Terms:

• TR = Treble Crochet
• DC = Double Crochet
• Ch = Chain = the stitch used to increase the height for new rows or rounds
• MC = Magic Circle = how to crochet a round
• SS = Slip Stitch

Supplies:

• Worsted weight yarn in your color choice (I used a 4, but larger hearts can use thicker yarn)
• 3.0 mm hook (this can be adjusted depending on how big you want your heart and the yarn you choose)
• Scissors

Directions:

1. Magic circle (MC) (this will stay open until the end), Ch 4
2. 3 TR into the mc, then 3 DC
3. Ch 1, 1 TR, Ch 1
4. 3 DC, 3 TR
5. Ch 4, SS into the circle; pull the yarn tail tight to close the circle
6. You can tuck the tails in OR use the tails as a loop for a keychain type of heart.

Remember, this pattern can be expanded to make a bigger heart as well. So enjoy it, make a bunch of hearts, and spread your homemade love! 

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Here are some tips for Healthy Snacking:

1. Eat before you go to a party. Holiday parties seem like they happen every weekend right? Well, try eating a full breakfast, lunch, or dinner (depending on the time of the party) before going out. This fullness will help when you are presented with a table full of sweet treats and snacks.
2. Snack with veggies and fruits. Instead of loading up your plate with sweets, chips and dips, and other high calorie snacks, try and stick to the veggies, greens, and heck even throw in a little ranch! Also, most fruit trays have delicious strawberries, melon, and apples (with a little peanut butter, of course). Sounds boring, I know, but your waistline will thank you later!
3. Choose what you will indulge in. Now I’m not saying don’t eat any cookies or treats at all during the holidays, I know that is impossible for me! So instead, choose wisely on what you will indulge in. Personally, I would choose to eat something that is unique to season and not something I can have any other time of the year. When you know you are going to indulge a little, perhaps make cuts elsewhere little on your morning snack or that extra cup of coffee.
4. Focus on socializing. I mean, that is what holiday parties are for right? You get together, talk, laugh, relive old memories, and create new ones all at the same time. Guess what? All that is calorie free!! Woohooo! Make sure you focus on the social aspects of the party or the holidays in general, because this will eliminate your want to stand by the chip bowl and just eat, eat, and eat some more. I have totally done this…regrets I say, regrets!
5. Exercise. Sounds like a no-brainer, but during the holidays, we get so busy and so exercise isn’t always priority number one. However, all the running around, cleaning, errands, and things of that nature are actually doing you some good! Besides that, taking 10 to 15 min, 2-3x a day to get your heart rate up is also a great way to burn extra calories. Try: squats, lunges, dips, planks, jumping jacks, and sit ups. Mixing together a couple of sets of 10 of each of these exercises (2-3x a day) only takes 10-15min, gets your blood flowing, and somewhat compensates for the yummy treats!

So enjoy this Holiday season in a healthy way!! I promise, you won’t regret it! 

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Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup Juice
• 2 cup frozen fruits (do 1/2 – 1 cup of each fruit)
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1 1/3 cups whole milk, divided

Directions:

1. Blend the juice, honey, and frozen fruit.
2. Purée until really smooth.
3. Place popsicle sticks into molds.
4. Freeze for at least 6 hours (or overnight).

Notes:

• You can get really creative with these smoothie pops! Try out your favorite fruits and juices to find different ways to enjoy this recipe!

These ice pops are a HUGE hit in my house, especially on those super hot days. Nothing is better then a tasty ice pop to keep you cool during the hot Texas summer!

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Ingredients:

• 4 Ounces Orange Juice
• 2 Ounces Clear Soda
• 2 Ounces Club Soda
• 1 orange wheel
• ½ glass full of ice

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients into a glass and stir.
2. Garnish with orange wheel.

This drink is so refreshing and it was the perfect porch side drink for us while the kids played outside. I know you will enjoy this mocktail, especially after a long day at work. It was the perfect ending to a stressful week.

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Supplies:

• Size H crochet hook
• Medium (4) yarn in any color or multiple colors
• Scissors
• Needle
• Button (optional)

Terms:

• Chain = the stitch used to increase the height for new rows or rounds
• HDC = Half Double Crochet
• SC = Single Crochet (most basic crochet stitch for designs)

Directions:

• Chain 30+1 (or however long you would like your pouch to be. I measured based on pens and pencils. The plus 1 is a chain for the upcoming half double crochet (HDC).
• HDC into the second stitch from the hook and all the way across. Chain 1, and continue in this pattern for 20 rows or you can switch colors to make a block type pattern
• After row 20, chain 1 and you are going to start to decrease. Decrease 1 at the beginning of the row, and decrease 1 stitch at the end of the row. So you will be decreasing 2 stitches on each row. I ended up with 14 stitches across on my final row.

