Author: Olivia McTernan

Summer Home Care Guide

Posted on by Olivia McTernan

Summer is finally here and it’s time to enjoy those perfect summer days and nights. There is nothing quite like a summer cookout spent with family & friends or a long fun filled day at the beach. With all the excitement summer brings, it also can shine light on those projects around the house that may need attention. We’ve shared some helpful tips and reminders to help care for your home this summer.

  • Clean your dryer vent and exhaust duct to make sure there is no buildup of dust and lint.
  • Change the filter in your air conditioner and consider scheduling an HVAC professional to service your system.
  • Clean and consider re-sealing your tile grout.
  • Do a test of your smoke & carbon monoxide detectors – check your batteries!
  • Keep an eye on your irrigation system – a faulty sprinkler or irrigation hose that goes unnoticed can quickly cause larger problems for your lawn or even your basement.
  • Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans. If your fans spin counterclockwise, they will push air straight down and will help keep your home cool this summer!
  • Pay your attic a visit to check for any signs of mildew, leaks, holes, and even pests.
  • Clean the grill to prep for all the summer barbequing!
  • Take a look at your standby generator to make sure it is functioning properly.
  • Check your gutters and downspouts for any buildup of debris and have cleaned to allow for efficient water flow.
  • Your condenser has been outside all spring and winter long, make sure it is properly cleaned.
  • Inspect your foundation for any cracks or leaks.
  • Wash down your porch and give your deck a glace – check to see if any boards are rotting and may need replacement.
  • Wash the windows! Why not have a clean fresh start after all the pollen.
  • Check your outdoor faucets for any leaks.
  • Inspect the caulking around the windows and doors of your home, this will help keep any unwanted critters out.
  • Consider having your roof inspected by a professional.

Most importantly…don’t forget to enjoy your summer and indulge in a refreshing watermelon mint mojito! This tasty treat recipe can be found in our latest blog posts – Full Recipe Here!

Watermelon Mint Mojito

Posted on by Olivia McTernan

If your garden is in full swing and you’re looking for the perfect summer refresher, our watermelon mint mojito recipe is super delicious and refreshing! This recipe easily becomes a go to for when you are relaxing on the porch or even hosting a summer cookout with family and friends.

Ingredients: 

Grab your favorite cocktail glasses and a friend, as this recipe is enough to be enjoyed by two!      

  • 2 cups watermelon                                                                             
  • Handful of fresh mint leaves
  • 4 limes; freshly squeezed.
  • 1 oz simple syrup
  • 4-ounces white rum
  • chilled lime club soda water

Directions

  • Combine your watermelon, mint leaves, and lime juice in a shaker and muddle until watermelon and mint leaves are crushed.
  • Fill your shaker with lots of ice and add simple syrup and rum – Shake until ice cold!
  • Fill glasses halfway with ice and pour contents of shaker into glasses.
  • Top with chilled club soda and mix gently.
  • Add a slice of watermelon, lime, and mint for garnish – Enjoy!

Street Corn Craze

Posted on by Olivia McTernan

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 4 ears fresh corn, shucked (about 3 cups fresh corn kernels)
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 ounces feta or Cotija cheese, finely crumbled.
  • 1/2 cup finely sliced scallions.
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped.
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and steamed, finely chopped.
  • 1 to 2 medium cloves garlic pressed or minced.
  • 1tablespoon mayonnaise 
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • Chili powder or hot Chili flakes, to taste. 

Directions:

  • Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet or work over high heat until simmering. Add corn kernels, season to taste with salt, toss once or twice, and cook without moving until charred on one side. Toss corn, stir, and repeat until charred on second side. Continue tossing and charring until corn is well charred all over, about 10minutes total. Transfer to a large bowl.
  • Add cheese, scallions, cilantro, jalapeno, garlic, mayonnaise, lime juice, and Chili powder. Combine ingredients, toss, and serve!

Christmas Charcuterie Cheer

Posted on by Olivia McTernan

Christmas Charcuterie boards are a fun and festive way to display your holiday treats! Whether you are looking for something savory, sweet, or a little of both, these boards are sure to bring all the Christmas cheer to your Holiday table! Select your favorite holiday shape and let’s build a board! Here you’ll find lots of helpful ideas, tips, and tricks for the perfect Holiday board.

Christmas Tree Charcuterie 

Let’s start with a favorite Christmas staple, the tree!

While this tree does have several types of cheeses, it is also complimented by a few selections of meats and fruits. My favorite touch is the star of the tree, a rose sculpture made out of salami.

