We wish everyone a beautiful and safe Christmas! I’m looking forward to a lot of time with my family. I want to slow down, connect, enjoy and soak up this time of year!
Weekending
I figured I would back it up to last week–holidays make me get my days ALL confused! Joe was super busy working and I was super busy working, so we were SUPER excited to get out on an impromptu date night Wednesday night. I brought the kids to my dad and step-mom’s, and thought Joe would have to work late, but we were pleasantly surprised when he was finished in time for a dinner date! We went to a local restaurant and dined on delicious fish meals, shared oysters & bacon wrapped shrimp.
Thursday we were going to go hunting, I had all my clothes ready to go washed in the “dirt soap”! However, mother nature was not playing. It was really windy and pouring at 5am when we would be gettin ready to go. So we had a rather chill morning. I had time to do hair and makeup uninterrupted! I even had the Macy’s Day Parade on…it was nice to not have to rush and get everyone ready and take my time.
We drove to my dad’s and were more than ready to see everyone!
The turkey was on point! They brined it over night and it was just perfect. I think it rang in around 19/20 lbs?!
We enjoyed all the sides, pies, drinks and things. We were all in bed by 9 pm, which seems to be fairly normal around here. #IamOld.
Friday I checked in here and there on some Black Friday deals, but I had ZERO desire to go out and fight crowds. I did however have this insane urge to clean and purge all the things!! It would start in one room and then take me to another–I have bags and boxes to donate (toys from when they were wee babes!) and the play room is cleaned for our upcoming cookie party. The kids also helped vacuum and wash the windows. They wanted to to decorate but I wouldn’t let us until we cleaned and took care of our current situation.
Saturday we cleaned some more! Laundry, tidying and organizing, along with a huge grocery shop, by the afternoon we were ready to hang up some holiday decor. For dinner I made Chicken French for the very first time! (It’s one of my favorite meals!) I have been intimidated by it, not sure why, but our sitter Keegan made this before for us after returning home from a trip. Her recipe was simple and not complex whatsoever. It was delish! I even did some artichoke hearts as well. Kids love their butter noodles.
Sunday Joe’s alarm went off at 4:30 to go hunting. I decided to stay up after making him breakfast and work on the blog.
After hunting, we shopped for our tree!
The weather was ice/rain/snow and we were grateful to grab a tree and go!
Getting a tree has always been one of my favorite traditions, even when I was a kid. If it snowed on the day we were getting our tree, I always loved it just a little more! It was a perfect day for it.
After watching the 49ers vs the Ravens Game (still not talking about it) I decided to start some holiday baking!
Joe wanted to make his famous Roast Beef (I call it that, not him haha!) and who am I to deny my man to cook for me? It came out just delicious and we had that with some steamed broccoli and I threw some biscuits in for the kids & Joe.
Somehow we still managed to decorate the entire tree before 8pm. The kids really had fun (mostly Brooke) hanging the ornaments. Bradley loves just staring at it and dancing/running around of course.
And that takes us to Sunday night where I’m currently sitting by the fire, typing this here blog post. I am excited for a busy and fun week ahead!
How was your weekend?
Happy December!
It’s only December 1st and we put our tree up today! I saw this adorable graphic showcasing some of the fun activities to do this time of year. I won’t be checking off every item on this, but I thought it was a great way to slow down and remember some ways to ENJOY and HAVE FUN instead of being all crazy stressed out.
The kids and I have been dancing and singing to Christmas songs for a few days now! Usually after their cup of hot chocolate and marshmallows! At 4 & 6, they are seriously at the best ages for getting into the spirit and magic of Christmas. We host a cookie party every year, so that will be coming up soon! Let me know if you’d like some cookie recipes on the blog.
We won’t be seeing the Rockettes this year, but I do want to take the kids some day. I have never seen It’s a Wonderful Life—how terrible is that?? I’m currently relaxing by the fire while typing this little post. I just saw that leave cookies for Santa is on there twice—I would probably add/change that we always leave carrots for the reindeer…and they always leave a mess! The kids still talk about it.
We also love our Elf on the Shelf Buddy, and I enjoy being creative with that. (Set your alarm on your phone “Move the E” or code words if your kid can read!) We also love to read holiday books and I make really big efforts to keep the TV off, music on and let the kids just be. I don’t them to get stressed any more than the daily demands that are already placed on them.
