How to use chopsticks

My child seems destined to best me at most things.  She is already much better at using chopsticks than I am! 

Everything is very lush

Oh my, has it ever been raining.  Hours and hours of heavy rain, multiple days in a row.  

While staying indoors can grow tedious, and the humidity is oppressive, everything is luscious and green! It's quite beautiful.  

Vodka update

Well, from what I can tell my berry vodka is coming along nicely.  I decided to siphon off 3 little bottles for our Fourth of July getaway weekend, but the rest was recapped and sent back to its hiding spot.  

It really wasn't sweet, which is what I was hoping for, so I did add more sugar before closing it up.  I have no clue if these berries are going to ferment and add another kick to the vodka, or if I'm just coloring and lightly flavoring vodka.  Did I mention I'm winging this? Whatever.  Que sera, sera. 

Strawberry Ice Cream

What do you do when you have an over abundance of strawberries? Why, make ice cream, of course! 

Homemade strawberry ice cream was the last thing my body needed.  But my soul? Oh yeah, my soul had a craving.  

Oh, the golden days are here

Oh, the golden days are here.  

The scent of gardenia fills the breeze. 

So long to the damp haze of spring,

farewell to winter's distant freeze. 

Our hands entwined, we gaze above,

sun shimmering through the ancient trees.

Far below, we sit relaxed, 

sheltered by nature's majestic canopy. 

The warmth brings heady happiness, 

from which we desire no reprieve. 

Our gales of laughter unstoppable, 

our infectious grins a dare to grief. 

You, my child, are my dearest love.

A haven from a world of greed. 

An unsullied soul who offers everything, 

that this mommy could ever need. 

Frozen Fruit

I recently decided to make some raspberry infused vodka for a camping trip we have coming up in a few months.

Basically, I just took an old applesauce jar (so glad I saved it despite my stepmom's dire warnings that I was veering into hoarder territory. She was gentle about it. And I am totally normal, people!), and filled it with raspberries, vodka, and some sugar. Then I closed that baby up and stuck it in a cool, dark pantry. I'll "burp" it in a month and see what's happening. I anticipate just sort of shaking it up and leaving it for a second month. I'll have to strain it (I've heard a coffee filter is an even better option than cheesecloth).  Hopefully it will be good to go by camping time.

We usually buy organic berries for the kid's sake, but this time I asked my husband just to pick up some frozen for cost effectiveness. Well, they turned out to be organic frozen raspberries. So, I have no idea if they were any cheaper or not. I should ask him!

My kid eats fruit like its going out of style, so I happily tossed her a few frozen berries and thought nothing of it. Dumb mommy moment. Seriously. Those suckers are waaaay messier than the fresh stuff.

Hence, she looked like a vampire baby. A very cute one!

I am so looking forward to testing out that vodka a month from now.

Making Granola

Well, that post title says it all. In the long absence from my blog I have been making granola!  Okay, I did that on exactly two of the days I neglected to write.  But I DID do it.

Granola is a really delicious snack. I eat it cereal style, but I know many who munch it by the handful.  It's incredibly easy to make and can be tailored to fit all tastes.  Some personal faves are cherry almond granola and peanut butter.  Yum.

This evening I made a very simple granola.  Just some oil, brown sugar, cinnamon, slivered almonds, and a little maple syrup.  I started with four cups of oats and then mixed in the dry ingredients.  After everything was evenly distributed, I added the oil and syrup and thoroughly combined all ingredients.

Finally, I spread the mixture on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper, and baked it for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.  I stirred it halfway through.  I know you can find a more precise recipe elsewhere, but really it's so easy that you can just put in a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

After the granola has cooled you can add dried fruit, chocolate chips, or whatever floats your boat.  The options are endless.

Enjoy!