Red White and Blueberry Cupcakes

Red White and Blueberry Cupcakes. A fun festive dessert for the 4th of July.

:: Red, White, and Blueberry Cupcakes ::

It’s officially summer! These Red, White, and Blueberry Cupcakes scream 4th of July! With our easy Whipped Cream Frosting, blueberries, shortbread, and raspberry topping, these patriotic treats are a great way to end your summer barbecues!  It’s crazy to think how quickly this year has flown by.  What is even crazier, is as I blog this post, we aren’t even out of school yet. Tomorrow is the last day of 1st grade for my son, and Wednesday is the last of preschool for Madeline.  I actually think at this moment, I should be doing a post about a celebratory drink that is being enjoyed over a few little tears.  I can’t believe my baby will be in kindergarten next year, and my oldest in second grade.  Though they are almost taller than me, I still think of them as little babies.  Okay, enough about that…..let’s get ready to rock 4th of July next week, with these Red White and Blueberry Cupcakes! [Read more…]

Weekend Lovelies

weekend lovelies

:: Weekend Lovelies ::

Hello, friends! I hope that you all have had a fantastic week! What do you have going on this weekend?

So, our family just returned from a trip to Arizona to visit close friends and family! We truly had the BEST vacation! One of the highlights was visiting the Phoenix Children’s Museum {pictured above}. We had been there just once before… four years ago. It was just as fun the second time around! I highly recommend going, if you’re in the area! In fact, we always research children’s museums whenever we are in a new city! It’s such a great way to explore, in a kid-friendly way, when you’re traveling this summer!  [Read more…]

Peach and Toasted Pecan Ice Cream

peach and toasted pecan ice cream:: Peach and Toasted Pecan Ice Cream ::

I recently sat down and reminisced about my favorite 4th of July celebrations over the years. They were spent at my Aunt Jean’s house in Fullerton. She had the most beautiful Spanish style house, with a big backyard, and dreamy swimming pool. She invited everyone!  Her yard was always packed full of close friends and family. After dark… we would crowd the usually quiet street in front of her house {which was situated on a hill}, and watch the local firework show. 

Looking back, I have the fondest… most cherished memories of the 4th of July because of my sweet Aunt Jean and the wonderful annual gathering she created! The conversation was always delightful, the pool nice and cool, and the food… absolutely scrumptious! Of course, the homemade ice cream {that seemed to take forever to churn by hand}, was always my favorite!

peach and toasted pecan ice cream

Fresh peach ice cream seemed to be a tradition at her 4th of July celebrations, which is why I decided to make my own version to share with my family! I’m hoping to carry-on the lovely homemade ice cream tradition to celebrate Independence Day this year… and in the many years to come!

peach and toasted pecan ice cream [Read more…]

Strawberry Lemonade Fizz

Strawberry Lemondade Fizz {simplyhappenstance.com} #strawberries #lemonade #partydrinks :: Strawberry Lemonade Fizz ::

Who doesn’t love a good fruity summer drink… especially on a hot day? My kids really look forward to the occasional Shirley Temple! This drink is just as tasty… but way more fun! You see, there’s a secret ingredient making it one the kids will love and remember! It’s the perfect celebratory beverage… whether you’re toasting a birthday, or enjoying a holiday like the 4th of July!

strawberry lemonade fizz

So… have you guessed the secret ingredient? That’s right! Pop Rocks candy! It adds an extra bit of sweetness, and lots of pops and sizzles as the kids take sips! Pop Rocks added to the rim of each glass gives the drink some extra pizazz! [Read more…]

Weekend Lovelies

The Best advice from Glitter Inc.

:: Weekend Lovelies ::

Welcome to a much needed edition of Weekend Lovelies! Wow I don’t know about you, but I simply can not add one more to-do to the ongoing list of life.  Are we all on the same page with the end of the school year near? I feel like life seems to pack it all in at the end.  I am trying to have a little faith like the above noted lovely piece of advice from Glitter Inc.  I will have faith, and if not I will find a way to celebrate life and another year of health and happiness with my upcoming birthday! I will make it to next Saturday! Sara and I are excited to take in these life moments and all it’s celebrations next week.  Sara will be celebrating Seth’s 8th birthday, a much needed family trip, and Father’s Day.  I will be busy enjoying (I think) school field trips, a recital, my birthday, and Father’s Day. That being said we will be taking the week off from Simply.  We hope you all stay tuned and catch up on some of our posts you may have missed along the way.  We will be returning after next week.  Here were some of our posts from this week: Cheesy Tamale Pie and Mason Jar Succulents.  We hope you all take in these last school moments and enjoy the weekend.  Summer we can’t wait for you to greet us!

  1. Entertaining and hilarious, this epic drum off between Will Ferrell and Chad Smith is one to watch.
  2. Oh my I can’t imagine this day, The Words Get Stuck. Thanks Mamawolfe for your life lessons. 
  3. I must have the girls over to celebrate summer with a Margarita Bar. How fun would this be?
  4. The kids will be snacking their way through summer. Let’s be prepared with these refreshing Kool Aid Ice Cubes.
  5. Nothing is better than a homemade card. Creative Father’s Day Cards for Kids to Make. You are one in a minion Dad!
  6. It’s time for the kids to have a few more chores added to their lists. Free Printable Chore Charts. Mama needs help.
  7. Birthdays and balloons go together like cake and frosting. These Marbled Balloons are gorgeous!
  8. I need to represent my M&M’s with these stamped necklaces. Birthday wish for sure.
  9. Holy cow, Strawberry Shortcake S’mores….oh my!
  10. I think these Lemonade Mimosas with Blood Orange are the perfect celebratory drink. Cheers!

 

Mason Jar Succulents

Easy Do It Yourself Mason Jar Succulents. Perfect for end of the school year gifts for teachers.

:: Mason Jar Succulents ::

Raise your hand if you’ve entered your last few weeks of school? Let’s save you some time, money, and the need to figure out your end of the year gift with these easy and cute Mason Jar Succulents!  These little pots of love are inexpensive, simple to make, and best of all… they don’t require a green thumb to keep alive.  Better than flowers and chocolates, your teachers or friends will love this gift!

Easy mason jar succulents.

I don’t know about you, but the list gets longer by the day filled with upcoming June birthdays and thank you gifts.  I planted the above potted succulents a couple years ago.  They started off as a small arrangement.  I have cut and replanted some of these succulents over time into pots in both my yard and house. When thinking about ways in which to thank and gift the special people on my to-give list, I figured why not create a cute succulent gift? Using inexpensive mason jars, mod podge, and succulents, this gift is a cinch.

[Read more…]