Crazy Days of Summer ~ Patriotism

This weeks theme for Crazy Days of Summer is Patriotism.  I thought of many ways that I could go with this photo.  But after taking my Mom and Dad to the Dallas/Ft Worth National Cemetery on July 4th I knew exactly what photo would represent and mean Patriotism.  It's a fairly new National Cemetery as far as National Cemeteries go as it's only been open since 2000.  It's set on 638 acres of beautiful rolling hills and once it is at capacity it will hold 280,000 eligible veterans and their dependents.  Here are just a few of the brave men and women that gave their lives for their country.

Below is the same area but taken from further away.

I'm also submitting the first photo for the "Favorite Photo of the Week Contest", "Show {Off} Your Shot" and "Fabulous Friday".  

Wordless and Wordful Wednesday ~ Popsicle!

We are finally in our new house but have yet to finish unpacking. YEAH!  I thought that I would take a break and post my Wordless/Wordful Wednesday post.

With the temperatures we've had lately (in the 100s for days on end and no rain in sight) a good Popsicle is a great way to cool off.  I'm going to be trying some different recipes soon and if they are any good I'll share them with you here.  This one that Sam and I enjoyed today was super simple.  Just make up your favorite jello flavor (we used cherry) according to the package instructions and then pour into your popsicle molds or paper dixie cups and freeze.  I do have to say that frozen jello has a different texture than most popsicles but they are still soooo good on a hot day.

If you would like to see more Wordless photos head on over to Wordless Wednesday, 5 Minutes for Mom, Live and Love...Out Loud, Project Alicia and J. Leigh Designz. Now if you're like me and sometimes you can't stay wordless head on over to see some Wordful Wednesday photos at Parenting by Dummies.  Don't forget to sign the Linky below.

Crazy Days of Summer ~ Light

Before you do anything else I have a HUGE favor to ask you. Please read this post "HERE" and vote for the school mentioned trying to win the grand prize from Big Lots. It would mean the world to them as they have so little while we all have so much. Then come back here.

This weeks theme for Crazy Days of Summer is: Light.  As you read this I'll be moving my house in the wonderful 100 degree temperatures that we are having here in TX.  So please take a moment and say a prayer. :)  Once we get somewhat settled I'll take a break and check out all of the other wonderful photos that will be submitted.  For this week I'm recycling a photo as I have not had any time this week to even look at my camera much less grab it and take a couple of snapshots.  SIGH.  Hopefully next week I'll be unpacked enough to play along for real.

I've always loved the way the light shines on the corner of this iron gate.  It was an early quiet morning when I took this shot.  I was away with some girlfriends for a weekend in Fredricksburg, TX, and what a great weekend it was! It was wonderful to take some time the morning that we left to find beauty in the simple things around me.

Wordless and Wordful Wednesday ~ Legos

STOP!  Before you do anything else I have a HUGE favor to ask you. Please read this post "HERE" and vote for the school mentioned trying to win the grand prize from Big Lots. You can vote 3 time a day per day until July 4th. It would mean the world to them as they have so little while we all have so much. Then come back here!

My son doesn't need any kits to build with his legos...here's proof:

This kid amazes me every time he builds something!

If you would like to see more Wordless photos head on over to Wordless Wednesday, 5 Minutes for Mom, Live and Love...Out Loud, Project Alicia and J. Leigh Designz. Now if you're like me and sometimes you can't stay wordless head on over to see some Wordful Wednesday photos at Parenting by Dummies.  Don't forget to sign the Linky below.

Tasty Tuesday ~ Chocolate Chip Peppermint Cookies

STOP!  Before you do anything else I have a HUGE favor to ask you. Please read this post "HERE" and vote for the school mentioned trying to win the grand prize from Big Lots. You can vote 3 time a day per day until July 4th. It would mean the world to them as they have so little while we all have so much. Then come back here!



