Easy Peach Cobbler

Fresh, local peaches are now in season here.  It was a gorgeous day outside on Friday so we headed out to a local orchard for some peach picking.  The kids had fun and we ended up with a half bushel of yummy peaches.  

Picking a perfect peach

That's a lot of peaches!

As soon as we got the peaches home, the kids started begging me to make their peaches into a peach pie.  Unfortunately, I'm not much of a baker and I know a homemade pie crust is way outside my skill set, so I set off to find an alternative that was more do-able for me.  I found THIS recipe on the Food Network site for an Easy Peach Cobbler ~ what a hit!!  It wasn't hard to make and we all thought it was delicious.

Right out of the oven

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• Pinch  of salt
• 1 cup milk
• 4 cups peeled, pitted and thinly sliced fresh peaches (5 to 6 medium peaches)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• Several dashes of ground cinnamon or ground nutmeg (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2.  Pour the melted butter into a 13" x 9" baking dish

3.  In a medium bowl, combine the flour, 1 cup of sugar,  baking powder, and salt and mix well. Stir in the milk, mixing until just combined. Pour the batter over the butter but do not stir them together.

4.  In a small saucepan, combine the peaches, lemon juice, and remaining cup of sugar and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Pour the peaches over the batter without stirring them together. Sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg if desired ( I used a little bit of cinnamon).

5.  Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top is golden-brown. Serve warm or cold.  (We loved it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!!)

We have a ton of peaches left, so we'll probably make this recipe again soon and try out a few other peach dishes too.

Sharing the peachy goodness at:



C.R.A.F.T. 
Running with Glitter 
Under the Table and Dreaming 
I heart Naptime 
Craft-O-Maniac 
Homemaker on a Dime 
 Making the World Cuter
Skip to My Lou 
The Girl Creative 
Sugar Bee Crafts 
Sugar and Dots 
Gluesticks
Somewhat Simple 
Tatertots and Jello 
 Be Different, Act Normal

Summer Fun Checklist Update

Back in June, we made up a Summer Fun Checklist with all sorts of fun activities and outings to fill our summer days.  Well, with only two weeks now until school starts back up again, I'm happy to say that we've been able to cross off quite a few things. 

Look at all the things we've crossed off our list (and many of the others we're doing soon):

• Go to the ZOO
• Swim in the POOL
• Hike to a WATERFALL
• Make GAK (recipe here)
• Do a SCIENCE EXPERIMENT (see it here)
  
• Play in the SPRINKLER (see it here)
• Go FISHING
• Have a SPONGEBALL FIGHT (directions here)
• Go BOWLING
• Bake COOKIES (easy recipe here)
• Go to the BUTTERFLY GARDEN (see our trip here)
  
• Jump off the DIVING BOARD
• Mail a LETTER
• Go to HERSHEY PARK
• Play with SIDEWALK PAINT (recipe here)
• Pick FRUIT (here)
• Go to the LIBRARY
• Make PLAY DOUGH (recipes here and here)
• Paddle a KAYAK
• Go to IKEA
• Make a CLUBHOUSE
• Go CAMPING
• Go to a SANDY BEACH
• Go on a HIKE
• Go to WASHINGTON, DC
• Try a NEW FOOD (from this cool cookbook)
  
• Go to THE COW (awesome local italian ice stand)
• Catch LIGHTNING BUGS (see our cool jar here)
  
• Play with BUBBLES ( see here, here and here)
• Go to the PLAYGROUND ( here or here)
• Do a 1,000 PIECE PUZZLE
• Have a SLEEPOVER
• Make ICE CREAM
• Go to CHUCK E. CHEESE
• Go to a BASEBALL GAME
• Play a BOARD GAME
• Go to a MOVIE THEATRE
• Have a LEMONADE STAND
• Go to DELAWARE
• Have a PICNIC
• Go NIGHT SWIMMING
• Go to PITTSBURGH
• Have a PLAYDATE
• Go see FIREWORKS
• Do a CRAFT PROJECT
• Make POPSICLES
• Eat BREAKFAST for DINNER
• Make S'MORES  

Just today, we were able to check off "Do a 1,000 PIECE PUZZLE".  I'd picked up  THIS United States of America puzzle  and it was the perfect "hard" puzzle for us to tackle.  It had so many fun images and details about the U.S., that we were able to look at the box cover and get a good idea where each piece would go.  My oldest daughter really enjoyed working on it with me (the other two helped a little bit) and it only took us a couple days.  We plan on using some puzzle saver glue on it, putting it in a frame and displaying it in the playroom.  

Hard at work

We did it!!

