Five Random Things Plus a Recipe!

Time for another "random things" post (otherwise known as 5 things happening in my world that would take me five weeks to write them all out as individual posts!)


1 - I have the perfect recipe for all those luscious homegrown red tomatoes you have been or will be picking and don't know what to do with! It is called Fresh Tomato Garlic Pasta and it is from a great cookbook my sister sent  me when she moved to Florida 20 years ago.

Simple to make with simple ingredients and it is SO good and fresh tasting. You have to make it ahead, in the morning of the day you want to eat it, so that all the ingredients have time to become delicious together.

Here is the recipe:

4 large ripe tomatoes, diced

5 cloves garlic, chopped

1 large sprig fresh parsley, chopped

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

6 ounces mozzarella cheese, cubed

1 pound pasta, like penne

Parmesan/Romano cheese as garnish

The night before or early in the day combine all ingredients EXCEPT pasta and parmesan.

 Stir well. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours but not more than one day.

Stir once or twice while in fridge.

When ready to serve, prepare pasta. Coat with sauce; serve hot or cold with parmesan.

It is delicious both ways.

The final plate with penne pasta and romano cheese....

2 - It was finally warm enough for me to go watch my granddaughter Cassidy's baseball game. She is eleven and the only girl on her team, the Marion Knights. Her Dad is a coach and her Mom is the score keeper. So proud of her and how she holds her own with the boys. She plays third base or short stop. Here she is ready to smack the ball.

3 - I have been working on my garden, getting things planted in pots and putting all my new, fun garden things out. It has been slow going because of the cold weather but we are having high 70's - 80's now so I am playing catch up.

Here is a sneak peak of two of my new additions to my gardens this year.

My weathered door and garden hose wreath I made this year

A sink garden with white Bacopa and vintage plates



Once my yard and gardens are ready and done I will do a whole post on all of my new treasures!


4 - Huge score at my local Goodwill. It was another "thrifting on a whim" kind of day and I found so many things that I was there for an hour and a half while my frozen tilapia was melting in my car. It is grocery shopping day but the thrifting bug bit me hard! Some will go to my booth and others to my Etsy shop. I might have to keep the little fish.

 I need some help here. Does anyone have any idea what this cut glass, crystal beauty is? It is on a marble base with no way to wire it as a lamp. The fancy brass top screws off. I just had to get it but I don't know what to call it to even search it. I was asking customers at the Goodwill to help me out. No one knew. Help!

Since I first posted this, I found out that this stunning piece is a Scales of Justice. It should have a hanging scale on either side. After reading Betsy's comment about using this pretty crystal stand to hang necklaces, I had to try it. What do you think? I love it!

5 - How many pictures of cute kitties sleeping together do you really need?

Just one more.....

AnnMarie xoxo


I am linking up with these great blog parties:


Talk of the Town
Share Your Cup Thursday
Simple & Sweet Fridays
Vintage Charm
Thoughts of Home on Thursday
Home Sweet Home
Random Five Friday
Five on Friday
Pink Saturday
Happiness is Homemade
Dishing It & Digging It Link Party
Cooking and Crafting with J & J
Best of the Weekend