I feel like I fell off the horse there for a minute last week and over the weekend!
Also back in the point countin’ and workout saddle, too.
Got derailed after our little overnight excursion, but I did have a good workout yesterday afternoon and will do the same all this week so I can enjoy some good ol’ 4th of July fare semi-guilt free.
I have some good lookin’ recipes coming up and a little cocktail that I’ve been dreaming about!
This week is full of play dates, pool time, TS3, a visit from U-Rod (and a lady friend!) and fireworks!
Starting my week out with this:
Check back later in the week for something else containing blueberries (and it’s NOT yogurt!).
Hope your Monday is filled with antioxidants and a whole bunch of other good stuff!
If things didn’t change from last week, it was going to be a LONG, and not in a good way, summer!
Today we packed a quick picnic of ‘wiches, cantaloupe and graham crackers and headed to the pool.
The 1.5 foot deep baby pool was wide open and we staked our claim.
Heaven.
I pulled my lounge chair into partial shade, kicked my feet up and chatted with Hollie while the kiddos splashed, dove and played with the noodle.
It was perfect.
They were safe & happy.
I was relaxed & happy.
A wonderful combination for both parties I must say.
We’ve GOT to do that more often.
I’ve always been nervous to take two non-swimmers to the pool, but if we stay in the kiddie pool, it’s all good in the ‘hood.
They get worn out and I get a break along with a little color.
Hollie kept an eye on Holden while I took the girls into the big pool. Elliott and I practiced her swimming and I am so pleased that she is becoming stronger and stronger and will be on her own by summer’s end, I’m sure.
The icing on the cake was that they exited the pool, dried off, changed and walked to the car without fuss.
Shangri-La, I tell you.
The rest of this week and next week is full so I am certain that we are truly turning the corner and on our way to a HAPPY summer.
Such an inexpensive & creative idea…especially since they shared their first date over a stack of pancakes!
So sweet and dripping with maple syrupy goodness.
Love it. Breakfast At Sunset.
Thinking outside the box.
Pure genius.
I want to recreate this oasis in my back patio and eat all our summer meals there! I love the whole “bringing the inside out” look. May just look for an old kitchen table and mismatched chairs at the next community garage sale!
And that old, shabby chic bench…………..
*****
I was going to have Taco Tuesday tonight with some homemade Taco Bell inspired tacos with seasoned ground beef and crispy corn shells……but, I didn’t feel like running to the store and chancing taking the wind out of my Tuesday sails, so we had hamburger hot dogs and cantaloupe instead.
I just took about a pound of ground beef, mixed it with half a grated red onion, an egg white and this seasoning mix.
We had one hamburger bun and 4 hot dog buns, so I formed the “patties” accordingly:
{I know…this pic is a little disturbing. No jokes, please!}
Just fire up your barbie or pull out your grill pan and cook these babies up. Place on the corresponding bun and garnish with your favorite hot dog/burger toppings. We used ketchup, mustard, minced onion and jalapeños. They would be delish as chili cheese hot dog burgers, as well!
Anyway, it’s fun to switch it up a bit and save yourself a trip to the store at the same time!
Plus, there are plenty more summer Tuesdays for tacos.
*****
Flip Flop Fitness Update ~ 2.22.10
2 cups coffee with 4 tbsp. creamer: 4 points
3/4 cup Kashi cereal with 1/2 cup organic lowfat milk: 3.5 points
2 cups cantaloupe: 2 pts.
turkey and light cheddar with mustard on sandwich thin: 4 points
1 small bag mini Oreos: 3 points
2 graham crackers: 3 points {Snacky Snackerson today! ;-( }
We shared a sushi roll while we decided on something else.
Jay got beef kabob (which I was glad because he’s been talking about kabob for awhile) with hummus, pita and some middle eastern take on potato salad with mint which was delish.
The kids got pepperoni pizza, of course.
I finally decided that I wanted some spicy Jambalaya from The Gumbo Pot. The line was long…
We also tried the hushpuppies…
…and the beignets for dessert!
Trying to cool theirs off:
Powdered sugar everywhere.
Yum!
We were successful and got out of there without buying anything other than our lunch.
NOT EASY!
*****
I wanted to fix dinner, of course, but Jay wanted to do Sticky Brown Sugar Glazed Babybacks on the grill. I went to the store and grabbed a slab and a half along with the fixin’s for some Bacon Blue Cheese Potato Salad and Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream. I prepared the dry rub (cayenne, salt & pepper) and made the glaze (brown sugar, beer, cider vinegar, red pepper flakes and mustard powder) and he did the grilling. Thanks, babe!
Bacon Blue Cheese Potato Salad:
Sweet, sticky ribs:
This was our first time doing ribs. I was a little nervous, but they turned out fantastic. Next time Jay said he will not have as many coals going so they can cook “lower and slower” so to speak, but they were outstanding.
The tater salad was a new find, too and it was perfect with the ribs.
We made our second batch of ice cream…
Peanut Butter Cup ~ Jay’s fave!
In the end, it doesn’t matter if you’re indecisive or have the perfect plan in your head.
All that matters is that we spent the day together as a family and reminded ourselves what an honor (most days!) it is to be parents to E & H.
From the moment the Clear Blue Easy stick told me Jay was going to be a daddy, I knew he was going to be a wonderful one.
