Summer Yet??

 

"Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language."  ~Henry James

The calendar may read May, but the weather screams summer!! Last weekend was perfect pool weather and we took full advantage of it. It is difficult not too let their joyful enthusiasm spill onto you just like water. Maddy is already brown as a berry and even our fair-skinned little Abs has some color. I can only imagine how tan they'll be by summer's end! To see the next generation enjoying the backyard, just like their parents did, is a special delight.

Berry Cobbler

With thoughts of all things red, white & blue this weekend, I found this recipe for Berry Cobbler and  thought I'd share. It is really super easy. The only thing I didn't particularly like was having to dirty THREE bowls to make it! I hope you try it and love it as much as my family did for dessert last night. I suggest serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
INGREDIENTS
2 pints strawberries, hulled & quartered
1 pint blueberries
1 cup sugar (divided)
1 tbsp. cornstarch
3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
6 tbsp. butter, melted
HOW TO
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, combine all berries, 1/3 cup plus 2 tsp. sugar & cornstarch. Let sit for 10 minutes. (See first photo).
2. In ANOTHER bowl, mix flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder & salt. In a THIRD bowl, stir egg, milk, vanilla & butter. (See second photo). Add dry ingredients & stir well.
3. Spread fruit mixture into an 8' x 8' pan. Top with batter mix. Bake for about 30 - 35 minutes, until top is golden brown. Cool and serve. If you don't serve right away, I suggest a "quick zap" in the microwave before adding the scoop of ice cream. YUM!!

Dinner on a Dime...Almost

I love this picture of the three crazies. The girls have always been carnivores, but just recently Jack discovered he loves hamburgers. He refuses to order a cheeseburger, however. Each time he says he wants "bun, meat & cheese". Actually, this picture was taken while they were eating their SECOND burger each!!! I still can't believe they each ate two! Where else besides In N Out can you get away with all that food for under $20?! They each also had a shake. I love that one ordered a chocolate one, one a strawberry and the third got vanilla. Just shows you how different they all are and still so sweet!!
Remembering an ordinary time that felt kind of extraordinary!

Build a Bridge...

Yesterday was  a big day for our Maddy.  She was in her first school play in the morning and in the afternoon she had a "bridging" ceremony where she went from being a Daisy to a Brownie in Girl Scouts. Well, what would a bridging ceremony be without a bridge??? Enter, Pa!!! He took an old pallet, tore it apart and remade it into a bridge for the girls. Amber added the graphics and it was WONDERFUL!!! Parents were all asking where it came from, who built it, etc. That's our Pa!! He can build anything!! Also thanks to the other grandpa, Jack, who helped lift it on and off the stage.
Now my only problem is....what are we going to do with it?! Craig's List?? Anybody want to buy (rent) a bridge?!?! Or just come get it...free to a good home....:)

HA HA Hat!

If this picture didn't make you smile, you are dead!!!
I see a bag. Jack sees a hat.
A small, but touching lesson in perspective. Whatever you are looking for, you usually find. If you look for all the things that are causing you misery and bogging you down, that is what each day will present to you. If you look for some joy and happiness and good, I am pretty sure those things will also be right in front of your nose. I choose to find some joy. This kid is a constant source of joy for me. Or, as I tell him on a regular basis, "You slay me, Jack!"

Loves

I walked out back to find this. Two of my loves just hanging out in the sunshine on a Saturday afternoon. It made me smile and feel blessed. Simple joys..when you look, you find them everywhere.

Big Responsibility

"Be a lamp. Be a lifeboat. Be a ladder. Help someone's sole heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd."
Not sure about you, but I don't think I have been any of these "L" words lately. This quote haunted me all during my morning errands, so much so, that when I got back to my office, I searched for it to read it once more. No less haunting...the accountability bell is ringing in my ears. Less about ME and more about THEM, whomever THEM night be.
We are all so different and yet the same. We are seeking love, acceptance, friendship. Sometimes we are the shoulder upon which someone cries and other times we are leaning on some one's shoulder. Both are good and a  necessary part of life. Shine your lamp. Make sure your boat is sea worthy. Take your ladder where ever you go. You never know when you'll need one of them!