Day 13: Favorite Seasonal Candy

For the most part, candy isn't very tempting to me.

I love dark chocolate, Jelly Belly jelly beans…and the occasional Snickers bars…but when it comes to most candies, I pass.

And seasonal candy? Peeps, Cadbury Eggs, gumdrops…I avoid them.

But there is one seasonal candy that I love: candy corn.

Now, I'll enjoy Brach's candy corn any day…but a few years ago, I was introduced to Jelly Belly candy corn.

I was a little skeptical, but when I tried it? Yum.  And it's a bit hard to return to Brach's afterwards! It's not easy to find, but if you have a grocery that carries Jelly Belly products, you just might see a little package of their candy corn as well. And you should try it.

Do you have a favorite seasonal candy?

Day 12: Favorite seven year old

Today, my baby girl turns seven.

Madeleine brings us joy and laughter every single day. She is spunky, sweet, thoughtful, and sincere. She loves anything sparkly, reading, and playing with friends outside. And she thinks breakfast in bed is the best thing ever.  She is most definitely the baby of our family, and we all adore her.

Happy 7th Birthday Sweet Madeleine! We love you!

Day 11: Favorite blog "round-ups"

One of my favorite types of blog posts to read are those blogs who feature a weekly "round-up" of what they've enjoyed from around the internet. I love finding new sources of inspiration and reading articles that I haven't come across before!

I thought I'd share a few of my favorite blogs who do that today, as you usually see these shared on the weekend!

The Handmade Home features Handmade Savvy Saturday is one of my go-to spots for finding DIY projects around the web.

The Art of Simple selects a few Weekend Links that usually include something fun, a video, and thoughtful articles.

Nesting Place features Weekend Links, which she files under "Bird Watching." Love that. Her features tend to lean towards home decor and inspiration.

Modern Mrs. Darcy shares Links I Love which prominently feature book-related articles. I'm always in the mood for a good book recommendation.

Elise Blaha Cripe features Weekend Links that combine crafty with smart and recipes. Her style is a bit more modern than mine, but I love the inspiration found on her site.

I'd love to hear your favorites from around the internet!

Day 10: Favorite new (to me) company

I first discovered LS Slipcovers when I came across this photo from Holly Mathis' instagram feed:

via

I loved the details of the chair, especially that oversize monogram, and enjoyed reading about the artisan quality of these slipcovers. The only drawback was that this company was in Houston, TX.

Fast forward a couple months. Over at Nesting Place, Myquillyn shared that Laura and Nathan of LS Slipcovers would be doing a southern tour, meeting clients in their homes and designing slipcovers by pin-fitting the furniture and then taking the fabric back to TX and mailing it a few weeks later.

I called and spoke with Nathan that same day. My slipcovered chair that had been purchased for our nursery 11 years ago was in need of a new look to coordinate with our now nursery-less home.

After a few weeks of planning and working out details, this week I drove up to Atlanta with my chair to meet Laura and Nathan (and their adorable children!) It was so much fun to watch Laura take pieces of linen and pin-fit my chair…it's a bit mesmerizing to watch! They were both so kind and friendly and personable. I felt like I was just hanging out with friends. Before I knew it, an hour and a half had passed and we were done.

And now I get to anticipate receiving my new slipcover!

So here's my chair. I love this chair…it just needs a fresh look! I chose a flax-colored linen, and asked for small box pleats, similar to this picture below but ones that skim the floor, as I want to hide the gliding mechanism.

via

I'm so excited I can hardly wait! So in the meantime, I'm  thinking about what else I could have slipcovered!

If you're in Texas, you should definitely check them out…but I know they are working on ways to work with out of state clients, so don't let your location hold you back from getting in touch with them.

Day 9: A favorite moment remembered

I imagine I'm a lot like many of you. I have a great idea for a family photo, and I can't wait to make it happen. A few years ago, I saw several cute shots taken from above of families lying in lush grass.

So back in the summer of 2011, my extended family was together at the beach…taking a few large family shots on one of our final nights all together. And there was this great grass.

