Game Day

We are off to Great American Ball park to watch the Cincinnati Reds play the Colorado Rockies. The entire Hollander family is going, including Grandma Hollander who is ninety plus years old!

This is her first visit to the not so new stadium.

What's better than hanging out with a whole bunch of Hollanders? Hanging out with a whole bunch of Hollanders and watching fireworks! Hooray for firework Friday!

If I Only Had A Tree House

All things would be much more fun.

From Another View.....

I am in desperate need of a vacation, any of these views will do.

Pictures from www.costalliving.com

From The Garden

Brad and I planted an herb garden earlier this spring, and we thought we would use it more than we have. I think our biggest challenge was identifying which herb was which.

So I made a chart.
Then we started cooking with our fresh herbs.

Sunday when we got home from Kent, Brad took a nap and I put together dinner. I was feeling lazy and did not want to go to the store, so I used things I found in the cupboard.

We ended up with

Baked feta stuffed tomatoes

and

Herb butter chicken breasts

I know the plate looks a little sad and needed some rice but we did not have any in the pantry. The chicken was moist and full of soft herby flavors. Brad liked it a lot, which is a bonus. I wanted him to grill it, but I had the oven on for the tomatoes so we decided to simply bake it. I loved the tomatoes and could eat them everyday! I recommend using a very ripe, red tomato and may try salting the insides before filling. I broiled the tomatoes for the last five minutes to make them crispy on top. I used the tops of the tomatoes as garnish just to add some flair.

Monday night we still had tomatoes to use up so bought mozzarella and made a tomato, basil, mozzarella salad. It was delicious and fresh, as you can tell we ate half the pan before dinner.

I used olive oil, fresh ground pepper, sea salt and basil. Next time I will add some balsamic vinegar. Again really ripe tomatoes taste better.

We also had wild rice, garlic grilled asparagus. Brad had salmon while I had a tuna steak, I marinated both in in a lemon, butter and fresh dill sauce.

Finally, we had a zucchini so I whipped up my step Mom's zucchini bread. It makes two loafs so I took one in to work. I add more walnuts than what the recipe calls for, and top it with generous amounts of butter.

Enjoy!

Weekend Recap

Friday started off slower than planned. Brad wanted to take care of a few chores before we headed out for the weekend including; mowing the lawn, laundry and stopping at the bank. We planned on leaving at five-thirty and did not get on the road until eight. Luckily we did not have set plans so it was not a huge deal.

We arrived at Aunt Terri's house just around midnight. Brad stayed up and chatted for a bit and then headed to bed to gear up for his fun filled Saturday. Meanwhile, Terri and I stayed up until three AM planning Lori's wedding shower! I am putting together a concept board that I can share with you in another post.

Saturday Brad made his way to Cleveland as we headed to Grandma Lou's house to meet up with my Aunt Sue and cousin Lori. We further developed a few shower details and then tackled some more wedding plans. Next, we visited the Big Jo-Ann's to search for material to make sashes for our bridesmaid dresses. We were fortunate enough to find a pretty red shantung, I think that should do the trick. We also picked a few goodies for shower gifts. Of course, I found a few fabrics that I could not live without.

Aunt Sue had me take a picture of the giant pin cusion that she thought my Mom would like. We ran into the Party store to get napkins so we could base the shower colors off that pantone. we also stopped by Lori's reception hall. So much planning goes into weddings, it is amazing they ever take place.

We ended up having dinner at TGI Friday's and I wish I we would have got a picture of all the girls. Sigh, why was I not thinking? Our final destination lead us back to Grandma' s house to play games.

Lori and pug took a nap while we played cards. Lori and Sue left around midnight while Grandma, Terri and I snacked and stayed up to two in the morning. My Mom called and was sad she was not with us, boo we missed her!

On Sunday I took pug for a long walk around Grandma Lou's house.

Grandma's house.

The cottage.

Grandpa's boat.

The dock.

Uncle Moose's' Dock.

He and his wife Laura demolished his old house and are building a beautiful new house. They are close to moving in and they can't wait. Can you blame them?You can kinda see their house here.....

This is the beach where I spent half my childhood swimming to the raft and back.

The back road.

The pond.

After our walk my Dad and half brother Justin showed up to fish! It was a nice surprise to see them. I wish I got to spend more time with them.

