Ranch Pasta Salad

It may only be February, but I am dreaming of sunny days full of hot hot sunshine. Anyone else?

Winter hasn't been near as bad as past years, but I will take the heat over cold any day of the week. And because our summers fly by, I am making plans already to fill my days with lounging at the lake, relaxing in the back yard with a cold drink and lots and lots of play dates with kids screaming with laughter as they slide down the slip n slide.

One thing we do a couple times a year is have back yard bbq's with our family and friends. And I am always looking for the perfect BBQ food! Pasta salads are always a must and this BBQ Ranch Pasta Salad is definitely a favorite.

Originally I found a recipe for BBQ Ranch Pasta Salad over on Spicy Southern Kitchen, but after I couldn't find the same dressing I had to change things up a bit.



And because I had never had the original dressing, I wasn't missing out! This dressing was delicious!!



It really couldn't have been easier to make! Which are another favorite things of mine! Quick and easy pasta salads are awesome!!



This is all of the ingredients mixed together except for the pasta and corn chips.

• 16 oz pasta, cooked per package direction - I used elbow and sprial because that is what I had!


• 1 cup of Southwestern Ranch Dressing


• ⅓ cup sour cream


• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained


• 1 cup canned corn, drained


• ½ red bell pepper, diced


• ½ small red onion, finely diced


• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese


• 1 cup corn chips

1. Place cooked pasta in a large bowl.


2. Stir together dressing and sour cream and pour over pasta. Mix together


3. Add all remaining ingredients, except corn chips, and stir to combine.


4. Refrigerate until ready to serve and sprinkle corn chips on top just before serving.

I wish I had gotten a better picture of this when I originally made it! Because this picture doesn't really do it justice!  Maybe next time!

What is your go-to pasta salad?

Redneck BBQ

A while back we were sitting around with friends, talking about the summer months ahead and somehow we got on the subject of a Redneck BBQ. Travis and I had talked about how fun something like that might be, so when we were talking with friends we decided we needed to do it!

I headed to Pinterest and did some google searching and found tons of fun ideas. I took ideas from several invitations and made one of our own to fit what we were looking for.  How fun is this invite??



We wanted to make a fun photo booth but was struggling on what exactly I wanted. I thought about making a "mugshot" back ground so people could each hold their own sign for why they went to jail. We also thought about using a piece of plywood and stringing up tin cans, etc. But ultimately just decided to use a backdrop that looks like wood and make some fun signs. Cardboard signs and sharpies make everything a little more redneck.



No redneck party would be complete without "Redneck Win Chimes" and a "Redneck Dream Catcher"



Games really keep a party going so I made "drinko" which is a fun drinking game. Who doesn't want to Take a Shot or Give a Shot? I also did a Ping Pong toss, an antler ring toss (not shown but we did attach actual antlers to the side of our house and threw rings at them) and a toilet paper toss (also not shown but we used a toilet seat that was attached to a metal bar and we tossed toilet paper rolls  into it.)



When we first decided to do a Redneck BBQ we started talking about what we were going to wear. I immediately knew I wanted to have a "pregnant belly", cans in my hair, a black eye and a fake cigarette. I also wanted to get a fake ankle monitor but they were $20 on amazon and I didn't want to spend that much on it!

We found Travis' wig right away and knew he was going to do cut off shorts, an armband tattoo and another tattoo with names crossed out, but the shirt was a late edition the week before the party. We just had a do it! Thanks Pinterest for that one!



We really weren't sure if our friends were going to dress up, or to what extent, but when they started showing up at our house it confirmed why these people are our friends!

These three ladies here with me are some of the best of the best. And this picture makes me laugh every time I see it.



Almost everyone dressed up! And it was 95 degrees that day so we were all on fire. That belly I was wearing was a heat magnet!! And my beer can rollers weren't staying in after a while so I finally had to just take them out!



How awesome does my husband look!?! I can't stop laughing over his look!



When my friend and her husband showed up we couldn't believe it. Travis and DJ had never met, but they dressed almost identical! We told no one what we were wearing so it was awesome that they were twinning. Right down to the same wig, cutoff shorts, arm band tattoo and a tattoo with names crossed off. One of the funniest parts was that on their name tattoo, DJ had the name "Daisy" crossed off and Travis had Daisy as his uncrossed off name!



