Orange Creamsicle Punch

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #AHugeSale #CollectiveBias #Safeway

You guys - today is the day – the county fair has started! I will be in and out of that place until Saturday night, and Anika is there practically all day long with her lamb. She gets there between 6:30-7am to feed it and clean it’s pen, and then she shows it at a different time each day, and then feeds it again at 7pm. Saturday will be the big auction day where I will be holding my breath and crossing my fingers for her, hoping that she can sell it for a good price and make some profit from all of her hard work!

Of course I took this perfect opportunity to celebrate with some of my favorite family-friendly party punch! It’s something that I like to serve at parties or special occasions, and it’s really easy to make – and all of the ingredients are on sale right now at Safeway at their huge anniversary sale!

Orange Creamsicle Punch

What you need:

1 (56 ounce) Bottle of original Tropicana orange juice

2 Liters of Sierra Mist

1 Container of Vanilla Bryer’s ice cream

A punch bowl.

Pour chilled orange juice into the punch bowl, and then slowly add 2 liters of Sierra Mist. Top with scoops of vanilla ice cream and enjoy! I like to serve it quick while all of the ingredients are nice and cold, but you can also add ice if you’d like.

We all cheered and enjoyed sipping on the punch last night after we returned from her lamb’s final weigh in.

Another great thing about this huge anniversary sale is that it’s happening right now, July 29^th – August 11^th, and there is tons of stuff to stock up on! Safeway happens to be literally right across the street from the fairgrounds, so I’m heading over there this afternoon to grab snacks and drinks for everyone. Some other deals you can find during their sale include:

Pepsi, 12-Pack, 12-oz.cans. Select varieties

Gatorade or Lipton Tea, 8 pk pr 12pk

Frito Lay's Variety Packs

Quaker Dipps or Chewy Bars

Not only does Safeway have a Huge Anniversary sale, but you can also check out great deals that are available at Albertsons, Jewel, Osco, or Amigos as well!

I can’t wait to share pictures from the fair with you – I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since she showed her first lamb!

Do you stock up on your favorites during a huge sale?

~Melissa

What Your Middle Schooler Really Needs to Keep in Their School Locker

 This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. 
#BackToClean #CollectiveBias

This year will be Anika’s second year of middle school – and that makes me both happy and sad. I’m sad because I’m having a hard time with the fact that my baby is now a 7^th grader, though I’m happy for her because things will hopefully be a little easier this year with a few less changes.

Moving from elementary school to middle school is a big wake up call for a lot of kids – they have more teachers, new classes, are the ‘young’ ones at the school, and they have lockers. In other words: they have a lot more responsibility. And that’s a scary thought not only for the middle schooler, but also for the parents who have to allow their child to start having more independence.

I asked Anika to write down a few things she thought were necessary to keep in her locker, now that she has had a year of locker experience under her belt – and this is what she came up with:

1. An extra jacket: “Just in case! Sometimes it’s easy to forget to bring a jacket, and sometimes the weather can change on you pretty quick!"
2. Extra pencils (that are already sharpened): “Sometimes your pencils can break in class and it’s nice to have extra ones all ready to go for your next period.”
3. Tissues: “Because there will be one day; and you will have a runny nose, and it will be faster if you have some in your locker all ready to use!”
4. Extra folders, paper, binders, etc.: “Everyone will need extra supplies at some point – better to have them now than be sorry!”
5. Plastic zip up bags: “It’s great to have a couple of these in your locker in case your crayon box gets ruined, or you need to keep paper clips or pencils together in one spot.”
6. Clorox Disinfecting Wipes: “ You should definitely keep these in you locker because when you are going from class to class you don’t have a lot of time, so if you get something sticky or just need to wipe something clean, you don’t have to waste any time – so you won’t have to worry about being late for class!”

I just loved learning the way a 7^th grader thinks! I obviously love the Clorox Disinfecting Wipes because they can quickly remove germs and bacteria that are lurking around (like inside of those school lockers!) They can also be used on multiple surfaces – like appliances, shopping carts, tables, sinks, etc. and the regular Clorox Disinfecting Wipes canisters are made from a recyclable number 2 class of HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) – and I’m all for recycling.

