Crea’tif Living ~
The Painted Artichoke
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The Following Articles
Summer 2025
First Edition
Celebrating Summer Corn!
Corn Salad Two Ways
Backyard Buffet Ideas
Easy Peasy!
Certainly A Centerpiece!
A Simple Summer Centerpiece
Dog Friendly “Digs”
A Dog Friendly Restaurant
Pup Friendly Park!
Great Walking Parks in the Metro
She’s a Vamp ~ But I love Her!
A Complete Chair Makeover
Second Hand Treasures
A Simple Thoughtful Gesture
It’s the Simplest Things…
Celebrating Summer Corn!
Stopping by the market hungry, I was trying to figure out what I was in the mood to eat. Wandering through the produce section, I spotted corn on the cob. It’s summer ~ Corn sounded just perfect!
I brought it home, but didn’t feel like lighting the grill. I cleaned it and steamed it briefly.
Corn salad became the plan!
Cutting the kernels off the cob, I decided to use corn as the base for two salads -
Below are the basic guidelines to making these scrumptious salads:
Slightly Spicy Tex - Mex Corn Salad
Lightly salt corn, to taste
In a food processor finely chop pickled jalapenos and onion.
Add pepper and onion to corn, mixing with a small amount of olive oil and white vinegar
In a separate bowl, drained canned black beans, season with a pinch of red pepper.
Dice the tomato and avocado - shred your cheese
Layer the ingredients on a salad plate,
corn first, black beans, tomato, shredded cheese, and avocado
Dust the entire dish with a hint of red pepper and serve!
Scrumptious!
Corn Salad with Apple and Feta
Using the same corn, jalapeno and onion combination - I simply topped it differently.
Placing the corn combo on the plate,
I added shredded Fuji apples (skin on) crumbled feta cheese, and finely chopped walnuts.
Again, just delicious!
Keep in mind, you can adjust every ingredient to your taste. Adjust accordingly.
One other thought worth mentioning ~
The Tex -Mex version of this salad would be fantastic with burgers. The Apple and Feta version would pair well with a lovely fish entree.
Both salads are incredibly simple to make and could be served both ways at one event.
This is all about your gathering, your taste and your menu!
It presents beautifully - serve layered on a platter for a larger event.
Sometimes it’s the simplest recipe that is the biggest hit on the menu!
It’s the simplest things….
Please let us know if you made these recipes! Share a favorite Summer Salad Recipe!
email: thepaintedartichoke@gmail.com
Backyard Buffet Ideas
The Summer Cookout is an almost weekly tradition in the Southeast.
There is something special about family and friends stopping by and firing up the grill.
It seems as though everyone has their favorite recipes, grilling techniques. The whole kabob!
With summer comes patriotic colors ~ We have Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day.
That’s exactly why we chose a patriotic theme for our
Backyard Buffet!
Deciding to make this easy, playful, and patriotic we decided to use what we already have.
We have several blue and white dish options on hand we also had “red tailed” flatware leftover from a holiday luncheon.
Our flowers are from our weekly fresh arrangement ~ a delightful weekly treat, we will chat about at another time.
The pitcher ~ any container will do!
If you are not a fresh flower person, try adding a watermelon or tomatoes ~
and then add them to the menu!
Let’s take a look.
Both scenarios serve the same purpose. In first photos we use blue and white luncheon plates
with varied patterns: “red tailed” flatware, linen napkins, a brightly colored butter dish,
fish s&p shakers, along with a blue and white pitcher for the flowers.
The second set up uses white luncheon plates, plastic flatware, paper napkins,
(more on the importance of keeping a supply of cute napkins another time, too!)
white butter dish, and a clear glass jar for the flowers.
Both are fabulous!
The entire point being ~ It’s the smallest things… that make a tremendous difference!
Use what you have and take a minute to make your 4th of July feel a bit special.
Not only does it make your family and friends feel appreciated,
it kind of makes you smile, too!
Think about this ~ creating a welcoming, festive environment
for your family and friends is a form of ‘giving back.’
In my opinion, EVERY TIME we make another person feel special and appreciated ~
we are giving back.
Have fun with it ~ make someone smile with your efforts!
email us: thepaintedartichoke@gmail.com
Certainly a Centerpiece!
With our message throughout this edition of The Painted Artichoke being….
It’s the smallest things…that make a tremendous difference!
We decided to start with two very simple, very inexpensive centerpiece ideas,
using the same flowers for both settings.
We didn’t venture out to the local farmer’s market,
our thought being that if we are keeping this quite simple -
possibly for a spur of the moment occasion, we would just stop by the supermarket.
So, we did just that!
It has been raining lately, so we decided on sunflowers to brighten our impromptu occasion!
Keeping with the premise of using what everyone would have on hand
we decided to use a small drinking glass.
Now, in our imagination this is a luncheon, so the centerpiece will be on the table.
Tabletop centerpieces, if used for a meal should always be fairly short, or low. You never want to have to talk around or above the centerpiece.
For our second imaginary event, we decided to go a bit more playful and festive. Using the same sunflowers, without cutting them a second time, we separated them and placed each one into a single vodka tasting glass, along with glass beads for weight.
Now, we are fully aware that you may not have any vodka tasting glasses on hand!
Not a problem!
You could just as easily use champagne flutes without stems,
juice glasses or even small, clear unmarked jars.
We used blue glass flower arrangement beads to sprinkle on the table, as well as the petals from an extra sunflower,
just to add a splash of fun!
Think about it, if you had overnight guests using one bunch of supermarket flowers, you could create one arrangement for dinner, and the other arrangement when putting out the morning coffee!
Remember, “It’s the smallest things…that make the biggest impact!”
