The Pink House of Claremore

I know what you’re thinking... Summer’s here... temps are climbing higher... and the kids are home from school, clamoring for things to do... how could I possibly relax this summer?

Well, fear not... I’ve come to the rescue.

Here are my three tips for rediscovering your carefree spirit this summer...  

• Switch to vacation mode. It may take some doing, but it’s all in the attitude. Don’t feel you have to keep the same breakneck schedule or keep everyone happy with constant activity. Summer’s the time to slow down and relax a little. Time to look at everything a little differently and forget your to-do list.
• Enjoy the small pleasures of life. You don’t have to plan a big, expensive trip to Disney World or the beach to enjoy the summer. Think of your own small pleasures and do them throughout the day. It may be running through the sprinklers with the kids or sitting on the patio to enjoy a beautiful sunset. It’s up to you... as long it helps you relax and get refreshed.
• Breathe some fresh clean air. You wouldn’t believe what a 30 minute walk can do for your mood. Breathing in clean country air is nature’s way of reviving us and helping us deal with stress. Go outside today and enjoy God’s creation for a little R&R.

So, there you have it... 3 tips for relaxing this summer. Try these over the coming weeks and see if you don’t feel better. 

If all else fails, you can always visit us here at the Pink House Restaurant.  We’re the perfect place to relax and enjoy the pleasures of summer.

Visit us anytime for lunch or dinner... AND remember to leave your worries behind.

See you soon,

Margo

What could more American than July 4^th and everything that comes with it...fireworks, a bbq in the backyard, old glory flying high above? I’m talking, classic.

But, just because you’ll be sweating as it is (this is Oklahoma you know) that doesn’t mean you need to sweat the details of your July 4^th menu also. Go with the traditional barbecue favorites, but add a little spice of your own for a simple yet savory summertime feast.

• Hamburgers. Could there be anything more quintessentially American? A tried and true classic if there ever was one, but ripe for a little flavor finagling. I like minced onion on my patties and a little salt personally. But, I’ve heard adding a little barbeque habanera sauce will add a kick that will send you into the next county. Something to try.
• Potato Salad. How about putting in onions, cheese, sour cream. And, you guessed it, a little bacon? It’s like a loaded baked potato. You’ve got to try it...I promise, you’ll love it.
• Buttered corn on the cob. No need to tamper with perfection. Right?
• A little green for the kiddos. Green bean casserole is a terrific side dish and easy to make. Or, something cool and leafy will help offset a hot and filling meal.
• Oh, and you got to have something fruity for dessert...peaches, blackberries, it’s all good. Or, you could just cut up a watermelon in two seconds flat. To me, it’s the perfect summer dessert.

Finally, add all the extras and you’re good to go... chips, drinks, and of course, your red, white, and blue décorations.

Now, nothing left to do but sit back and enjoy. Oh, and be sure to give thanks for your freedom.

Ahh, the joys of summer.

Margo

Calling all pampering-loving women everywhere!

Want a chance to win free hair and style advice, free clothes, and an incredible meal at the Pink House Restaurant?

Here’s the deal. During the next two weeks, All the Rage Fashions of Claremore is hosting a Facebook Makeover Contest where a lucky fan will be selected to win--

• 2 stylish All the Rage outfits.
• Hair Styling & Make Up Consultation.
• $50 gift certificate to The Pink House Restaurant of Claremore.

All you have to do to enter is...go to All the Rage Fashions’ Facebook page and 'Like' their page. At the end of May, ATR will randomly select a winner.  

As they say in Oklahoma, Easy Breezy (well, I say it at least).

Hurry and enter today... can’t wait to see you at the Pink House.

Margo

Ok, folks…here it is. The definitive list of top things to do while it’s snowing. Remember, you no longer have the excuse of a lack of the white stuff. We’ve gotten at least 20 inches up in Claremore and we're expecting more! :)

1. Go Sledding. Ok, I’m not wishing any broken bones on anybody, especially if you’re over 45, but sledding can be exhilarating, if you do it right. Wear plenty of warm clothes and make sure the hill you’re on doesn’t empty out into high speed traffic.

2. Snowball Fight. Calling all soldiers. Your mission, if you wish to accept it…is to vanquish your enemy by hitting him with a giant snowball. Remember, no whining or crying, and sneak attacks are allowed.

3. Make Snow Angels. This is your chance to act like an angel. Fall on the fluffy stuff and spread your wings. Short-lived I know, but it’s fun while you’re doing it.

