Chillin...

With the temperatures hovering around 100 degrees, I thought I would take you on a trip.  At place that is cold and dark, and keeps things from perishing.  You know, the freezer.  This time of year, our deep freezer is opened several time during the course of the day.  I am beginning to think the children are taking their time choosing which Popsicle color they want, simply to keep the door open longer and bask in the refreshing chill.  I know I did when I was a child, even though I had my mind made up which color I would choose long before I made my way to the freezer.

Tonight, as I was putting blackberries into the freezer, I must confess that I thought of standing there longer than necessary, but the timer on the dryer reminded me that I have other things I really need to take care of. 

Just in case you didn't know, berries are now in season. We ventured out to a berry farm, but fresh berries are available at farmers markets and road side stands as well.  This is the perfect time to load up your freezer so you can enjoy the delights of berries all year long!

I love to have all types of berries in the freezer, and then as I need them, I only use what I need.  I put the berries in a single layer on a cookie sheet with sides, lined with a sheet of waxed paper.  Place it in the freezer, and let the berries freeze solid.  Remove them from the pan, and place in a zip top freezer bag.  This way, the berries freeze individually and don't made a big lump-o-berries!  These have a shelf life of approximately one year, but I can promise you they don't last that long around here!

My beautiful pan of blackberries ready to chill out...

Just a little food for thought...did you know cattle really like wild blackberries?  My bushes at the farm have been eaten just as they ripen.  Good thing I decided to avoid the chigger and buy a gallon!

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small things of life!

Sarah

I've Created a Monster

My sweet niece Makenzie is visiting us from Oklahoma.  To say that Makenzie is a picky eater, well that sums it up.  She doesn't eat beans, sausage or anything that is on the bone. She said that she only eats white meat chicken, and if she doesn't know the origin, she won't eat it.

I really didn't understand why she wasn't excited to go and pick blueberries. I mean, doesn't everyone love the sweet, delicate fruit that turns everything it comes in contact with purple?  Truth be known, I don't think she ever allowed herself to taste a blueberry.  Well, that was Monday and by last night, I have a blueberry loving  teenager! I share this with you because in our quest to use our fresh blueberries, she made a delicious sauce to put over ice cream!

This was so easy, and comes together really fast.  Don't turn your back or it will scorch!  I promise, this is so good, they were asking for more.  Not exactly the healthy food I want them to ask for more of, but at least it is a start.

Ice Cream with warm blueberry sauce...Yummo!

So, here is our Blueberry Sauce

2 cups fresh blueberries
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon corn starch
1/4 cup water

In a pan, combine all ingredients.  Cook over medium heat until sauce thickens and berries burst.  Serve over ice cream, or use your imagination and use in place of syrup on pancakes, waffles or french toast!  Enjoy!

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!

Sarah

One reason I love Mississippi... Sweet Blueberries

There are a thousand reasons that I love Mississippi, but today I was reminded by the sweat and time we spent picking blueberries!  Today we picked the first blueberries of this year, and what a great time we had.  I took my two, my niece who is visiting for the summer and a little neighbor friend.  The girls turned the mundane task of collecting the berries one by one into a friendly competition.

The girls are ready to get started...

One of my favorite berries of summer!  Simply sweet!

I think we will still be able to go and pick blueberries for a while longer...

I didn't realize how long it takes to pick a gallon of blueberries.  They are definitely worth the effort, but boy did it take a while.  When we started out on our blueberry adventure, I was the only one who was excited about the delicate, sweet little berries.  When we left the blueberry patch, everyone was sharing my joy!  There is nothing like fresh blueberries, and especially those you just picked.  The girls were so proud, and the Little Man was just ready for a nap! 

Upon our return home, we made a blueberry and blackberry cobbler with a puff pastry crust, and for dinner, we had a side of asparagus and summer squash that we purchased at the blueberry patch.  I promise, I could eat vegetables like this every meal of the day!  They were so good, even my Little Pickle decided she likes summer squash!

Blueberry and blackberry cobbler...

Summer vegetables...

Here is my version tonight...

Olive Oil
Onions
Asparagus
Yellow Squash
Steak Seasoning
Salt and Pepper
Chicken Stock

Heat olive oil in skillet and add onions and asparagus.  Toss to coat.  Add squash, seasoning and chicken stock and cook until vegetables are crisp tender.  Enjoy!

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!

