FYI Friday

1.  There is all kinds of truth, honesty, and wisdom right here.  I want to reread it every day until it sinks in that I'm doing the best I can and I'll never be perfect.  Drill it into my head! 2.  There are some real marketing geniuses out there.  I haven't seen this one on tv, so I'm not tired of it yet.  Not sure I ever will.

3.  Speaking of tv, why must I always choose the shows that no one else watches.  The networks run the shows just long enough for me to get totally invested in the characters and fall in love with them and then,  poof!  They pull the plug.  I hate you CW for cancelling 90210.   4.  I'm totally digging grey as a color to decorate with.  I haven't incorporated it much in my house because I'm afraid I'd tire too quickly of the drab color.  But just look how tranquil and clean it can be. 5.  Want to get your kids to eat healthy(er)?  Put one of these beautiful plates in front of them and watch them gobble it up!

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mother's in the world!

Daddy Time

I don't think I give him enough credit, but Wes truly is one heck of a dad, husband, confidant, friend, and so much more.  He gives unselfishly of his time and energy.  Whenever I can't take the pressure or my patience is faltering he's right there to meet my cry for help.  He supports me when I feel like I'm not such a great mom and gives me the encouragement to believe in myself again.  He listens to me whine and takes orders well!

He is the fun dad.  The one who rough houses with the kids like dads are supposed to do.  He's the one who initiates sports-related play so that I can stay inside and bake or cook.  He insists on giving me "me" time just when I need it most.  I'm a really lucky gal!  I love you, babe.  

Oh, and he's head of the Grammar Police, so he's taught me a thing or 2 over the years (I had a lot to learn!).  I thought of that because I would not have put that comma in between you and babe in the last sentence, but now I know better :)

These pictures are from 2 months ago, even though Colin is sporting some Christmas pajamas!  They were hand-me-downs from his cousin, so anything new must be worn immediately.  Incidentally, Sawyer's pj's didn't even come with matching pants, but they were also from his cousin, so who cares if they match!

Weekly Recipe - Week 16

{Printable menu with links!}

Cowboy Coleslaw

Kids can be so unpredictable.  One meal they love everything on their plate, the next meal they're picking out pieces of who knows what and whining all the while.  Even though my kids are both good eaters, I assure you we are not exempt from this behavior.  My personal favorite is when you serve the same dish a second time and this time they suddenly don't like it and declare it "gross."  How could your tastebuds change in the matter of a few months?  Blasphemy!  

This coleslaw turned out to be one of those dishes.  That is until the oldest realized there were apples, grapes, and pickles, and that he did, in fact, love all of those things.  So just as quickly as he curled  up his nose, he was begging for more.  My day just wouldn't be complete without some unnecessary whining and protest.

Like the wee ones, the big ones enjoyed this coleslaw as well.  I love a good coleslaw alongside a burger or sandwich, but I'm not a fan of the boring, run-of-the-mill-mayo-laden varieties.  This one offers a little extra crunch with the fruits and a little tart with the pickle.  I don't really think a "cowboy" would make this, but I'm sure one would enjoy it if they tried!    

Cowboy Coleslaw

Printable recipe

Ingredients:

1/3 cup Veganaise (or regular mayo)

2 T apple cider vinegar

2 T sugar

2 tsp grain mustard

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tsp onion powder

1 bag shredded cabbage or slaw mix

6 dill pickle slices (the big "Stackers" kind)

1/2 cup red grapes, cut in half

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage, pickles, and grapes.  Toss to combine.

In a small bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients until smooth.  Pour over cabbage mixture and toss well to coat.  Cover and refrigerate for 2-6 hours (or more).  Stir before serving.

FYI Friday

1.  Slow and steady wins the race.  Words I need to practice living by.  My to-do list will never end, so why do I beat myself up for not finishing everything?
2.  How stinkin' cute are these ice cream spoons?  As of this month, Colin is in favor of an ice cream party for his birthday.  Ask me next month and I'm sure that will have changed.  But how cute would these be?  They were sold out but I found the etsy store and she has plenty!
3.  I have managed to resist the temptation to buy Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookie Butter.  That is until I saw this recipe.  The problem is, I don't think I could stop at one.  She's entering this recipe in a contest and I don't see how she would get beat.  
4.  I'm in total mourning over the loss of one of my childhood favorites.  Kris (Chris Kelly), of Kris Kross died this week from an apparent drug overdose.  I guess this answers my question, "Where are they now?"  I feel like I should go to the funeral.  Or maybe I'll just wear my pants backwards today in memory.  So sad.  Drugs are bad, mkay.
5.  I've purchased one of these Project Life kits in the past and while I still haven't managed to get around to actually using it, I'm still enamored with their papers and patterns.  It really is a great solution for scrapbook wannabes with far too little time.
6.  Summer in a bowl.  That's all I have to say.