Brad got up bright and early, picked pug and I up and we started our journey back home around eleven am. It was a great weekend catching up with family and getting to help Lori plan her special day. Hope everyone had an equally great weekend!

Homeward Bound And Debating.....

Brad, Wrigley and I are headed off to Cleveland, Ohio this weekend. I am originally from the small town of Kent, Ohio. Maybe you read about the May fourth shootings in your High School history book? That's my hometown. It is a cute college town but way too small for me. I enjoy going back and seeing all how everything has changed, and remembering how things use to be.

Brad's college friend Chuck, lives in Cleveland. His bachelor party is this weekend; so he is off to golf, bet on the ponies and play with the boys. I on the other hand, will be dropped off in Kent at my Grandma Lou's house. My plans are drastically different from his.

1. Plan Lori's (my cousin) wedding shower

2. Hit up the big Jo-Ann's fabric store in Hudson, Ohio

3. Plan Christina's (my sister-in-law) baby shower

4. Play cards with the family

5. Walk Pug around my Grandma's lake all weekend

Debating......

Adam's wedding is in September and of course, I think I may need a new dress. The two that I am debating between are from Anthropologie. I think I will need to go in and try them on to make my final decision. I also want to take my chances and hope they go on sale by September 1st.

Caranday Dress

+ pockets (which I love)

+ not too short

+ I love green

+ wear to work

- reviewers said it fits weird in the back

or

Cranesbill Dress.

+ unique design

+ pockets

+ navy

+ wear to work

- reviews said it was too short

Which do you vote for?

Homeward bound and riding in style!

Similarly when I buy new sheets and need to make over the entire room, when a boy buys a boat he must buy a giant truck to pull it. Brad has been in the market for a truck for quite sometime, and with the economy the way it is, now is the time to buy.

If you ask me what kind of truck did he buy, I would reply "A red Dodge Ram". Brad has a list of things to rattle of; rims, tailgate, hemmie, satellite radio, etc. Without further a due here is Brad's new truck.

He would not let me take a picture of him with his truck.....

He thinks it is boasting, I think boast away!

He has not officially named the new truck yet. I feel a brainstorm coming on. It is a four hour trip to Kent, we will have sufficient time. I am excited for satellite radio, normally we get to listen to the AM talk shows which is like "The View" for men, a bunch of people bitching about stuff.

It is a giant truck, with a smooth ride. Gas mileage is even about the same as his old Nissan Path Finder. hmmmm I find that interesting.....
Well have a great weekend!

Going Green

If this is not organic i am not sure what is.

While surfing my daily blogs I found this image on Bliss.

The moss mat is actually made out of made of imputrescible foam called plastazote, and designed by La Chanh Nguyen.

This would solve the problem with Pug and the occasional accident on our fluffy bathroom rug. I am not sure I would get Brad's approval.

Adam and Kate's Wedding

Adam is one of Brad's friend BK; (before Kyle). We use to meet up with him and a few of the other boy's for Wings Wednesday at Wild Mike's. Adam started dating Kate shortly after Brad and I. I like them both very much. Adam is witty, charming and always good for a laugh. Kate is fun, smart, out going and we have a lot in common. It is refreshing to have some girls around finally!

Saturday was their wedding. The reception was held at Ault Park, the very same place Allie and Andy got married at a month prior. This time we were on the top of the hill under the covered patio. The wedding was catered by the Village Pantry; the owners a are friends of Brad's. We had a fresh cranberry salad, creamy mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffed chicken, pork and warm rolls. The food was excellent, the ambiance romantic, beverages a plenty and lots of dancing.We sat with a nice couple who played connect the West Siders. She even connected me to my friend Kim from college! We carpooled with a few other friends including Mark and Christine.

As well as Nicole and Dave.

Kyle and Nicole.
Again it was cold enough in July that we needed wraps and sweaters once the sun went down.

Mark and Mark.

This is Mark's "Dancing Queen" move.

Dave, Linda and Nick. Nick will never let me take nice pictures. Sorry Linda!

Kate and Adam dancing the night away. I always love when the Bride and Groom dance.

Dave with his new friends, I think there might be a mini Dave in the works. They have the same dance moves.

Kyle and Kate.

Brad and Kitty again.

Once the wedding was over we headed back to our side of town; and stopped at J Tapps Sports Bar and Grill.

