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:

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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!

simple summer: i heart popcorn

Did you know you can make popcorn in the microwave with a paper bag? 

 All you need are these simple things:

a paper lunch sack

tape

popcorn kernels

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and, of course, the microwave.

If you want, you can also add some seasonings too OR just eat it plain.

For me, it is a great substitution for those crunchy snacks I crave in the middle of the hot day. 

It is a super healthy whole grain snack...and quite tasty too!

Homemade Microwave Popcorn:

 1. Put 1/4 cup popcorn in a brown paper lunch sack.  

Fold the top over a few times and tape it closed

2. Place in the microwave tape side up for about 2-3 minutes or until there is 5 seconds between pops.

3.  Enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of www.snack-girl.com

what's for lunch?

As summer begins to dwindle, I can't help but think about packing lunches each day.  In the beginning, I am revved up to concoct artful and creative packaging to entice a sometimes picky eater.  As the school year progresses, I must admit that this excitement fades and the lunches seem to appear more and more identical.

BUT for now, I will revel in my excitement and attempt some artful creations inside the little lunch sack she carries each day.

Have you ever seen this fun blog?  This mom makes super cute lunch displays in her son's lunch each day.

  They are amazing.  While I won't be making such creative food arrangements in my girl's lunch sack, I do enjoy being inspired to try new foods and mixtures of foods.  

She also has a ton of great healthy recipes too.

I also really enjoy serving a variety of color each day.  Even if she picks at the veggies and devours the fruit [and always the carbs], at least she will be exposed to a healthy mixture.

These are our favorite staples for snack-time during the school year.  They are all healthy and a snap to pack.

These are our lunch sack staples.

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Less always seems to be more when it comes to lunches.  So many times, I pack a ton and she comes home with nothing eaten.  It is almost as if it defeats her to even try to eat it.  This year I am going to focus on mini-portions.  "Mini" definitely seems to go over better in the lunch sack.  Mini portions seem to entice the little hands.

While I love my girl's compact and sturdy lunch sack, I am considering a Bento box to help compartmentalize and separate the foods.  

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I know a friend that uses silicone cupcake liners to separate foods too.

Another friend always cuts her son's sandwich with a fun-shaped cookie cutter.

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What are you packing for lunch this year?  Any ideas/creations to share?

all tucked in

As I made my way to bed, I noticed these little guys fast asleep on the couch.  No, it wasn't the kids or the dogs, it was the beloved "Mo-Mo" and "baby."  

The pillows were carefully placed on either side of the couch.  Their little heads were lovingly placed on each pillow.  Their heads were kissed.  The feathery light muslin blanket was stretched out across the two of them -- this takes some time for the babe to accomplish as she insists that it reach both of them equally and when she tugs on one side, the other slips off.

These days, our every move is centered around the needs of these two.  We tuck them into bed, we feed them when we eat, we change their diapers and we buckle them into car seats.  They are never forgotten by their ever-doting mother.

"Night, night."

summer tea

My big girl attended a little tea party recently at Pottery Barn Kids.  A sweet friend told me about the event and we thought there could be nothing better on a Friday afternoon {when the heat index is above 115} than the cool air-conditioned mall.  We went not really knowing what to expect.  The kids were suppose to bring along their favorite doll or stuffed animal to accompany them to tea.  

My girl was extremely excited to attend this little event because it meant that her sister, who is not yet old enough, would not be coming.  It meant a little mom and daughter time, alone.

The kids were seated at little tables and given apple-juice and a wonderfully whimsical frosted cookie.  They listened to a few stories and then made a little craft.  They were given old PBK magazines and then taught to accordion fold the paper into a little butterfly. The addition of a pipe-cleaner made the craft all the more desirable by the 12 children seated at the little tables in the back of the store.

The summer tea was a big hit and offered a great opportunity to discuss manners at a tea-party with my girl.  

PBK regularly holds free activities and events for children.  You can get on their mailing list to get them emailed to you OR you can just check their website.  I highly recommend it if you are looking for something different and fun to fill the last of these hot summer days.