There's No Place Like Home

One of the best things about vacation is coming home. I might not always be ready to get back to real life, but being home sure does make me happy. We got home on Sunday around 6:00 pm. The kids had been cooped up in the car all day so we let them loose in the backyard. Harper scoped the yard out for us letting us know what new flowers were blooming. I walked around and saw that my blueberry bush had blueberries forming.

My strawberry plant had strawberries growing.

The cilantro and parsley were still thriving.

The clematis and irises were all in bloom.



We were not even gone a week and our yard was out of control. It was a good feeling. I was too tired to take photos on Sunday, but it rained yesterday. And you all know I have a thing for raindrops so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to get some shots of the backyard.

I still have to plant my seeds for the rest of my herbs and vegetables. I am a little stressed that I have not be able to get them in the ground. Hopefully it won't be too late.

Wordless Wednesday- Favorites From Disney World

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We're Back!!!

Well, we made it back safe and sound. We all had a great time, but now we are exhausted. The kids were so excited when we told them we were leaving for Florida. (We surprised them) I have tons of photos to go through. I will post more once I find some time.

Meal Planning Again

I love how the blue shirt brings out the blue in her tongue and mustache. Thanks Aunt Gina!!

I actually planned our meals last week so I thought I would share what we ate. I recently bought Clean Eating magazine and there were several recipes in it I wanted to try. Of course, I won't be eating the meat or fish that's for the kids and hubby.

Monday- Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs, Roasted Red Potatoes, Baked Beans, Green Beans

Tuesday- Blackened Salmon and Havana Salad -My husband said the fish was a little spicy. He prefers this Salmon recipe. The Havana Salad was even better the next day for lunch.

Wednesday- Soba Noodle Salad with Flank Steak (My husband declared this one a keeper)

Thursday- Pizza made with whole wheat pizza crust

Friday- Dinner out with friends. Grandparents had the kids.

Saturday- Dinner out

Sunday- Ravioli Lasagna with Chard (This was good too)

Now if I could only do this every week.

Wordless Wednesday- Biker in Training

Happy Earth Day everyone. I wasn't organized enough to have an Earth Day related post scheduled before I left to go out of town. To be honest I think every day is Earth day at our house!!

For more Wordless Wednesday visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Are you sick of coffee cozies yet?

Guess what I have been doing this week? The Good Cup is keeping me busy, which is not a bad thing. They placed another order last week for 25 more cozies. I have been scrambling around like a mad woman to finish them before our trip. So that's all I have this week for Crafty Tuesday.

I had a couple of projects I wanted to finish before we left, but you know how that goes. Plus, I am a little crazy when it comes to preparing for a vacation. Just ask my husband. Let's just say I like to prepared. Especially, when I am going to spend at least 12 hours in the car with my kids.

We are leaving this afternoon so I probably won't have access to the internet for awhile. I do have a Wordless Wednesday post scheduled for tomorrow and also one for Thursday. I didn't want you to forget about it me while I was gone.

Soccer Superstar

Harper had her first soccer game on Saturday. She was so excited. I think she did a great job. She was always right there trying to get in on the action. The other team was really good and we stopped keeping score after awhile, but the girls didn't seem to mind.

Harper is one of the youngest girls on the team, but probably the most outspoken. The coach said she was very assertive in a postive way. Another parent commented to me that Harper was so confident. Yeah, she's definitely assertive and confident that's for sure. I can tell you that she does not inherit that from me.

I am choosing the photo above as my Best Shot. I love the look of concentration on her face. I am going to get lots of practice taking action shots!

I can't get over how big she looks in these photos. There is just something about kids in their oversized uniforms that is too cute.

For more Best Shot Monday visit Tracey's blog.

Healthy Snacks on the Go

Snacking while traveling by tractor is not recommended

Eating healthy snacks on the go is one of my biggest challenges. When it's just me, I am fine with a piece of fruit and some nuts or trail mix. Most of the time the kids are fine with that too, but when you going on a long road trip (Did I mention we are going to Disney World next week?) you need a little variety. Since I am trying really hard to stay away from prepackaged foods, it is a bit more challenging.

Here's what I plan to pack. I divided it into two categories because I have a few prepackaged favorites that I am going to include.

