family

I've had an opportunity to try some new snacks, thanks to my friends at Posh Mama. I was a bit skeptical at first, because although I do enjoy fruit and nuts... Well, I must be honest and say I'd rather have them dipped in chocolate than simply cut and dried, "organic, nothing added."

But I have to report that I was pleasantly surprised by the Peeled Snacks I tried. My favorite was the "go-Mango-man-go," which is dried strips of mango, no sugar (or anything else) added. They tasted just like mango should taste, but a bit more intense: sweet, tropical, and a little bit tart. Delicious!! Hubby loves pineapple, and he declared the "pine-4-Pineapple" to be the best. The first-grader even liked the pineapple! The nuts were also tasty, even though they didn't have any chocolate on them. :-)

I could get used to these natural treats, and I think I could even get my kids to eat them. I'm definitely going to get some more of those dried mangoes for myself! If you're interested in some organic snack ideas for your family, check these out.

I gobbled up some free samples of Peeled Snacks fruit and nuts, in order to write this informed review.

My grandfather died last week, and although we didn't live close enough to see him often, I have fond memories of the times we had together. I'd like to share some of his words here, to honor him, on Father's Day. "Clean your plate." "Gettin' old is hell." "I'll give you 45 minutes to cut that out." (During a shoulder massage.) "You can curl 'em, braid 'em, or split 'em. Just don't pull them out!" (When we would comb the few hairs he had left on his head.) "Gives the mosquitoes a place to skate." (On being bald.) "What, honey? I don't hear so good anymore. I don't smell so good, either." My grandfather was a rare kind of man. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He was an honorable soldier, a hard worker, and a stern patriarch, with a tender heart. He loved chopping wood, camping, and eating cookies. I will miss him. Love you, Grandpa.

I live in the midwestern United States, in a suburban area. Although I wouldn't consider this a rural community, you don't have to drive far to be "out in the country." I consider myself a country girl at heart. I grew up on a wooded lot in rural Wisconsin, and loved playing outside without worrying about traffic. It was nice to sleep with the windows open, and not hear the noise of the neighbors' televisions. We had room for a big garden (although we hated it when Dad made us pull weeds), and lots of space to explore and play. The ditches along our road were full of berry bushes, and we picked and ate all we wanted in the summer. I think I'd like to move to a nice, quiet piece of land again someday. But for now, we're stuck in the 'burbs, conveniently close to shopping and schools, and a little too close to a few obnoxious neighbors... However, there are a couple of times each year when the country seems very near, and I am taken back to my childhood in my mind. Today, I opened the windows to let in the fresh breeze, and clear out the last of winter's stale air. The weather is perfect today. The pear trees are in bloom, the daffodils have finally opened, and my purple and yellow pansies are smiling at the sky. As the gentle current of air swirls through my house, I take a deep breath. Ahhhh. Wait. What's that smell? Oh, I know. Even though I can't see any fields from my window, I can smell the aroma of agriculture. Somewhere, some farmer is working today. Perhaps he is turning the soil or spraying on some kind of organic fertilizer (manure?). The odor is faint and dilute, but unmistakably earthy, and somewhat sour. Should I close my windows? No. I will leave them open. Let in the air. Let in the smell of agriculture; the smell of good, honest, dirty work. It may not be an entirely pleasant smell, but the memories it brings are sweet, indeed. :-)