Yesterday I mentioned a square foot gardening idea. This morning I discovered this - awfully pretty - tutorial! (I've been browsing some raised-bed gardening concepts because I'd love to create a kids garden for PLAY.) Anyways, if gardening has piqued your interest at all recently, or if you'd love to be growing some plants or veggies but feel like you have 2 black thumbs (like me!), this may be just the tutorial to try:
I'm having one of those weird Sundays... The ones where nothing really happens, and nobody really wants to go out. So we end up staying in thinking we'll be relaxing and watching movies all day, which obviously doesn't happen because, well, we have kids. So then we just end up lounging in the back, complaining - to keep ourselves busy, and eventually cracking up from Freida and her attempts to snap us out of it. :)
Today we ended up caving to her "bike wash" - there was just no way to say no to her; bikini-clad, on her radio flyer trike, pink goggles on and all! So we cranked up the sprinkler and got on line for the ride. Anyways, while I take a few minutes break to dry off and feed my 4 month old brood who just woke from her afternoon nap, here's a few links I've been loving:
- Paint chip animals look like a great doctors office activity! (you can even bring along a crayon and draw up a farm on the paper-covered exam table.)
- Sandbox up-cycling. #iWish
- Can't wait to drive to Arizona to meet my new niece this weekend!! Freida is staying behind for this trip, but if she were coming along I would totally attempt this!
- This deliciousness should help jumpstart my "lose 10 lbs" summer goal!
- I found the two sides of his face fascinating.
- Denim + Blueberries - perfect.
Hope your Sunday was better than mine!! :)
Happy summering!
P.S. This bubble machine creates instant backyard magic!
I had been looking for some new summer dinners lately (somehow my regular weeknight menu plans just don't feel right for the long lazy summer evenings), and while leafing through the new Bais Yaakov Cookbook last weekend it dawned on me that I should really be switching things up in the kitchen - even just for Freida. She is so used to my meals and the way I cook and the flavors I use, I thought It would be really good to try some new things. And since I have all this time with her during these summer weeks, it's a perfect way to incorporate cooking into our slew of "mommy camp" activities. Anyways, we poured over the cookbook together this morning and I let her pick something new she wanted to try for dinner. She went with Quesadillas! The recipe was simple enough - unlike many of the other high-grade kosher cookbooks, this one is beautiful to look at yet actually works with regular ingredients that you'll likely have in your pantry! - and she was able to do most of it and assemble them on her own (while entertaining Hudi, to boot! :).
I used whole wheat tortillas, and the recipe called for onions, mushrooms, red pepper, yellow pepper, and shredded cheese. She ate it all! I couldn't believe she didn't even put in a request for a "plain" version!! Who knew quesadillas are total kid fare?? She dipped them in sour cream for a while, and then went on to munch away on them happily like they were little slices of personal pizza. Perfect summer dinner + leftover lunch-on-the-go - perfect with some chilled salsa and sour cream!
The Bais Yaakov Cookbook is choc-full of elevated recipes you can make from regular ingredients you have on hand. It's beautifully done and really well-written (I loved reading the History of Bais Yaakov in the forward. I had no idea the whole movement was started by one girl when she transformed her small seamstress workspace into a classroom in Krakow - for only 5 girls!!), and the halachic guidelines in the back will very likely come in handy, but mostly what I loved about this cookbook is that majority of the recipes I can make for dinners, or dinner parties without hassling too much in the kitchen. (I can't wait to try the Crumb Coated Sea Bass, Roasted Garlic and Zucchini Soup, and these Apple Buns look off-the-hook-amazing!!)
To win a free copy of The Bais Yaakov Cookbook leave a comment where you see this post on Facebook!! A winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday. Good luck!!
But don't worry - even if you don't win you can still snag a copy for yourself or for a friend at 20% off + free shipping here!!
What are you up to this weekend? I've been breathing in some fresh free air - I have a week or two in between work projects and it feels so good to have no deadlines this week and just to take it slow and easy... On the other hand, in my free time I've been thinking about and chalking up some "family goals" for the summertime (give Freida swimming lessons, start Hudi on solids, lose 10 pounds, sleep-train both girls etc.), and while it's lots like a bucket list - it's not nearly as much fun, and much, much more rewarding. While I take a break from thinking about goals, here are a few things I thought you might enjoy:
- Do you watch Parks and Recreation? I just love Amy Poehler!!
- This totally made me laugh!
- The cutest DIY play kitchen ever!!
- Taking color-wheels for granted...
- How genius are Tube toys?
- I'm smitten by dots.
- 50 shades of fabulous :)
- Hoping Freida goes for Gazpacho - summer lunch at it's best!
- What guy wouldn't love to entertain with these as cocktail kickers?
Anyways, enjoy your weekend - hope it's filled with heaps of summer-y promise!
P.S. There is no ice cream in town better than this guy's! I swear - you'll be in old-school creamery heaven!
These firecracker popsicles are a perfect post-barbecue treat for a balmy 4th of July night spent gossiping with family and friends while waiting for the firework show to commence. Plus, they sounds like bright, tart, and fresh deliciousness!
