Don't forget to enter the Let's make Lemonade giveaway posted yesterday! Look for more and more posts coming... tons of photos to go through and lots more to giveaway!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Wordless Wednesday
A few photos from the end of May...
Don't forget to enter the Let's make Lemonade giveaway posted yesterday! Look for more and more posts coming... tons of photos to go through and lots more to giveaway!
Don't forget to enter the Let's make Lemonade giveaway posted yesterday! Look for more and more posts coming... tons of photos to go through and lots more to giveaway!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Lets Make Lemonade!
The wonderful folks at Takeya USA are allowing me to review TWO of their awesome products this summer, and additionally allowing me to give each of the items away to one of you fabulous readers as well!! How fun is that?!
The first product that I'm going to review and giveaway will be their Flash Chill Lemonade Maker - we love lemonade, and honestly what drew me to this product was the ability to juice and strain the pulp from the fruit.
The first product that I'm going to review and giveaway will be their Flash Chill Lemonade Maker - we love lemonade, and honestly what drew me to this product was the ability to juice and strain the pulp from the fruit.
Here is the product as it arrives at your door... lovely simple packaging!!
I pulled everything out of the box, washed it and set out to make a new Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade!
(recipe at the end of the post)
One more shot of the pitcher and box with my citrus bowl... such pretty summer colors!
You'll learn the details in the recipe below, but I had to make the strawberry puree to begin the recipe.
Blending up some strawberries with sugar, water, and a little lemon juice.
Next up, juicing the lemons. Now I used this product twice before writing this review... the first time I followed the instructions on the box, but my sugar didn't dissolve as well as a would have liked. They have you fill the pitcher with ice, juice the lemons, add sugar, then add water, and mix it up... which make instantly cold lemonade. If you can delay the gratification a little bit - I think this product works even better for the recipe I made for these photos.
The lemon juice collecting in the bottom of the pitcher.
The lemon seeds and pulp stay at the top of the pitcher while the juice falls through to the bottom.
I had so much pulp and stuff - I had to stir it around a little bit to get it all out.
My little kitchen helper, James... Tyler watched from his high chair across the room.
The gorgeous finished product!!
Don't you want a sip?!
Overall, I really liked this lemonade maker, it was easy to use. It does just what it says it will by keeping the pulp and seeds at the top while allowing you to make lemonade without dirtying a juicer and a pitcher. The pitcher is a really nice slim design that easily fits in your refrigerator, and is made of a material that washes clean like glass - but I believe is actually plastic. It is as light as plastic... but is perfectly safe for all you health nuts out there. I think this would make a great addition to your kitchen items!
Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade
By Annie's Eats
Yield: 6-7 cups
Ingredients:
For the strawberry syrup:
1 heaping cup chopped strawberries
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp. cold water
Pinch of salt
Ingredients:
For the strawberry syrup:
1 heaping cup chopped strawberries
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp. cold water
Pinch of salt
For the lemonade:
1 cup very hot water
2/3 cup sugar
1¼ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
4½ cups cold sparkling water or seltzer
1 cup very hot water
2/3 cup sugar
1¼ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
4½ cups cold sparkling water or seltzer
Directions:
To make the strawberry syrup, combine the strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, water and salt in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Puree until smooth. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove the seeds, pressing down to extract as much liquid as possible.
To make the strawberry syrup, combine the strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, water and salt in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Puree until smooth. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove the seeds, pressing down to extract as much liquid as possible.
To make the lemonade, combine the hot water and sugar in a pitcher. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Mix in the lemon juice and water. Stir in the strawberry puree.
To serve, rub a wedge of lemon or one of the spent lemon halves around the rim of a glass and then dip in sugar. Fill with ice if desired and then lemonade. Garnish with sliced lemon or strawberries. Serve immediately.
Want one of these for your house?!
