Homemade Strawberry Popsicles

Since it is strawberry season, we decided to try making our own strawberry popsicles. I found a simple recipe at Heather's Dish. You only need three ingredients: 1.5 pounds strawberries, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/4 cup cream.  You also need a food processor or blender and a popsicle mold.  We got our molds at Wal-Mart, but you can use an ice tray if you don't want to purchase molds. 

Aren't these strawberries beautiful?  Red to the center.  At this point you just add the sugar and process for two to three minutes to allow the sugar to dissolve.  Then you add the cream and mix until blended.

Pour into molds.

Insert sticks.

If you get a little on you, just lick it off. :)  Then, into the freezer they go.  Now find something fun to do for the next several hours (4 hours for these molds) and resist checking on them every thirty minutes. Thankfully, it was a beautiful warm Saturday and we had plenty of yard work and playing outside to keep us busy.

The wait is over!  This recipe is Nate approved.  I hope you give these strawberry pops a try. We are already working on our second batch. :)

Dino Discovery

The Birmingham Zoo has an awesome dinosaur exhibit now through July 21st.   

The dinos are life-sized and animatronic - even their eyes move.

  

Since we were in the area, we had to have a popsicle from Steel City Pops.  Their popsicles are the best.  Check them out and have my favorite flavor, avocado.  It is seriously delicious.  Nate's favorite is strawberry.  Coconut is also tasty...and blueberry...and chocolate...and peanut butter. :)

Goodbye Peach Trees

The last few weekends have been beautiful and perfect for some much needed yard work.  One of our biggest projects was cutting down our peach trees.  

I will miss their beautiful blooms and yummy fruit, but peaches (actual edible ones without worms or rotting) are a lot of work.  They require lots and lots and lots of spraying with pesticides and other things.  So we decided it was time to let them go and enjoy peaches from the farmer's market.  On a side note, I have a hard time believing people can actually grow "organic" peaches.  If you know that secret, please let us know. :)

Nate had the best time sawing peach limbs.  I will admit that I was a little nervous when I found out that Darren had given him a real saw.  But, Darren taught him how to use it properly and Nate still has all of his digits.

Nate's job was to use his saw to mark a spot for Darren to finish cutting with the chainsaw.  He was very determined and focused and took his job very seriously. 

I love this face. :)

 

This kid is growing up.  Too fast.

Easter

Happy Resurrection Sunday!  What a glorious day.  Even if was a rainy day in our neck of the woods.  :)

Thankfully there was a break in the rain just in time for the egg hunt. 

It's a good thing because Granna (Darren's mom) worked really hard to make this egg hunt one to remember. 

This was not just an egg hunt. It was a scavenger egg hunt.  Each child had a card with the specific eggs they needed to find hidden among "plain" eggs.

It was tough!  Seriously.  Thankfully, Nate had Karmen's help.

We were very excited that Brenna and Ella joined the boys this year.

Aunt Lynn did a great job checking everyone's eggs. 

Prize time!

The kids had to close their eyes and reach under the blanket to choose their prize.

The fun continued Sunday evening.  My dad's birthday just happened to be on Easter this year.  My sister and brother-in-law cooked an awesome dinner for us.

My dad loves to aggravate.  So, Nate and Darren decided to tease him a little with a gag gift.  A box of switches!  We did give him a real gift, a turkey call.



I told you it was a wonderful day!  We are so very blessed.  Our biggest blessing is Jesus Christ.  He is risen indeed!