Embracing It

We live in the southwest and it is HOT here. We're talking 110 or more on most days throughout the summer. And summer lasts until mid-October. And I don't like the heat. Most years I complain about how much I hate it and count the days until we can go outside again. Makes for a long, miserable summer.

So this year, I am trying to embrace the season. Trying to join in with the rest of the country and their love of summer days. I am burning my summer scented candles - coconut, lemon meringue, etc. I am planning little summer - themed mini-parties for my girls ( although we have to do them inside). We have hit a few pools and splash pads, and hope to get to some more this month. I will be sharing a sponge-ball craft soon that will be a good way to have some fun while staying cool.

The shift in my attitude has really helped. It is August and I am still hanging in there! Embracing the season and trying to make the best of it works for me!


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Picnic Party

This weekend we had the latest in my installment of mini family parties. This time the theme was Picnic. On Saturday we spread a blanket in the living room for lunch. We made chicken salad sandwiches, carrots, juice and cookies. I let Krista help me pack it all into a basket and we used some of the leftover pink paper plates from her birthday party. Even Daddy joined in on the fun. It was a nice lunch and when we were all done my daughter looked at me and said "This was the best picnic ever. Thank you Mommy!"

What have you done to add some fun to your family's day lately?

Let's try this again

This poor blog has been pushed aside by the buysness of life. For a while I honestly forgot it existed. But I'd like to start up again and use this as a place to organize and share my ideas. I so enjoy doing crafts and fun special things with my girls - but often I spend too much time planning and never get around to the doing. So, maybe this blog can hold me accountable and give readers some inspiration at the same time.

Make This Monday - Bisquick Oven Chicken

1/3 cup bisquick
Salt
Pepper
Paprika
Garlic powder
Dash onion powder
1 tablespoon butter, melted
3 or 4 chicken breasts



Season bisquick to taste. Melt butter and pour into bottom of 13x9 baking pan. Dredge chicken in bisquick and place in baking pan. Bake at 425 degrees for 35 minutes. Turn over and bake for another 15 minutes or until cooked through.

Make This Monday - Mexican Pizza

Hubby made this for dinner a couple of weeks ago and it was so delicious!

1 bag pizza dough
1/2 cup taco sauce
1/2 lb ground beef, seasoned with taco seasoning
1/2 cup pico de gallo
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
1/2 cup shredded lettuce
4 oz can sliced black olives


Brown ground beef with taco seasoning. Spread dough out on baking sheet. Top with taco sauce, then ground beef, then pico de gallo, and then cheeses. Bake 10-13 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly. Allow to cool for 5 minutes and then top with lettuce and black olives.

Kitchen implements on the loose...

Missing: Black cheese grater and small pizza cutter. Last seen at the bright and happy home. If found, please contact owner.

I can not find my cheese grater or pizza cutter anywhere. How could these items possibly get lost?? I mean, they never leave the kitchen. Has it gotten to the point that my kitchen tools are feeling the need to run away from home?

Works for Me- Oven Quesadillas

Want to make quick quesadillas? Preheat the oven to 425. Butter 4 tortillas. Place two butter side down on a baking sheet. Top with shredded cheese and the other tortillas, butter side up. Bake 6-8 minutes or until crispy.

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