Reaching back into my archives again this week to share a recipe with you because we're moving on Friday and I really haven't cooked anything that is really worth sharing.  So today we're going back a few years to a few days before Christmas when I asked Sam what kind of cookies he would like to make and leave for Santa. He told me that he wanted to make peppermint chocolate chip cookies. Okay, I had never heard of that kind of cookie. I told him I would look on the Internet because I had never seen a recipe for them before. Lo, and behold, there were many recipes for peppermint chocolate chip cookies. We made them and I have to tell you...WOW! They are some cookies! And they would be enjoyed anytime of year...not just Christmas.  I found the recipe that I used on Home Baking Association's website. The cookie recipe will follow below. But first, there are pictures to share with you!

Here is Sam putting out the cookies for Santa. The note that he wrote to Santa that year said "Santa! You Rock" on the front.

Peppermint-Chocolate Chip Cookies

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup margarine or butter, softened

1/3 cup shortening

1 tsp. vanilla

1 egg

1½ cups all-purpose flour or whole-wheat flour

½ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

½ cup chopped nuts

1/3 cup crushed hard peppermint candies
1 package (6 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips (1 cup)

Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix sugars, margarine, shortening, vanilla, and egg in bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack.

Serves 42. Approximate Nutrition Analysis (per serving): calories, 95; protein, 1 g; carbohydrate, 12 g; fat, 5 g; cholesterol, 5 mg; sodium, 55 mg.

My notes: I used all-purpose flour, omitted the nuts, and increased the chocolate chips to 1 1/4 cups. I cooked them for 9 minutes on parchment paper and then cooled them for 2 minutes before putting them on the rack to cool the rest of the way.

ENJOY!

Money Mondays ~ Week 26 in 2011

Before you do anything else I have a HUGE favor to ask you. Please read this post "HERE" and vote for the school mentioned trying to win the grand prize from Big Lots. You can vote 3 time a day per day until July 4th. It would mean the world to them as they have so little while we all have so much. Then come back here to link up!

Time to sign up on the blog hop and support each other! Don't forget to promote this blog hop on your blog (if you have a blog as it's not required), facebook, twitter and any other social media out there.

<a border="0" href="http://themisplacedmidwesterner.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5068579509_847ba6c8d0_m.jpg" /></a>

It's Monday and time to link-up and join in on the Blog Hop for Money Mondays. To read how Money Mondays got started check out my Money Mondays Page.

So here we go! Link Up your Etsy Stores, Shop Websites, Photography Sites, ect. I'm enjoying hosting this blog hop every week and visiting all of yours as well. Grab the button above and place it on your site. Please remember to keep it family friendly. Explicit Sites will be removed.  Remember to grab the Blog Hop Code below to place on your blog so that we all benefit from this hop!  Let's all have some fun, promote our own businesses and check out every one else!

Crazy Days of Summer ~ Yellow

Before you do anything else I have a HUGE favor to ask you. Please read this post "HERE" and vote for the school mentioned trying to win the grand prize from Big Lots. It would mean the world to them as they have so little while we all have so much. Then come back here.

This weeks theme for Crazy Days of Summer is: Yellow.  Since I have been packing up my house this week I haven't had much time to go out and look for "yellow" to take some pictures of.  I went as far as our yard and found a weed.  Much to my surprise I have had a ton of fun playing around with this weeds picture.  Below are just the original picture and 5 other processes (using Picnik ... Love that site!) that I did out of the 18 that I had fun making.  I'm also submitting this photo for the "Favorite Photo of the Week Contest", "Show {Off} Your Shot" and "Fabulous Friday".  

So without further ado...I give you:

The Yellow Weed

The Band That Played On ~ Book Review

I received "The Band That Played On", by Steve Turner, for free from BookSneeze.com in return for my honest review of the material. If you are interested in receiving materials in exchange for honest reviews, please check out BookSneeze.com. 

This is not your typical book about the Titanic.  In fact it is about the 8 band members that were assigned to the Titanic on it's maiden voyage.  There isn't much known about these men but author, Steve Turner, researched their lives before they ever went aboard.  Not only did he research these 8 men but he gave us the history of the company that hired them as well.  It's an amazing book and I would recommend this book to history buffs and non-history buffs as it is very well written.

I found a video on Amazon.com that I've linked to here.  That and with the product description below you'll understand how amazing this book is.  I really can't wait to read more of his books in the future.