So I convinced Brent it would be cute (and worth the effort) and we began. The two of us laid down in the grass and then aunts and uncles and grandparents helped the kiddos get into place. My sister sweetly took pictures (gaining height by sitting on her husband's shoulders.) We tried a few different arrangements, but it wasn't long before our littlest was done.

We got a few shots that (while not exactly what I was imagining) were still good and special with everyone making a face that could pass for happy.

But maybe my favorite one now? This one:

One of the final shots. Madeleine is crying. Nathanael is being silly. Or trying to make his sister (or Aunt Katy) laugh by making a face. Hadleigh is sweetly smiling, but I remember her asking if we could be finished yet because the grass was itchy.

And Brent and I are just laughing. Soaking up the crazy moment. I look at this picture, and I can remember this moment so clearly. And it makes me thankful for saving the not-so-perfect pictures, because that's where memory lingers.

Day 8: Hadleigh's 11th Birthday Breakfast

Today is our precious Hadleigh's 11th Birthday! It's hard to believe that eleven years have passed since we first looked into those blue eyes…but there she is, on the verge of being a young lady and not just my little girl.

Happy Birthday, my Hadleigh girl. You bring me such joy…you have taught me so much…and you make each day sweeter with your gentle smile, generous heart, and giant hugs! I'm so thankful for you and eager to see all that this coming year will bring! 

It is one of our birthday traditions for the birthday girl (or boy) to choose the meals for their special day. This year, Hadleigh chose our family's favorite pancake recipe. So in honor of her birthday (and in the spirit of revisiting old favorite recipes), I'd love to share our deliciously easy pancake recipe!

We love these plain with syrup…but we also find them perfect for adding your favorite fruit or topping, especially blueberries, chocolate chips, or pecans!

The Best Buttermilk Pancakes Ever!

1 cup flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. butter, melted and cooled slightly
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup milk
1 large egg

1. Melt butter and allow to cool. Whisk together dry ingredients in a medium bowl.

2. In another bowl, combine liquid ingredients. Add liquids to flour mixture and whisk until just blended. Let stand 10 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, heat griddle. Pour batter onto griddle and cook until pancakes are bubbly and the edges are slightly browned. Flip and cook approximately 2 minutes on other side. Keep pancakes warm until ready to serve.

Yields: about 12 medium-sized pancakes.

And it seems like it was just a few moments ago that this two-year old Hadleigh was helping me make these pancakes!

Day 7: A character I've grown up with

I don't remember how old I was when I first met Anne Shirley. But I quickly realized that she was a kindred spirit…though I never knew the term until I met her.

I think I probably first read Anne of Green Gables when I was in fourth grade. We had recently moved to North Carolina, and I can remember exploring our street with my brothers, pretending to "run away" but never getting past the "haunted" cottage that we glimpsed through the old hemlock hedge at the end of our street. All my memories there are laced with a vocabulary and imagination that reminds me very much of Anne.

My picture of Anne is a cross between Megan Follows' on-screen portrayal of my favorite character and the drawings of Anne on the covers of my copies of Anne of Avonlea and Anne of Windy Poplars. As a child, I admired her courage, smiled at her curious shenanigans, and wished to have such a loyal friend. I identified with her love of the beauty surrounding her and found someone who had similar romantic notions as I.

via

Before long, I had read all eight "Anne" novels (followed by everything else Montgomery wrote) and was so thankful to get to follow the eleven-year old girl for much of the rest of her life. I always dread a book ending at the "happily ever after" point…I always yearn to know "what's next" and with Anne, I got that.  

Tomorrow, Hadleigh will unwrap her first copy of Anne of Green Gables…I'm so excited to share this favorite character with my almost-eleven year old. Autumn always seems to be the perfect time to reread Anne…and I think I will read along with Hadleigh. I understand Anne from a different perspective now…a teacher…a wife…a mother…but when I open my well-worn and well-loved copies and read their pages, I am reminded of the girl I used to be.

Do you love Anne as much as I do? Share your favorite character with me in the comments!

Day 6: A Favorite Antique Shop

One thing that I want to start sharing more often is favorite spots to shop, eat, or enjoy in the places where we've called home over the years…or from our travels.

