Last weekend was wild, too, but Sunday was a truly beautiful day. The weather was just right, and we were happy to be together and enjoy a relaxed dinner outside, not rushing from or to anywhere. I was curious to try my friend Lisa’s recipe for steak in a cilantro buttermilk marinade, but with no skirt steak at the store we did it with filets and it really brought a delicious, bright herby flavor to something we eat over and over the same old beloved way. On the side we had the first corn of the season – hooray! – a green salad, warm fresh bread, and a delicious version of a caprese salad with corn and avocado. All family style so everyone could try a little of everything and dig into what they really love best.

Caprese salad is one of my favorites. Throw in corn and avocado and you basically have happiness on a plate. I am sure there are various versions of this salad in various cookbooks, some of which I may even have on my many shelves of cookbooks, but this is the kitchen-sink version I made on Sunday. The vinaigrette is actually the same one I made in last week’s Grumpy Chop. It honestly is the perfect dressing – goes with anything, brightens flavors without interfering. You could even use it to marinate chicken. It’s that good. Keep a jar on your counter, always.

Caprese Salad with Corn and Avocado

 

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Prep time

10 mins

Total time

10 mins

 

What’s better in summer than the best fresh things? When you get to have your favorite fresh things all in one!

Author: This Little Mama

Recipe type: salad

Serves: 6

Ingredients

Salad

• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 avocado, diced
• ½ ball fresh mozzarella, diced
• ½ ear of cooked fresh corn (I would not substitute frozen, just don’t), cut off cob
• 1-2 T. of basil, chiffonaded (is that a word?)
• 2 T. vinaigrette

Vinaigrette

• 2 T. white wine vinegar
• 2 t. dijon mustard
• 1 t. kosher salt
• black pepper to taste
• ⅓ c. olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)

Instructions

1. Assemble all salad ingredients in a bowl. Assemble all dressing ingredients in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake to blend well. Toss salad with 1-2 T. vinaigrette and serve.

3.1.09

Now I am not a party planner, and this is not a party blog. I don’t do Amy Atlas-style dessert tables or candy displays, and frankly my kids really wouldn’t like it if I did. They want a party for them, not a party for me. But I do like to make things pretty

So I got some darling printable party stuff from Green Apple Paperie. I feel much better buying custom work from another mom than some commercial junk that was probably printed in China and shipped over here. But that’s just me and it does take time and a paper cutter and a 2″ circle punch, so I don’t judge those who choose an easier route.

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Now how cute are those? Seriously. Not that I did, or ever do, every single printable idea in the pack. Green Apple is nice about offering options where you can select and pay for just a few specific files. I used the invites, welcome sign, party favor tags, cupcake toppers, and (Big will use, because I say so) the thank-you notes.

The cupcake toppers went on top of s’mores cupcakes:

Basically because Pinterest told me to. I didn’t exactly follow Pinterest’s suggestions, opting to make chocolate cupcakes topped with marshmallow fluff, sprinkled with graham cracker crumbs and toasted lightly with my creme brulee flamethrower. Did you know you can set cupcake wrappers slightly afire with a creme brulee flamethrower? You probably would have expected to do so, yes. I wasn’t expecting it myself. I also obviously wasn’t expecting the party guests to find s’mores cupcakes quite so unappealing. Very few of the kids wanted one, and one who did took a bite, wrinkled up his nose, and said to no one in particular “Marshmallow? Really?”

I put the favor tags on headlamps I found for $3 in the dollar section at Target the morning of the party. Hot damn! A lucky strike and a big, big hit, as you can imagine.

When the campers arrived, the first thing we had them do was set up the giant tent. Because that’s what you do when you go camping! It was really cute to watch the teamwork and leadership going on. Tent #2 in the background was for the adult supervision. I didn’t really think the kids were going to sleep out here alone all night. Like how Middle is wearing his church shoes with his beloved Three-Stripe Shorts? It’s a good look. Dressy for parties.

Then we divided the kids into two teams and sent them off on a scavenger hunt. I had hidden nine oddball items around the property earlier in the day, and whoever got the most won a prize (or, more accurately, the winners got glory and everyone got Ring Pops). Small was assigned to a team and it was a riot watching him run this way and that after the rest of the big kids in his pajamas, splashing a cup of lemonade with a bewildered look on his face.

Foodwise we served the predictable camping foods: hot dogs, chips, watermelon, lemonade, and bug juice. Surprisingly little of the bug juice was consumed, don’t know why. When dark fell, it was movie time: the John Hughes classic The Great Outdoors.

The Great Outdoors, if you don’t remember it, features awesome sight gags like John Candy waterskiing fully dressed and a vicious, attacking bear getting its butt hair shot off.  It also features liberal usage of the words “ass” and “shit”, which gave me pause. I am fully, completely aware that all our 9-year-olds have heard these words on the playground, if not used them themselves. But I didn’t want to be the mom showing the “dirty movie”. It turned out all the parents were cool with it and one pair of kids had even seen it already. Although I did think it was hilarious that when the first swear word was uttered one child came up to me to check the rating. It’s PG, FYI. During the movie we had popcorn, ice cream sandwiches (to replace the unpopular cupcakes) and a few actual s’mores, made in the oven. I partook of an excellent adult beverage. Not gonna lie.

