Because you deserve it...

If you live in the south, in the summer, you deserve a medal just for breathing.  I am like Olaf, ya know...the snowman from Frozen.  I love summer, but when I actually get outside I turn into a puddle.  You add two kids to the mix and holy cow I am done.  Luckily, we have a pool readily available to us at all times.  I have to say, there are times when not even the pool can give you complete relief...That is where these Cherry Limeades with Vodka come in. The nearest Sonic is 30 minutes away from us, so I wanted to come up with my own simple version of one of my very favorite drinks...plus a splash of alcohol does the body good, right!?  Oh is that not how the saying goes?

Not into vodka? Just leave it out.  It is delicious and refreshing with or without alcohol.  This recipe is my show of appreciation for all the parents out there trying to get through summer outside with the kids.  It is a boiling, steamy, sweaty and hot mess out there...wash it away with one of these as you relax...or in my world: As you cart a baby on your hip while yelling at your oldest "Stop running around the pool" for the hundredth time!

Happy Summer, y'all!

Mason Jar Whipped Cream

    The latest Pinterest/Facebook trend has been all about whipped cream from a mason jar.  I loved the idea of it, but thought it was too good to be true!  I detest having to clean up what seems like twenty different kitchen tools after making homemade whipped cream.  While the taste of homemade is worth it, it really is such a pain!     So earlier this week I decided to try it for myself to see what the fuss was about...  

  I decided to experiment with the following measurements:   1 C Heavy Whipping Cream 1 T Granulated Sugar 1 t Coconut Extract (Use whatever flavor extract you like)    

  This is a super intricate process folks...pay attention...   Dump ingredients into mason jar, screw on lid tightly and shake for at 3-5 minutes.    

  After three minutes my whipped cream looked like yogurt  

    After 5 minutes it was the embodiment of perfection.  Perfectly stiff peaks of whipped cream with a hint of coconut.    

This takes some arm stamina, as you have to vigorously shake the mason jar full of cream.  You will not make whipped cream by leisurely waving the jar around, you have to whip it!  It is well worth the effort!  

I put a dollop of this freshly whipped cream in my coffee.  I really wish this could have been an Irish coffee because this heavenly stuff would only enhance the flavor of the whiskey in an Irish coffee!  Alas, I had just gotten home with my sick Bubba who had thrown up in the car on the way to school this morning and ended up getting a fever of 103...so no whiskey was enjoyed.  #MamaProblems

  Happy Whipping!   Linking up with Kristen O for #ThurstyThursday because I was dreaming about this in my hypothetical Irish coffee...