I will give one away - deadline for entries is midnight on July 5th. (one entry per comment, please)
-- 1 entry for following this blog
-- 1 entry for following my recipe blog (Kim's Cuisine - new posts going up here this week as well)
-- 1 entry for going to Takeya's website and telling me what product of theirs you would love having
-- 1 entry for telling me your favorite go-to summer drink
-- 1 entry for telling me something exciting you plan on doing this summer
Friday, June 17, 2011
Is anyone out there?
Did I lose all two of you that were reading during this extended moving madness? No excitement for the upcoming giveaways?
I'm trying so hard to get settled around here, but just don't seem to be making any traction on this project. My body is working against me, and when it chills out - the kiddos are awake. HA! Seriously though, I've had a headache for about 5 days now... it gets better and worse at different times, but it's always there in one form or another.
It's funny - I had a friend in high school that could deal with any illness that came along without any problems unless it was a tummy ache. If her stomach hurt - the whole world stopped. I'm sort of like that with my head. I've had so many stomach issues through the years that I can just roll with those... but when my head is hurting - I really just want to curl up in a ball and lay in a dark place until it stops. Try explaining that to a 14 month old and an 8 month old. They don't care so much - they've got needs, right?
This week, we've moved Tyler up to a room all his own to try to work on his sleeping habits in the hope that the boys can bunk up together sometime soon. He's doing much better - but it's still a struggle. I'm having to let him cry to try to get him used to a similar sleep/nap schedule as James. He's doing a bit better, but it's still a work in progress. I've also been working on getting them fed at the same time. Everyone gets in their highchair at the same time, and for the most part - James must be fed first... Tyler is the more patient of the two... but it's working fairly well. I like for them to be on the same schedule as much as possible so that I can get a few things done (or rest) during nap times.
Speaking of Mr. T... my little budding crawler is ready to get up from his nap - so I'd better cut this off and go make a bottle. Sounds like a little cuddling is in my future until James wakes up.
Tell me, what have been the best tips for you in terms of getting housework done while juggling kids, a job, or whatever else keeps everyone so busy these days?
I'm trying so hard to get settled around here, but just don't seem to be making any traction on this project. My body is working against me, and when it chills out - the kiddos are awake. HA! Seriously though, I've had a headache for about 5 days now... it gets better and worse at different times, but it's always there in one form or another.
It's funny - I had a friend in high school that could deal with any illness that came along without any problems unless it was a tummy ache. If her stomach hurt - the whole world stopped. I'm sort of like that with my head. I've had so many stomach issues through the years that I can just roll with those... but when my head is hurting - I really just want to curl up in a ball and lay in a dark place until it stops. Try explaining that to a 14 month old and an 8 month old. They don't care so much - they've got needs, right?
This week, we've moved Tyler up to a room all his own to try to work on his sleeping habits in the hope that the boys can bunk up together sometime soon. He's doing much better - but it's still a struggle. I'm having to let him cry to try to get him used to a similar sleep/nap schedule as James. He's doing a bit better, but it's still a work in progress. I've also been working on getting them fed at the same time. Everyone gets in their highchair at the same time, and for the most part - James must be fed first... Tyler is the more patient of the two... but it's working fairly well. I like for them to be on the same schedule as much as possible so that I can get a few things done (or rest) during nap times.
Speaking of Mr. T... my little budding crawler is ready to get up from his nap - so I'd better cut this off and go make a bottle. Sounds like a little cuddling is in my future until James wakes up.
Tell me, what have been the best tips for you in terms of getting housework done while juggling kids, a job, or whatever else keeps everyone so busy these days?
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Made It
We arrived in Memphis last Thursday and things have been nuts ever since. We are almost out of boxes - things aren't quite organized yet, but I'm doing everything I can to get us there. It's slow going with the two monkeys demanding that their needs be met - but eventually it'll happen, right?
Our internet service has been extremely spotty - so I haven't been able to get on the computer much. Which is frustrating, but hopefully in another day or so I will be able to upload some photos for you guys. None of the new pad just yet - because it's not ready for public viewing.
