Morning and Happy 4th, friends!!! Although it appears many of you are up to your own activities. The blog world has been rather quiet this weekend – and I like that! In my mind it means we have filled our schedules with loved ones, a chance to unwind, and outdoor fun. I know that’s what a quiet day from me meant yesterday.

I spent the day here…

I love the lake! Our friends’ parents have a lake house which they open to our crew every year for a summer lake party. And what better weekend than the 4th of July weekend?!

We gathered with our friends and their families for a full day of lake fun. I spent the day chatting away with everyone. I bet that doesn’t surprise any of you.

Laughing and catching up with good friends relaxes me. It’s like a mental release. Probably why I love blogging so much. 😉

The day also included lots of play with our many children in the lake swimming and floating.

I love the lake. We live only 5 minutes away but don’t have a boat or dock to really use it beyond visiting for a walk, hike, or picnic in its beautiful scenery. Getting to actually use the lake was so fun. I only wish we had a boat big enough to fit all…30??…of us for some tubing or skiing fun all together. We did get to go out in waves though.

All of that playing worked up an appetite…which didn’t pose a problem with the ample amount of food to fill our bellies. Including hummus, veggies, pita chips, mini pigs in a blanket, and buffalo dip.

For dinner we had a potluck style meal with the traditional hamburgers and hotdogs. I filled my plate with a hotdog, a scoop of macaroni and cheese, a scoop of a baked potato casserole thing, and a scoop of a bean salad (which was phenomenal).

Once we finished dinner, the time for dessert came. I know the suspense is killing you on which dessert I decided to make and bring. Well…

I made Katie from Dashing Dish’s cheesecake bars. I followed her recipe almost exactly besides using regular sugar over the sugar substitute. It turned out so well. I got my sweet fix with some of the bars in addition to a slice of to die for homemade key lime pie.

Sweet tooth = satisfied.

Once dinner came and went, we took another hour or so to relax together before we all needed to head out. We all said our goodbyes around 9 pm. The life of parenting young children. At least we all pretty much relate and can still have a heck of a good time. I know I met my holiday fun quota! 

• Do you like the lake?
• Favorite kind of pie?

Morning to all! Here’s the low down of what you may have missed this weekend:

• Keeping It Cool – some of my favorite eats (including green smoothie combos)
• Electrolyte Superpowers – a 6 miler I didn’t expect, features, NEW recipe page!
• Self-Love Reflection: More Than Numbers    

But, let’s get another week started shall we? I know I have already gotten the ball rolling over here. I was up bright and early to hit up a spin class before Peter had to head into work and before the busyness of the kids’ morning routines started. It always feels so great to start the week off moving and grooving.

Per the usual, my workout left me feeling hungry and ready for a solid breakfast. Yet, unusually, I didn’t hanker for my bowl of oats. I had images of a diner style meal instead. Eggs, toast, and a side. I whipped up my own, less greasy, version -

An omelet with one egg and one egg white, filled with green onion, mushrooms, and laughing cow swiss cheese. Plus a whole wheat english muffin spread with peanut butter and a cup of grapes. And without a doubt, some iced coffee!

In other words, perfection. A happy tummy = a happy Tina. Although…a happy tummy + catching up with good friends = a very, very, very happy Tina. And that’s just what happened this past weekend.

On Friday night we went over to hang out with our friends Ben & Danielle and to let our little girls have a ball together. It had been awhile since the four of us all got together, due to vacations and busy schedules, so we all looked forward to the night. I think I had started going through withdrawals. I hardcore miss my friends when I don’t see them for more than a couple of weeks.

For our dinner date, we prepared a basic pasta meal together, while also watching the children play and catching up on life. I made a pasta combination of whole wheat pasta with sauce, extra diced tomatoes, squash, diced onion, and 8 oz lean ground beef.

She put together a salad consisting of spring mix, onion, carrots, banana peppers, hardboiled egg whites, and a balsamic vinaigrette.

I also enjoyed a glass of cabernet. Wine. Mmmmm….

An understated meal that takes on a 5-star quality because the people around the table. It had been too long. Thankfully, I can rest easy knowing we will get time with many of our crew this upcoming weekend too. I can’t wait!

• What was the best part of your weekend?
• How long does it take you to miss your friends?