Guest Blogger

I am a guest blogger over at Blissful and Domestic today!!  Thanks Danielle!

Head on over and check out the recipe I am sharing. It is perfect for SUMMER! 
See what yummy dessert you can make with berries. Perfect for this upcoming holiday weekend!

While you are there see all of Danielle's amazing repurposing ideas. You'll be itching to make something today.  She now has me digging through my closet to do some repurposing!

Wordless Wednesday-Cantaloupes!

Composting

It all starts here....................

Green yard clippings and anything left over or dead from our gardens. We don't put just any leftover foods in it.  We try to stick to just the good stuff.  Organic stuff.  Some eggs shells...when I remember and coffee grounds.  Brant will water it from time to time.

And then after a while it will go here.

We turn it every once in a while. Or the boys turn it every chance they get!!  It then looks like this.  There are many different ways people compost.  This is just how we do it and it has worked well for us.  Our gardens are thriving this year!!!!

Rich organic matter that has decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer. We will add it to the soil when we prepare for our Fall gardens.  It's never too early to think ahead.

Strawberries and cream popsicles

We LOVE popsicles!!!   Popsicles hit the spot on those super hot days to cool you down for a bit.  But I do often think how easy they would be to make at home.  I buy the expensive brands and the store bought brands, but there is nothing like a homemade popsicle.  And so easy!!!

Saturday I remembered I had lots of strawberries in the fridge that needed to be eaten A SAP!
They have been on sale lately and I have been buying them like crazy!!!  I knew there had to be something I could make using all those strawberries.

I've got it!      POPSICLES!!!!!

In a blender combined the following:
2 cups strawberries(topped)
1 cup milk
sugar to taste(I say LOTS)

Pour into popsicle molds and put in freezer.  After about an hour in the freezer insert wooden popsicle sticks and continue to freeze for another hour or so.

I bought this little set at Family Dollar for a buck!  I don't like the colored tops.  From my experience they are not long enough to pull the popsicle out thus resulting in a broken popsicles....half out and half still in the mold.  I bought a BIG bag of the popsicles sticks/craft sticks at Walmart.   They work so much better.

And here is the strawberries and cream popsicle......................

YUM!!!

Do you have a homemade popsicle you and your family love? Please share!

Scrumptious Saturdays-Caprese Pasta Salad

I made this yesterday for lunch.

It is so scrumptious! But I will say I suppose you have to like Caprese Salad to like it with pasta. It was love at first bite for me!
It is so easy to throw together!  You know that is a must for me. And look how pretty it is!  It would be perfect alone for a light lunch or with some fruit on the side.

I really do not have a recipe so to speak I just took all the ingredients for Caprese Salad and added pasta.  So use your judgement on how much of each. 

Here is what I used:
-1 lb Farfelle pasta(cooked according to package and cooled down)
-a bunch of really ripe tomatoes-whatever kind you love
-fresh Mozzarella cheese cut into bitesize pieces
-fresh basil(chopped, torn, cut, etc.)as much as you like
-Balsamic vinaigrette

Place all ingredients in a big bowl and toss with the balsamic vinaigrette........I went light on it because I love to be able to taste all the different flavors.   Add fresh ground pepper.  Taste before adding any salt in case the fresh mozza is salty. 

A perfect summer meal!

Part 2-Things I love about today!

I said I would show pictures from our backyard SUMMER party and here they are............ 

It really was just lunch outdoors, but I "tried" to make it special.  Different than our usual eating lunch in the house. I don't know about your children, but it just takes a little to make the boy's day a FUN day!  Some creative thinking(which I don't have much)and little bit of my time.  Enjoy the days while they are young.

All the makings for a FUN day!

Lunch

 Flowers for the table

 Special drinking glass....and they were SO excited!

 I LOVE Mason jars!!

 Dessert-Neapolitan ice cream sammies!

The things I do for my boys!

 Hope you all have a great weekend!!!  Get outside with your children and have FUN!  Make a memory!  Come back tomorrow for Scrumptious Saturdays to see what I had for lunch today!

Things I love about today!

1. Finally going back to sleep after waking up at 3:30

2. It is FRIDAY!!!

3. A cup of MUD(that is coffee)! A little cream and 1 raw sugar.

4. Knowing I have a hair appointment later.

5. Planning a backyard SUMMER party for two little boys!(This is my attempt at trying to make the HOT days more FUN!)

6. Last and certainly not least.......that God is in total control of our lives.  I have faith He will take care of my every need.  And I rest knowing that He is my Heavenly Father.


