Simple Sangria Recipe

This Simple Sangria Recipe really is that simple. Perfect for end of summer parties and great for Game Day!:: Simple Sangria Recipe ::

This Simple Sangria Recipe has a fun story.  In September I will be celebrating my 11th wedding anniversary! My hubby and I got married at a winery.  We both love and enjoy wine. I learned how to make this Simple Sangria Recipe after we had a tasting at the winery in which we wed.  They had a band playing on a warm Sunday afternoon and large vats of Sangria on hand for those customers tasting wine.  It was delicious and it seemed fairly easy to make from what the wine employees had said. {Mind you I wrote down what I thought went in this Sangria on a napkin}.  A little of this and a little of that and a bunch of fruit that sits over night.  The perfect Sangria for Game Days when you are celebrating a good win with friends. [Read more…]

Peach and Blueberry Trifle

peach and blueberry trifle:: Peach and Blueberry Trifle ::

Summer fruit is truly my favorite! It’s hard to beat the taste of ripe peaches and sweet blueberries — nature’s candy! This simple dessert is a delicious way to incorporate seasonal fruit. The trifle comes together easily… in a few steps, and the result is not only delectable, but beautiful as well! The best part is that it isn’t a heavy dessert. Oh no! It quite the opposite — completely light and airy!

peach and blueberry trifle-10

Since I’m still getting settled in our new house, I’ve been creating dishes that are semi-homemade  {I still haven’t unpacked all of my kitchen boxes — must get on that}! A store bought angel food cake is perfectly acceptable for this recipe… unless of course you love making your own from scratch {kudos to you}!  [Read more…]

Energizing Smoothie Bowl

energizing smoothie bowl:: Energizing Smoothie Bowl ::

Hey friends! Let’s talk breakfast… I get stuck in a rut, all too often. How about you? I typically start my day with a protein shake. {Don’t get me wrong… I actually LOVE my morning shake, but sometimes I want a little change!} Since I have a moderate allergy to eggs, that eliminates the morning scramble.

Yesterday morning, Mr. Amazing and I switched it up by making this simple, yet delicious, Smoothie Bowl! It’s honestly the easiest and most versatile breakfast {or mid-day snack}! Just whip up your favorite smoothie… making it extra thick and creamy, and add a variety of your favorite healthy toppings!  [Read more…]

S’mores Malt

S'mores Malt:: S’mores Malt ::

Let’s squeeze a little more summer time fun in with this S’mores Malt! My kids are big fans of Ruby’s. Recently we had been walking around The Irvine Spectrum {one of our favorite places to go} when we were given a sample of their new S’mores Shake.  Mason begged to go to Ruby’s!  We tried the shake and I thought it was great, but Mason {my picky eater} said, “Let’s make these at home minus the coffee”… so, here is what we came up with {and by the way… I don’t think there was coffee in them in the first place}!

Delicious S'mores Malt [Read more…]

Coconut Margarita

Coconut Margarita. Easy to make and it screams vacation!:: Coconut Margarita ::

You put the lime in the coconut and drink this Coconut Margarita all up! Oh my! Though we did a family vacation last month, I am simply dreaming of escaping to a tropical island for a week with my husband.  Sorry, but no kids and lots of Coconut Margaritas! {Love the kids but it’s been a long 9 days.} An ocean breeze, palm trees, and quiet….lots of quiet is what I think these margaritas would go perfect with.  But since that’s not happening anytime soon, I will happily drink a Coconut Margarita and pretend! [Read more…]

Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches

 peanut butter banana ice cream sandwiches

:: Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches ::

Oh, how I’ve longed for an evening to sit down and write a post for Simply! The last few weeks have been consumed with our move… so I have been looking forward to a little creative down time!

Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches

Today, I decided the kids could use a special treat! They’ve been such troopers living amongst boxes the past week… and doing without their favorite belongings, which are currently sitting in our over-stuffed garage. I wanted to make them something completely delicious, but didn’t have an abundance of resources to work with {if only you could see the state of my kitchen}!

Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches-18

[Read more…]

Homemade Playdough

Easy to make jello scented homemade playdoh

:: Homemade Playdough ::

We love summer, but sometimes it can get a little busy.  How about some Homemade Playdough for those days when you spent a too much time in the sun! 

The kids and I have had our share of the pool and beach time.  In fact lately, I think I might have experienced a little too much sun.  Yes, I have been responsible reapplying the sunscreen but after dozens of loads of beach towels, I decided it might be a good time to stay inside during the rain and make some Homemade Playdough. [Read more…]

Sparkling Berry Float

Sparkling Berry Float

:: Sparkling Berry Float ::

We are beyond excited to be guest posting on one of our all-time favorite blogs today — Simple as That! Have you checked out Rebecca’s blog before? It’s filled with the most creative printables, DIY projects, craft ideas, photography tips, and recipes! We are sharing a delightfully cheerful summer drink… Sparkling Berry Floats! You won’t want to miss this one, friends! Cheers to a great summer! {xo} [Read more…]

Chipotle Cheese Dip

Easy Chipotle Cheese Dip

:: Chipotle Cheese Dip ::

We are smack dab in the middle of summer; let’s celebrate with this easy Chipotle Cheese Dip. Last week, my husband was invited to a poker night.  It was his first time playing with this group of fun guys from our daughter’s Indian Princess Group.  Though we were just coming back from vacation, I had to think of something quick and easy that he could take to the get together.  This simple Chipotle Cheese Dip is packed with flavor and heck, it’s made with cheese so what is there not to like about it. [Read more…]

Lemon Bar Smash

Lemon Bar Smash

:: Lemon Bar Smash ::

Sometimes life gives you lemons, and sometimes those lemons turn into lemon bars that don’t turn out! It’s why I turned this recipe into a Lemon Bar Smash and let’s just say, I am so glad for these lemons.

The pressure was building, the kids were fighting, and we needed to be out the door an hour ago.  It was time for a station visit so that we could see my husband at work.  If you know anything about firefighters, they like to eat! It’s an unspoken rule that when you visit the station, you need to bring a tasty treat.  My goal was to make a semi-homemade batch of lemon bars.  Much to my dismay….the speedy method did not turn out the way I wanted them to.  So in my panic state of mind and in between the he said she said tattle tales by the kids, I remembered everything tastes better topped with ice cream. [Read more…]