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10 things i am loving.

well my MAC is giving the blue screen of death.
my husband thinks he can maybe fix it.
i was planning on blogging about Camp CREATE but all the pics i have are on the laptop.
so… let’s hope it comes back to life.

so for today… i will share my recent 10 faves on pinterest.

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i want to make comfy lounge pants!!
like maybe 25 pairs… think that seems like a normal not excessive amount of comfy lounge pants.

 

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i love this painting of paints.
it linked to a tumblr with no link.
and that is sad… someone painted this and the credit is lost.
any ideas where the credit belongs?  please share.
i think its super cute!

update: it is painted by emily forland! 

 

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that shannan… she has the magic touch.
for true.
this is her closet.   whaaaat??

 

 

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i  love red gingham.
and red houndstooth.
and cozy beds.
and forever…. green tables.  🙂

 

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i think i need a cookie as big as my face right now.
yes please.
and hey… they are even gluten free!

 

 

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oh…. this project makes me HAPPY!
i want to make this right now!  i think it’s the colors… but it could be that you know every single one will turn out different!

 

 

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how cute are those painted log cut stepping “stones“???

makes me miss those sandbox days.
and my ocean view back yard and astro turf lawn…..

just kidding.
but i do love kids playing in a sand box.

 

 

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hmmm…. new ideas for the globe collection i have accumulated?
she shows how she made the middle globe.
i LOVE love LOOOOOOVE the green, white and silver one.
like really love…

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this picture is just happy.
and you can’t help making the parrot sound in your head when you see it.
it makes me want to color.

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crayons and watercolor... two of my favorite things in the world.
i think this is a SUPER cute project!

 

so… i am off to get groceries, take a kid to the dentist and make lists.
i made a list of things to put on my list.
so i wouldn’t forget them.

i often wonder what the mind of an organized person feels like….  and then i get distracted.

not kidding.

have a super day!

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family togetherness

I was reminiscing about family memories from MY childhood and I asked my kids, “What are your most favorite memories of OUR family time?”Oh, it was so fun to hear their answers!The first thing shouted out was “CALIFORNIA!!”
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Such a great family vacation we had that year! We were able to fly there and then rent a car to explore the coast.I remember visiting my grandparents in South Padre Island once. The main memory i have of that trip was that my grandpa bought me a Cabbage Patch doll. It was a dream come true.Another answer shouted was “THE BEACH!” Going to the beach is such a great place to bond.6a00d8341c469c53ef013485d24aa6970c-640wi6a00d8341c469c53ef0133f2ae456d970b-640wi6a00d8341c469c53ef0133f26f9541970b-640wi
My family can play for hours at the beach.Relaxing by the water has been a favorite past time of mine my whole life.
i would choose that over any other place to visit.”GETTING WAFFLE!” Oh, how we loved our little Waffle baby.

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Growing up we had a dog named Toto who only had three legs. He was so special to our family… it’s weird how animals work their way into your heart.
And when Craig went off to college my friend gave me a puppy for my birthday! I named him Seton after craig’s college.  🙂

My kids shouted “CONCERTS!” referring to Taylor Swift and U2.6a00d8341c469c53ef0120a5f6257d970b-640wiIMG_5865

Those were amazing memories.
There was always music on at my house. ALWAYS. But the concerts I got to go to were small but still loud and lots of fun.

I know they think these BIG things are their great memories  because they are.
But the more I thought about family togetherness I realized to me it is more about the everyday.
Making pancakes every weekend…
giving haircuts on the back porch…
watching our favorite movie again and again…
playing games on a Friday night…
making chocolate chip cookies…
taking the dogs on a walk…
basketball in the driveway…
drawing pictures at the coffee table…
doing the dishes… folding the laundry…
gathering the eggs…
cuddling the kittens…
making silly videos on the computer…
one last game of catch before bed…
bedtime prayers…
Those BIG events like airplane rides are that much more special because of all the amazing moments in the ordinary days.