It was such a fun day! Even though it was so darn hot we all had a great time!





Everyone voted on the King and Queen of trash. And Dalton and Faith won! Dalton won a "weener kleaner" and a back scratcher made with beer bottle tops. and Faith won dual back scratchers!



I think everyone had a pretty great time! We eat a ridiculous amount of food, ate twinkies, ding dongs and zingers for dessert, drank Coors light, margaritas and juice for the kids, of course! And visited and played antler ring toss late into the night.  It was a party for the books!

10 Ways to get Mom Time during the Summer

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.  #CraftYourCool #CollectiveBias

School is out, kids are home and your "mom time" just went out the door. Am I right?

Today I put together 10 Ways to get Mom Time during the Summer. I'll be sharing everything from my Starbucks® Bottled Dulce de Leche Frappuccino® Coffee Drink 13.7 oz Single Serve item only (not available in 4-pack) to Bubble Baths. 
I'


I think sometimes people have a preconceived notion that because I am a stay at home mom it means I have all the down time in the world. I recently have a friend say to me, "I'd love a month of not doing anything." when I said I was looking forward to summertime.  Now don't get me wrong, there is plenty of time for sun bathing and binge watching my favorite shows, but I am running to swim lessons, play dates, sports and mall drop offs.



So having mom time has to be carved in just like the kid's events. And that is why I wanted to share a little of what I am doing to share a little of what I am doing to still get some time to myself.

1. Wake up Early
   Getting up early isn't something I love to do. I consider myself an early bird but that is still 7 am. And getting up before my kids rarely happens. So I like to grab some coffee and head out to the back deck and enjoy a little bit of quiet before we start out day.


2. Go for a Walk
   In one way I am pretty spoiled. With Zach being 15 now he has become a pretty reliable babysitting source. So it doesn't take much for me to grab my shoes and head out on a walk. Which leads me to my next one....


3. Go to an exercise class.
   Maybe you don't have a built in teenage babysitter, but even if you don't, recruit a friend to watch the kids for an hour so you can hit the elliptical or do some Zumba.  Still not workable? Grab an exercise DVD and hide in your room to do it!


4. Get yourself an Adult Coloring Book.
   I won't lie, I am not a good colorer. I don't stay in the lines well. But I was surprised at how relaxing is was. You could even print off some pages from online and enjoy the time.
   


5. Read a book or magazine.
   I've always been a reader. I got that from my mom and ever since I was a kid, reading is something I have done a lot of. This year is the first year I have actually set a goal for myself, which was 30 books. And so far I have done pretty well, despite an couple of them dragging on and on.


6. Relax in the sunshine.
   Nothing makes me happier than a beautiful day full of sunshine. And taking my current book and a blanket out to relax in the sun is one of my all time favorite things to do.
   


7. Put on your favorite music.
   Lounging in the sun, hanging out at the river.... it all goes hand in hand with music. Turn it up and belt out those tunes.


8. Spa Day.
   To me a spa day doesn't have to mean some expensive, fancy place. For me it means relaxing, getting my nails done, toes painted, a facial... All things I can do in the comfort of my own home.
   


9. Bubble Bath.
   I am not really a bath person. Maybe because growing up we never had a bath tub, only a shower. But every so often a bath just sounds so nice and relaxing. And it is always accompanied by my current book.


10. Schedule some girl time.
    Grab your bestie and hit up a current chick flick, or have a coffee date. When it comes to you and your best friend I'm sure it doesn't take a lot to have a fun and relaxing time. It is great to have play dates and all but don't forget adult time too!
    

One sure way for me to relax is to grab a nice cold drink and sit back for a few minutes. Luckily I can get the new Starbucks® Bottled Dulce de Leche Frappuccino® Coffee Drinks at Walmart and they are the perfect size. These single serve drinks are perfect for our on the go nature, ready for me to drink right from the bottle with the pop of a cap and come in other flavors.



Also if you Buy 3 Ready to Drink products get 35 stars, which if you are a Starbucks Rewards member you know how fast those stars can add up and that makes for more Mom Time!

What are your favorite ways to sneak in Mom Time during the Summer when your kids are home?

DIY Bird Feeder

Every Spring I say I am going to have the kids help me make bird feeders. Every. Single. Year.

