Home Talk Tuesday

Happy Tuesday!!

I hope you're having a beautiful day.  I wanted to share some things home-related on the blog, so I figured I would just lump them all together in one post!! I know it's not easy keeping up with the cooking, the cleaning, the organizing, plus doing everything else that we have to do in a day with littles.  I have found a few tricks or routines that may actually work!

What I struggle with most at this stage, is being able to complete a task.  I will start several things, but sometimes (most times) I get side tracked with changing diapers and trying to keep the kids both occupied so that I can clean, I feel like I'm running on a hamster wheel.

I will say that starting to use "Snap Chat" @mrsdellefave really does make me feel good about my day!! I literally look through my story and realize, holy cow, I do a lot and even though the floors may not be clean at 9pm, they were at 11am!

Really though, I know that it's a season and soon the kids will not be here making messes all day while I try to entertain them and clean up.  So here are a few successes I had last week:

Brisket: 
I loved being able to throw it in the dutch oven, place it in the oven and let it cook for a few hours.

I steamed some carrots and then tossed them into some melted butter, honey, sage, & lemon.

I can't go wrong with my bread; everyone loves it!

The kids liked everything, but Brooke really only likes raw veggies. She "couldn't like the carrots" they were "yucky".

I like cleaning on Thursdays. I don't know why I prefer that day, but I do.  I also like grocery shopping on a Tuesday.  I think this is because Mon/Weds are late nights and that leaves more room for the kids and I to go and do something fun since Daddy works.

He pulls everything out of all the cupboards.  Thursday he discovered parchment paper.

I run my dishwasher 1-2 times a day.  Sometimes I get overwhelmed with the dishes, bottles and cups seem to multiply.  I need to get some more paper plates for Summer to help cut down on this haha.  I really don't enjoy dishes, but I do find it best if I prop my iPhone up and watch Youtube or TV on it.

I was really having an issue with my produce. We eat a lot of fresh fruits and veggies, and they were just falling out of my bowls. I decided to use a big platter to hold everything and it works much better!

Decor:

I had this bowl that my mom gave me awhile ago for a birthday present. I finally found something to put in it! I grabbed these for $8 at T.J. Max

When I'm feeling overwhelmed, I know that the first place to start is my room.  If I can clear the clothes, clutter and make the bed, life feels so much easier and more put together!

I ended with a quick steam mopping session. I go back and forth whether I like an old fashion mop or the steam mop, but I really love that there's no harsh chemicals.

Another simple dinner winner- Pasta with turkey meatballs.  Everyone loves it and I served it with some organic frozen veggies.  For my plate I gave myself 1/2 cup of pasta and filled the rest with veggies.

Want to know a secret?  Today is day #4 with no coffee. I know. I'm just as shocked. I ran out of creamer and decided that would be the day.  I don't miss the flavor or the feeling I was getting after drinking it (reflux) and I have replaced it with a matcha latte.  It's green tea powder and I heat up some vanilla soy milk---use my immersion blender and voila. Gives me a boost of energy and no yuck feeling!  Starbucks makes them and they're super tasty; I'm still perfecting mine.

Recipe here

How Jen Does it is really inspiring me to get my cleaning in order!! Check out her latest video.

My favorite thing?  This.  It was so hot out yesterday, I gave them two bowls of water and a few measuring cups.  They instantly soaked each other and ran around squealing.  I love that I have the deck to lock them in, and I can get some kitchen work done [since it's never ending!] I'm very excited to enjoy the nicer weather!

Any home tips you could share?

Home Talk Tuesday: Holiday Decorations

Fall/Halloween Decor: Living with Kids Style

Keeping it light up in here!! Too much drama in the air, so I am l-o-v-i-n-g my quiet space here on the internet. Growing up, my mom always had fun holiday decorations for us to enjoy. I remember a scary witch candle, perhaps? Lots of pumpkins and some other spooky cats and decorations that hung around.  It got me so excited for whatever time of year it was, and I have carried that tradition ever since!  Each year I try to purchase one item that I love.  I haven't bought anything this year, I am going to see if there's something after Halloween that may be on sale!  But between all the beautiful fall colors and the ghosts and scary things, my house is full of silly stuff. Joe loves it and so do we.  I figured I'd share just a little how I decorated this year.

This is always my favorite room, this time of year.  The colors are warm and rich, and with this big old table Joe picked out before we met, I can feel the energy that will one day surround many family dinners!  With kids, it's a little tricky.  As much as I love an HGTV home, I want them to remember fun and silly decorations too.  So I try to keep the 'more grown up items in the dining room.

I love the purple twinkle lights! Sweet and spooky.



In the foyer, where trick-or-treaters will see, I pile all the cooky and spooky! I feel bad because some kids are really freaked out by the leg--sorry Al!