Sarah

Family Time...Part 2

Last night I left you with a teeser...We only made it through day 2.  Well, we went on with our week, and Tuesday we made an adventure of the Chuck E Cheese kind.  OK, I am so over all of the ding, ding, ding and "Can I have some more money?"  One of my friends said it is a little kids casino, and I have to think she is right.  I was a nervous wreck, and the Little Man made sure I stayed that way. 

The kids had a great time, and it was a fun way to spend a rainy Tuesday.

Wednesday, we tried to go to the pool.  As soon as we got there, the bottom fell out.  I mean, everyone was in the pool, maybe all of 15 minutes.  Not even enough time to get good and wet!  We came on home, and everyone enjoyed a picnic on the porch that we prepared to eat at the pool.  Good times were had, and memories made, and that is all that counts!  Later that evening, we celebrated Makenzie's late birthday, and she got to pick out what we had for dinner.  Wouldn't you know that when in Mississippi, we must do as Mississippians do.  She picked fried chicken, mashed potatoes, Cole slaw and I imposed on them to have collard greens. If we are going to do it, we might as well do it right! We also had homemade rolls!  It was great fun, and she again had a Mississippi birthday!

Thursday, I had to work.  I left the house bright and early and made a trip to Memphis.  Scott stayed home to play with us, and Elise had to watch ALL the children.  We did go to the lake in the afternoon, and too our pontoon boat out one last time.  I am not sure why, but Scott has decided we don't need it anymore, and it is officially for sale!

The lake is always great fun.  We all donned our life jackets and headed out for a good time!

 Aren't they beautiful!

 Everyone had fun!  Even the Little Man!!!

He loves the lake!  He just get tired of the life jacket!


Friday snuck up on us really fast! Scott took Harrison out to see how many fish they could talk into giving up.  You guessed it, none.  Our hopes of a fish fry died as soon as they returned home with a bucket full of crickets! 

Since Pickles birthday party was Saturday, I had a very important cake to bake.  I got the cake into the oven early in the morning, but it seemed to take forever to cool.  While we let the cake cool, we all took a much needed nap!  I find it funny that as much as they think they don't need rest, they are in a much better mood afterward.  Part of the deal was if they wanted to see Cars 2, we had to rest first!  I must admit that Cars 2 was so cute, and had a ton of funny lines.  I think I enjoyed it more that the children did!

Friday night, we celebrated Jordan's unbirthday and she was able to chose her dinner.  Per Harrison's request, it was fancy with China and all!  Jordan picked mini-meat loaves with brown gravy, mashed potatoes with gravy and I forced upon them to eat green beans.  We had to have something that wasn't swimming in gravy!

 I don't know where the last week went, but by Friday night we had a few little ones upset that Makenzie was staying with us for a while.  I am so glad to have her, and she will have a fantastic time!

Saturday, we celebrated Pickle's birthday.  Since the week before was so crazy, we put it off until the weekend after.  She had a great time, despite the low turnout.  It was fun to have the skating rink with just a few friends and even Elise and I skated!

The Birthday Girl wipes out!  What a great time she had!

The Little Man loved skating!  It didn't take him too long to get the hang of it once the wheels were tightened.  I think we need some around the house...he couldn't run!

Pickles and Savannah enjoying a Coke break with Daddy!

 Sisters...enough said.

And she wiped out!

Sisters...They had a great time skating!

Birthday cake!

Concentration is a must!

Izzy and her new friend Skating Minnie!

He took the skates off, and he was off to the races!

I was completly exhausted at the end of the week, and could have slept all day today, but I wouldn't trade a moment of the fun!  Even with the children and their moments of boredom, we had a great time, and I can't wait until we get to do it again!

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!

Sarah

Back to Normal...Almost

I'm back!  I know you all missed me in my short absence.  Last week, our phone and Internet were knocked out when a storm came through Como.  Well, the storm didn't knock the line out exactly, but it blew the line to the ground in the front yard.  Our phone and Internet were working great, and I tried to get both the cable company and the phone company out to see whose line it was, and they wouldn't cooperate.

You see, our phone was working fine, and we don't have cable anymore, so they claimed that they were not responsible.  Scott needed to mow the yard, so he cut the line out of the front yard.  Big mistake.  Huge mistake.  AT&T is not so prompt in responding to service calls.  They finally made their way here on Wednesday afternoon, and we have been back to this century ever since.

We also had a few visitors, so I concentrated on spending time with them, and not blogging.  My sister and her children were here!  We were so glad to have them visit our crazy world, and I am thankful for the time we shared together.  I forget how quite our home is, until you add another three children in these small four walls.  Never the less, we all had a great time, and enjoyed each other's company!