**What do you love about today?**

Check back later for an update(and you just know I'll have pictures)of our backyard SUMMER party!!!! 

Making memories....the lake

Last Friday we ventured off to the lake for a FUN Friday!  Brant was off so we were all excited about spending a Friday together.  This is really just a collection of pictures for a few certain people who are missing the boys. 

For me it is a collection of pictures that soothe my soul, make me happy and give memories the boys will talk about next summer.

As I sat in my chair at the lake I watched the boys play.  Time stood still as the water captivated me and the sun warmed my body.......remember my obsession for water and sun.  The boys LOVE being near water like both their Momma and Daddy.  And Ryan is becoming so much more comfortable in the water. 

Brant had the opportunity to get some time just across the way to do some fishing......all alone. 

The boys ran back and forth from playing in the sand to playing in the water. It was HOT but the cool lake replenished them to make yet one more memory.  New friends.

Our boys are pretty friendly and so were these boys.  I enjoyed talking to their mom as the boys played.  Remember those memories as a child?  Making a new friend that you would never see again.
All the boys decided to "try" to catch minnows.  Later that day the boys talked about the boys from the lake.  A memory they will always have.

 
Oh for time to stand still and be at the lake again.  Of course they did not want to leave, but we know all good things must come to an end.  Plus I was about to have a heat stroke. 

My babies are not babies anymore. They are growing and life is passing right in front of my eyes. They are big boys full of life, with a little attitude and constantly moving....and it is super fast!  But every once in a while they will sit still and let me have a long look at the double blessing God has given me and Brant. 

Until another day at the lake this is my memory..........................

"All the days that came and went, and I did not realize it was life itself." 

*Unknown-from a friend*

Wordless Wednesday-Summer Days

Baseball!

The boys have always loved playing baseball.  One more than the other, but it seems the older they get they enjoy playing it together.

I love to sit and watch them toss the ball to each other.  And sometimes one throwing the ball while the other swings the bat.    

I realized after sitting outside last week watching them play that we really need to get them in tball ASAP.  Of course it will have to wait until Fall because it is just too hot right now.

They both can hit the ball pretty good, but Ryan's swing is much stronger. As well as his throwing!  You must wear a glove when playing catch with him!  And more and more his balls are going over the fence.  It will be interesting as they grow up to see who likes sports better.  I think I already know. 

Ryan has the "baseball player" stance dead on.  He is playing to win!  Matthew on the other just wants to play for FUN. 

I caught this last picture of Ryan as he was getting ready for Matthew to swing.  When I went back to look at my pictures I was thrown back by this one.  He looks like a serious baseball player.  Not like a little boy playing around. 

Look at those long legs!

There is nothing sweeter than watching them play with their Daddy in the late evenings.  We usually have to wait until around 8:30 when the sun is down below the houses.  At this time it is comfortable enough to play outside.

Baseball+Summer=FUN!

We got CORN!!!

You may remember my post a few weeks back about  CORN. 

Well Saturday it was time to harvest. 

Brant pulling some ears!

Full basket

Shucking the corn!

Beautiful!! Praise God from whom all blessing flow!

This week we will have corn on the cob!!!!  Our gardens this year have given us so much.  We have had enough to share, plenty to eat and then some.  Our labor is paying off and we owe it all to our Heavenly Father.  Anything worth something takes time and labor.  It may not be worth it to some people, but to us it is becoming a way of life.  What started out as a little hobby to see what we could grow is becoming something we truly want to be a way of life!  And do it bigger. 
Our over sized lot right here in the city is looking more like a homestead and we LOVE it!  All we need now are some chickens!  And a couple of outside dogs and cats.  I want a goat!!!

For now we have fresh veggies and fruit.  I am satisfied until God shows us otherwise.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my best friend and to the best dad ever!  OK maybe second to my Dad. 
Brant, you never cease to amaze me in the way you work so hard to provide for our family.  And the godly example you set for our boys is a true testimony of your faith.  The love you have for our boys makes my heart flutter. It shows me how much they mean to you.
One of the favorite parts of my day is to hear them when you pull in the driveway or they hear the front door open.  They scream with excitement, "Daddy's home!" It makes me smile and makes my day!  They truly cherish their Daddy!!
I know it is hard after working a long day, but you always find time to go out and play with them. Giving up your time to make it their time is something they will always remember.  That love in action is just what a father does. And you my best friend are a real Dad!