I love browsing antique stores. Sometimes I'm on the hunt for something very specific…and other times I just happen upon something that I love.

Whether on the hunt or just window-shopping, my all-time favorite antique spot is in my hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. The Antique Tobacco Barn is a must-see if you love thrifting or antiquing and happen to be visiting Asheville. 

screenshot of the website

From fine antiques to well-worn pieces that need some vision and elbow grease…bone china to children's tea sets…you will find surprises around every turn. I always leave, brimming with ideas for something to look for or a new way to use something I have at home! 

I loved this stack of colorful ladders a few years ago…and I'm wondering now why I didn't take home one or two of those crates pictured above!

Near these Ball jars, I discovered one of my favorite finds on a trip with my Mom. We found a couple of vintage Biltmore Dairy milk bottles. We excitedly took them home…a sweet reminder from both of our childhoods: enjoying the company's ice cream at the Biltmore Dairy Bar!

The Antique Barn is a spot I try hard to visit each time I'm in Asheville. And lately, Hadleigh has loved visiting antique stores too…so I love getting to share some of these trips with her too! Can't wait until my next visit!

Do you have a favorite antique spot? I'd love to hear about it!

Day 5: A verse I love

Okay. I can't really narrow down the Bible to just one verse that I love.

But this one has been a good reminder lately:

Far too often, I spin my wheels and make my plans and fret and cling white-knuckled to having control. I make myself dizzy, trying to figure everything out.

But all that frantic mess drives me to turn my eyes to Him, and He reminds me.

"Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

And then I see how He has fit pieces together and they make so much more sense in His order and His time and His plan.

In the midst of another move, in the midst of our adoption journey, in the midst of homeschool and house hunting and relationships and children…in the midst of all that life brings, I am clinging today to this verse.

I hope it encourages you today too.

Day 4: My favorite outdoor spot

Almost a year ago, we added a hammock to this corner of our backyard. There is a little cluster of trees that provides the perfect amount of shade for resting, reading, or dreaming in the hammock.

I love wondering where the kiddos are…only to look and find them talking together on the hammock. I love overhearing their adventures while running around it. (I think it looks like it would make a pretty good ship, personally.)

I love it when Brent says he's going to go read a book in the hammock…but he takes a pillow along too!

And hearing Hadleigh ask if she can spend her quiet time on the hammock on a nice afternoon reminds me that a hammock was the perfect birthday gift for her last year.

I love piling into the hammock with them to read and talk and just enjoy being together.

The autumn is my favorite time of year to be outside…and we are finally enjoying some cooler temps now! Do you have a favorite spot outside? I'd love to hear about it!

Day 3: A Fun and Healthy Find

I'm hoping to share some fun things this month with you as well. 

My parents gave me this Citrus Zinger water bottle recently, and I LOVE it.

I've been trying to drink more water every day and naturally flavored water is my favorite way to go. This water bottle allows you to add fresh fruit or veggies to your water and then you just keep refilling all day long.

As pictured above, I've tried clementine oranges, limes, and strawberries so far. And while they've all been delicious, I drank the most water when it was strawberry flavored! There are so many flavor possibilities! And the fruit continues to steep the water as long as you keep filling it up.

The water bottle comes in four parts: lid, upper canister, reamer, and base. The base and upper canister twist apart at the green ring. The reamer locks onto the upper canister. You simply place you fruit on the reamer and twist to begin to release the juices. Then attach the base tightly and fill from the top with water. The mouth of the bottle is wider than a typical bottled water, so it will easily fit ice and is comfortable to drink from.

I love drinking "spa water," so to be able to easily make it at home is such fun!

Day 2: Worth Subscribing

Over the years, my magazine subscriptions have varied…from style magazines in college to scrapbooking subscriptions in their heyday…to home decor.  

My all-time favorite magazine EVER was (and I think will always be) Cottage Living. I was so very disappointed when they ceased publication. I happened to subscribe from the very first issue (I think I received a card in the mail to try it out), and I have saved each and every issue. I still love to flip through those pages. I've used so many of their ideas and tried and loved so many of the recipes.

