Cherry Pineapple Jello

Otherwise called the easiest side dish you'll ever bring to a BBQ...which is my kind of cooking.

This jello recipe has been a tradition since I can remember.  Every 4th of July my sisters and I would look forward to my mom making this tasty side dish and it would seriously be devoured in minutes. If you love cherry pie filling (who doesn't?!) then this is just for you...because you know you get to lick the cherry can when you're finished. That's always when my husband walks by and just shakes his head at me.  Hey there are some things that just can't be helped. I know you might be thinking, "Jello dishes are only served during potlucks in a church basement or by your elderly neighbor" (which is probably true) but sometimes you just can't go wrong with an American tradition. 

You'll Need:

1 large package of Cherry Jello

1 can of crushed pineapple

1 large can of cherry pie filling

Add 2 cups of boiling water to the jello mix

Add the crushed pineapple and the cherry pie filling

Mix together and pour into mold

Place in refrigerator overnight to set

Florida!

Everdeen and I just returned from an amazing week in Florida with my sister and brother-in-law!  Oh how I wish we lived closer, but getting to visit Florida to see them isn't too shabby :) 

I will hold you till my arm falls asleep

My little Everdeen turns two a month from tomorrow.

She is no longer a baby.  She is a sweet little soul that loves on you and needs you just as much as you need her. Her latest saying is, "I need my mama" with which I reply, "I need my Everdeen." Because it's true, we need her and she needs us.   

She waves to the cars passing in the parking lot like they're old friends and says thank you to the cashier at the grocery store. She asks for hugs and gives you kisses when you least expect it. But lately, she has been the most clingiest she's ever been.  I feel like I hold her all day long.  I lower her to the ground so I can maybe put the dishes in the dishwasher, but her little legs wrap around my waist with such strength and a "No! Not right now" is yelled very clearly.   I always try to stick to the books when it comes to routine and structure...but sometimes you can feel when change is about to happen. When I can tell Everdeen needs a little more of something I let it all go and follow her lead.  I figure she'll go back to our normal when she's ready.  

We've had a few long nights since I got off of school.  I brought her into bed with us and instead of falling right to sleep in the middle she crawled into my arms and wouldn't let me put her down. I couldn't remember the last time she had fallen asleep on my chest...it was almost like we both needed this.  With her two year birthday approaching fast maybe it was a much needed reminder of how life used to be not that long ago.   My arm began to fall asleep, but I kept holding her, because that's what us mamas do for our little ones.  

The Lake

There seems to be something about going to the lake that makes me feel all summery and nostalgic...like the 4th of July is just around the corner.   

Maybe it's because lakes are where summer camp happens and family reunions take place.  We never spent much time at the lake when we were little...except for one time when got to spend a week at Lake Michigan with my cousins.  We collected snails in plastic bags and hid them in our rooms until we wondered what that smell was :) We swam in inner tubes and watched the older cousins try jet skiing.  It was one of those vacations where you live in your swimsuit and your hair dries smelling of lake water.  Where your bronzed arms are always covered in sand and where all the cousins sleep piled in a heap on the living room floor.

I can't wait for Everdeen to have those summer memories :)

I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to jump on the furniture...

But when you're this cute how can I say no?  Plus, that giggle you have is the most amazing thing my ears have ever heard :)