So here is the synopsis of the first part of our week...

 Elise found out that she is officially an R.N.!  We are so proud of her, and everyone was turning cartwheels in the backyard! 

 They flipped in unison!

 Harrison was so proud he got to watch Pickles in the show!

 And Myers has a new admirer! 

Cousins...double trouble!

 The Little Man has a new Little Mommy!  She has taken great care of him

Pickles picked the place to have her birthday lunch...Harrison loved the scenery!  He loved that he could read the sign on the wall!  He kept saying, "Do you get it?"  I love this little man!!!



They all love shopping at Kroger!  I can't understand why they have so much fun playing, but when you take them to the grocery store, it is Boring!

She loves to play cashier!  You get to push buttons!!!

Craft time at the Children's Museum of Memphis.

Everyone had fun playing...

 The car shrunk...Jordan pimping in her ride!

Elise is finally a big star!  She even made a video!

Roll play is fun...especially when cute little girls are behind the wheel!

Me and my sweet little man! It is way past nap time!

How long can she keep the spoon on her nose?  The Birthday Girl was successful for maybe 10 seconds!

Presents are the best part of a birthday...

Taking a break from catching fireflies to eat a little birthday ice cream...

Chasing fireflies is much more fun in your jammies and dancing in the dark is even funner, especially when it really is your birthday! 

Jordan is trying to get the Little Man inside...He was so tired, and excited his cousins were here!

I hope you enjoyed our little adventure.  I will post more pictures tomorrow, and share even more of our adventures in Mississippi!  It is great to have visitors, so if you are ever in the area, we would love to include you in our crazy life!

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!

Sarah

This Weeks Visitors

Today, I let Pickles take a few photos of our visitors with my camera.  I thought she might take 20 pictures at the most, but I have over 100 during a 5 minute time frame.  We were out spraying the garden for pesky little creatures and we found a cute little creature.

Pickles named this little lady Dot.  Why you ask...



She has a dot on the side of her head...logical...

 And the day lilies by the tree...great photo for an almost year old.

 And the garden and my fig tree...preserves anyone?

And the neighbors dog that they rescued from their farm, and then was run over by a car.  Poor dog.

And their other dog that lives under my car...

 And her self portrait.  She said it is hard to do with my camera...lol.

And the cat that adopted us.  She has named her Mixie because her colors are mixed.  Again, logical.



And now one from yesterday...we found this little gem while watering our ferns.

She was so excited part of the egg was in the nest!

I hope you enjoyed a change of perspective.  Sometimes it is important to experience life through the eyes of a child.  You might otherwise miss a really cool sight!

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!!!

Sarah

Lime and Cilantro in your Salad Bowl

I think I have another confession to make.  I embarked on an adventure of the eating variety. I tried a new combination of herbs for a salad dressing and it was amazing!  It would have been even better if I had the correct ingredients to use with this dressing, but it was a fun spin on the dinner salad.

I am bored with salad.  It doesn't take me long when I eat something every day.  Lately I have made balsamic vinaigrette, Caesar, ginger garlic and a buttermilk ranch.  Then I had an idea...what about cilantro and lime.  I had just purchased a bunch of cilantro and needed to find a use for it.  I have found I love cilantro.  I used to think it tasted like dish soap, but now I love it. I guess it grew on me and my taste buds.  Anyway, I love lime, and what better combination than lime and cilantro.  So , I didn't have any avocado or tomatoes, but I did have some strawberries. A little strange, but stay with me here.

Once I got over the phobia of fruit on a salad, I love it!  I will often put oranges, apples, strawberries, cranberries or dried cherries on a salad.  It gives it that unexpected bite of sweetness.  I also like to add a little bit of a nice blue or feta cheese, but I am out of that too.  The beautiful part of a salad is it can be changed to fit your mood.  Toasted nuts are another must for me. I have become fond of pine nuts in addition to pecans and almonds.  Don't go overboard as the nuts can add calories very fast, but they are a great crunch.

As strange as my salad was, it ended up delicious.  Scott thought I was crazy, but I promise, just trying to be healthier.  If you are counting Points with me, the only ingredient you have to count is the oil.  Therefore if you use only 1 teaspoon of olive oil, it is only 1 point.  I hope you enjoy as much as I did.

Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon lime zest
Lime juice from 1/2 of a lime
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste.

Place all ingredients into a bowl and whisk until combined. Pour over your salad, or toss with all ingredients.

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!

Sarah