But this year, I actually did it. Quick, easy, and surprisingly, not even messy DIY Bird Feeders.



All you need is 4 items.

Bird Seed
Peanut Butter or Almond Butter
String
Toilet Paper roll



First, I put the string through and tied a knot in it.

Use a spoon or plastic knife and spread on the peanut butter. You don't want it to be too thin because you need something for the seeds to stick to.







Then set your toilet paper roll on the plate of seeds and roll





The kids LOVED rolling in the bird seed. Except Zach. But he is 14 and wasn't super excited to do the project with us! Darn teenagers!







These bird feeders are really that easy! Then we went out to our backyard and hung them on a tree, ready for little birdies to come have a snack on their new bird feeder!

Mommy's Summer Bucket List

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SummerSunCare #CollectiveBias

Summer is here! Today my oldest son is finishing his last day of Middle School... Yeah, I can't believe it either!

In a few short months I am going to have a High Schooler, a Kindergartner and a Preschooler. Instead of crying my eyes out now, because I know I will be doing plenty of that in September, I am just going to make the most of this summer and the beautiful weather that is upon us.

If you have followed my blog for any amount of time you know that every year I make a Summer Bucket List of things that the kids and I are going to do. And while I do have a list of things for us to do this summer, right now I am allowing myself to focus on just that. Myself.

I decided to make a Mommy's Summer Bucket List this year! I have all sorts of things that I would like to do and while some of them include my kids, a few of them don't! Us moms need a day off too every once in a while! So I headed to Target to get a few must haves to pack in my Summer tote.



One of the most important things when it comes to the Summer and being outside is Sun Screen. So the first things I grabbed were the New Hawaiian Tropic® Silk Hydration Weightless Lotion Sunscreen Pump and also Hawaiian Tropic® Silk Hydration Face Lotion.

I picked these for several reasons like the amazing smell, because it is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation to protect against the sun’s harmful rays, and you really get to experience weightless indulgence. It is a protection you will barely feel and has hydrating ribbons for 12-hour moisturization.


A couple of other things I always have around are my mesh tote bag, a beach towel, books, a blanket, and snacks. Lots and lots of snacks!

I have a huge list of books on my Kindle that I want to read, but after discovery the Little Free Library's in my neighborhood I have several books that I am ready to sit down and read on my new cozy picnic blanket!



Finally, I want to share my Summer Bucket List and show you how you can make your very own!

So start with your favorite photo editing software. If you don't have one, just search for a free one and several will come up.

The one I use has a curious George type animal so head there and click "Design" and then select your size.



If you want a color back ground select "canvas color" then pick your color. Or you can just make it white.


Add a banner of some sort by selecting "banner". This one I used is a font that I have downloaded.


Add your Title by selecting your font and whatever you'd like for it to say. I chose one font for "Mommy's" and a second font for "Summer Bucket List".


Then I added the numbers using the same font.


Then again with the same font I added my list.


Lastly, I added a fun flourish at the bottom of my list.


Then save it, and Voila! You just made your very own Summer Bucket List



Make sure to stop by and check out more from Hawaiian Tropic on Facebook and Instagram!

What is at the top of your Summer Bucket List?

Tyler and Summer's Carnival Party

With Summer's birthday in the middle of September and Tyler's birthday in the middle of October, it is so fun to combine them (while they are little and don't care!) and make one big birthday party! This year I did a carnival party and had all sorts of games and carnival style food!



I made frosting to put on top of the cupcakes and cake and while it was supposed to be red, and look like a ticket, I'm lacking the cake decorating gene so we opted more for a pink box. Hey, it works, right?



We had lots of games to play! We did a bean bag toss, pop a balloon, ball throw and ring toss. Each adding a fun little token to the kid's goodie bags!







And we have to have face painting! Luckily one of my friends jumped right in to help me out and she made some awesome animals! Tyler loved his shark!



For food we had Hot dogs wrapped in foil, corn on a stick, churro tots, caramel corn, lots of fruits and veggies, little smokies, and of course, cotton candy!











And what is a party these days without a photo booth?







It was a carnival for the books and the kids had a ton of fun with their family and friends and even got some cool new toys!







Because there can't be a carnival without cotton candy!





Thank you to everyone who came and made this day so special for my munchkins!