Product Description

When Titanic collided with an iceberg at 23:40 on April 14^th, the eight members of the band had already retired for the evening. Still, they put on overcoats and mufflers came out to play in the lounge. When most of the First Class passengers had taken to their lifeboats, the musicians simply moved to the deck and continued to play, calming the passengers as the ship sank. One second class passenger said: "Many brave things were done that night, but none were more brave than those done by men playing minute after minute as the ship settled quietly lower and lower in the sea. The music they played served alike as their own immortal requiem and their right to be recalled on the scrolls of undying fame." Survivors' accounts differ about whether their final tune was "L'Automme" or "Nearer My God To Thee." What has never been disputed is the courage of these musicians who deliberately sacrificed the possibility of escape in order to produce a mood of tranquillity at a time of extreme anxiety. But who were they? What journeys brought them to this deck on this icy ocean? Had any of them previously displayed signs of great courage? Who did they leave behind? Historian and biographer Steve Turner delves into the lives of these brave men, revealing eight unique portraits of bravery.

Wordless and Wordful Wednesday ~ In Memory

I'm not going to be very wordless today. One of my best friends, Wendy, lost her long battle with cancer last Friday evening. I am so happy that she is no longer in any pain and is dancing in heaven. But a big part of me misses her dearly and is being very selfish because there was still so much we had planned to do. Whoever thought that at 43 I would be burying one of my best friends! I know this is all part of the grief process but some days so far have been harder than others. Luckily packing up my house and getting us ready to move has occupied a big part of my days.

But enough of that...I want to share a photo of her from two Decembers ago when our Bunko group went to a B&B in Fredricksburg, TX. What a fantastic weekend we all had. One evening we were playing games with one of them being Left, Right, Center. Wendy had just one a hand and was bringing in the dough. So here is Princess Wendy (as she was known) enjoying a great evening of fun!

If you would like to see more Wordless photos head on over to Wordless Wednesday, 5 Minutes for Mom, Live and Love...Out Loud, Project Alicia and J. Leigh Designz. Now if you're like me and sometimes you can't stay wordless head on over to see some Wordful Wednesday photos at Parenting by Dummies.  Don't forget to sign the Linky below.

Dragons of the Valley ~ Book Review

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Water Brook through there Blogging for Books program.  I have finished reading "Dragons of the Valley" by Donita K. Paul and I would have to say that it was enjoyable! I hadn’t read the first book in the series so I was worried I wouldn’t know what was going on, but Donita K. Paul does a fantastic job of getting the story going with no knowledge from the prior book. I also loved the fact that there is an appendix in the back of the book that helps with the terms of some of the words used in this sci-fi world.  VERY HELPFUL!  Dragons of the Valley was exciting from start to finish. And now I really want to read the first book as well as the next book in the series!  I also enjoy the fact that this book is a Christian Fantasy Fiction.  I love the fact that Paul didn't shy away from writing this story with the purpose of revealing God to her readers. This is book 2 in a new series and it follows book one titled "The Vanishing Sculptor". Which is now a book that I'm going to have to read before going on to the next one.  This is a book however that you can read without reading the first one. I would definitely recommend this book for those that are pre-teen and older especially if you love sci-fi books!

Product Description

War threatens the peaceful land of Chiril… can one painter-turned-reluctant-swordsman really help?

With an invasion of her country imminent, Tipper Schope is drawn into a mission to keep three important statues from falling into the enemy’s clutches. Her friend, the artist Bealomondore, helps her execute the plan, and along the way he learns to brandish a sword rather than a paintbrush.

As odd disappearances and a rash of volatile behavior sweep Chiril, no one is safe. A terrible danger has made his vicious presence known: The Grawl, a hunter unlike any creature encountered before.

To restore their country, Tipper, Bealomondore, and their party must hide the statues in the Valley of the Dragons and find a way to defeat the invading army. When it falls to the artistic Bealomondore to wield his sword as powerfully and naturally as a paintbrush, will he answer Wulder’s call for a champion? 