Things are very different now than 20-30 years ago but yet so much is the same! I love that. We still just want to be together with people we love and who love us back. No matter what we actually DO with our time.

but i really would like to be at the beach right now.  🙂

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There’s no better vehicle to bring the family together than the Chevy Traverse. With seating for up to 8,  everyone in the family can join in on the fun. A 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score for safety2. helps keep everyone safe on your journey to find new roads, no matter where, or how far, it takes you. And best-in-class maximum cargo space makes packing for family road trips, or hauling around children’s sporting equipment, a breeze. With all these great features and more, there’s no question the Chevy Traverse is the ultimate family vehicle. Learn more at http://www.chevrolet.com/traverse-mid-size-suv.html.

 

  1. Standard on LS and 1LT.  Available on 2LT. LTZ seats 7.
  2. Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov).

 

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our best father’s day gift

of course i have no ideas about what to do THIS father’s day for  my husband but i thought i would tell you the BEST gift we have ever found for Craig in past father’s days.

he loves ice cream.
L O V E S.

about 4 years ago now… we got him a homemade ice cream machine!

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he is not into gifts or celebrating really but he was surprised and very happy with this gift.
which made me so happy!
(i AM into gifts and celebrating so when someone loves my gift… it’s a gift to ME!)

he makes really yummy ice cream too!
we even took it on vacation with us so we could make ice cream there too.

it’s the kind of machine that turns & turns, is really loud and you fill the outside with lots of ice and salt.
it is the sound of summer.
does that make you think of your childhood?
i don’t even remember WHERE we had homemade ice cream when i was a kid… but i remember the machines.
i have one memory of an ice cream party outside the library in the town we moved from when i was 7.
i can see it from a short 7 year old’s perspective… everyone is tall… the building across the street is tall… and there is LOTS of ice cream right at eye level on folding tables.

🙂

anyways… back to the ice cream MACHINE.
i chose the White Mountain Ice Cream Maker based off reviews from my friends of what is “the best”.
also because we have a big family so 1 – 2 quarts of ice cream isn’t even enough for each of us to get a bowl.
so i went for the big machine… that is electric… not hand crank.
this machine is pricey but from what everyone says, they last forever.
i wanted it to last through my kids childhood. i wanted to create a memory for them.
making homemade ice cream, outside on the porch, on a summer night… that’s the good stuff.

if you wanted something quieter, smaller, sleeker and i guessing much less messy… you could try this one.
it makes 2 quarts each time.

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Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker

 

 

this one looks similar to the white mountain one but the motor attachment is plastic instead of metal.
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MaxiMatic 6-Quart Old-Fashioned Ice-Cream Maker

 

then this one i have seen at walmart and all over.
could be worth a try?
it’s about the cost of 5 gallons of ice cream.
and it makes FOUR quarts… that is pretty good!
anyone have this one?  does it hold up?

 

 

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Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Ice-Cream Maker, White

 

and then i saw this?!!
WHAAAAAT?
an in-home soft serve ice cream maker???
ummm….. my kids would think this was THE COOLEST thing ever!?!!

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Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker

 

there is also an attachment you could put directly onto your KitchenAid mixer that makes ice cream?!
did you know that?

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KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment + Bonus Soft Thumb Release Ice Cream Scoop

and this has nothing to do with ice cream machines but don’t you think this green mixer belongs in my new kitchen?
it is gor-ge-ous!!!

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KitchenAid5-Quart Mixer   – there are a million colors but this green is just the best!

 

i was looking for recipes and came across these books.
i am a sucker for a beautiful book cover.
this one is just that.
out of curiosity…. are you a fan of waffle cones, sugar cones, regular cones or NO cone… bowl only?

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Sweet Cream and Sugar Cones: 90 Recipes for Making Your Own Ice Cream and Frozen Treats from Bi-Rite Creamery

 

the thought of a cute ice cream shop in brooklyn just seems dreamy…

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Ample Hills Creamery: Secrets and Stories from Brooklyn’s Favorite Ice Cream Shop

 

and hey… even if you are dairy free there is still ice cream to be enjoyed!
woo-hoo!
everything in this book is based off coconut, almond or cashew milk.
i would be up for trying that!

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Dairy-Free Ice Cream: 75 Recipes 

 

we made milkshakes the other night and annie requested Oreos in  chocolate ice cream.
i tasted it.
it was U N R E A L.
how is that not a flavor in the store?!!!
how are they not making millions off of Chocolate Cookies & Cream?!!
what is wrong with the ice cream makers of the world?!

🙂

what is your favorite flavor ice cream?

and help me…. what should i get craig this year for father’s day???

