Blackberry Sweet Tea

Good Tuesday morning!

The Gallery Pics are from last night's Choir Concert. The Spring Choir Concert is a little different from the other concerts throughout the year. It has a definite Talent Show "feel." Josh accompanied two "acts" with the guitar (and did REALLY well), and then he sang his first solo.

I, of course, was a nervous wreck, and I probably didn't "enjoy the moment" as much as I should have... but he did.

If someone told I had to get on a stage and sing Be My Teddy Bear by Elvis, I would have to tell them, "Just shoot me. Just shoot me NOW." I couldn't do it. I think I would have the Elvis' leg jiggle down because when I get nervous that's the first thing that starts shaking for some reason. I have hands like a surgeon (they never shake), but my legs are another story.

RANDOMNESS #1 - This is one of my favorite times of the year because the summer movie blockbusters are beginning to show up at the theaters. I've already told you about THOR, but Captain America, Cars 2, Transformers, Green Lantern, Pirates of the Caribbean, Kung Fu Panda, etc. are all coming this summer, too.

Oh, and don't forget... Turtles: The Incredible Journey. (I'm not kidding. It comes out in June. I need someone to go with me. Leave a comment in the Comment Section of the blog if you are interested.)

Movie-wise, it's going to be a very good summer.

RANDOMNESS #2 - Since we just celebrated Mother's Day, I'm going to share some thoughts on "How to Know You're a Mom."

You automatically double-knot everything you tie.

You find yourself humming the Barney song as you do the dishes.

You hear a baby cry in the grocery store, and you start to gently sway back and forth, back and forth. However, your children are at school!

You weep through the scene in Dumbo when his mom is taken away, not to mention what Bambi does to you.

You get so into crafts you contemplate writing a book called 101 Fun Crafts to do with Dryer Lint and Eggshells.

You spend a half hour searching for your sunglasses only to have your teenager say, "Mom, why don't you wear the ones you pushed up on your head?"

And, a little bonus... "What My Mother Taught Me."

My Mother taught me LOGIC. "If you fall off that swing and break your neck, you can't go to the store with me."

My Mother taught me TO MEET A CHALLENGE. "What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you! Don't talk back to me!"

My Mother taught me HUMOR. "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

My Mother taught me about GENETICS. "You are just like your father!"

My Mother taught me about my ROOTS. "Do you think you were born in a barn?"

My Mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. "Just wait until your father gets home."

My Mother taught me about RECEIVING. "You are going to get it when we get home."

My Mother taught me about JUSTICE. "One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like YOU!"

Isn't being a Mom the best?

Blackberry Sweet Tea

I received the new Southern Living Magazine yesterday, and what did I see on the cover? An article entitled "23 New Ways to Enjoy Tea." All righty, then.

I picked what may appear to be an odd choice, but I've had this tea before, and although I am NOT a blackberry fan, I LOVE this tea.

You will need the following:

3 cups fresh or frozen blackberries (thawed)
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
Pinch of baking soda
4 cups boiling water
2 family-size tea bags
2 1/2 cups cold water
Garnish: fresh blackberries

1. Combine blackberries and sugar in a large container.

2. Crush with a wooden spoon.

3. Stir in mint and baking soda.

4. Pour 4 cups boiling water over tea bags. Cover and steep for 5 minutes. Discard tea bags.

5. Pour tea over blackberry mixture. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour.

6. Pour tea through a wire-mesh strainer into a large pitcher. Discard solids.

7. Add 2 1/2 cups cold water, stirring until sugar dissolves.

8. Cover and chill 1 hour. Garnish if desired.

I'm not kidding. It tastes divine. (Of course, it's a lot of work for a beverage, so if you're going to make it, I would suggest doing so for company. Someone who would really appreciate the effort. Hmmm. Perhaps the Enchanting Belinda!)

I hope you have the most delightful Tuesday. As you all know by now, Wednesday is our busy, busy day on A Simple Life, so please feel free to visit again. (I will have a ton of new pictures to post!)

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda