Summer Recipe Favorites

Here are some of our family's summer favorite recipes. All of which are SUPER DUPER easy and can be made quickly.
Disclaimer: All recipes are from memory and are made by adding a little of this and a little of that. So EXACT measurements may be off. Just taste it while your making it. If it tastes good, then you've probably got it right! I'm NO Rachel Ray!

Here's a SUPER, EASY recipe for Semi-Homemade Salsa......We like call it Redneck Salsa!

Redneck Salsa

1 large can of petite diced tomatoes (or fresh tomatoes)
1 can of mild Rotel
1 small purple onion, finely chopped
2 cans of black eyed peas (or black beans)
juice of half a lime
few sprigs of cilantro, chopped
salt/pepper

Directions:
Open cans and pour them into bowl!! (Don't ya love that!) Mix with onion and cilantro. Squeeze the juice of lime and add salt and pepper. Enjoy!

I like to add a little of this salsa to an omelet for breakfast.

And while I'm at it here's another summer favorite of ours that's SUPER EASY!

Homemade Pimento Cheese

1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup grated sharp cheddar
1 cup grated Monterrey Jack
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 to 3 tablespoons pimentos, smashed
1 teaspoon grated onion
Salt/black pepper

Directions:
Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Add all of the remaining ingredients and beat until well blended. It can be used as a dip for crackers or as a sandwich filling.

This is a Paula Deen recipe. It's probably NOT good for you, but it's super YUMMY!!!

We also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this...

Homemade Guacamole

2 or 3 ripe avacados
1/2 purple onion, finely chopped
1/2 lime juice (or to taste)
salt/pepper

Directions:
Mash avacados in bowl. Mix with onion. Squeeze in the juice of lime, using more or less depending on how strong the onion is. Salt and pepper to taste.

Yummmmmmmmm! I could just eat this stuff with a spoon!!! Daron has PERECTED the guac.

And the EVER-SO-FAMOUS.....Pasta Salad

Pasta Salad
1 box of whole wheat spiral pasta (or whatever pasta you have on hand)
1 bottle of Wishbone's Romano Basil Vinaigrette Dressing

Here's where you add whatever veggies, etc. that you like:
Yellow/Orange Bell pepper
Cherry tomatoes
Black olives
Turkey Pepperoni
Parmesan cheese or Feta Cheese

Directions:
Really there's no explanation. Just boil the pasta, drain it and mix it with the dressing and veggies!

There are so many different ways to make this, but it mainly depends on what you like. I love it because it's so colorful!

and NO blog post is complete without a picture of this little man!

Oh how I love him so! I am enjoying being home with him this summer. We are enjoying our time together!!!

p.s. How many times did I use the word SUPER in this post?
may

Nine Months Old

Dear Parker,
Your Nine Month birthday was June 5th, while we were on vacation at the beach. You absolutely LOVED the beach. When we put you down in the sand you crawled all around and patted it. You grabbed handfuls of sand and just held it. You only tried to eat it if your paci wasn't in your mouth. You even helped Mommy and Daddy build your very first sand castle. You also loved the water. You liked jumping the waves with Mommy. You would kick your feet so we would put you down in the water. We took your own little pool down to the beach and you loved splashing around in it and playing with your water toys. You had a HUGE smile on your face the entire time we were on the beach. You enjoyed swimming in the pool at the condo too! Gram, Papa, Uncle Justin, Uncle Phillip, Aunt Jody, Uncle Eric, Aunt Trudy, Ashlee, Uncle Tony, & Aunt Cathee were all with us at the beach. You had lots of people to pass you around and play with you. I don't think you got put down that whole week.
Each morning you and Papa would eat breakfast together, then go out on the porch and watch the golfers tee off. You also watched and listened for birds with Papa out on the porch. You went shopping with Mommy, Gram, and Aunt Jody while the boys played golf. I know you would have rather been out on that golf course with the boys playing golf than shopping. One day soon you'll be out there chipping and putting with the big guys on the golf course.
Your first beach trip was a HUGE success. I am looking forward to many more beach trips in the future.
Parker, you are the LIGHT of our lives. You are simply AMAZING! We love you so much little man!!

8 Month Picture

Parker's 8 month picture is missing! I took them and downloaded them, but can't find them. So I am writing this blog so that when I do find it his monthly pictures won't be out of order. Yes, I know it's a little late. And yes, I know I'm anal! LOL!

A Day at the Zoo

A Day at the Zoo & no not the Zelmer Zoo, the REAL Zoo. Parker and I went to the Greenville Zoo today with some friends of ours from church, Rebekkah and Owen. Rebekkah had FREE tickets that expired today so we packed a picnic lunch and headed to Greenville with our little monkeys. It was a PERFECT day. We've had such hot weather here lately that it's almost been unbearable outside. Today was kind of overcast and it was much cooler outside with a light breeze. PERFECT! We enjoyed a nice picnic lunch at the Zoo. They have a nice park and playground there that the boys will love when they are a little older. Parker enjoyed looking at all of the animals, although I know he will enjoy it even more when he's older. We had a great day with Rebekkah and Owen!

Mother's Day & Parker's Baby Dedication

My very first Mother's Day was extra special because it was also Parker's baby dedication at our AWESOME church. Daron and I made a promise to God to raise Parker in a Godly way, prayerfully until he can make his own decision to follow Jesus. We vowed to teach and train Parker in God's word, demonstrate an example of Godliness, discipline him according to God's word and pray earnestly for Parker. My biggest prayer for him is that one day he would call on the name of Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior.

Too often I am reminded that Parker is not my own. He belongs first and foremost to God. What a BIG responsibility it is that God has entrusted Parker into Daron and I's care.

I am so blessed! Daron and Parker gave me a bracelet with a beautiful "Mom" charm that I can add to.  I had a great first Mother's Day spent with the people I love the most!

"Hear O Israel: The Lord our God is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on their children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:4-7

Father's Day

We celebrated Father's Day a bit different this year. Instead of our normal lunch or dinner, we decided to do breakfast at Jody and Phillip's house. My parents gave Jody a nice waffle iron for Christmas, so we had waffles with real maple syrup, bacon (the "real" kind, not the microwave fake bacon), and coffee and orange juice. It was a great way to spend Father's Day!

We're Back!

I know, I know! I am wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy behind on our blog. Honestly, I didn't think anyone read our blog except for me and a few family members. I could come up with a million excuses as to why I haven't updated the blog lately, but I'll just blame it on this sweet face!

I've had people stop me in town and say, "You know I'm waiting on Parker's 8 month picture on the blog." LOL! I am home for the summer so I will TRY to update more often.

Blogs to come...

• Mother's Day
• Parker's Baby Dedication
• 8 month picture
• 9 month picture
• Beach trip