Monday, August 22, 2016

August Break - See you in September!

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Between a road trip for a memorial service, a few days at one of the great lakes (picture from last time we were there while I was pregnant for the first time) and a certain someone turning two (TWO!) I'm taking a couple weeks off. 

I haven't responsibly written ahead. I haven't gotten anyone else to post for me. Just a break. A rest. A recharge. 

Wishing you the very best for these last days of summer and looking forward to seeing you in September!
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Thursday, August 18, 2016

Toddler Meals - food tastes better when it's pretty

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Feeding toddlers small portions of real foods is important. It not only develops a wide range of "what food tastes like" or palate, but it is the start of lifelong healthy eating habits. 

Like I've said before (No. 3.), a variety of healthy options guarantees that no matter what they choose they will feed themselves well.

As a species, we are wired to appreciate beauty. I've long believed that food tastes better when it's pretty. My girls eat more when their food is well presented, prepared with care, and in portions they might actually be able to finish. 

Here are some of the girls' meals over the past few months. 

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Bathroom Makeover Pt3 - Medicine Cabinet

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Bathroom Makeover Pt3 - Medicine Cabinet

Before you get TOO sick of hearing about my bathroom, at least I assume you're not as excited about it as I am, I want to leave you with the final installment. 

The medicine cabinet is a builder grade oak number that had three mirror doors inset
which made the sagging shelves inside too narrow to be used for many things we wanted to keep there - like normal sized product bottles, etc.

Saturday, August 13, 2016

Infused (Flavored) Water - Satur-DIY, August 13th, 2016

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It's hot. It's humid. 

It's sit-in-the-shade-and-drink-something-cold-and-delicious weather. And occasionally spray-oneself-with-the-hose weather. 

While I can't help you with the hose, I can help you with the something delicious to drink.

Infused (Flavored) Water

Combine fresh fruit, veggies, and herbs in water, let steep. Chill, and enjoy.

Monday, August 8, 2016

Walking To Town - One Car Family

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Joe's car suffered a fatal injury on his return trip

After crunching numbers, taking a good hard look at our needs, wants, and plans, we have decided to be a one car family. At least for now. 

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Moving Upstairs - WIP Wednesday August 3rd, 2016

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Creating is my passion, my sanity, my sense of being "up to something", my way of contributing a little bit. I always have a few projects going, many left to the side for months or even years before I pick up the best and carry on. Here's some of what I'm working on this week:

Amidst the drastic shifts in weather, drought to days of rain, overwhelming heat to slippers and sweaters, uck/sickness and final passages, we squeezed in enough time to finish painting and move upstairs. This allows little A to have her own (little) big girl bed. 

Monday, August 1, 2016

Together Again - sending off dear grandparents

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Both of my maternal grandparents, GrandmaJo and Maynard passed away this year. My grandmother died in February. Five months and two days later, my grandfather passed away this past Friday afternoon. 

The day after my husband and I got married, my grandmother told me "I've been married for thirty-two years so don't you give up yet!"  She'd been married over fifty years at that point. This side of my family is filled with love, joy, and enough humor to make up for a bit of fuzzy accuracy. 

The above photo was from our last Great Lakes vacation, four years ago while I was pregnant with C whose middle name is the first name of both my consanguineal grandmothers.

We went out the following year for a dear cousin's baby shower. And now are making plans to go out for the memorial service and to celebrate their lives by doing things we loved to do together.

They were both cared for and deeply loved until the end and still. 

Our once or twice yearly trips to see them and other family out in Michigan instilled me with a love for travel by train, sailing and all things boats, marinas, picking cherries and apricots, nighty-nights (meringue cookies), walking around the neighborhood, dark (preferably homemade) maple syrup (deemed "axel grease" by my grandfather), pounding nails and building things, bicycling for pleasure, picnics on the beach, and the ultimate pizza sunset cruises on their sailboat. 

Sending so much love to my dear grandparents and glad for the ease of their passing.

"I love to walk, down the dock, with my grammygrammygrammy" -sung with accompanying a funny side by side walk that really only works if you're arm in arm.