Thankful Monday

The funk.

That's what I woke up in.

Funny thing about funks is they have a selfish way of wrapping us inside, then tying the black cloud knot, suffocating and disorienting.

Which is why I'm incredibly grateful for Thankful Monday, a freshly inspired family tradition, that ironically debuted this morning, magically illuminating Mondays on our calendar, 3 more starred in this beach-cruisin', summer-filled, lemony July month.

Well, Thankful Monday it is!

On their striped rug we sat, the boys and I, brainstorming grateful thank reasons, and I spied out my eye's corner, the funk slithering out of my bed, oozing onto the floor, sliding down the hallway and disappearing out the back door!

Good riddens!

I do have a part to play with this unwelcome friend, the funk! I can choose to let him hang on me throughout the day, or instead, freeze moments and gather them in my upturned hands, my palms heaped by dinnertime.

Grateful moments.
Thankful whispers to my Heavenly Father.
Simple beauties outnumbering the stars in the everyday.

"Do not disdain the small. The whole of the life- even the hard- is made up of the minute parts, and if I miss the infinitesimals, I miss the whole...There is a new way to live the big of giving thanks in all things. It is this: to give thanks in this one small thing. The moments will add up." {One Thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp}

Amazing how giving breath to our blessings disintegrates the funk. Because it's pretty hard to be foul and cranky, when I'm sitting on a striped rug, soaking up my sons, and thanking God for:

...my oldest turning four in one day
chocolate-dipped marshmallows, rolled in Butterfinger crumbs
snuggling my baby's fever away
an authentic sweet tea recipe from a legit Southern friend
walking alongside my best friend, post-dinner, pre-bath routine
taking the first steps in starting my business {stay tuned}
the gift of a fragrant rosebush's endless yellow, bud-filled vases
flip-flop tans
getting my cup filled with a much-needed girl's day out
French Vanilla swirls in my coffee...

Thankful Monday.
What are you grateful for?

Celebrating America's Birthday!

As we all know, yesterday was America's Birthday, and what better way to celebrate than with patriotically appropriate food and family adventures!

Starting with Americana Breakfast:

Then soaking up a non-hurried, loungy morning of coffee-sipping and game-playing, where my youngest schooled me at Memory :)

A neighborhood bike-ride transported our family to the 'good ol' days' when block parties welcomed all neighbors, checkered tablecloths held heaps of homemade food, stars and stripes danced on lawns, flags furled, and door decorations cheered on the 4th of July!

It truly was the 'good ol' days', today!
 
Strangers smiled as we rode past. Young and old sat on their front lawns, icy drinks in hand, talking in comfortable conversation while kids played, their faces painted in colors of America.

Our hearts were full and thankful, grateful to celebrate America's birthday, all the nation adorned in red, white, and blue.
A Norman Rockwell moment, if there ever were one!

The day continued to expand, making room for backyard bbq's and families gathered around food ~ an off season Thanksgiving!

Naturally, I opted to bring a dessert, and thus, the Freedom Trifle was created, a patriotic take on my mom-in-laws Chocolate Trifle. The night before, Bryan helped me bake, whip, and sprinkle berries in our dimly-lit kitchen.

It was a hit, and will absolutely be my 4th of July standard!

Layers of homemade white cake, cream cheese vanilla pudding mixture, whipped creme, berries... a refreshing fruit meets sweet treat!

 

Yummmmmm!!

After dessert, a family photo...

Take 1

 

 Take 2...

 {that'll do}

Then, a photo opportunity to capture all the cute kiddos 

{what you are not seeing, are us crazy parents attempting to get even one child to look at the camera!}

Then, out to the front, where the driveway served as our stage for "sparkler" magic.

Happy Birthday America! 

Thank you for the freedom you give us, and your reminder to re-live Norman Rockwell moments with family, block parties, and Freedom Trifle.

Freedom Trifle Recipe

1 box White Cake Mix
1/2 cup of water
1 {3 oz.} package creme cheese
2 cups whipping creme, whipped
10-15 strawberries, cut in small pieces, washed and dried
1 small package of fresh blueberries, washed and dried
1 {3.9 oz.} package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 {14 oz.} can sweetened condensed milk

Prepare white cake mix according to box directions {in 9x13pan} and cool completely. Cut into 1 inch squares. In a large bowl, combine pudding mix, water and sweetened condensed milk. Mix until smooth, add softened creme cheese, then fold in 1 cup whipped creme until no streaks remain.

In a trifle bowl or glass serving dish, place half of the cake cubes, half of the pudding mixture, and half of the remaining whipped creme. Add a layer of strawberry pieces and blueberries. Repeat layers. Refrigerate for 8 hours before serving.

Happy 4th of July to your tastebuds!

2nd Annual Christmas Cookie Baking: Gingerbread Men

Last year was the First Annual Christmas Cookie Baking Day with Tanner and Mana {Bry's mom}

They dipped Oreos in chocolate, and engulfed the chocolate with peppermint pieces. 

I think the cookies were eaten that very day!

In honor of the 2nd Annual Cookie Baking Day {cuz I'm a tradition-at-heart-kinda-gal}, we celebrated  at her home in Encinitas.

Cookie Baking Goal: Gingerbread Men

First things first, putting on the Cookie Taster apron

Tanner couldn't wait to help

Side by side, both wearing their slippers

Rolling out the dough on powdered sugar {I learned that gingerbread dough on powdered sugar makes the cookies taste sweeter, and keeps the molasses color, as opposed to using flour}

Laying each gingerbread man on a Silpat, Tanner took a straw and put a hole at the top of the head {to later put ribbon through}

Here, Tanner did great, but some innocent gingerbread men were poked multiple times in their noggins, ending their fates as cute gingerbread men. 

Rolling out the dough on powdered sugar {best if chilled}

Helping press the cookie cutter in the dough 

Gingerbread men laying next to one another, before being baked 

I'm not quite sure what happened to the poor skinny guy in the middle!

Being a team

He's a great 'Cookie Taster!' :)

Loving every minute of it!

Gingerbread angel

Mana showing him how to use the spatula and put the gingerbread man on the cookie sheet

They are ready for the oven

Evidence of a fun baking afternoon

Out of the oven, cooled, and T is decorating "our family"

Easy frosting-decorating hint: place frosting in a small plastic ziplock, cut a small hole in the corner, and squeeze

"I did it!"

Having already devoured mine, the rest of our family remains ~ the one on the left is Bryan, and on the right, Ty

Please make note that the large frosting glob is Bryan's "tummy" HA!!!

And there you have it~ the cutest gingerbread man ever! Perfect to eat, or hang on the tree.

Or both!

2nd Annual Christmas Cookie Baking Day was quite a success, and yummy too!

Thanks Mom!