Sharing our Summer Fun at:



C.R.A.F.T. 
Craft-O-Maniac 
Making the World Cuter 
Delicate Construction
 Skip to My Lou
The Girl Creative 
Sugar Bee Crafts 
Today's Creative Blog 
Sugar and Dots 
Milk and Cuddles 
Gluesticks 
Somewhat Simple 
Happy Hour Projects 
Tatertots and Jello 
Be Different, Act Normal 
Lolly Jane

Butterflies at Brookside Gardens (Wheaton, MD)

For the past few years, the kids and I have made the short trek to Wheaton, MD (a suburb of Washington, DC) to visit Brookside Gardens.  The outdoor gardens are beautiful (and FREE!) with paths, fountains, gazebos, ponds and tons of great spots to snap a few photos.  There's a nature center, gift shop and cute children's garden with a little treehouse.  

However, the main reason we go back each year is to see the Wings of Fancy exhibit.  Hundreds (maybe even thousands) of butterflies fly freely inside an indoor conservatory.  The large room is filled with several trees and bushes and lots of colorful flowers.  There are many species of butterflies that will flutter all around you as they move from flower to flower.  Volunteers are on hand to point out facts about the butterflies and answer any questions.

I probably took 50 photos ~ there were tons of pretty butterflies!

There is a small fee ($6 for adults, $4 for kids 3 and older), but we think it's totally worth it for the neat experience.  Plus, you can reenter more than once on the same day.  We often check out the butterflies, wander around the gardens, then go back to see the butterflies again.  Strollers aren't allowed inside the exhibit, but it's not that big so it's easy to carry your little one or let them walk.  Also, when the temperatures outside are too high, the exhibit will close early ( We found that out the hard way last summer).  If you check their Facebook page, they will announce any changes.

If you're local, or planning a visit to the Washington DC area, I think it's definitely worth a visit!  If you're not local, see if there might be something similar nearby ~ it really is a cool experience.

Here are a few pictures from our recent trip:

Getting up close!

You were allowed to touch the butterflies at the volunteer's stand.

A butterfly landed on her dress!

They had some magnifying glasses for a better look.

The Children's Garden

A Gnome's Home!

In the treehouse

On a butterfly bench

A few shots of my cute kids!

(I really want to learn how to use my new camera 

so I can get the lighting and focus better) 

And, finally, some more butterflies!

The one on the bottom right was one of my favorite shots.

Brookside Gardens is part of the larger Wheaton Regional Park.  In the past, we just focused on the Butterfly Exhibit and surrounding gardens.  This year, we explored more of the Regional Park and discovered an awesome train and carousel.  Check out my post HERE for the fun we had there!

Five Fun Ideas for Colorful Projects

As we reach the midway point of the summer, our Summer Fun Party has grown to well over 100 links, with more being added all the time.  Check out all of the great activities, projects and recipes that have been shared ~ you're sure to find something that's perfect for you and your family.

Here are Five Fun Ideas for some Bright and Colorful projects that I can't wait to try!

1.  Sharpie Tie-Dye T-shirts 

{ Mom's Crafty Space }

I love the look of tie-dye, but I'm always leery about making a huge mess.

This cool technique with Sharpies helps give you a similar look, 

without the spilled bucket of dye!

 2. Melted Crayon Canvas

{ Naptime = Craft Time! }

How awesomely colorful is this rainbow canvas?

It would be such a cool piece of artwork for a playroom 

or a really neat teacher's gift.

3. Colorful Bangle Bracelets

{ Meijo's Joy }

Continuing with the colorful theme, aren't these bracelets pretty?

You'll never guess how they're made (but it doesn't look too hard).

4.  Fabric Art

{ Jellyfish Jelly }

So pretty, and what a fantastic way to use up your fabric scraps.

My girls would love doing this and *I* would love doing this too.

5. Fancy Flip Flops

{ Sun Scholars }

We wear our flip flops constantly here during the summer.

These cute, colorful and girly flower flip flops 

would make a great addition to our summer shoe collection!

Thanks, ladies, for sharing your great colorful projects!

Feel free to grab a featured button from my sidebar.

Don't forget to check our Summer Fun party for other great ideas.

New projects are being added all the time.

Change of Plans

Today our horrendous heat wave finally broke a little bit.  Instead of temps in the 100's,  it was only in the low 90's.  (seemed so cool, by comparison!)  Even though we had fun making the Hot Car Crayons the other day, we were definitely getting tired of having to stay indoors for most of our days because outside was so unbearable.

With the *slightly* more mild forecast today, I loaded the kids' bikes into the van for some bike riding fun.  My older two just mastered riding without training wheels this summer and my youngest just got a "new to her" bike last week.  They had fun riding the paths at our local regional park.  (For all my local Maryland readers, Meadowood Regional Park is awesome for beginning bike riders)

Riding on the one-mile paved path.

Her first "real" time bike-riding

They rode around the path several times, then we planned to go home, 

change into our swimsuits and go for a swim in the pool.  

However, as we crossed the little bridge back to the parking lot, 

we thought the little stream looked really inviting.

 

So,  we changed our plans! 

