WATERMELON AGUAS FRESCAS

I have no idea what these words mean - except watermelon.  I got this recipe from Tasty Kitchen.  It looked like one of those drinks you get on a tropical island or a Caribbean cruise, so I had to try it. 
It was fantastic!
It was so simple!
It made me happy!

Blend/pulse 2 cups watermelon
Add in 1/4 cups lime juice
10 drops Stevia ( I used 2 packets of Sun Crystals, which is a stevia product)
Glass filled with ice

It makes about 2 glasses full.  Now I just need one of those little umbrellas to put in the glass, oh and a tropical island. . .

Enjoy! 

I figure this is 1 WW point and a serving of fruit!

GOD'S PROMISE

Rainbows.  They are in fairy tales, enchanted princess tales, and Wizard of Oz tales.  However, my favorite rainbow story goes right to the Sorce - the Bible.  Genesis 6:8 says "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord".  Noah pleased God, so he and his family were saved.  Then in Genesis 9:13, God tells Noah "I have set my rainbow in the cloud as a covenant between Me and the earth".  Wow-most people think of rainbows as just light reflection, but I think of God and the beginning of the world.   I love the story of Noah (hence my son's name), and I love rainbows.  I used to love drawing them on my pictures.  I used to think I could find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.  Now I just enjoy seeing their beauty and thinking of all of God's promises and know that He ALWAYS keeps His promises.  It is something I can "bank on".

This morning has been all about thunder storms and rain showers.  I looked out the back door and it was raining, then I looked out the front door and the sun was shining and this rainbow was in the sky.

THE JOYS AND STRESSES OF FISHING

Well, in honor of Father's Day (and the fact that there is not much else to do in central Wisconsin)we went fishing for Father's Day.  I use it as a time to brush up on my photography.  I play with the aperture and the shutter speeds, the angles, the flash fill, etc.  Here are a few shots from our afternoon.

 They actually did catch some fish, but those photos were not as "fun" to play with as these ones were.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

I've been so blessed to have 3 wonderful men in my life!  First of all, my dad.  He's always been loving, caring and so much fun!  Thank you dad, for being the best!   We miss you so much and can't wait to visit.

Then, my first husband, Kevin.  He was an awesome dad to Ty and Tanner and was a wonderful Christian example.  He will always be missed no matter how many years go by and we are looking forward to our reunion in heaven some day.

Last of all, my loving hub, Dan.  He is so patient and kind to us all, and we are so blessed to have him in our lives.  He is an awesome dad and husband.  

I love all these men and thank God that they have all played such a great part in my life and in the lives of my children.


Happy Father's Day!

Summer Pasta Salad

This has become one of my all-time favorite summer side dishes.  I used to cook rotini, drain, and add a few cut up fresh veggies, McCormick Salad Supreme, and top it all with Italian dressing.  However, in the past couple of years, I've made this dish much healthier, and I think much tastier.

Now, I cook whole wheat rotini until al dente, drain, then add some extra virgin olive oil.  I saute or roast lots of fresh veggies - mushrooms, red bell peppers, onions, etc., toss them in, add a fresh tomato, then add my 2 favorite ingredients:  McCormick Salad Supreme and FRESH BASIL.

  Oh my-I am in love with fresh basil.   The Salad Supreme really puts this dish over the top, in my opinion.  

You can do a variety of things with this dish.  My friend, Jeri, added pressed fresh garlic to the olive oil before adding it, then she added small fresh mozzarella balls.  I've seen Parmesan cheese added, shredded carrots, squash, etc.  There are so many things you can do with it.   The point is that pasta salad is very diverse and as unique as the lady who whips it up!   If you have a pasta salad you like, please share your ideas!

HOG WILD FOR VBS

I have been very busy the last few weeks helping with our VBS planning and decorating.  Our group of ladies does nothing 1/2 way.  I took a few pictures of some of the decorations.  Our theme is "Rise and Shine for Jesus" with a farm decor.  I'm not sure how this ties in with our Bible lessons, but it will get the kids excited, and hey, we are in the middle of dairy land.

