p The 4th of July is one of my very favorite holidays second only to turkey day . nbsp p p nbsp p p I love everything about it..... BBQ s swimming parties patriotism salt water taffy small town parades carnivals celebrating the USA and best of all firework shows p p nbsp p p style text-align center img style border 0px initial initial src static.rcwilley.com blog 34 3135 iStock 000005583808XSmall-94206.jpg alt width 558 height 370 p p nbsp p p I simply ask how can you not love them nbsp I m already counting down the days until next monday. p p nbsp p p Have plans yet for the 4th of July nbsp For those of you in Salt Lake City RC Willey is sponsoring the Sugar House Park Firework Display this year and I have a bunch of VIP passes for the Best Blanket in the House the roped off seating area that provides optimal firework views that I want to give to some of you readers nbsp p p nbsp p p Here are the details for the firework show p p When Monday July 4th p p Where Sugar House Park 2100 South 1400 East- South of duck pond p p Time Entertainment starts at 4pm p p nbsp p p If you are interested in getting a VIP pass for your family each VIP pass allows you to bring in one blanket and six people then email me nbsp I m going to give the first 50 people that email me today VIP passes nbsp Send emails to andie rcwilley.com and please include your name address and tell me whether you A would like to pick up your VIP pass at the a href location utah South-Salt-Lake.jsp RC Willey South Salt Lake location a or B prefer that I send it to you in the mail. p p nbsp p p Thanks p p nbsp p

p style text-align left Today is a holy day for many around the country. p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align left In just hours the NBA draft will begin. p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align left Are you planning on watching p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align left To be honest I think I might leave my husband in front of the TV and go get myself a pedicure. nbsp Call me a party pooper but I m just not too interested in the hype. nbsp I m pretty sure I won t know who any of the players are except for maybe one or two that I saw play in the NCAA Championship this year. nbsp BORING. p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align left Watching the highlights tonight during the news will be plenty. p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align left Whether you ve been counting down the days until draft day or you have absolutely no interest at all in professional basketball.......enter our a href dp Sony-Draft-Day-Sweepstakes.jsp RC Willey Sony Draft Day Contest a nbsp by June 30th for a chance to win a 55 Sony 3D HDTV nbsp This is such an incredible TV- I promise you ll love it. nbsp Have fun tonight p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align center nbsp p p style text-align center a href dp Sony-Draft-Day-Sweepstakes.jsp img style border 0px initial initial src static.rcwilley.com blog 34 3128 Sony-Draft-Day-Sweepstakes-26360.jpg alt width 558 height 292 a p p style text-align center nbsp p p style text-align center nbsp p p style text-align left nbsp p

Last summer, Mike and I set up my little sister with one of our good friends.

 

We'd been wanting it to happen for a while.  In fact, the very first time I met Bennett, I told him that he was going to marry my sister.  I just knew they had a future together!

 

Due to timing issues, it took a year and a half before they actually went out.  Both parties were a little hesitant about the blind date thing at first (probably due to the fact that I was already planning their wedding- yes, I can be the overbearing big sister).  But we prevailed!

 

And as fate would have it, they are getting married tomorrow!

 

 

gallery photography

 

We couldn't be more proud of ourselves for bringing them together.

I'm thinking they should name a child after me.

 

Congrats Bennett & Stacie!

 

 

Have you ever successfully played Matchmaker??

 

I'm one for one... maybe I should stop while I'm ahead!

 

p.s. don't you love this photo?

It's often been said, I'm guessing since the very beginning of time, that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.  I don't know about you, but in my experience, that notion is 100% accurate. I figured that out as a young teenager, and let me tell ya, I got to be pretty fond of the 'ole chocolate chip cookie maneuver.  It was a sure fire way to score major brownie points (no pun intended) with the boys. 

 

Bottom line?  Men love food.

 

Since Sunday we are celebrating the Father's, Grandfather's, Husband's, Brother's, Uncle's, and Son's (plus  any other kind of man I forgot to mention) in our lives... I think it's only fitting to party it up with good eats!  Trust me, one of the best things you can do for the aforementioned group of males on this special day is to make sure there is plenty of delicious food on the table!