I can tell you that we've also gotten our bedroom painted - it's no longer the "angry red" color it was when we bought it... but now a warm soothing sage green. It looks much different now, but I love it!
The boys went to their first day of Mother's Day Out on Monday, and seemed to enjoy it. They are in the same class this summer. There were no tears when I left them, and they seemed happy when I picked them up... so I think we're in good shape there. They'll be in different classes this fall, but I'm grateful that the director decided to keep them together with the move and all the changes that have come within the last month.
While the boys were at school - I did a little shopping and exploring. There is so much to go see and explore around here. I've basically got all the important shopping locations right here within ten minutes of the house. A quaint little old town area down around the church where the boys go to school... and everything in between.
I just wanted to check in and let you know that we're here and working on getting our lives back in order. Hang in there with me, and I've got several awesome product reviews with giveaways coming up to help you enjoy your summer!
Our internet service has been extremely spotty - so I haven't been able to get on the computer much. Which is frustrating, but hopefully in another day or so I will be able to upload some photos for you guys. None of the new pad just yet - because it's not ready for public viewing.
I can tell you that we've also gotten our bedroom painted - it's no longer the "angry red" color it was when we bought it... but now a warm soothing sage green. It looks much different now, but I love it!
The boys went to their first day of Mother's Day Out on Monday, and seemed to enjoy it. They are in the same class this summer. There were no tears when I left them, and they seemed happy when I picked them up... so I think we're in good shape there. They'll be in different classes this fall, but I'm grateful that the director decided to keep them together with the move and all the changes that have come within the last month.
While the boys were at school - I did a little shopping and exploring. There is so much to go see and explore around here. I've basically got all the important shopping locations right here within ten minutes of the house. A quaint little old town area down around the church where the boys go to school... and everything in between.
I just wanted to check in and let you know that we're here and working on getting our lives back in order. Hang in there with me, and I've got several awesome product reviews with giveaways coming up to help you enjoy your summer!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
It's Never Easy To Say Goodbye
Yesterday, we said goodbye to John's Aunt in a beautiful service. There were people there that had known Aunt Aster sice the 3rd grade... namely, my father-in-law. He stood up to speak at the wake service the night before, and talked so lovingly about the woman he had known for 62 years or more. Which got me to thinking how many of us in our generation will have anything similar to that when our time comes?
I know - I won't. I don't know anyone from my elementary school days... not many from my junior high school days... and just a few gems from high school and college. Most of my quality friends have come into my life via adulthood.
Which I think is just a little bit sad. Now, those friends are no less cherished - but it would have been nice to have been settled enough at a young age to have grown up with the same group of people and built those bonds.
I think that it's possibly hitting me in a different way this time around because the funeral came less than 48 hours from the time that the boys and I will leave the only place I've ever called home to head off on our new adventure in Tennessee.
I want a childhood for my boys that allows them to have lifelong friendships. I want them to have people that have known them from a young age and grow up to be the people that will help them become the Godly men, husbands, fathers, and sons that I know they will be.
John and I have talked about it several times that we want to bring the boys back home by the time they start school... and Lord knows we don't want to move much more than we have to... this has been a NIGHTMARE! So our focus when we move home will be to find a house, neighborhood, and schools that we can stay in for the rest of our time here on this earth.
John had that in his life growing up - his parents have lived in the same house since before he started school... it's so cool to hear the stories, and be standing in the very place that they happened... I pray that we can give that to our boys... and that when they are in their late 30's - having children of their own - that we can stand around our kitchen or living room and laugh about all the antics that happened in that very room... to pass down the legacy to our grandchildren.
I often find myself in a position to be wishing that things were simpler... to go back to a time that has long past. A time when children didn't have to grow up so fast, and that community was alive and well... where the village helped raise the children. I think our generation can bridge that gap between technology and bringing a stronger focus on family and community.
What do you think?
I know - I won't. I don't know anyone from my elementary school days... not many from my junior high school days... and just a few gems from high school and college. Most of my quality friends have come into my life via adulthood.
