Extreme Makeover Home Edition

Last week, a girl who went to my high school mentioned on Facebook that Extreme Makeover was coming to Baltimore. I absolutely love the show and watch it every Sunday. I knew that I needed to find a way to get to the site and volunteer.

I signed up online along with my friends, Alden and Kim. The recipients were announced yesterday and the build started. We volunteered to work from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. today.

I was surprised to see Ty there today. So cool that he was though!

Raven Symone from That's So Raven was the celebrity on this episode.

Alden and I spent four hours working in the catering tent. We served all the volunteers on the build.

After lunch, we went outside to work. On my way to the port-a-pot, a man told me to come with him for a minute. I ended up being an extra in a shot that they were doing with Michael, the designer, and Raven!

We also moved piles of wood and stocked coolers. The rest of the time was spent hanging out while the cement trucks came in. We got to see other celebrities...Paige and Xzibit on the build site.

The experience was everything I hoped for and more! Thanks girls for going with me!

Yum, Yum

Is there anything better than the combination of summer tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil?

I made this recipe the other day and it was out of this world.

Insalata Caprese Kabobs with Balsamic Vinegar Reduction and Eros Pista Paste (recipe from Tassa Hampton on Grill It! with Bobby Flay)

• 1 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 small container cherry tomatoes
• 1 (8-ounce) container fresh mozzarella
  
• 1 bunch large fresh basil leaves
• Extra-virgin olive oil, as needed
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
• 4 teaspoons Eros Pista or fresh Hungarian paprika, optional
• Special Equipment: 4 (18-inch) metal skewers

Directions

Preheat a grill to medium heat.

To make the sauce, pour the balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan and reduce very slowly on low heat. Stir occasionally until it reduced to the consistency of syrup, approximately 10 minutes.

Onto a skewer, layer 1 cherry tomato, 1 piece of fresh mozzarella and 1 large folded basil leaf. Repeat this pattern until 2 inches are left on the end of the skewer. Push the ingredients down towards the bottom tip for easy handling of the tops. Repeat with the remaining skewers and ingredients. When the skewers are ready to grill, put them onto a large piece of foil, brush them with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer the sheet of foil with the skewers onto the grill and shut the lid until the cheese begins to melt, about 3 minutes. When finished, pull the skewers from the heat by gripping the sides of the foil. Drizzle each skewer evenly with the balsamic reduction and sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon of Eros Pista. Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy!



I also made Turkey Burgers with lemon honey mustard and goat cheese. They're a new family favorite.

It's Hot!

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.

Russell Baker

Fourth of July T-Shirts Through the Years

It used to be that we would be at the beach for the Fourth of July with our extended family. It was always my job to make the Fourth of July t-shirts with all of the kids.

In 2002, we made shirts with rubber stamps and paint brushes.

In 2003 , we tie-dyed t-shirts.



It looks like we rubber stamped again in 2004.

Not sure what we did in 2005, but in 2006 we tie-dyed again!




We haven't been back to the beach over the 4th since 2006, so I haven't done shirts since then.

With all of the blog parties I've been checking out lately, I came across this blog about reverse applique and this tutorial on how to do it. I was at Michaels and t-shirts were 2 for $5. I am not much of a sewer, but even I could make these! I asked the twins (they are the only ones who will still dress up for the holidays) what they wanted on their shirts. Ammy wanted a peace sign (semi-patriotic) and Kellen wanted the Raven's logo (not in the least bit patriotic)

I whipped these up in no time and they wore them to Oregon Ridge to see the BSO and the fireworks on Saturday night.

Ammy sporting her peace shirt.

Kellen in his red, white and blue Ravens shirt.

I am linking up to these parties today:

How I Spent My Birthday

Lions

tigers

and bears, oh my!

Orangutans walking over head.

Gorillas hanging out.

And a gator in the muck!

Go here to see more pictures from my day at the National Zoo.