Ah - summer!

It is already nearly the end of July, which means nearly the end of summer, which means the end of break. Sadly, I do not feel that I have even had a break yet.  Admittedly this stresses me out and makes me a little crabby at times.  I am trying to grab little times here and there for myself, with my husband, and some fun times with the kids.  They will just have to suffice as a beach vacation is not in my cards for a while.  In a few weeks, my good friends will arrive in ABQ and I am so looking forward to the laughter, conversation,and fun times that we have together.  Friends make me smile:)

I am happy to back in my kitchen after my whirlwind trip earlier this month.  Made some yummy popsicles when I returned.  Easy and refreshing for a summer treat!

Here's the recipe -  (from the Pioneer Woman - of course!)

1/2 cup sugar

1 bag frozen mangos

juice of 1/2 lime

1 bag of frozen strawberries

juice of 1/2 lemon

Combine 1 cup of water with the sugar in a saucepan.  Heat until sugar dissolves.  

Pour half of the sugar syrup into a blender with the frozen mangos and the lime juice.  Puree until smooth.  Pour mango mix into the bottom quarter of some ice pop molds and freeze for 20 minutes.

Add other half of syrup to the blender with the frozen strawberries and lemon juice.  Puree until smooth and pour into the molds to the halfway mark.  Freeze another 20 minutes.

Repeat with another layer mango and then strawberry.  Freeze until solid (be patient - if you aren't the popsicles won't come out!)

Clara the pup, has enjoyed bringing us a variety of wildlife while we are working outside.  She has found a baby bird, baby mouse, cicadas, and a few baby toads!  She also loves to take running leaps into the pond when she gets too hot.  She couldn't catch the big bullfrog, but guess who did?  This may be the World's Largest Bullfrog in the Southwest!