Homemade Popsicles

Mason can't get enough of these pineapple popsicles. The ice cube size is perfect and he finishes it just before it begins to melt all over him.

Apparently they taste better when you're standing on the chair.

Because sitting is not cool.

Pineapple Coconut Popscicles

(adapted from a recipe found HERE)

1- 13.5 oz. can coconut milk

1 c. chopped pineapple

1 banana

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 c. shredded coconut

Combine everything in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Pour into molds and pop into the freezer. After about 30 minutes push popscicle sticks (or you could use toothpicks) into each mold and back into the freezer they go.

Enjoy!

Weekend Fun

This weekend was all about the water

We spent Saturday at the neighborhood pool, which is only for kids under 7 and has a cool mushroom water feature

Sunday we hung out at Auntie Lindsey's

No one had better tell Mason that frozen peas and roasted beets aren't "snack" foods

Before you feel sorry for him, he did get a whole (mini) cupcake to himself

Margarita cupcakes with lime frosting

(you can find the recipe HERE)

Have a great week!

Homemade Ketchup

Those of you who already think I'm crazy for doing stuff like making yogurt and potato chips, you're right. At least I know it.

In case you were wondering how these things happen, this time it started with an empty bottle of ketchup and an abundance of tomatoes.

"How difficult could it be to make ketchup?" I ask myself.

The answer? Not difficult AT ALL.

Start by putting all of this in a big pot:

(Recipe adapted from HERE)

Simmer the whole pot on the stove on low for about 4 hours (or if you're impatient, like me, set it to medium low and simmer for 3 hours, stirring every once in a while). You want the mixture to reduce down until it's really thick. Next, pour everything into the blender and blend until smooth.

Done.

You just made ketchup.

Seriously. It's that easy.

Then you can use the ketchup to make Beer and Ketchup Meatballs.

Enjoy!

*Next time I use that ketchup recipe I'm going to double or triple the amounts. It made about 2 cups.

Summer Solstice

Two years ago we had just bought our house in Spokane and had yet to meet very many of the neighbors. Summer Solstice happened to be on a Saturday that year and we thought it would be fun to host a "Summer Solstice Cocktail Party" and invite the neighborhood. We had such a good time we decided to make it a tradition.

Here's how to host your own neighborhood gathering!

Step 1: Pass out invitations to each house on your street (include the neighbors one street over who have a child the same age as yours)

Step 2: Make a simple centerpiece with empty wine bottles, a few hydrangea stems and simple labels

Step 3: Light a few citronella candles

Step 4: Thank darling significant other for making the patio and yard look amazing

Step 5: Set out glasses, turn on some good music, and clean out the liquor cabinet

Step 6: Provide simple refreshments

Step 7: Remember everyone's names!

If you don't know your neighbors, try this! Or even if you do, it'll be a fun way to reconnect. Everyone left thanking us and commenting that our neighborhood should do this every month.

Welcome summer!

Weekend Fun

Concert in the park

Picnic with friends

The perfect Saturday evening

Church + Sunday morning farmers market

Happy Fathers Day!

♥

Camping: Pinecrest 2010

We just got back from Mason's 2nd camping trip! On Sunday we met Heather and Kevin and the kids at Pinecrest, where they have their annual family camping trip.

We had such a good time, but the road getting there wasn't the smoothest. We hit the first "bump" a few minutes into the trip when the Westfalia started billowing white smoke.

Here is Mason playing patiently in the Westy as Daddy unloads it and packs up the Subaru (which you can see in the background.)

Finally on our way and guess who decides this is the perfect time to get two more teeth? No joke. One new bottom tooth cut through on the drive and the other showed up the night before we left. Lets just say that by Wednesday morning Mason was literally not a happy camper.

He did, however, enjoy playing with all the new toys (which may or may not have belonged to our group-- he doesn't discriminate.)

The big kids shared a little sibling time with the iPod.

The beach was just a short walk from our campsite. That baby hiking backpack was quite possibly Tage's best thrift shop find to date. Mason sat there enjoying his cherry tomatos and blueberries before heading off to play.

Water. Sand. Shade. Friends. What could be better? (Besides cropping Tage's hairy chest out of that picture-- hehe. :)

Heather is the cutest pregnant chick ever.

This is when you know it's time to head back to camp for nap time: Your toddler lays right down in the sand and says, "Night night."

The last evening. A little tired, a little sore, and a little hung over (in that order.)

A quick praise

Each year on my birthday I try to use the new year as a "fresh start" and make a few resolutions. This year's resolutions included a commitment to be better at tithing, which I was a bit aprehensive about considering Tage isn't working right now. Apprehesive or not, it was a commitment, and I faithfully wrote out my check on Sunday.

What do we get in the mail yesterday? A random rebate check from PG&E for an overpayment of our utilties-- in double the amount of the tithe check I wrote out.

Coincidence?

Nope.

God is good. All the time.

Have a fabulous weekend!