simple summer: tomato basil salad

During the summer, I love quick, easy and healthy meals.  When I find something I like, I eat it a lot.  This simple salad is a summer staple at our dinner table.  It is so fresh and tasty.  Even my picky little eaters eat it.  The ingredients are few and it is super quick to make.

Ingredients:
Cucumber -- peeled
Grape or cheery tomatoes -- halved
Red wine vinegar
Olive oil
Basil -- shredded
Sea salt
Pepper

Add the chopped cucumbers and tomatoes to a bowl.  Douse with olive oil and vinegar.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Top with basil.

celebrating you

She carefully wrote a little message on a place-mat for you.

She patiently shopped for your favorite treats at the market for you.

She drew large circles on your cheeks because that meant that you were happy and smiled a lot.

She excitedly grabbed your favorite beverages from the little fridge in the garage and placed them on the table for you.

She, so sweetly, wished you a Happy Birthday everyday that week except on your real birthday, when she was utterly exhausted from the day's events.

We are so excited to celebrate you.  You, most definitely, hung the moon.

Midsummer

Today marks the longest day of the year--summer solstice.  

Sunlight, warmth and celebration of summer highlight this day in my mind each year.  

Here's to enjoying all the long warm days of summer!

waiting for that sound

Earlier this spring our evenings were interrupted by the soft and merry little twinkle that always seems charms hearts and taste-buds of all ages.  The ice-cream-man would drive his yellow truck around our neighborhood and if we were fast enough, we could catch him coming up the block.  Because of the frantic scenario that preceded his arrival on our block, we decided to keep a little jar of change for the ice-cream-man.  My girl earns money for the jar when we hear polite words, kind actions and when she helps around the house.

via

My girl has filled her jar with coins enough for many ice cream treats.  Since summer has arrived, our ice-cream-man seems to have moved to other more profitable areas of town--we haven't heard him for many weeks .  My girl has not forgotten that magical sound and often sits on the porch just waiting for that yellow truck to turn around the bend and up our block.  At least we will be ready for his arrival, if he ever comes back our way.

father's day

BITE

Recently, our boys were both bit by a rattlesnake.  This snake has not been found but our boys survived.  Our first weeks of summer were turned upside down by the venomous bite.  Critter catchers, pest control experts, vets, medications and caring for our boys have consumed our every breath.  Our noble boys took a bite for the family and warned us of the dangers that can lurk outside.  It is amazing how dogs never stop serving and protecting their masters.  They are our heros and we are so incredibly grateful for them.

by the water

There is just something about the water that calms us all and especially sets little souls free.  

No toys accompanied a last minute trip to the water recently.  As we walked the shoreline, I begun to worry that my girls wouldn't really let loose and dig with their hands or splash with their feet.  I thought our unplanned trip would end prematurely because I hadn't taken the time to bring EVERYTHING we could possibly need from home.  We literally threw towels and water bottles into a bag and headed out to the much anticipated water.   

To my utter delight their hands got dirty,

 their shoes came off {and became floating experiments},

 they splashed,

 they got in the water

 and they did not want to leave.

I am encouraged that we might have found a new pleasing pastime for everyone this summer.