4. Build a Snowman. Couldn’t skip this one. The trick is checking the snow to make sure it’s the right, sticky consistency.
Next, start the snowball in your bare hands and keep it rolling till you have a nice size and shape. Judge where you want it to end up or you’ll be building your snow guy in the bushes.
Make the middle section and head the same way but a little smaller, then stack them up.
Shape him up with your hands and make him perfectly round—then throw on some accessories. Twigs for arms, stones for eyes, carrots for a nose…you get the picture.

5. Make Snow Cream. My all time favorite. Alot of moms make this with snow, of course, milk, vanilla, and sugar. My suggestion is sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and a little milk. Talk about heaven…and you’ll already be a snow angel. Ha, Ha.

Well that’s all I have for now. Let me know if you have any suggestions or fond memories of things you used to do in the snow.

Go to our Facebook Page and tell us about it.

Enjoy the white stuff,

Margo

One way to size up our growth as a person is to observe our response when things don’t go our way. If we fall apart at the prospect of trials or trouble in our life, then we probably have a lot of spiritual growing to do.

Ever hear the story about the farmer who owned an old mule? 

One day the mule tripped and fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule braying and was unable to figure out how to bring up the old animal. It grieved him that he could not pull the animal out. He'd been a good worker around the farm.

Although the farmer sympathized with the mule, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened. He had them help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and quietly put him out of his misery.

 

At first, the old mule was puzzled, but as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, he had a thought: he ought to shake off the dirt and step up. And he did just that.

 

"Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up." Even though he took painful blows of dirt and fought panic, he just kept right on shaking it off and stepping up!

 

It wasn't long before the old mule stepped up and over the lip of that well. What could have buried him actually blessed him...all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

 

What about you? How have you responded to trials in your life? Have you kept a positive attitude or have you allowed yourself to be buried by the dirt?

I believe we all need to remember to have a positive outlook no matter what we’re facing. We need to learn to shake the dirt off and then step up in our faith.

Things will not always go our way…but God promises He’ll help us in our time of need. He’ll give us the courage to overcome our adversity.

Remember the old mule…shake it off and step up.

It’s a great lesson if we’ll learn it.

Ask God for wisdom and strength.

And, don’t be buried by what life shovels on you!

Margo

What kind of resolutions will you make for New Year’s?

We all want to change something about ourselves and our circumstances no matter who we are.

For some, it may be quitting smoking, losing weight, or spending more time with friends and family. For others, it may be reading your Bible more, praying more, or going to church on a more consistent basis.

But, whatever the goal… none of our so-called resolutions, including the spiritual ones, will stick unless we do one important thing…put God at the center of them.

Why do you want to pray or read the Bible more? Is it to grow closer to God or is it just because you know it’s a good thing to do?

Is your wanting to quit smoking or to lose weight more closely tied to your personal gratification or are you honoring Him by looking your best or staying fit?

I think these are important questions to ask ourselves and key to the success we’ll have in fulfilling our hope for improvement.

Phillipians 4:13 tells us, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”

In John 15:5 it says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in Him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

You see, God has to be at the center of our resolutions…or our success will hinge on our own strength and not the power He gives to help us. 

With God as our focus, He will give us the wisdom to know what to improve in our life and the heavenly courage to achieve that success.

As Psalm 37:5-6 says, “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”

Make God the focus for this New Year…and see what He’ll do for you.

Happy New Years,

Margo

As summer slowly drifts to fall, you may want to get out in the yard and garden and prepare for next spring. Here are some ideas for your fall gardening schedule that will help you plan for next year’s beauty.

• Begin to water trees and shrubs less to allow hardening off before winter and remove annuals that have seen their better day.
• Mums, pansies, and flowering Kale and cabbage are excellent decorative flowers to begin planting in late Sept/ Oct. for some cool season color when summer’s flowers are gone.
• Dig up and divide perennials that are overgrown and crowded or replace any perennials that didn’t quite make it after our brutal summer.
• Fall is also the perfect time to plant new trees and shrubs—giving them a better chance of getting developed and growing stronger roots.
• As fall arrives, use a good 3-1-2 slow release fertilizer on your lawn and seed or sod any bare spots your lawn has.

Remember also to weed and compost as often as possible and provide a little seed to the birds as they begin their winter migrations. Who knows…some may even stick around your area if they know they have a steady food source.