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14 reasons i might fail the sugar detox.

this is the second day of the sugar detox i am participating in with Marta.
number TWO.
already my mind is playing tricks on me.
pinterest has become my enemy.
i am jonesing for sugar in a major way… that is not a good sign of what is to come.

i am obviously addicted.
but i knew that.

maybe you aren’t… maybe you are in the baking mood?
make these.
all of these.
and tell me all about it.
but just don’t send them to me or drop them off at my house.
or i might have to punch you.
because the sugar made me do it.

do not bring treats to my house unless you want to get punched.
you have been warned.

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Easy Monster Cookie Bars… i am a sucker for m&ms.

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Frozen Strawberry Crunch Cake …. does it get more summery than this?!

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Layered Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies…  best of both worlds.

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Soft Homemade Peanut Butter Oreos…. dude.  i would be happy with that spoonful there too.

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S’more Rice Krispie Treats….. i bet these take 5 minutes to make… killing me.

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Chewy Caramel-Coconut Brownie….  desserts for ladies…. grown up ladies.

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Twix Caramel Cookie Bars…. licking my screen.

Salted Caramel Cheesecake with Chocolate Ganache at TidyMom.net
Salted Caramel Cheesecake…. ummm this looks insane.

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cake mix brownies…. dark chocolate and candy bars?!!

 

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Butterscotch Bread Pudding…. i can practically smell this baking in the oven… i am losing it.

 

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Double Chocolate Cake Doughnuts …  cup of coffee and this to go with it… perfect saturday morning!

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Easy No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars… less baking means… less calories??  yes or no?

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Peanut Butter Oreo Icebox Cake…. this just looks like it would be fun to make!

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Espresso Chocolate Chip Ice Cream…. and if i made this i could have it ALL to myself!!!

 

the good thing about all of these recipes and my sugar detox?
it’s not going to be THAT hard to not eat these things because i don’t have the time or energy to make them.

now i will go make myself a salad like a big girl.

🙂

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my friday thoughts…

hey peoples.

how are you?  how was your week?

i feel like i am not sure what day it is… what time it is… am i awake?

it is getting a little hazy in my brain.  moving is kind of a lot of work.

(the neil diamond playing on the radio at the coffee shop is NOT helping)

let’s talk about… the 21Day Fix.

confession:  i basically took a week off of exercise (other than some walking) and a few days from the healthy eating.
it’s so hard when you let yourself off the hook even one day.
the next day is SO much easier to make an excuse.
and then the next.
and same can be said about cookies or chips.

but last night i set my phone alarm for 6 AM and put my phone in the bathroom so i HAD to get up to turn it off.
it’s about the only thing that can pull me out of my DEEP sleep.
and i set out my clothes the night before too.

i sleepily did the Dirty 30 and 10 minute abs.
My kids had a rough morning… late night/hormones/hunger/rushing so it was really good i had gotten up and exercised because i wouldn’t have handled it the same had i just woken up to the sound of fighting.

one silly thing that helps me enjoy a smoothie (or two) everyday…Milkshake Straws.
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i buy them at Bed, Bath & Beyond.
but it looks like you can order Milkshake Straws right here on amazon.  🙂
they are big.
i wash them and re-use them if i remember to rinse out my smoothie cup right away.
(it is the little things that change a day isn’t it?)

the 21 Day Fix does not say to do this but i am trying really hard to eliminate wheat from my diet.
It is not easy!
the first reason is craving things i like – duh.  (and i am weak!)
and second… wheat is in EVERYTHING!
geesh!

how are you doing… are you on the 21 Day?  are you doing your own thing?

i would love to hear about it.

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let’s talk about… the new house.
🙂

we are getting really close to moving in.
so exciting.
the floors are done and  looks like a different house altogether!
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the kitchen is halfway in… they brought in the cabinets so the countertop people could make a template.
so by next week it should all be done.
i love it all so far.

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i took these two pictures on the same day.
one in the morning and one in the evening.  🙂

in the picture below….

