10/21/15

Freezer Meals I Made Before BABY


chicken spaghetti

chicken pot pie filling 

enchiladas verdes

red beans and rice

white beans and rice

spaghetti

taco soup

Back in July, I started making freezer meals. It was a blessing to my future self.

Our family, friends, and neighbors generously brought meals to us for several weeks after Caroline was born. Seriously, I can't believe how much food people brought us! It truly got me through the double whammy of baby and back to school. A million thank you's.

But, I knew the day would arrive when I would be on my own again in the kitchen. For that, I made the above list of freezer meals. If there is anything more exhilarating than freezing a meal flat in a Ziploc bag, I don't know what that thing is!

If you don't have a deep freezer (I don't), the flat bag method is the way to go.

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In case you want some more inspiration....

Freezer Cooking!

10/14/15

Large Affordable Art for My Kitchen

There were a handful of projects I wanted to get done before Caroline was born, and I knew if I didn't, it would be a 100 years or never.

At the top of the list was to get big art on the huge wall space in our kitchen. At first, I dreamed of a custom painting, maybe a farmer's market scene. But that idea was totally out of my price range.

And then I thought maybe a huge bulletin board with kids' art, etc. But we have so many kid decorated spaces, I decided to err on the side of something more sophisticated.

A friend (hi Whitney!) suggested a huge Audubon print which ultimately set me on the right track.


As I was searching for prints, I came across these gorgeous botanical posters (can't find the sunflower on the site anymore but the other one is here) and after getting a few second opinions, I ordered them. My decor savvy friend, Laura, convinced me that it was worth the risk, and if I didn't like them in the kitchen then I could put them on another wall.


I LOVE how they turned out, and I've only grown to love them more over time.


I bought the frames from Hobby Lobby, and my mom helped me with the matting because the poster size did not fit the frames perfectly.


These were so affordable, and there is so much great art on this website, ZAZZLE(dot)com. The map selection is really great. I could get lost for hours. So if you need some large scale affordable art, this is a great resource!

10/13/15

Tiny Goals

After each baby, the little disciplines that are vital to my well being do not naturally make their way back in my life.

Bible reading, exercise, organization, healthy meals, etc fall to the wayside in those early weeks. And I have to fight to get these things back.

There is always something (or more often) someone right in front of me who needs me to do something! I have to start running the ship again so it does not run me.

So...I'm starting very small (tiny) this week with three things that I hope will restore my humanity again.

1. Read Bible 10 minutes/day.

In the living water sense, not the check list sense. A friend (hi Emily!) posted a picture of her daughter sitting outside with a little Bible, and in the caption she says, "Sometimes in the mornings, I ask AS to please leave me alone for 10 minutes so I can read my Bible. I found her outside a little while ago, and she politely asked me to go back inside for ten minutes while I wead my Bible, pwease."

This struck me. What an example! I can totally do 10 minutes even if it requires me asking my kids to leave me alone.

2. Walk 3 times a week.

I bought this awesome double stroller and I love it. 

3. Meal plan/grocery shop once a month.

Every time I get a little free time I find myself needing to go to the store...again. So I'm hoping that a major plan and grocery haul will decrease the number of times I have to go to the store. Sure I will have to run in for milk and bananas once a week. But, something's got to give. It's worth the experiment.

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Honestly, I want to be more ambitious than these tiny goals. But my wiser self is standing shaking my other self saying "You have four kids, just do the best you can." 

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picture from when she was 3 weeks old

10/2/15

Homework + Coffee + Fridays!

Hello out there!

It's Friday. And I love Fridays because I (we) have no homework. Whoop whoop!


First grade stepped it up in the HW department and no, it's not that much and Stephen is a smart kid. But, it's one more thing. I make coffee it.


Friday is like a deep breathe for me. No lunch preparations, no homework, no pressure to get to bed early.
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I've been trying to grocery shop during the week so that I have Saturdays at home or to run fun errands.... like going to Earth Fare for coffee and a muffin. My mom and I did this the first week she was here after Caroline was born, and I just keep going back. I love the way the store smells. And they have $0.99 baguettes.

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Caroline continues to be a great baby and her nursery is still the best...so conveniently located right next to my bed.

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There are so many ways I'm having to adjust to life with four kids. Having "big" kids, one in real school, and a newborn - it's a lot. But it's also so much fun! I love the mom job. God has called me to do exactly what I've always wanted to do. And that is such a gift.

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And oh fall, y'all. It's slowly but surely making its way to the deep South.

Soups, fires, long sleeved t's - they are just around the corner!

Have a great weekend! Be back soon, I hope.
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