I don’t know why but this Summer I am really into drink recipes. I guess I really just need my thirst quenched more this season. I found a recipe over at the Sister Cafe called fresh squeezed lemonade that I wanted to give a try. I have renamed it Summer Citrus drink, because it didn’t just have lemon juice in it and it didn’t taste like lemonade to me. It was more just a citrus flavor because it uses lemon, lime, and orange juice. It was simple, yummy, and full of citrus flavor. Very refreshing. The hardest part of this is squeezing the juice from all the citrus.
I also have a fun giveaway for you from Stouffer’s. The giveaway includes a coupon for a free family-sized dinner from Stouffer’s, a Family Dinner Box of Questions to get the kids talking and the limited-edition “Let’s Fix Dinner” book by award-winning artist and author Todd Parr. I also received all the items included in the giveaway and get to giveaway 2 gift packs to my readers.
Stouffer’s wants to help families get closer through regular family dinners, which is also something I try to do with Real Mom Kitchen. Stouffer’s will donate 100 percent of the net proceeds of each “Let’s Fix Dinner” book purchased to Habitat for Humanity. Books are currently on pre-order and will be shipped out in August.
The book is great for young children and the Family Dinner Box of Questions has been a fun way to spark conversations at the dinner table with the family. It includes questions like “What do you think is the greatest invention of all time?” or “Using one word, how would you describe you family?” My family is also a big fan of Souffer’s mac and cheese and lasagna. Who wouldn’t love an easy dinner night with a dish from Stouffer’s especially as it gets closer to school starting. In Utah some kids are already in school right now. In order to enter the give away, leave a comment about what your favorite part of family dinner is your favorite. You have until Sunday August 8 at 10 pm (MST) to enter.
Summer Citrus Punch
- 5 lemons
- 5 limes
- 5 oranges
- 5-6 cups cold water (I did 6)
- 1 1/2 -3 cups sugar, to taste (I only added 1 1/4 cup)
115 comments
My favorite part of dinner is all of us together at the table and talking/discussing about whatever pops up as a topic of conversation. There are always a lot of laughs over various subjects. Love it!
My favorite part about dinner is when I find a new recipe on here and fix it then everyone at dinner loves It!
My favorite part of family dinner is when my father-in-law says, “Angela, that was great!” It may not be his favorite meal, it may not have turned out right but he says it just the same. It melts my heart every time.
Listening to my girls chat with each other
My favorite part of dinner is when people ask for seconds! It makes you feel like you’ve done something right and made the people you love the most feel truly cared for.
I just like seeing my family around the table together.
My favorite part is when my two and a half year old daughter leads us in grace. after we finish, we all say ‘Amen’ and each pump one fist up as we say it. She must have learned that in daycare, it’s so cute 🙂
My favorite part of dinner is when we first sit down and my 3 year old says, “Wow” to her meal. Very cool. It makes all the prep time worth it!
I love catching up on the day with the kiddos and daddy!
my favorite part is when we all take the time to sit down, savor our meal, and talk about the day’s events.
My favorite part of dinner is just slowing down and spending some quiet minutes together. We are often so busy that just having time to talk and be together for a few minutes is great.
My favorite part about having dinner as a family is that it usually the first time during the day when we are all finally back home together.
I love us all being in one place without the tv on. It’s always interesting to see where the conversation will take us!
My favorite part of family dinner is the fact that we’re all together. Family dinner is sacrosanct at our house, and we eat together nearly every night. I love the discussions and conversations we have.
I have two little boys and they love it when we all sit down around the dinner table together. I think it makes them feel special like the family is focused on them. To often I just serve them from the bar area and get them fed and then I eat. But now that they are getting older I think it’s important to sit around the table and have a family conversation each night.
My favorite part about dinner is having everyone all together for a few minutes!
My favorite part about dinner is just having everyone together. Our favorite questions are what was your favorite and worst part of your day?
My favorite part of family dinner is when I manage to make a meal that ALL three of my kids will eat … it’s a pretty rare occurrence.
i have a three year old and a 1.5 year old, so meal times can really be crazy. that said, it really is a joy to watch my little boys discover new foods that they like–especially when it’s something healthy and/or homemade!
