Summer Camping Trips!

How has your summer been?  

Has it gone as fast for you as it has for me?  SHOOT, I can't believe summer has gone by so fast!!!!

We have been camping a LOT so I thought I would update you with some of the fun photos from our trips.

Oh yes, this is my daughter and she's a character!

We stayed twice at the nicest campground near Sandpoint, Idaho called Riley Creek.

The kids pretty much had three activity options:

FISH

EAT

Or SWIM!

OK, OK, we made a fish feast one night out of the 25 small perch they caught.  It was seriously delicious!

The beach there was just unbelievable for us Idahodians (yes yes, I know you Florida people are just laughing at our rocky brown sand "paradise"!)

I spent HOURS doing absolutely NOTHING and loved every second of it :-)

My only "stress" was keeping my PALE skinned children from getting BURNED.  Oh well, the Little Mermaid below seemed to enjoy the beach more than all of the other children combined.  

We were lucky enough to get to go up with the cousins for one of the trips.  Mom can relax that much more when mom doesn't have to be the one entertaining them all the time - ya know what I mean!

There you have it!  I hope you guys enjoy seeing some of my real life :-)  One more Labor Day camping adventure and we are DONE for the summer!  Another school year a comin' up!

Are you guys ready for summer to be over???

Tuscan Bronze Pfister Bathroom Faucet Giveaway! Make Your Bathroom Standout!

I am super excited about this giveaway because Pfister faucets are so stinkin cool. :-)

I have been working with the Pfister Company and they sent me a faucet to review.

I am absolutely in love.....and I was already in love with my last faucet so, well, not sure what kind of homeowner I am getting rid of something I loved only to upgrade to another love - ha!  

As far as quality goes, it's heavy duty and just what I would expect from a good quality faucet company.

Let the pictures begin!

I chose this faucet because it was unique.  In fact, it has become a conversation starter because guests walk out of the bathrooms saying, "I love that faucet!"  What sold me was the fun waterfall spout.  This faucet is from their Ashfield collection.

Now that I think of it, I haven't really shown you guys my full completed guest bathroom (other wise know as the powder room) yet!

This is my thrift store plate collection. You can see how I came up with a FREE plate hanger system to hang them all!  The walls are all done in American Clay. (Pretty much my whole home is done in the clay!)

Across from the commode is a recessed medicine cabinet......that's where I hold the extra toilet paper.  As a photographer, we are always trying to be sure we are NOT in the photo - I decided this time I'd pop in the picture to say Hi :-)

It's a very small room  (around 3' wide!) and that is why I choose the pedestal sink over a built in cabinet.  The pedestal sink appears airy so it gives the illusion that the bathroom has more space than it does.  If I had put in a built in cabinet there, it would really start feeling squished!

On the side wall between the commode and the sink I have a LARGE window (which also helps with making the room not feel as small as it is)  I put cafe shutters half way up.  It adds a lot of character and gives the privacy we need without having to close off the entire window.

The flower box sits directly outside the window.

 And there you have the tour of the guest bathroom!

Would you like one of your own!? 

They have offered one of my readers this same faucet! The retail value is $370.00!! 

 I'm excited for you guys!  :-)

How To Enter:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

How about doing a small re-model in YOUR guest bathroom?

Some quick painting, new towels, plates on the wall and a new faucet would make any bathroom STUNNING and if you win a faucet it would hardly cost you a thing!

Giveaway Ends Saturday, August 31!

You can read about Pfisters official giveaway rules and they have specified that for shipping, it is only for U.S. residing in the 48 contiguous states.  They gave this faucet to me at no charge but the reviews are my own opinion, feel free to see my full disclosure policy :-)

Puddings Made With Chia Seeds - Double Fudge Chocolate and Blueberry

I have been on the lookout for some really great higher protein snacks that will keep me full,  give me energy and taste amazing - I think I found it :-)

CHOCOLATE CHIA PUDDING!

I have continued to focus on my workouts and eating "clean" this summer.  Come September, I think I'll be at my health goal - pretty exciting!  

This has been one of my favorite "go to" desert snacks between my meals.  On the plan I'm following, they want you to eat every THREE hours!  It's great cause this gal loves to eat :-)

To make a single serving:

20g chia seeds (about 2 TBSP)

2/3 cup almond milk/regular milk or water

20g whey protein powder (usually it's about 1 full scoop)

1 tbsp raw organic cocoa

1/4 tsp vanilla

stevia (or other sweetener to taste)

Directions:

1. In blender, pour warm milk ( or water) over chia seeds and let stand for 30 -60 min (you can refrigerate if you want)

2. Add all other ingredients and mix.

3. Scoop into bowl to serve.

5. Top with your choice of coconut, chopped nuts , fruit

Nutrients (for single serving)

using almond milk:  Calories 220  Protein 21.37  Carb 11.53  Fat 9.87

using water instead of milk:  Calories 168  Protein 20.57  Carb 3.83  Fat 7.87

Look at that great tapioca like texture!!!!  YUM!

I have also made a DELICIOUS blueberry version of this - Blueberry Chia Pudding.  For those that love the tapioca or rice pudding texture - you're in for a treat with these!  There are lots of posts about the benefits of chia seeds - I always like reading them.

And just so you are reminded, here are some Chia Seed facts:

Six times more protein than kidney beans, 

Twice the amount of dietary fiber as bran flakes, 

Three times the amount of iron in spinach, 

Twice the amount of potassium in bananas, 

Six times the amount of calcium in milk 

(Bourne, 2002)

If you want to order some of the listed items above, use my coupon code ESE794 for $10.00 off your first www.iherb.com order!  

Please see full disclosure regarding links

~Sunny Summer Yellow: Paint and Decor~

There is something wonderful about the color yellow.  And since we're in the peak of summer over here I thought what better than to do a post that will brighten our day! (literally!)

My friend Ann from On Sutton Place made the most adorable yellow rain boot vases to place by her front door.

Doesn't that just make you smile?

The boots along with the robins egg nest in her front door wreath :-)

What about livening up a grey room with yellow accents!  This nursery is amazing!

Young House Love

Would you be so bold as to paint your front door yellow?  If my house looked as cute as that, I sure would!

Apartment Therapy

You thought a front door might be bold - what about your entire house!  Now that's Sunny!

Dear Daisy Cottage

I can't forget some LOVELY grandfather clocks that were painted yellow!  

My Lovely Things

And Cassity's clock she MADE and painted yellow - I love it!

Oh look, she has the same yellow pok-a-dot boots as Ann!

Remodelaholic


More yellow boots!!!!  Maybe I ought to get a pair ;-)  Yellow really does just add some sunshine!

Houzz

There you have it!  Some decor to brighten your day.  Did you get any ideas for your own home?

New Sponsor! ~Brooks Garden Peonies~