Does anyone else miss it too? I keep hoping that just maybe they will start again. We can hope, right!?!

In the meantime, there are three home magazines I have subscribed to for a long time:

As I grew up, my Mom subscribed to Southern Living. It seemed only natural to continue the tradition in my own home! I have lived in five (soon-to-be six) of the southern states that it features and love learning about the different regions of The South. I have seen this magazine change over the years, but it always remains true to its purpose.

The mix of home decor, regional travel suggestions, and unique southern products are my favorites. The garden section makes me want to try my hand at planting something new. And the recipes. Oh the recipes. I have yet to make something we haven't loved. I use SL recipes all the time when I have company because I know that I can count on them to be delicious. And I never miss reading that last page written by Rick Bragg.

I discovered Victoria right after we got married. I loved the warmth of the photography and the beauty of the writing immediately. There was an artistry to the way they featured home and travel and the outdoors that I fell in love with immediately. I was saddened when they ceased publication shortly afterwards…and then elated when many years later, they renewed publication!

I look forward to the issues that feature France and England and tempt me to travel to faraway places. I love the featured writers and artists in residence…and I love how they include poetry in their pages. (I just wish they'd bring back their "Calling Cards" feature…where I first started to appreciate unique business cards!)

And finally, Better Homes & Gardens.  I love the monthly focus page…the featured color page…and the DIY projects. I love that I often see the homes and spaces of favorite bloggers featured in the pages! And again, the recipes are some of my favorites! It was the last magazine to join my favorites, but I'm glad to say that I look forward to its arrival each month!

I will often pick up an extra magazine or two at the newsstand throughout the year, but these are my very favorites.

How about you? I'd love to pick up a new magazine for the fall season so share your own favorites with me in the comments!

31 Days: a month of favorites

For the last six years, Myquillyn over at The Nesting Place has hosted a challenge to blog each day in October. This will be my third year to participate, and I'm hopeful about writing each day this October. It's going to be a crazy month with lots going on, but I have missed writing here and hope that participating again will encourage my writing!

I had several ideas over the past few months for what to focus on, but due to our schedule this month, I've decided on a topic that will be a bit easier for me to keep up with.

This year, I'm sharing A Month of Favorites. 

It seemed like a perfect choice; after all, October is my favorite month! (And that photo above? Yep. Hydrangeas are my favorite flower!) You can expect to find me sharing favorite projects, favorite recipes, favorite tips, favorite vacation spots, favorite products and MORE!

I hope you'll join me here each day this month and share your own favorites in the comments with us! 

Day 1: Intro
Day 2: Worth Subscribing
Day 3: A Fun and Healthy Find
Day 4: My favorite outdoor spot

Day 5: A verse I love
Day 6: A Favorite Antique Shop
Day 7: A character I've grown up with
Day 8: Hadleigh's 11th Birthday Breakfast (favorite recipe)

Back to School: 2014-2015

So, today we officially started back to school. All the subjects. Whew. 

We started a few things at the end of last week, because I always prefer to get my feet wet (gradually) and not just jump right in. It works for me…and for our kiddos too.

This year, I have a fifth grader, third grader, and first grader. Crazy.

And because I love reading about other people's curriculum choices, I'm going to share ours again this year. (And I've also gotten a couple emails over the summer with requests to hear what I like, so I thought it would be nice to have a spot to refer people!)

We use Veritas Press (a company that approaches education classically) for our history, Bible, literature (mostly), and Geography.

For HISTORY this year, we are studying the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Reformation. Veritas Press has two approaches for each of their grammar stage history courses: 1) Teacher/Parent taught and 2) Self-Paced Online Course.

The past three years of history, I have taught the curriculum, using their guides. This summer, we reviewed the first year of history (Old Testament and Ancient Egypt) using the Self-Paced online course; we all really enjoyed it. This year, we are going to continue with the online course. I'm excited because the course is well-designed, fun, and cohesive. And it gives me a break to focus on some other subjects that I really need to devote more time towards teaching. I will continue with our history read-alouds and a few other parts of history that I really enjoy, like our timeline.

