Summer

Designing our summer

Summer is a state of mind. 

The other day I was listening to the Happier Podcast which is a total favorite of mine.  Gretchen and her sister Elizabeth were talking about designing their own personal summer.  Whether it meant weekly outdoor lunches or designating extra time to read.  It made me think about our families summer.  Somehow it comes and goes so quickly and come the end of August there are so many things I wish we did.  This year we're not taking a vacation so day to day treats, road trips and adventures are really going to be what our summer is all about.  And because we all know I LOVE a good to do list that's how I'm organizing our summer design.  Each day I've been asking the boys what they want to do this summer and so far our list is pretty short.

1.  Beach
2.  Fair
3.  Rita's
4.  Ice Cream Truck
5.  Liberty Science Center
6.  Play in a creek and cool watermelon in the creek.  Then eat the watermelon!
7.  Camp out in the back yard
8.  Ice cream sundae night
9.  Spend a morning at the board walk
10.  Watch local minor league baseball

Now the beach is really one with many sub parts because its go to the beach with a lot of people.  Either way we're looking for little moments to make big memories.  One of my favorite days ever was a one day trip to Block Island.  It was in September on a beautiful day with my husband (then boyfriend) and it wasn't perfect but the memory has this wonderful glow to it.  It really doesn't take big week long trips to make memories. We're going to make them one moment at a time.

Do you and your family have a favorite summertime activity?  The simpler the better!


Black Bean and Corn Salad with Lime Juice




I have a few goals with food these days.  I want it to be healthy.  I want it to taste good.  I want it to be easy.  Last but definitely not least, I want my kids to eat it.  With the holiday weekend coming up I wanted an easy side salad that could see us through the weekend that maybe my kids would like, or at least they would like parts of it.  I landed on a black bean and corn salad.  After spending about 3 seconds on Pinterest I realized there are more than enough recipes.  Of course some called for a cup and half of beans or corn (seriously, who has a cup and a half of corn lying around).  I didn't want a bag of frozen corn in my freezer forever.  I tried to use everything up.  I also forgot a few ingredients that some recipes suggested so I'll make note of that.  In the end the salad was healthy, tasty, super easy and kid approved!

Ingredients

  • One bag frozen roasted corn from Trader Joe's cooked(Could substitute any corn)
  • 2 15 oz cans of black beans (rinsed)
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • About 1/4 cup of cilantro, chopped
  • 1 small red onion, diced
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • About 1/2 cup olive oil (I forgot this and its totally fine)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Avocado (optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients above.
  2. Chill for about 2 hours (until chilled)
  3. If you will be eating right away chop avocado and add.
  4. Place in large bowl if you will be using as a salad.
  5. Place in small bowl surrounded by chips if you will be using as a salsa.
See, wasn't that easy?!  Happy summer!!

First Friday Faves

Each First Friday of the month we will feature five of our favorite things for that month.  This month we are a little summer fun focused.  

1. Tuffo Water-Resistant Outdoor Blanket




For the beach, the park, the backyard this blanket will protect you from the grass and shakes any dirt or crumbs off with no problem.

2. L.L. Bean Printed Lunch Box




Taking snacks, treats or lunch wherever you go, although you can find bigger lunch boxes, this one is big enough for a water bottle and some food, and small enough to fit in a larger bag.


3.  Vera Bradley Ditty Bag



If you need a good place to throw sunscreen, bug spray or aloe, than this line bag will do the trick and is  easy to throw into your beach bag.


4.  Babyganics Mineral-based Sunscreen





Speaking of sunscreen, this goes on without a lot of grease or fuss and as an added bonus it is mineral based.  



5.  Wild by Cheryl Strayed



Read this story at the beach while you're dreaming of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.  A true story makes this book even more of a page turner.