I teared up at dinner last night because it’s all just going by so fast. It does not seem like 7 years ago I was anxiously awaiting my first born, with a big ole’ pregnant belly and super sore hips. The babies have turned into toddlers, and preschoolers. We have an almost second grader and almost Kindergartener. I still can’t let that sink in…
Life is so beautiful, just be sure to press pause and simmer in the sweet spaces in between ‘being busy.’
These memories will mean so much, to all of us. Enjoy making them!
Meal Plan/Prep Monday (low carb-ish!)
Happy Monday! It’s a brand new week! How cute is this heart graphic? My daughter Brooke loves playing around with different apps and I totally thought it was perfect for today’s blog!
I decided to continue with my “Shelf Cooking” as I am trying to truly utilize all of the items in my pantry, refrigerator, freezer etc. I hate wasting food and if I don’t take the time to “Shop my house” I easily get caught up in the idea of needing to buy more. I am on a roll with it! This time instead of cooking for everyone else, I focused on moi. I do best with a lower carb (Not ZERO carbs!) diet. I find that when I fill up on veggies/greens, fruits, lean proteins and complex carbs I feel my best.
Sunday I took some time and went through and took inventory and then just went to work. That’s the hardest part, right? I find that I can plan, but it’s the actual PREP work that I may not totally get to. Most of these will be for lunches/snacks.
Roasted Carrots:
Easy starter: Open that veggie drawer. C’mon. We all have something sitting there just a little too long! For me it was a bunch of carrots. I just peeled and chopped them up, drizzled some EVOO and some seasoned salt, baked at 375 for about 45 minutes or so. Now I have a salad topper OR easy side for any meal.
These were actually a pretty big hit. The hint of cinnamon got everyone’s nose interested! Brooke & Joe liked them, and I am excited to enjoy one with my tea or when I get a sweet tooth craving. Low in carb, high in fat FYI.
Buffalo Chicken Casserole With Cauli Rice
I adapted the recipe from here, but I didn’t have my coconut cream sorted, I am not on whole 30 and I didn’t have the fancy mayo (I used Kraft olive oil). When it comes to my health, I try to be aware, but I have loosened up a bit as I am tired of spending ALL THE MONEY ON FOOD. But for real, I think it’s good to make smart healthy choices, but sometimes you just can’t spend $1000 for food in one month.
2 chicken breasts shredded (I dropped mine in a slow cooker for 2 hours w/ some broth then used my forks to shred)
1 package of frozen Cauliflower Rice
3/4 bottle of Primal Kitchen Ranch Dressing
1/2 cup of Hot sauce (I used Tastefully Simple’s as it never bothers me!)
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1/2 cup mayo
It’s not pretty, but it’s tasty!!
Shakeology Energy Bars/Bites
I have some leftover Shakeology packets and now that it’s cold, I’m not loving cold shakes!
Recipe:
1/2 cup of organic oats
1 packet of Shakeology
2 tbl almond butter (or pb)
1 tbl coconut oil
a few dried cranberries tossed in
Simple:
Melt pb & oil in pan, stir in everything and roll into balls and chill!
*I didn’t feel like getting my fingers sticky and rolling these, so I just poured the batter into a bowl with parchment paper. I’ll cut/divide once it’s cooled.
I also have a ton of shredded pork tenderloin, so I plan on using some of these awesome recipes to help get us through the week!
11/18-11/24
Monday- Cubans (leftover pork using link above) *wrap in lettuce if not wanting carbs
Tuesday- Chicken Alfredo (w/ Spaghetti Squash for me, pasta kids)
Wednesday- Better than Takeout Chicken Fried Rice
Thursday- Date Night (kids Dino Nuggets/Mac & Cheese)
Friday – Bacon Pasta (use a different pasta if looking for lower carb?)
Weekend – Venison Roast, Fish, Takeout — I’m already craving sushi!
Did you do any meal prepping this weekend?
Hello; A catch-up Blog
Well hello!!
I would title this “Tea with Me” but it doesn’t feel right since I am not currently drinking any tea. I’m chugging that water though! We’ve had a great time since the last time I blogged. #oops
We’ve been busy! I’m a moody creator and sometimes I just don’t have those creative juices flowing, or I get annoyed that I cannot control who can read my blog. I know that when you post your words on the WOLRD WIDE WEB anyone can read, however I find that sometimes my words are used against me and that just plain sucks. (To be honest.) But I cannot control others and inevitably, I find my fingers back to these keys. There is so much joy in looking back at our adventures and as always, hope to inspire other people in some way, shape or form.
