2012

I love a fresh new year.  It's the perfect time for reflection and goal setting.  It's always exciting to set aside some time during the last few days or the first few days of the year to dream up some fun resolutions.  Of course there are things that end up on the list year after year and I always say, "this is the year" with the good intention of following through.  It's taken me a little while but I've come to realize that if you want change to happen, you have to do things differently.  A simple concept really, but it's easier said than done.  Things don't get done when you come home after a long hard day (every day??) and order take-out and watch Netflix all night.  It takes determination, planning, and action to get results.  It also helps if your goals are fun and realistic.  After reading through my list, and talking about 2012 with KC, we realized that making over our house, getting in shape, saving money, and getting married in December would be a bit much.  So, this year we plan to focus on the first two, while saving the money and marriage thing for 2013.  We want to get all our ducks in a row before we get hitched so we can enjoy the newlywed experience fairly stress free.  This year our family really wants to focus on getting into regular routines (with meals, chores, and earlier bedtimes), fixing up or house (organization, repairs, painting, and decorating), getting healthy (walking, moving, and cooking more), and forming stronger relationships (spending more time with friends, more date nights, and a weekly family game night).  Everyone around here is really excited to actually DO things in 2012.....we're ready to make it happen!!  What are your new years resolutions?

I'm still here.

It seems like forever and a day ago since I last posted.  A lot of changes have happened in my life.  A new job, and college has pretty much taken over ALL my free time.  But that's ok.  Because I'm really extra incredibly happy.  I'm just a really busy girl.  It's taken a while to get used to the new routine, which is easier & a lot more zen, even though I have a million things going on all the time.  I have a little reading stack to get through, pen-pals to write, lots of lonely journals and art supplies, and blogs calling my name. That's just the icing on the cake though.  I cut off a huge slice of cake that I'm slowly working through one bite at a time.  I'll get there.  I know this post is really vague, and I plan on explaining things in greater detail soon.......I just wanted to jot a little note down to let you all know that I haven't forgotten about my little blog.  I'll be back soon friends.

oatmeal banana walnut chocolate chip cookies

It's time to go back to school.  It's the perfect excuse to add a new cookie recipe to your baking list.  You gotta have an after school snack while you're doing (or helping) with homework, and what's a better snack than milk & cookies?!  These cookies are actually kind of healthy too, with the bananas & walnuts and all. So here you go.....

I actually based these cookies off of this oatmeal raisin cookie recipe, which you can usually find on your container of oats.  Easy peasy.  Heres what I did different:

-slice a ripe banana into the butter/sugar mixture
-add walnuts & chocolate chips instead of raisins (about a handful of walnuts and a whole bunch of chocolate chips)



I hope you like them as much as we did!  enjoy.        :)

pencil me in

*all photos borrowed from Pinterest

It's back to school week around here.  Have you picked up your school supplies?  I love pencils.  Of all the school supplies, the pencil is at the tippy top of my list.  Did you know that pencils don't actually contain lead?  You can read all about the history of the pencil here , if you're a school supply nerd like me.  School supplies are one of my very favorite things.  I buy them every year, even when I'm not going to school.  Nothing feels quite as fresh (besides a shower of course) as a brand new notebook.  Words cannot describe how it feels to open up a box of new crayons, the nostalgic smell & pretty colors sitting so patiently, waiting to make a dull page brilliant.  Speaking of crayons, do you remember this?

I love how Mr.Rogers was such a calm kid show. We need more of those calm shows for today's children.  So, what's your favorite school supply?

p.s. if you want links to the above images (like where you can buy the neat-o "cheat sheet" pencils) just click on the Pinterest link, which will take you to my "pencils" board, where you can find links to more info.

quick & healthy quiche

Hey all.  I wanted to share a really simple quiche recipe I sort of figured out when making my own a few days ago.  Isn't that how all recipes come about.....from altering a few things here and there to make it work for what you want to do?  Mine was made with red bell peppers, carrots, & pepperjack cheese, but obviously you can throw in whatever awesome ingredients you happen to have on hand.  It's easy, and so so good.  Ours vanished in a flash! Here you go.....



See?  Easy as pie! ;)

The Goodbyn Lunchbox

images found here

 Have you started to think about back to school shopping yet??  It's time to order what you'll want your little kiddos to have from the internet world now.  We just purchased 3 of these Goodbyn lunchboxes, and we're so excited!  I think these lunch boxes are great, because they eliminate the need for plastic baggies and countless tupperware containers that you can never find lids for.  The whole thing seals up with one lid.  You can just throw it in the dishwasher every evening, and it's good to go for the next day.  I love the bento type style of box (and the food doesn't have to touch!) that is portion controlled to promote healthy eating.  I also love the idea of using the water bottle most days, and saving milk for a special once in a while treat......think of the money that will be saved!  Of course I got these for the girls, but I had to get myself one too.  I can't stop thinking about the cute healthy lunch ideas that you can put together so easily with this.  You should definitely check this company out.  If anyone knows any great lunch post links, please share!!  I'll probably post lunch box peeks on here when we get them.....I'm sure it'll be way too cute not to.  Also, if you do want to get one of these lunchboxes, you should check out this post from bleubirdvintage (where the above pics came from), to get a 15% off discount code!

Summer Traditions

I think it's super important to create (and continue ones you've already established and still love) your own family traditions.  You will be so thankful that you took the time to create fun, silly, and unique memories for you and yours to look back on for years to come!  "They grow up fast" is so cliche, but it really is true.  I can't believe I have a 10 year old that is going into 5th grade this year.....sheesh!  Sometimes I worry about making sure we do things now so that the kids will have something to look back on.  It is easy to skip something if kids are mis-behaving or money is tight or it's too hot, or whatever.  It's really all about capturing those magic moments and savoring the little things.  Sometimes traditions come without trying (it's mostly all about stuff you love doing anyway).  Here's what we do.....

our summer traditions

swimming

picnics

bbq

catching fireflies

the Devil's icebox (a local cave)

the zoo

evening ice cream trips

comic book movies

carnivals

staying up late (like family sleepover nights)

watching thunderstorms

eating buckets of strawberries

a water park/ theme park

video games

gardening

reading in the air conditioning

I feel like we should have more, but that list proves that we do stuff.  What do you guys do?  I really wanna add getting sno-cones and going to the drive-in. :)  Fun stuff!