Adventures in Favorites: July 2013

Some months I have a hard time coming up with things that have been my favorite...but July 2013 seemed to be FILLED with things that I have been just loving! So let's get started: 



1) Princess Kate and Prince William's new bundle of joy Prince George ~ Ok, confession: I am completely fascinated with the Royal Family! I got up in the middle of the night to watch William and Kate's wedding with some friends. I have scoured the internet for Kate's baby bump pictures - she is just gorgeous and always so classy. For days I checked every morning to see if there was news of the Royal birth. So exciting! What a beautiful family!

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2) Boat rides on the Mississippi ~ In mid-July we got to visit my Aunt and Uncle in Minnesota, and they took us on a wonderful pontoon ride on the Mississippi River. It was beautiful, fun, and so relaxing. There is no way my camera skills could capture the beauty of this area...

3) Drywall in the Basement listening to Pandora 50's rock n roll ~ We like to listen to music while working in the basement (and maybe sing a long a little!), but after a while the same songs get a little boring, so I found a new favorite Pandora station - 50's Rock'N'Roll! It makes drywall-ing a little more fun! 

4) Farmer's Market Wednesday ~ I love Wednesday mornings and TONS of fresh produce...so yummy! Daniel and I get up extra early so we can hit up our local farmer's market right when it opens, before going to work.

My favorite is the fresh, green lettuce! 

5) Blueberry Picking @ Tammen's Treeberry Farm ~ Can you overdose on antioxidants from blueberries?? Because I've probably eaten about 3 lbs of blueberries in the past week - they are just so good! 

6) Tiger Sauce ~ Daniel's cousin introduced us to this sauce. And we have been LOVING it. It's a cayenne pepper based sauce that adds flavor and a little kick, but does not melt off all of your taste buds with flames of fire. We like to use it on meats mostly, but have heard of other people using it on veggies and even pasta dishes! I am not a girl who likes spicy foods, I buy mild salsa at the store, but I have been LOVING this tiger sauce - perfect for a summer BBQ! 

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What have you been loving this July?!

Adventures in Hostessing: Tips For An Allergy Friendly BBQ

One of our favorite things about summer is hosting BBQs. We LOVE having people over and treating them to a special meal of smoked meat and all the fixings! Over the past few years I have become increasingly aware of the issue of food allergies ~ especially since Daniel started eating gluten free a little over 2 years ago. Now, when we invite people over, I am always sure to ask if anyone has any food allergies. Having a guest with food allergies can be intimidating, but I thought I would throw together a few tips/ideas on hosting an Allergy Friendly BBQ!

1) Corn chips and salsa - Most people with a gluten intolerance can have corn chips, and most corn chips are gluten free (but again, check the label). Home made pico de gallo salsa or guacamole, will take a little longer, but you will know all the ingredients in the dish. Many brands of salsa are gluten free, but ...you know what I'm going to say...check the label to make sure. 

2) Fresh fruit and veggies are all pretty safe when it comes to allergies. They are egg free, dairy free, soy free, and gluten free. I personally love to serve watermelon and corn on the cob at our summer BBQs. And I almost always throw together a veggie tray when we have dinner guests...but be sure to have any dip container on hand in case anyone needs to check the list of ingredients to make sure they can dip their veggies.

3) Have a protein option that does not need a bun: Many people are discovering they have a gluten intolerance, and gluten free hot dog / hamburger buns can be expensive and (in my opinion) not very tasty. Some chicken is easy to throw on next to the hot dogs and hamburgers, and does not require a bun to eat it on! If you really only want to serve burgers and hot dogs, let your guest know ahead of time. On several occasions Daniel has brought his own GF bun for his hamburger, and your guest may want to do the same.

4) Dessert can be tricky because most desserts I can think of either contain eggs, dairy, gluten, or all 3! Don't feel like you have to spend an arm and a leg on expensive gluten free cookies, or bake an egg free/gluten free cake. Try to think of simple things: I am a big fan of making rice crispy bars with Gluten Free Rice Krispies. Some ice cream is gluten free (again, check labels, flavors like cookies'n'cream are NOT gluten free). Simplest of all, to me fruit is the perfect summer dessert!

