Our Summer Bucket List

Summer is here and we are in full vacation mode! Having the kids and my husband home for 3 months leaves us a lot of time for fun and games; adventures and experiences and making a lot of memories!

This year we have a bucket list that involves something for all 4 of us! I can't wait to share these summer goals with you and hear what your family is going to get into this summer!

1) Camping

We took our first family camping trip last year. Somehow we had never done this with the kids, despite the reality that Adam and I were camping a ton before they were born. We are going to spend a few nights in the woods of the Hocking Hills, and a few nights by the Mohican River in Loudonville Ohio. We knew camping was a great goal because we can take our dog along with us, and he LOVES to go along on an adventure anytime!

2) Speaking of Dogs

We recently lost one of our dogs after an very brief illness. While the pain is still fresh, my heart won't allow me to stop loving dogs. Before the end of the summer we are going to adopt a shelter dog in honor of our beloved Fritzy. We couldn't save him, but in his memory we can give a dog another chance at a happy life with a loving family.

3) Make Life Better

My husband and I are going to donate blood together, to save a few lives and set a good example to our kids about ways you can make a difference in your community. My husband will volunteer at the food bank and the kids and I will be out picking up trash in our neighborhood when we walk our dog. We are also collecting purses, socks and puzzles to donate to an assisted living facility. When life is better for the people in our community, life feels better in our own home.

4) Go to the Casino Without the Kids

We need a night out, just the two of us, and I feel lucky! Adam and I think getting dressed up, going out to dinner and playing some slot machines sounds like a perfect kid free way to reconnect with each other! If you could use a date night without the kids check out https://www.spinit.com/en-eu/online-slots to get your game on!

5) Get Wet

Lake Erie is just a short drive away, and a couple of days on the lake would erase all tension and stress that adult life often has as. My son and I have always loved taking short trips to Kelley's Island and this year we are going to take the rest of the family along on our adventure. 

What is on your bucket list this year? I would love to hear about your summer adventures and plans in a comment! 

7 Sensational Slow Cooker Recipes

Guess what my favorite small appliance is?... Yep, my Crock-Pot! I am always looking for great recipes for my crock-pot, and I found 7 that I think you are going to love!

Crockpot Lemon Rice Soup from Simplee Thrifty

No Boil Crock Pot Baked Ziti from Thrifty Jinx

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore  from Deb CB

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff from Simply Stacie

Hearty Crock Pot Beef Stew from Raking in the Savings

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese from Snappy Gourmet

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches from Chaos is Bliss

Which one do you think you will try first?

Fresh Blueberry Napoleons

If you need a yummy dessert to take to your 4th of July festivities you won't want to miss this recipe for Fresh Blueberry Napoleons. Imagine something fruity, sweet and rich that will leave your loved ones talking about your amazing baking skills... 

Ingredients

• 6 slices firm white sandwich bread, crusts removed
• 1 teaspoon butter, softened
• ¼ teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole or part-skim milk or cottage cheese)
• ¼ cup mascarpone or cream cheese
• ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tablespoons apricot preserves
• 1 cup blueberries

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. With a rolling pin, roll bread slices very thin
3. Cut each slice in half lengthwise
4. Lightly butter bread on one side
5. Arrange on baking sheet
6. Sprinkle wtih sugar
7. Bake until crisp and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes
8. Cool to room temperature (If making ahead, wrap tightly store at room temperature)
9. In medium bowl, with electric mixer, beat ricotta, mascarpone, confectioners’ sugar, and preserves until smooth
10. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use
11. Just before serving, place 8 toasts on work surface
12. Spread cheese filling on toasts, dividing evenly
13. Dot with berries
14. Stack 4 of the prepared toasts on remaining prepared toasts
15. Top each with a plain toast
16. Press gently to secure
17. Place each on a serving plate
18. If desired, sift confectioners’ sugar over Napoleons
19. Serve immediately

Thanks to my friends at the Blueberry Council for sharing this recipe.

Fruttata Banana Pancakes

My son Roo is on a kick where he will eat nothing but pancakes. Seriously. Nothing but pancakes! So when my pals at Fruttata sent me this recipe I knew we had to try it to bring a little something to the daily pancakes that my son insists on eating.

I loved that I could add something nutritious to his favorite food and jazz them up a little. He was not thrilled with the idea of bananas being added in, but when he realized I wasn't making a second batch of plain ones he ate them. 

Fruttata Banana Pancakes

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups flour
• 3.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 egg
• 1.25 cups milk
• cooking spray
• .36 oz bag of Fruttata Banana crisps freeze dried fruit

Directions

• Sift together flour, baking powder and sugar in a large bowl.
• Whisk in melted butter, egg, and milk until combined. Let batter rest 5 minutes.
• Preheat large skillet over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray.
• Pour batter into skillet, 1/4 cup of batter each pancake.
• Cook 2-3 minutes.
•  Flip and add contents of dried fruit bag chopped into smaller desired pieces.
• Cook until golden, about 1-2 minutes

Do you have a favorite fruit pancake recipe? I would love to hear about it.

Savory Blueberry Pizza

I love pizza... but pizza with blueberries? Hey, why not!? My friends at the Blueberry Council sent this recipe and I was thrilled to have the chance to share it with you.

Savory Blueberry Pizza

Ingredients:

• 1 pound pizza dough
• 1-1/2 cups grated mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup crumbled gorgonzola cheese
• 4 ounces diced pancetta (can also use bacon or ham if pancetta is not available), cooked and drained
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450°F.
2. Lightly flour a work surface.
3. Pat and stretch dough into a 10 x 14-inch oval; place on a large baking sheet.
4. With a fork, pierce dough in several places.
5. Leaving a 1-inch border, sprinkle dough with half the mozzarella, the gorgonzola, pancetta and red onion.
6. Bake until crust is golden brown, 12 to 14 minutes.
7. Sprinkle blueberries and remaining mozzarella over pizza; bake until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown, about 2 minutes longer.
8. Remove from oven; top with basil and pepper.

How do you like your pizza? Have you ever had it with blueberries as a topping? I can't wait to talk pizza with you- leave me a comment ;)