I XOXO SHELLS, ROCKS AND FEATHERS

I can spend inordinate amounts of time checking out the seashells and rocks that the tide has brought. Random riches. Free treasures.

Today I picked up just a few more since I already have hundreds at home. 

From the bazillions of shells on the beach,

here's why I honed in on these lovelies:

3 flat rocks with holes (top): I keep thinking I'll string them for jewelry or a mobile or ?

2 heart rocks (right): I have a small collection of natural heart-shaped objects. Plus I thought maybe my daughter will want to give one to her boyfriend.

gray rock (bottom right): it looks like a whale, just needs an eye.

3 striped shells (left side): I XOXO striped anything!

4 corkscrew shells (middle): Kind of skeletal; worn down but still strong.

1 small round gray stone: not sure but it caught my eye.

And then there were these feathers. As I mentioned on Facebook, my mother always told me not to pick them up because they were dirty. 

I just don't believe that every feather is dirty. Especially pink ones.

THE "LABOR OF LOVE" PROJECT: The Reveal

It's 8 a.m. and the Kids In Distress "Labor of Love" reveal has just aired on Designing Spaces. That means that I can finally show you some of the photos that I took when I went to see the kids recreation center makeover. It was a major improvement as you will see.

This is the main space before

It was ho-hum blue and brown with a tired rug and artwork stapled to the walls.

This is the main space after

 New laminate plank flooring makes the space bright and fresh. Red accents give it energy and artwork is easily pinned onto cork. Miss Luzette, the art teacher, is so happy and so thankful.

The other side of the room has a large flat screen so everyone can see, even if sitting in the back of the room.

There is now a little game room with checkers, fuseball, a pinball type of game, and board games.

And there is a small teen lounge just beyond it.

The Designing Spaces Dream Team created a library with the help of Carl Buddig & Co. and Reading is Fundamental.

I love the abundance of natural light, the sky/cloud Ikea lights, the big whiteboard and all the books!!

Now onto where Miss Luzette keeps her art supplies and projects.

This is the craft storage room before. Scary!

Now Miss Luzette has several rooms devoted to storage.

I love this last one because of those wall mounted laundry lines.

Check them out closer. 

I could be really happy here. I have already invited myself down to play art teacher's helper. Just waiting to hear.

If you missed the show, you can watch Part 1 here and Part 2 should be in the vicinity soon.

I XOXO CHICKEN TERIYAKI

This chicken teriyaki recipe is so delicious and nearly infallible. Nearly, I say, because I don't totally adhere to the recommended cook time. I tend to cook it longer because I like to get my chicken parts a bit chewy and crispy on top. Nobody seems to mind if the meat is a bit dry or well done, because the teriyaki sauce is so excellent.

The soy sauce-stained recipe is below, along with some of my mathematical calculations for doubling the recipe. I always make more so I can sauce up some salmon, tofu or beef later in the week. I don't remember where I found it.

I am making chicken teriyaki for dinner tomorrow night. I'll be out most of the day, so I made the sauce ahead of time. I may add some photos of the finished dish tomorrow. In the meanwhile, if you try it, let me know.

P.S. the other night I threw in a bunch of garlic cloves and just let them bake whole in the pan with the chicken. OMG! I will do it again tomorrow!