5) Cross-contamination: This is something that is pretty new to me, but good to think about if you are hosting someone with a severe food allergy. If you cut something with a knife or serve something with a spoon or spatula, and then use that same knife/spoon/spatula in another dish or food item, you have just cross-contaminated. Even something as simple as double dipping a knife used to spread mayonnaise onto a piece of bread could contaminate the whole jar of mayonnaise for someone with a severe allergy to wheat. Keeping things separate, to the best of your ability, with be a big help for the person with allergies in determining what he/she can or can't eat.

6) If you guest with the allergies offers to bring a dish to the BBQ, say yes! Try as you might, their food allergies may be extensive, and if they bring something to the party, then there will be at least one dish they can have without being concerned.

**Most of these tips are specific for gluten allergies/intolerance because that is what I deal with the most. I would love to hear suggestions about other food allergies in the comment section. How do you handle dinner guests with food allergies?

Adventures in photography: Up Close and Personal

Shutter-Bug Sunday has switched form a monthly event to a weekly event! So now I have some weekly motivation to work on my photography skills...now I just need to fine the time! This week's theme is UP Close and Personal      On Thursday this week I went blueberry picking at Tammen's Treeberry Farm. If you live within a reasonable driving distance from this lovely farm, you MUST go! I really can not say enough good things about it. Very well organized. Everyone working there is so nice and helpful, they even provide you with buckets to pick and drive you right to your picking spot on a tractor pulled trailer...and most importantly the blueberries are literally the BEST I have ever tasted! For real. I think I have eaten like a pound or more of blueberries in the past few days! Grocery store blueberries will never measure up to these plump, sweet, juicy, fresh picked blueberries!  ANYWAY... Here are some of my "up close and personal" shots with the berries I picked...

This one turned out to be my favorite. I love the start shape on the top of the berries...or is that the bottom? Anyway, I love the color of the berry in this up close and personal blueberry picture! 

I've also been messing around a little bit with some different editing methods on Picmonkey...

Do you have a favorite summer crop that you like to go and pick yourself?

I also got 'up close and personal' with the pretzels and chive dip recipe I posted yesterday. You can check out those pictures and yummy recipe

{HERE}

Adventures in the Kitchen: Gluten Free Chive Dip

This is one of Daniel's favorite snacks. He always asks for it when we go on road trips or if we are bringing an appetizer to a party. It's one of my favorites, because it is SO easy and I usually have all 5 ingredients on hand.

Chive Dip (gluten free)

Ingredients:

1 ~ 8 oz package of cream cheese 

1 T Worcestershire sauce 

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/4 c. chopped chives

(we have a chive plant in the back yard...so we always have them on hand in the summer!)

Directions: In the bowl of your mixer, whip up the cream cheese until it is smooth. Add all other ingredients and mix for about 1 minute, until everything is incorporated. Serve with pretzels. (SO easy, right?!) 

Our favorite GF pretzels are from Glutino. *Check the label of your Worcestershire sauce to make sure it is gluten free. We buy the Lea & Perrins brand, which is GF. 

What is your favorite "go to" dip or appetizer? 

Adventures in Reading: A Good Summer Read

Book review! What are you reading this summer?

Do you ever pre-order a book on-line and then forget about it? And THEN get a surprise in the mail one day when the book finally comes?! This is what happened to me this week, and I literally squealed when I saw this book in my mail slot! I have been waiting for months with this book. Have you heard of Sarah Sunind? If you like historical fiction, specifically WWII historical fiction, then you need to pick up one of her books for a great summer read!

This is the book that came this week

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On Distant Shores is apart of a series called Wings of the Nightingale. Each book follows the life of a different woman serving in WWII as a flight nurse. On Distant Shores is about Lt. Georgiana Taylor and her life, love,  faith, and adventures in the skies over Sicily. I LOVE WWII novels, and Sarah Sundin is so good at the details, I sometimes forget the book is fiction, and not just the autobiography of a real flight nurse! 

