summer farewell

I have been writing and thinking about summer's end for a while now.  I am sure I was thinking that Fall's cool breezes would come early if I wished hard enough.  Well, this weekend definitely marks the end of summer as far as school and long holiday weekends are concerned.  Enjoy your Labor Day weekend and the last bit of summertime!

via

summer's end

The days of long evenings and plenty of daylight are {mentally} diminishing all too quick.  Summer night swinging will soon give way to cooler Fall evenings filled sweet smells of pinon wood on the fire.  Apples will flood the produce section of the grocery store and I will dream of being somewhere to pick them from the trees.  Cool mornings will require a jacket while hot afternoons will remind us of summer not so long ago.  School schedules will consume our days and dictate our bedtimes.  The pools will close and the parks will become crowded as the temperatures become tolerable enough to play outside in the afternoons.  A new coolness in the air will give new energy to all the tired souls.

Even in the hottest parts, something changes in the air after Labor Day.  It may not be drastic but usually it is enough to trigger a mental change, a change that gives hope to the changing season ahead.

We are desperately awaiting Fall's arrival.

journey by foot

When you travel somewhere by foot, often times there is this great sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that comes with getting somewhere without the car. While this doesn't happen too often around here because of the little ones in tow, I was delighted when my big girl suggested we go to the donut shop on foot.

via

What could be better than a walk to the local donut shop on a hot and balmy summer morning?  Thankfully, we began our journey semi early so the heat wasn't too exhausting.

The Big Wheel rider happily led the way with donuts on her mind.  

{This is a great incentive for those little riders that tire after a few blocks.}

We pretended we were Dora and the explorers as we listed all the spots on the map we needed to pass before getting to the donut shop.  This little trick helped motivate the little rider too.

Finally, after crossing the street, passing the high-powered spray of the neighborhood sprinklers, going up the hill, past the fire house and down the little path, we made it!  I had my sincere doubts but was elated that we made it to our goal on foot!

We ordered and sat inside on the tall chrome bar-stools with red cushions {these are a big deal for little ones who merely reach half-way up the stool when standing on the floor}. 

A couple donuts were bought and cut into bite-sized portions. 

Hungry little tummies devoured the donuts all too quick as Momma yearned for a bit more air-conditioned comfort before returning home.

Our way home wasn't as seamless as our journey there.  By the time I had gathered up the water bottles and threw the trash away, this little guy was safely buckled in the stroller.

This meant one thing...the little one wanted to push the stroller home.

And so she did...

She walked most of the way which seemed to fray on the nerves of the Big Wheel rider.  Waiting for the little one pushing the stroller here and there is no fun when all you want to do is ride downhill all the way home.  

Finally, I talked her into riding with her beloved giraffe for the last part of our trip.

As we got closer to home, we met up with the garbage truck.  Seeing the big green truck pull up the street was most definitely the highlight of our trip.

Who doesn't love watching the big truck with it's robotic arm lift and dump the large bins?

simple summer: strawberry popsicles

Williams Sonoma

A hot afternoon with a popsicle is the epitome of summer around here.

When I happened upon these super fun popsicle molds on clearance at a store recently, I knew they would be a big end-of-summer hit.  I got a box of them and tried them out the other day.  I think you could probably freeze anything in that cute strawberry shape and just about any kid would eat it.   We have used crushed strawberries with a bit of water and juice and juice to make our popsicles.  Maybe I will try spinach tomorrow--hee, hee.

Here is the recipe we used:
2 cups fresh crushed strawberries OR any other kind of berry you want
3/4 cup water
3 Tbs sugar
recipe courtesy of the Williams Sonoma popsicle box

These molds are awesome because the popsicle just comes right out of the silicone.  No standing in front of the sink holding the molds under hot water to release the frozen popiscle from the frozen plastic.  I have done that many a time and find it quite frustrating with a child pulling at the bottom of your shorts begging for their little treat.

I wanted to share this revelation in popsicle molds with my fellow mommas, just in case your kids are as crazy about popsicles as mine are.

Enjoy!

simple summer: the basil

Somehow, through the worse heat and lack of any substantial rain, our basil plant has thrived.  At the beginning of summer, we planted a pizza garden in a large pot.  It had red pepper, basil and cherry tomatoes. The only plant that grew was the basil.

While we had hoped for a bountiful crop like this:

via

we actually got something more like this:

When a plant thrives at my house, I often take note and plant the same thing, in the same pot, in the same place next year.  It must be the right place, in the right light and the right container.  I seem to have finally found this spot for the basil.  I have never had any luck with any type of herb...ever.

With this "basil luck," we have begun to use basil on everything.  I love basil and having it on my back patio is such a treat.  It is a little oasis amongst the dry, scorched land that surrounds us.

A few nights ago, I made our typical breakfast-for-dinner meal with scrambled eggs.  Instead of just the usual eggs on tortillas with a little salsa, I added some shredded basil.  It was incredibly tasty and another way to use some of the bounty growing outside.  If you are looking for a new way to spice up the old scrambled eggs, this just might suit your fancy.  

sweet friends

These two have known each other since birth.  We walked them in strollers religiously for years after their birth.  They played together on the floor in the living room, outside on the back deck, in the landscaping rocks, in the pool and on the playground.  They have grown apart in distance (different schools) but their hearts still remain close.

Here's to a wonderful year with new friends and old!