Each year we visit the Pacific Ocean for our family vacation. This trip is especially exciting for me as I love being by the water.

Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas offers a Canvas Art Event, a class where you paint step-by-step with an artist.  Since we live in the desert, I enjoy this event because we get the opportunity to paint a local seascape. Last year I attend this class by myself with a certain amount of trepidation.  There is no experience necessary and all ages are welcomed.  After the 2 hour class, I so enjoyed taking home a keepsake from our vacation.  Here’s is what I painted last summer, called Heisler Park, a setting in Laguna Beach, CA.

This year, I convinced my 2 daughters and their friends to take the class with me.  There was a bit of hemming and hawing, but you can’t learn to paint if you don’t try, right? The class was held in a light-filled room overlooking the Pacific Ocean, which, in and of itself, was inspirational.

The painting, entitled “Sailing to Catalina” was our topic.  Here is the teacher’s version for us to emulate.

The class was $35.00 per person and included a prepared 11″x14″ canvas, the brushes, acrylic paints, supplies and instruction.  The largest brush has inch markers on the handle which we used to determine our horizon line.

The instructor told us which paints and quantities to use.  The sky, for example, was 2 parts white to one part blue.

We then used the white paint to create the clouds.

Next we added Catalina Island in the distance and added various quantities of white paint to the darker purple to add dimension to the rock.

The painting of the beach came next.

We used different shades of blue and green for the ocean.

Added waves, and then the greenery in the foreground, as well as the sailboat.

Added the finishing touches of the flowers in the foreground~~ a quick 2 hours! Our instructor, Jessica Byrne, traveled the room, lending her artistic feedback and helping each of us with our paintings.

My daughter, Julianna, decided to add a character (Patrick Star) to her painting!

Everyone was happy they attended and we each had our own artistic style!

This was a fun family experience! If you haven’t painted before, taking a group class and doing it alongside an artist is a great place to start. This particular company, Painterly Events, also provides private, corporate events and plein air (outdoors on location) classes.  What a fun way to gather a group of friends/family and share in an artistic experience.

Now I am off to enjoy the ocean! Happy Saturday!

We had a WONDERFUL day celebrating the 241st anniversary of the independence of America!  The Annual Bull Frog Loop parade (Bull Frog Loop is the name of our street) goes by our cabin.  It’s the perfect time to host a brunch for our neighbors and friends before the parade.

Here in the mountains, everyone decorates their cabins for the holiday so there is an abundance of flags and patriotic symbols.  This year we added more red/white/blue flag bunting to the deck railings.  I purchased this homemade wooden flag from a sweet dad and his two sons who were selling them on the side of the road.

For brunch, I made my egg casserole and fresh cherry coffee cake, (both recipes I have shared on previous posts).  We also made my new favorite go-to salad, Orange, Strawberry, Avocado with Citrus Poppyseed dressing (by one of my favorite bloggers, Monique at Ambitious Kitchen).  We rounded off the menu with fresh berries, Mimosas and a special cake for dessert.

I found these red/white/blue roses at Safeway~~I thought they would make a nice centerpiece on the table.   The girls laughed at me but I bought them anyway! The older I get, the more they laugh at me….go figure.

Our cabin is at approximately 8,000 feet altitude so it’s a bit of a challenge to bake here.  The girls and I decided at the last minute to make an American Flag Cake. I saw a post about the Top 30 July 4th desserts published by Country Living and this one looked interesting.  Baking at this altitude requires a bit of science and a lot of chemistry.

My daughter, Elisabeth, added the raspberries and blueberries on top of the delicious buttercream frosting. There were lots of oohs and ahhs when we cut into the cake.  Isn’t it amazing?  Surprisingly, with the high altitude adjustments, the cake was moist and all 8 layers worked out to really look like a flag!

We set up a self-serve buffet and then went outside and waited for the parade. This sweet homespun parade was started by Susan Palmer-Hunter. Years ago, Susan was so surprised that there was no July 4th parade here.  So, with determination she started one.  Susan and her husband host this parade every year. The much-anticipated parade has now grown and several hundred residents get to enjoy (and participate, if they like), in this very fun, patriotic event.   From decorated golf carts to bikes and floats, this parade represents the best of America. Here’s a glimpse:

Not only did this family participate in the parade, but they made cupcakes for all!

What a fun play on Red Cups!

And here is my good friend, Tracy, as Miss Bingo!

This parade, and all the red, white and blue, is such a reminder how lucky we are to live in this country!  Thank you, Susan for making this parade possible and gathering our community to celebrate Independence Day.

Also, we want to send our thoughts and prayers to those fire fighters who are working this holiday to manage the forest fires in Arizona.  We are so grateful for their service.  The fire danger is very high here and we pray for the monsoon season rains.

I hope you had a memorable holiday with your family and friends.  Happy July 4th!

With the July 4th holiday right around the corner, an icy, tall glass of fresh lemonade seems to be the perfect beverage for hot summer days.

Simple, straightforward lemonade is always delicious, but here are two new ways to prepare lemonade, giving it a sophisticated flair.

It is very easy to memorize a simple lemonade recipe~~one part water, one part lemon juice and one part simple syrup.  Simple syrup is also very “simple” ~~two parts sugar to one part water.  If you want more tart and less sweet, I have also made simple syrup with one part sugar to one part water. I find it easiest to put the sugar in the water in a saucepan and dissolve it over a low temperature.  There are many ways to bring additional flavor to your lemonade by adding an herb to your simple syrup while it simmers.

Basil Lemonade

This recipe, Basil Lemonade is, without a doubt, the family favorite.  By adding a bunch of fresh basil to the simple syrup, it adds a different twist to the lemonade. The basil flavor and fragrance is infused with the simple syrup.  Actually, you could add various things to any simple syrup~~ginger, lavender, mint, thyme, rosemary, geranium, lemon grass~~adding a hint of flavor to your lemonade.

Simple syrup can be made ahead of time and refrigerated.  After the syrup cools, strain out the basil.  Mix the lemon juice, water and basil simple syrup together. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon and sprig of basil.

~~Basil Lemonade Recipe~~

Strawberry Lemonade

My family’s 2nd place favorite, is Strawberry Lemonade.  Place fresh strawberries in a blender or food processor and puree.

Strain the puree (I used a fine mesh sieve) and discard the seeds.  Simply, mix the puree with the lemon juice, sugar and water and you have this beautiful, refreshing lemonade.

~~Strawberry Lemonade~~

Ingredients

2 quarts fresh strawberries or 2 packages frozen

6 large lemons

1 cup sugar

2 quarts cold water

Place the strawberries in a blender or food processor and puree.  Strain the puree and discard the seeds.

Slice the lemons in half and squeeze each into a large measuring cup.  Remove any seeds.  You should yield approximately 1.5 cups of juice.

In a large pitcher, combine the lemon juice, sugar and strawberry puree.  Stir in the cold water and serve over ice.  Makes approximately 12 cups.

Enjoy!!

P.S. I haven’t figured out how to put two printable recipes in one blog post….so my apologies for that!