What We Are Eating - Red, White, and Blueberry Trifle

This is a great summer recipe - perfect for at home or to take to a gathering.  I've been making this dessert for years but guess where it is from??? SkinnyTaste!!  Yep, that's how long I've been following her blog and using some of her recipes. 

This Red, White and Blueberry Trifle is super easy especially when you use the store bought angel food cake.  When I made this for our family I cut the whole recipe in half and it was the perfect amount.  It is so light and fresh and super easy to put together.  You could easily make individual portions too if you wanted to serve it that way instead. 

The full recipe can be found  HERE. 

Enjoy! 

 

The End of Another School Year

 We did it!  School is finally done and we now have a 7th and 8th grader! (What in the world!!!!)  This year was not the easiest year that's for sure but my guys still did great and managed to pull out all A's (it was questionable at the end HA!).  We have some changes in our Homeschool Plan for the coming year (more on that later - yes we are still homeschooling!) that I think we are all looking forward to but for now, we will put 6th and 7th grade to rest! 

This guy has really grown this year (not just in height either!).  He has become more independent and willing to question if he thinks he is right about something.  He's gained confidence in all areas of school but I've really seen growth in his writing skills this year.  He still would rather not do school (HA!) but is also willing to get the tasks done even when he doesn't want to.  He enjoyed History the most and Math the least and I totally understand that feeling! Onward to 8th grade! 

Nate is so easy going and just goes with the flow.  He sets goals for himself and accomplishes them.  He loves to finish ahead of schedule but also wants to achieve all A's.  He read books this year and actually almost liked it (He prefers watching the movie over reading the book!) and wrote some great papers.  He also had to record an argumentative essay which was something new!  He enjoys math unless he doesn't understand it then he doesn't . . .. until he understands it again . . and then he likes it :-)  He continues to grow in independence and is willing to ask questions to make sure he understands what he is doing.  Onward to 7th Grade! 

Weekly Worship - Ben Rector - Thank You (Official Audio)

Ben Rector is a great story teller through music.  I've heard this on the radio and it's just a great song. 

Our Week at a Glance

 It's taken about 6 months but I'm (hopefully) back to my weekly photo "dump" post.  Back in December something happened with my ability to upload photos from my phone and my camera to my computer.  In March I finally figured out how to do a work around and spend about 4 days transferring, moving, labeling and organizing photos.  Then I worked on figuring out how to get it done much more easily and I think I'm finally to that point.  Anyway, my goal is to share weekly but some weeks just don't work out that way!  

For now, here's a look back at a little over the past week :-) 

This one takes us over just a week ago.  One of Joshua and Nate's friends came home with us after TaeKwonDo to have lunch and hang out for a bit until her sister could pick her up.  These three have known each other since they were 3 and 4 years old and are still good friends! 

I shared in an earlier post this week about our yard work.  We all worked together last Saturday to do some yard work and "catch up" a little around here.  

Joshua had to do a collage for his final Art Project and can you guess who the subject was? 

Yep!  Kitty Witty!  It was a fun project and he did get an A on the assignment. 

And yes, we are done with another year!  This is one of the outtakes :-)  It takes work to get photos these days! HA! 

Finally, Joshua and Nate went to Nana's house to mow her yard this week.  This is the photo I got - Molly with her paw on Nate.  She loves him . .. Nate tolerates her HA!  

Weekly Menu - With Family

 This week we get to spend some time with my brother Ken and his wife, Lynnette.  Well, technically this week it is just Ken but next week it will be Lynnette too!  One of the benefits of this is that we eat dinner at my mom's a few extra times too!  

Friday - Our second open house of the season.  This is for the daughter of long time friends - we have known Bobby and Anne since before they were married, attended their wedding, birthday parties and baby showers and now, we are attending an open house!  Time flies! 

Saturday - And, our third open house :-)  This one is for a friend we know through TKD and our homeschool Co-Op.  

Sunday - And . .. HA!  I'm still not cooking :-)  Dinner at my mom's with my brother.  

Monday - Tomato Basil Chicken  - This is a such a nice summer recipe - it goes together quickly and is so light.  Add some French bread and pasta and it's perfect. 

Tuesday - Madison's Favorite Slow Cooker Tacos - This is a SkinnyTaste recipe (I don't know who Madison is HA!).  

Wednesday - Dinner at my mom's with my brother

Thursday - Brown Sugar Balsamic Glaze Pork Loin in the Crock Pot, Chopped Wedge Salad,  Crustless Summer Zucchini Pie and Stuffed Mushrooms with broccoli rabe and sausage

That's a wrap! 

What We are Eating - Beef and Broccoli

 

I've mentioned in my weekly menu posts that we are enjoying recipes from SkinnyTaste.  I love how many vegetables they use and that they tend to taste fresh and bright.  Well, this Broccoli Beef recipe did not disappoint.  Now, depending on how observant you are you might notice there is not any broccoli in my photo.  You are correct.  Broccoli is not a big hit in this household BUT Chinese Pea Pods and mushrooms ARE a big hit so I used those instead.  This was so tasty and was pretty easy to pull together (Honestly, some SkinnyTaste recipes have ALOT of steps!).  

The recipe can found HERE

I pretty much followed the recipe but I did double the sauce but didn't really need to in the end.  I also almost always leave ginger out of everything.  My suggestion is to get a good cut of meat so that they meat is tender - this was a little tough - and I should have cut the pieces smaller.  :-) 

Yard Work

 We are not yard work people.  Never have been; never really will be.  BUT last summer I decided to tackle some things and just "move around the house" making things look nice.  It all went well until I got Poison Ivy and then that shut down any desire I had to keep going on the yard! Well, I know where the poison ivy is (I see it's ugly three leaved vine poking up and around!) and am staying far away from it.  Darryl's going to work on getting rid of (shoot, I don't even mow near it right now "just in case" HA!).  

Thankfully a good portion of the project area is ivy free so we worked on that this weekend.  

The before photos!  In the middle of getting the lawn mowed too! 

More before :-) 

After - I love my lion I got last year and decided top place him in a more prominent location this year.  

The finished side yard.  All the weeding was done and our decorations were put out. 

Notice my "flowers" this year?  HA!  With all of the other rising prices I just couldn't justify buying flowers right now.  These are easier to care for - no watering! 

Finally, Willamenia always looks better with a hair cut!  I just love my willow tree.  She lost a big branch this spring in a wind storm but otherwise she is filling out nicely this year.