For LITERATURE, we will be using the first, third, and fifth grade read-alouds from Veritas, as well as some fourth-grade that we didn't get to last year that I'm excited about. The kiddos also have daily independent reading, from a selection of books at home and the library.

I love finding good books…I highly recommend Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt and Read for the Heart by Sarah Clarkson. These books are great guides and offer suggestions of books for different ages, interests, genres, etc. Sarah also has a great new website called Storyformed with booklists and book descriptions and a blog to encourage teachers and parents to instill a love of stories and reading in their children.

My kiddos love the Legends & Leagues GEOGRAPHY guides, Mr. Longitude and Mr. Latitude. This year, we're using the Legends & Leagues North Storybook and Workbook. I'm really excited that they have grown this curriculum in the last couple years!

This year, we're trying something new with SCIENCE. It's a subject they love but one that I had a hard time being consistent with because math and language arts have really been demanding in these early years of elementary school.

Locally, we have access to a classical Christian private school (with students attending two days at school, three days at home,) and we decided to join the school for science class this year. The school uses Apologia for their science program and our kids are enrolled in 5th grade Anatomy and Physiology, 3rd grade Zoology 3, and 1st grade Astronomy.

Despite being a little unsure about uniforms (Madeleine announced after her first day that she LOVED her uniform, after weeks of sulking about it!), they all had a great day, and I think it's going to be great for all of us. During the rest of the week, we will spend a couple hours completing their science assignments. I can tell that it's going to stretch them academically…and I'm excited to see it!

As for MATH, we are continuing with Math U See. This year, we're using levels Beta, Gamma, and Delta. And this year we will be doing a lot of fact drilling. A. Lot.

We are continuing to use Rod and Staff for ENGLISH GRAMMAR. (I still love First Language Lessons, and I think that Shurley English is a great foundation…but both programs weren't a great fit for everyone I was teaching. Rod and Staff is working for all of us.) I'm also continuing to use All About Spelling…but I'm still working to find a great way to make spelling successful for my three. I am a natural speller who married a very creative speller. And I think we have some creative spelling offspring. ;) But time (and more practice) will tell!

Piano lessons for all three this year will be a part of our MUSIC…and I'm always hoping to be more consistent (and fun!) with ART. I'm hoping to share more about those subjects in the next few weeks.

One last thing, as I wrote in a similar post last year:

There are so many great curriculum choices out there now for homeschoolers. But just remember, every family is different. Every child is different. What works for me, may not be the best fit for you. I've even learned that I have to alter some things to better fit each of my own children's unique style of learning. Other homeschoolers are a valuable source of information about what they've used...but make sure to focus on your own family's strengths, weaknesses, learning (and teaching!) styles as you consider what to use in your homeschool.

If you have any questions or want to share a favorite curriculum, I'd love to hear about it! Please leave a comment, and I'll respond within the comment section! 

This week...

We are soaking up the last few days of summer, as we start back to our homeschool at the end of this week…perfectly timed for the three days of 100 degree weather that's predicted.

Meanwhile...

I'm getting school supplies organized. Final books purchased. Rooms cleaned.

I'm working on daily schedules. Loose year-long plans.

I'm thinking about meal planning. A new blog design. Home decor changes.

I'm trying to find a living room rug. And the balance between staying  up late and waking up early.

I'm missing my sweet nephew who is one month old today!

What are you up to this week?

Two different looks at StitchFix

It's been quite a while (almost a year, actually) since I've blogged about Stitch Fix. Since then, I've received two shipments from Stitch Fix and thought I'd blog about them, even though one of them was from last fall. (If Stitch Fix is new to you, I explain the service after my review below.)

I was disappointed to learn that my stylist Jen was no longer styling for Stitch Fix. I really loved her eye and ability to select things I loved while always pushing me a little bit to try something different.

Stitch Fix No. 5 was a bit of a disappointment at first sight. Usually, I'm excited about the pieces even if they don't work out. This box just seemed blah. I noticed a lot of tiny polka dots…which I like but not in three different items all at once. 

