We enjoyed Independence Day 2012 with record high temps, an afternoon at the pool, a family BBQ, and fireworks and glow sticks for all. July 4th marks the half-way point of the summer for us. We are definitely enjoying these lazy days. Although with record breaking heat, we are usually cramped up inside if we aren't at the pool. Lately it hasn't been so peaceful and quiet around here, either...even when Ellen is napping. I've found myself separating a little more bickering lately, and pulling more tricks out of my hat to keep people entertained.
In Judy Crawford's devotional book Time -Out for Tired Moms, she writes about everyone wanting a piece of mom while mom usually wants some peace. But when a mother can take a few minutes to herself, it can give her the strength to give these pieces of herself to her children. What a good reminder for me as we hit phase 2 of our summer.
I witnessed a perfect example of giving a piece of oneself for my own children on July 4th when my father-in-law held 3 kids on his lap in the hot and sticky summer heat while watching the fireworks. My kids just wanted a piece of grandpa, and he was happy to oblige.
Like most of the US of A we have been experiencing a lot of record breaking H-O-T summer days. But Clare and I have found the perfect way to escape from the heat:
We've been reading The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Talk of blinding snow and howling winds and frozen lakes are keeping us cool...as we read inside...in the A/C. :)
I think it's always fun to sport lots of red, white, and blue on Independence Day...including the food you put on the table! Here are some delicious ideas for your holiday...
This dessert that shows up at our family July 4th picnic every year. A fruit pizza flag. This recipe makes the sugar cookie from scratch and looks much tastier than just using the tube of dough from the store!
I'm linking up with Jen for a round-up of our week...
1.) First things first. I recently made these cookies and used butterscotch chips. Of course they were very yummy. So of course I am highly recommending you use this recipe with your favorite flavored morsels!
2.) Ellen's new favorite spot to hang out. She's finally figured out how to climb up the chairs and is an over-achiever and continues her climb to the top of the island.
3.) I found this plate at the thrift store sometime after July 4th last year. It's has a 1981 calendar on it...significant to me because it's Ryan and my birth year.
4.) I'm in love with basil pesto. From a friend's recommendation, I took a loaf of bread from the grocery store bakery, toasted a bit in the oven, drizzled olive oil on top, then topped it with pesto. Add a glass of red wine and it was delicious!
5.) Clare had her 3rd swim meet of the season this past Monday. Even though she's been rewarded for being a good "participant," she is improving her time as the weeks go on. And her freestyle is starting to look a lot less "free."
6.) Our good friends hosted brunch last Saturday morning. We were lucky to enjoy great company as well as amazing food and drinks! And the kids had a blast on the slip 'n slide.
Thanks for the photos, Kathleen!
I don't photograph well in the summer heat!
7.) I've heard the song "Crazy Train" by Black Sabbath a lot around the house here lately. Sung by my own offspring. Multiple times a day.
They were in the depths of youtube with their father and found this gem.
I hosted "Mom's Night Out" at my house last Thursday.
Ellen helped me make brownies.
Not just any brownies, but Barefoot Contessa brownies. Let's just say they are called "outrageous" for a reason. :)
For drinks, I made a summer strawberry sangria, inspired by this recipe.
Here's what your need to make and to enjoy this summer cocktail:
1 750 mL bottle of pinot grigio
1/2 cup strawberry liquor
1/4 cup sugar
Mix everything together until sugar is dissolved. Chill for 1 - 4 hours. Serve over ice with a squeeze of lime in each glass. Makes 5 servings. (I doubled this recipe.)
I have to admit that the sewing was my work, but it was my father-in-law that did the rest.
I started with a piece of plywood cut 24 inches tall by 38 inches wide and two 2x4's that were 30 inches long each. We screwed the 2x4's onto the plywood and then attached them onto the metal bed frame using the appropriate nuts and bolts.
Then I painted the 2x4's white to finish them up a bit.
I took quilting batting and wrapped it over the top of the plywood and stapled it down. Then I wrapped the batting all the way around the plywood several times. (The thickness/amount is up to you.) It will look something like this:
Next I made a slipcover for the headboard. This is really just a large pillowcase. I bought a piece of navy corduroy fabric that would fit the measurements of my headboard and folded it in half so I only had to sew seams on the sides
(less sewing for me!).
For the corners I sewed across the top of each to "make" a boxed corner. I'm sure there is an actual sewing term for this...but I have no idea what it would be! :)
I hemmed the bottom to finish it off. Then turned it right side out and pressed it with the iron.
After putting the slipcover over the headboard, here's the end result!
Here's how it looks on the side.
The great thing about this headboard being slipcovered is that it is washable (great for a little boy's room)!
And it is also very easy to change out the slipcover if you decide on a different material.
(This bed frame and headboard actually started out in my daughter's room and was simple to change for a boy's room.)
I recently (finally) put some finishing touches on Jude's bedroom.
(Even though he's slept in there for almost 2 years.)
His room was a "spare room" for the previous homeowners, but more specifically was the pretend classroom for their daughter. We used it as a playroom when we first moved into the house.
We thought about keeping the chalkboard wall, but all of the chalk dust accumulated on the baseboards and I didn't like how messy it was for a bedroom.
We washed the chalkboard wall and dried it, then primed over that wall. Then I painted the room when I was 8 months pregnant (needless to say, I don't recommend that unless you have a personal masseuse).
Now a very happy 4 year-old calls this room his own!
Mix everything together and let chill before enjoying.
I like to make a batch of homemade pesto and use it for chicken salad one night and then to serve with pasta another night.
We also like to make this recipe for road trips. Stuffed in pita bread it's easy for the driver to eat...and it beats anything you can get from a drive-thru!
* Homemade pesto recipe can be found here, or you can use store bought pesto, too.
