So Long Summer-Street Tacos

We managed to slip in a quick trip to So. Cal before school started up again.  There is nothing so wonderful as sun, sand and surf!  We experienced it all!

Growing up at our house my mom used to have Taco Night.  We all looked forward to taco night because we all loved our mom's tacos.  My sister, Carri has taken that recipe, added a little Southern California flair and come up with her version of Street Tacos!  

After a day at the beach Carri treated us to these savory, crunchy, Cali fresh tacos.

Carri's Street Tacos

1 doz corn tortillas

1 lb. seasoned meat (hamburger, chicken, fish)

vegetable oil (for frying)

shredded lettuce

shredded cheese

sour cream

tomatoes

avocados

salsa

Heat the oil in a deep frying pan till hot.  Spoon seasoned meat into tortilla shell.  Carefully lay one side of tortilla in hot oil till desired crisp, then flip to other side.  Make sure you are allowing the shell only in the oil.  Place on a paper towel plate to soak up some of the oil.  Continue this process until tortilla shells and meat are combined.

Let cool slightly, then add your favorite toppings.

(Carri seasons her fish with Teriyaki sauce)

So Long Summer!

Fill IT, Flap IT, then Roll IT--Girls Camp Roll

I just sent my youngest daughter off to a week long Girls Camp today.  She has been looking forward to this day for years.  She's watched several siblings leave and  then come back with great stories of adventures and fun.  And now it's her turn!  (Not sure how I feel about letting her go...)

I try and send something special with my kids when they leave me behind!  Maybe because I want them to remember me when they are having so much fun...without me.  I just send food with my son, and he's good with that.  My daughters...well I try and create something special for them.  

This year my mom (she's the seamstress) and I created this for Kate.  A Camp Roll.  A rolled up piece of fabric with slots for the necessities of camp living.

Start with a piece of fabric you like, or in my case fabric my daughter liked.  She didn't know she was picking out her own fabric because it was a secret.  We took a pattern from a makeup brush fabric roll I've had for years. It was perfect.  Make sure it's long enough to fold a flap for the slots.

Bind the sides with coordinating fabric (not necessary but nice if you know how).  

Flap it, fill it, then roll it.

Tie a pretty ribbon around it to keep secure.  We used the sewing machine to attach the ribbon for extra security...not necessary.

In one of the pouches I slipped a note from mom with suggestions for a great camp experience.  

Here are a few:

1. Obey with Exactness...we talk about that all the time don’t we.  If your leaders ask you to do something, do it.  They want you to have a great time too!

2. Pray...in your sleeping bag, in the shower and any other place you get a private moment.

3. Get the sleep you need.  Have fun but get a little sleep or you will find the next day kind of hard...hiking, swimming, eating, certifying, etc. can all be exhausting if you’re not getting a little sleep.

4. Remember to eat the healthy stuff too!

5. Be kind to others...even if they are not so kind to you...that includes the leaders.  They are working hard for you...and probably miss their families too.

6. Find special moments to think about your testimony of our Savior.  Listen to your devotionals...do you have devotionals?  Share some of your thoughts with close friends.  Help their testimonies grow as well.

7. Wear flip flops in the shower! 

8. Take the time to observe nature.  You will have many opportunities to see the Lord’s hand in your life as you look around...you will find calm and peace. 

Remember to fit in a few of their favorite treats to go along with the toothbrush, toothpaste and flashlight.

Whoooo... Loves Camp?  I hope Kate does!

Kate's Lemonade Stand OPEN For Business

My children are constantly looking for ways to earn a little cash.  They have big dreams of constant fun and wishes for new electronic gadgets.  My husband and I try hard to encourage "work hard, play hard."  Sometimes it PAYS off!  

Kate decided the only way she was going to earn the money she needed/wanted for all the summer camps she was looking to attend was to open her lemonade stand.  We live in an area with lots of great kids looking for places to hang out and have fun.    

The lemonade stand is open twice weekly throughout the summer months from 1-4PM.  Kate kicks back in a big lounge chair under her shade umbrella and reads a good book until customers start arriving.  I've noticed that after the first friend comes by many more start to join.  Sometimes we have a little crowd on the front lawn sipping lemonade and slushies.  

We have one young man that comes often for bags of cookies.

Kate has already learned a few lessons...one being that some of the profits have to replenish products that were previously sold out.  She was a little shocked by that business principle!

The lemonade stand was made from old wooden pallets (most often free of charge).  The stand can either be for small or taller children depending on the way you set the pallet.  Two fold-out boards hold the stand upright and stable.  A little paint and few spare pieces of wood you've got yourself an official summer business!

  

The customers have offered their opinions...

"This is reeeealy good!"  We aim to please!

Some friends have asked if they could sell their goodies at the lemonade stand.  Kate thought about it for a bit and then realized she could feature "Gracie's Homemade Cookies" and that would bring in more business...for a cut of the profit.  Kate is developing a little entrepreneurial spirit.  

Gotta love it.

Bring on the summer fun!

Celebrate Summer with a SWIG

What's a SWIG?  Well in the olden days we used to say, "Can I have a swig of your drink?"  Now-a-days we have a drive-by-drink shop called SWIG that allows us to choose slushies, smoothies and fountain drinks...with a twist.  

Check out their website.

(They also have DELICIOUS Frosted Sugar Cookies...like nothing you've tasted before!  They are actually 'frosted' because they keep them in the refrigerator until time to serve...nice, chewy, cold and refreshing)

We decided we wanted to give our teachers "A Swig" to start their summer celebrations.  This is what we came up with.

Jen found the sunglass-straw plastic glassware at Hobby Lobby.  Remember to bring your 40% off coupon.

We filled the glass with several (6 to 8) single serving size Crystal Light and other lemonade powder mixes.  Then added a SWIG gift card.

A fun SWIG Tag was created, hole punched the top, slid the straw through the hole and then tied a ribbon around the straw.  The sunglasses, the bright colors, the cool drink...just screams SUMMER!

Here is a jpg version of the SWIG tag. 

Also available in Jamba Juice fashion.

Print on glossy brochure paper (found at most office supplies stores).

I'm ready for a BIG SWIG right now!...and maybe a cool, refreshing sugar cookie.  

Great start to the summer.