1. Kensie Lavon Dot Detailed Button-up Cardigan in blue. This cardi had some cute details but the fabric seemed thin for winter and the length was shorter than I prefer. Pretty color but it reminded me of a cardigan set I had in college. Sent back.

2. 41Hawthorn Jace Dot Print Fit and Flare Dress. I didn't find this flattering at all.

3. 41Hawthorn Longsleeve Knit Cardigan. I love this style of cardigan. I love the softness of the fabric and how it matched so well with the scarf pictured, a gift from a dear friend. I chose to keep it even though it is oh-so-similar to the one I received in my first Stitch Fix.

4. Crosby Ford Bootcut Jean. These didn't fit. I loved the style and details and quality of the denim but I have a hard time finding jeans in-store that I like, so I knew these would be a long-shot. And they were so. very. looooong.

5. Renee C Rossi Polka Dot Blouse. I thought this was cute, but in the end, I didn't think it would get much wear in the winter AND most of my polka dots in my closet are black and white tops. So I sent it back.

Here are some details shots. I noticed that they now send the styling cards as a perforated printout sheet, instead of in the plastic sleeves. Pro…the plastic sleeves were attached by a swing tag to each garment, which often made it more difficult and uncomfortable to try on. And since they're not attached to the clothing, you can keep the cards even if you don't keep the clothes, giving you some future ideas for styling! Cons…I liked having the cards in the plastic sleeve as it seemed more of a personal gesture and not an afterthought. 

Consensus…I had a new stylist, but I got the feeling that she hadn't spent as much time getting to "know" me as my previous stylist. And even though I chose to keep the green cardigan, I was a bit disappointed to receive an almost exact copy of a previous purchase from them. To be fair though, I didn't give many concrete suggestions for what I was hoping for, so I decided that I'd wait until the spring (as I have way too many sweaters for the winter already) and give it another try.

I received Stitch Fix No. 6 in the late spring. It was already getting warm here in Georgia, so I requested some spring to summer items. I also requested a skirt and a new stylist. When I opened the box, I was happy. Ellyn sent me what I had come to expect from StitchFix.

1. Tart Burrowes Striped Short Sleeve Shirt. I wasn't too sure about the shape of this (it seemed a little boxy) but I really loved it once it was on. The fabric was a wonderful quality and the contrasting size of stripes was a great detail. I really wanted to keep this one (and now I kind of wish I did) but in the end $48 for a tee seemed a little high.

2. Loveappella Montgomery Striped Cross-Front Tank. I really wanted this one to work. I love the style, the color, the drape…but in the end, it just didn't look great on me. But so cute. (Made me want some more grey in my closet.

3. 41 Hawthorn Pink Selfridge Cowl Neck. This fabric was baby-clothes-soft. Very flattering and the color was nice. But it reminded me of a similar top I used to have (in style and color) that I never wore, so I decided to pass on this one, especially at the beginning of the summer.

4. Mavi Gold Malcom Bootcut Jean. Different jean, same old story. Didn't fit well. I have always had a hard time finding jeans that fit well in all the right places, so I'm reluctant to spend $$$ when they're not a perfect fit.

5. LA MADE Logan Jersey Swing Skirt. I didn't have a skirt in this style, and I loved it. Love the color. Love the fabric. Love the style. I do wear a slip under this one because this jersey fabric needed a little extra coverage. I kept it and have worn it with a white top and either a scarf in cooler weather or a long necklace in the summer.

So, once again, I'm happy with Stitch Fix. And looking forward to my next order!

If this is all new to you, here's how it works:

1. You sign up (via an invitation link) online, and once your account is created, you complete your style profile. This part is fun...it's kind of like a quiz. You fill out size, fit, and style preferences, as well as a price range you prefer to shop within. You can also link to a Pinterest board, so the stylists can get a good sense of your style. 

(screenshot of a portion of the style profile)

2. There is a wait time currently involved…and lately, it has grown. But it's definitely worth the wait.

3. Once you're approved and your style profile is complete, you schedule when you'd like to receive your first order or "fix." A StitchFix stylist handpicks items for you based on your profile; the fee for this service is $20...but you can apply the full $20 towards your purchase.

