• Giving

    November 14, 2019
    step stool || apron

    If you don’t already know, we love baking bread. I want to send you back to this recipe, which is our favorite sweet bread. The recipe makes two loaves, which makes it perfect for gifting.

    I made this bread once and took a loaf to one of my coworkers– I just removed the chocolate chips from the recipe. Her mom is really limited on what she can eat, and a nursing home is not taking care of her the way they are supposed to. When I gave it to her, it was as though I gave her a bar of solid gold.

    I don’t tell you this to toot my own horn AT ALL. I tell you this because we often want to do something for others, but feel the financial strain. Especially at this time of year. Baking a simple loaf of bread is such a gift to people. If you aren’t great with bread, bake some cookies. If you are making a meal for your family, make an extra helping for your neighbor.

    I feel as though we overcomplicate giving. We feel that if we aren’t able to give in a big and extravagant way, we shouldn’t give at all. That is FALSE. Usually, the small gifts mean the most to people. Your tiny drop in the bucket and yours and yours and yours combined with mine eventually overflow. A little kindness goes a long way.

    This has been a wonderful lesson for my daughters. They love to help me bake (and eat) this bread, but they always know that a loaf is going to go to someone else. They usually want to give it to the same person, and she is just as thankful as the first time. It has been such a simple and fun way to teach them generosity– while also teaching them the skill of baking bread. Win-win!

    They are also learning the skill of braiding. 😉 So cute.

    What small gift can you give to help spread the kindness? Who can you hold a door open for? Can you tell a mother or father that they are doing a great job? Just look around and you will see a need that you can easily meet.

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  • Frosted Windowpanes

    November 13, 2019

    Sunday afternoon, we were outside in lite jackets playing in the leaves. Monday, I got a text from my boss saying she was closing the library early and I didn’t need to come in. I can attest that snow days are even MORE exciting as an adult. It was wild because it looked like a blizzard outside. Visibility wasn’t great. But, we got less than three inches of snow. Tuesday, the temperature was in the teens and lower.

    I woke up extra early Tuesday morning and got to watch the sunrise spread pink through the entire house. It was so pretty. We have “storm windows” where there is an inner window to put down and an outer one. The outer ones are covered in frost, and it’s so beautiful.

    Snow really is beautiful to watch from the comfort of your home. Especially when you have fresh bread baking in the oven. If I don’t have to go out in it, I really enjoy watching it fall. We are all so excited for Frozen 2 to come out in theaters this month, and this snow is getting us in the spirit. Though, someone maybe needs to give Elsa a hug.

    It is a little frightening how quickly the temperatures are dropping. We have to keep an eye on our propane levels. I do NOT want to run out in the winter!

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  • Friday Favorites

    November 8, 2019

    Welly Band-aid Kit. We have the unicorn set, and love it. They have tons of other options available. I love how sturdy the tin is, and you can fit antibiotic ointment inside and have a cute first aid kit. You just refill it with more bandages when you run out.

    When Less Becomes More launches on Tuesday, and I’m so excited to have the book in my hand! I’ve been on Emily’s launch team for this one, and you are all going to love it!! Side note: if you preorder it now, and the price drops before Tuesday, you will pay the LOWEST price! This is why I ALWAYS pre-order a book that I know I am going to want.

    Joanna Gaines is releasing Magnolia Table Volume 2. I love her first cookbook, and am thrilled that there is going to be a second. I am Jojo’s biggest fan!

    Mary Ruth’s Organic vitamins! Everyone should take a GOOD multivitamin and probiotic– especially during this time of year. I highly encourage you to check them out.

    TODAY, Amazon has a sale on Hasbro games. We are a board game family. Are you? These would make some fun Christmas presents!

    Happy weekend! And, a HUGE thank you to all of the veterans who sacrificed so much.

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  • Where the Crawdads Sing

    November 6, 2019

    Even if you aren’t in the “book world”, you have probably heard this title. If you placed a hold at the library, you know you probably waited at least 6 months for it to come in for you.

    When it finally was on the shelf with my name on it, I was afraid to pick it up. This book has had so much chatter about it. Everyone talked it up. Sometimes, when people talk up a book (movie, etc.) it can be a let down. I left it on the hold shelf for almost a week before I finally checked it out. It sat on my bedside table while I went back and forth on whether to read it or not. I wanted to avoid the possibility of a let down. That is the story of my life..

    I finally picked it up, and it was slow to start. I had a lot of trouble getting into it. The language was difficult for me to understand. Young Kya didn’t have an education. She and the other characters lived in the south and had such “backwoods slang” that it was hard to make sense of.

