Fruitful Friday - Caprese Salad

Fresh tomatoes and summer. They just go together. Earlier this week I made a Caprese Salad that was so delicious (if I do say so myself) that I made it again yesterday for lunch. :) It was so yummy that I just have to share the recipe with you all.

Here's what you'll need:

2 Large Tomatoes, sliced thick

4 oz. ball of fresh Mozzarella cheese (I use the soft kind in water)

Fresh Basil (I picked mine straight from my yard)

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar

2 Cloves Garlic

Fresh Ground Pepper

Fresh Ground Sea Salt (regular salt will also do)

Here's what you do:

Slice each tomato into about 3 slices (depending on their size) and put on plate.

Slice mozzarella and place a slice on each of the tomato slices. Garnish with Basil.

Whisk together the remaining ingredients and drizzle over the top of the Salad.

Here's what mine looked like...

And a closeup...

I hope you enjoy this as much as I do!!

Summertime Fun Deals

Hey Moms! It's the beginning of a new month and that means some good family deals are coming up this week.

The first Friday of every month means FREE admission to the Portland Children's Museum. That's right - you and your family can enjoy the museum free this Friday night from 5 - 8 p.m.

You can take the kids to OMSI on the first Sunday of the month for just $2 admission. Admission to the Planetarium or Omnimax is only $5 on the first Sunday.

These deals mean a great opportunity to enjoy some of the wonderful family experiences Portland has to offer, even in these tough financial times.

Memorizing Scripture

Summertime is such a great time to spend time just enjoying our kids, without the pressures of school, homework, sports practice, etc.

In addition to all of the recreational time we get to spend with our children, summer is also a great opportunity to spend some extra time in prayer and memorizing scripture with them.

11 I have hidden your word in my heart,

that I might not sin against you.

12 I praise you, O Lord;

teach me your decrees.

13 I have recited aloud

all the regulations you have given us.

14 I have rejoiced in your laws

as much as in riches.

15 I will study your commandments

and reflect on your ways.

16 I will delight in your decrees

and not forget your word.

Psalm 119:11-16 (New Living Translation)

Here are a few steps to help make memorizing easier for children:

Read the verse out loud to them. (So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. Romans 10:17). Say the book, chapter and verse before and after the scripture.

If they are able, have them read the verse from the bible.

Talk about the scripture. Discuss with them how each scripture applies to them personally.

Work on memorizing the verse.

Make flash cards with the Scripture on one side and the book, chapter and verse on the other. Teach them one phrase or word from the verse at a time.

Make up a song. Singing scripture helps children to memorize it.

Do an activity to make the verse fun and easy to remember. For example, if you are working on Matthew 10:30, "And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.", the child can attempt to count the hairs on their own head.

Here are a few scriptures to get you started:

Luke 6:31 ~ Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Ephesians 4:32 ~ Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Psalm 19:14 ~ May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 118:24 ~ This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 136:1 ~ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.

Matthew 22:37 ~ Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'

Ephesians 6:1 ~ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Psalm 139:14 ~ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

John 14:1 ~ Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

1 John 1:9 ~ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Psalm 103:8 ~ The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

Happy Memorizing!!