Grateful- Week Fifteen

Monday was a winter day in the middle of April. It was cold and rainy so I was so glad my only agenda item was the grocery store. I love being home on a rainy day!

Friday was just the opposite- sunny and filled full of errands in my 5 hours Abby was at school. She is an awesome little shopper and quick and enjoyable, but that day, I was grateful for school so I could pack it all in!

We spent Saturday morning at our friend Michael's tee ball game! It was so much fun to watch him and to see Abby cheer for him. We work really hard with her on how to be a friend and she did a great job. Michael and Abby have been friends since birth and I'm grateful they still see each other!

Sunday's message at church focused on the crown of thorns Jesus elected to wear and die for the sins of me and you. It was a wonderful reminder of the sacrifices he made. I am so grateful He died for me.

Thursday was Abby's program at our bible study. I can't say enough wonderful things about CBS and all she has learned. These little preschoolers got on stage and sang songs, called our Bible verses and sang the books of the Bible in order. It was impressive!

The other night while dinner was cooking, Marcus and Abby played with princesses on the back patio and I snapped a picture. I hope Abby knows how lucky she is to have a Daddy that knows her toys by name and plays along with her so well.

Finally, we had a big day on Tuesday. Abby mastered a gymnastics move called "skin the cat". It has been her little nemesis! She finally did it and came running out to tell me all about it. Big progress for my little scaredy cat!

Chia Seed Pudding

I saw Giada's chia seed pudding online and was intrigued. So, on my last trip to Trader Joe's, I picked up a bag to see what chia seeds were all about. They have lots of protein, fiber and omega-3 which is all great! And in this recipe, you honestly don't even taste them. They just thicken up the pudding and give it a little texture. 

The recipe is basic- almond milk, greek yogurt, vanilla, and maple syrup. With the fresh fruit and the nuts added in, it really was delicious. It didn't taste like ice cream, but it also didn't taste super healthy. I call that a win! 

Check out the recipe here and see for yourself!

Pesto Meatballs

When I have a gap in my meal planning, I just dig around on Mix and Match Mama's blog and it never fails, her recipes are always sound. Plus, I love that she sneaks veggies in. Like these meatballs with SPINACH in them! Smart Mama she is!

The recipe is here. I made them with ground turkey and they tasted great. They make a ton! We ate 6 of them and then froze the rest- my favorite kind of recipe! Easy dinner in a few weeks for us! 

Grateful- Week Fourteen

I am grateful for so many things- here is a glimpse of my week.

I am grateful to be past the baby stage of parenting, despite the super cute little shoes and clothes I always see. Abby is so independent and most days, I am really appreciative she is not a toddler anymore. 

I felt just awful last Thursday and was so grateful this text conversation led to my husband coming home within 20 minutes with lunch for Abby and working from home so I could sleep. I rarely have stomach issues and just don't handle them well at all. 

Friday I had lunch with a friend I've had since elementary school. We were college roommates and only live about 10 minutes from each other. But, kids and school schedules get in the way and I haven't seen her in months. This was my birthday card- so funny and so me. I'm grateful to have a friend of more than 20 years still in my life!

Saturday was Round Top- a semi-annual antiques show in a town about 2 hours away. I was so grateful to have some friends join me- it was their first time! Walking through junk in a field on a windy day isn't for everyone. I'm glad I have friends that like it too.

I love dinner parties because it gives me an excuse to bake! Dinner? Sure, I'll bring a cobbler!

I am grateful that for today I have a clean car! Hooray for that! Something about clean hub caps and shiny black tires makes a car look brand new again!

 Have a great week- be grateful!

Easter Decor 2014

I pulled out the bunnies and fake eggs and spruced up my home for Spring last week. It is always fun to change out my decorations and make everything feel new. I haven't bought ANY Easter decor this year, so this is all from my stash and I just try to use it differently each year.

My formal dining room table is rarely used so I love to really decorate it. We can see the pretties and not have to move them for dinner every night. 

I used a floral runner from my daughter's 3rd birthday, melamine plaid plates from Target along with buckets and lots and lots of empty plastic eggs!

On the buffet in the dining room, I placed a little collection of Peter Rabbit bunnies from Pottery Barn Kids a few years ago and other little finds.

I went a little crazy on my mantel this year and covered it with bunnies, birdies, carrots, eggs, mason jars and sweet spring flowers. These items are normally all around my house, but I put them all together for more impact. 

The small dresser in my living room was covered in an Easter runner also from PBK many years ago and a BLOOM runner I bought on EBay for a baby shower.

My kitchen bar has a collection of bright and funny bunnies and buckets. I also hung my felt bunny garland on here. I made it last year. The directions were blogged here. 

I was a Mary Engelbreit fanatic 10 or so years ago and these are from that collection. 

Also on the bar, I framed a printable I found online and added one last bucket and carrot.

We host a big hunt for my daughter and lots of her friends on good Friday each year and always have the most fun! I'm so glad my house is now ready for the party!

Grateful- Week Thirteen

I am going on vacation next month and look for good spritual books. I'm really excited to read this one sitting on the beach marveling at the God who made the oceans and made me!

