July 10th - Teddy Bears and Pina Coladas

Happy July 10th!

Can I just tell you how stoked I was when I found out that I would get to celebrate Teddy Bear Picnic day??  So when I was younger my mom would always sing us the song "Teddy Bear Picnic."

Sounds cheesy now but I l.o.v.e.d. that song and ever since I have wanted to have a picnic with my own teddy bear.  Well it's never too late right?? So we packed up little lunches and headed to a nearby park.  We had a quiet picnic in the shade.  It was splendid.

Our family is full of Harry Potter fanatics so when we found some sticks it could only mean one thing...WIZARDING DUEL.  Logan and I had some good fun!

After the park we headed home for some relaxing.  Then dinner time came around.  It is Taco Tuesday which complimented our celebration of Pina Colada Day.  I am not a big fan of Pina Coladas because I am not a huge coconut fan.  If you are you can look up a good recipe to enjoy a normal version.  Here is the recipe I used for a coconut free Pina Colada.  It was very yummy!

1 cup ice
1 1/4 cups pineapple juice
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 Tbsp. white sugar
(http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070816181633AAkDyEg)

Throw it all in the blender and voila!  It makes about 2 servings and takes just over a minute. My family thoroughly enjoyed it!

Tomorrow is:
Cheer Up the Lonely Day
Slurpee Day
World Population Day

enjoy (:

July 9th - National Sugar Cookie Day

Who doesn't love a good sugar cookie?  I like mine soft and chewy with a light but super yummy frosting.  I had all these great plans.  #1 I was going to call up my roommate Courtney.  Her mom has a BOMB! recipe for sugar cookies, but the dough has to be refrigerated so I would have needed a little more time for that option.  So then Plan B was to turn to good ol' Pinterest.  I had previously pinned a scrumptious looking recipe for sugar cookies (that did not require refrigeration) and I thought I would just try that out.  An unexpected trip to the doctor's took up all of my baking time.  Stupid.  So we had to resort to Plan C (for cookies! ha)  I sent my wonderful father to Wally World to pick up some Granny B's Sugar Cookies - you know?  The ones that are circle shaped with perfect bubblegum pink frosting and in almost every vending machine for $1.  Yup...those ones!  haha.  As we waited we decided to have a photo shoot.  If you know my family you know that my brother Nathan and I don't necessarily look like we belong.  As the two brunette children we seem a little too abnormal (ironically) in the midst of the 4 flaming red headed siblings.  Just a few weeks ago I went on a trip with my mother and sister to Utah for my roommate's wedding.  Everywhere, and I'm not exaggerating, we went (including gas station restrooms) people would stop and stare at my gorgeous sister.  They would ask my mom if she was proud to have such a beautiful red headed daughter.  They would comment that if they could have anything in the world they would have red hair.  They admitted that they would pay all the money in the world to get hair like that.  Oh geez.  In the midst of these comments they would shoot a pitiful glance in my direction.  It was a big self esteem boost!  Let me tell you.  But that was a big side note.  So back to the real story.  My brother Nathan and I decided to have our own little "black head"  (probably not the most flattering term) photo shoot.  We got our dog Molly and starting just goofing off.  Well at 10 o'clock at night with two crazy kids and a tired dog this is what you get.

My most flattering photos?  Nope.  Do I care?  Not at all.  This was SO  fun.  We especially got a kick out of Molly's face in the second photo.  HAHA.  oh man.  It was just one of those hilarious yet VERY quirky family moments.  We were laughing SO hard.  What else is worth living for?  Ah man.  Good times.  Then,  we finally got our sugar cookies.

MMM.  Well, I might have to redeem myself and make some homemade ones later this week.  Stay tuned for some more good holidays.  Today (since I am writing this post a day late)  is Teddy Bear Picnic Day and Pina Colada day!  Enjoy!

(:

July 7th

What a day!

4 obscure holidays all in one!  Today was a blast.  Let me give you the low down.

The day started with a trip to the Farmer's Market.  Ah.  I love that place.  I made it out with only a small bag of carrots from some family friends although I was tempted by a lot of other scrumptious looking produce.  Then my mom, sister, and I went and got haircuts!  Woo.  I've been needing one of those for a little while.  Just a trim and some fresh layers but it was definitely needed.

Of course Logan is in the background (: He is pretty darn cute though!

After haircuts we had to come home and play with our new hair. My brother Jonathon took us all to the library where I scored some brilliant CDs.  Frank Sinatra, Gershwin, Cecilia Bartoli, Manhatten Transfer, and the opera Carmen.  I love good music.  This week will be full of good listening.

 
The library trip was followed by some chillaxin'.  Then some Saturday grocery shopping.  When we arrived home we started a fire in the backyard and made some good ol' fashioned tin foil dinners.  Nom nom nom.  Marinated chicken, potatoes, and corn.  It was delightful.  And this picture is priceless.  Ha. Gotta love the siblings.  

After enjoying dinner we decided we should begin the true celebration.  We pulled out some butcher paper and put it on the lawn.  Then we got some of our cherries we purchased at the orchard and had our own International Cherry Pit Spitting contest.  It took awhile to get good, but we had a blast!  

 Finally we went back to our trusty dusty fire pit and pulled out all the traditional Smore making supplies to celebrate CHOCOLATE DAY.  I mean could any day be better?  Really? A whole day dedicated to chocolate...it doesn't get better than that.  It was the perfect ending to a truly wonderful day.

 We had to postpone Father-Daughter Take a Walk Day because Dad spent the whole day working on the backyard and he was quite worn out.  We decided to give him a break.

And the last holiday...Tell the Truth Day.  Well here is the first truth that comes to mind:  God lives!  It is true.  I know it with all my heart.  And most importantly He loves each of us more than we can comprehend.  He is always there for us and He hears and answers prayers.  Don't doubt that!

(: