Aguas frescas: blueberry and orange

Aguas frescas translates to 'cool waters' in Spanish and it is a very common drink in Mexico, Central America, and the Carribean. 

Since summer is basically upon us I was looking for a refreshing nonalcoholic beverage. This drink is super easy and you can easily alter the recipe to fit your tastes or what you have in your refrigerator! 

Ingredients 

2 cups blueberries

2 oranges

4+ cups of water

Ice

Directions

1. Clean and add blueberries to a pitcher.

2. Clean and slice oranges and also add to pitcher.

3. Muddle together using muddler or the end of a wooden spoon.

4. Add lots of ice

5. Add water and stir.

6. Pour and enjoy!

After you drink the initial water you could always add more and keep the pitcher all day, an excellent way to get in your daily water with the added nutrients/taste of fruit!!

Let us know what combinations of fruit you come up with by commenting on this post or tagging us on Instagram!

xo

Chelsea

Rainy Days Can Be Fun Days

I was looking for activities to do when my granddaughter Cecelia was at my house visiting. I got a bunch of stuff to play outside balls, bubbles, a bug box, and some pool toys. Then I got to thinking what if it rains, I have not had to entertain or find something for a child to do on a rainy day in quite sometime. So I started looking. I really liked the kinetic sand but it seemed expensive, so I did a little research and found a recipe to make it. I gathered the supplies and was prepared for that rainy day!

During Cecelia's time at my house we had a lot of fun and a lot of those days were sunny and we were outside! But two days before she was to go home it rained... I was kind of excited... we had a jammie day and watched a movie and then we got out the materials to make the kinetic sand.

Kinetic Sand

The supplies:

5 C sand (10 lbs.)

1.25 C cornstarch

1/2 tsp of dawn

1 C water

1 tsp tea tree oil

Directions:

Mix the sand and corn starch. In a small bowl  mix the dawn, water, and tea tree oil. Mix the liquid with the sand mixture. Enjoy!

I got the sand toys at Michael's.

Add caption

Making the sand was fun and easy. Cecelia loved playing with it! My one recommendation... put a piece of plastic on the floor because it was a little messy. 

Make Sweet Memories!

Kelly

Savory S'mores

Everybody loves a great campfire...but who likes eating the same thing all the time? That was our predicament the last time we had a campfire so we searched for new recipes to try. We came across savory s'mores and let me tell you they are pretty awesome.

Ingredients:

32 crackers ( we used Wheat Thins and Triscuits)

1/4 cup purchased pesto 

16 fresh basil leaves (optional)

Any firm cheese cut into 16 1-inch cubes

Directions

1. Set out crackers and spread one of each pair with pesto and top with a basil leaf. 

2. Spear a cheese cube on a marshmallow stick and hold over an open fire until the cheese is slightly melted and browned, turning occasionally.**

3. Using the other cracker or a fork, scrape the cheese onto the cracker with the pesto. 

4. Top with the second cracker and enjoy immediately!

**The cheese that we had got for this was not able to be speared without breaking so we ended up using a cast iron pan to cook the cheese on. 

We hope you all enjoy trying these savory s'mores and cannot wait to see pictures of your creations!! Tag us on Instagram!

xo Chelsea

Super Easy No Sew Bunting

We love bunting.

Since the time we created our first strands at Café Sewciety in 2012, we've been hooked. There's bunting all over the house, Chelsea had some in her dorm room, obviously it's featured as an accent in Cece and Cole's rooms, and we've made it for presents a few times. Creating a tradional sewn bunting isn't difficult at all, and it's not awfully time consuming. However, it's always fun to explore alternatives to the norm (and it's good for when you have a limited amount of time...).

Last week, the whole family headed down the coast for a beach week on Tybee Island. The day before we left, we were chatting and thought it would be cute to have some sort of decoration to hang in our "camp" on the beach. Of course, we immediately thought of bunting. But, as I said, we had this epiphany the day before we were leaving. Everyone had a lot to do; finish packing, clean out the fridge, run to Walmart for some last minute items. At Walmart we ran into the display of bandanas, and had a great idea - why not use the bandanas, cut in half and tied together, to make a fun bunting? It wouldn't have the same triangular shape, but that was okay. Quite impressed with our fab idea, we picked out 2 bandanas each of every color in the rainbow. 

