance of creamy and chunky!

I added some red onion and mixed greens to the burger this time and I of course couldn't leave out the mayo (I'm obsessed! No joke!). Use bread/bun of your choice. I love putting olive oil on this crusty bread and grilling it for a couple of minutes. This bread is a must for portobello mushroom burgers which were a new hit this summer! The bread absorbs all that yummy juice and gets so soft and crunchy at the same time.

I served the burger with grilled corn on the cob. We are obsessed with this grilled cheesy corn I found on pinterest this summer. On this occasion I left off all but the butter and s + p. Husk and soak the corn for at least 10 minutes and then put directly on the grill and rotate every 2-3 minutes for about 8 minutes total. I don't keep the husks on anymore after the first time leaving them on. Although I like them aesthetically speaking, I hated the mess the charred bits of husk made all over the dinner plate and meal.

FYI - (Avocado Mash appears to be a fancy term for guacamole basically. I thought I invented this term when I made it but I just googled it and nope, not original. :( It was the Gordon Ramsey in me coming out since we are watching Masterchef.)

Creamy Dairy-free Fudgesicles

Since G has this problem going on and in order to appease both myself and G's appetite for all things creamy, cold, and chocolatey, I decided to attempt making fudge pops as an alternative to chocolate ice cream. I'm even considering putting them on ice and taking them with us to the ice cream parlor. I'm that desperate. Who wants to wake up to a disgusting mess the next day? Not him, not me! Well, recently I found a reasonably healthy recipe on Pinterest for fudgesicles so I gave them a try. I'm not too sold on them, but I sure will keep them around and change up the ratios of ingredients in the future. The real test, however, was how this dude liked them and I'd say he didn't have any problems with it at all!

Here's the recipe I followed and here is how I altered it:

Creamy Chocolate Fudge Pops

(makes 10-12 small pops)

• 4 tbsp cocoa powder (I used unsweetened, but you could use dark chocolate or some other type)
• 1 cup full-fat canned coconut milk (I only had low-fat so I used that, it was fine but I'd do full-fat next time)
• 2 medium, very-ripe bananas (200g)
• scant 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• sweetener of choice, to taste (stevia, agave, etc.) (I used agave, I think I'll try different sweetener next time)
• optional: feel free to add peanut butter! (I did! I figured I'd get some more protein and calories in there for the kid with the restricted diet)
• optional: what if you added in veggies like in a smoothie? spinach? I may have to try this. Gotta get them in that kid somehow!

Combine all items in a blender or food processor (I used my Ninja). I used dixie cups to make small fudge pops for G and then froze them for about 1 hour or so and then inserted popsicle sticks into them when they would stand up straight and then froze them for another hour or two until ready. The dixie cups pealed right off for me. G had more fun pretending it was a drum than eating it at first but once it was melting he couldn't keep it out of or around ( cue chocolatey Goatee) his mouth! 

Happy Summer!

watermelon, watermelon, watermelon: choosing a good melon

Watermelon + Sea Salt + Fresh Cracked Pepper = Sweet & Savory!

My first watermelon of the season was a disaster! It was mushy and plain gross. So I took to google. Don't you just love all of the information at our fingertips!

Here's what I found:

Tips for choosing an Awesome Watermelon
- Look for a yellow patch which indicates that it wasn't picked too soon and was given time to ripen.
- Look for a melon that is symmetrical. It shouldn't have any odd bulges or funky formation but generally be symmetrical so if you cut it in half both halves would have similar shape.
- Weight. Pick up a few of the same general size and go for the heaviest with the above characteristics, of course.

So far we are 3 for 3 with this method! Hooray!


Have you ever tried salt and pepper on your watermelon? I have become a fan, although I still often stick with this sweet treat in its natural state. I grew up with a dear grandmother who loved watermelon as a summertime dessert. We would slice off slabs of it and sprinkle on the salt and go to town on it all while watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy (sometimes a good ol' Western flick too).

