Miscellany Monday

Happy Monday all!

I hope you had as nice a weekend as I did.

Started off Saturday with a little coffee out on my deck.  I absolutely adore sitting out there in the early morning when there are no lawnmowers going, no dogs barking, and no kids yelling.  

It's just peaceful solitude.

(but its a challenge to keep my little early risers quiet for anyone else who may want to enjoy it too.)

 

Later on we had a wedding to attend for a friend of mine.

They say rain on your wedding day is supposed to bring good luck.  I felt bad for them because it was absolutely downpouring.  Thankfully it didn't last long and it cleared up soon after.

I wore my "go-to" dress.  

It's really the only dressy dress I have and has gotten many miles over 

the past few months that I've had it but I still love it.

Of course I had to throw together a new pair of earrings to wear to mix it up a bit though :)

Hubsy and I had a great time.  We so rarely get out without the boys and always have a good time when we get to focus on each other.  Not to mention weddings always bring out the memories of our own and we get to re-live the feelings of that special day.

 We had gorgeous weather on Sunday and decided to take full advantage of it and have a great family day outside with the boys at a local park.  One of our goals this summer was to teach L to ride a bike without training wheels.  Most kids probably learn earlier but for some reason we just don't seem to get him much practice.  Well we decided to take him out to try it and just when I thought he would never get it, within 2 minutes he was riding on his own like a champ.  It's always such an awesome moment as a parent when your child all the sudden masters a new skill.  So proud of him.

And not to let E out, he had some success of his own.  This was the longest distance he had ever ridden his bike and he hardly needed any help from em at all in terms of getting going.  He did have a little crash though but little man was a trooper bounced up and got right back on.  Had to keep up with big brother after all ;)

We also went for a hike which is one of my favorite things to do.  I wore a bandana since I hadn't exactly done anything to my hair.  Well, the boys decided they wanted to be "pirates" too.  Maybe it was the bandana paired with the hoops that made me look like a pirate...I don't know.

His lordship Sir Seamus got the royal treatment of being carried on the hike because just walking around while the boys biked wore him out.  Poor poochie could barely keep his eyes open on the ride home.  He wasn't the only one, L and E passed out pretty quick too. 

Wear 'em out and put 'em to bed...that's our motto ;)

It was one of those rare weekends where we got to enjoy a lot of relaxed "together" time, 

those are the best ones in my book.

Linking up with Carissa....

How was your weekend?

Decisions, decisions, decisions

Life is roller coaster.

I know, "thank you Captain Obvious" right?

Well, life has been up and down and up and down a lot lately.  Especially on the emotional front.   Sometimes several times in one day.

There is literally only one thing I am sure of in my life right now.  

Me and my "boys" will go through it together. 

I seriously have no idea where my life will be in 5 years.  

Heck not even in 1 year if I'm truthful.  

Every aspect is up for debate. 

Job, house, lifestyle, business....you name it.

It's a crazy place to be.  

Exciting and scary as hell at the same time.  

Only time will tell.  

I just pray that God's plan is revealed to us and we make the choices that He wants us to.

Have you ever felt like that?  No direction.  No plan.  

I need a plan.  I'm not a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kinda gal. 

But somehow I've had a lot of this going on in the past 10 years.  I blame it on the Hubsy :)

He is a man of action whereas I would rather hang back and see what happens.  God has blessed me with this man.  If it weren't for him I wouldn't have had nearly the experiences I have had.  

They make for good stories.  

Maybe a lot of stress at the time but good stories and memories in the end :)  

I wouldn't want to be on this roller coaster with anyone else.  He makes life less scary and holds my hand every step of the way. 

I don't like indecision but I'm probably one of the most indecisive people out there.  Even more so now that we have kids.  Just scared of making the wrong choice I guess.  But now that I'm a bit older with some grown-up life experience under my belt, I realize that whether right or wrong, God has provided all I need in every circumstance and I have no doubt He will do the same this time.

And now for your viewing pleasure I have included some 

relevant prints about all this thinking I've been doing....enjoy

What are you thinking about?

For Real

Remember that post I wrote about jealousy, specifically blogger jealousy?
In effort to keep it real....here's some bits of my life....for real.

* My counter top is THIS MESSY about 99% of the time.  Can you see the amount of electronics?  There's a laptop, blackberry tablet, digital camera, and likely to be an iphone somewhere in there too.  We're lucky nothing has spilled on any of them yet.