 

 

Haven't had time to buy a Father's day gift, let alone plan what you're going to eat on Sunday?  Don't stress.  Here is a little Father's Day menu I put together of my family's tried and true favorites that will bring happiness and peace to all those who partake.  Make one thing, or everything- I'm confident enough in all of these recipes to recommend them to anyone! 

 

Father's Day Menu

Tomato and Garlic Crouton Salad

Cashew-Honey Green Beans

Favorite Potato Rolls

Twice Baked Potatoes

Steak (this flank steak is incredible!)

Williams Sonoma Triple Chocolate Brownies- via a bountiful kitchen

 

Alright, here are the recipes:

 

Tomato and Garlic Crouton Salad

3 tablespoons olive oil, plus 1/4 cup

3 tablespoons butter

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoons red pepper flakes

Salt and freshly ground pepper

1/2 loaf ciabatta bread, cut into small cubes

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

2 pints red and yellow grape tomatoes, cut in half

1 cup halved kalamata olives

1/2 pound fresh mozzarella cheese

8 basil leaves, chopped

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a small skillet add 3 tablespoons olive oil, the butter, garlic, red pepper, salt and pepper, to taste.  Cook about 4 minutes.

Add the cubed bread to a large bowl, pour the butter and garlic mixture over the bread and toss to coat.  Transfer to a baking sheet and bake until crisp, 10-15 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool.  In a small bowl whisk together the remaining olive oil and red wine vinegar.

In a large serving bowl combine the tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, croutons, basil and oil and vinegar mixture.  Gently toss to coat all tomatoes and croutons.  Let the salad sit for 10 minutes before serving.

 

 

Cashew-Honey Green Beans

1 pound green beans- fresh

3 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup cashews- coarsely chopped

2 tablespoons honey

Remove tips and rinse green beans.  Steam or boil until tender.  In small saucepan, melt butter and honey.  Add cashews, then drizzle over beans.

 

 

Favorite Potato Rolls

1 1/2 cups warm water

1 tablespoon yeast

Let sit together for 5 minutes.

Then add:

2 eggs

1 cup mashed potatoes

2/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup shortening

2 teaspoons salt

5-6 cups flour (sticky)

 

Mix everything together except flour.  Put that in 1 cup at a time.  Cover and let raise for 2 hours.  Then take 1/2 of the dough and roll it out.  Spread with melted butter then roll and put melted butter on top.  Repeat with rest of the dough.  Rise 2 hours.  Bake 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

 

(I usually make this dough the night before and put it in the refrigerator overnight to raise.  It is a sticky dough and is easy to work with if refrigerated.  Take it out of the refrigerator and roll right out, then let raise as directed.  This is also my favorite cinnamon roll dough.)

 

 

Twice Baked Potatoes

4 medium sized baking potatoes

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup softened cream cheese

2 green onions

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon thyme

Milk

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

 

Bake potatoes and cut in half lengthwise.  Spoon potato mixture into mixing bowl and set skins aside.  To potatoes, add sour cream, butter, cream cheese, green onions, salt, pepper and thyme.  Whip until light, adding milk if necessary.  Fold in cheese and fill skins.  Cook on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  These are easy to make a day ahead and bake when ready to serve.

 

 

Have a wonderful Father's Day Weekend!

Love ya, Dad!

 

 

I'm sure it's no surprise to any of you that stripes are EVERYWHERE these days.  And if you're like me, you just can't seem to get enough. When it comes to decorating with stripes, the possibilities are endless!  Don't make the mistake of thinking that you have to go out and buy a whole new sofa or piece of furniture- look for small accessory pieces like rugs, lamps, throw pillows, vases, curtains, artwork or blankets to add a little stripe pizazz.  And if you're feeling really brave, just pull out the paint and get to work!

 

Check out these awesome looks. The one and only thing that they all have in common is the stripe element, but thanks to color schemes, style, and space, they are all completely different!

 

 

image via design sponge

 

image via design sponge

 

 

image via apartment therapy

 

 

Putty Striped Upholstered Sofa

 

 

 

 

image via coastal living

 

 

 

Red Striped Upholstered Chair

 

 

 

image via decor pad

 

 

 

image via rue magazine

 

 

 

image via design sponge

 

 

 

image via apartment therapy

 

 

 

lonny mag via decor pad

 

 

Like I said, the possibilities really are endless!