Salami roses are easy to prepare, delicious, and provide a unique way of making the charcuterie board stand out. All you’ll need is a few thin salami slices and a small glass for sculpting.

Step 1: For the first layer, fold one salami slice in half and place over the rim of the glass. Make sure half of the salami slice is inside the glass and the other half is outside the glass. Add another slice and overlap the first slice. Repeat the steps with 2 or more slices which should cover the rim of the glass.

Step 2: For the next few layers, place the salami layers so that more of the salami is inside the glass rather than outside.

Step 3: As you continue to add rows you will be left with a small hole in the center. Cover the glass with a small plate and turn the glass over. Push down on the salami flower while twisting the glass slightly to help set the rose.

Now you have a tree topper! Finish the tree with lots of herbs to give a lively Christmas tree feel.

Candy Cane Charcuterie 

Another festive favorite is the candy cane board – filled with savory and sweet treats. This board is super colorful and will catch anyone’s eye on your holiday table. 

For the white ingredients: you can you a Varity of cheeses such as feta cheese, baby bell cheese, mini brie, and mozzarella. Add in white chocolate pretzels and macadamia nuts and you have the perfect pairing. 

For the red ingredients: you can use raspberries, strawberries, cherry tomatoes, and sugared cranberries. Add in a touch of pepperoni or prosciutto for a salty balance. 

Tips & Tricks: You can use a toothpick to keep the folded meat in place. To keep the cheese from drying out, you’ll want to make the board right before serving. Fresh rosemary springs make a great decoration!

 

Christmas Wreath Charcuterie 

Filled with Christmas colors and delicious cheeses and meats – this holiday wreath is meant to be eaten!

Start by setting the wreath with a garnish of rosemary – this will tie everything together once complete.

Popular cheeses for this spread include cranberry goat cheese, garlic herb brie, and English cheddar cheese. These cheeses pair well with sliced apples, sugared cranberries, blueberries, and pomegranates – which also serve as great red berries for the wreath! And of course, you’ll want to add a variety of your favorite meats.

Add a decorative touch with a jellied brie – To make this festive, simply cut the brie in half and add in your favorite jam. Using the top layer of the brie, use a cookie cutter to make a cut out of the center!

A Versatile Focal Point

Posted on by Olivia McTernan

Homeowners often juggle between design and practicality when it comes to finishing touches such as railings. Railings have the tendency to be a detail that is easily overlooked, but ultimately completes the space.  A design that remains sleek and inviting while also practical is cable railing. Cable railing offers an impressive visual impact but is much more than just an aesthetic benefit.

A challenge one may face while designing interior and exterior spaces is encompassing the view. Cable railing offers unobstructed views which in return makes the room feel larger and more inviting as your viewpoint goes beyond just the railing. This allows for natural light to shine through and creates a streamline design that is not usually considered a focal point in a home, but without effort, catches anyone’s eye. If you are viewing the space from a distance, the thin lines simply vanish, and the architectural details and/or breath-taking views become center of attention. 

Thanks to the design of cable railing, they are effortless to maintain, and their durability brings forth tremendous value to your home. Cable railing serves a variety as they pair well with traditional but also contemporary styled homes, blending well to every taste of design. They allow a homeowner to showcase their personality and the overall beauty of a space, inside or out.

Cranberry Harvest Butter

Posted on by Olivia McTernan

Tart and savory crock pot cranberry butter is a fall staple in Olivia’s kitchen – what better timing than to share this delicious recipe before the holidays arrive. This treat pairs well with biscuits, scones, rich cheeses, and is even a great spread to have on the table during Thanksgiving dinner. 

You’ll want to bring a jar with you to every fall get together!

Ingredients:

  • Three 12 oz bags of cranberries (rinsed)
  • 2 Cups of brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • Dash of nutmeg
  • 2 cinnamon sticks 
  • Orange zest (half an orange)
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup

Directions:

  • Wash the cranberries and pour them into the crock pot.
  • Next, peel the zest off the orange, add it to the slow cooker. Toss in the cinnamon sticks too. 
  • Add 1/4 cup maple syrup. The flavor combination of maple, orange, cinnamon and cranberry is too good! 
  • Add remaining ingredients: lemon juice, vanilla extract, nut meg, and brown sugar. 
  • Stir and cook on low for 4 – 6 hours. 
  • Now, use an immersion blender (or regular blender) to get the perfect consistency! If too thick, add in a touch of water.