My favorite part of family dinner is just getting to be all together in one place at the same time! We get so busy this is a great way to connect each day.
My favorite part of family dinner is the conversation we share with each other. My son loves to tell daddy what he did for the day while daddy was at work. It’s good to hear/know how things are perceived from a 3 year old boy. Oh my, didn’t know a supermarket trip could be so excited to him. 🙂
I like preparing dinner as a family. Even the youngest can get out glasses to pour drinks or cut up veggies fot a veggie tray. There’s usually a lot of fun and banter and everyone is excited to be eatig as a family(I have an on call hubby so it doesn’t happen as much as we’d like).
Christine
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I love sitting with my family at dinner and especially love when it gets quiet since my kids are actually too busy eating to make noise. That is heaven for this Momma!
My favorite part is preparing the meal with my son. He loves to help and has his own spatula, stirring spoon and whisk.
I have enjoyed so much watching him grow from a little toddler who would stand at his play kitchen and pretend to make his own meals while I cooked, to a seven year old that enjoys getting messy and making meals right alongside me.
My favorite part of dinner is when my family oohs and aahs about the meal, then we relax and catch up on everyone’s day. We laugh, we talk, and sometimes we argue, but meal time is one of the best times of my day.
My favorite part of dinner is when we can talk about our day. Our 4 year old son was slower talking, but now at dinner no one else can get a word in the conversation. I’m not saying dinner conversations solved his speaking challenges, but I know it certainly did help.
PS I made your sour cream waffles last weekend, and I am still craving them. Will have to make them again soon.
My fav part is when dinner is over and we have time to sit, chat and laugh with each other.
We always end up laughing together. With kids ages 2,4,6 and 8 it isn’t usually about how much time I have spent on preparing the food but that we can all be together with my ranching husband who works a lot.
I love being able to sit for about 10 minutes with my family and just have that moment with them, when there are no other interuptions. I also like it when I’m proud of a new meal I try out and like to see the expressions on my husbands face!
My favorite part is when I’ve made a meal that the whole family enjoys. That is sometimes difficult with my 2 and 4 year old children!
My favorite part of dinner is my 2-year-olds comments and all of the family laughing together in response to them.
My favorite part of dinner is having my 3 year old help out- he is very eager. Even does his part at clean up (most of the time).
My favorite part of dinner is having my 3 year old help out- he is very eager. Even does his part at clean up (most of the time).
My favorite part about family dinner is the camaraderie. Enjoying the food and each other at the same time is what every dinner should be!
My favorite part about family dinner is the camaraderie. Enjoying the food and each other at the same time is what every dinner should be!
I love making a yummy meal and watching my husband and little boy enjoy it. It’s also a special time to sit together and talk about our day.
I love making a yummy meal and watching my husband and little boy enjoy it. It’s also a special time to sit together and talk about our day.
My favorite part of dinner is when my eight year old daughter wants to help me in the kitchen.
My favorite part of dinner is when my eight year old daughter wants to help me in the kitchen.
I love having a relaxed time with my girls and husband. I love spending any time I can with them. The eating part is good too! 🙂
I love having a relaxed time with my girls and husband. I love spending any time I can with them. The eating part is good too! 🙂
I love family dinner with no TV’s on and just sit and talk with the family!
I love family dinner with no TV’s on and just sit and talk with the family!
I love listening to my how my daughters day went at dinner time. Her perspective on things are usually surprising to me. She is at camp for a week and left a hole at our table and in our conversation. I have talked to and listened to my husband more this week during dinner than I have for quite awhile.
I love listening to my how my daughters day went at dinner time. Her perspective on things are usually surprising to me. She is at camp for a week and left a hole at our table and in our conversation. I have talked to and listened to my husband more this week during dinner than I have for quite awhile.
My favorite thing about family dinner was always trying to get it past my dad that my elbows were on the table. haha It was not good manners and whenever he caught my brother or I with our elbows on the table he would hit the table to scare us. (But we secretly loved it!)
