Back yard fire pits and campfires call out for roasted marshmallows and s’mores. The one thing I have never liked about the classic s’more [graham cracker, Hershey bar square, and marshmallow] is that the chocolate doesn’t melt fully and it makes it difficult to eat. This weekend we tried out a new spin on the s’more. Instead of the traditional graham cracker, we used Keebler’s Fudge Stripe Cookies. There is already a layer of chocolate, so all you need is the roasted marshmallow. The chocolate layer melts quickly, which makes it extra gooey. To say they were a huge hit would be an understatement. They were devoured by kids and adults alike. So, it got me thinking. Any cookie with a layer of chocolate would make a delicious alternative s’more.
[keebler’s fudge stripe cookie s’more]
[milano slices sweet toffee cookie s’more]
The Milano cookie has sweet toffee pieces in with the chocolate! They also have a Milano cookie with salty pretzel pieces. Oh my, the possibilities are endless.
Any other ideas for a spin on the classic s’more? I’d love to here them!
Yes, that is an orange that Big W is about to hit. The big guy had a playoff game this week. The boys were treated to some fun during batting practice prior to the game. Why not smash the skin off an orange to get you pumped up for a big game? This entertaining departure from regular warm ups made me [and the boys] very happy.
The boys were elated for the obvious reasons. I, on the other hand, loved that our coaches were keeping the kids focused on what is truly important when you are playing baseball [or any sport for that matter] at the age of 8 or 9. They were focused on fun. Our boys were talking about orange juice spraying in their face and wiping their bats with baby wipes when they entered the dugout. [Exactly what second and third graders should be doing!]
My hope is that my boys continue to play for coaches that keep a great perspective and teach them well. Coaches that teach them hard work pays off and consistent practice will lead to improvement. Coaches that teach them tenacity and resiliency, in sports and in life, make you a stronger human being. Coaches that teach that the greatest athletes are also great teammates. I want them to learn that winning is fantastic and losing pretty much sucks.
But in the end, I just want them to love playing and I want them to have coaches that keep the fun in it!
Beat the heat! Just a few essential items for working out in the sun and heat: 1// A lightweight sports bra with skinny straps and breathable fabric. Plus a pop of neon. 2// Anti-chafing stick. Goes on easy and isn’t greasy. [Didn’t let me down when running 26.2 miles.] 3// A sports performance SPF. Won’t sweat off mid-workout. 4// Visor that wicks moisture away from your forehead. Brilliant! 5// Glass water bottles with silicon sleeves in candy colors. [I love my bkr!] Hydrate in style.
Ok. This just makes me smile! Teasers can tease and haters can hate, but Joanna Rohrback might just be on to something. Body by Prancercise, damn the girl looks good! If you see me prancing, join in.
I have just started a two week intensive boot camp. It includes giving up caffeine, alcohol, dairy, sugar, and no refined white flour or white rice. It sounds torturous, and at times it feels like it, but it is an amazing group of women. Over 30 of us committed to health and supporting one another. There will be a lot of sweat, some grunting, a ton of laughing [and hopefully no puking!]
It means adding tons of veggies, healthy fats, balanced portions, and glasses and glasses of water. Our trainer suggests consuming half your body weight in ounces. I will admit it-I am the worst about drinking water. This will be one of my greatest challenges in the days to come. To stay the course, I am going to have to jazz my water up! Mixed fruit with ice may just do the trick. Lemons with raspberries or oranges with blueberries sound delicious and interesting. Plus, I am a sucker for mason jars and paper straws.
How much water do you drink a day? Are you a purest or do you jazz it up?
My Dear Sir, You are neither as bad nor as good a fellow as you imagine yourself to be.
1. General Habits
Don’t be conceited about your good looks. It is more than probable that no one but yourself is aware of them; anyway, you are not responsible for them, and vanity in a man is ridiculous.
I am so happy to be able to share the rest of our favorites from our trip to Salt Spring Island and our travel tips. [Read my first post here.]
1. The food! We ate WAY too much on this trip and enjoyed every minute it. As you may know, my husband has Celiac Disease and eats gluten free. And this island was a gluten free haven. Every restaurant we ate at offered gluten free options, including gluten free breads, beer, pizza crusts, and buns. Most importantly, the food was amazingly fresh. Farms are abundant on the island and the cuisine is truly farm to table.
Our favorites: The Treehouse Cafe– Delicious breakfast. They even had gluten free french toast on the menu. I am sure lunch or dinner would be just as great! The cafe is built around a tree and is open air. Heaters at your feet and blankets keep you warm if there is a chill. My kids loved this place. [more on why in a bit.]
