Sweet Treat for the Heat

Summer has finally come to my little foothills home! 

After weeks of cool and rainy weather, we went from temperatures in the 60's to hot! 

And what better way to cool off than with homemade Popsicles! 

My temperature gauge sits in the shade and shows close to 90 degrees. 

I am in front of the fan trying to stay cool. 

I know that some of you are used to hot temperatures in the summer, but here in Western Washington this is considered very hot and in fact, we are breaking records for this date. 

Mt. Rainier wears a cap of clouds in a nearly cloudless sky. The mountain generates its own weather, including its own cloud formations formed from the many steam vents along its flanks.

Mt. Rainier is considered an active volcano, but for the last 200 years has remained dormant. 

Let's hope it stays that way! 

With this warm weather, my strawberries have ripened quickly. 

I have two Strawberry Pots on my deck. 

I was able to harvest a small basket full, with more continuing to ripen. 

Last year I made Strawberry Scones with my little harvest, but this year it is too hot to bake, so I thought I would make something cool and refreshing instead. 

Nearly every morning I have a fruit smoothie, so I thought I would freeze it to make a cool and delicious treat. 

Strawberry - Peach - Banana  Popsicles

Blend in two batches

For each batch, add to blender:

1 banana

1 peach, cut up

1/2 pint strawberries, hulled 

1 cup vanilla low fat yogurt  (or flavor of choice)

2 tbsp honey

1/2 tsp of cinnamon

The cinnamon is optional, but I add it for the health benefits. 

It is helpful in stabilizing blood sugar. 

Honey can be substituted with Agave syrup, Maple syrup or other sweetener. 

This makes a nice puree' for adding to a Popsicle mold or to paper cups with a Popsicle stick. 

My mold didn't quite use up all the puree' so I saved the rest in the refrigerator for a second batch. 

Freeze for several hours or overnight. 

To unmold just rest in hot water about 30 seconds or so. 

Healthy and delicious! 

And they will help you keep your cool! 

I saved one for you - Mmmmmm! 

Just save the extras in zip-loc baggies. One or two per baggie so they don't stick together. 

I used to make these for my 4 children. And all their friends :) (I had several molds back then.) 

They didn't last long! But I felt good giving my children a healthy treat. 

Now it is just me and The Mr. 

He is a treat thief, so these won't last long either! 

I also set out a little treat for the birds. 

A heart shaped suet. 

My sweet sister in law, Donna made it. 

We went to visit her in New Hampshire recently. 

She makes these and sells them at a craft show. 

And while I have your attention, look what is blooming in my shade garden! 

I have no idea what they are, but they sure are pretty - another gift from a dear friend. 

Those are the best treats of all! 

I hope you are keeping cool and enjoying some special treats of your own. 

Now, if I can just figure out how to get my blog roll back..........

I have it on 'Bloglovin', but now I need to figure out how to put it back on my blog. 

Sigh..... 

But I am not going to give up! 

I know I have not been visiting all of you lately - I have been trying to get things straight with Google Reader ending. 

I want to thank all of you for your patience.

 Also, thank you to those who gave us directions for transferring to Bloglovin.

Keep Cool!  

xoxo