4. The package ships USPS and include 5 items. When your StitchFix box arrives, you get to try on clothes in the comfort of your own home...and with pieces from your own wardrobe.  This is one of my favorite features of the company. 

5. Within three days, choose what you love and then send back the rest, using the prepaid Priority envelope enclosed. Go online to StitchFix and checkout. You complete a survey for checkout, which further defines your profile and gives good feedback to the stylist for next time. You pay only for what you keep...and if you keep all items sent, you get 25% off the total purchase. 

6. Then, choose to schedule your next StitchFix shipment as frequently or infrequently as you like! I love that you can leave a note for your stylist about an event or season you want kept in mind when selecting items!

Also, StitchFix now offers gift certificates, so if you've been wanting to try, maybe request a gift certificate for your birthday or Christmas. I love that they offer this now!

Finally, this is not a sponsored post. I am receiving no compensation for this review from StitchFix. However, much like other online retailers (like Zulily, One Kings Lane, Sole Society, etc.), StitchFix promotes their brand through referral links. So if you sign up through the links I've given here, I earn a one-time credit with StitchFix if you sign up and purchase. (And once you sign up, if you share your referral code with your friends, YOU earn credit! Win-win!)

I've earned some credit through some of you...so THANK YOU! Let me know about your StitchFix experience! And if you have any questions, I'm happy to answer them in the comments or by email!

Lunch inspiration for a Monday

A few weeks ago, I was very bored with our lunch routine. Later while scrolling through my Instagram feed, I was inspired by Emily and her Muffin Tin Monday picture.

Needless to say, I quickly made our own:

The kids were quite excited and asked that it be part of our weekly lunch routine. (We also do grilled cheese Fridays when I remember!)

Do you have any fun lunch ideas to share? I'm trying more and more to switch up what we have at lunch and would welcome your suggestions!

Rainy Day Fun

I've been yearning over the last week for a little rain. Cool temps and rainy weather seemed to be all over instagram and the United States except for my little patch of grass. I exaggerate, but still.

Today we woke to clouds and a little fall of rain. And a forecast with a chance all day long. Enough to call it a rainy day. 

And so we had tea and cookies on a blanket in the living room while I read aloud. And then we finished the hour reading independently, lost in two different volumes of Narnia, on an adventure with the Boxcar Children, and challenged and encouraged by Emily Freeman. 40 minutes of silent reading, minus Madeleine's announcements of pictures of dwarves and how many chapters she had left.

These are some of the moments I dreamed of as a mother of toddlers…and wondered if I would ever experience as a mother of a late-blooming-reader. It's a joy to see my children lost in stories, wandering in the adventures of their imaginations. 

So it's no surprise that for today's photo-a-day challenge, I chose to share my idea of rainy-day FUN.

I'm not sure if I'll be sharing these daily or not on the blog, but you can follow me on Instagram to keep up daily.  

Here are the prompts if you'd like to play along with The Idea Room's August Photo-a-day Challenge! I am always glad that I've participated at the end! Let me know if you're joining in…I'd love to follow along!

July in Pictures

It's hard to believe that July is at an end. We had some relaxed days at the beginning of the month, but the end has been a whirlwind of travel. Here's a peak at what we've been up to around here!

Hot Georgia days=old toys are fun!

Picking blueberries locally. Lots of pink but platy of blue too.

 Hot weather fun. 

Fountains and Dairy Queen

We call that Ode to our favorite Kroger salads

Project Organize Kids Rooms

Visiting the Panda Bears at the National Zoo was a definite highlight!

 Enjoying Mimi & Grampa's front yard

Playing in the creek with friends. In the rain. With an umbrella. 

Hadleigh read and read and read. And finished the Chronicles of Narnia!

Seeing their great-great grandfather's stained glass windows 

while exploring the National Cathedral.

Enjoying Rochester's 60-something degree temps

Singing Frozen songs with Uncle Alex on the piano

Meeting my sweet nephew Anders

They are so excited about another cousin! 

Mimi & Grampa with their grandchildren 

Love seeing my little sister become a mother.