mama llama loves blueberry pie

Since we had the day off yesterday, I wanted to do something fun.   We ended up going berry picking at Larriland Farm.  It was certainly hot out there, but holy moly, was it worth it.  The blueberries were AMAZING.  Huge, blue berries ripe for picking (and a lot of eating!).   They just rolled right off the branches.  I can definitely see why strawberries and raspberries cost more at the store - they're a lot more work to get (and a lot more delicate).   We ended up with half a pint of red & purple raspberries that we kept for eating the rest of the week, and a pint of blueberries that we used to bake a pie.

The above picture shows our berry loot at checkout.  That whole thing cost us $4!!!  That's a STEAL! Larriland is a real farm, and they have some very friendly (and hungry) goats & llamas who like to eat corn husks.  Emma kept calling them "mama llamas".   :) 

The above picture was Em's idea - she wanted to pose like a "Grand Ole Flag".   :)   In addition to berries, we bought cantelope, fresh, unpasteurized honey, juicy zucchinis and peaches, and we also picked our own wildflowers and fresh basil which we used to make fresh pesto for dinner. 

After cooling off at the pool in the afternoon, we used our fresh blueberries to bake a 4th of July pie.  The design was all her idea. We had some homemade ice cream in the freezer to go with it.  It was SOOOO good!!

"princess" tiger lily

Someone...went to a super fun Peter Pan birthday party this weekend, and now someone...wants me to call her "princess" Tiger Lily morning, noon and night.

 

favorite things friday

Sooooo.... it's Friday.  Thank goodness.  It's been a long week, but I'm determined not to abandon my poor ole blog.  Truth is, I have post ideas all throughout the week, but I never seem to muster the energy or find the time.  I want to make a better point of remembering anything that made an impression on Emma, anything that made my life a little easier, or anything just makes me feel like writing.

I guess I've started a little Favorite Things Friday tradition, so I'll go with it.  This list is composed of my week's top favorite things:

1)  Paychecks!  Nuff said.  :)

2)  MoroccanOil Hair Treatment.  This stuff really is amazing.  I mean, yes, $16 for not-even-an-ounce-amazing.  I went with the small bottle to make sure I would even use it.  I have very fine hair, so most products end up weighing my hair down.  I don't really use anything except shampoo & conditioner, and the occasional flat iron.   First of all, I loooooove the smell.  I can't even describe it.  It's not quite 'exotic' because I'm not really an 'exotic smell' kinda person.  It's kinda flowery and feminine, but yet, a little sumthin' sumthin'.   I put it on right after the shower, and only on the ends.  It's made a world of difference in the health of my hair!  Go out and try some!

3)  Melissa & Doug's Super Heroine Costume.   Cute story:  Emma spotted this at the Children's Museum we went to in Florida over Easter, and became obsessed with it.  I told her we couldn't buy it, but that the Easter Bunny would be visiting us soon, and maybe it would come later.  I was just vetting to see if she really had her heart set on it, or if it was a fleeting desire.

Well, she talked about it non-stop for days.  Lucky for her, the Easter Bunny was VERY generous this year, and left her dollar bills inside some of her Easter eggs!  Long story short, it came in the mail a few days after we got back from her trip and she was beside herself with excitement.  She wore it to bed at night, she wore it to school the next day.  The cape, the mask, everything.  She even picked out the right pair of jeans to match the girl on the packaging (see below).  I can't possibly protest a little girl who wants to be a super heroine.  :)

 4) The Goodwill store - where scored a BigWheel for $5. Best $5 we've spent in a long time.  Emma calls it her "Big Wheeler" and she turns into a madman on this thing!  I'll never forget my Strawberry Shortcake Big Wheel, so I know she's buidling crazy memories right now. 

5) Instagram.  Because I'm not as good about shlepping my giant camera all over the place, most of my life documentation is happening in Instagram.  Follow me!  (I'm @twopopsicles)  Here's a smattering of what we've been up to lately: 

first time bowling! 

never a day goes by without some flower-pickin'

mini heirloom tomato bruschetta

 blackberry-lime infused water

airline travel  - it still amazes me

 

 

 

 

 

 

easter

Em and I got away for a quick weekend to visit Gammie & Poppa in Florida for Easter (coinciding for most of her spring break from school).  We had a great time, and the Easter Bunny managed to find us all the way in Stuart.   Here is little miss Easter Princess proudly displaying her goodies:

favorite things friday

Changes abound us here at Two Popsicles.  I have just completed my first full week of work.  I haven't worked full-time in 4.5 years and it's been a big adjustment for all of us.  I have a great job, with a great group of people, (I have my own office!) and I have a huge support network making it all possible.  In preparation (and to quell my own anxiety), we read a lot of this book:

We're still getting used to the early mornings, and the (necessary) evening rituals, but we'll find our rhythm eventually.  Like my friend Kate said, Trader Joe is a good cook.  Healthy, quick shortcuts are our friend.  Like bags of frozen vegetables that you pop in the microwave, hearty soups and nachos (with loads of beans!) for dinner.  I'm giving myself time and grace to find out what's worth my time and what's not. 
 
 So without further ado, here are my Friday Favorites:

 1.  My little friend, who has taken our recent transitions in stride.  She continues to amaze me with her sense of humor, unbelievable observations and resiliency.  She can now, rather smugly, recite the entire Pledge of Allegiance.  My favorite part?  "I pledge allegiance....to the flag....of the United Steaks of America.".   Thank you, Emma, for letting me be your mom.  You are boss. 

childhood imagination

she will FINALLY let me do something with her hair

it was a long day.  she fell asleep on my shoulder.  i didn't want to move.  ever.  or take off our matching 'rock star' stickers, courtesy of dad.  :)

being the over-achiever that she is, laying out her clothes for one day isn't enough.  it's 3 days or bust. she even offered (rather, insisted) on laying out MY clothes too.  :)  

 
2.  FiOS Remote App for the iPhone.  This guy is great!  I can schedule recordings on my DVR from my iPhone.  This way, I'll never miss an episode of Real Housewives of Orange County Face the Nation!   :)

 
3.  My office.  They sent me flowers on my first day! 
 

4.  My camera.  Because it allows me to participate in people's lives in a way I couldn't do otherwise. Congratuations Steph and Cliff!   

 

 

 

 5.  A beautiful vintage mason jar I found at a thrift store eons ago. It now houses my emergency candy stash at work.  And looks pretty doing it.

6.  Draw something App!  It's like Words with Friends married Pictionary.  I am totally loving it!  If you play, look me up:  "Erika_Berika"

7.   My Village.  Because they are amazing.  You know who you are.