At night this looks cool, as the ghost lights are green.  I love that picture of Brookie in the pumpkins.  As you can see, this is real life: there is always this gorgeous blue blanket covering our fire place brick, unless it is lit.  It really does help with the kids, as I just can't imagine any heads being terribly bumped by it!

The back of the door, there is a giant spider…and a skull that glows when turned on.

On the front of it, hangs an adorable orange and black wreath: BOO!

Of course I have silly pumpkins strewn about, a few candle holders (no candles with littles right now) and I brought in some of our collected pine cones and threw them in a vase.  I am hoping to slather peanut butter and bird seed all over these soon for the birds and squirrels.

A little decor by the sink, while I wash many a dish…

And we are keeping the 'potty bribes' pretty in these adorable bowls, I believe I bought at The Christmas Tree Shops years ago.  It's amazing how good she's doing with CANDY CORN. Oy.

I love this little section of the kitchen.

Have you shared your holiday decor?  Do you go all out, or keep it simple? I love to see what others do each season!  

Brooke's 2nd Birthday {Frozen}

On Sunday January 11, our little Brooke turned 2!  To be quite honest, I didn't even think that we would be able to have a party because I thought baby boy would make an appearance!  I tried my best to not stress out and get all Type-A like I usually do.  It was hard because I LOVE party planning. I love hosting and having people over.  I absolutely love cooking and having a house full of people.  Well, when you're past your due date and aren't sure when #2 will make his arrival, ya just don't have the stamina to go all out and Pinterest-y.  [like her first birthday here]

When she woke up we gave her one of her gifts.  I found it on E-bay for $20--score!  My friend had told me that her kids loved having a tent to play house, put their babies in, or just go hide.  I thought it was the perfect size and she loves the crowns.  I will most likely put it in her room once the pack-and-play and swing make their way back into our living room.

She immediately brought her blankets and toys inside.

Despite her cold, she was a happy happy girl!

Even Holly checked out the new toy.  

As for the party details, it was a very short guest list.  I only invited close family, no friends.  I just didn't want to have to worry about calling too many people IF we had to call it off.  

My sister had our cake made. It was the same lady who did our wedding cake, bridal shower, and previous birthday cakes.  How adorable?  This is her photo:

We added the Elsa doll and Brooke just about died she was so happy with it!

The only other "Frozen" theme thing I did was find a punch.  

Recipe calls for: 

Blue Hawaiian punch

7up

Splashes of pineapple juice

vanilla ice cream

Hubby went to the store and couldn't find Blue Hawaiian punch, so he grabbed a bottle of gatorade.  I didn't expect it to taste very good, but WOW. Everyone loved it haha!  It looked even cooler as the "snow melted" on top.  Definitely a hit with the girls.

Back when I was ordering Christmas gifts off Amazon, I also ordered just one set of decorations, cups and plates too.  Simple, yet added just a little something extra to make it feel like a party.  I know Brooke won't remember, but I will.

Our niece Adri playing with Brooke.  

Nana and Papa

Instead of a lavish spread, we opted for pizza and boneless wings.  Best idea ever.  No dishes to do and no real mess to clean.  This prego was happy.  And Brooke?  Oh she just loves pizza.  Just not the crust.

 

Adri was such a big helper and really such a wonderful big cousin to Brooke.  

She got her very own puppy purse like her big cousin's!!

She also received some new food to play kitchen with. 

Everything was, "ooooo" and "wow."  Once again, it was so much fun to see her open things.

Her first American Girl Doll.  It will be a "special toy" only to be played with highly supervised.

I think it will be perfect, especially if she's starting to feel left out while I nurse baby boy, she can play with her baby.

Showing Uncle Eric!



She got new oven mitts and a chef's hat to do her cooking with.

She loved showing everything to everyone.

Great Grandma picked out this outfit, I mean come on.  How stinking cute is it?!  I want one in my size haha



Daddy helped her cut her cake.

She was like, whoa!

This stuff is pretty good.

Man, why don't we get this ice cream stuff more often?!

We keep trying to teach her that she's "Two" and she says two, but shows us 4 fingers.

We had a moment in the kitchen and Mama D captured it---thank you!!  I just love this little girl.

I tried to keep the party short, as it it was a Sunday and I know people have other things they need to do, plus we were tired.  Brooke fell asleep on Daddy for a nap, which NEVER happens! 

I may have pulled out my Valentine's Day decor too, but only because I know I won't be thinking about it once baby boy arrives.  I just love, love.

It was a beautiful day full of lots of love.  I still cannot believe it was two years ago that we brought her into this world and are waiting (any minute!) for the arrival of her sweet little brother.  Here's to a wonderful year, filled with many incredible experiences to come.  This year will be many more 'firsts' and we can't wait to see all the joy you will bring. Happy Birthday Brooke Lynn. Mommy and Daddy love you more than you will ever know!