Summer Pasta Salad

Summer Pasta Salad-4

:: Summer Pasta Salad ::

Do you find, in the summer, that you cook less or look for easier recipes? I certainly do! Our days have been filled with outings, lots of outside time playing, and for us… packing up our mountain home in preparation for our upcoming move {not so fun!}.

During the school year, I’m fairly good at sticking to a routine of eating dinner at a reasonable time so that I can get the kids in bed around 8 p.m. In the summertime, that’s not the case! Usually, I’m throwing dinner together on a whim… with little time to spare! This recipe for a chilled Summer Pasta Salad is perfect for nights like that! [Read more…]

Changes on the Horizon

something beautiful is on the horizon...
:: Changes on the Horizon ::

Today marks our one-year anniversary on the mountain! In some ways it seems like we’ve been up here forever, in others… it seems like just yesterday we were waking up amongst the trees for the very first time.

Life in the Mountains-10

We have shared some of the sweetest moments as a family, creating memories that I hope will be imprinted in our minds for the rest of our lives.

Life in the Mountains-8

Life in the Mountains-9

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Blueberry Poppy Seed Salad

Blueberries are in season so why not make a simple salad on a hot day. Blueberries and poppy seed dressing go hand and hand.:: Blueberry Poppy Seed Salad ::

I love summer, but who wants to turn on the oven or cook over a hot stove top when it’s 100 degrees outside?  This Blueberry Poppy Seed Salad is fast, fresh, and most of all tasty.  What makes this salad a quick dinner fix is the use of a store bought rotisserie chicken.  I love rotisserie chickens, they make life easy and you can incorporate them in so many different meals.  It’s all about making life easy right!?! So let us make your life easier with this simple Blueberry Poppy Seed Salad, it’s what’s for dinner on this hot summer night. [Read more…]

Firehouse Salsa

Easy restaurant style Fire House Salsa. :: Firehouse Salsa ::

It’s the day before the Fourth of July, and you need to make a quick appetizer… this easy Firehouse Salsa is sure to make your holiday spicy and fun!   Who doesn’t love a good restaurant salsa?{Not to mention some salty tortilla chips!}  They are a favorite of mine, but I have to admit I am a salsa snob. Both Sara and I are married to firefighters, and let’s just say they have to know how to cook.  Yes it wasn’t something that they knew before entering the fire department, but it was something that they had to learn.  When my husband was working as a reserve, the fire department he was volunteering for prided themselves on making the BEST salsa in the area and this is their secret recipe…..  

Fresh jalapeno and serrano peppers for Firehouse Salsa [Read more…]

Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes

strawberry cheesecake cupcakes:: Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes ::

Well hello, friends! Happy 4th of July week! We have another heavenly cupcake recipe for you today… simply perfect for a celebration or date night at home! The cupcakes have a baked graham cracker crust, decadent vanilla cake with chunks of fresh strawberries, and an incredibly rich cream cheese frosting! Together, it creates the most divine Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes!  Enjoy!

strawberry cheesecake cupcakes Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes {Simply Happenstance}-3 Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes {Simply Happenstance}-14

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Berry Tequila Sparkler

Time to celebrate the 4th of July with this fun Berry Tequila Sparkler

 :: Berry Tequila Sparkler ::

I am so excited to officially say “cheers” to summer with this Berry Tequila Sparkler. If you haven’t caught on yet, while the rest of the country has been out on summer break for weeks, we just officially started today.  So why not celebrate with a bubbly drink mixed with tequila, champagne and Cran-Lemonade. Refreshing and delicious, this patriotic Berry Tequila Sparkler is the prefect bubbly drink for your July fourth festivities.

This year we will be celebrating here in our little community.  We are participating in an Independence Day Parade in the morning, and viewing fantastic fireworks in the evening.  In between we will enjoy some barbeque and a few dips that will go perfectly with this Berry Tequila Sparkler. [Read more…]