Sunglasses...

So, the theme over at I HEART faces this week is SUNGLASSES!


I have a lot of sunglass shots from every year that has passed.


One however, has etched itself into my brain. I don't really know why....but when I think of cute little faces with sunglasses....my little TEENY TINY girl comes to mind.



We were on vacation at my parents condo in Idaho. We vacationed there every year of my life since I was only 6 years old. This was the year that my parents started talking about selling it.


Little was 16 months old.
She was SO tiny.
Because she was so little she was pretty far behind for her age....
BUT...
Most memorably this year...was that she took her very first steps without support.

Maybe that is why I remember this little thing in her aqua polka-dot bathing suit...and my big glasses on her!


Here is the whole shot...



Raelyn

On to it.

I am having blog withdrawls.

Summer. What was supposed to be down time to catch up on projects, do the blog, play some, laugh lots...has simply not been that.

I have been playing lots. Organizing. Having no routine. Swimming, slip n' sliding, water parking. Gardening, harvesting. Bike riding, walking. Right now...kind of watching A Goofy Movie with my kiddos.
And So It Goes...
Loving it!

Every day, evening would come...and I would think...Okay, time to blog.
But then the hubby and I would curl up on the couch...and the evening would pass. Watching a movie, catching up on DVR'd shows....etc.

Then I kept feeling like I was so far behind that it was kind of overwhelming to start back up again.

Such is life!

So I decided that I am just going to move ahead.

One foot in front of the other...when I can.
Spending time with the little people is most important to me. Making them laugh, and smile and creating memories.

But I have done lots of projects...gone lots of places...had lots of fun...and I am working on many others as I type.

So I will share them...

I hope everyone elses summer has been as NON eventful as ours!
Raelyn

Low-fat Ranch dressing recipe

Here is a Tastey Tuesday Recipe

I really like to make my own dressing.
I like knowing what is in the food I eat...especially when I KNOW I can make it healthier then any company claims to make it.

So, I am ALWAYS on the lookout for ranch and honey mustard recipes that are "better-for-you" varieties.
We eat salad almost every single night...soooo these are a must!

This is the best ranch I have made. I have another close second....but this one is really good.
To me, who makes my own most all of the time...it is SO hard to tell it is low-fat.

Doesn't it just look so YUM?????
didn't catch it?
Oh.
OK...
Look again!

**********************************************
Anyway....here is the recipe...
(another fun thing we love to do on a night that we are having a BBQ type dinner, is to add 2 TBS BBQ sauce to the mix. YUM, again!)
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup low-fat mayonaise
1/2 cup low-fat sour cream

1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
2 tsp chopped fresh chives
2 tsp chopped fresh dill
2 tsp chopped fresh parsley
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

1 TBS vinegar or lemon juice
(I also added 1 clove fresh garlic...this adds a kick but is oh so yummy!)

Whisk together the buttermilk, mayo and sour cream. Stir in the rest of the ingredients very well, until completely incorporated.
Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving!
*(adapted from allrecipes.com)*

Raelyn

Summer Fun Buckets

I know I am obviously a little late on this post.

However, I feel like it could totally be adapted to anything...
**Maybe school starting back up with school supplies and a new outfit...
**Or after school fun, with a puzzle book, and a new reading book, and crayons with a color book, or a new game or video game, etc...
**Or just a last super fun day before school starts back up, with movie tickets and popcorn...or a rented movie coupon and goodies, or supplies to make cupcakes.

Hey those are pretty good...I may have to do another one...

ANYWAY~~I got this idea, originally over at My Mix Of Six.
It will be a yearly tradition for now on!

For the two younger kids, I got large sand buckets. For Teen I used a cool bag.
I used vinyl stickers to write their names on all of their containers.

I filled them with all kind of summer happiness. Water squirter, disney water floats, flip flops, color books, glo sticks, American Flags, beach balls, crayons, books and puzzle books for the older set.

(Teen got 4 pair of flip flops...as they are SO important...and variety puzzle books filled with brain games...some Fourth of July goodies, hair bands, some gelly bracelets and a glo stick.)

I put all of them on their spot at the dining room table...so after school they were all found.


They were ABSOLUTELY beside themselves...to be opeing a "gift" for no reason!
It was a fun way to start the summer.

Now...what will the reason for the next one be?????
Raelyn