• Recipes: Red & Blue Patriotic Salad

    Recipes - Strawberry - Blueberry - Steak - Salad - P1420522c

    Fresh Red & Blue Patriotic Salad

    I have been enjoying the fresh salads lately with the warmer temperatures.  The other day as I was looking through the refrigerator for lunch ideas and decided to use up some leftovers along with some fresh fruit and greens.  The salad turned out delicious.  It was cool and crispy with a touch of sweetness in every bite.

    The recipe below is for a single serving, however, this would be a great one to make into a larger salad to share for the July 4th Holiday or really anytime throughout the hot summer season.  Whether at a picnic, party, celebration, or any other event the salad is sure to be a hit.  Plus it’s healthy, colorful, and delicious!

    Red & Blue Patriotic Salad Recipe:

    • 2 cups Fresh Romaine Lettuce
    • 1/4 cup cut Fresh Strawberries
    • 1/4 cup Fresh Blueberries
    • 3 oz Sirloin Steak, slivered
    • 1 tablespoon Walden Farms Raspberry Vinaigrette

    Rinse the romaine lettuce, strawberries, and blueberries.  Cut up the romaine lettuce (if not already done so).  Place the romaine onto your plate or serving dish.  Cut the strawberries into quarters and add them to the top of the romaine.   Add the blueberries on top as well.  Sliver your sirloin steak and place it on the bed of romaine.  Sprinkle the Walden Farms Raspberry Viniagrette salad dressing over your salad, mix gently, and enjoy!

    Optional: If you want to add a little bit of white to your Red & Blue salad to make it a Red, White, and Blue Salad I was suggest adding a sprinkling of cheese on top such as crumbled blue cheese, shredded parmesean, or mozzarella. 

    Total Calories: 333 | Total Net Carbs: 4.4

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    Fresh & Delicious!

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    Lunch is ready!

  • Curious Kids: Swing Experiment!

    Notice anything odd about the jungle gym?

    The girls are always asking questions and trying new things.  As parents we get the privilege to answer these questions and teach them more about how things work.  Occasionally, they come up with some interesting ideas on their own.  I love how they use their creativity and are able to pull together some fun experiments.  Not every creative moment ends up perfect but glad to see them thinking outside the box.

    We were outside playing one sunny winter afternoon when I looked over at the girls playing on the swing set and noticed something a little odd.  They had taken their cherry red lawn chairs from the front porch and put them on top of the swings on the jungle gym.  It was hilarious watching them swing on the lawn chairs.  A piece of me was thrilled that they figured out how to “invent” something silly yet not dangerous.  They had a blast swinging on their “redneck” swings.  It was great hearing their bursts of giggles as they watched each other swing.

    They came up with this creative Redneck "swing" all on their own!
    They did pretty well swinging on their little red lawn chairs!

    Karlie and Brina Swinging on their silly swings!
    So proud of their little experiment!

    It was pretty funny watching them swing on those little red lawn chairs.  They were so excited their experiment worked out so well.  As Jake and I moved around in the yard the girls would just rotate their chair swings to face us.  They make me laugh with some of the things they come up with but I am glad to see their imaginations running full throttle!

    What started out as mere curiosity ended up being a fun new way to enjoy time swinging on the jungle gym.  Encourage your kids to be creative and curious, you never know what you’ll see when you come around the corner!

    Curious Kids is a series of posts on various questions kids ask as well as creative things they come up with on their own.  If you have ever been around a toddler you know they will have a season when they start asking all the “Why” questions.  Then as your toddler gets older you begin to see them start experimenting with objects, becoming even more creative, and trying to figure out new ways to make things work.  As a parent of Twins my girls hit those stages at the same time!  I was (and am) determined to not answer….”Because I said so” to their questions and allow them the freedom to be creative (as long as it isn’t dangerous) but there there are days when it is difficult coming up with all the answers to their questions and the mess behind their “creative” experiments sometimes gets a little too crazy for even Mom.  Most days I love having the opportunity to teach my girls and encourage them to use their curiosity to be creative when they play!

