Juice Box Puppets

Watermelon Sorbet

An incredibly refreshing icy dessert.

Watermelon Sorbet

Ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
6 cups watermelon chunks
2 tablespoons lime juice

Directions:
Combine sugar and water in a
medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, about 45 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour. Place watermelon and lime juice in a food processor; process until smooth. Set a sieve over a large bowl and press the puree through to remove tiny seeds. Whisk in the sugar syrup. Pour the watermelon mixture into a shallow metal pan and freeze until ice crystals form around the edges, about 30 minutes. Stir the ice crystals into the center of the pan and return to the freezer; repeat every 20 minutes until all the liquid is frozen. Serve immediately or transfer to a storage container and let harden in the freezer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Serve in chilled dishes.

Laundry Tip

Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Spicy Aioli

An appetizer too easy not to make: Roast quartered Brussels sprouts until they're charred and crispy and serve with a three-ingredient aioli. 

Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Spicy Aioli

Ingredients:
1 lb. Brussels sprouts, trimmed and quartered (halved if large)
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
1/2 c. mayonnaise
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
Clove of garlic, minced

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425°F. On a large baking sheet, toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Roast until crispy and seared, about 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, make aioli: In a small bowl mix together mayonnaise, lemon juice, minced garlic and cayenne pepper.

Serve Brussels sprouts on a platter with aioli.

Psalm 6:8

Sometimes it doesn’t take much to get us down, does it? An unkind remark from a friend, bad news from the auto mechanic, a financial setback, or a misbehaving child can put a cloud of gloom over everything, even on the sunniest day. You know you should be joyful, but everything seems to be against you, making simple tasks a struggle.

Next time you’re down, try looking up to God. He is sovereign; He loves you; He considers you special; He has a purpose for your trials.

Yes, life can seem unbearable at times. But don’t let it keep you down. Meditate on God’s goodness, talk to Him, and know that He hears you. That will give you strength to get up when you’re down.

Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. 

 -Psalm 6:8

Desert Sunrise

Creamy Ricotta Spaghetti Squash

Delicious as a meal or s side dish.

Creamy Ricotta Spaghetti Squash

Ingredients:
1 spaghetti squash
1 cup part skim ricotta cheese
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. lemon zest
2 tbsp. chopped basil or parsley
Salt and pepper

Directions:
Prepare the spaghetti squash in the oven or microwave. For oven, cut in half and remove seeds. Spray with cooking spray. Place face down on a baking sheet and roast for 40-50 minutes at 400° until tender. To microwave, pierce whole squash with knife or fork. Microwave for 12-14 minutes or until tender. Carefully cut open to remove the seeds. Scrape the squash out with a fork. While hot, stir in the ricotta, garlic powder, lemon zest, basil, salt to taste, and lots of black pepper.

Optional: sliced almonds or pine nuts

Wine Cork Succulent Planter Magnets

Creative way to reuse wine corks and add a little greenery in places.

Wine Cork Succulent Planter Magnets

 

Supplies:

Wine corks

Drill with size 5/16 bit

Wrench

Craft paint 

Paint brushes 

Blue painters tape 

Hot glue gun

Magnets

Soil

Small succulent pieces

Directions:

Drill cavities in the wine corks first with the bit big enough to drill a cavity without crumbling the edges of the cork. A 5/16-inch bit used here. Hold the wine cork with the wrench and drill a hole in the center of the cork. Be sure to only drill about three quarters of the way down the cork. Shake out any of the cork dust. Paint your corks and let the paint dry completely.

Use the hot glue gun to glue two to three magnets on the side of the cork. Let set well.

Add your succulent and soil and adhere to a magnetic surface.

Apple Nachos

Frozen Coin Tip

Alice Springs Chicken

Philippians 3:20-21

Do you sometimes wonder what heaven will be like? All of us do, I suppose. I confess, however, that the nearer I come to the end of earth’s journey the more often I indulge in “sanctified curiosity” about the home Jesus has promised to believers. What will be my reaction when I cross the river and enter into glory?

Our first glimpse of Jesus will dispel the dark shadow of death.

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
-Philippians 3:20-21

Blue Orchid

Creamy Cilantro Lime Slaw

This combines fresh ingredients and an tangy dressing to make an outstanding side dish. It also pairs well on a fish taco, slaw dog or a juicy pulled pork sandwich.

Creamy Cilantro Lime Slaw

Ingredients:
1 head purple cabbage, shredded
1 heaping teaspoon kosher salt
1 large handful cilantro, chopped
3-4 large scallions, thinly sliced
1 large jalapeno, minced
5.3 ounce container greek yogurt
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon lime zest
2 cloves garlic, minced
Sugar or honey to sweeten, if needed
Pepper to taste

Directions:
Shred your cabbage and place in a large strainer in the sink. Sprinkle the salt all over the cabbage and work it in with your hands. Allow to sit for at least 15min to allow the cabbage to get mildly limp. In a small bowl, combine yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, zest and garlic. In a large bowl, toss together cilantro, scallions, jalapeno, and salted cabbage. Cover with dressing and stir to combine.
Serve immediately or prepare up to one day in advance.