1. the wall we tried to take out.
we opened it up and found it was full of wires.
blerg.
we considered the options… decided it wasn’t worth the money to move all the wires.
i am still bummed about it.
but it is no biggie… nothing to cry about… not that i did.
(and if i did… no one saw me and you can’t prove it)

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2.  this is going to be an A M A Z I N G  island.
i am super pumped about it.
one big shelf for microwave and mixer, the ninja and the toaster.
all under the counter but easily accessible.
and all the rest are drawers.  YES!
i am PRO-DRAWER.

3.  new tiles will go around the gas fireplace.
YAY.
and of course the mount is already installed for the tv.
of course it is!  everyone always starts with their favorite things.
and that is why i bought a daisy chandelier this week….it’s my “tv mount”

4.  the wall we did take out.
just half of it…. lets in so much light just by taking out 5 feet of a half wall?!
so glad we did it.

the girls can’t quite decide how they want their rooms to look.
i am hoping for something like this…
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the boys don’t really care.
and i have about 79 ideas in my head right now of things i want to start on today.

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at this point i am ready to be done.
ready to be moved in already.  ready to be IN and not have tools and dust everywhere.
but it doesn’t work like that does it?
lots more work to come in the next two weeks.

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and lastly…

if you live in the st. louis area… i need you to tell me the best places to go as a grown up lady.
no kids.  no dudes.
where to eat… where are the best places to thrift and antique…. what is a great hotel… what neighborhood?

i know you girls will hook me up.

 

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answers from monday.

UPDATE on Scott… THEY WON!
they won the first round so they will play friday night and saturday too.
it was so exciting.
i made my family take a selfie with me to distract me when they were not ahead and i was super anxious.
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my nieces, my daughters, my mom, my sister and my sister-in-law.  🙂

 

let’s talk about the 21 Day FIX… again.

in the 21 days… i lost 6 pounds and 9.5 inches.
no joke.
i think that is SO awesome.
i was smiling so big about it on monday.
i am THRILLED!
you may be thinking… “ummm 6 pounds? that is not much at all.”
well…. my friend…. you are way wrong!  six pounds is over half of my goal!
six pounds is a very BIG deal to me.
even if someone lost 100 pounds… they have to lose the first 6 pounds first right?!
🙂

let me answer some of the questions in the comments from the previous post.

did you always like salad?  i love salad that other people make for me but when i make it i rarely enjoy it.  and honestly… that salad in the photo was the first salad i had prepared the entire 21 days! i ate a few restaurant salads but the other four times a day for 21 days i was eating broccoli, cauliflower, celery, carrots, etc.

what dressing do you use?  at restaurants i try to remember to ask for dressing on the side.  i use basalmic vinegarette.

how do you resist treats at Craft Weekend or baking at home?  ummmm…. i am not verygood at this.  but i did have less than i usually would have at CW. if you are baking at home for your family… maybe it a good time to try some healthier treats?  my problem there is that all my kids can bake now so THEY are making cookies and cupcakes all the time and it is hard to resist.  it is easy for me to not bake because it takes time i don’t have.  but it is so hard to walk by cookie dough or brownies for sure.  my kids love baking treats!  the main point of this answer is that everyone has temptations, mistakes or set backs but that doesn’t mean you quit.  you just say “i will do better tomorrow.” or “i am doing great and that is not going to stop me.”  just pick yourself back up and keep going.  it’s not ALL OR NOTHING.  it’s baby steps to getting where you want to be.

how are the kids adjusting to no junk food at home?  i got rid of the things that tempt me most… but they are still doing their own thing.  i don’t buy the things i would grab and eat all day long (my favorite cereal, m&ms, cookies, ice cream, whipped cream) but there is still junk food here.  BUT when there is so much fruit and veggies and protein here too it is not as hard to choose wisely.  with the 21 day plan you have certain categories to fill each day and it makes choosing healthy way easier! i want to not go over in a certain area and make sure i get enough in all the groups.  it changes your mid set to picking the right thing over just eating something because i am cranky and bored.  my kids are having to try veggies at every meal though.

how can i get exercise in my already PACKED days?  hmmm…. i think working directly with Marta would help you a lot.  she is really good at helping you be your best YOU.  she can get you thinking about where you can make little changes and tweeks to change things up.  what my answer would be is to focus on your foods.  REALLY focus on eating clean and healthy.  the walks you take on your “smoke breaks” are great… can you walk faster?  you can add in short 10-15 minute strength training in the morning.  if you are getting up at 5:30… i wonder… could you squeeze in a quick 15 minute exercise by doing something the night before to make the morning quicker?  setting out your kids’ clothes the night before?  give baths at night? breakfast on the table when you go to bed?  BUT SERIOUSLY… let marta change your life.  🙂  she is so good at it.