Which I think is just a little bit sad. Now, those friends are no less cherished - but it would have been nice to have been settled enough at a young age to have grown up with the same group of people and built those bonds.
I think that it's possibly hitting me in a different way this time around because the funeral came less than 48 hours from the time that the boys and I will leave the only place I've ever called home to head off on our new adventure in Tennessee.
I want a childhood for my boys that allows them to have lifelong friendships. I want them to have people that have known them from a young age and grow up to be the people that will help them become the Godly men, husbands, fathers, and sons that I know they will be.
John and I have talked about it several times that we want to bring the boys back home by the time they start school... and Lord knows we don't want to move much more than we have to... this has been a NIGHTMARE! So our focus when we move home will be to find a house, neighborhood, and schools that we can stay in for the rest of our time here on this earth.
John had that in his life growing up - his parents have lived in the same house since before he started school... it's so cool to hear the stories, and be standing in the very place that they happened... I pray that we can give that to our boys... and that when they are in their late 30's - having children of their own - that we can stand around our kitchen or living room and laugh about all the antics that happened in that very room... to pass down the legacy to our grandchildren.
I often find myself in a position to be wishing that things were simpler... to go back to a time that has long past. A time when children didn't have to grow up so fast, and that community was alive and well... where the village helped raise the children. I think our generation can bridge that gap between technology and bringing a stronger focus on family and community.
What do you think?
Monday, June 6, 2011
Redefining the Funny Farm
I've had every intention of blogging for a few days now, but literally - for the last 8 days - I've been living in some sort of alternate universe. Would you like a run down of what that looks like? Ok, indulge me for a minute.
Saturday, May 28th: I went out with a few of my best gals here in Texas for the last time... Renee, Danielle & Jillian... I will TRULY miss these ladies so much... but on the upside - they are also the most likely to come visit us in TX. Anyway - we went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner and dessert. When I left that night I knew my dog, Maggie wasn't feeling well. She'd been sick for a couple of days, but she typically bounces back fairly quickly... this time though - it just kept getting worse. So when I got home, I knew it wasn't an illness she was going to come back from. I made the decision at 10:30 that night that we had to take her and put her to sleep. I'd lived with Maggie since she was 6 weeks old, and we had a great 13 years together. She stuck with me through some hard times and some great times... and just had the sweetest soul. I will miss her terribly, but I'm glad that she's not suffering anymore.
Sunday, May 29th: We had friends over to help us clean out our fridge. We grilled a bunch of meat and did some sort of Iron Chef/Chopped episode with a few items in the pantry. It turned out great, and gave us some time with a few more friends and some family.
Monday, May 30th: Was spent packing our travel bags, going through some last minute odds and ends... and just preparing for the move.
Tuesday, May 31st: The movers were supposed to come between 8 and 10... but then called to say they'd be there at 3... and then we didn't hear back from them again until after 5 when they told us they were still in Baton Rouge, LA... and certainly wouldn't make it to our house that day. So we gave up on them, met with the Realtors and called it a night.
Wednesday, June 1st: Finally, the movers showed up... although they were still an hour and a half later than they were expected. They had us packed up and ready to load the truck by 3PM... at midnight, we decided to stop and continue on the next day. John's Aunt passed away as well, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was such a wonderful woman, and will be deeply missed by all of us that had the pleasure of knowing her during her 72 years of life.
Thursday, June 2nd: The movers came back at 11AM... and it literally took them until 8PM to get finished. Craziness since they scheduled us for packing and loading the truck all in one day - and then it took them a full 2 days to get it done. UGH!
Friday, June 3rd: I met the cleaning crew over at the house, returned the cable boxes, and saw my friend Renee for one last quick visit. The left Cypress, Texas for the last time as a resident. It was certainly bittersweet to leave... not only the area that I loved living in, the friends, but also the home that we brought our boys home to. Saying goodbye to the room that we so lovingly made for them was certainly difficult, and literally brought both John and I to our knees.