About the Author

Donita K. Paul is a retired teacher and author of numerous novellas, short stories, and nine novels, including the best-selling DragonKeeper Chronicles. The winner of multiple awards, she lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she spends time mentoring and encouraging writers.

Tasty Tuesday ~ Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe's

STOP!  Before you do anything else I have a HUGE favor to ask you. Please read this post "HERE" and vote for the school mentioned trying to win the grand prize from Big Lots. You can vote 3 time a day per day until July 4th. It would mean the world to them as they have so little while we all have so much. Then come back here!



This week I find myself using a recipe that I posted on here over a year ago for this weeks Tasty Tuesday.  I'm doing so because I'm in the midst of packing up our house and we'll be moving in two weeks.  So, unless I do something new this week it will be reruns again next Tuesday as well.  But I'm hoping not.  This time Tuesday just snuck up on me.

A year or so ago I tried my hand at making Homemade Sloppy Joe's.  I was in the mood to have them but didn't have my usual packet or can of sloppy joe mix.  So to the computer I went to find a recipe because I couldn't find my grandma's recipe.  I thought that I had it but if I do it's not with my recipes or in one of the old church recipe books.  I found a TON of recipes on the Internet but none that really peaked my interest.  So I made it up as I went along.  After reading through so many of them I knew the basics and went to town.  I am turning into my dad when it comes to some of my cooking because when I make it up as I go along I tend to forget what I did and don't write it down.    I used what I had here at the house and if you would like to give it a try here is what I did.

Slow Cooker Homemade Sloppy Joe's

1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground turkey
3 tbs dried onion
1 red bell pepper diced (small to medium size but no larger)
2 tbs of Tastefully Simple Garlic Garlic (this is basically minced garlic, minced onion, salt, garlic powder, and chives)
1 tsp onion powder
2 tsp chili powder
1 can tomato sauce
1 small can tomato paste
3 tbs vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce

Brown the meat and just before the meat was completely browned I added in the dried onions. Drain the meat. Return meat to pan and add in the remaining ingredients. Mix well. Put everything into a slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

It turned out so well that we all had seconds! It even made enough that I have leftovers in the freezer for another night.

Money Mondays ~ Week 25 in 2011

STOP!  Before you do anything else I have a HUGE favor to ask you. Please read this post "HERE" and vote for the school mentioned trying to win the grand prize from Big Lots. You can vote 3 time a day per day until July 4th. It would mean the world to them as they have so little while we all have so much. Then come back here to link up!

Time to sign up on the blog hop and support each other! Don't forget to promote this blog hop on your blog (if you have a blog as it's not required), facebook, twitter and any other social media out there.

<a border="0" href="http://themisplacedmidwesterner.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5068579509_847ba6c8d0_m.jpg" /></a>

It's Monday and time to link-up and join in on the Blog Hop for Money Mondays. To read how Money Mondays got started check out my Money Mondays Page.

So here we go! Link Up your Etsy Stores, Shop Websites, Photography Sites, ect. I'm enjoying hosting this blog hop every week and visiting all of yours as well. Grab the button above and place it on your site. Please remember to keep it family friendly. Explicit Sites will be removed.  Remember to grab the Blog Hop Code below to place on your blog so that we all benefit from this hop!  Let's all have some fun, promote our own businesses and check out every one else!

Crazy Days of Summer ~ Water

Before you do anything else I have a HUGE favor to ask you. Please read this post "HERE" and vote for the school mentioned trying to win the grand prize from Big Lots. It would mean the world to them as they have so little while we all have so much. Then come back here and check out this weeks entries for Alicia and Kristi's:

This weeks theme is water.  After last weeks theme of refreshing and using a picture from one of our trips to a water park I knew I couldn't use one of those again.  Even if I used a completely different picture I still wanted to do something I hadn't done before.  Off to the store I went yesterday to buy a bag of oranges.  I wanted to capture an orange being dropped into an ice cold glass of water.  With it being near 100 degrees here I knew that I had to work fast!  The ice cubes were melting faster than I could take the picture.  Not to mention how fast I was melting.  I am happy with what I got and I'll definitely do that one again when it's not quite as hot outside as I had a lot of fun doing it. I'm also submitting this photo for the "Favorite Photo of the Week Contest" and "Fabulous Friday".

