Cowboy Garden Salsa Recipe

I could eat Mexican food for every meal and never get tired of it!  My hubby and I have 2 non-negotiables for a good Mexican restaurant: #1 They must have sweet tea and #2 they must have good salsa! If they don't have either of those things, we're out! When we planted our garden a couple months ago, I picked vegetables that go in salsa so I could make my own.  Today my dad and I whipped up our own version of chunky salsa with a slight kick to it! It turned out so good I had to share!
Here's what you need:

• 3 jalapenos, chopped, seeded and deveined. If you like a little kick to it, then leave some of the seeds in. Go on, I dare ya!
• 4 fresh tomatoes, chopped
• 1 can Muir Glen, Organic fire roasted diced tomatoes. (This is optional, but I think it gives it extra flavor. Plus I like the fire-roasted taste, without having to roast my own tomatoes.)
• 1/2 large onion, chopped
• 1 cup cilantro, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lime
• 2 Tbsp cumin
• Pinch of sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Mix up all your ingredients in a large bowl and serve! (If you like your salsa to have a smoother consistency, then you can puree it in a food processor.)   

TV cabinet re-do

It's funny how technology changes the styles of furniture we have in our houses.  A few years ago, everyone had these big bulky tv cabinets to hold our obnoxiously large box tv's. Now, we can just hang our tv's up on the wall. So when my dad gave me this old Ethan Allen tv armoire, I immediately knew I could turn it into a craft closet for all my supplies!  Let me tell ya, this thing is SOLID! It weighs a ton, which also means it is a good piece of furniture!
Here are the supplies I used:

1. 1-2 cans Krylon spray paint Primer. 6.49 at Michaels
2. Elmer's Multi-Purpose Spray Adhesive. 4.99 at Michaels
3. Americana Decor Chalk Paint in Everlasting. 8.99 at Michaels
4. Americana Decor Creme Wax in Clear. 11.99 at Michaels
5. 3 packages Everbilt 2 in. x 1-3/8 in oil-rubbed bronze decorative hinges. 3.27/pkg of 2 at Home Depot. After 2 trips to Home Depot getting the wrong kind of hinges, I landed on these. I love how they look on the outside of the furniture.
6. Pewter Owl Knob. 5.99 at Hobby Lobby. 
7. Approximately 1 yard of fabric of your choice. I got mine at Hobby Lobby.
8. Plywood, cut to size for your shelves and 1x2's if needed to place the shelves on.

• First, I completely gutted the inside, taking out all of the hardware and the nifty swivel stand the TV went on.
• Remove the back and cover with fabric. Cut your fabric to match the size of the backing and spray the backing with spray adhesive. Staple the edges to make sure it stays secure.  Set aside.
• Spray the entire piece with primer.  This is not necessary with chalk paint, but it does save a lot of time.
• Apply 2 coats of chalk paint, inside and out and let dry.
• SAND SAND SAND until your arm hurts! I like the wood underneath showing through, so I sanded the heck out this baby! I wanted it to look like an old, worn out piece of furniture, not like I looked lazy and only did 1 coat of paint, know what I mean?
• Apply the wax with a brush, coating the entire piece. Take a cloth and buff it out.
• Attach the back with fabric by screwing into the back with the existing screws.

• Finally attach 1x2's to the sides with screws. Mine came with them, but I moved them around to fit my containers. Place the plywood on the 1x2's.

And here's the final product:

I'm in love with how it turned out! I've been waiting for just the right spot to put this old window pane and I think it goes perfect on top of this piece!