 

Here's to incorporating stripes and creating a look that represents your own personal style!

 

 

 

p style text-align left I have a span class headertext major span affinity for dishes. nbsp Like almost to the point where it s unhealthy. p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align left I actually think that it s genetic is that even possible because my mother is the only other person in this world that I know who loves dishes as much as I do. nbsp p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align left You see in my opinion a dish is not simply a practical instrument that is used to hold food. nbsp No it s so much more than that nbsp It s an accessory. nbsp A statement. nbsp Arguably the most crucial element on the table nbsp After all the cuter the dish the better the food tastes nbsp Am I right or what nbsp I promise you Mac and Cheese looks one trillion times more appetizing in a darling bowl than it does straight from the pan. p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align left Well thanks to my dish fetish and the fact that our apartment is teeny tiny our cupboards are packed to the brim. nbsp I even have a set of dishes stored at my parent s house because we couldn t find a home for them when we moved in. nbsp My husband has to remind me that we literally have no more space in our apartment when a new set of dishes catches my eye. nbsp Usually I listen to his voice of reason. nbsp Usually that is.... p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align left nbsp A couple weekends ago it was a beautiful Saturday morning and we were getting ready to leave town for the day. nbsp I had spied a yard sale sign up the street and told my husband that I was just going to go check it out real quick before we left. nbsp I just wanted to see what they had nbsp p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align left Approximately six minutes later I walked in the door with span class headertext 47 pieces of china span . p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align center img style border 0px initial initial src static.rcwilley.com blog 34 3073 DSC 1278-03235.JPG alt width 558 height 370 p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align left Here is the conversation that followed p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align left Me Hi holding a big tupperware box full of my new dishes p p style text-align left Husband What is that p p style text-align left Me Oh I just picked up a few dishes at the yard sale p p style text-align left Husband Oh no. nbsp More dishes p p style text-align left Me They re vintage nbsp They were made in the 1930 s nbsp And they have a pretty floral pattern nbsp And there s 47 of them nbsp And they were only seven bucks p p style text-align left Husband nbsp More dishes nbsp Honey we don t have room for more dishes. p p style text-align left Me But it was too good of a deal to pass up nbsp Did I tell you they re from the 1930 s nbsp Look at these tea cups nbsp Aren t they the cutest things you ve ever seen Let s have a tea party p p style text-align left Husband But where are we going to keep them p p style text-align left Me I ll find somewhere nbsp There s got to be a place for them p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align left Fast forward two weeks later. nbsp p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align center Here is an old decorative box that has sat in our living room for a while now p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align center img style border 0px initial initial src static.rcwilley.com blog 34 3073 DSC 1301-48606.JPG alt width 558 height 370 p p style text-align center nbsp p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align center And here is a peek inside p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align center img style border 0px initial initial src static.rcwilley.com blog 34 3073 DSC 1300-67195.JPG alt width 558 height 370 p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align center When there s a will there s a way. nbsp Even if it means storing dishes in your living room. p p style text-align center nbsp p p style text-align center Aren t they cute p p style text-align left nbsp p p style text-align center img style border 0px initial initial src static.rcwilley.com blog 34 3073 DSC 1299-88176.JPG alt width 558 height 369 p p style text-align center nbsp p p style text-align center nbsp p p style text-align center Anyone else out there love dishes as much as I do p p style text-align center nbsp p p style text-align center nbsp p p style text-align center P.S. Make sure you enter the a href dp RTT-Blog-Fathers-Day-Giveaway.jsp Father s Day Giveaway a this weekend p p style text-align center nbsp p

