July Moments With Bo and Tess

Double The Fun

Our family had a double baby shower this weekend.  We have two more babies coming into our lives late this summer.  And we have the twins first birthday coming up too, and we just celebrated Drew's first birthday, and Alexa's third birthday is coming up in August!  It's neat to watch the family grow, and sometimes it's two by two, doubling the fun! 

Megan and Brody

Julie and Isabella

Mallory

Katie and Harper Ann

Momma's Cookies

How can you not love your mom's cookies!  My sisters and I love my mom's chocolate chip cookies.  We had some girl time last week and we made chocolate chip cookies.  Every bite -- soft, chewy, yum!

Hameau De La Reine

The Queen's Hamlet is the rustic retreat that was built for Marie Antoinette. It is situated in a secluded section of the Trianon gardens, within the park of Versailles, and adjoining the Petit Trianon, a small château designed and built for Louis XV's mistress, Madame de Pompadour, and which Louis XVI gave to his wife Queen Marie Antoinette, on his accession to the throne in 1774. 

I love that Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette was filmed on location.  What interesting worlds Marie would jump from and into during her reign of France.  I wished I had ventured over to this "rustic retreat" when I toured the Palace of Versailles.....something to look forward to next visit, eh!

Beautiful!

A friend of many years welcomed a beautiful baby boy into this world yesterday.  It's her third baby.  Colson's parents, Katie and Jason, his brother, Zach, their first born, and his older sister Reese, who is in heaven, all rejoice!  And we along with all the many who love them join in rejoicing.  Their story as a family and individuals is most touching -- beautiful!

Glory in His Holy Name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

1 Chronicles 16:10

Let The Planning Begin......

Ashley and David are engaged. A winter wedding they will have. Ashley tells it best.


Pictures of the location where David proposed, the Mansion At Turtle Creek.

Birthday Bliss

This month holds two very special dates - the dates of our mother's birthdays!  How we love celebrating birthday's and the lives of those we love!  Thank you mom's for all you do and who you are!  We love you more than words!  Happy Birthday!!!  xoxo

Simple Sunday Sweets

Lemon gelato - YUM! Buy some caio bella, stick a
pepperidge farm pirouette wafer in it, and have a sweet treat!

Summer Time Salsa

Oh, isn't it the best! Here are some of my favorite recipes. I've tried a combination of all of them, and I've used fresh and jar ingredients before - whatever is in your kitchen - anything goes!

Having fun and enjoying is the main ingredient.....
3 fresh tomatoes or 1 can chopped - diced or blended in blender
1 can of rotel (optional)
1 small red onion
half a bunch fresh chopped cilantro or 1 tbs. (or to taste) in the jar
1/2 tbs. cumin
3 green onions or substitute with a small can of green chilies
1 tsp. of olive oil
1 tbs. lime juice or lemon juice
1 garlic clove chopped
salt to taste
pepper to taste
1 tsp. red cayenne pepper or to taste (optional)

Blend or stir together and enjoy!  This was inspired by one of my friends yummy ones.

Another recipe my sisters and I would enjoy every summer........
5 Garden Tomatoes Chopped
2 small cans chopped black olives
2 small cans minced green chilies
7 oz. jar of salsa - medium
1 bunch of green onions chopped
1 tbs. oil
1 tbs. vinegar
1 tbs. chopped parsley (i use more)
jalapeños chopped (optional)
salt and pepper to taste

Mix altogether - best if let sit in the fridge for 12 hours

One we enjoy making more in the winter though is one of Chef Rick's. We buy his frontera salsa when we aren't making our own. Rick Bayless also has a late summertime salsa similar to the first one listed. He has so many great salsa recipes.

Fire-Roasted Tomato Salsa.....
1 to 2 fresh jalapeño chiles
3 garlic cloves, unpeeled
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice, preferably fire roasted
1/4 cup (loosely packed) chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Salt

Roast the chiles and garlic. In a small ungreased skillet over medium heat, roast the chiles and garlic, turning regularly, until they are soft and blotchy brown, about 10 minutes for the chiles, 15 minutes for the garlic. Cool until handleable, then pull the stem(s) off the chile(s) and roughly chop. Peel the skin off the garlic. Scoop into a food processor and pulse until quite finely chopped.

Finish the salsa. Add the tomatoes with their juice. Re-cover and pulse until you have a coarse puree. Scrape into a serving dish. Stir in the cilantro and lime juice. Taste and season with salt, usually about 1/2 teaspoon. You’re ready to serve.

Two Weeks With Tessie