From July 19^th – August 1^st (while you are doing your back to school shopping) at Target you can also save 5% off of Clorox Disinfecting Wipes when you use your Cartwheel App!

The Clorox Disinfecting wipes can be found in the cleaning aisle as well as on special displays in the store.

Middle school: year #2 isn’t that far away – and I’m not too worried….because my little Miss Anika managed to pull off a 4.0 last semester (insert: mom bragging moment here). I’m excited to see how this year goes for her!

Do you have a middle schooler? What was the hardest transition for them to make?

~Melissa

How to Create a Memorable Outdoor Party This Summer

Compensation provided by Gold Peak via Mode Media. All opinions are my own.

You all know by now how much I love summertime. One thing I really missed doing last year though was the end of summer BBQ that we had held annually for several years. Things just didn’t quite work out right for it to happen and we ended up not having anyone over to celebrate the end of summer with us. It was sad and I don’t want that to happen again!

One of the things that I love most about outdoor summer parties is the memories and traditions that it creates for everyone. The food, family, atmosphere – it’s a day where everyone gathers together to celebrate.

The first way to create a new outdoor party tradition is to just start. Yes it can be stressful hosting a party, yes it costs money and can be slightly overwhelming. But is the look on everyone’s faces when they get together and share an amazing evening together worth it? You bet it is.

Once you’ve established your outdoor party tradition, do something a little different every year. One year I held a pie contest – where everyone brought a homemade pie and then we all stuffed ourselves tasting each one and voted on the best one. Another year we had a bunch of games for everyone to play. Once I held a dinner party on the night of a Blue Moon, so I created a Blue Moon themed party. Whatever you decided to do, changing things up year to year will make for lots of memories – and conversations the next year. 

Create some killer food. I know this definitely is a matter of opinion on what food tastes the best here, but whatever menu I put together, I always try and do this: have an appetizer or a dish that makes some guests step out of their usual food comfort zones. My friends and family for the most part are pretty conservative when it comes to food and they have teased me about my creations over the years, but you know what? They actually end up liking some of it and would have never tried it had I not given them the opportunity.

Of course I always make sure there’s lots of food and drinks that everyone likes, lots of sweet tea being one of them. Nothing sings summer like sweet tea – Gold Peak Sweet Tea is one of my favorites. It’s made with real sugar, no preservatives, and tastes like homemade. Sometimes we’ll serve it right from the bottle, or if I feel like fancying it up a bit, I’ll pour it into a beverage container with ice and some fresh blueberries.

Extra added touches to make your summer party memorable could also include fun invitations, blankets to keep guests warm when the sun goes down, ample lighting to create a homey atmosphere, games available to play, and even a pack of conversation starter cards.

Hopefully in a couple of months I will have more fun photos to share with you, because the best ways to have a fun and memorable evening is to just spend time with people you love.

~Melissa

There’s nothing like Gold Peak’s home-brewed taste. Gold Peak, the taste that brings you home.

Tips to Help Keep Your Laundry Pile Under Control

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #TotalBleachControl #CollectiveBias

How we *Try* to Keep Our Crazy Clothes Pile under Control

Life has been so busy this week that it seems like a miracle that we get any housework done – let alone the clothes. If you would have told me 10 years ago just how many loads of laundry a family of 5 has on a weekly basis, I probably would have laughed out loud and tried to convince you that you were exaggerating to me.

But, here I am, with a multitude of clothes that somehow seem to multiply overnight. Wayne is pretty helpful when it comes to washing the clothes, but a few years ago there was a little ‘accident’ that involved my favorite pair of sweatpants and some bleach, and my sweatpants ultimately lost the battle and I had to say goodbye to them. I’ve had many theories as to how large bleach spots appeared on my loungewear, but as you can only imagine I’ve been very leery about anyone using bleach on clothes since then.

That is, until now. Clorox® has two new products, Clorox® Bleach Crystals™ and Clorox® Bleach Packs™ that have eased my fear of using bleach. They are both water activated – meaning they will only start working when you are ready for them, and I don’t have to worry about any more spills, splashes, or bleach damaged sweatpants! ;)

Plus – they are quick and easy to use, making our laundry time just that much shorter. All we have to do is toss it into the washer and let the Clorox® Bleach Crystals™ or Clorox® Bleach Packs™ work their magic!