Have a great weekend!

Weekly Menu - Week 15

{Printable menu with links}

Dining Room Update

Several months ago I posted a picture of an inspiration piece that I wanted to copy recreate for our dining room.  I had the pictures painted and the frames finished months ago, but it took me much longer to have someone hang them (we have plaster walls and I don't want the walls to crumble from my ignorance) and to photograph the finished shots.  
After doing this project and a few other art-related projects around the house, I found this is a passion of mine.  I love to be crafty and creative.  I like to use paints, papers, and any other art supplies I can get my hands on.  I love seeing the transformation and I love the sense of pride and accomplishment when I look at the finished product.  I've definitely learned I need to do more of it because it truly makes me happy.

For a refresher, here was the inspiration:

After I painted the prints, I had to apply gold leafing to the natural picture frames.  My fingers were gold for days!  I used a piece of cheesecloth to apply it.  

And now for the big reveal...

I painted a total of 4 different designs, 2 for each side of a window in my dining room.  

To show how the gold blends with the room, here's one of the other walls.

Now I just need to finish out that wall with some simple drapes and that room will be finished.  We've only lived in this house for a year and a half now!
Have you tackled any art projects lately?  

Cinco de Mayo Inspiration

It should come as no surprise that I have a treasure trove of Mexican recipes.  We  have some variety of the cuisine nearly evey week and we frequent our favorite Mexican restaurant so often, the waiters all know and recognize us.  It's quick, inexpensive, and a crowd-favorite.  
In celebration of the upcoming Americanized holiday, Cinco de Mayo, I thought I'd share some of our favorite dishes to get you in the festive mood.  Whether you whip one of these up to celebrate the holiday or just because, I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!  Happy Cinco de Mayo!
From top left to right, starting from the top:
Creamy Chicken Taquitos
Nacho Potatoes
Grilled Stuffed Burritos
Taco Cupcakes
Farmers Market Salad
BBQ Beef Quesadilla Torta
Southwestern Egg Rolls
Shrimp Enchiladas with Sweet Corn Sauce
Slow Cooker Pork Tacos with Pickled Red Onions and Mango Salsa
Shrimp Cobb Salad
Mexican Chicken Pasta
Fish Tacos with Fruit Slaw and Avocado Cream

FYI Friday

1.  I am loving this little town near Jacksonville, Fl.  Ever heard of Avondale?  Check it out.  It's just so charming and quaint.  Just look how cute these little shops are.

2.  Wes' dream birthday cake.  It might be a little hard to cut.  Who said anything about cutting?!  

3.  I could eat pancakes for breakfast every day.  No lie.  I'd never get tired of them.  The possibilities are endless, as is the girth of my gut!

4.  I clearly have food on the brain.  I'm not even hungry.  When something says it's "to die for" are you more likely to read/look at it?  I think I am.  I mean, that's pretty serious.  One of my coworkers apparently feels that way about sports on tv.  He said if he had to go a week without watching sports on tv, he'd rather die.  He wasn't lying.  He's a preacher's son.  My dad always said to stay away from preacher's kids.  

5.  If my hands were steadier, these would be the first thing I'd try.  Nothing could beat the look on my sons' faces if I put a big plate of these in front of them.  

My little Charlie Brown

Sometimes it's hard to get either of my children to pose for pictures.  Oh, who am I kidding?  It's always hard to get them to pose.  One morning I wanted to get some pictures of Sawyer in his Charlie Brown t-shirt and I devised a brilliant spur-of-the-moment plan.  He was carrying around a tiny magic capsule sponge that he was very smitten with for some reason.  Who needs a reason when you're 2 1/2?  So I told him we'd go outside so I could take a picture of his magic capsule train.  It worked!  Sometimes my ridiculous ideas do pay off.  I need to trust my gut more and just try some of the crazy thoughts that go through my head!

This is the magic train.  So tiny, yet so precious.

Here's the train posing for a picture on the step.  See it beside the pillar?

Sawyer proudly sitting next to his train.

Tucking it away for good measure.