Favorite Friday - tomatoes!

Well, for this Favorite Friday post I couldn't help but share something a little more personal. Yesterday I went to a local farmers market {love them!} and found some delicious looking tomatoes. So, I purchased them, brought them home and set them on the counter. While cooking dinner my 17 month old decided that they looked delicious to him as well. He climbed up on his stool, reached and reached until he grabbed a hold of a tomato and bit into it like an apple!!! I had turned my back on him for maybe 30 seconds while all this was going on and this is what I turned around to find.....

So I guess if he could add his two cents in for a Favorite Friday post it would be for how yummy tomatoes are!

But in all fairness, I have to say that they are a favorite of mine as well. I have been growing two varieties of tomatoes in pots on my deck. They survived our cold weather a while back and are now looking quite hopeful with their flowers.

 

If you live in Colorado, be sure to check out a local farmers market h e r e this weekend. They have such great produce options and you get to support a local farmer!

ALSO, A FEW REMINDERS FOR YOU --

Be sure to sign up for our "a la carte" tutorial series h e r e

::

And don't forget to leave a comment for an entry into our June Giveaway h e r e.

Have a great weekend!

Favorite Friday - Father's Day

Favorite Friday - Memorial Day

Let me just start by saying THANK YOU to all of the men and women who serve our country, our freedoms and our beliefs here on our own soil and to those abroad. It is a very hard job - one that is sometimes thankless. Which is why I am so proud that our country has set aside a national holiday to honor those who have lost their lives protecting us.

As unique as we Americans try to be there is something that we love about tradition. Memorial Day weekend has become one such tradition.

Militarily we fly flags at half staff on Memorial Day and then raise them to full height for the remainder of the day. Listen closely and you might hear Taps being played at a nearby cemetery or national monument.

Emotionally we remember - those we've lost, those who are abroad, those who are with us and put on a uniform everyday. We remember the price that has been paid.

Socially....we gather and celebrate! Celebrate Memorial Day, celebrate the start of summer and a new season, celebrate friends and family. Who doesn't like a BBQ, potato salad, watermelon and some fireworks if you are lucky?!

So I have chosen this Favorite Friday to express how much I love meaningful holidays! And because I also love a party I decided to leave you with a few ideas for a smash hit Memorial Day get-together. Enjoy!

For the menu {most importantly}:

Recipes can be found at bhg.com

Grill something: hot dogs {with special toppings are a hugely popular right now}, hamburgers, veggies, fruits...anything! Sometimes, serving a fun drink is all it takes to make your regular menu become special - straws are also a big hit with kids and adults. And don't forget dessert! The parfait pictured here is not only themed appropriately it is mostly healthy with a little bit of sweetness added.

For your decor:



How-to's can be found at marthastewart.com

These easy ideas for decorations will add color and attitude to your party with very little cost to you!


For entertainment:

Get outside!!!! Having something for kids AND adults to do at a party is a great idea. It allows people to relax {as long as the games aren't embarrassing and the focus isn't just on one game or group of people} and socialize with others. And usually everyone loves a little competition!  

Have a great weekend everyone!

Favorite Friday!

I LOVE POPCORN!

I've never been much of a microwave popcorn eater because growing up, my mom always made it on the stove in a pan that she had to continually shake back and forth. So, it's a tradition or way of life that I've kept up....get the biggest pan you have {heavy!}, fill it wil a little oil {sizzle and splatter!}, add the popcorn {even heavier and now hot!}and pop {shake the heavy pan til your arm falls off!}. As you can see it's one issue after another but always worth the fresh taste of warm popcorn.

Then, this past Christmas,Amy gave me a gift that has changed my life! 

The Whirley Popcorn Popper!

Popping warm fresh popcorn now only takes me two minutes and all I have to do is add the ingredients and turn the little crank {which I can do with one finger - it's so light!}. Thank you Amy!!