    I’m so glad that I stuck with it. It was a beautiful and heartbreaking coming of age story. My heart ached for this young girl growing into a woman on her own– abandoned by the world. I grew to love the characters and always loved Tate even when he didn’t seem as loveable.

    If you pick it up, give it a chance. I was not disappointed. Book reviews are tough, because I don’t want to give away vital parts to the book. But a vague review is equally as frustrating.

    This was my 18th book of the year. I used to say “I don’t have time to read”. I’m sure you say it also. But, here’s the thing. YOU DO! Instead of scrolling on your phone, pick up a book. Take it with you to the waiting room at the doctor or dentist. Read a chapter before bed– though, if you are like me this turns into reading for an hour. There is time to read if we just put our phones down!

    **From a christian perspective- it was not “clean”. Not many books are, and discernment is needed. I don’t want to give away any parts of the story, so I won’t share more than that here. If you’d like more insight into it, just send me an e-mail and I’d be happy to chat.

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  • How to Help a Grieving Friend

    November 5, 2019

    We have all had friends going through a period of deep grief. We have all felt completely helpless and wondered how we can help. We have been through a lot of grief periods in the past several years, and I want to share the things that helped.

    1. Bring a Meal– cooking is the last thing on anyone’s mind when they are making funeral arrangements. Everyone is so busy trying to gather pictures, write obituaries, and make plans that food often falls on the back burner. I had a friend bring us a meal after my father-in-law passed away, and it was the biggest blessing. If you live far away, you can even order something to be delivered.
    2. Listen– just listen! There are so many cliche phrases that people say that end up being so hurtful. Don’t offer suggestions or explanations. Just listen and be present. Even sitting with your friend in their silence is a gift. Pray with them. Pray for them.
    3. Don’t Forget– When you lose someone so important to you, it is so hard to feel so heartbroken while the rest of the world moves on. The weeks after a funeral are easily the most painful. The chaos has settled down and the quiet brings a lot of memories and pain. Send a quick text or make a quick phone call so that you friend knows they are not forgotten; that their loved one isn’t forgotten. Holidays are especially difficult.
    4. Say their name– Your friend won’t ever forget their loved one. If you have a story to share, share it. No one wants to be forgotten, and keeping the memory alive is a gift.

    Here are some books to help children deal with loss:

    The Memory Box
    The Invisible String
    I Miss You
    God Gave Us Heaven

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  • Lately

    November 4, 2019

    Time is flying by at lightning speed. What is it about October-December that makes time fly? We are so busy, and I am honestly so tired of it. I want to say no to everything. I am literally so exhausted and my head has been pounding– and I NEVER get headaches. If you’ve encountered me recently, and I’m not particularly chatty, I’m sorry. I feel as though I have nothing more to give. I’m burnt out.

    Over the next couple of months, we have several dentist appointments. Addison (age 8) is getting mini-braces put on starting tomorrow. She is also getting appliances put in the top and bottom of her mouth. I have to turn a key in them every four days to help widen her arch so that her teeth can grow in in the correct place– instead of a second row of teeth. She’s actually excited about all of it, and that helps me feel at ease. I’ve started an Amazon list of things that we may need to take care of her teeth and braces. Would you add anything? I haven’t had braces since 2000, and I’m sure things have changed in almost twenty years! She’s in tumbling.. do I need anything special for that? Also, do you know where I can find a money tree? She will need full blown braces down the road.. so we get to do them TWICE for her. Ahhh!

    Last week, I took Harper to the dermatologist to have a suspicious spot looked at. Thankfully, they didn’t feel the need to biopsy it at the time. We will go back every six months to have it measured and make sure that nothing is changing. When Addi was four, she had a large biopsy done on her face, so this isn’t a new experience for us, unfortunately.

    Everyone has been asking if we are all moved into the house. The short answer is no. We are settled, absolutely. I just want to throw away everything that is not unpacked yet. There are a few boxes that have been sitting in the same spot since we moved in. I see so many people decorating for Christmas already. I think we will be the only ones that don’t have our tree up before Thanksgiving. Don’t mistake this for a lack of gratitude. I’m still so incredibly thankful to be blessed with this home and these people in our lives. I am so blessed.

    Moving on.

    I really want to do a small shop feature each week before Christmas like I did last year. If you own a small shop, or know of a shop that you think I should feature, please let me know! I love supporting small businesses. I’d also love to do an interview with each business owner. Let me know if there are any questions that you would love to see answered.

    Happy November, friends! I hope that you are able to slow down and savor the season.