The assembly was super easy, and really quick:

1. Cut each bandana in half diagonally. 

2. Tie the ends together to make a strand (I did a basic double knot, and it easily withstood the intense winds at the beach).

3. Hang up and enjoy your fabulous new decor!

This is so easy that anyone can do it - even the "creatively challenged." The possibilities are endless! Use red, white and blue for a patriotic feel. This would also be perfect for a western/cowboy themed party, as cowboys are never seen without one.  

Happy tying!

Chloe 

Beach Town

Many years ago, my mom was reading a book by Mary Kay Andrews. She was talking about the beautiful night drive on to Tybee Island, Ga. My mom being my mom, just had to do the drive on to the island. 

Later that summer, we did just that and have been hooked on Tybee Island since then! 

Since Chelsea and Chloe just graduated, my parents have us on a celebratory vacation.... On Tybee Island!

Tonight, my mom, sisters and I went to a Mary Kay Andrews book signing of her bew book, Beach Town, at The Brice Hotel in Savannah! Very fitting! It was so much fun. 

We got to meet Mary Kay and sample fabulous macaroons, peach cobbler, cocktails and appetisers from local companies and chefs in training from the local college. Massages were offered, "South" Magazine was there and it was a great night of fun!

My mom got some pictures with Mary Kay, but she was talking to her the whole time, telling her how she inspired her to visit Tybee! (In every picture she is doing some kind of facial movement... And that is why!)

It was a fun evening. It was so nice for just the four of us to have an evening out.  Since we have stepped foot in America, we have hit the ground running. We have slowed down and have been loving every minute on the island. 

Want to see more fabulous pictures of our trip?! Follow us on Instagram: the_honey_house

Hope you have a relaxing evening,

Cheers,

Courtney 

Graduation

This past week, Craig, the kids and I made the trek from England to the USA so we could see my sisters graduate from Kutztown University!  

Chelsea graduated with a degree in Biology with a track in molecular, micro cell biology. Chloe graduate with a degree in marketing, with summa cum laude honours. I am so proud of them! 

For graduation, my parents got them a pearl necklace, so Craig, the kids and I got them matching pearl earrings. I also wanted to make them something inspirational for their new chapter in life. I was not quite sure what to do, but then I came up with the idea of an "inspirational journal". 

I bought a nice journal for each of them, wrote a little note at the beginning, then randomly throughout put inspirational quotes. I hope when they need a little lift in life they look trough the journal and it puts a little smile on their face! 

Since we have been in the states, we have been to two graduation ceremonies, a family reunion, my Poppy's funeral and have gotten a little sun burn. We have only been here for five days, it has been a whirlwind of emotions and jet lag. 

So today I am keeping it short and simple, but stay tuned!

Cheerio,

Courtney

Baked Hummus and Spinach Dip

Did you ever watch the 1990 movie Mermaids starring Cher and Winona Ryder? That movie has always stayed in my mind... I think because Mrs. Flax always served her family appetizers and not much else really... That is me to a T. I love appetizers and dips! I serve my family more than appetizers but would be totally ok with just appetizers. So when I found this dip, I thought a dip that is semi good for you, much better than chicken wing dip in which the base is cream cheese and cheddar or artichoke dip in which the base is mayonaise. We loved it the first time I made it. We also made a chicken wing dip with the addition of chicken, wing sauce and blue cheese. For both versions I serve it with fresh veggies, pita chips, tortilla chips, or flat bread.  

Baked Hummus and Spinach Dip

Ingredients
1 16 ounce container of hummus ( I like Sabra.)
2 cups fresh spinach
1 cup white cheddar cheese, shredded
2 teaspoons creole seasoning or, italian seasoning

Directions
1, Preheat oven to 375°
2. Chop spinach by hand on a cutting board in fine shreds
3. Combine humus, spinach, 1/2 of the cheese and seasoning in a small casserole dish about 9x9. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cheese should be melted and hummus hot. Serve with pita wedges, tortilla chips or fresh vegetables.

Stay Sweet,
Kelly