I Want S'More of This Gorgeous Holiday Weekend!

I hope you are all enjoying your 4th of July weekend! I am so ecstatic that this year's holiday fell on a Friday so I didn't have to break up the holiday weekend by going back into work for a day before continuing the weekend festivities. Although the actual holiday has passed, there's no need to stop your fun and summery activities! 

One of my favorite summer things to do is sit by a fire--be it a bonfire, a small "city fire" or a small fire in the belly of the chiminea on our deck--and listen to the crackle of the fire, music on Pandora, have a glass of wine, or, my absolute favorite--roast marshmallows. 

For those who do not have access to some sort of fire (and do not feel like making a mess in your house over the kitchen stove) I found a fun alternative to actually roasting marshmallows--S'Mores Trail Mix!  

When I see something on Pinterest I like, I must have to be convinced that it's a good thing before I try it because I see it in my Pinterest feed about twenty times before I decide to pin it and try it. This recipe is no exception. I'd made it once before to have around the house and decided I'd make some to take to my aunt's for our family 4th of July get together.

All you need is:

• Bag of mini marshmallows
• Bag of chocolate chips (make sure you don't buy semi-sweet chips like I did the first time I made this...can you say "dah"??)
• Box of Golden Grahams cereal

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and package it however you like! (Just make sure you package it in an air-tight/sealed package or the marshmallows will harden.) 

I opted for little plastic containers (not the fanciest, but very practical) simply because I knew we'd be outside and I knew these packages would be handled by many small children. (Glass containers were fancier, but not the best idea for being handled by little ones.)

Also, feel free to add or subtract any ingredients. I just went with the classic recipe as it was the quickest!

Enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend, friends. Soak up some sunshine and take in time with your loved ones!

Cheers,

Samara

Psst! Guess What?

Most of my Mondays start out like this.

This Monday is no exception. I will still be carting my tumbler of black java wherever I go until it's gone. And then I'll be looking for my afternoon cup. (How did I ever cut back on this stuff when I was pregnant?) 

Anyway, this Monday is better than normal because, as a wonderful reminder to you, it is....*drumroll please*....

A SHORT WORK WEEK!!

Thank God for the birth of a nation and the reason to get together on a day normally reserved for work and hang out with friends and family.

So drink your java, grin and bear Monday and remember you are only FOUR days away from a THREE day weekend!! 

Cheers,

Samara

Summer Holidays

Although I got started a little late with my holiday decorating (thank you, grad school), I did manage to get a few festive items up around the house last weekend for the upcoming holiday.

I never really did much of anything in the way of décor for the 4th of July until I went to a craft store one summer recently and found some adorable items that I couldn't resist.  Now, I decorate our home during the summer months, which is a nice addition to the holidays-to-decorate-for list and makes me really appreciate the summer holidays, too, for something other than just nice weather. (Although that is good all on its own.) Here's a peek at what I've managed to get done!

The stars are up on our dining room table tree. (A Christmas decoration item that has become a permanent fixture on our dining room table.)

I imagine my repertoire of summer patriotic decorations will grow over the years, but for now, the intent is to keep it simple. 

I find holiday-themed towels are a fun and inexpensive way to dress up a kitchen.

And of course, my favorite part of the decorations--the patriotic décor balls sitting near tealights in a hurricane vase. 

I love this area because it feels nautical and summery. 

My mom always made holidays special for us and I want to continue that tradition with a little one in the house now. My mom never did anything over-the-top, but always had very thoughtful, special items during holidays that we helped her place. 

Are you ready for the 4th of July festivities? What fun things do you have planned?

Cheers,

Samara

Five on Friday

Sneaking in my Five on Friday late this week, thanks to school! 

Today was such a gorgeous Friday, so let's keep the last hour of the day rolling with some Five on Friday goodness!

1. NoseFrida

I remember when I first saw this thing at Target I thought, "Oh my God, that is so disgusting". I (ignorantly) thought using it meant inevitably getting a bit of what you were trying to suck OUT into your mouth. (Eww! Eww! Eww!) As always, though, my Facebook December Mom group came to my rescue. A few of the moms had tried this product and explained to me that there is a filter inside the tube that ensures the person using it will get no "surprises". 

My husband picked one up recently as our little one was suffering a cold and had a completely snotty nose. The NoseFrida has serious sucking power and totally cleared his little nose out. I will never use one of those stupid bulb syringes again!

2. Military "Music"

I don't remember exactly what made me look up military chants in the iTunes Store, but I'm glad I did. When I'm running (I hate cardio) and doing my gut-busting, heart-elevating, oh-my-god-someone-call-the-paramedics gym moves (compliments of my personal trainer), these military running cadences help me out. They are seriously motivational. 

3. Festivities Galore

Although I have a lot of work to do during this long weekend, there are punctuations of fun ahead as well. 

This weekend we are celebrating my sister-in-law Angie's birthday. She is one of the most kind hearted and giving people I know and the love for her family is so inspiring. Tomorrow night we plan on going to Ukai for dinner, followed by a painting (and wine!) session at Painting With a Twist. Sunday we plan on having a family birthday dinner at GG's. 

In addition to celebrating Angie's birthday, we will be celebrating Easter and our little man's FIRST Easter! 

Jackson made this adorable craft at school. See the footprint? :)

We plan on having an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids in the family at GG's. 

4. Midterm COMPLETE

I just completed the midterm exam for the class I'm trudging through right now. While I am very appreciative for the opportunity to advance my education, I am over it at this point. I just want my weekends back and to remove the constant "what's due next" question hanging over my head like a large raincloud.

Three more weeks and I'll be starting my second-to-last semester. Yeehaw.

5. Jackson Is 4 Months Old

Jackson is officially four months old today. Happy 4 monthiversary, little buddy! 

I love this picture because it makes me laugh. No clue why he was bugging his eyes out, but I know he got those big ol' eyes from his mama. 

Cheers,

Samara

National Margarita Day - Did You Remember??

Well friends, I've no clue how I didn't know (or didn't remember, maybe I knew once??) that this past Saturday was National Margarita Day until the day was nearly over with. 

Luckily, I happened to be perusing my Facebook newsfeed while getting some last minute ingredients for dinner at the grocery store and saw a few people posting pictures of their margaritas.

My husband and I quickly decided we'd change our cuisine plans from Chinese to Mexican! It was the perfect excuse to break out a beautiful bottle of tequila we picked up while in Cancún last year! 

We paired our margaritas with various dips and chips, tacos and taquitos. (Hey, it was a very last minute meal, don't judge! *wink*) It was delicious!

Did you celebrate National Margarita Day??

Cheers,

Samara