Frozen dessert · summertime

Creamy Strawberry Banana Popsicles

When I was a child, I remember the delight of hearing the ice cream truck coming down our street, ringing its bell while playing carnival-like music. We occasionally were able to purchase a treat, but oh how fun when we did! Is summer really summer for a child without popsicles? Okay, it is, but there’s something special about a delicious frozen treat on a hot summer day! The ice cream truck isn’t needed for the treats I’m sharing today!

Homemade popsicles are so easy and are full of good ingredients. Last week my grandson came over for a visit. Wanting to make our time together special, I thought it would be fun for him to make these popsicles. I pulled up the recipe for these treats on Taste of Home’s site, and found that the five ingredients needed were all in my pantry and freezer. He often has to miss out on purchased treats because he is highly sensitive to food dyes, and many of the frozen varieties contain artificial colors. These are all natural ingredients and he was so excited both to make them and to eat them!

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Quick Bread

Greek Yogurt Zucchini Bread

My garden has started producing zucchini and that means one thing for sure – Zucchini Bread! I love to enjoy it for breakfast or a snack, but don’t want it to be filled with tons of sugar or butter. I found a recipe on Sally’s Baking Addiction that uses Greek Yogurt that is much lighter, and it was so fluffy and delicious!

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Home decor · Rest

The Blessing of Taking a Day of Rest

A couple years ago, when life was feeling very overwhelming, I began implementing a day that I call my Sabbath (Rest). It’s been on Friday’s because that’s the day that works best for my schedule. I sleep in as long as I’m able. I spend longer periods of time in God’s Word and prayer than on the other days of the week. That in itself makes this day so special!

I move slowly through the day and try not to do any heavy kind of work. I also try to schedule time with a friend for coffee or lunch. The fellowship of another believer is so refreshing. Last week I met a friend at Starbucks located in Barnes and Noble. The seating area is so quiet and a little secluded. That was also restful!

Let me take a side step and tell you about the delicious beverage I ordered, at my daughter’s recommendation.

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Appetizer · dessert · Fourth of July · salad · Side dish

My Favorite Fourth of July Recipes

Recently while I was having coffee with a friend, she asked if I had any recipes that I could suggest for her Fourth of July celebration. My mind went zooming to my blog recipes and came up with a list that I thought I’d share with you, too, just in case you need some ideas of what to serve at your barbecue this weekend! Loosen your belt and let’s go!!

If you need a little appetizer before the meal, these Cheese Straws are a good southern favorite! This Tex-Mex Black Bean Dip is a light appetizer that you can serve with whatever kind of tortilla chip you enjoy.

This S’mores Dip is so easy and delicious. It would make a great appetizer, but also a fantastic, quick dessert.

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Celebrations · Marriage

Backyard Anniversary Celebration

Our 45th anniversary was last Saturday. What a blessing to have this milestone to celebrate! We both consider our marriage a true grace gift from the Lord. Oh, how He kept each of us from foolish decisions that obviously would have changed the whole trajectory of our lives! I know that Dale is the one the Lord had for me. He completes me so well, making up for all my weakness, leading me spiritually and also helping to equip me to serve God. I am a blessed woman!

As we considered how we would celebrate, we knew we wanted a date night with just the two of us (which we thoroughly enjoyed on the 21st). I also suggested to my husband that we have a family dinner celebration on our back patio on the day of our anniversary. He was in agreement, so we planned together for a wonderful night.

A young woman in our church is a culinary arts major. Dale asked her to make two charcuterie boards for appetizers. He also had her make a celebration cake!

We had the dinner catered by Olive Garden and they did a fantastic job! Everything was provided for the meal, including serving utensils, tea and even Andes mints!

Their salad and breadsticks
were so good!
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