SUMMER ROMANCE~ family style

I was catching up on some of my favorite blogs recently and I just had to share Pattys' post over

Sewingseeds4u from  Lemon Avenue Cottage  with you! Those are her flowers BTW. Her blog is wonderful and her topic for Saturday Morning inspired me to write this post ( thank you Patty ) about the many ways we love, nourish, care for and create beauty in our homes for ourselves, and our families and what a blessing it is to truly make our homes a haven for those we love...

   We've been having a little Summer Romance... family style!

Our summer splurge this year was an Elegant Garden Gazebo ( that's what it said on the outside of the box ). We have a west facing deck and in high summer it's just too darned hot to be out there during the day and after sunset, it's too buggy... We've practically been living in our " screened porch " and if it was larger I think we'd set up some beds so we could sleep outside under the stars canopy.  It's the new breakfast hangout, lunch spot, juice pop break and yes, on occasion a lap top makes an appearance for some Blog surfing. We've even played cards by candlelight!

  beauty

                                               nourish

Whether you're a working mom or a full time homemaker working on your Master's in Domestic Art's like me, we can all use a little family romance now and then...I know, sometimes your just too tired to even think about making a meal " special  " ( with loving thoughts and hands ) It's easier to just throw something together, quick and get on with the next thing. We all do it! More often than not, we rush through our daily doin's as if we have a plane to catch. Some of us do!  Having the energy to come up with something truly creative on your own can seem like a stretch at times.

 One of the easiest ways I know to add romance to any occasion is with FOOD.  The simplest of meals, can often be the best!

This Saturday night's repast was my summer version of Mexi- night. We are still in the middle of a heat wave, so instead of hot re fried beans and Mexican rice ( an Autumn and Winter Favorite)  I served chilled canned peaches, and plenty of cool fresh chopped veggie fixin's for the Taco toppings. Black olives and home made guacamole are some of our favorites when it comes to Taco night!

Homemade Taco Seasoning

MILD

1/2 Tsp chili powder

1/4  Tsp crushed red chili pepper

dash of garlic powder

dash of onion powder

a sprinkle of oregano

a dash of cumin

 Ground black pepper and a pinch of fine ground

sea salt to taste...

*This amount is just right for a 1/2 - 3/4 pound ground beef  and can be adjusted for larger servings.

 For those who like their Taco's on the spicier side... add more Crushed Red Pepper!

Homemade Guacamole

2- 3  ripe avocado's mashed

2-3 green chillies chopped

1 Tomato chopped

1/2 cup onion chopped

1 1/2 Tsp lime juice  

1/2 Tsp garlic powder

1/2 Tsp fine ground sea salt

*combine ingredients and chill for half an hour before serving.

Serve with tortea chips and as a topping for Taco's, Tostada's and Taco Salad.

If you only have one smile in you, give it to the people you love.

~Maya Angelou

I'd love to know how you romance YOUR family?