  • Family Celebrations: Valentine’s Date with My Man!

    Winter Jam 2011 at Bi-Lo Center in Greenville, SC!

    Jake and I had the opportunity to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, February 11, 2011.  We had friends swap  babysitting duties with us so we knew the girls would be in good hands while we were out for the evening.   While we were brainstorming fun and unique ways we could spend our Valentine’s Date we realized that it was the same night that Winter Jam 2011 was coming to Greenville.  Since neither of us had ever been to any concerts before we decided to give it a try since it only cost $10 per person to get in.

    After deciding what to do we talked with a couple friends and realized that the concert usually sells out so we had backup plans just in case.  That night Jake picked up Subway sandwiches and we ate while standing in line to get into the Bi-Lo Center.  When we arrived the lines were pretty defined but after only a few minutes it soon became a crowd with standing room only.  I am not a tall person and thankful that I don’t get claustrophobic in large crowds standing because every one was standing close together.

    We made it into the Bi-Lo Center and managed to get front row balcony seats!  When I went to the restroom Jake left a small pretty gold package on my chair……  I hadn’t realized it but he had saved up his money to buy me a necklace that I could wear with the other one he gave me for our 7th Anniversary for dressier events! He is so sweet and thoughtful!  I share will with you in a later post a little more about the necklace!

    We have never been to a concert much less a Christian Concert with so many people and artists!  It was neat hearing their songs and testimonies throughout the night.  The night starting off with Chris Sligh who is from Greenville, South Carolina.  We also heard songs from Chris August, Sidewalk Prophets, NewSong, Red, Francesca Battistelli, Kutless, David Crowder Band and the NewsBoys.  Tony Nolan gave an encouraging and challenging message and KJ-52 was an entertaining MC.  Here are some pictures from our Date Night.  It was a neat experience and moving to see so many people in attendance worshiping together.

    Chris Sligh from Greenville, SC started the Winter Jam 2011 evening.
    Chris August at Winter Jam 2011

    "Sidewalk Prophets" started with their backs to us!

    "Red" had neat fire and smoke shooting through the air at various times. The speakers were blown on our side after their performance, it was pretty loud!
    KJ-52 was a great MC at Winter Jam 2011!
    "Newsong" at Winter Jam 2011!
    Francesca Battistelli at Winter Jam, neat songs and her husband plays the drums in her band!

    Tony Nolan sharing scripture & his testimony with everyone at Winter Jam 2011
    David Crowder Band at Winter Jam 2011
    Winter Jam 2011 - "Kutless" performing!
    "Newsboys" drummer at Winter Jam 2011!
    Newsboys singing at Winter Jam 2011

    Newsboys on risers at Winter Jam!
    Winter Jam 2011 was a sold out crowd at the Bi-Lo Center in Greenville, SC!
  • Movie – “Secretariat”

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4wvRAjTbm0

    My husband and I had a relaxing evening together last night after a busy week of family visiting.  Having some quiet time snuggling with my man and watching a wonderful movie together was a perfect way to unwind.  If you enjoy animals, horses in particular, this is a great movie for you.  The neat part is that it is based on a true story of a family and an amazing horse.  The main character is a Housewife and Mom, Penny Chenery Tweedy, who after her mothers death takes over her parents Virginia-based Meadow Stables.   She goes against all odds with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin, a loyal secretary, a gutsy rider, and a talented horse “Red” who has a personality of his own.  Together they manage to navigate the male-dominated business and ultimately the first Triple Crown winner in twenty-five years.  The triple crown hasn’t been won since “Red”.  The only thing that made me twinge a couple times is her married name is “Tweedy” and when they said her name it sounded like “Mrs. Tweety” from “Chicken Run”!  Really enjoy sharing this movie with my man and recommend that you check it out if you are looking for a great movie to see in the near future.  Go here for more information about “Secretariat” .