That was almost 6 years ago!
These two HAVE decided that they have the best daddy in the whole wide world!
I always thought homemade ice cream was too much fuss, but it is so easy! I’m sure the more fancy you get the more there is to preparing the mixture, but generally speaking, it’s a piece of cake!
Also looking forward to trying the Coconut Sorbet.
The possibilities are endlesss….
Hope your Father’s Day Weekend is full of endless possibilities as well!
We did a California clambake and I think my Northeastern peeps would’ve been proud.
I made a special trip to Whole Foods this afternoon for some gorgeous little necks. Albertson’s came through with beautiful colossal shrimp. Throw those in a roasting pan with some andouille, baby potatoes, lemon slices, thyme, Old Bay, smashed garlic cloves, mini corn on the cobs and chicken stock and….oh my goodness!
I mixed up some cocktail sauce with some wasabi and sliced some french bread for sopping up the broth. We were in hog heaven.
If you’ve never done a clambake you need to try this. All done on the grill.
Perfection on a platter.
You could also get all super fancy and get some lobster tails, mussels or crabs.
Here is the aftermath:
Needless to say I did not make it to the gym or bother to calculate the point damage on this meal.
Totally worth it, though.
Again, here is the recipe we followed. We basically cut it in half and used some chicken stock in place of the water. Next time I will try low sodium stock. Between the clams, Old Bay and chicken stock, it may have been a touch on the salty side.
Wishing we could get back to Boston for a visit, but until then, we’ll make this meal and remember all the great times in New England with special friends.
Looking forward to more backyard bikini watercoloring this summer!
*****
A few weekends ago my friend and neighbor, Hollie, did a lowcountry boil for her son’s 1st birthday. She’s a Southern gal from Georgia so she’s done a lot of these. I’d heard Paula Deen speak of a boil many times, but had never devoured one myself.
It was SO delish and so casual. You basically just pour it out and eat with your hands! So fun and summery.
Jay found a clam bake (which is similar to the boil) that can be done on the grill.
I’m the type of person that slips into a brief sadness after Christmas, a vacation (haven’t gone on one of those in awhile, though) or a series of exciting milestones (as we recently celebrated). It’s like a wedding…you plan and plan and then it’s all over within several hours. You know there is still so much to look forward to, but the initial quietness following the big event, for lack of a better word, is depressing.
I remember when this past holiday season ended and we welcomed in 2010, I felt like,”What are we going to have to look forward to until next Holiday Season?”
Well, duh! There is SO much to look forward to. Even if it’s not a birthday, or the Superbowl, or Valentine’s Day, or Easter, there are oodles of other events, both planned and spontaneous, that will pop up and fill our days with joy.
The year is almost halfway over.
It has been FAR more beautiful and exciting than I ever imagined. A reminder we can make each day or week special just by BEING.
With that said, I need to snap out of my post birthday/graduation/dance recital funk.
We’ve been having a quiet week at home and I am feeling a bit guilty that we aren’t out at the pool. Or at the park. Or at summer camp.
I’m not going to lie, I’ve felt A LOT of frustration this week. Kids not listening. 15 daily outfit changes (and they’re not mine, thanks!). Ants. Whining, arguing and climbing out of the cart while trying to pick up a few things at the grocery. Daring the Old Navy guy to tell me not to bring the Marshall’s cart in the store. No naps! My voice being at a much higher decibel than I’d like.
I’m missing the excitement and activities of last week. Visitors. Graduation. Dinner celebration. Making candy leis. A trip to the pool. Dance rehearsal. Beautiful recital. BBQ with friends. Etc.
I am all about packing a lot in and having a full calendar, but at the same time I enjoy days at home cleaning, organizing, doing laundry, listening to the little ones splash around in the water table out back, dancing around to our faves on iTunes and preparing dinner.
So, why am I having such a hard time this week?
I think it’s the pressure of Summer and the fact that we should be doing all sorts of fun things.
And we will.
This weekend is full of much to be happy about ~ Father’s Day, a matinee to see our friend Emilie perform in “Alice in Wonderland”, a Mommy “Bitch Bingo” Night, the maiden voyage with our new ice cream maker and just spending time as a family.
I can always get my groove back when I am reminded of all that we’ve had in the past, what we may (or may not) have presently and all that we have to look forward to in the future.
There will be busy weeks, boring weeks, fun days, not-so-fun days, but it all comes down to BALANCE.
{Google Images}
Must be the Libra in me.
Finding a healthy balance will always be what I strive for.
That is when I am in the groove.
However, Stella had the right idea…take a trip to Jamaica with a girlfriend.
Now THAT would definitely allow me to get my groove back.
Any takers?
*****
Flip Flop Fitness Update ~ 6.17.10
2 cups coffee with creamer: 4 points
3/4 cup Kashi cereal with 1/2 cup milk: 3.5 points
1 cup red seedless grapes: 1 point
Tuna salad on a sandwich thin: 5 points
Small Golden Spoon frozen yogurt (no topping): 4 points
1 cup ground turkey in lettuce wraps: 6 points
Total: 23.5 points
Workout:
Walked long route to clubhouse (1.5 miles)
32 minutes on elliptical @ 10 (3.o miles, 350 cals)