p One of my favorite things as a kid was driving in the car with my dad. nbsp It wasn t so much the destinations we were traveling to that were memorable rather it was the experience of riding just the two of us in his car that I still treasure. nbsp Not only did going in dad s car mean that I d get to enjoy the bliss of seat warmers but more importantly it was a given that we d rock out together to his favorite bands. nbsp It was customary for us to belt out the lyrics in unison and sway to the beats of Journey Styx Boston the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac. nbsp p p nbsp p p style text-align center img style border 0px initial initial src static.rcwilley.com blog 34 3063 journey-25665.jpg alt width 280 height 277 p p class legaltext style text-align center Journey in all their big hair glory p p nbsp p p According to my father 1979 was the pinnacle of rock and roll . nbsp It also happened to be the year he graduated from high school. nbsp Go figure. nbsp p p nbsp p p We had some great times riding together in that Buick and consequentially every time I hear Midnight Train Hotel California or Carry on my wayward son I smile and think of my dad. nbsp I sure love that man. nbsp p p nbsp p p What band artist song makes you reminisce about your own father nbsp p p nbsp p p Since Father s day is coming up we re going to do a a href dp RTT-Blog-Fathers-Day-Giveaway.jsp Father s Day Giveaway a nbsp I m going to give 5 sets of these a href Electronics Audio Portable Headphones SE-MJ5HEADPHONES 2730987 Pioneer-Stereo-Headphones-View.jsp Pioneer noise canceling headphones a to 5 of you lucky readers nbsp What better present could you give your dad nbsp He ll be able to groove to his favorite tunes whenever and wherever he feels like it nbsp p p nbsp p p nbsp p p style text-align center a href Electronics Audio Portable Headphones SE-MJ5HEADPHONES 2730987 Pioneer-Stereo-Headphones-View.jsp img style border 0px initial initial src static.rcwilley.com blog 34 3063 HEADDDD-27051.jpg alt width 228 height 251 a p p nbsp p p To enter the giveaway simply visit our a href dp RTT-Blog-Fathers-Day-Giveaway.jsp Father s Day Giveaway Page a where you ll be prompted to tell us what your Dad s favorite band is nbsp Make sure you enter by Monday June 13th at 11 59pm. nbsp Five winners will be chosen at random and announced on Tuesday June 14th p p nbsp p p Good luck p p nbsp p p P.S. If you really want to snag a set of these a href Electronics Audio Portable Headphones SE-MJ5HEADPHONES 2730987 Pioneer-Stereo-Headphones-View.jsp headphones a you can buy them for FIVE yes only FIVE bucks when you make a purchase of 499 or more at RC Willey this week p

I've always LOVED celebrating birthdays!  Especially my own!  And by celebrate, I mean draw it out for as long as humanly possible.  I'll never turn down a good excuse to party!

 

Last Saturday I had my birthday.  This year it was strangely different though.  I had a great time celebrating and doing fun things all weekend, but I was totally wigging out inside.  I kind of couldn't wait for it all to be over so I could just forget how many years are under my belt now.

 

 

 

 

On May 28th, I turned 26.

 

Ahhhhhhhhhhh.

 

I know, I know.  This might sound a tad dramatic, but I feel like I'm entering mid-life crisis mode here folks!!  Twenty six!  The last time I was this freaked out by my age was when I turned eighteen and cried in my bedroom for a whole day because I thought my life was over due to the following reasons: A) All of the good songs on the radio talk about being 17 and in the prime of your life.  Eighteen felt like old maid status. B) My high school graduation was the next day.  After years of saying I was so over high school and ready for college, I suddenly realized maybe I was a tiny bit scared to grow up. C) I was now officially an adult and I could register to vote.  Scary!  That's what boring old people do!

 

I know what you're thinking, and yes, I can assure you that I take my civic responsibilities very seriously and make it a point to exercise my right to vote at elections.  Don't worry.

 

I digress.... Back to twenty six.

 

This year, the insanity might be due to the fact that I am now three years older than my husband instead of two, or that I recently found a wrinkle on my forehead.  The icing on the cake though was when my brother kindly informed me the other day that I am now closer to THIRTY than twenty.  I almost threw up all over his shoes just to teach him a lesson.

 

I'm coping.  I will prevail!  Thankfully the last person that guessed my age was sure I was twenty two.  Bless them forever and always.  Recently I found this quote from Lucille Ball that I think I'll make my mantra, "The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age."  

 

Hello, my name is Andrea, and I'm 21 years old!

 

Is it just me?  Have any of you been a complete wreck thanks to a birthday? 

 

I'm off to buy some eye cream.....