Look at these tasty watermelon recipes (and check out other great food on my pinterest food board here):

Source: luxirare.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Source: lexieskitchen.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Source: fitnessmagazine.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Source: krystaslifeinfood.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Source: goodlifeeats.com via Stacy on Pinterest

1.Watermelon Salad, 2.Cucumber Watermelon Salad, 3.Cool Skewers, 4.Watermelon Lime Frosty, 5.Watermelon Limeade.

Happy Summer! Here summer has just been getting good this past month and I'm looking forward to August and September. G doesn't start preschool until September 10th so we are gonna soak up this summer and milk it for every day we can!

p...p...pinterest

So, its the latest craze, pinterest. In blog land this week I read that its being compared to crack and its addictive powers. Hum... I'm not gonna try that one out, I'll take their word for it. He he! Funny how things come and go with technology. Remember that social networking site pre-Facebook? I was thinking back on it and couldn't remember what it was called. Oh ya...MySpace. I wonder if it still exists. LOL! I should find out and delete my profile, if I still remember the password, oh gosh and I don't have that email account any more.

What are you thoughts on the matter? Does it have you sucked in? I have my days, but generally I don't go out doing searches so I'm only seeing the pins of those boards I've subscribed to. I also like to add new content instead of just endlessly clicking "repin" although I don't have a problem with that either.

I really try to only pin images I intend to actually apply in the real life world here. I've done pretty good about actually using recipes from my "food" board. I have only yet to actually delete 2 pins because I didn't care to make that recipe a second time. Others have become part of our favorites and I've made 3+ times already.

Another category I actually revisit and that is helpful is my "style" and "face" boards. I pin outfit combos and ideas and actually have duplicated or used some of the as inspiration for my own wardrobe. I do, however, feel very unoriginal with pinterest around. I guess though I have never claimed to be an original and I'm glad that it is there to help spark creativity and more imagination and change into my lame unoriginal mind.

The category I haven't used much of yet, but obsess over are those relating to home, interior design and decorating. There are quite a few of them. I drool over those interiors, someday! I blame it on the eventual move and thus my lack of desire to make changes to the current state of things. I'm excited to get use out of that one as soon as we set foot in Oregon! I have used it as a resource for blog material here on the ol' blog, as you know.

I also am looking forward to using my "words" board as a jumping off point for our next home. Ryan loves inspirational quotes and I want to have more of them around the house.

Lastly, I've been thinking about primary and secondary sources and college research papers. Lame I know, but I've been thinking about copyright and plagiarism and how it plays out on the world wide web these days. I just read on Pinterest's Etiquette that you should site original sources. Hah that doesn't happen hardly ever. I pledge to do better, especially when I reference it here on the blog instead of being lazy and such.

So the big question of the day is:

Do you actually use any of the pins in your everyday life? Or are they just eye candy that you see once and never see again? What have been some of your favorite pins?

Are you totally ok with being "addicted" and wasting endless hours? I definitely find myself clicking that link at the top of my browser that takes me straight to pinterest land. Its just so purdy and idealistic isn't it! I'll leave it at that and be back soon with a spiritual take on this thing called pinterest, after I put myself to the test!! Oh boy!

Please, share your thoughts with me!

*pinterest logo used with permission.

Lovely Lines

Source: gorgeousshinythings.blogspot.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Does this photo remind you of another I posted recently? It got me all excited! Remember this one I included in my post on decorating a rental here with my thoughts on a DIY version this with tape as a temporary form of wallpaper?

Source: google.com via Stacy on Pinterest

I saw it posted on pinterest by Amber from Amber Interiors. She mentioned a DIY of the sofa but with gold instead of pink and I think that is a lovely suggestion! I absolutely love her blog and her style, check it out!

The top photo also reminds me of another fun DIY paint on upholstery that I've been mentally hanging onto via pinterest. What do you think? Flicking paint always sounds wonderful! We could all use a little more Jackson Pollock in our lives!!

Source: tphblog.com via Stacy on Pinterest

What have you been painting these days? Any fun DIY applications?