Besides Wayne and I taking turns on laundry duty, we also try and keep our growing clothes piles under control by washing one load of laundry every night, and by teaching the kids responsibility and having them fold their own clothes and put them away in the right drawers. It’s not necessarily easier to do this at first (believe me!), however, I hope that someday they will be able to become self-sufficient and take care of their own laundry (Fingers = crossed).

How does your family try to keep the laundry piles under control? If you haven’t already, you should definitely try the new Clorox® Bleach Crystals™ and the Clorox® Bleach Packs™! You can find them in your local Walmart, next to the laundry detergent aisle.

~Melissa

That Time I Sent My Daughter to Horse Camp

Last week I did something that I have never done before – I took my daughter to horse camp. My little Miss Emma spent 6 hours a day for 5 days learning about horses, and she loved it.

A couple of years ago the kids all had the opportunity to ride on a horse, and while they all had fun, something came over Emma that was a little different. She (who has a lot of anxiety and normally afraid to try new things) had an ease over her, and instantly was calm and it just looked natural. I made a mental note right then to try and give her the opportunity to ride again someday.

Well, that someday came this year, when I saw an advertisement for a horse camp at a local farm, and even though it was already a hectic week planned and I hadn’t really budgeted for it, I knew I had to let her go.

I have never seen that girl so happy in my life. Each day she came home and talked more than I’ve ever heard her talk and she would talk about the animals and what she did that day. Each camper had their own horse for the week and all learned how to do certain things each day, like put saddles on, groom their horses, clean stalls, give them shots, go on trail rides, make them turn, go fast – and slow, and on the last day they all practiced riding bareback.

She hated to have camp over with – she said, “Momma, I wish I could just come here every day!” And I wish I could let her.

Giving my daughter an opportunity like this was something that I’m proud to have done. This was one week that she will never forget – and all of my working crazy hours and lack of sleep lately was totally worth it. You have to work hard to play hard, right? I have a feeling I’ve just begun an annual summer camp tradition for this girl. J

Have your kids ever attended a horse camp? What was their favorite part?

~Melissa

Southwest Inspired Chicken Tostadas

Thank you to Foster Farms® for sponsoring this post!

Southwestern Inspired Chicken Tostadas

I love summer food – there are so many fresh fruits and vegetables that are local around here. We have our own raised garden with lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, onions, squash, zucchini, basil, and more. Everything else including fruit I buy at the fruit stands or farmer’s market.

Another thing I like about summer meals is their simplicity. It gets too hot to stand over the oven and do a lot of cooking, so I like to keep meals quick and easy – like these tostadas. Sometimes the best meals are ones that have less measuring involved, and more color.

We had these ‘Southwestern Inspired Tostadas’ for dinner a few nights ago. I used Foster Farms® Refrigerated Grilled Chicken Breast Strips which made prep time even quicker. I love using the Foster Farms® Grilled Chicken Strips because they are super convenient, fully cooked, and ready to eat. Also, like all Foster Farms products, they have no added hormones or steroids.

  

Southwestern Inspired Chicken Tostadas

What you need:

2 Packages of Foster Farms® Refrigerated Grilled Chicken Strips

6 Tostada shells

1 tomato, diced

6 ounces of Queso cheese

3 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese

1 16 ounce can of refried beans

8 ounces of black beans drained and rinsed.

1 ear of corn – cut off of the cob

6 Tablespoons of sour cream

Optional:

Sweet peppers, diced

Avocado, sliced

1. Spread refried beans evenly on the tostadas and then top with Queso cheese, Foster Farms® Grilled Chicken Strips, diced tomato, corn, black beans, and cheddar cheese.
2. Place the tostadas on a cookie sheet and warm under a broiler until the cheese is melted. 
3. Top with a tablespoon of sour cream and either diced avocados or sweet peppers.

Foster Farms® Grilled Chicken Strips are available to purchase at Walmart and select stores here in Oregon, as well as California, Washington, Arizona, and Nevada.

What simple recipes do you serve in the summer?

~Melissa

This post is sponsored by Foster Farms®, the opinions expressed are my own