Special Request ~ STOP BULLYING!

Hello there everyone!  I have a special request today.  I have a friend that is trying to help one of the schools that feeds into the Middle school where he is a band director.  They are trying to win $20,000 from Big Lots but most of the children that go there don't have computers much less an internet connection.  So we are all trying to do our little part in helping them get the votes to win. 

Head on over to Big Lots Lots2Give Program and vote for Britain Elementary. They are competing against 115 other schools!  I know that you can vote 3 times in a row but I don't know if it's 3 times per day every day until the voting ends.  Voting does end on July 4, 2011.  I've already voted and have to wait a full 24 hours before I can see if I can vote again.  If you have a blog, have a  facebook account, twitter or are a member of any of the other social media sites out there we would appreciate your help by getting the word out there! 

Here is what Britain Elementary has to say via the Big Lots Lots2Give site: 

We Say No to Bullying!

Britain Elementary

Irving, TX

We Say No to Bullying!

Say No to Bullying! Britain Elementary school in Irving, Texas, is nestled in one of the lowest socioeconomic areas of town. Our students, however, exhibit strong character traits and denounce many of the actions and examples seen around them. At Britain, bullying is a subject that is taught often. Our students “Say No to Bullying!” and watch for warning signs amongst their peers. We would love to order character education banners and materials to keep bullying out of our school!

So what are you waiting for? VOTE!

Wordless and Wordful Wednesday ~ Santa at the Ballpark

We all went to the Texas Rangers game a few weeks ago to celebrate the end of the school year with Sam. This is the third year that we have done this and we always go on a Friday night as they have fireworks.  Where we were sitting this time Santa showed up and like a good Santa he visited with all the kids and handed out candy.  He's a regular at the games but we've never sat in his section before.  Sam rolled his eyes at me when I said he was there but obliged when I took their picture. I played around with the picture on Picnik and added a texture to it.  I like the way that it turned out!  Love that site. 

If you would like to see more Wordless photos head on over to Wordless Wednesday, 5 Minutes for Mom, Live and Love...Out Loud, Project Alicia and J. Leigh Designz. Now if you're like me and sometimes you can't stay wordless head on over to see some Wordful Wednesday photos at Parenting by Dummies.  Don't forget to sign the Linky below.

Tasty Tuesday ~ Peanut Butter Cup S'mores!

It's Tuesday and time to jump on the Tasty Tuesday Blog Hop. If you've never participated before it's a lot of fun. Just head on over to 33 Shades of Green to see what it's all about. You can link up there, here or on anyone that has the blog hop on their post! It's a great way to find new recipes!

A few weeks ago when we celebrated the last day of school by staying up all night we made S'mores.  But since we were at home we made them in the microwave and some of them were made with Peanut Butter Cups!  They are soooo yummy!  Enjoy!

 

PB Cup S'mores

Lay one half of a Graham cracker (2 sections on a microwave plate and add a peanut butter cup to the top.  Microwave for about 10 seconds on high.  Add a large marshmallow to the top of the softened peanut butter cup and microwave 5 to 10 seconds--you'll have to watch it and judge according to your microwave.  You'll want the marshmallow to swell up.  Take out of the microwave and top with the second half of the Graham cracker, smush it together and gobble it up!

Money Mondays ~ Week 24 in 2011

This past Saturday I had a wonderful time at the craft fair.  It wasn't as busy as I would have hoped but I did end up not only selling some socks and fabric flower headbands/hair clips (which I still need to take pics of) but I will also be signing up another recruit for my Lindt Chocolate RSVP and I also have two others that will be booking their show with me later this week!  WOO HOO!  So...how's your business going? 

It's now time to sign up on the blog hop and support each other! Don't forget to promote this blog hop on your blog (if you have a blog as it's not required), facebook, twitter and any other social media out there.

<a border="0" href="http://themisplacedmidwesterner.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5068579509_847ba6c8d0_m.jpg" /></a>

It's Monday and time to link-up and join in on the Blog Hop for Money Mondays. To read how Money Mondays got started check out my Money Mondays Page.