Burger Bar 537– Seriously one of the BEST burger I have ever had. Gluten free buns and beer for my man!
The Harbour House – The freshest meals are prepared using much of the bounty from the 15-acre farm that sits behind the hotel/restaurant.
2. The Elves A small door at the front of The Treehouse Cafe made this trip for the boys. Elves live on the island. There were pictures, in the treasure box, of small doors at the base of trees all over the island. Little Man spent a great deal of time searching for a door on our hikes! If you leave a note-they will send a reply. My kids were eager to write the elves questions and anxiously await their response.
3. Tsawaout First Nation Reserve A hidden gem!! A waitress gave us the lead on this amazing place. At the very end of Bridgman Road [on the way to Ruckle park], you find a simple marker and a narrow trail. It was the most beautiful place we visited. We did not see a single person on our hike and had the entire beach to ourselves! Simply breathtaking.
You may not go this summer or this year, but I highly suggest you put Salt Spring Island on your “must visit” list. I was not disappointed.
Travel Tips if traveling to Salt Spring Island:
Getting there: BC Ferries Crossing times vary depending on which ferry you catch. The crossing is beautiful, with amazing scenery and lovely views.
Stay: We stayed at Harbour House Hotel. It was not fancy, but it was very clean and the staff was incredibly friendly. You can visit the farm and the restaurant was amazing. Located in Ganges-the heart of the island.
My family packed it up and headed north to Canada over Memorial Day weekend. Our destination was Salt Spring Island, part of Canada’s Southern Gulf Islands. The island has been featured in Sunset Magazine [ here , here and here]. It has been on my “must visit” list for quite some time. We actually planned our trip last minute and I am so happy we did. It was the perfect place for our little family. Our trip was remarkable.
[a sunny ferry ride]
Here are our highlights and must-sees for Salt Spring Island:
1. Salt Spring Island’s Saturday Market Each Saturday, from Easter weekend (or first Saturday in April) through the last Saturday in October. From about 8:30am – 4pm, rain or shine. More than 140 artisans and food producers gather in Centennial Park in the heart of Ganges.
[Big W was drawn to the booth with rocks from all over the world.]
The road is narrow and bumpy, but this was chosen as the favorite outdoor activity by all three Thomas boys. It was pretty spectacular and well worth the drive. The morning we visited was especially misty. It blocked the spectacular view, but made the forest seem magical!
There are on-your-honor farm stands all over the island. Usually at the end of a long drive way, we saw stands offering baked goods, eggs, flowers, preserves, and coffee. Our favorite was the farm stand at the 15-acre farm run by the Harbour House Hotel.
Where is your [ ]? The blank can be filled with sweatshirt, backpack, lunch box, hat, kendama. You name it, my kids have lost it. When our elementary school career started four years ago, I was not the picture of calm when Big W would bound out of the school doors missing an essential item. Honestly, there was usually a freak out on my part and tears for him. As a Kindergartner it would often be the largest thing he carried to school everyday, his backpack! [That we could usually find in the classroom.] Everything else had to be searched for in the lost and found. Have you ever dared to peek at an elementary school’s lost and found? Good gracious! It is not for the faint of heart. The sheer volume is staggering. We could clothe a small village of children from our lost and found alone.
With two boys at school to loose their stuff, it seems I am there multiple times a week this year. Gone are my freak outs! I calmly march them inside to sort through the piles of sweatshirts, jackets, lunch boxes, and hats. [While quietly biting my lip so I won’t mutter, “How is it possible that you lost your sweatshirt again?”] Somehow we have found every item lost this year. I am sure many have not been so lucky. Or the poor mothers don’t even know it is missing. Time is ticking and before you know it the school doors will be closed and those precious items will be gone forever. Double check your house for items you haven’t seen around in a while and then tell them, “You better find your stuff!”
[folded lost and found items. sweatshirts and coats three or four deep on two long tables]
Summer tanks and maxi dresses are calling out to be accessorized. There is nothing better than wearing simple earrings and a stacked wrist! I love that you can layer many kinds of bracelets together. Mix and match. The more the better. Scrounge around in your drawers and jewelry boxes and find bracelets that you haven’t worn in a long time. Play with different combinations until you find one you like. The stack can change with your mood or your outfit. It is all about having fun. Go for it.
Feeling inspired? Snap a pic and Instagram your stacked wrist. [Tag me. @seattlejune]
edgy stack from Target feminine stack from Biscuit boho stack [Pura Vida] from Metropark statement stack is [one fabulous, over-the-top piece] the Hermes Alchimie Bracelet
