afternoon in the garage
“I still think Tucson is one of my favorite places,” I tell Tim as we sit in the garage on camping chairs.
“Even in the summer,” I add for good measure.
It’s true that I don’t like the 100-degree days when the sun scorches on bare shoulders. There’s no way that kind of temp can be enjoyable.
BUT – I’ve tried 90 degrees with high humidity. No, thank you. ;)
When the heat overpowers during the day, the girls get in swimsuits and splash in the plastic baby pool – long limbs and laughing voices.
We make popsicles in our Duo Quick Pop Maker by Zoku ($36.99 on Amazon). It’s so easy: pour in juice or a smoothie base, wait 7-9 minutes, and lick-before-it-drips. We can only make 2 at a time, but then we can make two again w/out refreezing the container…so it’s perfect for our little family. I recommend.
Some people get super fancy with their zoku makers, but we usually just fill ours up with Tropicana Pure Premium OJ – made from 100% Florida oranges. So refreshing (and healthy compared to treats in the popsicle aisle)!
I’m working with Tropicana as a TropiMomma, but, honestly, we’d buy their OJ anyway. It’s 100% fruit juice and among the most affordable options at our grocery store. I’d obviously prefer to squeeze my own oranges, but I almost never have two free hands these days so…I’ll go ahead and let Tropicana do the squeezing. ;)
Connect with Tropicana people here: http://www.facebook.com/Tropicana.
What is the temperature where you live today? What treats do you like when the weather is hot?
* I received compensation for this post as part of the Tropicana “TropiMomma” Ambassador program. All opinions expressed are always 100% my own.
Our Zoku just broke after falling out of the freezer! We loved it so much we will likely get another.
Also, I forget how spoiled I am living in Florida with “cheap” and fresh orange juice.
That looks delicious! I think we’ll try that!
It’s been hotter than Hades this summer in Wisconsin. I LOVE it though. Give me heat and humidity over snow any day!
I love our Zoku popsicle maker, I have one that makes four at once and my family eats them as fast as I make them! I haven’t had it too long and I’ll definitely have to try Tropicana OJ in them next time.
We hit 88 yesterday, but we were over 100 the week before. We make smoothie popsicles in molds in the freezer. I keep a gallon ziploc bag in the freezer to collect the odd pieces of fruit that don’t get eaten or get too soft. I add in cucumber and spinach and sometimes small leftover pieces of lettuce or two to the fruits (a mixture of banana, strawberries, peaches, grapes, orange) and blend them all up when were getting low on popsicles. Sometimes I add a dollop of yogurt or a splash of milk if it needs some liquid. My 2 year old really enjoys them and so do I on occasion.
Mesa didn’t hit 100 today, so it wasn’t too bad. The Boy and I have been making popsicles this summer with Dixie cups and craft sticks. So far we have made lime coconut and chocolate pudding. Thanks for reminding me about orange juice popsicles. I used to eat those like crazy when I was little.
Lime coconut sounds refreshing! Share your recipe?
I found the recipe here http://www.simplyscratch.com/2012/04/coconut-lime-yogurt-popsicles.html
We love our Zoku! We usually use orange juice or Simply Lemonade :)
The kids LOVE letting the pop freeze halfway in the Zoku maker, and then sucking the middle out with a straw. We do this a lot with homemade chocolate milk, then fill the middle back up with white milk. :)
Oh my gosh I need this. I only make popsicles the old way.
Sarah
Stephanie, I am so coveting that zoku maker! I’ve been making popsicles all summer, but the old fashioned way. :) P.S. I love your blog! And you are cute.
:)
I can just HEAR you saying this. Thanks for commenting, Anna. :)
102 with HIGH humidity today. I would take the Tucson heat any day. And this is awesome. I need a popsicle machine!!!