So here we go! Link Up your Etsy Stores, Shop Websites, Photography Sites, ect. I'm enjoying hosting this blog hop every week and visiting all of yours as well. Grab the button above and place it on your site. Please remember to keep it family friendly. Explicit Sites will be removed.  Remember to grab the Blog Hop Code below to place on your blog so that we all benefit from this hop!  Let's all have some fun, promote our own businesses and check out every one else!

Off He Goes...My Boy Is Growing Up!

It's hard for me to believe that I've had this blog going now since May of 2006!  You all have watched my son go from a 6 year old boy to an 11 year old young man.  This morning he headed out on his very first week long Boy Scout Camp.  It's strange knowing that he'll be gone a whole week (the house is already so quiet).  He had many feelings going on within him this morning.  The main one being that he didn't want to go and that we couldn't make him.  He's right in that we couldn't make him go but when it came time to go he did get into the car willingly and once we got there he wanted nothing to do with his Mom saying goodbye to him.  I know that he'll have a ton of fun once he's there and sees all the fun that he's going to have but there is that part of me as a Mom that wonders how he is doing every second of every day.

I only have the photo of him in front of the house and of the vehicle that he was in as they were pulling out as my camera battery was dying on me.  Below you can also see a video of the camps here in the Texas Longhorn Council.  His camp is at the 2 minute 50 second point.  There is a part of me that wishes I could be there with him as it looks like a ton of fun but this year needs to be about him.  Maybe in one of the years to come I'll go...we'll just have to wait and see.

Prayers...

I'm asking for your prayers right now.  For some reason finding out that we can't buy a house and have to wait another year before doing so along with having to move and rent again has just torn me up.  I'm crying and trying to keep a strong front all at the same time.  I'm a strong person and for some reason this one seems harder than all the rest.  Maybe it's because we have tried so hard and now are punched back down.  Not to mention that I'm also trying to find a part time job and keep getting turned down as everyone is looking for one.  Every time I start to talk about it all the tears come out instead of my voice.

I'd love a miracle right now of someone buying the house we are currently in (as our landlord needs to sell it) and then renting it back to us until we can buy. What a miracle that would be.  That way we wouldn't have to move and take Sam away from his friends.  Yes, we'd just be moving a short distance away but still.  Sam has come so far lately and it's hard to take him away from that.

Crazy Days of Summer ~ Refreshing

Last week Alicia from Project Alicia and Kristi from Live and Love...Out Loud started a weekly photo challenge.  I missed last week and am having to use an old photo for this week.  I promise I'll go out and take a new photo for next week.  I've been getting ready for a craft fair on Saturday and my son is going to be going away for a week starting on Sunday.  So as you can imagine I've been running around with my head cut off trying to get everything done in time.

This weeks theme for the Crazy Days of Summer Weekly Photo Challenge is: Refreshing.  I thought of many photos that I could go out and take but as I stated above...no time.  And since I have had no time to relax lately we are going to take some time tomorrow to sit back, have fun and relax as a family at one of the local water parks here.  This will be my view tomorrow afternoon and evening.  For me, this will be VERY REFRESHING!  During my time there I'm going to refresh myself with some cool water, warm sun, some fun times and possibly read part of a book.  Who knows...I'm just going to go with it.

Wordless and Wordful Wednesday ~ Getting an Autograph

Tuesday morning I took Sam to one of our local Whataburger's and stood out in this wonderful summer weather amazing heat already for June (it was 90 degrees by 9:30 a.m.) so that Sam could meet one of his favorite Texas Rangers players...Mitch Moreland.  He was so thrilled to get his hat signed and I got his rookie card signed.  Here are two photos from the event.  They didn't allow poised photos as he was only going to be there for one hour and I'm so glad that we did get there early!

If you would like to see more Wordless photos head on over to Wordless Wednesday, 5 Minutes for Mom, Live and Love...Out Loud, Project Alicia and J. Leigh Designz. Now if you're like me and sometimes you can't stay wordless head on over to see some Wordful Wednesday photos at Parenting by Dummies.  Don't forget to sign the Linky below.

