Basil-Orange Lemonade

We have all been enjoying the beautiful springtime weather here in Texas.  Especially since soon we won't be able to go outside without fear of melting from the heat.
Spending time outside preparing the yard for spring and watching the plants begin to flower has been a real pleasure.

One major plus of spring is the reappearance of fruit on the grocery shelves.  Even though winter is one of my favorite seasons, I miss being able to enjoy all the wonderful fruit spring and summer offer us.

Since my guys are all in love with lemons I decided to make them lemonade with a twist.
As usual RJ was all too happy to help.  He was great with the electric juicer, that will be his job from now on.

I absolutely love basil and am currently growing large leaf and purple basil in my garden.
I decided to add a few leaves to the lemonade to give a little added flavor.
I also bought a large box of naval oranges from Costco (I LOVE COSTCO) so I thought I would juice an orange and add it to the lemonade also.

Once the lemonade chilled for a while, Hubby and I went outside to enjoy a glass and to watch the boys play on the trampoline.
 The lemonade was a big hit with my guys.  I am sure I will be making lots this summer.

Recipe

1 cup sugar
6 cups water
16 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
4 oz fresh squeezed orange juice
5-6 basil leaves

 In a small saucepan dissolve 1 cup of sugar in 1 cup of water and bring to a boil.  Set aside until the syrup is completely cooled.

Meanwhile juice approximately 6-7 lemons to obtain 16 oz of fresh squeezed lemon juice.  Also, juice 1-2 oranges to obtain 4 oz of fresh orange juice.

Pour lemon juice, orange juice, syrup, remaining 5 cups of water and basil leaves into a pitcher and refrigerate until ready to enjoy.

Renee

Video Game Birthday Party

             This year for MJ's 11th birthday we had a video game themed party.  We considered having a game truck since we had one a few years ago but the price of the game truck has gone up considerably since then.  My boys have a Wii, an X-Box 360 and a regular X-Box, so we decided to have a video game party at our house.  

When the boys arrived they each received an All Access pass to wear during the party.

I tried to put as many video game characters as possible into the decorations.  I wanted the boys to feel like they were inside a video game arcade.

I was really happy when all the boys stopped at the Pac Man wall and said how "cool' it was.

MJ made these cute Pac Man ghosts out of legos.  He was very proud to show them off to all his friends.

I also made some Boo ghosts and hung them from the ceiling.  They were a big hit, especially with RJ. He had a blast shooting at them with his Nerf gun :-).

We also pulled out the Nintendo 64 to add the old school video game theme.  Too bad we didn't have our Atari or Intelevision from when we were kids, the boys probably wouldn't have known what they were, LOL!

 The boys also got a kick out of the Mario mustaches, the 7- "Up" cake and all the different labels on the Gatorade and water bottles.

I had a great time getting the dessert counter ready.  

The streamers on the back wall really added a great touch.

These chocolate covered marshmallows were a huge hit.  All the boys loved them, and I must admit, I loved them too.  This was my first time making them, but I promised MJ and RJ that I will make them more often.

The cupcakes were delicious too.  I just made a yellow box cake with a delicious butter cream frosting.  I stuck with the primary party colors, red, blue, yellow and green for the frosting colors.  

When the boys left they each received a goodie bag filled with stickers, pencils, erasers, a cup, tattoos, and a pencil sharpener.

 MJ had a great party.  He was so excited all day.  I was a little concerned since we were partying on a budget, bit it worked out great.

Renee