Cream Cheese Pesto Spread

Ever need a quick, easy, go-to appetizer for parties?

I've got you covered.

This recipe fits the bill.  It is SO tasty.  And it makes for a pretty presentation..........

 Cream Cheese Pesto Spread

(original source)

8 oz. package of cream cheese
1/4 cup of pesto
1/4 cup of mozzarella
1 small tomato, diced
Triscuits or French bread

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line a baking dish with foil.  Place the brick of cream cheese in the center of the foil.  Top with pesto, mozzarella, and tomato.  Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the mozzarella is melted (but the cream cheese is still holding its shape).  Carefully transfer the spread, keeping it in the foil, to a platter.  On the platter, surround foil with crackers or slices of French bread!  It will spread easily with a butter knife. 

*My scalloped bread was made by baking refrigerated French bread dough in a Pampered Chef bread tube. 

*   *   *   *

A friend introduced me to this recipe years ago, and it has been a party staple ever since.  It can be thrown together in NO TIME!  Clean up is minimal!  

And I can promise you, there won't be any leftover.

Linking up with:   The Chicken Chick, Inspire Me Please and....

Thrifting Frenzy

I might as well just come out and say it.

Only one of these finds was intended for resale.

The rest were immediately snatched up for the sole purpose of hoarding.  Because you cannot sell quilts like this.........

Or pitchers with white flowers........

Or glasses like these.......

Sometimes though, things that you love just don't work into your space.......

So while I enjoy a mirrored brassy table, it made no sense in any of my rooms.  It's already for sale in the booth.

And speaking of making sense.

Doesn't it make perfect sense to have a mechanic dolly?

I sure thought so.

I blame the buffalo.

Linking up with Sir Thrift-a-lot, A Living Space, Thrifter Maker Fixer Farm,

    The Cottage Market, Magpie Monday, We Call It Junkin

Instagram Roundup

June and July are my favorite.  I mean, I am a teacher.  And this summer, I'm determined to make it one for the books.

That means getting my house ship shape.  For good!!! 

One room I've really struggled with is what my friends call "The Special Room."  This perpetually messy guest bedroom is now and forever clean.......

Cleaning that room was also in preparation for the annual friends' garage sale......

Lots of laughs.  Lots of sales.  Always a favorite summer event.

But I have a feeling that my most favorite summer event hasn't even happened yet........

The mister and I planned a getaway!!!  Naples, Florida!!!  If you've been, we'd love recommendations of things to do or places to visit!

Maybe I'll have some time on the beach to get ahead on my thick stack of books......

After finishing Looking for Alaska, I happened to win a book giveaway (Thank you Amanda)!!!!  So I have plenty to read from now til school starts.

That is if this little baby will let me........

He loves evening cuddles, and it usually means I have to put my book down because he wants to be cradled right on my middle! 

Not a bad way to end the day.

Those Florida sunsets won't be too shabby either!

*   *   *   *

Follow me on Instagram @thisvintagegrove!!

Linking up with......High Five for Friday, Friday Favorites, and Insta-Friday.

Cilantro Lime Tilapia Tacos

I love cilantro.  I love lime.  So putting the two together is even better.

I'm no stranger to that combo.  My cilantro-lime chicken tacos are a regular around here.  We love to stuff peppers with a cilantro-lime mixture too.

What I had never tried making is fish tacos.  But after ordering the most delicious fish tacos ever at a restaurant, I knew I needed to try them at home. 

Another food experiment that worked........with credit going to my friend Schlager for the fajita seasoning idea........

Cilantro Lime Tilapia Tacos

4 tilapia filets (about 3 to 4 oz. each)

1 packet of fajita seasoning

1 Tbsp olive oil

2 limes
corn tortillas

To garnish:

shredded red cabbage

chopped cilantro
avocado slices

feta cheese

Warm a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.  Pour the fajita seasoning on a plate (or in a Ziploc bag).  Coat the tilapia on both sides with the fajita seasoning.  Cook the tilapia for about 3 to 4 minutes.  Squirt the juice of one lime onto the fish while cooking.  Flip filets and cook for 3 to 4 more minutes.  The fish should flake easily when done.  In the skillet, use a spatula to separate the filets into smaller strips for serving (roughly four strips per filet).

