at home with ann

One of the things we love about our new house is the back yard.  It's big, flat, completely private, has a porch and patio, and backs up to conservation land.  We've been spending hours outside every day, and it makes me very happy.  We knew we wanted to get a nice outdoor dining set so we could eat on the patio all summer.  Before we even closed on the house we were scouring the internet to find the right set, and finally found the perfect one at Pottery Barn.  We ordered it right after moving in, thinking it would come within a week or so, most certainly before James' big birthday party.  After much cursing of Pottery Barn and threats not to ever shop there again, it arrived this weekend.  It's everything I hoped for, and makes our yard an even more lovely place to be. Since we're spending so much time outside, Jon is also grilling every weekend night.  This steak tip marinade is a favorite, and my little carnivore can easily out eat me in the ...

The weather was gorgeous last weekend, so we decided Saturday night was the perfect time to kick of grilling season.  Last year we grilled every weekend we were home in the summer.  Leisurely nights spent on the porch while the charcoal heated, several cocktails and then dinner enjoyed by candlelight at our porch table.  Something tells me the timing and the cocktails will be a bit different this year, but Colin liked watching Jon man the grill.  This steak marinade gave the salad a little something extra, and you could certainly mix up the herbs.  I think it would be delicious with rosemary.  Some vegetables, a scoop of leftover quinoa and simple croutons rounded out the plate.  For the croutons, I heated a garlic clove in olive oil just until it was fragrant.  Brush both sides of bread slices with the oil and put on the grill for a few seconds (15-30 depending on how hot the grill is) until toasted.  Cut into cubes.  I actually had ...