Just one more.

We went home and rescued poor Pug.

Twilight Boat Trip

Friday night we got the boat out and headed to the river. This time we drove up towards Indiana. We cruised along a small cove to check out where the boys might store their boat. Then we drove by the Seagram's plant. Much to Nicks dismay Brad drove a lot faster thru the cove then Nick approved of....

The boys DO NOT like me taking their pictures. Here are my unsuccessful attempts to capture the crew in action. Brad; not smiling for the camera.

Nick talking about something interesting.

Dave and Nick looking cool.

Brad and I in our fall attire.
It has been unusually chilly here at night. So much so that we needed jeans and sweater in July! It has been getting down to the low sixties at night. It almost feels like fall.

On the way "up" the river we stopped to admire a few sights. This is the local power plant.

I say "up" because there is quite a debate about which way the river runs; up, down, north, south, east, west. You would think this is an easy debate to clear up.

It is interesting to watch the men operate these giant cranes. This one was loading coal. Nick was particularly interested since this is what he does for a living. He is currently working on the new parking garage down town Cincinnati.

The power lines ended up being my favorite picture.

Everyday to get to work I drive thru Ohio, then Indiana and finally into Kentucky over the Caroll C. Cropper Bridge. Three states, thirty minutes, and my day begins. It is much more enjoyable going under the bridge on a boat rather than heading over it to work.

We had dinner a Riverwatch in Indiana. The food was good, the music was crappy and the veiw was beautiful. We even fed the Ducks. Once we finished dinner we headed back "down" to River Saloon to meet up with a few more friends.

Our final voyage took Amy, Myself, Jack and Nick over to Ludlow Bromley Yacht Club (LBYC).

Step By Step

Brad and I have been remolding our house step by step for the last two years. The attic was an unfinished space with a cedar closet, exposed beams, a bit of ply wood floor and a free loading bat tenant. Two years later, presto a beautiful living space! We are now proud owners of one additional bedroom, a bonus room and we kept the cedar closet. The bonus room will be my very own sewing room!

This photo caught my eye the other day, and for the life of me I can not remember where I pulled if from. But I like it. We have a simple stair case that leads up to our newly finished attic.
I think this would spice it up and make it super interesting. I think I might do photos of family, friends and places we have been, with assorted frames and mats.
Did you notice the one picture on the left is sideways?

Just A Little Need.

Now that my bedroom is complete, I think I need this. Let me know if you find one.

Bedroom make over

As a creative person, I tend to get bored very easily and love, love, love buying new bed sheets. Once you buy new bedsheets, you must update the rest of your room, right?
For, spring I decided that I must have a new set and It happened to be my first very nice set of sheets.

I fell in love with the Savannah Iris Set from Anthropologie.

I think I saw the sheets first then decided it was time for a make over, but whatever.

I pulled out my Mom's old curtains from the house I grew up in. With a bit of starch and a hot iron they were as good as new.

I almost feel like I need a new bed, but I think I can make due. Plus it is not in the budget.

I stole this chair from my Mom many years ago, I believe I was still in High School. She found it at a tag sale and we think it use to be a rocking chair.... It has been in every place that I have lived in during my ten years in Cincinnati which means it has been recovered at least four times.

I bought an extra set of shams and used them to recover my chair. While down in North Carolina in May, my mom helped me pull this off. She is much better at upholstery than I am.

I painted, added new knobs and recovered my vanity.

My Mom surprised me with this sweet pug picture. I even found the frame at Michael's on clearance, can you believe I only spent $20 bucks??

Mini cactus plants and my bargain $1 bowls, also from Anthropologie.
The colors add a nice pop to the room. As you can tell I need to add some soil the my bowls.

My dresser; this was an item that the owners of our first house left behind.
I love the vintage look, the scratched surfaces and you tell its has definitely been put to good use.
Giraffe measuring spoons. I am not a big collector of things but I tend to have more measuring cups and spoons than anyone else I know.

Pug taking a nap.

Up close and personal with the sweet Wrigley.

I still think that I need to update the paint on the walls, I am not a big fan of yellow. I love blue but there is a lot of blue in the room already......

What do you think?

Rain, rain go away and come again on a work day!