Ice Flowers

Sweet Lemonade Popcorn

This Popcorn recipe is the perfect combination of tart and sweet that makes you want to eat it while soaking up the sunshine.

Sweet Lemonade Popcorn

Ingredients:
6 cups prepared popcorn
1 package vanilla Almond Bark
1 box lemon Jell-O
Zest from 2 lemons
Juice of 1/2 a lemon

Directions:
Pour popcorn into a large bowl.
Melt Almond Bark according to package. Pour over popcorn and stir until evenly coated. Sprinkle lemon Jell-O over popcorn and stir until evenly coated. Add zest of two lemons and lemon juice and stir until just combined. Allow popcorn to set and enjoy.

Clean Tennis Shoes Tip

Avocado Crab Toast

Jeremiah 29:13

Everyone loves the anticipation of discovering new things, there is an indescribable thrill.

And, apparently God created us with a “normal” setting that causes us to enjoy the process of discovery, because finding something is often more exciting than having it. That is, after all, why we wrap presents.

God could have revealed all truth to all people at the very beginning of time, but He chose to reveal Himself gradually. Perhaps that’s because we value things more when we have to search and wait for them.

God is not playing a cruel game of hide-and-seek. He is allowing us to enjoy the process of discovering who He is and what He is up to in the universe.

So don’t be discouraged over what you don’t know about God. Be excited about unwrapping all there is yet to discover.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. -Jeremiah 29:13

Salty Dog

Fiesta Corn Dip

There’s nothing better than a cold dip to cool you off on a hot Summer day.

Fiesta Corn Dip

Ingredients:
3 11-oz. cans sweet corn with peppers
1 4-oz. can diced green chilies
1 bunch green onion, chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Directions:
Open and drain the juice off the canned corn. Then pour the corn and chilies into a medium bowl.
Add in the chopped green onions, stirring well to make sure everything is combined.

In a separate bowl, mix together the mayonnaise and sour cream. Once it is mixed, add it to the vegetable mixture and blend.

Finally, add in the cheese, mixing in a little bit at a time to make sure that you don’t end up with big clumps. Chill and serve.

DIY Cardboard Easel

DIY Cardboard Easel

Materials:

Large cardboard boxes 

(18″ x 18″ x 16″)

Duct tape

Sticky back velcro

Instructions:

Start by cutting down your box. Cut off the top and bottom flaps of your box (save for possible painting project in the future). Now cut down two of the four sides. You should now have two hinged pieces.

Cut a long piece of duct tape (about 26″). Tape the end to the bottom of the cardboard, then fold the tape over in half, taping it back on the other side of the cardboard. Cut a piece of sticky velcro and attach one to the duct tape and one to the cardboard. Tape a piece of paper to their easels and let the creativity begin.

Poop Emoji Cupcakes

Emojis are big hit right now and this easy and delicious cupcake will make everyone happy.

Poop Emoji Cupcakes 

Ingredients:
Cupcakes, prepared per box
Chocolate Frosting
Candy Eyes

Directions:
Bake cupcakes per box instructions and let cook. Put frosting into a piping bag and tip. I used a Wilton round 2A tip.  Apply the frosting to sit up in a little mound. (This takes practice.) Place eyes as soon as the frosting is on.

Perfect Sized Cupcake

Cucumber, Avocado and Feta Salad

1 John 2:16

Sometimes we experience spiritual setbacks because we are guilty of wrong thinking. We get caught up in worldly pride and self-centeredness. When this happens, we have some important spiritual work to do. We must repent, confessing our pride to God and asking for His forgiveness.\

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. -1 John 2:16

Lemon Candy Cocktail

Zucchini Ravioli

Great for a side dish, main course or a lunch!  Leftover would be perfect for a next day lunch, too. These were actually really easy to make and came together in less time than you’d think. 

Zucchini Ravioli

Ingredients:
4 medium zucchini
2 cups whole milk ricotta
½ c. grated parmesan, plus more for garnish
1 egg
Handful of chopped chives
2 Garlic cloves, minced
Salt and black pepper
1½ c. marinara sauce
½ c. shredded mozzarella

Directions:
Mix ricotta, parmesan, egg, chives, garlic, salt and pepper together, Set aside. Preheat oven 375°. Pour a bit of the sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 dish to prevent sticking. Slice the zucchini with a veggie peeler lengthwise. Pat dry to absorb extra moisture. Lay 2 slices vertical so they overlap and 2 across those. Scoop some of the cheese mix into the center and fold all ends into the center. Lie them seam side down in dish. Top with sauce and cheese.
Bake 25-30 minutes. Remove and sprinkle on more parmesan.

Homemade Watercolors

Cream Cheese Lemonade Pie

Laundry Cheat Sheet