"Cool Waterholes"

Self Portrait Tuesday! 5 elements of Summer.

WATER

As I was pondering this week's SPT I started to think how we as humans gravitate to bodies of water or a water hole of some sort. I suppose it is survival instinct. We cant live without it right? Every summer that I can remember, I think there has always been a "water hole" in this crazy thing I call my life.

Water Hole #1 The Colorado River

Me and my great friend Stephanie Canada 1995, Oh and my dad!
I was always the skinniest kid on the beachy shores, playing in the sand making drip castles and floating around the points in a giant orange life jacket. We were always surrounded by friends and fun. I couldn't find the picture I was looking for so I compromised. :-)There is nothing like the River to cool a person off in 115 degree heat!

Water Hole #2 Clear Creek Canyon

As a teenager in Winslow we hung out at The Creek, which was pretty much a deep canyon filled with water. I was so happy I found this picture of one of my friends jumping off Brad's Rock, look closely. Yup, the rocks have names! i.e. Dinosaur, Suicide, Heaven,.... dang that is all I can remember! Lots of fond memories (some that I will not tell my kids about until they have their own) from summer time at The Creek!

Water Hole #3 Lake Mead Currently we live literally minutes from the beautiful (and shrinking) Lake Mead. Can you believe this body of water supplies for most of the Los Angeles area? Its crazy. We always pray for water to flow from the western Rockies in hopes of replenishing the old Lake.

Water Hole #4 Black Mountain Aquatics Center

While living near the lake is breathtaking, if you don't have a boat or a friend with a boat (which we do), you don't typically hang there too often. So this is our current water hole! We have a great time here. We usually group up with a few families, bring hot dogs, drinks and snacks and enjoy the cool water and fun slides.
Even our friends with boats make it here on a regular basis.

Water and Summer.... it just makes sense doesn't it !?

"Here comes the sun, and I say... it's alright!"

Well this is my first time participating with SPT. I've been reading my buddy Jeanette's blogs and really dig the idea. So this weeks topic is "SUN" one of my favorite topics..What can I say about the sun other than he is my friend. I was born in Needles CA one of the hottest places in the country, where the sun shines 98% of the time. I was raised in Arizona where it only shines a little less. I guess you can say I am a product of my environment. I do not think I even realized he was a part of my life, I had no idea what a good friend the sun was to me until I moved away from him.

I spent a brief stint in the 1990's in St. Louis, MO, 1 year, 5 months 2 weeks and 3 days to be exact. And as much as I missed my family and friends, I missed the sun more. It hid behind oogles of weather conditions on a constant basis. I would get so angry at the weather man when he would say, "Tomorrow there will be chances of Partly Sunny conditions at 12:03 p.m." Oh how, I wanted reach into the sky and part the clouds to see my yellow friend.
At first I didn't understand my depression. I simply did not know how to function without the sun. Where I came from, when it rained you stayed inside because it flooded, it never snowed so I didn't know how to drive on icy roads, and fog.. huh?? So basically, I stayed indoors alot because of my lack of weather skills.

Upon our return to the southwest, Las Vegas to be exact, I learned to appreciate the sunny days and clear blue skies. I am a much happier being with sunshine in my life. Even when it is cold in the southwest, the sun still shines. I am a big believer in forever friendships and I hope I will never again part with my good friend "the sun".
Gina, Nicole and Me basking in the sun at Big Surf, 1990.

"Here Comes the Sun" Cirque de Soliel number from LOVE my favorite!

A plea from the kitchen!!

Now that summer has arrived and business has slowed, I find myself preparing more meals for my family! Mike has been a great sport but I swear, if my children roll their eyes and say "blech!" one more time at the dinner table!! I will pull everyone of my hairs out of my head with tweezers!! I realize this is my fault, as a working mom my children have become acostom to their father's cooking these last 4 years. But really, a person can only have bean burritos and rice so many times!! Chicken nuggets, cheese burgers and pizza?!! Gag me with a spoon!! (I 'm dating myself ;)

I used to think of myself as a decent cook, but lately my gourmet ego is in a shambles! I have been torturing my family recently by trying new recipes to liven up dinner. So far I have had mediocre reaction. Martha Stewart is failing miserably here!! The only recipes that the kids will injest so far have been from my friend's kitchens.

So to all of my friends I am asking you sincerely for your help, not as a chain letter and all that other hooo ha! Real help. Will you please share a recipe with me that is a hit when you make it?? A hit with kids would be great, but a hit all around would be best! We all have one. I am even willing to share my secret Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe with you or any other that I keep in my vault. Pretty please!!

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