Summer Pineapple Strawberry Cooler-- by Mom Magazine

This looks so refreshing for summer! Might have to try this one at my sister's baby shower!

Summer Pineapple Strawberry Cooler

Ingredients

• 1 12-ounce can frozen pineapple juice concentrate, thawed
• 1 6-ounce can frozen limeade concentrate, thawed
• 4 cups cold water * 1 liter club soda, chilled
• Ice cubes
• Fresh strawberries (optional)
• Short (6-inch) wooden skewers
• Assorted fruits such as halved orange slices, halved lime slices, orange sections, raspberries, strawberries, sliced kiwifruit, and mint sprigs

Directions

In a large pitcher combine pineapple juice concentrate, limeade, and water. Chill for at least 30 minutes. To serve, transfer fruit juice mixture to pitchers; add club soda, ice cubes, and fresh strawberries.

Serve with Fruit Swizzle Sticks, if desired.
Makes 14 (6-ounce) servings.

Fruit Swizzle Sticks: On short (6-inch) wooden skewers, thread assorted fruits and mint sprigs. Make-Ahead Tip: Up to 24 hours ahead, prepare the juice mixture and chill well. Proceed as directed.

Clothespin Drink Charms by Funkytime

I saw these on her blog this AM and think they are so cute! Especially for an outdoor picnic or party!

You don't need many items either! 

Check out her tutorial at:

http://fun.kyti.me/index.php/2011/07/clothepin-drink-charms/

Strawberry Limeade by Cooking with K

My family and I are having a BBQ this Sunday at the pool so I thought it would be fun to make a fruity summer drink to bring! I saw this Strawberry Limeade and want to try it out!

Strawberry Limeade {Sonic Strawberry Limeade Copycat}
3/4 cups sugar
1/4 cup key lime juice
1 cup water
2 cups strawberry juice
2 liters club soda or sparkling water
8 fresh strawberries, sliced
8 fresh strawberries for garnish
2 limes, sliced or cut in wedges for garnish

In a medium saucepan, bring the sugar and water to a boil stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add key lime juice and stir until mix well; set aside to cool.  In a serving pitcher, add the strawberry juice and lime simple syrup; stir until completely mixed.  Add club soda and sliced strawberries and stir well; server over ice.  Garnish with fresh strawberries and limes slices or wedges.

Oh Coffee, how I love thee.....

If you know me (or Ashley) at all, we LOVE our coffee!! I really have an addiction to it, and it's not even the caffeine, since I go decaf (your welcome mom)! There is something about an iced coffee that just makes my morning! There are a few coffee shops I love that make yummy coffee... and I am pretty sure they know me by name... that can't be good! I decided that I need to learn how to make my own coffee drinks.... so I looked up a few recipes.... hope they turn out!!


1. Creamy Iced Coffee Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 quarts brewed coffee, room temperature
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup half-and-half cream
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons creme de cacao

Directions

1. In a pitcher, combine cooled coffee, milk and half-and-half. Stir in sugar, vanilla and creme de cacao. Chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.

2. Iced Coffee from a French Press

1. The night before, start with 1/4 cup of coarse ground coffee, and add 1 cup of cold filtered water.
2. The next morning add 1 more cup of water.
3. Strain and pour into a chilled glass over ice (makes two glasses).

I add a generous amount of milk and a spoonful or two of raw sugar. You could even make a simple syrup with a little vanilla. If you like extra milk, then add less water. Freeze leftovers in ice cube trays for next time.

3. Cafe Latte Milkshake.. OK, so this one looks like a ton of calories, but soooo good!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup cold coffee
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup

Directions:

In a blender, combine cold coffee, ice cream and chocolate syrup. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.

I will try these recipes next week and let you know which one actually works, or doesn't! Hopefully this will save on our coffee bills!