Tasty Tuesday ~ Summertime Drinks

What is your favorite summertime drink??

I actually have several. Besides Ice Cold Sun Tea, Ice Cold Diet Coke, and Ice Water; I really like to make the following drinks listed here.  Sorry I only have one picture and that's from the site where I found the recipe.  But next time I make these I'll have my camera on hand before they are all gone...which is usually what happens.

Cool Melon Water:

2 cups ripe watermelon (you can also use cantaloupe) peeled, seeded and cubed
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 to 1/2 cup cold water
Juice of one lemon

Blend all ingredients together. Transfer to tall ice-filled glasses. Serves 6

Lime Mint Slush:

1 banana, coarsely chopped
6 mint leaves
1 teaspoon lime juice
1 cup milk
1/4 cup ice cubes

Place all ingredients in blender and process until slushy. Serve immediately. Serves 2.


Or there is this version that I found on Babble.com. 

Lime Mint Slush: 

7-8 tablespoons lime juice
1 12 ounce can 100% white grape juice concentrate
5 fresh mint leaves
lots of ice (enough to fill the blender)
cold water, as needed

Blend juice, juice concentrate, mint, and ice. Add small amounts of water to help the mixture blend well. Blend on high until ice is smooth. Serve in glasses with sprigs of fresh mint.

Pineapple Zinger:

2 cups pineapple, coarsely chopped
1 cup orange juice
1 banana, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons honey
2 cups ice cubes

Place all ingredients in blender and process until smooth. Serve immediately. Serves 3.

Citrus Cocktail:

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup grapefruit juice
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup club soda
1/2 cup ice cubes

In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil and swirl to dissolve sugar. Allow to cool. In a pitcher, combine all ingredients, mixing well. Serves 3.

I haven't made these in quite some time but I may just do so some time soon. They are all so good on a hot summer day.

So what are your favorite summer drinks? Please so share!

Money Mondays ~ Week 23 in 2011

I've been frantically busy getting ready for a craft fair and business expo that is this coming Saturday.  This time I'll have not only my socks but also fabric flower headbands and hair clips.  I'll also be promoting my new business as a Lindt Chocolate RSVP Independent Consultant.

I'll talk more about my new venture later this week as it's now time to sign up on the blog hop and support each other! Don't forget to promote this blog hop on your blog (if you have a blog as it's not required), facebook, twitter and any other social media out there.

<a border="0" href="http://themisplacedmidwesterner.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5068579509_847ba6c8d0_m.jpg" /></a>

It's Monday and time to link-up and join in on the Blog Hop for Money Mondays. To read how Money Mondays got started check out my Money Mondays Page.

So here we go! Link Up your Etsy Stores, Shop Websites, Photography Sites, ect. I'm enjoying hosting this blog hop every week and visiting all of yours as well. Grab the button above and place it on your site. Please remember to keep it family friendly. Explicit Sites will be removed.  Remember to grab the Blog Hop Code below to place on your blog so that we all benefit from this hop!  Let's all have some fun, promote our own businesses and check out every one else!

Summer Fun and Last Day of School

Summer is officially here at our house. Sam actually finished his school awhile ago...and he is a straight A student again this semester! We are just sooo proud of him. We've got a lot on our plate for this summer and we are ready to have some fun. One place that we will frequent is Hawaiian Falls Water Park. Thanks to my parents our big Christmas gift this past Christmas was season passes! So we can stay cool in this Texas heat. In fact we've been having summer temperatures since a week before Easter this year. Here is a video about Hawaiian Falls Water park that aired this morning and if you notice the time and temp in the lower right hand corner it really does say 9:25 am and it was already 82 degrees!

Sticking with tradition Sam and I will celebrate the last day of school by staying up all night and watching movies. Thanks to RedBox we rented Gnomeo & Juliet, The Green Hornet and Gulliver's Travels for just over $3! I know...no expense spared here. We'll have pizza, popcorn, popsicles, smores (in the microwave with peanut butter cups...yum!) and Twizzlers.  I'll post pictures soon from tonight as I'm sure we'll have fun. We'll also see how late he/I stay up this year.