Summer Memories

It's been a great summer.

Sure, it's had its challenges but it's also been full of sweetness and times we don't want to forget. Sometimes I am struck by the notion that my three, three and under likely won't remember all the little things we did in these days. But somehow I just know that one experience builds upon another and another. In the end, they all add up to what I hope they will remember as a rich and loving and warm and even imperfectly beautiful childhood.

To help in their reflection, the last two summers we have memorialized some times in small ways. Last summer we took an unused small scrapbook and glued in pictures, ticket stubs, brochures, and the like. Then we wrote simple captions at the bottom of each page so we could "read" the summer's adventures together.



This summer we bought us some dollar frames from Michaels and the girls sponge painted them. I wrote the words "favorite memory" on the frames and then let my kids peruse a bunch of pics on our computer. They picked one of their favorites, we printed the photos out, and then we glued them on some remnant scrapbook paper to put inside the frames.


The girls love looking at the frames in their rooms. Next summer or even next season we can replace the pictures with what each girl is currently loving.

Another way, I hope, for them to remember how much I love making their childhood special.

Happy memory making!
~Katrina

Watermelon Days

It just isn't summer to me without enjoying many upon many big, red, juicy slices.
And one of my favorite summer experiments so far has been a combination of watermelon and lime. An unbeatable duo.

Watermelon Limeade:
8 cups cubed watermelon (seeds removed) or 1 qt. watermelon juice
1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 cup sugar

Put half of the watermelon cubes in a blender and pulse until smooth. Strain through a mesh sieve over a large bowl and get rid of the solid stuff. Keep going until you have finished all the cubes. Add lime juice and sugar and stir until all the sugar is dissolved. You may need to add more sugar to taste. Best when nice and chilled.

Which means that it's good for drinking...


And good for homemade popsicles, especially after a long evening walk...

I'm going to miss these watermelon days when they're gone!
~Katrina

Fruit Salsa

This is the perfect summer fruit salsa. You can fix it as a dessert for a cookout or just to have on hand for a quick snack. Either way, it certainly doesn't disappoint!

Fruit Salsa

*1 large Granny Smith apple, cored and cut into 1/8ths

*2 kiwis, peeled

*10-12 strawberries, hulled

*1 tsp. apple jelly

*1 tsp. strawberry jelly

*Graham crackers, for serving

(I always make this recipe with my Tupperware Quick Chef. If you don't own that product or something like it, you can create this dish in a food processor.)

1. Chop apple in Tupperware Quick Chef.

2. Add strawberries and kiwis; chop.

3. Add jellies; mix well.

4. Serve with graham crackers.

That's some sweet summery goodness, right there!

-Sarai

Yumm-O Black Bean Salsa

With summer comes picnics and cookouts and dinners and parties. With those events comes the need to throw something together...something that requires little time, effort and money but yields high marks on the yumm-o chart.

Well, friends, I've got just the recipe for you! This simple Black Bean Salsa is sweet and tangy and EXTRMELY addictive (consider yourself warned!).

Black Bean Salsa

*1 container basil and tomato feta cheese

*1 can black beans, drained

*1 can yellow corn, drained

*1 red onion, chopped

*1 green onion, chopped

*Tostito Scoops, for serving

For dressing:

*1/2 cup EVOO

*1/2 cup white vinegar

*1/2 cup Splenda

1. Mix dressing ingredients in small sauce pan; heat to boil, then set aside to cool.

2. Mix salsa ingredients in large bowl.

3. Pour cooled dressing over salsa.

4. Serve with Tostito Scoops.

Want a salsa of a sweeter variety? Check back later this week for a super easy Fruit Salsa!

-Sarai

Red, White, and Blue

These days I'm trying to keep it simple indeed for my two little, but older girls (3 and almost 2) while I have to do lots of newbornish things. That's why in preparation for all the July 4th excitement this weekend, we have two easy but fun (& yummy!) things you could do... probably today since they don't require a lot of ingredients.

We talked a little about our country and one thing we learned was that our colors are you know... red, white, and blue. What better way to imprint this forever in little brains than with marshmallow pops!
Simply insert a popsicle or lollipop sticks into a marshmallow... heat about a 1/4 cup chocolate chips in the microwave until soft and able to be stirred... dip the pop in the chocolate and then in some patriotic sprinkles (got ours out of the Target dollar bin!) A messy success...



When they woke up from naps one afternoon they were quite excited to see another red, white, and blue display... sliced strawberries, blueberries, and some whipped cream. They were free to make any kind of "art" they wanted with the supplies. Told you... EASY!

Counting her blueberries

Hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend filled with family, friends, sparklers, good food, and all things... red, white, and blue!

~Katrina