Can't Win 'Em All

It all started yesterday morning when I found this container of yogurt in the fridge.  I immediately thought it should be turned into some frozen yogurt fruit pops for the kids.  Our weather has been very warm, perfect summer heat.  The yogurt pops have always been successful in the past.

I didn't measure.  Glob glob glob, into the blender went the yogurt.  I added a bunch of milk.  I added to that a bunch of fruit.  Mango, pineapple, strawberries.  

It looked like strawberry ice cream!

I transferred some of it into a measuring cup for easy pouring.

I like the 3 oz. bath cup size. 

The last step is to add the sticks.  Plastic fork or spoon would work well, too.  Into the freezer they went.

It was so nice outside that we had a picnic lunch. 

Hot afternoon arrived, and it was time for yogurt pops!  What I love the most about those small cups is that you can either run them under cold water to get the pop to come right out, or you can just tear the cup away from it.  They don't melt very quickly, so it was ok for me to just set the ones that were ready aside.

Going in for a first taste.  See that guy on the right?  He's already looking a bit confused. Maybe it wasn't quite what he was expecting?

What a great photo that screams summer.  A wet child who recently ran through the hose spray, resting on a blanket with a frozen yogurt pop.  She's even got her water balloon sitting next to her to bomb any boy who bugs her.  Perfect?  In my mind, yes.  Until the kids all REJECTED the pops.  They hated the vanilla greek yogurt.  It was just too tangy for them.  Not one child actually ate their frozen pop.  I liked mine, so now I have what looks like a lifetime supply in the freezer.  

My point is that there is no way that I can win at everything.  Life is full of imperfections, and just because my own failings don't go up on the blog doesn't mean that I don't have them.  I have taken on the mentality of thanking God for the way things are, good or bad.  Maybe that helps me to see the good- everywhere, every day, and that's why this blog is positive.   There are so many sarcastic blogs out there, and while they may be a good read sometimes, it doesn't feed my soul to be that way.   I choose not to be!  

Today we will make pudding together.  I know they will LOVE that-- it'll make up for the pops. 

♥♥♥Happy Wednesday!♥♥♥

When You Leave A Pumpkin...

Last Fall, we left all of our leftover pumpkin decorations in the garden.  I thought it would be fun to show the kids what might happen if we do that.  Over the winter, they noted the different stages of rot. They observed slowly, the disappearing flesh and the seeds that were revealed.  By April, this was all that was left of one pumpkin.  We left it exactly as it was to see what would happen.  We usually plant seeds, but this time we just decided to see if they would plant themselves. 

This is what that spot looks like now.   There were 6 spots just like this scattered where our pumpkins landed as we tossed them out there in November.  The important thing about doing this is to thin your sprouts.  While it was painful for me to kill pumpkin plants, there was an over abundance.   I must have pulled over 100 through out the entire garden. 

There are lots of baby pumpkins growing, already!  In fact- they are stronger this year, probably because the nutrients from the pumpkins left in the Fall are feeding the new vines.

This year the green beans are slow because we planted a different kind. "Kentucky Blue Pole Beans".  These are my favorite, but they do grow slower than other varieties.  

My HGTV magazine obsession has been replaced by my renewed food obsession.  I have always loved Taste Of Home magazine.  I was very happy to discover that they have the one pictured on the right- 'Simple & Delicious'.  Fewer ingredients for busy nights!  I paid $7.00 per subscription, and you can get yours ordered here.

Another wonderful recipe I tried recently is for these delicious scones.  I must share!

Glazed Cinnamon Scones

Scone Ingredients

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter

1 egg, separated

3 Tablespoons honey

1/3 cup buttermilk OR 1/3 cup milk mixed with 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

Topping 

1-2 Tablespoons Turbinado or sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Glaze Ingredients

1 cup powdered sugar

1-3 teaspoons milk (I added more until I had enough to make a glaze.)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly.

Separate egg yolk from the egg white.  Set aside the egg white.  

In a separate bowl, mix egg yolk, honey and buttermilk.  Add to dry ingredients and stir until combined.  Form dough into a ball on a floured surface and roll or pat out a circle to half an inch thickness and eight inches in diameter.  Use a pizza cutter to cut into 8 pieces. 

Transfer to baking sheet.  Whisk the egg white until frothy on top, and using a brush, glaze over the tops of the scones.  Sprinkle with Turbinado or sugar/cinnamon mixture.

Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Mix together powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until glaze forms.  Drizzle over scones after they bake.  Enjoy!

♥♥♥Happy Tuesday!♥♥♥

An Approved Recipe

I found this recipe on Pinterest and have to share it with you!!

Rustic Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Tart

Ingredients:

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed but still cold

4 oz. cream cheese

1/3 cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling

2 Tbsp. heavy cream

1/3 cup lemon curd OR lemon pie filling

1 pint raspberries

1/4 cup raspberry jam, warmed

Powdered sugar

Directions:

For The Tart: Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat. Unfold thawed puff pastry on a lightly flour dusted area. Gently roll to fit a baking sheet. Transfer to the baking sheet.