I hope you have a GREAT day and maybe even get to "wet a line".......that means fishing to me and you people.

And to my Dad................... 
Dad,
I hope you have a wonderful day full of surprises!  I wish I could be there with you to enjoy that homemade banana pudding that I am sure Mom is making.

Like Brant, you were always a godly example to us.  Making sure we knew right from wrong and applying that in our daily lives. 

And as a dad to three girls you were pretty tender about  most things.
Maybe not so tender when I drove my car until it had no more oil in it and you had to come get me and my friends in the middle of the night. 

Regardless of the stages I went through in my life you were always there supporting me.  Supporting me like a father should support his daughter.  You may not have always been happy about things I did, but that did not change your love for me.

You taught me to stand up for myself and speak my mind.  Sometimes that gets me in trouble, but as I get older I have learned to use it in a tactful manner.  I'm still learning some days.

Thank you for being such a great Dad!  Hope you have a good day!

And Happy Father's Day to all the other Dads!  Enjoy, relax and take a nap!  I am sure you deserve it!

Scrumptious Saturdays-Strawberry Bruschetta

You may have noticed this picture in the header above.  It is beautiful and taste delightful!
SCRUMPTIOUS! Truly it is and perfect for summer!  I saw this on a food blog I follow and had to give it a try.  I wasn't sure about all the flavors together, but have been following this blog for a few years and she never fails me.  So glad I decided to step outside my little box!!

And here is the best part.......it only takes a few minutes to put together.

Strawberry Bruschetta:

Ingredients:
1 cup strawberries, hulled and diced
1 tbsp. sugar
1 French baguette sliced on a bias
4 oz. goat cheese
balsamic vinaigrette
basil leaves-cut, chopped, torn(whatever way you like)
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Slightly toast the sliced baguette.
Combine the strawberries and sugar in a small bowl; toss to combine.  Put in fridge for about 30 minutes so that the strawberries begin to release their juices. Spread a thin layer of goat cheese on top of each baguette slice. Top each slice with spoonfuls of the strawberry mixture. Drizzle lightly with balsamic vinaigrette. Top each slice with the basil leaves and cracked pepper, to taste.

I hope you will give it a try.  Let me know if you do and what you think.

Source: slightly adapted from Annie's Eats. 

FUN Friday

This morning we are headed to the LAKE!!!!!

Brant is off and we get to enjoy a FUN Friday together. 

I have a little more packing to do, load the car and we are off for a day of FUN!

The boys are SO excited they are silly!  I am excited to be headed outdoors near water, but am not acting silly.....yet!

Just anxiously waiting to dip my feet in the water as I lay out and soak up some rays!

What will you do today? This weekend?

Whatever it is do something FUN and get outside and enjoy nature!!!! Enjoy you life!  Because when it comes down to it...........Life is good!

Tomato Eating Dog

And I thought we had a problem with rabbits! 

It has come to my attention that our dog is eating all the cherry/grape tomatoes in the garden. It has come to Arthur's attention that the sweet taste of these tomatoes are good!  So much for adding them to a salad. 

I let him out the other day and noticed he had been out a L O N G time.  This is not uncommon, but lately I have been trying to watch how long he is out because he likes to eat the rabbit poop. 
I know gross! But he is a dog.

Did you know that after nibbling all those tender green plants, rabbits produce their first droppings-soft, round pellets of only half-digested food.  There is still plenty of nourishment in them, so Arthur gets to enjoy some food poop. 

Well that was not what he was enjoying this time!

I managed to make my way out before he could see me and found out where he was.

Eating our tomatoes!!!!

Remember these?

They are ALL gone now. Thanks to Arthur the Tomato Eating Dog!(I really wish someone would want to write a children's book about his adventures!  I'll share our stories if you write it!  I get half of everything you make!)

Anyway this is what is left.

NOTHING!

So to the long list of things Arthur likes to eat(crayons, Bounce sheets, dust, dirt, plastic toys,
Play-Doh, pretzels, raw dough, rabbit poop,  ANYTHING that falls on the floor!)I can now add tomatoes!