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  • Happy Halloween

    November 1, 2019

    Wowza, was it a cold Halloween!! We woke up to snow on the ground and bitter cold temperatures. I remember going trick-or-treating with tons of layers on under and over my costumes when I was a kid. I just figured that was normal still. Apparently not since we were one of the very few families out going door to door.

    The girls got so much candy, and I’m so thankful that their dentist does a program to buy their candy. I weighed their bags last night. Addi has 6.2 pounds of CANDY. What on earth?!

    It was tons of fun taking the girls around the same neighborhood that I used to trick-or-treat in. I really love the silly fun and community of the holiday. I hope that you had a wonderful and safe Halloween. Now, it’s time for Christmas music and movies!

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  • A Few Cozy Favorites

    October 29, 2019

    ‘Tis the season for cozy. I LOVE cozy things. Slippers, sweaters, blankets, coffee.. on and on and on. I’m especially in the mood for cozy since we are constantly. on. the. go. these days. Appointments, practices, tumbling, activities, work, etc. are constantly keeping us busy. I’d give anything to hide from it all for a week.

    I was delighted to find these slippers on sale for a ridiculously cheap price. (I love when slippers last for years.) If animal print isn’t your thing, they have a lot of other options. (Use the code WINWIN to get them buy one get one free!!!!)

    This broccoli cheddar soup recipe is delicious. Don’t skip the nutmeg! Serve it in a homemade bread bowl. MMmm

    I’m a big fan of cozy throws. I own too many. Mine are all old and can’t be linked, but this one is beautiful. I love to cozy up under a blanket and read a good book. (Currently reading this one.)

    These fluffy jackets are always really cute. But, can a curvy girl pull them off? I’m already fluffy enough. Either way, it’s perfect to throw on and keep cozy around the house.

    Make your own Chai Tea Latte. Yum. I’d take a good chai latte any day over just about any other drink.

    Y’all. It’s going to be FREEZING on Halloween. Legitimately below freezing temps and rain forecasted for Halloween night. We’re going to need all of the cozy!

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  • Addi is EIGHT — Interview

    October 28, 2019

    1. What is your favorite color?   pink
    2. What is your favorite toy?  I really like my calico critters!
    3. What is your favorite fruit?   apple
    4. What is your favorite tv show or movie?   I’m not quite sure. I like lots of different ones.
    5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  I like it when we have the turkey that you put on the stove. (It was carving board lunch meat heated up.)
    6. What is your favorite game?   I like Yahtzee. It’s my favorite.
    7. What is your favorite snack?   I like goldfish.
    8. What is your favorite animal? unicorn
    9. What is your favorite song?   I like one that I think is called “Once Upon a Time”
    10. What is your favorite book?  I like the Elephant and Piggie books. They’re really funny.
    11. Who is your best friend?   Megan
    12. What is your favorite cereal?   I think it’s Daddy cereal (frosted mini wheats.. they always have called it Daddy cereal because it’s his favorite.)
    13. What is your favorite thing to do outside?  When we had Rocci, I liked to walk him. Now: riding my scooter
    14. What is your favorite drink?   milk
    15. What is your favorite holiday?   I really like Christmas the best.
    16. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?   I like taking my bunny named Cuddles.
    17. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?   cereal
    18. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?   quesadillas
    19. What do you want to be when you grow up?  I think it’s a baker. I’m not quite sure, because I want to be a lot of things.
    20. What makes you feel happy?   My family

    Addison is the most fun child to watch open presents. Every single gift brings her insane amounts of joy, and it’s the sweetest thing ever. This year, she went and told everyone thank you without being reminded. She has a heart of gold and feels everything deeply.

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  • Big Girl Bed

    October 22, 2019
    bed || curtains

    It was time. Harper has been in a toddler bed for the past two years. While she would have fit for at least two more, we needed to get her a new bed. This bed went on sale on Wayfair and I snatched it up. It was easy to put together and is very sturdy. It has the option to built it lower to the ground– which means you can skip the toddler bed!

    The mattress that she had was around 20 years old. Yes, TWENTY. A sweet friend gave it to me before Addison was born. We needed another crib mattress but couldn’t afford to buy a new one. It was sturdy and held up SO WELL. It has been falling apart for a few months

    We had some time at Target with her and we looked at the bedding. She decided that she wants this bedding. I’m hoping it will go on sale soon. (I just noticed that it went on sale.)

    If you want “Pinterest worthy” bedrooms, you are on the wrong blog. If you want real and attainable for the average person bedrooms, this is your space.

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