Movie over, most of the kids went home and our overnighters attempted to settle in. A rogue neighbor decided to blast a mariachi concert starting at about 10, which was excellent. Small and our girl pug had to be evicted from the tent for trampling and sent to their respective crates inside amidst wails and howls of protest. Two campers went right to sleep, and the remaining four (three boys and Big’s very cool girl friend), predictably, made every effort to stay up until midnight. Mr. Little Mama fell asleep in our (separate) tent while I supervised the sleepless. We entertained ourselves endlessly by spinning each other in our hammock swing.

It was an awesome party, I have to say. The perfect kids to get together for what was for most of them their first sleepover. Memories were made, a few new friendships developed, and others solidified. The yard looked like it had been stampeded by a herd of wild pigs shooting popcorn out their butts afterward, but you know, anything for the kids!

Happy 9th, Big! We love you!

Sunday morning was a gorgeous day to take care of replanting the parts of my garden from which I pulled the last onions and lettuces last week. Small went to the nursery with me.

Excuse me – that’s Captain Rex. Rex was fascinated by the water features and I had a hard time keeping him on task, but in the end we came home with two melons (one honeydew and one muskmelon), several basil and parsley plants, and six corn!

Yes, corn. I am officially a farmer now. I have doubts about how this is going to go and am particularly concerned about root depth, but corn is my kids’ absolute FAVORITE thing ever so what the hell, let’s see what happens.

While I was getting things laid out I staked up my tomatoes a little more and set up a tripod for my cucumber, which was getting a little rangy. I was stunned to discover an actual cucumber all sprouted up and ripe!

I left him on there but am going to pull him for dinner tonight.

So corn planting time: one of my corn plants came with a little extra protein in the bottom of the planter:

Yick. And he got away, but is buried quite deep in the ground. I am hoping we don’t see him again but will be keeping my eye out. My baby dinosaur is still in the garden, too.

And late this afternoon I found a bird trapped inside. Thank God he flew out the open door. Lots of chirping and hysterical fluttering.

So we’re now large and in charge for the summer months. Let the good times roll!

Looking for some weekend inspiration? Here’s this week’s wrap up:

It’s party season around these parts, with birthdays, end-of-school, graduations, and kick offs to summer. This bayou bash is frankly incredible – if you have a boy into alligators or other reptiles, these are some incredible ideas for party details.

On the other end of the reptile spectrum, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are hot again (you know something’s in when there are Lego sets for it) and this boy birthday party has a ton of cute ideas. I love the polka dot balloons.

If you have a graduate to celebrate, here is a fantastic roundup of some incredibly clever graduation party ideas.

Summer is time for patriotic parties; here are some darling American Flag printables if you are planning a Memorial Day party.

Does it seem like more baby showers happen in the summer, too? I love the mustache party theme, and for a boy baby shower it’s really hilarious. This shower is perfectly amazing, and the food looks incredible.

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Do you remember Legend of Zelda? I really don’t but apparently it’s an old video game that’s hot again. This Legend of Zelda party is really something to see.

Parties need food, right? Have you seen those cute cakes in a jar on Pinterest? Here’s a great mug cake tutorial so you can make them, too!

Another hot thing is pops. Cake pops, icy pops, S’mores pops – food on a stick in general. This recipe for rice krispie pops looks yummy, delicious, and easily customized for your favorite flavors.

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I’m party pooped. If anyone needs me I’ll be napping.

I just started using Bloglovin to organize all my favorite blogs in one convenient place, and ohmiword am I so glad. I can easily scan through to see what’s new and find the stuff I want to go back to. It’s making my life happy, so try it yourself!! Time management for your blog obsession…

The salad reminded me of every salad my dad made for our family growing up. Somehow a salad made by Dad was a little different than a salad made by Mom. There’s nothing especially unique about it, just a little bit of this that and the other from the vegetable drawer, plus a simple homemade vinaigrette. But whatever ends up in the bowl, it always tastes like Dad to me. Dad became Grumpy (not that he was in the least bit grumpy) when he became a grandfather, so now I think of it as the Grumpy Chop. It’s like a kiss on the forehead from heaven whenever I make it.

The Grumpy Chop

 

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Prep time

5 mins

Total time

5 mins

 

Use whatever you like and have on hand. I think it’s the eggs and a sprinkle of cheddar that says “Dad” to me. You could throw in bacon or even some chopped grilled chicken and make it a meal.

Author: This Little Mama

Recipe type: Salad

Serves: 4+

Ingredients

Salad

• greens (I like spinach with a little romaine thrown in for crunch when I have it)
• tomatoes, chopped
• bell pepper of any colors you have, diced
• cucumber, thinly sliced
• scallions, chopped
• cheddar, freshly shredded or cut into small dice
• hard boiled egg, chopped
• 1 T. sunflower seeds

Simple Vinaigrette

• 2 T. white wine vinegar
• 2 t. dijon mustard, or more to taste
• ½ t. kosher salt
• pepper to taste
• ⅓ c. olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)

Instructions

1. Put all salad ingredients in a large salad bowl, making sure everything is bite-sized or smaller. Put all dressing ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake well. Pour dressing over salad to taste and serve.

