Wordless Wednesday~Never too Early to Read a Classic

Snapshot Saturday~Sand in your Toes

Can't you just feel the hot sand in your toes?

And in the case of the minis in your hair, hands, bathing suit, eyes, etc. I wish I were at the beach right now.

Happy Saturday!

Pink & Green Thursday~Christmas in July

I am dreaming of the smells, sounds, and sights of the holiday season. Go ahead, close your eyes and put yourself right there in December enjoying the hustle and bustle, holiday tunes, yummy smells of the baking cookies, the Christmas tree glimmering in the room. Ahhh...

Now open your eyes to enjoy the pictures today...

It is so easy to get in the holiday spirit and mood when it's 100 degrees outside with 1000% humidity.

In honor of Christmas in July, this week's Pink and Green Thursday is devoted to all the wonderful goodness the holiday season has to offer. Enjoy!

Come on back tomorrow. There is a Christmas in July happening over here! Happy Thursday.

Head over to the fun of Pink & Green Thursday at Pink Preppy Lilly Lover. See who joined in the fun!Let the Christmas Countdown officially begin!

Wordless Wednesday~Sleepin' On Up! New Beds!

*I apologize for the poor color and picture quality. Definitely not my best work. The minis were thrilled with their new surprises!

Tuesday's Tidbit~When Life Gives You Lemons...

...make lemonade.

Or in this case, make Lemon Tea Bread.

Hello? Hello? Is anyone out there? I have been absent for so long, I am not sure anyone is still with me?

"When life gives you lemons..." I think I have been given enough lemons lately to make lemonade, lemon bread, lemon meringue pie, lemon chicken, lemon sorbet, lemon tart for the entire blogging world.

Wow. I am back now and so happy to be. I have missed you all and need to know any new and exciting information asap! I look forward to catching up with everyone and hopefully getting back on a normal and happy routine. I have been thinking of you all!

For Tuesday's Tidbit, doesn't this Lemon Tea Bread look oh so yummy? The recipe is pretty easy too!

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons lemon rind, divided
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon granulated sugar

To Prepare:
1. Beat softened butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add 1 cup granulated sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
2. Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt; add to butter mixture alternately with milk, beating at low speed just until blended, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir in 1 tablespoon lemon rind. Spoon batter into greased and floured 8- x 4-inch loafpan.
3. Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center of bread comes out clean. Let cool in pan 10 minutes.
4.Remove bread from pan, and cool completely on a wire rack.
Stir together powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth; spoon evenly over top of bread, letting excess drip down sides.
5. Stir together remaining 1 tablespoon lemon rind and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar; sprinkle on top of bread.

Have a great day!

{thanks to Southern Living for the picture and recipe. yum!}

Pink & Green Thursday~Caffeine Heaven

It is no secret that I love those little caffeine filled coffee brings. Coffee brings me so much happiness and I truly do heart it.

Don't forget to hop over to Trish's blog to link up and check out the other Pink & Green Thursday choices. It is sure to bring a smile to your face.

Happy Thursday. Have a great day!

{Photos via here, here, and here.}

Wordless Wednesday~Summer Fun and Bribery for Teen Years

Tidbit Tuesday~Tasty Blackberry Muffins

After the fun last week when picking blackberries and blueberries at the farm, I went looking for a blackberry recipe.

In the Molly Lou house, we LOVE muffins and we LOVE blackberries, so the Tasty Blackberry Muffin recipe is perfection!

Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tbsp baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup vanilla yogurt
½ cup spreadable cream cheese
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
12 oz package of fresh blackberries, cut in half

Directions:

Position rack in center of oven and Pre-heat to 400°F.
Grease one standard 1 dozen muffin pan and one ½ dozen pan or line with paper muffin cups.(baking spray works well)
Combine the flours, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, yogurt, cream cheese, sugar, butter and vanilla until smooth.
Add the wet mixture to the dry and mix just until moistened. Do not over-mix, this will cause the muffins to become too dense. The batter does not need to be smooth.
Add the berries, folding just enough to disperse them, again mix as little as possible (If you are using frozen berries, coat them lightly in flour first.)
Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups and place in the oven.
Bake until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean, approx. 20 minutes.
Remove from oven and let cool for 2 to 3 minutes before removing from the pan. If not serving hot, let cool on a rack.
Serve quickly, preferably within a few hours of baking.

YUM-O! Enjoy. Happy Tuesday!

{Thanks to chowtown.wordpress.com for the recipe and muffin photo. Top photo thanks to moi}

Let Freedom Ring...

Happy Independence Day! What an amazing day and time to show how proud we are to be an American! I am so thankful for all those that work so hard to protect our freedom and ensure that this is a wonderful place for my children to grow up.

Enjoy your holiday weekend! Happy 4th of July!

Snapshot Saturday~Love is in the Air

6 years ago today I married the man that makes me laugh everyday, feel beautiful, is kind, and would later become a loving father.

It has been a crazy ride, but one that has been worth it. We have created this wonderful life togeher and I look forward to seeing what the rest of our lives has in store.

Happy Anniversary Mr. Molly Lou! I love you!

Summer Berry Pickin'

Feel summer and get in touch with your five senses...nothing screams summer like fresh berries.

Yesterday, we ventured to a local farm that specializes in blackberries and blueberries. We picked both and enjoyed roaming through the farm. The minis were quite good at picking the berries and were having a great time until the heat finally won and they were ready for some cool air and cold drinks.

Happy Independence Day. Enjoy the weekend with your loved ones.

Pink & Green Thursday~

Come along with me as we pretend the day away with a magical tea party full of adventure, magic, and fun!

I have this great desire to get girlfriends together and have a lovely tea/garden party outside. I can just picture some of my decorations. How fun would that be??
Happy Thursday! Don't forget to head over to the fabulous Trish at Pink Preppy Lilly Lover to join in on the fun and see what others are choosing for their Pink and Green Thursday!