Sunday, August 25, 2013

Simple is...GOOD


Anyone else feel like life has been a WHIRLWIND lately? 

From meals, to dishes, to school, to activities, to laundry, to...wait a minute...

had to go carefully balance the FIFTH load of laundry on top of the fourth. As long as everyone has clean underoos I figure I can pile on a couple more! (just kidding, Mom)

My point is...

 with the beginning of the school year, and new routines...

MAN!

This Mama can't catch up!

For any and all SUPERmoms that stop by --

my ears are open for TIPS!

I have a mama that did it all --

and I just. didn't. inherit it.

What I DO have (besides a FUNtabulous FAM) is the yearning for, dreams and HOPES that one day...

I'll get ORGANIZED!

But...

It won't be today, folks!

Until then, 

I will continue to share the simplicities of life that give tastebuds pleasure and ease the Calgon moments of the day. OR, it also works for when you need to throw together something quick and easy.

I have TWO today.

First: my version of a Greek Salad.

One can of chick peas, rinsed and drained.

Tomato, cucumber, and pepper, (preferably locally grown and FRESH). Cut into large chunks (I did actually use some cherry tomatoes this particular time and halved them. I used a mix of bell and banana peppers from the Princess Patch)

Sprinkle in crumbled Feta -- in the amount to your liking.

Squeeze in some lemon juice (~1/2 lemon for this amount).

A dash of extra virgin olive oil.

Sprinkle in kosher salt and pepper.

Optional (but, totally fab -- I just didn't take the time to walk outside and clip them...): chopped fresh herbs. I recommend parsley, thyme and/or oregano.

BAM! (thanks, Emeril. Not for the recipe, but because it's fun to say BAM!)






Next -- one of my favorite fruit and yogurt combos:

Use your favorite brand of Greek yogurt, and cottage cheese. To make an even healthier version - use plain Greek yogurt sweetened with honey. Add some fresh raspberries...




And BAM! (sorry, word for the day, I guess)


You want to know the best part...

Enjoying it with my girls!


Have a GREAT day! :)

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Evidence

The majority of the flooring in our house is hardwood.

I am NOT a fan of carpet (thanks to my two fur babies).

We are down to carpet only in the girls' bedrooms and our closet.

We even had to throw OUT our area rugs, because the pups decided to use it as indoor grass.

Please tell me that I'm not alone in the occasional love-hate relationship with your pets.

Anywhoo...

The point of this story is related to my excuse for the ever-so-frequent HAIRBALLS that float across the floor. It happens way more than I would like. Dustbunnies come out to play almost as frequent.

I was walking around delivering laundry today, and I looked down at what I THOUGHT was a hairball. I was bending down to pick it up when I discovered it was in the shape of a curl.

As I examined it further, I realized that it was more like human hair than puppy-dog hair. (GULP)



I rounded the corner and saw another curl. I looked on top of the bench in our entry hall and saw a pair of scissors (hey, at least they were the round-tip kind) laying on the bench.

One of my little Lattes had been playing beauty shop!! I had pretty good suspicions as to who would carry out such an activity. I went directly to the source. SPICE's first reaction was to say that Bean did it!

Wasn't' buying it.

She decided to confess and told me that she took off a curl on each side.

I found 4-5 little piles/curls of hair throughout the morning.



Thankfully, with her beautiful, curly hair --



it disguised her adventure with the scissors fairly well!

I love my mischievous little mess!!

the clean-up crew ;)

Friday, August 2, 2013

Moments

I hate feeling sorry for myself.

Even with KNOWING that -- I still let it happen.

I have a poor, pitiful ME party...

For what?

Mostly for small, piddly things...

not even worth mentioning.

It makes me MAD more than anything.

In the midst of feeling sorry for myself, I could have ALMOST missed out on the following moments:


**A kiss to make a boo-boo all better.

Seriously?

Me feeling sorry for ME could have made me miss one of the sweetest things about my day.

When Bean gets hurt, she fusses, and then walks over to me and wants me to kiss whatever is hurting.

Once I kiss her hurt she STOPS fussing.

She's okay.

Miraculously HEALED.

Really?

That is such a wonderful moment -- there and gone just like that.

Wish I had a picture...

**I worked on teaching the girls how to ride a bicycle.

Riding a bike -- such a milestone.

Memories of my dad literally whipping me back up on the bike after fall, after fall, after fall...

Not trying to make it sound abusive or anything.

It worked!

I was trying to quit -- he kept me going.

I may not have used those tactics, but I enjoyed being a part of such a memorable milestone.

They both still have a ways to go...

but, I know they will get it.

**Or this one. (light bulb -- CAMERA! Well, I had my phone at least)



If I wasn't looking out of the kitchen window (while washing the dishes),

I would have missed this.

Poor pitiful me...hahahaha (it's just that -- PITIFUL)

**I could have missed this...
**OR this.





So many moments -- flying by...

Can't promise I won't ever wonder into the world of self-pity.

But, I will fight it every step of the way with reminding myself what a wonderful life I'm living.

God continues to bless me each and every day...