My favorite thing about family dinner was always trying to get it past my dad that my elbows were on the table. haha It was not good manners and whenever he caught my brother or I with our elbows on the table he would hit the table to scare us. (But we secretly loved it!)
I like taking the time to sit down & talk to our kids. They’re young yet (9, 3 & 2), but we talk about what happened that day, who we saw, what we’re seeing out the window. Their “versions” of the day’s events are often quite funny.
I like taking the time to sit down & talk to our kids. They’re young yet (9, 3 & 2), but we talk about what happened that day, who we saw, what we’re seeing out the window. Their “versions” of the day’s events are often quite funny.
The best part of family dinner is that my husband is home from work and can clean up my one-year old’s attempts to feed himself when dinner is over!
The best part of family dinner is that my husband is home from work and can clean up my one-year old’s attempts to feed himself when dinner is over!
My favorite part is getting to see my daughter try new things.
My favorite part is getting to see my daughter try new things.
My favorite part of dinner is reconnecting with family at the end of the day. We underestimate of power of simply being together and discussing what we’ve been up to and what’s on our mind.
My favorite part of dinner is reconnecting with family at the end of the day. We underestimate of power of simply being together and discussing what we’ve been up to and what’s on our mind.
My favorite part of family dinners is watching our 2 year old copy everyone. It really reminds me of how much of an influence we all are on each other. And it’s just fun! =)
My favorite part of family dinners is watching our 2 year old copy everyone. It really reminds me of how much of an influence we all are on each other. And it’s just fun! =)
My favorite part of dinner time with the family is being with each other and talking, seeing how everyone’s day went and having that closeness and of course everyone enjoying their meal.
My favorite part of dinner time with the family is being with each other and talking, seeing how everyone’s day went and having that closeness and of course everyone enjoying their meal.
My favorite part of dinner is the family all being together. My children are getting older, both teenagers now and I realize they won’t always be sitting with my husband and I at the dining room table every night.
My favorite part of dinner is the family all being together. My children are getting older, both teenagers now and I realize they won’t always be sitting with my husband and I at the dining room table every night.
As many have already said in the comments above, my favorite part of having dinner together as a family is the opportunity to just “be” together at one time and to have the chance to share whatever may be on our minds.
As many have already said in the comments above, my favorite part of having dinner together as a family is the opportunity to just “be” together at one time and to have the chance to share whatever may be on our minds.
My favorite part of dinner is when the kids are all eating and it is quiet!
My favorite part of dinner is when the kids are all eating and it is quiet!
That looks refreshing! 🙂
That looks refreshing! 🙂
Just being together is my favorite part of our family meals.
Just being together is my favorite part of our family meals.
My favorite part is when I’ve made something so good, that they ask for more and don’t want to leave. Some of my kids were blessed with their dad’s genes. They have his wit. We will laugh and laugh around the family table for hours. I love that.
My favorite part is when I’ve made something so good, that they ask for more and don’t want to leave. Some of my kids were blessed with their dad’s genes. They have his wit. We will laugh and laugh around the family table for hours. I love that.
My favorite part of family dinner is when I’ve made something that everyone eats enthusiastically!
My favorite part of family dinner is when I’ve made something that everyone eats enthusiastically!
I feel like it is the calm (just talking and enjoying time) away from the storm (crazy kids running around….busy busy busy). I enjoy actually taking the time to be with one another and listen to what is going on with each of us. Love love love dinner time.
I feel like it is the calm (just talking and enjoying time) away from the storm (crazy kids running around….busy busy busy). I enjoy actually taking the time to be with one another and listen to what is going on with each of us. Love love love dinner time.
I love to cook, so I enjoy providing healthy, tasty food for my family to enjoy.
I love to cook, so I enjoy providing healthy, tasty food for my family to enjoy.
I love rehashing the days events with my boys around the dinner table. It is a moment in our day when we can all just “be” together. Plus, it is one point in my busy hectic day that I know they are having a well balanced nutritious meal. Having nightly dinners together, around a dinner table, is a very important part of what makes a family a family.