John left for Memphis on Friday afternoon to get a few things done, only to return again for the funeral before we actually meet the movers again.
Saturday, June 4th - Sunday, June 5th: We've been hanging out playing and enjoying our last few days in Texas. The boys have adjusted amazingly well - much better than I would have expected... and I'm so grateful for that.
Today, we're getting ready for the beginings of Aunt Aster's funeral tonight - the boys will stay here with family and get some rest. Then tomorrow all four of us will go to the actual funeral, burial, and family reception... then John will drive us back to my Dad's and immediately head out with our dog, Missy, to Memphis. The movers are supposed to arrive on Wednesday to deliver all of our goods... and then the boys and I fly out on Thursday to start our new lives in Tennessee.
It's taking a lot of Starbucks... but I'm hanging in there alright. Can't wait to share pictures and things on the flip side.
Saturday, May 28th: I went out with a few of my best gals here in Texas for the last time... Renee, Danielle & Jillian... I will TRULY miss these ladies so much... but on the upside - they are also the most likely to come visit us in TX. Anyway - we went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner and dessert. When I left that night I knew my dog, Maggie wasn't feeling well. She'd been sick for a couple of days, but she typically bounces back fairly quickly... this time though - it just kept getting worse. So when I got home, I knew it wasn't an illness she was going to come back from. I made the decision at 10:30 that night that we had to take her and put her to sleep. I'd lived with Maggie since she was 6 weeks old, and we had a great 13 years together. She stuck with me through some hard times and some great times... and just had the sweetest soul. I will miss her terribly, but I'm glad that she's not suffering anymore.
Sunday, May 29th: We had friends over to help us clean out our fridge. We grilled a bunch of meat and did some sort of Iron Chef/Chopped episode with a few items in the pantry. It turned out great, and gave us some time with a few more friends and some family.
Monday, May 30th: Was spent packing our travel bags, going through some last minute odds and ends... and just preparing for the move.
Tuesday, May 31st: The movers were supposed to come between 8 and 10... but then called to say they'd be there at 3... and then we didn't hear back from them again until after 5 when they told us they were still in Baton Rouge, LA... and certainly wouldn't make it to our house that day. So we gave up on them, met with the Realtors and called it a night.
Wednesday, June 1st: Finally, the movers showed up... although they were still an hour and a half later than they were expected. They had us packed up and ready to load the truck by 3PM... at midnight, we decided to stop and continue on the next day. John's Aunt passed away as well, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was such a wonderful woman, and will be deeply missed by all of us that had the pleasure of knowing her during her 72 years of life.
Thursday, June 2nd: The movers came back at 11AM... and it literally took them until 8PM to get finished. Craziness since they scheduled us for packing and loading the truck all in one day - and then it took them a full 2 days to get it done. UGH!
Friday, June 3rd: I met the cleaning crew over at the house, returned the cable boxes, and saw my friend Renee for one last quick visit. The left Cypress, Texas for the last time as a resident. It was certainly bittersweet to leave... not only the area that I loved living in, the friends, but also the home that we brought our boys home to. Saying goodbye to the room that we so lovingly made for them was certainly difficult, and literally brought both John and I to our knees.
John left for Memphis on Friday afternoon to get a few things done, only to return again for the funeral before we actually meet the movers again.
Saturday, June 4th - Sunday, June 5th: We've been hanging out playing and enjoying our last few days in Texas. The boys have adjusted amazingly well - much better than I would have expected... and I'm so grateful for that.
Today, we're getting ready for the beginings of Aunt Aster's funeral tonight - the boys will stay here with family and get some rest. Then tomorrow all four of us will go to the actual funeral, burial, and family reception... then John will drive us back to my Dad's and immediately head out with our dog, Missy, to Memphis. The movers are supposed to arrive on Wednesday to deliver all of our goods... and then the boys and I fly out on Thursday to start our new lives in Tennessee.
It's taking a lot of Starbucks... but I'm hanging in there alright. Can't wait to share pictures and things on the flip side.
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