I make popcorn for almost every event that I have and bring it to any casual get together with friends. Why? Well, besides the yummy taste it is an inexpensive and healthy snack....and it's becoming oh-so-trendy.

You've heard of cupcake bars and candy bars at weddings, gatherings or corporate events. Now, you will start to see popcorn bars. Like I mentioned, it's inexpensive which is the number one reason for it's rising popularity. The second is because the possibilites are endless! Salt as a topping is just the beginning.....dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, cheddar cheese, caramel, chili powder, chipotle, cinammon...and you can add anything you want to it: fruit, nuts, chocolate.

I can't wait to try it all!

Here are some ideas on how to present your popcorn bar at your next event -

big or small!

Sources: 1-kimberlypotterf 2-BellaGrace 3-willrichbridal

Those of you who like the microwave popcorn {and let me say, I'm not against it, it's just not my first choice} I have a couple vendors that make great gourmet ready-made popcorn. If you need it for an event, it's a perfect give-away gift or if you just want to spice up your taste buds, these are my go-to's.

Dale and Thomas Popcorn

479 Popcorn

Enjoy!

Favorite Friday

Well, this Friday is almost over and I am just now getting myself and my thoughts together to put a post out for you to read. Partly because I wasn't sure what to talk about, partly because I just got back from vacation and I'm working through the laundry piles and partly because I was able to enjoy a cup of coffee with a friend.

And then it dawned on me what my favorite thing is of all time!

F A M I L Y.

As I mentioned, I just got back from a vacation to California where my parents, brother and extended family live {although I try to get them to move to be closer to me.} Jacob and I were invited to spend some time with my family while my husband manned the home front for us.

What is family to me....

love

loyalty
 oranges

belly laughs

hard work

spiritual foundation

green grass foothills

homemade icecream

a good cry

warm breezes

long hugs

creative brainstorming

bbq and delicious meals

old friends

prayer

.....and much more!

Here are a few pictures from our time together.

In-N-Out is a must.



The girls. Headed to a Beth Moore conference! Such a special time.



Dirt.....any boys favorite play toy.




Uncle Chody made a special trip home - thank you!




Grandpa and Grandma - lovin' on Jacob.



In a few weeks I get to visit my in-laws which will be exciting as well. I am blessed with family and I hope that my legacy as a mom will be to continue to have family be a blessing to my children.

What are some of your favorite family memories? Do share!

Favorite Friday

Happy Friday!

This post would normally be coming from Amy since we are trading off on sharing with you our favorite things. But she is up to her neck in a 2-day event that starts today for her day job. She is so good at what she does that I know everything will go as planned!

As you know, I have spent the week with my friend KC and her three beautiful kiddos. Tonight we are having them over for dinner {along with her husband} as it is their last night here in the Springs {thanks for spending it with us!}. I have been wrestling over what to serve them but one thing I know for sure that will be on the table......my favorite non-alcoholic specialty drink - Italian Sodas!

You can make them with just about any flavoring, including sugar-free options. Some of my top choices are: Pomogranate, Raspberry and Peach.

But some other fun ones to try would be:

           

 

Here is the recipe for a traditional Italian Soda -

 although it's very easy to personalize it for your taste buds:

 

8 oz - carbonated water

1.5 oz - flavoring

1 oz - half and half cream

 

Fill a tall glass with ice. Fill with carbonated water. Pour in flavoring, then float the half and half cream on top. Stir when ready to drink.

 

 

mmmmmmm.....and don't forget the straw!!

 

Favorite Fridays

Happy Favorite Friday! We're starting a new tradition....to share with you some of our favorite things each Friday. So to get us started, I want to share with you these -

designer gem clips:









Aren't these adorable?! I currently have the bird clips on my desk. My sister-in-law Lindsey gave these to me as a gift and I have really enjoyed them. Thanks Lindsey! They are available, along with other cute office goodies, at this Japanese company - Midori.

Enjoy!