The Hidden Pond

As a mom, I love spending time with my kids together and one on one.  But there's something extra special about one on one time.....maybe it's the fact that there is no competition for 'talk' time between the two kids with one on one time that I love so much? 

We love exploring.  Paige, my youngest, will begin Kindergarten in the fall and I've been feeling more and more melancholy about my baby's new chapter she's about to begin in her life.  So I've been cherishing our one on one time more than usual lately.

On this particular day, when Dominic was clearing some brush from ranch property behind Stafford Lake, you may remember Paige and I tagged along.  

We drove over in the truck to watch and explore.   

Just to the left and up a hill from where Dominic was clearing brush, sits our dam.  You would never know it's there by just driving by.....it's sort of hidden.  A hidden pond makes for some good exploring.

This pond provides water to the dairy calves that live over on this part of the ranch.  The water is filtered to a water trough just to the right and down the hill in the photo above.
Paige had a ball leading Chloe around to see what they could find.

And wild flowers are always high on the satisfaction list.

We'll plan many more trips over in the summer time.  We have some big plans for this pond!  The wild flowers will be gone but will bring a picnic lunch, some fishing poles and Bryce will be able to join us.

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Have a peaceful day.



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Super Easy, Festive Cranberry Relish & Cookie Decorating at Nonny's

Yesterday afternoon we had a cookie decorating party with all the cousins at Nonny's house.  I wanted to bring a little appetizer for us to munch on.  Festive Cranberry Relish is super easy to make, no baking or cooking required, just a food processor, simple ingredients and some fridge time and you're done.  I originally got this recipe from someone at my Healthy Cooking Group and it's a hit at every party I bring it to.  Perfect for the holidays.

Here's what you need {recipe below}......

Chop the cranberries in a food processor...

Chop the cilantro, green onions and jalapeno, grate the ginger, squeeze the lemon

Mix all together with the sugar and refrigerate for at least four hours.

Spoon over cream cheese, I used a low fat version, and enjoy.

Meanwhile, at Nonny's, high anticipation amongst the cousins, to begin the cookie decorating......

Ready, set, decorate!....eating, sprinkling, frosting, decorating, eating some more, you get the idea.......

Until we had a platter of very colorful, decorated sugar cookies.

Festive Cranberry Relish


3 cups cranberries (1 12 oz. bag), rinsed and drained
¼ cup green onions (about 4), minced
2 small jalapeno peppers (2 Tbsp.), seeded and minced
¼ cup cilantro, minced
½ cup sugar
2 Tbsp. ginger, finely grated
2 Tbsp. lemon juice

Serve with:

1 8 oz. package cream cheese
Plain crackers

Place cranberries in food processor and chop fine, but not mushy. Transfer to bowl and add remaining relish ingredients and stir. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, overnight is best. Serve over cream cheese with crackers. Garnish with cilantro if desired. Makes enough for 2 packages of cream cheese. Pin It