Brush edges with a bit of water and fold over all four sides to create a lip.  Use a fork to poke holes all over the pastry.  Gently brush entire tart with an egg wash and sprinkle sugar over it.  (An egg wash just makes the pastry shiny, whisk up one egg and add 1 Tbsp heavy cream or water.) Bake 15 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from oven and gently use the back of a spoon to press the center of the pastry back down until flat.  Cool on wire rack.

For The Filling:

Combine cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  Add heavy cream and mix one minute more.  Gently fold in lemon filling.  

To Assemble:

Make sure the tart is completely cool.  Spread the cheesecake mixture over the entire tart.  Arrange berries. ( It would taste wonderful with any assortment you choose.) Drizzle with warmed jam.  Lightly dust with powdered sugar.  Use a pizza cutter for easy cutting when you are ready to serve it. :)

I knew that there was no way I could handle watching just one tart disappear, so I doubled this recipe.  It made great breakfast leftovers.  The tart didn't ever get soggy.  You can find puff pastry in the freezer section at most stores next to the cool whip.  I paid $4.99 and the box contained enough for two tarts.  It was a hit at our 4th of July party!

One morning last week I thought it was awfully quiet.  I found all of the boys snuggled up together watching cartoons.  I think it's their favorite thing so far about summer at Henle House.  A little bit of extended morning cartoons.  We have pretty much eliminated the scheduled tv time before lunch, so this is a nice way to make up for it.  I'm a fan of cartoons and don't think there's anything wrong with mindless tv watching every now and again.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend!  For us, it was the first weekend in over a month that we didn't have too much to do.  I sat and read for hours yesterday, while my kids took lazy jaunts down to the lake for quick swims.  It was the best time ever.  Also-- we have baby pumpkins in the garden already! We have counted 4 or 5.

Now playing at Henle House- 'American Girl' by Tom Petty.

♥♥♥Happy Music Monday!♥♥♥

An Adventure Of A Day

Yesterday was amazing.  Once again I am overwhelmed with love for my job.  We began our day as usual and eventually ended up  at the art table.  Fourth of July crafts are fun! 

The kids painted their version of the American flag.

Even if the stripes aren't perfect, the bold red and blue really looks great!  They used gold glitter glue to dot some stars onto the blue square.

It was over in a flash!

Out they went, into the sunshine.  It was a balmy 92 degrees in Seattle, not sure how hot it was here in Snohomish.  It was the kind of heat that makes us want to drink lots of extra water and hose ourselves down.

Ethan was outside early to wash the van for some extra spending money.  He does a good job, too!

We played until lunch and here we were getting ready for nap time when we all noticed someone.

Smudge was on his favorite mat again.  We wrapped him up like a baby.  He STAYED. 

Oh my!! What a goood baby!

The kids had a blast laughing at him and petting him for being so cute.

It is the season of sunscreen.  Here I have to have a signed permission slip just to apply sunscreen for each child daily.  Everyone has to have it on before they head back outside after nap time.

The smiles were broad as the hose came out.

The kids sprayed the toys.  Here they were spraying the balls as far as they could.  It was so hot!

We eventually filled a giant tub and they had fun pouring water on themselves and everything around them.  It was perfect respite from the heat.  Pools are not allowed at childcare centers here in Washington state unless there is a person stationed at the pool 100% of the time.

Late last night it cooled a bit.  Smudge was happy.  It was really an adventure of a day.  So much is going on!
♥♥♥Happy Wednesday!♥♥♥

Summer

We took a quick trip to Idaho in search of roller coasters at Silverwood.  We are very blessed that this trip was a gift from Adam's dad, who wanted to treat his kids and their families to a fun time.  I love the drive, it's neat to watch the sky grow larger and the clouds take shape.  The clouds in Western Washington usually don't look like this.  We have one giant monster cloud most of the time.  My kids and I enjoyed pointing out clouds that looked like things along the way.

Summer is amazing.  Our kids are so brave every year, jumping into the cold lakes.  This was Lake Coeur D'Alene.  It was chilly- but they enjoyed it.

The cousins joined in. 

It isn't summer without a good swim.  In my case- it's not summer unless I watch my kids swim.  I am not interested in being cold and wet.

I'm scared of heights.  There is something about roller coasters that draws me in.  I won't do the extreme coasters-- but I love a good scary ride!  There were three of them at Silverwood that I could handle, and in fact- LOVED.  The lines were non-existent.  

On our way home, the fuel pump on the van went out.  We were able to get it towed and fixed in a day.  I'm happy to report that we are all home now.  Here my family was-- hiking up to the exit to take refuge in a Shari's Restaurant.  

Meanwhile, at Henle House we have been creating fourth of July art.  Here we made some fireworks.

Everyone had their own ideas about what they should look like.  They turned our great!

Yesterday we created some torn paper stars in red, white and blue.  

They were then taped to a piece of yarn to display as a festive decoration.  I'm glad I snapped some photos!  They all disappeared.  (These are fuzzy cell phone photos because my camera was in the van across the state while it was being repaired.)

Ta-da!

Remember when I bought a tent at my own yard sale?  It kept blowing over in the yard every five minutes.  I just strung some yarn through it and tied it to the fence.  Crisis averted!

♥♥♥Happy Tuesday!♥♥♥