sun+water+splashing=fun

Our kids like the water. They like to run and splash and float and swim...anywhere. They will take a three foot, couple inch deep baby pool or the Pacific Ocean. It doesn't matter to them. There is fun to be had, regardless!

I love these splashy days of summer :)

Blackberries!

It's blackberry season!

 Living in a rural area, you are usually "blessed" with blackberries whether you want them or not :) We have eradicated a good portion of the blackberry plants on our property, but there are a few mounds on the edge of the yard that are out of the way, and are therefore left to thrive and produce.

And when the berries grow heavy and dark, the kids can be found happily sampling, fingers stained purple from the sweet juice. It doesn't take long for their imaginations to travel through the possiblities of baked goods involving the bounty at hand, and so they come looking for a bowl to collect the harvest.

Our first recipe of the season? Blackberry custard pie; an instant favorite! 

Limeade

Growing up, I never gave much though to limes. Lemons were good. I enjoyed lemon in my water or as a flavor of birthday cake . But limes? Well...they weren't even on my radar.

Oh how I missed out! Limes are an amazing ingredient in cooking, make a fantastic garnish, and are key to some very tasty beverages. My new favorite this summer is sparkling limeade. So refreshing and delicious!

So when I stumbled across a recipe for homemade lemonade (on a photography blog I follow from The Youngrens) I happily made plans for my own limey variation :)

Sparkling Limeade:

1 C. sugar

1 C. water

1 C. fresh squeezed lime juice (approx. six limes)

4-5 C. Seltzer

Combine sugar and water in small sauce pan and heat gently until sugar is dissolved. Then combine with all remaining ingredients in a pitcher, stir, and serve over ice. (You may want to tweak amounts slightly to come up with your desired flavor of tartness/sweetness.)

Hope you enjoy this summery treat as much as I do!

Random Thoughts

I am not blessed because I deserve it, but because God delights in giving.

And how many blessings have I missed because I've been focused on the negative or too busy comparing my life to someone elses?

There is much to be thankful for.

One of My Favorites

I want to have a moment of appreciation for one of my favorite summer flowers...the hydrangea...

They are just beautiful to me. If I had been a summer bride, I'm sure you would have found them in my bouquet!

Crawl On

Life can be tough. Sometimes it knocks you off your feet, and you can't find the strength or ability to get back up and walk. It's okay to pause a moment and rest, but don't let circumstances rule over you. Being down is not the same as being out. Don't focus on your inability; because if you try, you can find a way to move forward. Maybe you can't walk...but you could crawl...and that counts, too.

Crawl on! This life is meant to be lived!