how can i incorporate eating out with this plan? with the 21 day FiX you can eat (healthy stuff) from a restaurant, you just need to make sure you don’t over do it.  the containers are to show you portion size.  you could bring your containers with you… or after a few times of measuring your food with the containers, you have an idea of how much one serving looks like.  at a restaurant… most likely you are going to be WAY over a healthy portion size, even in veggies.

the 21 Day FiX workouts? do i have to have a treadmill or any equipment? can i do this in my basement??  all you need with the 21 Day FIX is light and heavy hand weights and a floor mat. (i currently use 5, 8 and occasionally 10 pounds.  in the beginning i wished i had lighter than five but now i can use the five.  some of those tricepand shoulder moves are hard with even 5 pounds! but you get stronger everyday and it is so cool to see your own improvement.  i do the workouts in my living room so i would think your basement would be fine.  🙂

where you found that snack container that you have your apples and pb in?  it is rubbermaid and i think i found that at walmart.  i know target does not have them.  it also possibly could have been at our Kroger grocery stores.  they are really good!  the blue container is a ziploc brand.  🙂

where did you find your cute water cup?  that cup i found at walmart also.  the brand is Bubba.  it is a 24 oz. cup.  i love the squishy straw and that the lid pops off… no screwing it on just right or breaking the lid.  i have two.  they are $10 at walmart and i think $12 at target.  they are also washable!

 

ANY more questions?  i am happy to just keep answering to help you ladies out!

🙂

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meals, answers and a sale

so here is my meal plan for week two of the 21 Day FIX.
this is what i love so far – i am a visual person – so when i look at this chart i know that i don’t HAVE to eat chicken if it says chicken.
i see the word chicken but i mostly see the color RED so i know that i can grab chicken out of the frig OR any other protein/meat that i have on hand.

WEEK TWO:
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i spelled broccoli wrong on my chart.

also i noticed last night that i categorized dried fruit wrong… oops
don’t tell Autumn.
AND confession… i cracked on annie’s cookies she made this afternoon.
darn it… but man they were yummy!
but that happens and life goes on.
we just pick up from where we screwed up and move on.

the question several people emailed me about was “how are you feeding on your family while working on this plan?”
great question!
something i noticed last week… we are never home!
that makes meal planning difficult… and easy at the same time.
BUT the way i worked it out for OUR family was to cook some things ahead.
i grilled 6 lbs. of chicken one evening, i hard boiled a dozen eggs and i roasted a bunch of broccoli and sweet potatoes.
then i put all of that in the refrigerator and i had food prepped all week for most of my meals.
if my husband isn’t going to be home at dinner time… i rarely make a meal.
it is usually make-your-own meals those nights.  Everyone is able in our house to fix what they want.
i will help them if they need it but they rarely do.
they can also eat that chicken if they would like.
the nights we were home i modified the meal for me – they ate soft tacos… i ate a taco inspired salad with no tortilla, cheese or sour cream.
i make sure to cook extra of the healthy things i served and saved those for the next day’s lunch.
i know my kids won’t want a big spoonful of broccoli so i set out other options too… apple sauce, cottage cheese, yogurt or fruit.
so… my answer is probably not too helpful for you moms that are planners.
but surely you knew i wouldn’t have the answer for you.  🙂  ha ha ha
i am to distracted to have a big plan.

and last tip of the day…. for one of my daily “yellow containers” i use for 16 oz. of unsweetened almond milk and i use it slowly over the whole week in my first cup of coffee in the morning.
i use my frother and make it seem like more than it is and then the rest of the day i drink my coffee black.

ok… moving on from that stuff. ———————————————————————————-

how about a little sale on prints & canvases in my shop?!!
woo-hoo!
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there are two new prints in my shop!
one of a sleepy Stanley and one of the craft table happiness.

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AND i have the COW and the GLOBES in 16 x 20!!!!

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they are so big and p r e t t y !!!

click over to THE SHOP to use the code 15SALE on all prints AND the canvases too!!
that is a super deal!

 

 

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