Prepare the corn tortillas as directed on packaging.  Divide the remaining lime into wedges for garnishing.  Top fish with shredded red cabbage, chopped cilantro, feta cheese, avocado slices, and another squirt of lime.  

Makes 4 to 6 tacos, depending on how much fish you add to each taco.

*   *   *   *

Since the maiden-cilantro-lime-tilapia-voyage, we've added them to our summer rotation and made them at least two more times!  

You could probably even cook the fish on a grill!  

Maybe we'll try that next time!

Linking up with:   The Chicken Chick, Inspire Me Please and....

Thrifting Frenzy

Lately in the land of thrifting, I've found some fun goodies.  But since I'm bound and determined to purge my own stash this summer, most of this will hopefully end up in the booth.

Like this afghan.....

Already in the booth! 

It just gets tough when you love a color.  Like jadeite.

Now I think I should collect jadeite Tupperware.......

But since they don't have lids, I think I'll part with them.

I'm pretty sure I'll part with this stuff too.......

Even though winky-owl-business-card-holder is pretty cute.

Sometimes though, you just have to draw the line.

When you find an oddity like working double fans with a turquoise frame.........

I mean, come on.  When will I see one again?

Never.

And when will I evvverrrr come across a mint condition southwest inspired purse.....

For fifty cents, no less.

Never.

The mister says I overpaid.

Linking up with Sir Thrift-a-lot, A Living Space, 

    The Cottage Market, Magpie Monday, Let's Go Thrifting,

Happy Things (via Instagram)

Recently, the mister and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary.  I had but one request that day.

To document the milestone.

The mister said yes.

I wanted to visit our wedding venue and recreate a wedding photo.......

Five years to the day.  Same spot.  This side-by-side makes me all kinds of happy.

So does the mister's way with kids.......

He visited my classroom last week.  He is the child whisperer. 

Something else that makes me happy......

Playing with the parachute on our rained out-plan b-field day.  It just never gets old.

Neither does packing up the classroom for the summer.........

Good-bye work!

Hello summer!!!!

Time for pools and reading til midnight and sleeping in.

*   *   *   *

Follow me on Instagram @thisvintagegrove!!

Linking up with......High Five for Friday, Friday Favorites, and Insta-Friday.

Summer Sunnies

Yesterday was the last day of school!!!  Which means summer break is here!  And that means I've got to get started on my summer to-do list.

One thing I like to accomplish in the summer (so I don't have to get a sub) is making all the doctor rounds.  Dentist and optometrist included.

Boring, I know.

But not when you've got an exciting reason to see the eye doctor, right?  When a new line of sunglasses roll out (and you really should update your prescription) and you know exactly what you'd like to purchase.

Yes, gone are the days of my disposable Old Navy sunglasses.  I loved buying fun, silly styles when I didn't need prescription glasses.  But now that I need them, I have to be more selective.  And obviously cost, quality, and style are all important factors. 

Enter Warby Parker and their new Karlie Kloss Collection......

The frames in this collection are right up my alley.  Exactly what I've been looking for in my next pair of prescription sunglasses.  They are classy with a fun twist.

I have my eye on (HA!) the Marple in Heirloom Gold........

However, the Clara and Julia frames are equally fun.  (Oh, and if you don't need prescription sunglasses, no worries........that is just an option!)

One last benefit of ordering?  Not only does a portion of the sale go to a specific charity selected by Karlie herself, but Warby Parker donates a pair to someone in need.

So it's a win-win.

A cute, stylish pair for you, while you are helping two charitable causes with one purchase!  So go check out the collection today!

Which pair would you like to sport at the pool this summer?

*I was not compensated or given product to express my opinion of this company or collection.  The opinions are my own.*