Late night dinner for two

Last night was a great night. Once I got the kids fed their dinner (pizza), bathed and down to bed, I started cooking dinner a Deux. My man had to work really late and I knew that I wouldn’t sleep until he got in, so I figured we could have a nice relaxing dinner on the patio for just the two of us. I made Grilled chicken Asiago with cheese tortellini, a tossed salad and Italian seasoned bread. A nice bottle of chilled white wine and some candles and I was set.

We really enjoyed the time alone and he was very impressed with our dinner. It was actually easier to make then you would think, but we won’t tell him that. I tell you, it was long over due for some quality alone time. If you haven’t done it yourselves lately, take a page from my blog and go for it! You won’t be disappointed.

Have to be replaced

My outdoor patio heaters just quit working. I think it is totally fried. That doesn’t surprise me though, because I use it constantly during the winter and I have had it for a few years now. I bought it for a winter birthday party and when I found out how well it worked, I started using it a lot. I like to sit on the patio and drink my coffee in the morning and heater keeps it nice and warm so that I can enjoy a little bit of outdoors at the same time.

The kids really like it a lot as well. Sometimes, they like to come out here and color or read. During the winter it is usually too cold with out the heater to warm the patio up. Fortunately, my patio can be screened in or enclosed. I have removable windows and panels that make a big difference during inclement weather. It is one of the best investments I have ever made in my home remodeling adventures. I wasn’t really sure at first that it would be worth it, but right after I did it, I bought the first heater and was amazed at how well it works.

The patio is the best place for messy projects. I can take up the rugs that cover the floor, in case the kids spill and if necessary, just hose it off. Those volcano’s they love to do for science projects and the like are always delegated to the back porch. There is only one project substance that is never allowed in my house, even on the patio. That substance is floam. That is the worst stuff ever created for kids to play with. I swear to you that it multiplies all on it’s own, and heaven forbid it gets into any kind of carpeting. You will never get it out. My kids agreed after our one episode with it, that it shouldn’t be allowed back in the house.

Well, I have a lot to do today and I am not getting much of it done sitting in front of the computer. I will talk to everyone later on after I have finished.

New patio

I just love the new patio I had put in. It is just beautiful. The paving stone path that goes around to the back patio completely matches every part and was so easy to do. I was amazed at how different things look afterwards. Some seemingly simple stuff can make a world of difference in making a home look nice. The patio pavers have a really neat and clean look to them. It makes for a really nice place to sit and enjoy either good company or even a meal. I will have to get some new patio furniture as well now too.

The landscape lighting installation took a little longer than I wanted it too, but in the end it looks amazing. I sat outside last night for a long while just looking at it. I am so proud of my house. I have done so much work to it to make it nice and I wont stop until every little thing is fixed and perfect. I bought this house as a fixer upper and it has really paid off, because everything is how I want it rather than the way someone else wanted things. I love to show it off as well, which means that I will be having a BBQ soon to show this new addition off.

My patio furniture

I really like my patio furniture, but it has gotten old and is in need of repair. I thought about buying new patio furniture, but then I found an outdoor furniture repair company and decided to just get my old furniture fixed. This will save me a lot of money since my patio furniture is wood not plastic or metal. I found out they can refinish patio furniture and make it look brand new again. I am so happy about that.

I bought this furniture a long time ago and I am very happy with it. I certainly didn’t want to have to get rid of it. My mom helped me pick it out the first summer I spent in this house after I bought it. It was one of those special moments that we women always remember. I am glad that I can preserve it. I will have to tell my mom about it so that she can do hers too. We bought similar sets when I bought mine and I know that hers needs to be fixed as well as mine. Once I have all of this done, I am going to have a little get together to show it off.

I think a Bar-b-Que will be the perfect entertainment. Maybe we can have it on a Sunday and watch the Nascar race on the back patio. I can move the flat screen TV out there near the bar. I have been thinking about getting a TV just for the back porch, but I haven’t entertained as much as I used to so haven’t been able to justify the cost. I will have to make a decision about that later. In the mean time I am just going to continue fixing up my house until I have the show place that I can be proud of.

There are only a few things left to do to the outside of it and I am hoping to have it finished in the next month or so. We shall see. Well I have to go take the kids to the park and let them run off some energy, so I will write more later. I hope everyone has a great day!