Scavenger Hunt

One of the best summer activities for kiddies is scavenger hunts.  All you need is a list of things to find and you're good to go. Locally by me is a great nature trail I love to walk and bike on. It also is a great place to have a nature scavenger hunt!  So today, me and a little 6 year old I was watching, went out to explore nature and see what we could find! 

First, we made a list of things we should find. Here's what our list consisted of...

Then we found a backpack to put all of our items in. A backpack that could be washed or one we wouldn't mind getting dirty, because it will! 

Then we set off on the trail.  Before we started looking for anything we first took in the beauty of nature. We looked at the trail in general, saw all the trees, flowers, and took in the shinning sun. 

 

After taking in our surroundings, we tried to find as many things as we could. First we found the easy things such as the 12 rocks and 7 blades of grass 

Then we had to use our brains a little and think about what was made out of wood. After a little hard thinking, we realized trees are made out of wood so we decided to use a branch for "something made out of wood". Originally we found a nice big one but it was too big to fit in our backpack so we used this one. 

About 1 mile and 45 minutes later we had collected everything on our list!  We found a glass item but thought it was best to leave it behind because it could be sharp. We left the glass as it was so we wouldn't cut ourselves. We used an old leaf that crunched when we stepped on it and a round leaf for our "something round". It rained last night so blades of grass were wet so we picked and used those. A large rock was nice and smooth and we found a leaf all twisted up. A pop-tart wrapper that someone failed to place in a trash can was picked up by us and used for our "something shiny" find. A twig we found came to a rather sharp point and we found tree bark that was stacked layer by layer. 

We were so proud of all our findings today. It was a great summer activity that forced us to be outside and away from all the popular electronics, not to mention it was so much fun! 

Harbes Farm

I am a complete sucker for outdoors activities, especially farm life. I'm lucky to have a boyfriend who doesn't question my actions and will come with me wherever my heart desires. I follow Harbes Farm on Instagram so I quickly found out that the mama goats just had babies. So naturally, I had to go out there and see the cute babies for myself!  

Harbes Farm has so much to offer, including a farm, farm stand with fresh fruits and veggies, and even a vineyard.  The baby goats are located in the Barnyard Adventures section, the area where you can see all the different animals, so I didn't waste any time buying my tickets.  Upon entry, we quickly realized we were the only twentysomething  year olds present. Also the only people without a child under the age of 12.   But that didn't deter me, I was in my element and having a blast. 

There were cows, chickens, horses, and sheep. There were freshly laid eggs, freshly shaven wool, and even a fake cow so you can get the effect of milking. The farm was great with lots to see and do. But most importantly there were the baby goats. 

 

The little babies were still with their mothers because their main nutrients was their mothers milk. They were so tiny and cute I just wanted to scoop one up and take it home. They had this great set up with lots of steps, trails, and ramps all leading up to a suspended house they could relax in. But with all that available to them, they stayed on the grass in the open looking at all the humans visiting them. 

Overall it was a great trip to Harbes Farm. But like most farm days on Long Island, it ended with some sweet corn at picnic tables under the hot summer sun. 

Breakfast of Champions

I wish I could wake up to this breakfast every morning.  First off, I usually don't have time to sit down and eat at the table, let alone prepare a meal!  But every chance I get, I'll take it; after all isn't breakfast the most important meal of the day?   Here we have three egg whites, along with five juicy blackberries, and a small piece of homemade crumb cake.  I use a carton of egg whites because it's fast, easy, and I feel tastes delicious.  In regards to the crumb cake, it had to be some of the best crumb cake I've ever had.  I'm usually the person who eats the crumbs off and leaves the cake for the trash, but not this time!  The cake was so moist and delicious, not to mention the size and scrumptious-ness of the crumbs on top!  My aunt gave me the recipe, which I have yet to try but cannot wait until I do, and I have attached it at the end of this post.

Crumb Cake Recipe 

Crumbs

3 Sticks of Butter

3 Cups of Flour

1 Cup of Sugar

1 1/2 Teaspoons of Cinnamon

1 1/2 Teaspoons of Vanilla

Place all dry ingredients and vanilla in a mixing bowl.  Melt the butter in a separate bowl and then add to the main mixing bowl.  Mix together until crumbs form.  *More flower may be needed, add as much or as little as you feel necessary.

Cake

1 Box Yellow Cake Mix

1 Package of Dream Whip *difficult to find, Pathmark usually has it

1 Cup of Water

4 Eggs

Combine all ingredients and beat with a mixer for five minutes.  Place in greased and flowered fifteen inch cookie pan with high lip, at least one to one and a half inches. Bake for twenty three minutes in a 350 degrees oven.  Remove cake from oven and place crumbs evenly distributed on top, place back into oven.  Bake for another ten minutes.  Once the cake is cooled, sprinkle with as much powered sugar as preferred.

Fresh Watermelon

Nothing feels more refreshing than a fresh juicy watermelon on a sticky humid day. This was practically the largest watermelon I cut, only cut a third of it, but it was worth it! 

Personally I prefer cubed instead of eating it from the skin.  This way it's less messy and sticky! 

Family Weekend

This past weekend was a weekend to remember.  One weekend a year our family gets together and plans a weekend packed with fun.  We played games, went for swims, had laughs, and created memories that will last a lifetime.  Lobsters, burgers, and dogs were devoured along with chuck-wagon beans, pasta, and steak salad.  The days began with croissants, muffins, and bagels; while the nights ended with oreo peanut butter pie, fruit salad, and sour patch grapes. (All recipes can be provided!)

I'm convinced location Starbucks mugs make everything taste better.

Personally I'd rather have someone prepare the lobster for me as opposed to cracking it myself.  I can never get the smell off my hands, even with fresh squeezed lemon juice! 

Homemade Granola

Made this delicious granola and it's so simple! 

6 Cups Oats 

1 Cup any Nut or Dry Cereal (optional)

1 1/2 Cups Brown Sugar 

1/3 Cup Water 

1/2 Cup Veggie Oil

1/4 Cup Sugar Free Syrup

2 Teaspoons Vanilla 

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line large baking pan (I use anything larger than 9x13) with non-stick tin foil. Spread oats and any nuts or dry cereal throughout. 

Place brown sugar and water in pot and heat until slight boil. Once it begins to boil, remove from heat and add oil, syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon. Once mixed, pour over dry ingredients.  Make sure all ingredients is covered with liquid mixture.  

Place in oven for 45 minutes, mixing every 15 minutes. Mixture should never get hard until it sits out of the oven for a while. 

Once fully dry and hardened, place in any air tight container. I love mason jars so I put everything in them! Be sure to use a great lid to add some flare!  Purchased my jar and lid separately at Christmas Tree Shops! These make great gifts..if you don't eat it all yourself!