It's Berry Good

My daughter and I just LOVE the Wild berry tea at Wendy's. If you haven't tried it...do so. The berry flavor is so good and very, very tasty. Unsweetened or sweetened (the way I really like it), it is a great summer drink!
I was determined to try and make my own Iced berry tea. I made a pitcher of tea using these tea bags....

8 tea bags

4 cups of hot boiling water

4 cups of cold water

sweeten to your liking (I added 1/2 cup sugar)

pour over ice :)

It was very, very good. I think next time I will combine different berry flavor tea bags and see how that tastes!!

Cheers......................

Beating the Heat

Temperatures hit 106 today. Crazy, crazy hot! We have spent the day inside reading and playing games. It is truly too hot to be out and about but we will venture to the library to pick up some more books! We may have to stop at Rita's for a LARGE water ice. I am just hoping they have "pear" today.........YUM!!! Stay cool........
Cheers.......

Summer Movies

Last week when my son was in camp, my daughter and I went to the movies. We saw "Monte Carlo". It was very cute. Reminded me of "The Lizzy McGuire Movie" (loved)...same kind of story but set in Italy. We both love Selena Gomez. She is just too cute!
Yesterday, I took the kids to see "Winnie the Pooh".

What a classic! How can you not love Pooh bear?? I am so thankful that my eleven and nine year old really wanted to see this. Keep them young and innocent as long as possible. I hope they are never too old to enjoy Pooh!!

Cheers............

A Good Read

I just finished "Sliver of Truth" by Lisa Unger. This is the follow up to her New York Times bestseller "Beautiful Lies".
I really enjoyed both of these stories. Lisa Unger has a way of writing that captures her audience. I connected with the main character and I did not want to put the book down. I could not wait to see what was to happen. Definitely would recommend these books. I look forward to reading more of Lisa Ungers novels.
Cheers.............

Family

One of my secret addictions is watching The Real Housewives. Which county? Well, all of them! At times I have asked myself "why do you keep watching"? Answer: I am completely hooked! Right now I am engrossed in New York and New Jersey. Lately I have been telling myself I keep watching because it makes me feel more normal!! Seriously, I know that there are no perfect families and I have never claimed to have come from one but watching these shows makes mine that much closer to perfect!! I have two sisters and a brother. I am very close to one sister and have been a bit removed from the others. We have had our ups and downs any family would have. I also have three brother in laws and two sister in laws. My one sister in law and I are very close and like a stranger with the other. Especially in this current season of RHNJ they are focusing on "Family". Brothers and sisters fighting and the in-laws as well. So I have been asking myself....Can you ever get over issues causing so much bitterness and resentment? I have even wondered if resentment is a sin in the eyes of the catholic church? Can family members truly forgive and forget? Is blood thicker than water?? I will deal with my own family drama but I do look forward to the turnout of these crazy families I have let into my life each week.
Cheers.................

U.S.A WINS!!!!!!

USA......way to go...what a performance!!!!
Cheers....................

Kids Summer Reading

I am an avid reader and love nothing more than to sit down with a great book. During the summer my kids have mandatory reading assignments from their school. I think this is bitter sweet. I love for my kids to read, however, this required reading I absolutely loathe. Between activities, camps and just having fun (isn't that what summer is about???) it is like pulling teeth to get it done and I do not want them to ever loose their love/like of "leisurely" reading.
My son is going into the 4th grade. His "mandatory" book is :
This is a great book and he is enjoying it. He is also required to choose two more books from a list in addition to this one.
My daughter is going into the 6th grade. Her "mandatory" book is:

She has not read this yet. She is required to also choose three additional books from the list provided by their school. She has read one book and is on her second (thank God!).

To add to the madness, I have added workbooks into the mix!!! First I complain, and then I add fuel to the fire!!! I have made it fun for the kids. So many pages completed they earn treats!! My daughter has chosen i-Tunes songs and my son chose packs of sports cards. Fair enough!!! These are the workbooks I am having the kids work on:

Whatever gets done, it can only help!!! Trust me, they should not complain (nor should I) they are having a blast this summer and we have a VERY busy August planned with three trips...including one to Ireland!!!

Cheers......................

Congratulations..........

What a weekend! It was so exciting to watch my favorite Yankee hit the 3000 mark. Crazy, unbelievable and a HOME-RUN to boot!!! How can you NOT love him!!!

What an AMAZING performance by our USA Women's team. A game that we will not forget.

Tremendous athletes. I can not wait til the next game against France.

U-S-A......U-S-A!!!!

Cheers...................

Game On..........

Lately, my kids and I have been playing a TON of backgammon. We have mini tournaments and little bets going. It has been so much fun. I think of it as a mini math lesson as well!!!
In August, we are going to Ireland and I am on a mission to find a great travel backgammon set. I want to be able to throw it in my bag to have on the plane and with me on our adventures in Dublin. I found one on-line that I like but would like to find one without shipping costs. Its harder to find a good one...we have already checked Target, Walmart and Toys R Us. The hunt continues.......
In my search for the travel set, I came across this beach towel backgammon game! How fabulous to have this when we go to our swim club!!! No doubt about ordering this.....I love eBay!

I know when this arrives, the kids will be thrilled (as much as I will be)!!!!!

Cheers.....................

FREE is even better.....

One of my favorite restaurants is offering a FREE appetizer of Lettuce Wraps. So good...the best!!

Be sure to go to the link https://www.facebook.com/pfchangs?sk=wall and "like".

You won't be disappointed!

Cheers........................

Now Reading..........

I have read several of Kristin Hannah's books. This book is pretty good so far. I am halfway through and enjoying it. My favorite Kristin Hannah book is "Firefly Lane". LOVED it! We'll see how this one goes............
Cheers...........................

Recipe Needed.....

A new Italian market opened up close by to us. I ventured in there yesterday to check it out. It was fabulous. I could have stayed all afternoon just admiring the cheeses!! I spotted a rustic chicken salad in the glass window and ordered a 1/4 pound just to give it a try. OMG....it was amazing! Pulled chicken, grapes, diced red peppers and onions and a bit of cilantro perhaps! The difference in this chicken salad was that there was NO mayonnaise. I could not make out the dressing. Light yet tangy and oh so fabulous. I really want this recipe or a similar version. It would be a summer must-have and I would be sure to take it to any picnic or barbecue!!! Any suggestions for the dressing would be much appreciated!!!!!!!!!
Cheers.................

Barbecue Chicken

Love barbecue chicken????? You need to try Lawry's new marinades. They are so delicious!!!
First we tried the Sesame Ginger with mandarin orange. So good...a little sweet and tangy...just perfect.

Next, we tried the Baja Chipotle with lime juice. So, so good. A bit on the spicy side but ok for the kids to eat!!! Our grill broke and we have yet to replace it. I put the complete bottle of marinade over the chicken in a roasting pan and baked it in the oven. It tasted like it came off the grill.

I promise, if you try it, you will not be disappointed!!!!

Cheers...............................