Temporary: Decorating a Rental

So I'm guessing many who know me can imagine moving into a rental, instead of having a home I own just might be stressful and depressing since I won't be able to change and alter it the way I have my own home. Yes, it can be challenging, but I'm excited for the challenge! I've had my eye out for inspiration photos and ideas of ways to incorporate who I am and styles I love into our next home that are also transient and/or nomadic. Are either of those words actually meant to describe home decor? Well they are now! I've been so eager to just know what it is that we will be calling home. I have seen some great gems, some eye sores and some pretty standard builder grade homes. Honestly, I'd love a aged gem. I want something with character, but also something that doesn't have too much character (i.e. hideous 80s wallpaper, shag carpet, or walls and rooms that are every color of the rainbow). Speaking of colorful homes, ironically our home is quite colorful. We have a olive green office, pale yellow bedroom, red master bedroom, blue/grey living room, grey bathroom. That is partly because I didn't want to paint when we first moved in and then when I realized we wouldn't be here long-term I didn't want to paint. I'd love to get rid of that red bedroom. If we do rent out our house we may end up painting, but that will really stink because I didn't do it for myself but I will for renters. I'm pouting right about now!


While we're on the subject, how do you feel about colorful walls? If you were renting a house would you prefer white or neutral walls or be ok with color?


I'm personally hoping for white! A blank canvas so to speak. That way I can dictate the character and color palette myself. Here are some pics from pinterest that I've been thinking about. These are definitely on my list to add to our place as soon as we settle in!

Source: poppytalk.blogspot.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Source: livecreatingyourself.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Oversized black chalkboard. This one is made out of a large MDF panel. This is #1 on my list. I can't wait!

Source: google.com via Stacy on Pinterest


Temporary tape on walls to create abstract wallpaper. Room designed by Kelly Wearstler. Here's a link to a blog post by Jenny from Little Green Notebook. She used japanese masking tape to create a wallpaper effect.

Source: saraicat.tumblr.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Patterned roman shades and color in curtains verses color in walls and white drapes.

Source: libbiegrove.blogspot.com via Stacy on Pinterest


Colorful area rugs and pillows and bookcases!

Source: theestateofthings.com via Stacy on Pinterest

And finally, for in the bedroom there is upholstered headboards and beds or bedding.

Check out more lovely images on my pinterest boards and follow me on pinterest! stacyb81


What do you think? Any suggestions? How have you made a rental/temporary dwelling feel like home and take on your style?


Oh, and one more thing.... I'm wondering if anyone has any tips on renting a house, finding rentals. We've only rented apartments. Anything to watch for? Any ideas on how to find out about available or coming availability of homes sooner than 1-2 weeks out? It seems everything on Craigslist isn't posted until its available or a short while out. I want to find this beauty now and start planning our move date!!

gallery wall update: children's art

Once you're a parent you quickly begin accumulating your children's art. I love it! Yes, these days between art time during daily intervention, art time during playgroup, and art time at the library, we are accumulating mass amounts! That doesn't even include when he requests to color during our free time at home. Yes, I admit some goes in the trash. Gavin is a little delayed in his fine motor skills so he still does large circles, but I love seeing the work as it progresses and he learns and improves his skills. As I mentioned before here, I was intending to create some more of my own art to fill in the center frame, but then when I sat down to start it, I realized that it was the perfect spot for some of G's works of art. I have been saving some and it worked out perfect. My trick is to choose the colors f paint or markers he uses and then let him go to work. That way it works with my color palette, which is all over the board these days it seems. The artwork can easily be changed out in the future too because you know there will be more of that! I love having his works displayed as part of the gallery. Its a mash up for sure! I've also already switched out some of the art until it feels right or I want a little change. Here are some other examples I've found of displaying children's art.

Source: iheartorganizing.blogspot.com via Danielle on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Source: comfortwool.blogspot.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Source: blogs.babble.com via Stacy on Pinterest

You can check out more of my pins on Pinterest here!!