Please send us photos of your centerpiece creations
and
SUBSCRIBE!
email us: thepaintedartichoke@gmail.com
Dog Friendly “Digs”
It was Mother’s Day, and being a new “Dog Mom,” I reached out to a good friend asking if she would like to meet for lunch! Not only am I a new Dog Mom, but I am completely new to having a canine companion. Unfamiliar with ‘dog friendly digs’ I went online to look!
Much to my surprise, again being new to the whole dog thing…. there is an app called Bring Fido! Who knew?
I downloaded the bring fido app and looked for restaurants in the Sandy Springs area.
After checking in with my lunch friend, we agreed on Thos. O’Reilly’s Public House.
She had recently eaten nearby and mentioned that it looked like a fun place to check out ~ and we did just that!
The menu was varied, the atmosphere was casual, and the service was friendly!
On Sundays they offer a bottomless mimosa ~ which is always great!
The best part of our visit was the friendliness of our server and the other “dog parents!” Such great people! Our server voluntarily brought us a small plate of celery sticks for our pooch! Thank you so much!
You know…it’s the smallest things….
We will most definitely be returning to Thos. O’Reilly’s Public House. With or without my new canine companion!
Check them out and tell them The Painted Artichoke sent you!
I didn’t take any photos on this visit; this is a photo from Yelp. I’ll do a better job next time!
Click on the photo to link to O’Reilly’s
or visit www.oreillyspublichouse.com
Also check out the Bring Fido App
www.bringfido.com
Please share with us your recommendations for lunch ~ Canine Friendly or Not!
Please Subscribe!
email: thepaintedartichoke@gmail.com
I am a new “Pet Parent.” Some may say that I am a new “Pet Owner,” however, I would completely disagree! Having said that, I am a first-time dog parent, so the entire experience is a new adventure!
Please allow me to introduce to you,
“Addison A.I.” Adventure Investigator
Addison is a rescue dog, found along the side of a busy street without a chip or collar. I heard about him after one of my hikes, and after a few conversations with his rescuers, I decided to adopt him! He has been with me for three weeks, and asked to be neutered, groomed and become an “A.I.!”
Living on the Northside of Metro Atlanta, we decided to check out Laurel Park, in Marietta.
Thinking that a Saturday morning would be a busy time, we went looking for an adventure!
Laurel Park is a wonderful resource in the center of Marietta. Great walking paths, a gorgeous pond, tennis courts, fantastic playground for the little guys… wildlife! Just great!
The park wasn’t overly crowded for a weekend, and Addison gives it 4 paws out of 5.
Check out the photos from this “Parking” adventure!
Two families of Geese! One family with two teenagers, and the other family with toddlers!
A very handsome turtle, and a Kingfisher looking to fish from a tall stump!
Just Beautiful!
For more info: www.marietta.com
Try taking 15 minutes out of your weekend to go outdoors for a walk. It is simply astonishing to me how Mother Nature can make such a difference in mood and attitude!
If you see a bit of litter, make a small effort and put it in the trash receptacle ~ they are strategically placed throughout the park.
It’s the smallest things…..
Please send us your photos of Mother Nature! We are huge fans of hers!
email: thepaintedartichoke@gmail.com
A vamp is a woman who uses her charm or wiles…
We are returning the charm to the furniture pieces we “vamp!”
I have had the great pleasure of vamping, revamping, or restoring furniture over the years. I think vamping is a fun word for it, don’t you?
Vamping up a piece of furniture is such a rewarding project, especially if you enjoy a huge, visual transformation!
The before and after is so satisfying! Whether it’s family heirloom, or a piece you found at a thrift store, or garage sale ~
the wow factor at the end of the project is fantastic!
I haven’t been successful with reupholstering furniture. I found it to be incredibly difficult and messy.
I enjoy painting furniture, though. Sometimes becoming quite creative with the finishes! My daughter’s college apartment was furnished with thrift shop finds, all vamped and ready to charm! Such a cute apartment!
Recently I vamped up a fabulous vintage chair of mine, that has some sentimental value. It was my first home office chair, and it represents an entirely different life and lifestyle .
She (the chair) has always been gorgeous, we just vamped her up, and gave her some pizazz!
Take a look ~
Isn’t she fabulous!! Not only did we vamp her, but we also gave her a complete attitude lift!
I have admired her new fabric for a few years and really wanted to implement it in two separate client projects~
neither client chose the fabric, so I chose it for myself!
I am so pleased with the end result, she is stunning!
If you are in need of Upholstery Services check out Glaber’s Upholstery & Fabrics I have worked with him for years~
great guy!
5064 Canton Road, Suite 100
Marietta, GA 30066
770-971-3753
Tell him Dori, at Crea’tif Living sent you!
Don’t be afraid to vamp a piece of furniture, it’s incredibly rewarding. Share it with us!
Remember…it’s the smallest thing that makes a huge impact!
email: thepaintedartichoke@gmail.com
Not So Snobby Hobby
Call it what you want ~
Shopping Facebook Marketplace, Estate Sales, Yard Sales, Tag Sales
Garage Sales, Flea Markets, Antique Shops, Thrift Stores, eBay
is not an elite shopping experience!
There is no way to predict what you may find, if you have a little vision…
But that’s the entire purpose!
And you just may find “Snooty Loot!”
It’s more about what you may find Behind Door Number 4! Right?
It is the thrill of the hunt
and I find it to be great fun and a great way to spend a weekend afternoon.
However,
It’s not for the faint of heart…
You really must see beyond the clutter in the yard sale or thrift store,
or have something specific in mind
while scrolling through eBay.
I have been practicing this “Not so Snobby Hobby” for years!
Take a look at a couple of my finds
