Simple Deviled Eggs

Simple Deviled Eggs Recipe

1 dozen eggs, boiled and peeled
1/3 C mayo
salt, to taste
paprika
dried dill

Directions: 

• Boil and peel eggs
• Half eggs and separate white and yolks, put yolks in a bowl
• Using a mixer, blend together yolks and mayo, add in whatever salt you need to your liking
• Spoon yolk mixture in to white halves
• Sprinkle with paprika and dill, is desired
• Enjoy

The paprika and dill add a bit of flavor but is more of a eye appealing feature.

What are these weird creatures? Pine Sawfly Caterpillars

Well, I will tell you what they are -- they are caterpillars for a Pine Sawfly! My kids noticed them on this pine bush by our house and they are destructive buggers. They had already eaten away a few branches inside, so we had not noticed them before. After doing some research I found out they will eat away at pine and end up killing it if you don't kill them first and you need to kill them as caterpillars so they don't turn in to a Sawfly and lay eggs causing an bigger problem and more destruction.

Now the problem is that they are pretty resistant (from my research) and you need to be sure you pick an insecticide that kills WASPS! They belong to the same family as the wasp. So, forget about an insecticide that kills flies or caterpillars, it must say that it will kill wasps. As long as you know this and use that, you should be good. These were pretty killed as soon as I sprayed them. I don't typically spray for insects because they are part of the food hierarchy and beneficial to something, but this was going to kill my nice big pine bushes and I wasn't going to stand for that.

Where Did We Go Wednesday? Granddad's Bluff in Lacrosse, WI

I haven't yet told you about our hike to the top of the Bluffs at Devil's State Park but this isn't it. This is Grandad's Bluff in Lacrosse Wisconsin. I think the fact that this was A drive up Bluff with a short walk was very appealing to my family after spending a strenuous day had Devil's Lake State Park followed by a full day of water slides at Noah's Ark Waterpark.

This was only about 10 minutes out of our way off of the interstate to go check it out. I was very impressed with the facilities up there they had full bathrooms, not Vault toilets for porta potties. There is also this very nice Stone Pavilion that had fireplaces on each end of it. On this day it was warm so no one was using the fireplace but I thought this would be a wonderful place to go during the Fall colors in August and look at the colors Over Lacrosse as well as areas of both Minnesota and Iowa that you can see. Lots of beautiful wild flowers are planted here as well. It is worth a drive to come check it out.

Super Easy Chocolate Banana Muffins

These muffins are so super easy, that my 7 year old son made them for breakfast for us recently. They only need 2 ingredients!!! A box of chocolate cake mix and 4 medium bananas.

Super Easy Chocolate Banana Muffins
1 box chocolate cake mix
4 medium bananas, mashed

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degree
• Mash bananas
• Pour in cake mix (only the mix, not other ingredients listed on the back)
• Mix together bananas and cake mix until blended
• Scoop batter in to 18 muffin tins
• Bake for 20 minutes
• Enjoy!

These will be more dense than cupcakes, but still very tasty. Allow to cool before removing from the muffin tin. This is the perfect beginner recipe for a child because there is no measuring involved but they still get a chance to read a recipe and follow instructions and use kitchen tools. A perfect start to learning some life skills in the kitchen.

Groupon.com Has Amazon Promo Codes!

Did you know Groupon has Amazon Promo Codes and Coupons?

I didn't, but I do now.

Amazon is something I use often, VERY OFTEN. My husband may even tell you, too often. We have Prime, so I primarily shop for things that have Prime Shipping and we use Amazon Prime to find movies and shows to watch. Sometimes I will even remember to check what books are FREE downloads each month. Recently, I was able to download and borrow The Handmaid's Tale through the Prime Lending Library to read for FREE and it is our book club pick this month (FYI - it is still available.

What I didn't know about and use is the 156 Coupons for Amazon available on Groupon. Not just coupons, but also other discounts and promotions I didn't know were available You better believe I will be checking Groupon more often now to find out what discounts are available on Amazon. 

ARE YOU WONDERING WHAT KINDS OF DEALS ARE ON THERE?

Well, you should click this link and see all of them for yourself, but some of them I was interested in are:

• Save $10 off $50 on Warehouse Deals
• 10-cent Movie Rentals on Amazon
• $35 Off a New Kindle
• $10 Off Your First Amazon Restaurant Deal
• $10 Off Shave Club Gift Card
• 50% Off Amazon Prime for Students

Where Did We Go Wednesday? RBNC Macro Invertebrates Class

Did you know that many nature centers offer a variety of classes for kids, adults, and Families? We used to be able to get more of the classes in when we were not as busy but as the kids grow older their schedules get busier. This class was a macroinvertebrate class at the river bend Nature Center in Faribault Minnesota.

It was quite an interesting class and we discovered many creepy things living in the pond.  they look even creepier when you look at them under microscopes.

Usually classes there are very low-cost or possibly even free. I encourage you to check them out and see what is available to you. Ours changes whenever we get different interns, so each year it might be different classes. Also oftentimes nature centers offer day camps so that might be an option to help round out your child summer especially if they are starting to complain of boredom.

FREE EMOJI Movie Event at MOA

THE EMOJI MOVIE Truck Tour is making its way to Minneapolis! Join us as we celebrate the upcoming release of THE EMOJI MOVIE with Hi-5 & Gene, characters from the upcoming film. The Emoji Movie glass truck activation will be at Mall of America on Thursday, July 13 from 2pm-8pm in the North Lot for a day of fun activities including a boomerang photo booth in the ball pit, corn hole games, a selfie station, giveaways and more! THE EMOJI MOVIE hits theaters July 28. #EmojiMovie https://www.mallofamerica.com/events/view/2061

Where Did We Go Wednesday? Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam was day 3 on our road trip vacation that took us to Death Valley, Las Vegas, and a lot of different places in Arizona. My husband and I have been here before but this was my kids first time going here.

Going to Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon had us feeling a bit like we were part of National Lampoon's Vacation.

Hoover Dam it's just one of those places that you go to even if you aren't there for a very long time because it is too dang hot to be outside. It is a place that does inspire awe.

Just one two bit if you are entering from Nevada there is a pay parking ramp but in the hot sun it is probably worth it. We did pay for parking but if you drive across Hoover Dam into Arizona there is lots that are free to park in there but you may have a bit of a ways to walk.

Where Did We Go Wednesday? RAD Zoo in Owatonna, MN

 We have a family pass to the RAD Zoo, so we get there at least a half dozen times a year. This time we got a family pass that allows us to bring a guest with us each time. So, far we have only taken advantage of that once, but I hope we use this benefit a couple of times this summer.

Every time we go there is always something new to see and possibly hold. We have been members since they first opened, so there is a lot we have learned and experienced since they opened.

If you want to see more pictures and read more about our trips there:

• June 2012
• November 2012
• September 2016
• November 2016

Happy Fourth of July!