Not Packaged
Energy Bars (recipe found in Eat Smart)
Chewy Granola Bars from Make and Takes (these will be treats)
Popcorn
Whatever fruit we have around the house that I can grab
Trail Mix made with nuts and dried fruit and maybe granola if I have time to make it

Packaged Goods
TLC Dark Chocolate Coconut Fruit & Grain Bars (these are my kids favorite)
Goldfish (we have a huge box in the pantry that needs to be used)

If you didn't figure it out already, we are driving to Disney World next week. We are leaving after work on Tuesday and we will be back on Sunday. I am really excited. I have only been once and the kids have never been. I might just have a photo or two to share when I get back ;)

Any healthy snack ideas anyone?

Food Rules

As further evidence that I am a bit obsessed with food, I am going to share some of the food rules that I have created for myself. These rules are always changing and evolving.

Please tell me someone else does this too? Is this normal?

Here are some of my rules:

1. Dinner must include one green vegetable unless we are eating something like pizza. Sometimes we add spinach to pizza or eat a salad though.
2. If I eat dinner out, I only eat half of my meal and take the other half home. I feel less guilty this way.
3. I limit my bread intake even if it is whole wheat bread. For example, if I know we are going to have pizza for dinner I won't eat a sandwich for lunch.
4. I limit my intake of soy to one serving a day. If I have soymilk in my cereal, I won't put it in a smoothie or drink it in my tea. If I know I am going to have tofu, I don't drink any soymilk.
5. If I am having fruit as a snack, I feel like I need to add protein to it so I will usually grab a handful of walnuts or almonds to go with it.
6. I try not to eat anything after dinner.
7. I will only buy organic apples. I feel like I can taste all the pesticides and wax on conventional apples.
8. I avoid all artificial sweeteners and anything that contains High Fructose Corn Syrup.
9. I try to only have cheese once a day if at all.
10. If I am craving something sweet, I will have a couple of squares of dark chocolate and a cup of tea.
11. I rarely leave the house without something to drink (water or La Croix usually).

Now don't get me wrong. Sometimes rules have to be broken and I am definitely not perfect, but I always have these rules banging around in my head.

What kind of food rules do you have?

Rockstar, Cowgirl, and Some Crazy Birds

For more Wordless Wednesday, visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Finally Some Craftiness

I finally have some craftiness to share with you guys. I decided that I was going to make Easter gifts for my nieces and nephew plus I made some goodies for my niece's birthday. All the gifts have been given so I can now share photos.

Here's what I made my niece for her birthday.

She has a favorite baby doll so I made her a diaper bag for her baby.

I also made a pink minky and satin blanket just like her favorite one. Then I made some doll clothes, a bib, and a diaper for her baby and tucked it inside the bag.

Then I made her this skirt to match the Ariel t-shirt I picked up at the Disney Store. I made Harper a matching skirt so when we go to Disney World next week (YEAH!!!!) they can have matching outfits.

On to Easter.....

I used this pattern from mmmcrafts to make this bunny for my little baby niece.

Then I made her a taggie blanket using leftover material from her sister's baby doll blanket.

I used this pattern from Betz White to make this sweet bird pouch for my niece (the birthday girl). There are some my little ponies inside. One is even wearing bunny ears.

I made this bunny purse for my other niece with a carrot and some other goodies inside.

For my nephew I made a little tote bag and a cute bunny to fit in the front pocket then I packed it with some toy animals.

I had so much fun making these little gifts.

Visit Carrie for more Crafty Tuesday.

Best Shot Monday- Willing Subject

My niece turned three on Saturday and I really thought my Best Shot today would be of her. I followed her around like the Paparazzi, but she plain out refused to look at me. So I did what any normal wannabe photographer would do. I photographed her sister who can't run away from me and who actually doesn't mind my camera in her face.

Look at the wonder in her eyes?


Can you see me in her eyes?

She is just too cute. Thanks for being a willing subject.

Here's a shot of the birthday girl. She almost looked at me here and I think I actually caught a little bit of a smile.



Here are two of my favorites of her from the day.

Happy Birthday sweet girl. We had a great time at your party!!

Visit Tracey's for more Best Shot Monday.