* I actually feel victorious when I take laundry out of the machine and find that I really did get that stain out.  Been known to yell out a "YES, TAKE THAT!" when it happens.
Saving money by not having to replace it...that's what its about people.

* More often than not I can be found drinking wine (boxed of course) out of a teenie tumbler rather than a wine glass...classy right?

* My kids eat pancakes for dinner...a lot.
*too much sugar*

 *I'm starting to love cheesy sappy predictable movies on the Hallmark Channel.  

Does that mean I'm old? Don't answer that.

*I'm an obsessive picker.
If I get the slightest blemish I pick at it until I make a mountain out of a mole hill.  TMI?  Ha ha!

Doing a rather exaggerated booty shake. Notice how L only has one sock on!  I swear that kid NEVER has both on.

* I had to teach my 6yr-old the difference between a fun dancing type of booty shake (which is ok) and the mean rude butt-in-your face kind of shake (which is not ok) that he was giving his brother.
Oh the responsibilities of a parent.


*Hubsy and I had a date a the gas station.
We met up there unexpectedly, each filling up our cars at side by side pumps.  The kids were in the car so we actually got to talk to each other in relative peace for 5 mins.  Hubsy joked that it actually felt like a date.
It was an expensive one though...$160 for 5 mins!

Happy Tuesday y'all.
And keep it real :)

Random Instagram Friday

Well Hello Friday, so glad you're here!  

Even if it is drizzly and dark.  

We totally need the rain.

I don't know about you but when Friday rolls around my brain turns to mush.  So I'll just leave you with a few Instagram pics and sincere wishes for a wonderful weekend!

Me Hubsy finally hung up the toilet paper holders we bought like 6 months ago.  They got buried in our guestroom which is essentially a catch-all room. Is this really post worthy you ask?  Why yes!  I swear we haven't had a toilet paper holder in two of the bathrooms for like 3 years.  AND he finished the tile in the bathtub, looks gorgeous huh!  He is the man, what can I say :)

I found my new favorite breakfast this week.  I often make scrambled eggs in the microwave at work (and get plenty of weird looks) but found a way to dress them up a bit.  I put in some fresh basil from my yard and shredded parmesan, can I just say HEAVEN!

We took the boys on a playdate to an indoor arcade since it was raining.  E had a blast with the bowling game.  We play it on the xbox a lot but this was his first "real" game.  He was so cute, he kept clapping to help the ball move faster :)

I got in the bathroom cupboard to get out a towel and I found Hubsy's Ipad in there....wha?

Seamus is just too sweet.

I adore the last pic, his puppy happiness is contagious.

Oh that we may all be so happy with the little things in life!

Have a lovely weekend all!

Life Rearranged

Its in the sauce y'all

You all know I'm no Paula or Giada (or even a long lost cousin), but when I do have something that makes my taste buds sing and is simple to make too, well by golly I'm gonna share it with y'all.  

Yes, I'm southern today so "y'all" it is.

General Tso's is my absolute Favorite Chinese dish.  There's just something about that sauce.  

*swoon*

And ladies I have found THE. BEST. store-bought General Tso's sauce for your "no-take-out" dish by Iron Chef.  Trust me when I tell you it will not disappoint.

The best part of this meal is how easy it is, you literally throw it together.  No recipe needed.  I use popcorn chicken cooked in the oven.  We let ours in there a little longer than the directions on the package so it's nice and crispy and won't go limp in the sauce.  Then I cook up some frozen broccoli in one pot and rice in another (what could be easier?)

 

Then I literally toss the broccoli and chicken in the sauce, spoon over rice, and serve. 

Come on now, you have time for that right?  

This quick meal is a staple around our house.  There is only one store in our area 

that sells the sauce though so when we go, we stock up on that baby!

Go on and getcha' some!

6+ years and still waiting to sleep

I have been waiting to sleep for 6 years now.

*Sigh*

Will it ever come?

Ok, maybe I'm being a tad dramatic but really...just a tad.

I don't know what it is with my boys but there is always some sleeping issue and they end up waking me and Hubsy up sometimes 6 or 7 times a night!

It varies from true night terrors to just not being able to sleep.

The other night L (my 6yr-old) was already on his way to our room when he thought he saw a giant rat in the hallway.  He screamed for me and I've never heard that kind of utter terror in his voice.   I thought surely he must have had a limb cut off!  OK, not likely but I was half asleep after all. 

