Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July to everyone! I hope many of you are enjoying the weekend.family time and celebrations.

I created an Independence Day themed layout today for the July Magistical Memories contest, and it fits in with a few MB challenges as well. You can check it out here - look how young Kyle is!

I have to share some fireworks photos with my new camera. Next time I do need to remember to get out the manual and look up fireworks recommendations. I am pretty sure there was a white balance setting I could have changed, but these are not too bad.



Next, I want to show you a picture Abby drew of a rabbit. Dont you just love its Cosmo Cricket Early Bird ears? That girl has so much fun with my scraps. (LOL)

Jesse and I hiked the Table Bluff segment of the Ice Age Trail in what became a drizzling Saturday morning. I had never seen a flower as bright blue as this before - similar to Queen Anne's lace. Anyone recognize it?

Lastly, our fondue pot arrived Friday. We were all psyched to have our first family fondue party Saturday night. Who knew dinner could last for 2.5 hours! (LOL) We cooked pork and vegetables in a boullion/peanut oil broth I put together by combining a couple of recipes that came in the manual. Kyle surprised me by saying, "We may as well talk since we have nothing else to do while the meat cooks." Well, there we go! Is a fondue pot the answer to the button lipped pre-teen not very chatty syndrome?

Abby stayed with us as long as she could, but we excused her while the rest of us finished cooking/eating. After the main course we had chocolate fondue and dipped in bananas (everyone's determined favorite), marshmallows, Bing cherries and strawberries. YUM! The chocolate was heavy, however, so no one could eat much. I probably need to find a different recipe, or maybe I shouldn't alter the one given. (LOL) It called for all semi-sweet baking chocolate, but I substituted half of it with dark chocolate (always going for the anti-oxidants!). (LOL)

We had a great family weekend. We enjoyed our freedoms. FREEDOM. Remember that it always comes with a price. We are grateful for all those who have sacrificed their lives for their country, and the freedoms we too often take for granted. Thank you to all military personal and their families - may God bless you and keep you safe.

Don't forget I am hosting a giveaway through July 15th. All you need to do is read the post below, leave a comment with the URL for this blog somewhere, and share your link in the thread for a chance to win my Summer Fun mini album made with Cosmo Cricket Snorkel.