3.1.09

On Saturday I posed the casual question what was on the agenda for the next day. “I’m taking YOU out!” Announced Big. Oh really? Was he planning to drive, at age 8? No, he was planning to hire the driver we use when we head out for big nights. “You and me. Look good,” said he.

This all started off as a bit of a joke, but the hell if it wasn’t going to happen once it got started. And that’s how a driver came to our house to pick me and my date (who wasn’t too excited about his own outfit, or having his photo taken) up…

and drove us to one of my favorite restaurants…

where a reservation was waiting in the name of Big. The hostess was quite surprised when he presented us for seating. We relaxed and chatted and enjoyed artichoke dip and the best burgers in town. I had a Bam-Bam, while Big had two very large kiddie cocktails, lots of cherries please, which at one point produced the world’s largest burp. We both laughed a lot.

In fact, I laughed harder on this date than I have laughed at anything in a long time. I learned about Minecraft, and coliseums, and Frida Kahlo. We talked about little brothers and sharing a room and Big’s wish for a larger bed. We talked about football and school and girls asking Big who he likes. So who does he like? “Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit’s: YOU.” That child won’t budge. I don’t mind. I’ll stay “the girl he likes” as long as he’ll have me.

When the bill came, Big whipped out a credit card and plunked it down. I figured the tip. Our server, who found Big very entertaining, stopped by to ask if Big would stay on as an official mascot. But no, Big came home with me. The server had some very kind words for me about what a great kid Big is and what a credit to me, which was very sweet and satisfying to hear. But the truth is kids come into this world exactly who they are meant to be, and often I think Big is awesome in spite of, not because of, the parenting he receives!

I am reminded how much I need individual time with each of my kids. They need it, but I may need it more. When Big was little we used to warm up after swimming in our towels playing the Animal Game: “I am thinking of an animal, it’s small, has a curly tail, and a squooshed up face….”. “It’s a pug!” It’s been a long time since we’ve played the Animal Game but maybe we should start again, or something like it. Not that I am going to start playing Minecraft. I have limits.

Medium and Small were very, very jealous of Big’s outing, and Medium says he’s my date for next Mother’s Day. I can’t wait. But I can’t wait for another date with Mr. Big, either.

Last week we had an absolutely breathtakingly wonderful weather week of unseasonably mild temperatures and even one stormy day. Normally we’re fending off 100 this time of year, and with the new week that sort of stuff is back. Which means this past weekend was time to pull all my greens and aromatics. We’ve gotten what we’re going to get out of them.

I was surprised to find three tiny heads of garlic among my haul. Didn’t know I planted garlic. One very ripe, round strawberry, too.

So now I have two clear sections in which I can plant some hot-weather crops. It is sort of a late start but there are some heat-hardy options like peppers and herbs I might put to work. So far my basil is less than impressive and we do love basil so that’s on the list.

The other thing I did this weekend is tickle my cucumber flowers. My new issue of Cooking Light suggested that lightly brushing the center of the flowers would help compensate for inadequate bee pollination, so I got out a small paintbrush and gave them a little bee-free love. Hoping the manual stimulation results in some nice erect cucumbers. Hee hee.

Make a Mother’s Day brunch party special with beautiful pink-and-grey printables from BellaGrey Designs.

On the birthday side of things, check out this Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle party - those kids look like they are having a blast.

Or this ah-mazing vintage race car party – I love those clever license plate food labels!

Hello My Sweet has a great tutorial to make your own confetti balloons! How beautiful is that table?

Letters are so big for decorating right now, and with summer rolling in what’s more appropriate than the nautical look? Magnolia Creative has a fantastic rope wrapped letter tutorial that would be perfect for any beach getaway.

Thinking about sprucing up a small bedroom? Apartment decorating inspiration will help you figure out how to make a small space perfectly chic. I have those Greek key pillows.

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For a springtime party – or a treat for Mom – is there anything cuter than these daisy flower macarons? Here’s wishing someone brings you flowers – or flower cookies – for Mother’s Day.

1. Going out to breakfast. The menfolk made me breakfast in bed once and I was left to eat alone, which was sort of weird. I’d rather go out and eat something totally over the top, like huevos rancheros with a side of french toast.

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2. A little yoga, ideally outside with no children or pugs invading my Downward Dog.

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3. Pooltime, in which I am able to read my whole issue of Us Weekly and admire my own flat, non-jiggly stomach. A girl can dream, right?

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4. Dinner in the backyard, preferably something grilled so Mr. Little Mama can do the work and I can sip a festive cocktail. If all parties will consume what’s served without nagging or complaint or mom having to feed them I will cry with gratitude.

5. The Survivor finale in our pjs on the couch. With this guy.

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Yeah, that’ll do it.