This is the front of our auditorium.  There will be singing and puppet action here before the kids are lead to classes.

This is the kitchen area:  Chuckwagon:

This is the dining area where the food will be served:

 
This is near the entrance of the building.  A pig trough complete with corn and hogs.

This is my classroom.  I am teaching about Dorcas, who sewed clothing for the widows and poor.

This is another classroom.  The temptations of Jesus is the lesson here.  

This is my absolute favorite thing - a small Bible village.  My friend, Kim, is too talented for her own good!  She placed this in the baptistery and the kids will be able to look down on it.  The Bible houses are made from packing material and I love those little cotton ball sheep!

This is the Ananias and Sapphira classroom.  Cool decorations, I just can't lie about that!  (Get it?  Ananias and Sapphira - lie. . . well, if you don't get it, read Acts 5).

This is the Abraham and Lot classroom.  My sister in law probably did more of the brainstorming and actual work for these decorations.  She, too, is way too talented for her own good.

This is the puppet theater my dear hub built.  Michelle, my friend and very good seamstress is working on the curtain.

MOMMY'S LITTLE COWBOYS

I've been at it again in PSE.  I downloaded more templates from HERE.
I took these of my little ones for Father's Day. I made Dan a card from his "little cowboys", so I had to take some photos of them dressed up to put in the card.  This was a last minute decision, and I noticed that Noah's face could have used a good cleaning off - but hey, cowboys get dirty!

I am seriously addicted to this photography thing.

SUNSHINE

I love the PSE action from Pioneer Woman called "Sunshine".  After I define, sharpen, boost and crop my photos, I add this.  It looks great on the photos that are outside on a sunny day.  Gives it a dreamy quality (I think).  When I first started noticing photos that some photographers were putting on their blogs, I wondered how they did this, and quite frankly, I was not sure I liked it.  But the more I saw, the more I liked.  What do you think?

Here are the before and after shots:  my niece:

before and after of Levi.

PARADE

Dairyfest was this week.  It is a huge deal here - dairy breakfasts all over the place, parades, craft shows, etc.  Our church entered a float (Dan's truck) in the parade this year to advertise our vacation Bible school.  It was not decided until about 2 weeks ago that we would be doing this parade thing.  Wow - we've been really busy trying to get stuff done for it.  I think it all turned out great!   I just love how our group of ladies will get together with an "okay" idea, and within 15 minutes, we have something really good to work with.  It is such a blessing to have such friends as these.  Here are some photos from today's parade.  We would not have been able to do this w/o the Cricut machine (the large one).

  It was a mooving day

 

Crazy times

Children are a lot of work - don't even consider how much time you spend washing clothes, cleaning up, shopping for them, cooking for them. . . . think about the time you spend correcting them, teaching them, playing with them, yelling at them giving gentle verbal correction, and answering their questions.  Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed.  I honestly don't know how people homeschool without going crazy.   I know the years pass quickly and I must make the most of each moment, but sometimes it is so hard!  Anyone got any advice/suggestions on how to not feel so frazzled by the end of the day?

Here are some recent shots of my boys playing.  A rare few moments when I can sit on the ground and just take pictures!   I love the action shots!

I think this is just precious.

Ty is doing his "Timeless art of seduction" pose (Seinfeld)

Late Mother's Day/Early Father's Day

Here is my wonderful present (and Dan's too) from Tanner.  He made this in his shop class and purchased all wood and supplies from his own funds.  I love it - it is my new end table in my living room!  I will cherish it always.  Aren't the best presents the ones our children make for us - whether it be a pottery mug that won't hold water, a votive holder with gobs of paint, or a beautiful end table.

SUMMER KICKOFF

WOOHOO!  I think it is safe to say that summer is here!  I love summer - planting flowers, bare feet in the yard, grilling out, picnics, no school, and yes, even fishing!   Speaking of fishing, here are a few pics from our first excursion:

Please note that I really don't fish - I take pictures, try to keep young ones from falling in, and sometimes I even complain that it is taking so long!

What do you like to do with your loved ones in the summer?