Thankfully it was just a rat (sort of).

Don't even get me started on E.

That boy will resist sleep AT. ALL. COSTS.

His excuses for coming to our room are endless, and some are really hysterical, except that I'm being woken up and I'm not exactly the most pleasant person in the middle of the night.  They usually don't become funny until reflecting on them once I'm already up and showered.

Then we went and got a puppy that can't go all night without being let out to pee.

What were we thinking?

Needless to say I was BEYOND grateful to Hubsy when he offered to have a sleep-out in the living room with both boys the other night.  Oh and he took the night shift with Seamus too :)

Long live the monster tent!  Even though it takes up half my living room , it provides days of new adventures for the boys every time we bust it out.

I had 9 blissful hours of totally uninterrupted sleep and man was it heaven. 

HEAVEN I say!

I may or may not have taken an additional 2 hour nap later that day too. 

I admit nothing.

How about you?

Do you or your kids have trouble sleeping?

How do you deal?

And since Seamus is just too cute, I'll leave you with this pic.

Have a great week!

Pie Pops

We recently got away from the house for a bit and went up to my Dad's farm for a vacation visit.  

Now if you've been following me for a while, you may remember that my stepmother, Rose,
is an awesome cook ;)

You really should check out here blog Sprigs of Rosemary.  

I love when we visit because she always has something new to try.  This time she made these adorable little pies on a stick, or "Pie Pops" if you prefer a fancier title.  They were so cute, you couldn't resist them (and they tasted just like the real deal).

 

You can find the recipe she used here.  

Rose's blueberry version

 Rose made up her own filling though with their farm fresh blueberries....delish!

So if you want to get some "oooh's & ahh's" at your next picnic, try making these cuties.

Happy weekend girlies!

Pleasing Prints

Today is my fist time linking up with Michelle at 

The Vintage Apple for some Pinterest lovin'...

thevintageapple.com

...so I thought I'd share some of the prints I fell in love with while perusing Pinterst.

 

source

{1} For moms with boys, could this BE any cuter?

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{2} Can I get an AMEN!

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{3} Talk about calling me out to walk-the-walk and not just talk-the-talk!

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{4} Trying to drill this into my kids right now.

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{5} for me Hubsy :)

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{6}  I just ADORE this one, I feel like this on many a day *hehe

Visit my sidebar to follow me on Pinterest 

What are you loving on Pinterest?  

Do you find yourself pinning any one type of theme a lot lately?

Pymatuning 2012

We took our second camping trip to Pymatuning Lake this year.  

We went for the first time last year and loved it so we're making it an annual trip now.

We get the same camp site with a direct walk-out onto the lake. 

This is what we wake up to in the morning, 

there are few better views in life than this :)

I loved sitting out on the tiny section of beach in the morning watching the fish jump, the blue heron hunt, and ducks land and quack about.  I think one of the things I love best about camping is that for me it is a humbling experience.  A reminder that in nature, life goes on without all the drama we add to it.  All these years after creation and herons and ducks are still hunting fish and fish are still hunting bugs.  It makes all the little things that I spend so much mental energy on seem so silly.

I love the absolute calm it brings to my spirit.

That said here are some more shots from our trip.

The Spillway

Fish and foul are in abundance at the spillway and everyone and their mother stops to feed them. 

Including us...and my mother :)

The birds are awesome but I must admit the carp are kinda creepy.  

But really any animal or bug in large numbers like that gives me the willies.

They practically swim on top of each other and they all have their mouths gaping wide open.

The Fish Hatchery

The fish hatchery is actually more fun than you would think. Yea there are large tanks of fish in various stages of life but the grounds are really beautiful with some unique things to see.  Especially the nesting bald eagles that we were not lucky enough to see this year but did see last time.  Let me tell you to see a bald eagle up close in its natural environment is quite impressive.  But this year we got to see scads of barn swallows nesting beneath the eaves of the hatchery building.  I loved seeing their little heads peeking out of the holes.  The ones in the last photo are probably only about a tenth of what was there.

We absolutely love it there and can't wait to back next year although I think we'll definitely be extending our stay.  You just can't fit in everything you want to take advantage of into 2-1/2 days.

Any other campers out there?

Where do you like to camp?

We're always on the lookout for new places to explore :)