Another Summer Weekend...

I had another fabulous weekend with my family at Albertson Reservoir.  The best part about it was that my sweet babies joined us this time...nothing is ever complete without them!!  Camping is one of my favorite parts about summer...I love relaxing and spending time with the people who mean the most to me.  The weather was absolutely amazing and the company was even better!!  Here are a few of my favorite moments...

Momma & Padre...

Safety First...

Darb and I...

Lanie in the mud...

Sweet Gibson...

Tater goin in...

Matt, Taylea and GeeGee...

Tales knee boarding...

More mud...

Just a few toys...

Tales riding into the reservoir...

A bit of a tubing wreck...

I'm so glad that we have another weekend planned...I can hardly wait!!  Sweet summer-

Thursday Thoughts-Week 30

Week 30 -Live the way you want to be remembered.

I think everyone wants to be remembered in a good way (or at least I hope so).  To accomplish this one must live the life that they want to be engraved in memory.   Every day of your life is a testament to who you are and how someone will remember you.  Being helpful, kind, considerate and trustworthy are just a few things I would like to be remembered for and everyday I need to be mindful of that.  Some days are easier then others but everyday is a new chance to show people who you are and how you want them to remember you.  Sweet memories-

Making Dinner Easy...

So thankfully I am over the funk and back to myself!!  My creative juices are flowing and I am ready to blog it up!!  I truly am in such a great place...I have two amazing and healthy children...a loving and supporting family...friends that are there for me and that I can count on...a boyfriend that makes me smile and I love spending time with...I am one lucky girl!!!  Life truly couldn't get much better...some days it is just harder to recognize then others. 

Today I am showing you a quick marinade for chicken...it is so simple and delicious.  The best part about it is that I have made enough to last for a few meals this week.  I love when I can cook once and have enough for later.

I used a package of Chicken Tenders that I bought on sale for $1.99 lb., for the marinade I combined 1 cup of Italian dressing, two cloves of chopped garlic and the zest and juice of 1/2 of a lemon...

Instead of chopping my garlic I use a press...it makes it such a quick job...

Pour the marinade over the chicken, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to overnight...

I barbecued them on medium high heat for about 3 minutes on each side.  The great thing about tenders is that cooking them goes very fast.  I also made a bowl out of foil for some tomatoes that I drizzled with olive oil, salt and pepper...

I couldn't resist...they are beautiful and ready to pick...

I served the chicken with a side salad of romaine lettuce and roasted tomatoes.  It was a light and perfect summer dinner...

Tune in later in the week to see what wonderful things I do with the leftover chicken.  Cooking dinner this week is going to be a breeze.  Sweet extra-

Coping...

The last week has been a little hard for me...in turn that means that my creativity is in the dirt!!  I have not been taking pictures, cooking, crafting or anything else creative and I hate when that happens!! So I have decided to cut myself a little slack...this week I will just be posting things that I feel like saying.  Good, bad or ugly that is just the way life goes sometimes...even though I don't like it at ALL!!  So on this Monday and after a long weekend I have decided this...

Some days, there comes a time when no matter what the questions is, the answer is ALWAYS wine!! Sweet answers-

Family Time...

My favorite way to spend the summer is in the water and with my family at Albertson Reservoir...well I am one lucky girl because that is just what I did a few weekends ago!  The time wasn't exactly complete because my Tater and Tales were with their Dad for the weekend and I admit that it is hard for me to share...but I know they had equally as much fun as I did. 

My parents were there, both of my sisters and their families (minus my brother-in-law who was golfing...as if that is more important...he he), my uncle Greg and his family, Darby, his sweet babies and I spent the weekend having a totally good time.  Here are some of my favorite shots from the weekend (I'm a few weeks behind...I know...remember I'm in a funk)...

Ryan cookin' it up...



Owen & Jamus...

Gavin eating breakfast (happy boy)...

Oh Grady...

Gibbe on the lookout...

Ge Ge & Bella going for a ride...

Gavin and Lanie hangin on the trampoline...

Sweet Harley lovin on Jessie...

The Breakfast Crew...

Bocce' Ball anyone??

My view...so amazing...

Official Potato peeler...Padre...

Such a wonderful time...so glad that we have plans to do it again soon!!  Sweet family-

Wednesday Thoughts-Week 28

First of all I just want to apologize to my fabulous readers for not posting in a while.  I guess you could say that I have been on a bit of a hiatus.  I am now on a women's slow pitch softball league, which seems to consume a ton of time...I've battled a massive migraine (and won...barely)...I've just been in a funk!!!  None of which are good excuses because you know what they say about those!  Who knew that being a single mom and dealing with your ex could be such an energy sucker!!!  I guess the morale to the story is that if you didn't have the same values when you were married then you won't when you are divorced...it literally makes my head and heart hurt just thinking about it!!  But enough complaining!!  You didn't log on here to listen to my life troubles (we ALL have enough of those) but thank you for letting me vent for a moment!!

Week 28-In the end we only regret the chances we didn't take, relationships we were afraid to have and decisions we waited too long to make!!

Tuesday Thoughts-Week 27

Week 27-Some people come in your life as blessings, others come in your life as lessons...

I believe that there is a reason for everything that happens...although sometimes the reasons are VERY hard to understand.  The same can be said for those who come into our lives.  We have those people who come into our lives and make it something better...the ones that you want to keep close to you and cherish forever.  Then there are others who come in your life and make it difficult.  It is those people that teach us the hard but necessary lessons in life.  They teach you who you want to be (and not be)...they make you appreciate those who surround you with love...they make you realize that not everyone is meant to be in your life forever.  Sweet lessons-