We thought we'd just walk down next to the stream, but before we knew it, we were all wading in the shallow water.   No water shoes, no bathing suits, just their sneakers and regular clothes!

As the photographer, I was standing 

in the middle of the stream too!

(at least I had on flip flops!)

 

Moments after this next photo was taken, 

they started screaming about seeing a "river lobster"! 

It was their first time seeing a crayfish 

and they loved looking for more of them.

Watch out for the "river lobsters"!

They even found a large hanging vine 

and took turns swinging on it!

Big sister!

Middle brother!

Little sister!

They ended up soaked, but it was 

such a fun change of plans and we loved it.

Cake & Ice Cream Sandwiches

When we made our yummy Cake Mix Waffles, I knew they'd be perfect for ice cream sandwiches.  We got the great taste combination of cake and ice cream, but because we made our "cake" in the waffle iron, we didn't have add any more heat to our summer day by turning on the oven.

They were so easy, I really don't even need to give directions, but here they are:

1.  Allow your cake mix waffles to cool on a baking rack, then put them on a cookie sheet in a single layers with waxed paper in between. Put them in the freezer to get a bit colder and a little more firm.

2.  Take out your ice cream and allow it to soften slightly so it's easily scoopable and spreadable.

3.  Scoop out some ice cream and spread it on your waffle, then add another waffle to make your sandwich.

Oops, forgot the picture of putting the top waffle on, but I know you can do it! ;)

4. Put your waffle sandwiches back in the freezer until ready to eat.

Hot Car Crayons

"Boy, was it hot out today"

"How hot was it?" (the crowd answers in a sing-song voice)

"It was sooo hot, that we were able to make these melted crayon molds... in our CAR!"

Can you believe it?  Like so many other parts of the nation, we're in the middle of an incredible heat wave.  Our temperatures today here in Maryland hit 103F with a heat index of 117F!!!  While I was trying to keep cool inside with the kids, I remembered THIS awesome idea for melted crayons at Our Forever House.  (I found it on Pinterest, where else?)  

Here's how we did it:

I set my kids to work peeling the wrappers off some crayons (the Crayola ones seem to work best for melting).  We broke the peeled crayons up and put similar colors together in this silicone mold.

I put the mold on a cookie sheet and took it out to our van.

I set the tray with the crayon mold on the dashboard, and we went back inside the house to wait.

We came out a few times to check on them...

After about 20 minutes

After about 40 minutes

After about an hour, they were all the way melted.  I actually had to use potholders to carry the tray back into the house.

Pretty cool, huh?

I put the mold in the fridge for a few minutes to speed up the cooling process, then popped our new crayons out.  (NOTE: There will still be wax residue on your mold, so you'll want to save it for crafts only from now on!  I usually use the dollar store ones for crayon molds, and save my "nicer" ones for food stuff.)

Check back soon to see what we do with them!

{ NOTE:  As fun as this little crayon project was, I think it makes it all too clear how incredibly hot the inside of a car can get on a Summer day.  Always make sure your children and pets are NEVER left alone in a car. }

Sharing this unique way to make new crayons at:
Sun Scholars 
It's Playtime 
Design Dazzle 
Nap Time Crafters 
 Smilemonsters
Tatertots and Jello 
The Mommy Club at Crystal and Company 
Be Different, Act Normal 
I heart Naptime 
The Girl Creative 
Creative Jewish Mom 
Craft-O-Maniac 
Homemaker on a Dime 
Beneath the Rowan Tree 
 Running with Glitter
C.R.A.F.T. 
Skip to My Lou 
Today's Creative Blog 
Someday Crafts 
Night Owl Crafting 
Gluesticks

Five Fun Ideas for Cool Summer Treats

One of our favorite things about Summer 

is beating the heat with yummy frozen treats.

Check out these awesome treats 

that were linked up to 

our Summer Fun Party

1.  Kool-Aid Slurpees

{ My World Made by Hand }

Don't these look great? 

(and so easy too!)

2.  Banana Ice Cream

{ Sleepytime Productions }

Ooh, a yummy cold treat that's healthy too?

Can't beat that.

( I've tried this before with just bananas and it was awesome,

I bet the addition of chocolate takes it up even another notch!)

3.  Ice Cream Mini Bites

{ This Chick Cooks }

Bite-sized treats are the perfect way to get a sweet bite,

without ruining your kids' appetite (or your girlish figure)

4.  Homemade Popsicles and Molds

{ Bugaboo, Mini Mr and Me }

What a cool idea!

I love the drip catcher.

5.  Melon Jello Boats

{ Greene Acres Hobby Farm }

Doesn't this look so fun?

What a fantastic way 

to add a little something extra to fresh fruit.



And, as a bonus, check out this great  idea 
to make holding a freezer pop a little more comfortable.

Freeze Pop Holder
{ Here Comes the Sun }