2014 MOM ADVENTURES, #3

Painting Party.  The simplest adventures are usually the most fun!  We cut some scrap wood and had so much fun painting it!  

2014 MOM ADVENTURE, #2

For our 2nd MOM ADVENTURE we went shopping at the outlet stores.  We wanted to go shopping to buy a new outfit for our sweet daughter who had surgery last week.  She picked out a cute new Maxi dress to wear home from the hospital.  We are happy to report that her surgery went amazingly well, and she had a quick recovery.

*We have found that the boys will shop with us if we alternate between girl stores and boy stores.  (i.e. GAP then Nike. . . )

2014 MOM ADVENTURE, #1

Our first MOM ADVENTURE of 2014

Today we had a great day being out and active!  Our sweet 7 year old has been giving me cute notes this week asking me to take her to a nearby park.  Today we went and enjoyed the sunshine!  While we sat on our picnic blanket and ate our lunch she said with a smile, "Mom, I just love to be out of the house!"

Mac and Cheese Deluxe

Mac and Cheese Deluxe

7 oz. ziti with lines
2 c. cottage cheese
1 c. sour cream
1 egg
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. pepper
8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese (2 c.)
Paprika

Cook ziti, drain well. Combine cottage cheese, egg, salt, and pepper.Add shredded cheese. Stir in cooked ziti. Turn into greased 9x9-inch baking ban. Sprinkle with paprika. Bale in moderate oven (350 degrees) for 45 minutes. Serves 6.

Hearty Black Bean Soup

1 cup tomato salsa
2 (15 1/2 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon lime juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Sour cream

Instructions

1.  Heat the salsa in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, for about 5 minutes. Stir in the beans and broth.  Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer the soup, covered, for 15 minutes.

2.  Let the soup cool slightly, then ladle half of it into a food processor or blender and puree it.  Return pureed soup to the pot.  Stir in the lime juice and chopped cilantro and heat the mixture through.  Serve the soup warm, topped with a dollop of sour cream, if desired.  Makes 4 servings.

This is my favorite quick, easy, healthy lunch.  I just put all of the ingredients in my Vita-mix blender, put it on the hot soups setting and we have lunch hot and ready in about 5 minutes!

Peanut Butter Balls

This is a favorite addition to the kids lunches, a great after school snack, or I have also made peanut butter balls to go along with our morning smoothie.  We found this recipe in the Friend Magazine in August of 2004, and it has been a favorite ever since!

Peanut Butter Balls

BY JANE MCBRIDE CHOATE

---

1/2 cup honey

1 1/2 cups powdered milk

1/2 cup peanut butter

choice of topping: shredded coconut, shelled sunflower seeds, or chopped nuts

1. 1. 
   Combine the first three ingredients and form into small balls.
2. 2. 
   Roll the balls in your choice of topping.

Happy Summer!

I can hardly believe that another school year has flown by!  Today we have several awards assemblies at the school and our daughter is graduating from elementary!  

On another exciting note, "Power of Moms" is featuring an article I wrote about our favorite summer tradition.  Stop by their site and read it today!