I have always wished it only rained on weekdays, and nice sunny days were reserved for weekends. Anyone else with me? Saturday afternoon we pack up Pug, our over nightbags loads of yummy dips and headed down to Lake Williams town.

Once we got there it was grey and gloomy. We made dinner, ate and caught up with Linda and Dave (our friends' parents who own the lake house).

Pug found herself right at home. I think Linda might adopt her.


Then it cleared up.

Not sunny blue skies but enough for a boat ride.


Dave, Linda, Nick, Dave, Brad, Pug and myself all went out for a little tour of the Lake.

Boat + beer + friends +Brad = a very happy Brad.

We also took another tour at night which is even more fun.

We were lucky. Sunday morning more than made up for Saturday. It was sunny, warm and we even enjoyed a cool breeze. Breakfast on the balcony then some relaxing on the dock.

Wrigley and Nick's dog Duke went for a swim, then dried off on the boat cover.

We hung out on the deck; the boys chatted and I read my book.

On Sunday I took a few photos of some of the houses for sale. I immediately went home and did some Internet research.

The white house did not even show pictures of the inside, offered the buyer 5k for remolding; which peaks my curiosity. What does it look like inside?

The little red A frame; rumor has it you have to go outside, down the steps, and back in the bottom of the house to use the restroom. I still think it is quaint.

Finally the house on the hill; it has red carpet and no covered deck, not too shabby.

Of course there are a lot more for sale with much higher price ranges.

Sunday we ate dinner, packed up and headed for home. Brad promised me a trip up the river on Friday, I will report back on the voyage. Hopefully it is only a three hour tour.

Bakin' like Betty

Yes, I know I have been baking a lot lately. That is because I have lots of cool places to go and you can't show up treat less. right? you won't be invited back....

On Krista's last night in town, Amy invited us over to hangout and I tried a new recipe.

It is very good and rather easy to make. If you like Cheesecake this is a very good replacement!

"Five Star White Chocolate Fruit Tart"

Wash and cut the fresh fruit of your choice.
Mix butter, flour and confections sugar together. Press into a small 12" pan, and bake for 20 minutes at 350. Cool crust.

Melt white chocolate and heavy whipping cream, beat in cream cheese. Poor over crust and cool. You can speed up this process by putting it in the freezer. Top with fruit and make it look pretty. This is very rich so cut small pieces; and enjoy.

Happy Friday!

Pool Daze

Summer time fun! Mike and Leah put in a pool last year and here is how we reap the benefits of their pool. Brad's cousin Krista was in town from Atlanta; so we all got together and swam with the kids.

Busy playing.

The girls; Macy and Ella.

I thought Leah looked like Barbie in her swimsuit! She is due in two weeks but she is so ready to have that baby today, I mean yesterday. I think she is having a boy.
Leah's look a like swimming suit.

Here is Olivia, I think she might be as tall me, and she is only four.

Allissa and Ella.

Cole-man.

Justin.

Cole, he is so cute! He is excited to be a big brother again.

Jacob.

Miss Hannah.

Justin again, he wanted me to take his picture all day long.

This is my favorite picture! Cole and his sister Kasey, I will send you a copy Leah.

We swam, we gossiped, we ate and then took naps.

Fourth of July weekend- Saturday

Party number two at the Hollander house.

Saturday was a rainy, cloudy and just plain yucky. However we made the best of it!

Denny put a tarp on top of the deck so we would not get rained on. He even had to grill while holding an umbrella and I imagine a beer. While grilling he could not figure out why it was so smokey. He finally looked up and the smoke was getting in caught in the umbrella. I wish I had a photograph to post.

I made my loaded bake potato salad again, and a new recipe s'mores cookies for Pauline.

Mix.

roll into balls and thumbprint.

Add chocolate. Next time I will use a soft Belgium chocolate from work like Frey.

Bake, top with marshmallows then broil until marshmallows are brown!
Most people liked them, but I think the cookies should be a bit softer. Does anyone else have issue with Martha Stewart recipes? This is not the first Martha recipe that has not turned out for me.

party pics; our nephew Ethan, Jack and pug.

Wrigley looks like Ethan's very own bat dog.

Heather.

Our other nephew Ryan and Aunt Kyle.

sooo..... Ethan took a few pictures on my camera. I like this one and appreciate the perfect crookedness.

For the most part he did a good job!

One more by Ethan, Dad is making the monkey face.

