Red White & Blue

This is a little backwards because I'm starting this post with the way we ended our Independence Day. A few fireworks. You can see Bug's in the background with her hands over her ears. The ears stayed covered for most of the evening. She's a sensitive little mutton chop.

We did have a fun time though. Here's Bug trying on her 3-D glasses. Goofball. (And yes, she dressed herself again today. Weather has no place in a 3 year old's outfit plans).

Okay, now rewind to last Sunday. I had the kids all dressed in red, white & blue for church, so I got this marvelous idea to take some pictures of them out on the lawn after the service. Mind you, it was nap time and nearing mid-90 degree temperatures. Yes, marvelous. So I thought I'd just snap a few quickly. 'Quickly' means not paying any attention to the palm trees and lamp posts growing out of my children's heads. Spectacular! But it's a pretty cute photo if you can keep your eye on the 3 musketeers. See here? Things got nutty.

Then 95-degree mayhem ensued.

I decided to isolate each one from the pack to make it easier for me to boss each one around. You know how bad mob mentality can get. "Aw stop pullin' my leg!" When we got home and naps were done, I took even more pictures of the poor dears. They're going to be baffled when they learn their mother doesn't in fact have a black lens growing out of the front of her face.

I see a lovely little foot in this picture. And lovely deep blue eyes. And beautiful mercury-rising flushed cheeks Here's Curly: And another lovely foot. That poor bunny still has his birthday hat on.

Fast forward back to today. Here's what we had for dinner. A turnip puff. It's bizarre not to use propane on July 4th, but we had a plethora of turnips from our garden that needed a home in a nice little casserole like this.

This is a pretty little salad I love to make in the summer. It screams fresh. It's tomatoes, avocado, red onions, and granny smith apples all bathed in balsamic vinegar and olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper. Amazing combination that will delight your taste buds.

For dessert we had a 4th of July Trifle. It's layers of torn angel food cake, raspberry jello, fresh blueberries, raspberries and blueberry yogurt. I whipped some heavy whipping cream with sugar and vanilla for garnish, but by then we were all so busy anticipating devouring this that I didn't take any pictures. I did, however, get a video of this little fruit cake enjoying her dessert immensely.

I can't take all the credit for our dinner tonight. I had some help from a cute little joey. And, from the looks of this photo, from a girl after my own heart! Look at her going straight for the International Delight! Yes, if success is measured by how one's offspring take their coffee I, dear readers, have soared beyond any and all mothering expectations.

I have no idea what I just said. But this sure is a cute picture.

Look at this Lovey!

"Well, what do we have here?" she asked in utter delight, her whole body nearly vibrating with excitement at the prospect of tearing apart this new frontier.

"Let's see...how about a little sour cream."

"And then, I think I'll take some yogurt. Check that."

"Whaddja say? You want some tortillas?"

"Sure, I got that."

"Now for a little salad dressing."

"Oh. Margarita mix." "What do you want big brother?"

"I'll show you what they got. This fridge has everything!"

Happy 4th of July to all of you! Enjoy your refrigerators!