Just a few suggestions for your fall gardening. May God’s peace rest upon you as you enjoy this wonderful fall season.

Blessings,

Margo

One sprig of fresh mint in your ice tea and you’ll be hooked for life. That’s how it started for me.  I soon found myself putting it in fruit salad, spring rolls and even luscious chocolate desserts. Mint is the perfect flavor for adding a little zing to everything you can think of.

It’s even been used for centuries for medicinal purposes and its wonderful aromatic qualities.  The more popular varieties today I’ve seen are spearmint, apple, and chocolate (yes, it does taste a little like chocolate mint). Mint is refreshing and most people absolutely love it.

If you’ve never grown mint before, here are some tips you may want to follow:

• Plant it in well drained, non-acidic soil, preferably in shade or in sun for some varieties.
• Keep in containers to keep its spread in check.  Also, separate varieties or they may lose individual flavors.
• Keep it moist. Mint is a thirsty herb, so be sure to keep it well watered.
• Propagate each spring by taking fresh cuttings from the base of the root and putting it in water. Plant in pots when the roots of the plant begin to grow.

Mint is a great herb to grow. It’s a cinch to take care of and a refreshing flavor.

Try it this summer…I’m know you’ll be hooked, too.

Margo

Today I’m celebrating my birthday. And, yes, it’s a special one. It’s a day where I can look back clearly on my life and see the moments that have made me into the person I am today.

I don’t look at it as getting older. I just see it as getting more reflective and hopefully a tad bit wiser.  The values and beliefs I hold so dear are more important to me than ever and the people who share my life, even more precious.

Life has been very good to me, and that’s why I want to encourage you today with a few truths I’ve come to learn over the years. I hope they are a blessing to you as well and help you reflect positively on your own life.  

It’s all about relationships.

No one has ever gotten to the end of their life and wished they had spent less time around the people they care most about.  At the end of it all, people are the true reward. Nurture your relationships like you would a beautiful garden full of flowers. Spend time with your loved ones and take care of them. They will give back to you in countless ways and make you richer in your heart.

Speak life-giving words.

Words have power, and how you speak can have a huge impact on others.  Criticism is one thing if it’s given constructively and in love. But, criticism that’s given just to tear down is contrary to God’s creative gift in us all. He wants us to encourage and build people up. Learn to speak words of healing and wholeness. Laugh a little and bring more joy to others.

Spend alone time with God.

Like you, I have a “to do” list a mile long, but that doesn’t keep me from spending quiet time with God, reflecting on His goodness and letting Him guide me in my daily activities. I don’t do it because I’m a saint…I do it because I need Him so desperately to keep me from going crazy and getting overwhelmed. His presence restores my soul and gives me peace. Spend some quiet time with God and see how it changes you.

As I celebrate my birthday, I encourage you to celebrate your life as well. Remember these important truths and treasure all of life’s moments in your heart.  

May God fill your days with love, fun living, and happiness.

Blessings to you always,

Margo

With the summer heat, you know the kiddos will be clamoring for some cool and refreshing summertime snacks. Try these ideas to give them something you know they’ll love.   

Ice Cold Drinks

Try lemonade with a cup of cranberry juice and some fresh fruit like cherries or lime. Orange smoothies are also good with orange juice concentrate, milk, water, sugar, and ice. Just blend and serve.

Cherry Fizzes are also a favorite. All you need is sweet cherry juice and ginger ale. Mix it in a pitcher and enjoy.

Simple Treats

Popsicles are the perfect treat idea for summer. Plus, they’re easy to make. Pour fruit juice in popcicle molds or ice trays. Prop sticks up with plastic wrap for ice trays. Let freeze and you’re done.

Frozen fruits also make great treats. Wash some grapes and pull them off the stem, put in baggy and put in freezer till frozen. Kids love them—plus, they’re healthy.

And, what’s better than watermelon? Use some cookie cutters to make cool looking shapes and watch your kids enjoy. 

Snacks Even Kids Can Make

Make your own trail mix. Mix together cereal like Cheerios or Rice Krispies with gold fish, crackers, raisins or pretzel sticks. Then put in baggies for the kids to take on the go.

Another idea—Smores. Put some graham crackers on tin foil and put chocolate chips and marshmallows on them. Wrap them up and put in warm toaster oven for a few minutes or just out in the sun. The’re done when toppings are melted.  Pretty yummy.

Just a few snack ideas your kids will love. Try them this summer and enjoy.

Margo