Grandpa and Ethan.

Denny and Pauline.

Brad and Kyle.

Nick and Amanda.

Nick and Mark, Mark felt a bit left out.

The boys.

Kenkel and pug.

Fourth of July weekend - Thursday

My friend Christie from work and I decided to throw small pre-July 4th work party on Thursday night. We both enjoyed having Thursday off from work and thought it would be a great way to kick of the Holiday weekend.

We served hot dogs, hamburgers, beer, a specialty drink, and everyone brought a dish to pass. We indulged on many, many dips including Christie's buffalo Chicken Dip, Jill's pasta salad, Becca's veggies, Christie's mini meatballs, and decedent variety of desserts. One of my personal favorites was Adam's Frey Chocolate chip cookie bars. I made loaded bake potato salad.....
I found this recipe on Reciepezarr, and I have had nothing but good reviews everytime I bring it!

The best part is it tastes excellent served warm or cold!

Here is what you will need.

I substituted the bacon for panacea for my party on Saturday and Kristen has used bacon bits.

Mix it all up. Pour into a rectangular class dish and bake. Server warm or cold.

Brad thinks I am crazy but Wrigley can say "I love you", here you see Christie making her speak and Pug receiving treats.

Christie's Hydrangea.

So pretty! I want to plant them all along the side of our house.

Robin from work came over to Christie's to paint a mural on the office wall.

Once she finishes I will post the final product.

Christie's mini meatball sauce is made from ketchup and grape jelly, I have NEVER heard of such a thing!

Back patio shot.


Now for the grand finale... We have been working on Easter at work and we have had to brainstorm a four foot religious section. So I made a special concoction.

Sweet baby Jesus juice; pink Lemonade, vodka and a bit our candy grass for decoration.

Lazy Sunday...

Today we had planned on going to the lake or out on the boat, but unfortunately it was cool, grey and cloudy, so we decided to do nothing. Here is my day full of nothingness!

Welcome to my imaginary home search.

Bridgetown Rd.

Spring Oak Dr.

Yes please, I want to live on a lake, with a pool house.

Powdner Rd.

This one has a pool, which is a must in the land of make believe.

Werk rd.

Castle house

There are no pictures of the inside, I want to see....

What do you put in a castle??

Neeb Rd. Mansion

the owners want to down grade... really?
I can't imagine why.

*images pulled from Huff and Starone

Huff contact Denny Hollander 513-354-6653

Star One contact Nick Lyle 513-349-3777

Happy Fourth of July!

I know we all enjoy an extra day off and time celebrating with our families, but please make sure you take some time to remember what we are celebrating. A big thank you to our troops and their families!

Happy Independence day!

I forgot my camera cord, so unless I find an extra cord around here all my party photos will be posted on Monday!

In my mother's words "Have fun and be safe!".

The year of the boat

This is going to be an amazing summer!

Brad and his business partner Nick went out and bought a boat!

Most wives, girlfriends, significant others might be upset but not me. I couldn't be happier.

I love being outside and love the water even more.

Last Friday night we took the boat out for it's inaugural tour of the dirty Ohio river.

Right now the boat's name is "I ain't go time" and we think we need to update this.Here is my suggestion, the "S. S. Ding Dong". We only have one problem, which one is Ding and which one is Dong? Amanda likes "cheap thrills" and the boys can come up with and endless amount of silly names that are not post-able.

On Sunday we all got together and took the boat out for Sunday fun day.

We met up with a few of our other friends that have boats and hung out.

We even dared to take a dip in the Licking River which feeds into the Ohio river. I am still not sure I would get in the Ohio.

the Captains....

A view of Cincinnati.

Great American Ball Park.

River front homes in Covington, KY.
Too bad they flood.

Do you know why were are called the Queen City???
Because of the Queen City paddle boats of course.

Amanda and Nick.

Kitty and Brad.

We had lunch at a marina that we have not been to before.

Manhattan Harbor; the Reef bar and grill.

They actually had pool right off the dock.

The food was really good, the prices were not bad and the service was slow.

I had the grilled grouper sandwich which comes highly recommended.

We bar hopped for a bit and then the sun set.

Sunday fun day was over, until next weekend...

By the way the boys felt it necessary to clean and buff the boat until 11:00pm.

Needless to say I was exhausted on Monday.