First off, Joe had his yearly stay-cation. He and I had a date day and a work day, so we got a lot done! He also spent time in the woods with his only hobby, hunting. I got up with him so he could get out early. No big buck yet, but I’m sure he’ll get something soon. We also took the kids to a movie and saw The Addams Family and went out to eat one night. — again, no photos! #badblogger
Our work day did include a small helper.
I was trying to get him to smile–we were at one of our properties.
We also took that time to stack all the wood! It’s so nice to have it all ready to go for our fires.
In important news—RED cups are back! After dropping Brooke off at a “Books & Breakfast” at her school, I figured I’d just go and see if I could score a free reusable cup. I did get a holiday drink. I tried the Chestnut Praline–super sweet, but very tasty! Usually I don’t drink and coffee because it bothers my reflux, but I just had one and sipped it through the day. I didn’t die! I did however have a huge caffeine rush since I never drink that. I used my free rewards and felt like I won the lotto basically.
It got super cold, super quick so I had to take a photo documenting a cute fuzz ball hat.
My mom flew in later that day for the weekend and it was so nice! She flew in with the snow flying, a lovely greeting coming from South Carolina. We built a lot of fires to stay cozy and warm, as it has been a super cold November so far! (I knew Joe would be an icicle from hunting so I tried to have one going so he could thaw out.)
Friday we went to Panera for lunch and my sister joined us! It was a great day and we had a ball.
This little turkey had all of us cracking up. Seriously, I love this age.
He picked out some pretty Fall flowers to have. Mom made us all dinner Friday night, which was a family favorite growing up: Chicken and Dumplings. I didn’t take enough photos, but I was really present and in the moment and that is what matters most.
We took mom, my sister, the kids and my niece out to dinner Saturday night. We LOVE The Revelry and since my mom lives outside of Charleston, SC I wanted to take her here! The oysters are so good.
So good, the girls LOVED them!
We got to sit at the fun round table and it was a wonderful time. Their burgers are my favorite!
I finally took the Ennegram Quiz everyone talks about on Instagram. Turns out, I’m an 8.
Monday brought Veteran’s Day and the kiddos had no school, and we got SO much snow.
The snow makes me get giddy about the holidays! I am a firm #teamturkeyfirst and I won’t decorate until after Thanksgiving, then it’s GAME ON! I did however order this adorable PDF file from Kelle Hampton, Once Upon A Holiday. She has all of her favorite recipes, bucket list, things to enjoy during the holidays. She is such a true inspiration to remember to slow down and savor life. It’s $12 but with her code: HOLIDAYEARLYBIRD you can get the file for $9 until it launches 11/15.
I finished another book!! This was so good for my soul. I found it to speak to me on so many levels! She talked a lot about how we need to be creative, but so often we punish ourselves and take away all of the fun. In order to be a great writer, you don’t have to be miserable or have a tragic life, you just need to tap into your ideas and do the darn thing! She told stories of how the “big magic” can transfer to others…meaning, if you get an idea for something, run with it and do something with it or else it will leave you and someone else will get the idea and go. I listened to it for free on the Libby app, but I have had the hard copy for years–now I can go back and re-read parts that really hit me.
Random, but as I put back together the office (it became our guest room for my mom, as we don’t have extra bedrooms) I put things back in their place and this framed photo from my wedding day stopped me. It was truly the happiest day of my life and the way he looked at me, the way he still looks at me, makes my heart so full. I know we are all busy, but in moments like that I try to pause time and I even sent him a text message telling him so. Life does not have to be so hurried and so rushed. Sure it’s crazy and chaotic, but you can slow it down for a moment or so…and breathe.
Like taking the perfect photograph on helper day at Preschool. Moments don’t last, but memories do. He just sang about his blue feather, that he proudly placed on that turkey.
Speaking of Preschool, why are the crafts so darn cute?!
Currently finishing up this listen–it just came out and it’s so worth the read! Perfect timing Emily Ley…well done. It helps that my word for 2019 was “simplify” and as the end of the year nears, I think I have done a decent job of leaning into that word more and more.
