{I declare!} + give-away

Even though it's two weeks until this....

How many of you are counting down the days for your kids to go back to school?  Part of me is, but part of me is going to miss the lazy days of not having to go anywhere if I don't want to!  Yep once again the taxi driver will be at work!  One in first grade, one in preschool (3, 1/2 days a week) and one who will soon be giving up naps. Can't forget the tae kwon do and probably music lessons for Sterling!

Yep I will miss my lazy days!

I declare it's still summer!!!!  And here's why....

1.) it's still HOT!
2.) I can make my favorite lemonade and it still tastes good!

You know hit the spot kind-of-good!

3.) The GRILL...need I say more?
Yeah, I could use our cast iron grill that we place over the gas burners on the stove top, but you know it's not the same.  For those of you who don't grill with charcoal you have NO idea what you're missing!  Yummy mesquite flavor on things, wood chip cooking...

Oh sorry, I guess I could say more.
4.) Simple summer dinners!

Don't worry I'm going to share with you my simple summer secrets to the list above!
I know you can't wait right?

1.) Pour the lemonade concentrate into a pretty, pretty pitcher.  Trust me it will make you feel better if your pitcher is pretty.  This one is one of my favorties that my mom got me a few years back.  My favorite lemonade is rasberry lemonade from the Shwan Man, but you could use your favorite.  If you felt real inspiring you could squeeze your own, but for real I don't have time for that!

2.) Add your water and place next to lemons and really cute bird house from Target!  (Yum yeah, it's my favorite store too!)

3.) Slice some lemon.  I like things thinly cut, but hey what ever floats your boat here you may do.  I don't think anyone can screw this up!!

4.) Toss your lemons into the pitcher!  Ahh, aren't they pretty?

5.) Pour it over ice in your favorite cup.  If it's your favorite cup you'll enjoy drinking it that much more.

Trust me!

Next up on this simple summer delight is the grill.  If anyone has had the chance to eat my grillin' man's food count yourself lucky!  Boy scouts + fire + cooking = a hubby that can cook in the summer!

1.) We have a charcoal starter.  Yep, even you girls could do this one!  Place charcoal in top part of container.  place newspaper or other paper item that can catch fire into the bottom part.  Light paper with match.  Super easy.  I usually start it before the grill man comes home from work.  It does take about 30-45 min before it's ready to be placed on the grill.  You will know that it's ready for the grill when it turns white.  There is something about heating the charcoal this way... it really does make it taste better.

2.) Place your desired food onto the grill for cooking.  Our favorite is chicken.  Pretty much seasoned with anything or marinated.  Doesn't matter, grill man makes it good! Asparagus is one or favorites too.  (shhh, even Ethan likes it!)

3.) Flipping the veggies.  Warning: this can be tricky, you might loose some between the grates!
We lost four....big sad face.

Doesn't that just look delicious?
4.) Eat!  BIG SMILEY FACE!
Dad approved.


The (small) giveaway!
Trust me I'd like to do bigger but it's coming out of my pocket, so you get what you get!

The person who can come the closest to the total amount that I spent on Ethan's school supplies in the 1st picture will win a $25 gift card to Target.  Would there be any other store!!   Do NOT include the backpack.  I did not buy that this year.
           The entry is for the total, not sub total.  All entries must be entered on the blog site, NOT facebook or twitter, and all entries must be entered by midnight Tuesday, Aug 2, 2011.  Winner will be announce on Wednesday, Aug. 3rd.  If you are the winner you will then need to supply your address so that I can send you your card.

Good luck!