I just got the book on Tuesday, and already can't put it down! SO GOOD! What are you reading this summer?

Adventures in the Basement: The Lay of the Land

Now that the walls are pretty much finished in the basement, it's a little harder to get pictures of the space. So I thought it would help to see a drawing of the floor plan. To get the lay of the land. And in the future we can refer back to this to get a better perspective on some of the rooms.  

A few things have been altered from when this was drawn (by Daniel ~ he is constantly surprising me with new talents!). The main change is in the office/spare bedroom. The closet got moved from the stairway side (or right side when you are looking at the picture above) of the room to the other side (left side) and now shares a wall with the bathroom, and a linen closet that opens into the family room was added there as well. 

Our goal is to have the drywall 100% up by the end of the week so we can get started on the mudding! Thank you all so much for your encouraging comments ~ they really help keep us motivated!!  

Adventures in Products: Mary Kay ~ The Glamour Look Box

Ok, friends. Truth time. A few weeks ago when I heard the name Mary Kay, I thought of "mom make-up". Nothing wrong with that, just not the brand of make-up I would personally buy. Mostly because I thought you had to go to one of those parties at someone's house to purchase Mary Kay products. (You know the type, the party where you feel guilty and purchase something that is over priced, and you don't really want it...)Enter The Glamour Look Vox Box by Mary Kay and Influenster. 

(Side note: If you don't already know about Influenster it is "a free -to-join community of invited trendsetters who live to give opinions of products and experiences. Influenster creates links between brands and members to reward participation and influence future products." If you would like an invite and the chance to review new products, leave me a comment and I will send you and invite!)

Ok, back to Mary Kay. I now see Mary Kay products in a new light! For the most part, I am a fan. Here is what I received in my complementary Glamour Look Box from Mary Kay

I've had a few weeks to try all the products and here are my thoughts about each one: 

Mary Kay Lash Love Lengthing Mascara (retail price $15.00)

While this mascara did a good job of making my lashes look longer, I did not like it as much as my current, regular brand of mascara. I am a waterproof mascara kind of gal and this was not waterproof. Towards the end of a long day, I also had some trouble with the mascara flaking off my lashes and getting into my eyes. Since I wear contacts, this was a problem, and not one that I have with my regular mascara. 

Mary Kay Lash Primer (retail price $15.00)

Honestly, I had never tried (or even heard of) lash primer. I learned that it is a clear coat of mascara, that you use before applying the black mascara. I did notice that when I used the primer first, the mascara went on smoother and I didn't have to work as hard to separate my lashes because they were already set. I will definitely use this product, but I don't consider it a necessity in my make-up bag. 

Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick (retail price $18.00)

So, I'm just not a lipstick girl. I try, really I do. And I do like the texture and color of lipstick, but will really only use it on special occasions.If you are a lipstick lady, this would be a good thing for you. 

Mary Kay Cream Eye Color ~ Violet Storm (retail price $14.00)

I am not normally a purple eye shadow girl, but I have ended up really liking this color as well as the cream aspect of the product. I have several other cream eye shadows, but all in neutral/nude colors that I use more as a base. It has taken me some practice to be able to blend this product in well, as it is very pigmented and a little goes a long ways! 

Mary Kay Cream Eye / Concealer Brush (retail price $10.00)

I have to be honest and say that I was not a fan of this brush. I like softer brushes, and this one was quite stiff, even after working the bristles in my hand for a while...it kind of hurt my eye lids when I was applying the cream eye color. Maybe I was doing it wrong, but I much prefer the brushes I have to this one. Sorry MK!

One thing that I did not realize, as I was looking around the Mary Kay website, was that they have a lot more than just make-up. They have skin care, sun & body, fragrances, and even a men's line! Who knew!? This is not the same Mary Kay that I remember! 

