Cinder Block Beauty!

Since I have found out that I was pregnant I have not been myself, I hardly do any of the fun activities that I used to do.  I honestly, just feel worn out!  Well, since I gained some energy this past week I decided that I would work on my garden.  I don't know why but I find working on my garden one of the most stress-relieving things to do.

 Well after browsing pinterest for a really long time about a new activity that I can do to keep myself occupied I came across a posting about using cinder blocks as planters.  Since I didn't really think cinder blocks would look cute in my garden, I thought that maybe doing a mosaic on them would be fun.. so that's what I did!

What you will need..
Cinder blocks (however many you need)
Tiles (multiple colors and full sized  3x3 tiles)
Glass tiles
Mortar (you will need a trowel for the mortar)
Grout (you will need a rubber trowel for the grout)
Sponge

Step #1:

After going to the local home improvement store and finding the cinder blocks & tile.  The estimated total cost for cinder blocks & tile is about $12.  I prepped the cinder blocks by making sure they were nice and clean and prepared the tile by putting them one at a time in a plastic zip block bag and gently tapping them with a hammer until they broke, set aside.  Once all the tiles have been broken you want to start to prepare your mortar, prepare how it states on the package, once it is ready to be laid use the trowel and apply a thin layer on the cinder block but ensure that it is thick enough to press the tiles into it without worrying about it moving.  Place tiles on the mortar in any pattern you want.

Step #2:

Once the mortar is set up and the tiles are not going to move use a squirt bottle to wet the mortar slightly so that it adheres to the grout.  Prepare the grout as stated on the package and start to apply.  Make sure that you apply a nice good layer getting into every crack and trying to apply as evenly as possible without applying too much.  Let set up, the amount of time should be listed on the package.

Step #3:

Once the grout is somewhat dry, use a large sponge and water to get the excess grout off the tiles and to make a nice smooth surface.  Set aside and allow to fully dry, this is my least favorite step.. I hate waiting!!

Step #4:

After the grout has completely dried set the cinder blocks wherever you want them to go fill about 3/4 of the way with dirt and plant some flowers.. and TADA!! a beautiful cinder block garden (:

Go ahead and try it, it took me 4 days to complete my whole garden.  Enjoy!

Fajita Salads!

Since it seems like the temperature outside is not going down anytime soon, my fiance and I are trying to think of new ways to make dinner without heat up the entire house.  Since salads have been our favorite thing to make lately we have been looking up different dinner salads all the time, tonight we decided to make some fajita salads! YUMM!!

What you will need...

• Chuck Steak
• 1 Bell pepper
• 1 white or red onion
• 1 16 oz sour cream
• 1 12 oz salsa of any kind
• 1 head of romaine lettuce
• 4 flour tortillas

Cook the steak to your liking and cut it up into thin strips, set aside.  Prepare salad by cutting up the lettuce, onion, bell pepper and mix it in a large bowl.  After preparing the salad, mix the whole sour cream with the entire bottle of salsa, salt and pepper to taste.   For toppers we chopped the tortillas into thin strips and deep fried them in our deep frier and seasoned with pappys which is just a seanson-all but it is one that is sold locally here in California.

Put your salad in the bowl and top with steak, then a little dressing and the tortilla toppers.  Fast and easy meal and I am sure everyone will love it!!  Enjoy!  By the way I hope everyone had a fun & safe 4th of July!