Repurpose An Outdoor Wall Planter

Summer in the midwest...you can count on two things for certain:  hot sun and bugs.  Whether you're enjoying a stay-cation in your own back yard, or a simple dinner on the patio, you'll want the sunscreen and insect repellant close by.    We repurposed an outdoor wall planter as a storage rack for these summer necessities. An artificial potted plant adds a touch of summer green, and we don't have to worry about forgetting to water it.  Happy Creating! 

 

Best Picnic Potato Salad

It's BBQ season and most nights you'll find us gathered around the pool, with dinner on the grill.  I love to toss together this easy and delicious Red Potato Salad, made with dijon mustard, dill and sour cream.  If you make it for a crowd, be sure to keep it on ice -- onions can spoil easily in the heat.

Red Potato Salad

3 pounds red potatoes, boiled and cut into cubes
1 stalk celery, chopped
3 green onions, chopped
1 cup peas
1 cup sour cream (sometimes I substitute 1/2 cup of sour cream for plain yogurt)
1/2 cup mayonnaise with olive oil
2 tsp dijon mustard
1 tsp cider vinegar
1 tsp dill
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp onion powder
3 hard boiled eggs - I use for garnish, but can also mix in salad

While potatoes boil, cook the peas, and chop green onions and celery.  Rinse and drain potatoes and combine with peas, celery and green onions.  Refrigerate to chill.  Mix sour cream, mayo, mustard, vinegar, dill, garlic salt and onion powder.  Combine with vegetables and garnish with sliced hard boiled eggs.  Create your own variations:  Sometimes I add 1/2 cup crumbled bacon, or cut up a dill pickle and add it to the salad, or add 1 tsp. hot sauce to kick it up a notch.  Happy Summer Creating!