We had what I bet is one last cold day last week which was exciting! I wore one of my favorite puffy vests and then said goodbye to sweaters and the such for a few months. This time of year is always hard- I have big arms and until they get some sunlight, I hate short sleeves! Soon enough I'll be complaining about the heat!

Abby had been growing out her hair for months and we finally can do low piggies! I'm so grateful to have more options with her hair. She has the best blond highlights (naturally of course) and her hair is a little thicker than mine and perfectly straight. I'm thinking she hit the hair jackpot!

I am grateful for God's word and my ability to start leaning on it. I have a friend that is finding great comfort in Psalm 147:3 right now and through her, I've learned a new verse and will have it in my heart forever. I feel certain I will be brokenhearted many times in my life and can lean on this verse.

Saturday was my birthday and I'm grateful I got to spend it with my family and my Dad and step Mom. We explored a fun part of South Austin and had ice cream at Lick, my very favorite shop! It was a fun day!

On Monday, I went to nearby Salado with two women from my church to the site of our retreat coming up in a few weeks. We were exploring the grounds and came upon this chapel in the woods. It was every bit as amazing as you would imagine. If I decide to renew my vows in a few years, it will happen right here in this chapel.

Finally, on Tuesday morning something really exciting happened.... WE FOUND SULTAN! Abby has lots of palace pets and we've wanted Sultan since December! Today he was just sitting there on the Toys R Us shelf. Hallelujah!

There is so much to be grateful for- you just have to look around!

April Desktop

Have a great month! 

Made using Carrot Top from Sweet Shoppe Designs

Pioneer Woman's Potatoes

We are trying to reduce our gluten intake at dinner so I've been experimenting with non-gluten carbs to go with meat and veggies. We love orzo and rice and I wanted a good potato recipe. I bought a tri-colored bag of potatoes at Trader Joe's and looked around online for an easy way to make them. 

Aren't they pretty! These are Pioneer Woman's Crash Hot Potatoes and they tasted as good as they look! They are soft with a little crunch and have lots of flavor choices based upon what spices you put on them. Plus, cooking them this way, you eat the skin which is the best part for you! 

I'm sure we will make these again with one change. Purple potatoes are pretty dry and flavorless. I recommend being white or yukon golds for this recipe. 

Gluten Free and Low Fat Breakfast Cookies

My friend Tiffany shared these cookies with me and they are easy, low fat, gluten free and yummy (as long as you like bananas!)

Gluten Free Breakfast Cookies

2 ripe/brown bananas
1 cup rolled oats (the dry kind that come in a can)
1/4 cup extras

Preheat the oven to 350.

Mash the bananas up real good. Add in the oats and stir. Add 1/4 cup extras.... we did raisins with a little cinnamon and honey. Play with options- chocolate chips, coconut, peanut butter.

Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes.

These are great warm and have a strong banana taste. The second day, they turned a little brown, but had a more cake-like consistency. I don't think they'd keep after one day.

Enjoy!

Grateful- Week Twelve

Being more grateful is my word for 2014 and keeping track of photos each day is really helping me turn my eye from wanting to appreciating! 

I am grateful for TOMS. I love that in a simple (and I'll admit sometimes selfish) purchase I can also provide shoes to kids elsewhere. Can you imagine your child being barefoot all the time? I love wearing them and remembering kids who go without. I also love that I can tell Abby about how blessed she is and pray about others. I love that they are having success as a company that gives back in a major way.

Both Thursday and Friday I was grateful to have time to enjoy the NCAA tourney. I don't watch any basketball expect March Madness. I loved having the games on all day Thursday and enjoyed a long lunch date with my husband on Friday.

Saturday we drove about 45 minutes out to a BBQ place I'd heard a lot about and never tried. It was so good- you could cut the brisket with this cheap plastic fork! I am grateful to live in Texas and enjoy good BBQ!

Sunday morning walking to my class, I looked in a kids area and saw this. Our church kids program is really amazing. I can't wait for Abby's mind to experience it in 1st grade. I am so very grateful to have a church that takes lessons like out in the wilderness to this level! 

Last November, I had all of my highlights covered up. I went all natural for the first time since high school. I discovered a few things- all dark brown is boring, it washes my pale skin out, and I have more gray coming in than I had ever imagined. So, last night, I was really grateful to have some low maintenance highlights put back in. My hair was red and blonde striped for years and that requires upkeep. So, I went with smaller "stripes" and a lighter brown. I am hopeful I can highlight less often and still enjoy pretty hair! 

If you see me in real life, you will likely see a Venti Starbucks Iced Black Tea in my hand. I drink tea all day long. It is my drink of choice and I have spent way too much money on it in the past. So, I made it a goal to find an at home alternative to $2.50/day. I think this is it! Two tea bags in my pretty hobnail pitcher, 3/4 full of water. Wait five minutes, remove tea bags and enjoy! I've even bought some lemon and home to have with it. I'm grateful to enjoy yummy tea and save money!

See you next week!