Anniversary Day-date!

I posted *last Thursday* that it was our 4th anniversary =) For anniversaries, I reallly like to stick with "traditional" gift-giving. I'm a little ol' fashioned & corny. 4th year gifts are: flowers and fruit (traditional); silk/linens/cloth (modern). This has been the hardest year for me to plan. Last month we picked up a grill for each other, for our anniversary...so no gifting was necessary but I still wanted to incorporate these traditions into our day. My hubby isn't a big flower OR fruit fan, and there isn't much clothing needed. I tried to find silky-type of boxers, but it was harder than I thought (I'm guessing because it isn't the holidays). And I also wanted to go DO something, not just dinner. I was driving one day and it hit me (because I passed it on the road): we could go to Hidden Lake Gardens. It is run by Michigan State University, and for a small fee you get into their beautiful grounds with hiking trails, picnic areas, and gorgeous views.

I then decided to pair it with a picnic of our favorite things: roast beef sandwiches (his), chocolate dipped strawberries (mine, but done in milk chocolate as is his fave), and rice homemade krispy treats (his). Along with ice water and we were packed! I did this all in secret, getting up before he left for work and having everything ready by the time he was home. He was happily caught off guard. It was such a simple date, yet needed! Being around a 3 year old constantly, the QUIET serenity of the gardens was ahhhh-mazing ;) We we almost rushed because storms were rolling in but we hiked 1 mile, and took cover when it rained in the tropical greenhouses.

You don't always have to spend $40-50 each year for your anniversary, sometimes a quick quiet get-away is just as fulfilling! It would also be super romantic to do a NIGHT picnic, take some blankets, citronella candle, and go gaze at the stars! What are some of your favorite, easy date ideas?

POPsicles!



I hadn't realized it...but I had never before made popsicles with my son. At age 3, I felt guilty for him missing out on this! The dollar tree has simple little popsicle molds this summer. So I grabbed it & gathered some of our favorite juice!

(no dollar tree? want to save even more? *click here* to see the DIY on how to use dixie cups for this!)

other great fillers:
-pudding
-yogurt
-blended/pureed fruit

Make sure to either do this outside, or lay down newspaper (a few layers, not just 1 sheet) to absorb spills (see above photo, haha). I thought I would try to use the MIO water additive... it was a bust. The flavor ended up sinking to the bottom. Kind of turned out cool looking, but the one end was flavored and too sour for my liking. Have your camera handy to capture some sweet summer memories!! Enjoy your sunday! <3

Heat Wave! +water tips

We've had triple digits here at B&B, like the majority of the country. Combine that with near-drought conditions for some places (where I live) and it is even more dangerous. Today I want to hit a few points when it comes to water, especially water in this heat. ESPECIALLY WATER & KIDS. Thankfully, my son has liked water since he was an infant...but that is because I hold firm and it's what I give him in the summer. Sadly I've realized as we meet more new people & friends, not everyone does this. Mom's look at me and say "well, he just won't drink it so I give him the kool aid (or, *gulp* pop) instead." Some think that because it's sprite- it's okay. IT'S NOT. I know *I* as an adult abuse my pop intake, and it should only be a once-in-awhile-thing. Kids drinking any pop on a daily basis, and I know that I want my kid to be better than I am.

...the amount of water we need during a normal day is more than most think. So that means the amount needed during extreme temperatures, is greater. The easiest way to get a good, accurate idea, is to use about.com's short quiz. Just enter in a few things like weight (so you can find out of each family member), and answer if you're in extreme conditions or not (like most of us are right now).

*HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD YOU BE DRINKING HERE*

If you drink pop, you need to drink even MORE water to make up for it. Pop actually DEHYDRATES the body (though I know, a good coke sometimes just QUENCHES your thirst, mine too *wink*). During a heat wave, it's even more tricky. Heat+Humidity combined slows down our bodies natural "AC" which is through sweating. *Heat Illness - quick facts*

 Having trouble getting your kid to drink water? Try:

- try using fun shaped ice cubes. little stars, flowers, etc.

- freeze little blueberries or cut up fruit for ice cubes. (my son loved froze blueberries last summer as a tasty snack)

- MIO is a calorie, sugar, and sodium free drink additive. Add just a few drops to flavor water.

- ...honestly... my kid seeing *ME* drink water makes him want water.

DON'T FORGET! Pets need water too! Their water should be changed daily, with fresh, cool water. Check often, you  might have empty bowls faster than you would guess. Our doges go thru over 6 re-fills a day right now, and that's with 2-3 different bowls of water!