I love rehashing the days events with my boys around the dinner table. It is a moment in our day when we can all just “be” together. Plus, it is one point in my busy hectic day that I know they are having a well balanced nutritious meal. Having nightly dinners together, around a dinner table, is a very important part of what makes a family a family.
I like it when one of my kids randomly just say something that has been on their mind and we get some insight into what/how they think of things.
I like it when one of my kids randomly just say something that has been on their mind and we get some insight into what/how they think of things.
I love having my family all together for a few minutes. And I really love when my kids will actually eat the food!
I love having my family all together for a few minutes. And I really love when my kids will actually eat the food!
Having my family together and close to me. It’s the only time we are all together, and can talk about – whatever!
Having my family together and close to me. It’s the only time we are all together, and can talk about – whatever!
my favorite part of dinner is that it is one of the only times we are all together and calm enough to understand what everyone is saying!
my favorite part of dinner is that it is one of the only times we are all together and calm enough to understand what everyone is saying!
My favorite part is when my brothers and sisters and I get back together and we start talking and have not said the prayer yet so we have to stop talking before the food gets cold.
My favorite part is when my brothers and sisters and I get back together and we start talking and have not said the prayer yet so we have to stop talking before the food gets cold.
My favorite part of dinner is dessert. I love to try new recipes for my family.
My favorite part of dinner is dessert. I love to try new recipes for my family.
My favorite part of dinner is when my kids start telling jokes. They can be so funny and a good laugh is always welcome.
My favorite part of dinner is when my kids start telling jokes. They can be so funny and a good laugh is always welcome.
I love sitting around the table talking about our day. Right now, my husband is deployed to Iraq, so it’s just my son and me. We still sit at the table most nights and eat, share and talk. We can’t wait for my husband to come home and join us!
I love sitting around the table talking about our day. Right now, my husband is deployed to Iraq, so it’s just my son and me. We still sit at the table most nights and eat, share and talk. We can’t wait for my husband to come home and join us!
Knowing that my boys are eating something healthy 🙂
Knowing that my boys are eating something healthy 🙂
Knowing that my kids are eating something healthy 🙂
Knowing that my kids are eating something healthy 🙂
My favorite part of family dinner is sharing the good food I just made with my family and being able to relax together at the end of a long and crazy day.
My favorite part of family dinner is sharing the good food I just made with my family and being able to relax together at the end of a long and crazy day.
My family is just myself and my husband right now, so my favorite part is just getting some undivided time with my hubby, no TV, just us talking about our days. I tell him stories about our crazy patients at work and he tells me stories about his crazy clients.
My family is just myself and my husband right now, so my favorite part is just getting some undivided time with my hubby, no TV, just us talking about our days. I tell him stories about our crazy patients at work and he tells me stories about his crazy clients.
My favorite part of family dinner is hearing the laughter of my children around the table.
My favorite part of family dinner is hearing the laughter of my children around the table.
My favorite part is when my husband can actually join me and the boys. He’s so busy it doesn’t happen as often as we’d like. 🙁
My favorite part is when my husband can actually join me and the boys. He’s so busy it doesn’t happen as often as we’d like. 🙁
My favorite part of dinner is dessert….I mean sitting with my boys!
My favorite part of dinner is dessert….I mean sitting with my boys!
I love the satisfaction of sitting down to a meal with everybody there!- Never happens unless it’s dinner.
I love the satisfaction of sitting down to a meal with everybody there!- Never happens unless it’s dinner.
My favorite part about dinner is getting to sit at the table with my 4 girls and husband with not distractions. No tv, no computer, no cell phones. Just all of us having a wonderful conversation.
My favorite part about dinner is getting to sit at the table with my 4 girls and husband with not distractions. No tv, no computer, no cell phones. Just all of us having a wonderful conversation.
My favorite part of having dinner as a family is looking around at my boys as they talk about their days and seeing the excitement in their eyes.
My favorite part of having dinner as a family is looking around at my boys as they talk about their days and seeing the excitement in their eyes.