To check out "not your momma's Mary Kay" products, you can visit the Mary Kay Website. You don't even have to attend a party to purchase products. The website matches you up with a consultant that you and purchase with at any time! So smart. 

Thanks Mary Kay for the fun products to try! 

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Adventures in Life: Busy, but not to busy for Hodgepodge Wednesday!

Things have been busy around here, but not to busy for a little mid-week hodgepodge! 
I would love to know your answers to the following questions: 

1. Picture postcards were first printed back in the mid-1800's and deltiology is the official name for postcard collecting. When did you last send a postcard? Receive one? Do you save postcards sent to you? Do you collect and/or send postcards when you travel?

When my brother and I were younger we both collected post cards. (so I guess we were both deltiologists!) When our family would go on a trip, that was always our souvenir that we could pick out and we both had books that we kept them in. I love looking back and remembering the places we have been. Plus it's a fun and inexpensive souvenir that captures your vacation location at it's best. It's been a while since I've sent or received a post card...but I would love to get/send one soon!

2. What treat do you most like to indulge in while on vacation?

Oh gosh, I'm not sure...I guess I like to indulge on sleep and rest while on vacaion. I like to lay next to the pool and just relax and read and...do nothing. 

3. Are you good at hiding your feelings?

I would like to be able to say yes, but if you ask my husband or my parents, they would all say that I wear my heart on my sleeve to those who know me well!

4. Does your town/city/county still deliver telephone books to your home? Do you check the yellow pages when searching for a local business number or has the internet replaced the phone book in your home?

I can't remember the last time we got a phone book. I just use the internet. 

5. Would you rather be first or last?

It depends on the situation...Playing Settlers of Catan, I like to be last when I pick my spots to start the game. (Shout out to all Settlers fans!)

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If it's in line for a church pot luck...I would want to be first so I don't get stuck with a PB&J if the food runs low!

If it's getting on an air plane, I'd rather be last on....so I can be first off when the plane lands! 

6. July is National Park and Recreation Month (in America, but everyone can still play along)...where and when were you last in a park? Did you participate in any recreational activities while you were there?

My favorite state park in our area is Starved Rock State Park. It is a beautiful place to hike! We have lots of local parks that we bike ride and walk in. I would LOVE to visit Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon some day. 

7. What was one of your worst ideas?

Aren't all my ideas good?! Just kidding...but I think I tend to put bad ideas out of my mind. I'm sure I have had some cooking ideas that turned out to be bad ideas (flavor-wise). I will think of a good one once this is posted, but nothing epic comes to mind right now...

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Like I said it's been a little quite here on the Adventures of D and V because we have been hard at work in the basement putting up drywall! About 75% of the drywall is up on the walls/ceiling...I love looking back at pictures from last year, to see how far we have come and how really close we are getting to being done. 

See the red arrow pointing to the pile of junk? Well, last night I took a picture, standing where the pile of junk used to be, and this is now my view:

Yes, it is the same basement in both pictures. 

Walls with drywall, insulation, working lights! Hooray! 

I am SO thankful not to be spending my summer digging in the dirty basement!

If you want to see our basement progress from the beginning, 

click HERE or on Operation: Finish Basement at the top of the page. 

These fun questions are from:

If you would like to join in the fun!

Adventures in Photography: Shutter-Bug Sunday

One thing that I am always excited to practice and learn more about is 

photography!

I plan on hosting again this year my 

Fall Photo Link Party 

and 

Christmas Tree Photo Link Party

But in the mean time I just found this great link party to help motivate me to break out the camera and start snapping...

Craft Cherry & Green Mountain Couple 

are Hosting Shutter-Bug Sunday!

What is this you may ask? 

Well it is a Photo Link-Up with Themes!

The first theme (today!) is Self Portraits! 

The link will open up on the 2nd Sunday of Every Month!

So mark you calendars. 

I have to admit, I did not have time to take a NEW self portrait, so I am using my most recent one...from when I got my hair cut a few weeks ago (and got bangs for the first time since kindergarten!)