• Once you are done with the piece, I folded the bottom (be sure you are on the wrong side of the work) up to meet the last full row of 30 stitches (so right before you started to decrease. You can use a stitch to marker to keep your place, or I just threaded my beginning tail into where I wanted them to join.
• I then took a different color and sewed the sides together using a needle. It is important you are sewing on the wrong side of the work because you are going to flip this inside out.
• Once I was done sewing, I then single crocheted around the top of the pouch in the same color that I sewed the sides with. You can then add a button of you choice to the middle of piece.
• Then, you are done!

This is great pouch that can be customized in so many ways! So, make sure to get your creative juices flowing and start crocheting today!

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Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Orange Juice
• 4 oz. Lemon-Lime Soda
• 1 oz. Pineapple Juice
• 1 T Diced Seasonal Fruit

Directions:

• Mix orange juice and pineapple juice into a pitcher.
• Add any fruit that you would like (strawberries, blueberries, pineapple chunks, etc.).
• Top with lemon-lime soda.
• Pour into glasses.
• Garnish with additional fresh fruits.

This drink is so much fun because you can make it your own. If you want to make this more adult-friendly, add your favorite vodka or rum, and you will have an amazing summer cocktail! This is all about your preference, and either way, it is going to be a fantastic drink for any party. Try it out…you are going to love it!

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Ingredients:

• 1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
• 2 oz. white chocolate, melted
• 2 cups thawed frozen light whipped topping, divided
• 32 NILLA cookies
• 32 fresh berries of your choice, divided

Directions:

• Mix cream cheese and chocolate in medium bowl until blended.
• Gently stir in 1-1/2 cups whipped topping.
• Place NILLA cookies, top sides down, in single layer.
• Spoon cream cheese mixture onto cookies.
• Place 1 berry into the cream cheese mixture on half of the cookies.
• Place the non-berry cookie over the berry-topped cookies, cream cheese side down to make into a sandwich.
• Refrigerate 4 hours.
• Top with remaining whipped topping and berries just before serving.
• Enjoy!

Notes:

• You could pipe the cream cheese mixture if you wanted to do so.

As expected, these treats were a huge hit with the family. I am sure it will be with your family too! Have a BERRY nice summer!

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As a family, we take this opportunity to visit Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery and give our time to honor those service members that have passed away. We join Flags For Fallen Vets to place flags at the gravesites of fallen soldiers. The group is responsible for placing about 140,000 flags at Ft. Sam National Cemetery. Taking our kiddos to this experience is something that is very special to our family. We take a ruler, a mallet, a screwdriver, and a towel (to wipe our hands). They measure the exact length away from the headstone, use the screwdriver to form a hole, and then stick the flag in. We give a brief moment of silence to that individual before we move onto the next headstone. 

This has become our family tradition that we hope to continue for years to come. I highly suggest that if this is done in your area you give it a try with your family. Honoring these individuals and their sacrifices is the true way to commemorate Memorial Day.

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I became a mother a little later in life, at the age of 29. Now, 12 years later, I have an 11 year old son and a 9 year old daughter. They are my pride and joy. They bring me so much happiness. Watching them grow is bittersweet because as much as I want them to grow and become independent members of the community, I also want to keep them as my sweet little babies. 

Finally, on this Mother’s Day, I get to celebrate my own mother. She is such an inspiration to me, even to this day. She raised me and my sister is the best way possible, and making her proud has always given me joy. My mother worked so hard as a teacher, and even in retirement, she still is dedicated to the school system with substituting and tutoring. She inspired me to become a teacher myself. Now 13 years later, my passion for teaching still burns just as bright as it did in year 1. 

So Happy Mother’s Day! Know that you are loved and appreciated so much. Your hard work as a mama does not go unnoticed. Have an amazing day!

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Ingredients:

• 3 Cups Water, Boiling
• 3 Family Size Tea Bags or 5 Standard Size Tea Bags
• 2 Cups No Sugar Added Purple Grape Juice, Chilled
• 1 Orange, Sliced
• 1 Lemon, Sliced
• 1 Lime, Sliced
• 1.5 Cups Club Soda or Seltzer, Chilled

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, pour boiling water over tea bags.
2. Cover and allow to brew for 5 minutes.
3. Remove tea bags and squeeze the excess into the saucepan.
4. Combine tea with grape juice and fruit in a large pitcher.
5. Chill at least 2 hours.
6. Just before serving, add in the club soda.
7. Pour into ice-filled glasses and serve!
8. Enjoy!

Time to sit back, relax, and enjoy this delicious concoction! Stay cool, friends!

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