4+ years of love

Today is our 4th year wedding anniversary. But for over 7 years I have

shared my life with this man. He has been with me thru my ups and the dark
downs. And I, with his. Sometimes when the going's gotten rough a few friends
have shaken their heads, calling me stubbornly stupid even, for sticking with it.
But marriage isn't just something you wake up one day and say "oh, I'm going to
throw this away." If something's worth fighting for, you will find a way. We have

realized we are not perfect, but we will work to be perfect together. "In sickness

and in health..." When people come down with the flu, they seek to heal their

bodies. Same should be with marriage, if something is ailing, work together

to make it right again. Until you are whole-one. I am so hopeful, and so

thankful to have such an honest, hardworking, and loving husband.

If anyone is reading this and has gone thru hard times in their

marriage...don't loose faith. If they want to get thru it with

you, find a way. Because after the terrible storm that

thunders on and on at night, the sunrise after is

one of the most beautiful things to behold.

June Faves (list)

My favorite things from JUNE 2012:

---favorite book:

Yes, I gave in to this reading frenzy. Read 1 book a week during June. It was more than I expected, and if you're a somewhat open individual, I highly suggest you read it! Check it out *HERE* on amazon. It is about 12+ (each book) at stores like Walmart.

---favorite hair product:

Hast_Placenta: Henna 'n' Placenta deep conditioning treatment. For about a buck (give or take some change) you can get a packet with more than enough conditioner, even for those with long hair. It does NOT smell unpleasant, and I was literally blown away at how my hair felt after. We live where there is well water, and combine that with every few months of hair color and summer sun= very brittle curly hair. It was such a pleasant surprise, and I will be using this monthly!

---favorite "find":

This month we went to Metamora, OH's 120-mile-yard/barn sale. I only spent $25 all day, and sometime in there I picked these little cuties up for only $2 each!

---favorite funny:

---favorite drink:

Amaretto Sour

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz Amaretto
3 oz Sour mix
1 maraschino cherry

Mixing instructions:

Shake and strain. Garnish with a cherry. I love to pour a splash of the cherry "juice" into it, since I'm not a fan of eating maraschino cherries.

---favorite moment:

Becoming closer to my husband. This month has opened up so many doors for us. We have bonded deeply in a way we haven't done in years. And I haven't ever been as hopeful as I am now.

Grilled Bruschetta Chicken (Balsamic Marinade)

A savory and slightly tangy main dish that is perfect for a weekday! I love how everything just whips together quickly!

MARINADE:

1 C zesty italian dressing, your choice of brand ;)

1 TB balsamic vinegar

Throw 4-6 chicken breasts in a bag, pour marinade over... keep in the fridge all day/overnight ontop of either a cookie sheet or in a bowl (in case the bag leaks). Or if you're lucky enough to come across a Tupperware Marinator Container (link here), use it!

TANGY BRUSCHETTA:

6 roma tomatoes (or if you were really pressed for time, like I was, 2 cans petite diced tomatoes, drained well)

3 cloves minced garlic (use 2 if you're not a strong garlic fan)

1/2 a yellow onion, diced (try to keep it the same size as tomatoes)

2-3 tsp balsamic vinegar (honestly, I just did a few quick splashes, so that's a guesstimation)

1/4 C olive oil

Cracked Black Pepper & Salt, to your tasting

Throw everything into a bowl and mix. Let sit for at least 30 mins, or all day! =)

Come dinner time all you need to do is fire up your indoor or outdoor grill, throw the chicken on and cook (usda's reccomended cooking temps here). I've seen some versions of bruschetta chicken where they put the bruschetta ontop of the chicken during the last few minutes of cooking. However, if you're like me and DISPISE when veggies fall between the grill grade... let's learn from other's mistakes: heat your brushetta in the microwave for about a 1:30-2:00, then everyone can spoon their desired amount onto their chicken. If you wanted to you could put shredded mozerella on top! Cheese makes everything better for my toddler ;)

another month

Admittedly, I'm currently sitting dumbfounded that June is just a few days shy of being done. Over. Where did the time go? We've had a jam-packed month. Took Sammy to his first zoo trip, visited my brother, ton's of V.A appointments & paperwork, starting the process of getting a home... the list is endless! July looks to be even busier. All our weekends are taken with at least 1 event, and during the week I'll be trying to catch up on school since the first week it is closed.

June was also extremely hard. We had to put down my oldest dog, Hershey. She was a 12year old Chocolate Lab. She ended up getting an infected uterus. It was a hard choice to make, and has definitely shed some light on a lot of things for me.

Next week is our 4th anniversary! I'm so excited for my secretive plans that I have. I can give one clue... I like to keep to the "traditional" lists of gift-giving for marriage. You can view this list from The Dating Diva's Blog Post: HERE (SPECIAL MILESTONES). 4th year that I'm doing is: Fruit, Flowers, along with the linen/silk. ^-^ I've had to get a little creative since my husband isn't a big fruit OR flowers guy. I'm happy with my little idea. Just hope next week will work with me for this! haha.