Of course this one was after about 20 failed pictures in different locations of our house...the lighting was best in the hallway outside the bathroom of all places. And it the upper right hand corner you can see where the wall is not all the way painted...because our house is in a constant state of remodel, both upstairs and downstairs!

Augusts Theme is Alphabet

Pick a LETTER – photograph something beginning with the letter or hunt out the letter itself in your surroundings, or make the shape of the letter with props.Use you imagination, let it run WILD!

So fun! 

Adventures in Faith: He Knows My Path

Did you ever search for the end of a rainbow, when you were a kid? 

I can clearly remember the 'big kids' in my neighborhood going off after a rain to 'search for the end of the rainbow'...and I couldn't go because I was to little. So I sat in my back yard, looking up at the sky, wondering where that rainbow ended, and what the big kids would find when the got there...a treasure? gold? a leprechaun?

This is a rainbow that we got to see from the front window the other day. As I looked at it, I did not find myself wondering about the end of it, or if there was a pot of gold. Those are kid things. I found myself wondering about grown up things. 

What is God doing in our lives?

Are we being tested?

Ok, I know we are being tested,

so WHY are we being testes?

How long will it last?

Do you hear the cry of our hearts, Lord?

And when I get into a funk like this, God always brings to mind Job. 

On the particular day of the rainbow my KLOVE Word of the Day e-mail had been the verse above 

Job 23:10

(Well done God! Don't you just love how He plants His word with perfect timing!)

After all the trials and losses in Job's life,

how AMAZING is if for him to be able to say "I will come forth as gold".

He knew and trusted God's plan for his life.

Even though Job couldn't see the end of the rainbow,

he knew in the end he would come forth as gold.

Purified by God.  

Lord, fill me with faith like Job's that I praise you through the testing, and come forth as gold. 

Adventures in the Basement: 50 Sheets of Drywall

If you follow Adventures of D and V on Facebook, you may have seen that we had an exciting weekend. My parents were in town, and we started working on the drywall in the basement!

Over the 4th of July weekend last year, we mixed up and poured the FIRST of MANY loads of concrete. At that point, hanging drywall was a distant dream, so it was very exciting to get to start the next phase of Operation: Finish Basement this weekend.

We had 50 sheets of drywall delivered to our house and my Dad and Daniel brought them all inside (no small task!! They carried them 2 sheets at a time, so 25 trips down the basement stairs...and drywall is not exactly light! They are pretty amazing!) 

We started drywalling in the bathroom and master bedroom...

This is the window above the toilet in the bathroom. 

And here is the master bedroom with almost all the drywall up!!

(Our friend Tom, Daniel, and my Dad hard at work.)

While the boys were working in the basement, my Mom and I worked up stairs on some projects, including cleaning all the windows. Thanks Mom and Dad for all your help!! 

More pictures to come! 

Did you have a productive 4th of July weekend?

Adventures in Life: Courage Card

I've said it before and I will say it again,  I love getting 'real mail'! Not bills, junk, catalogs (well some catalogs are good!) Bur a real piece of mail. A card or a letter. It just makes my day!!
So when I saw this monthly swap, I knew I had to give it a try!

Each month there is a theme and June the theme was courage. I have to admit, I thought it would be impossible for me to come up with a card about courage, but when I got to know my partner a little bit, I had a wonderful idea! My partner, Pam, does not have a blog...but she is thinking of starting one! So my card way all about having the courage to start her own blog. Perfect, right?!

I am still waiting to receive my card from Pam in the mail, but hopefully it will come some time this next week and I can show you what she whipped up for me! 

To sign up for the Karing Card Club, just click 

HERE

for all the information! 

Adventures in Life: Happy Independence Day!

Things have been bit quite here this week because we have been hard at work getting the basement ready for inspections. We got the green light from the plumbing and electric inspectors, so we are going to be putting up some drywall this weekend!!! 

Hope you have a lovely (and Safe!) 4th of July!