Garden

I have always hated to garden or do yard work. Always. I don't know what changed this year but now I enjoy growing things. I don't want a full fledged garden because that requires weeding, and really, ain't nobody got time for that. I like having the container garden and I would seriously consider a raised bed box sort of deal. I planted carrots, radishes, strawberries, bush beans and zucchini this year. My carrots are questionable. I don't know that I will get more than two carrots, if any at all. I've had an ok run with radishes but I see where I can improve next year. The bush beans are coming along nicely and I cannot wait to try them out. The strawberry plant is definitely growing but producing very minimally right now. I have high hopes for later in the season. Here are some pictures of what I have grown so far. I am really proud of what I have done as a first time gardener! 



Our very first strawberry. It was so juicy and sweet!

Our radishes!

My bush beans, a week ago. So cute and tiny.



The same bush beans, tonight. What a difference a week makes!



A Couple of Favorite Recipes

I don't know about you all, but I love me some food. I really love baking and I am really getting into cooking. I am also getting more adventurous in the kitchen. And by adventurous I mean, cooking from scratch. HA! But really, I have been doing really well with experimenting with new recipes. I have also started to change my shopping habits and what I keep stocked in the house to eat. It's been fun to say that I made this or that from scratch. My kids are loving the things I have made and that is super encouraging. So, here we go!

The first recipe I am sharing today is one I tried sometime in 2011 and loved it. I found it on Pinterest. I really love Thai food but had never made it. This recipe is super easy and super yummy. If you can boil water, you can make this.

Spicy Thai Noodles is a recipe you will love making and one that is sure to be a crowd pleaser. When I make it, I usually have chopped peanuts on hand, shredded cabbage (bagged cole slaw works awesome for this!), green onion, and I usually cook chicken in some teriyaki sauce to add to it. The sweetness of the teriyaki sauce works really well with the spiciness of the red pepper and the warmness of the sesame oil. I am actually making this tonight for dinner. It will be the first time that my kids are eating it so I am making it way less spicy than the recipe suggests. When you make this, be sure you have a lot of hungry people with you because there is a ton of it! I will probably half it for me and the kids. It's a good one to keep on hand for nights when you want a quick, yummy and super easy dinner. 

The second recipe is something sweet and oh so good. I am not even kidding when I say that these cookies are super addicting. It's a good thing that the recipe makes 4 dozen in one batch. I also found this recipe on Pinterest...I don't think I find recipes anywhere else, now that I think of it.

Anyway...cookies! I came across this recipe for Butterscotch and White Chocolate Oat Drops the same afternoon that I went grocery shopping and had already bought butterscotch and white chocolate chips. I just did a search on Pinterest for butterscotch chips and this popped up. So I got in the kitchen and made some up the next day. Holy moly, these are the easiest cookies to make and make your house smell so good. My kids and I ate up more than I would like to admit then we shared a bunch with some friends and my parents. I am planning on making these up before school starts (one month to go!) and freezing them so I can have them on hand for lunches. I highly recommend this recipe!

This is a picture I took of my cookies as they were cooling. They were gone shortly after this...

 

 

Something funny

I have to share what I did this past week.  It is pretty funny and pretty smart all at once. 

Both my kids like to play with Barbie and Ken dolls.  I think it's great. Their constant nudity is not so great. I came across an idea on pinterest to solve that issue. 

I used two different colored sharpie markers and drew underwear and strapless bras on the girls and a speedo on the boy.  Now the dolls all have instant swim suits and modesty.  It was odd  to be coloring in doll breasts though.Haha

I love that we aren't staring at naked bodies anymore and that both my kids will see that it's not Ok to just walk around flashing people.  :)  Modesty is fantastic.

Here are the before and after pictures. 

Busy!

Boy, the last two weeks in July flew by. The kids and I stayed super busy with friends, birthday parties, library trips, church and visits with Nana and Papa (my parents). We have had such a fun summer but I do feel a little bad that we haven't done any of the things I set out to do this summer...camping, hiking, a zoo trip, trips to the beach. All those have been neglected. Well, all but one. My parents and I have planned a surprise trip to the zoo in about a week and a half. The kids are going to be so excited! They have both only been to a zoo once and it was when they were 1 and 3. Neither of them remember the trip so this is their first real zoo trip. I have to say, I am really looking forward to it myself. I love going to the zoo!

I think the most exciting thing that has happened in the past two weeks is that my Zaney boy turned 7! He had a really wonderful birthday this year. He got to have a pool party with all his closest friends and he got many of his favorite foods, and he got a lot of really amazing birthday gifts. He is such a fun kid. I am so proud of him for all he does and who he is. And I just cannot believe that he is 7 years old now. I'll leave you with some of my favorite pictures from his birthday and one of his last birthday gift from me-he got his left ear pierced yesterday. He has asked me about it for a year so I let him do it. So far he really loves it. He said he is the new Zane. hehe

Unexpected

I always like when I have a plan and God comes in and changes it.  He always finds a way to give us what we need instead of what we think we want. 

I wasn't expecting to spend most of my kid free morning visiting with a friend,  but I did.  She and I had a bit of a rocky start this week but this morning was just the thing I needed.  (and maybe she needed it too) Nobody is perfect and I certainly don't claim to be,  but it's not always easy to rise above our own hurt feelings or circumstances to see the other person for who they are. 

I'm thankful today for the chances to do the right thing, the chances to make things right with someone,  to try to make things the best they can be,  or to simply move forward in the hope that everything is going to be alright. I am humbled by the subtle ways God shows me things I can work on so that He can shine through me. 

Funny

This picture cracks me up.  I have the funniest kids!

Sewing

I got the sewing bug over the weekend. It's been awhile since I last sat down to sew. It's one of my two favorite things to do. (reading is my favorite.)

So,  on Sunday evening,  I dug around and found some long lost dress patterns and cut them out.  Then I got super excited to make some new stuff for Claire.  So I cut fabric for three new skirts for her.  I got them finished on Monday morning and she is so happy with them.  Then I decided to draft a quick pattern for a pillowcase style dress for her.  It didn't take long to draw up and then make.  And it is so cute!! 

Today I made myself a new wristlet wallet.  Ever since I got my new phone (samsung galaxy s3...best phone ever),  I've been wanting to find a wallet that my phone will fit into.  I haven't liked any that I've seen enough to buy them.  So I decided to alter a wallet pattern that I love and make one! I'm really happy with the results. I have a big pocket in the back for my phone and a divided pocket for cards and money.  I made the wrist strap detachable and also decided to make a matching chapstick key chain.  :)  It's always fun when I sew for myself. 

I'm thankful that my grandma taught me to sew and that I've never really forgotten it.