My husband had a tiny cottage before we got married. We actually lived there for about a year after we got married until shortly after our daughter was born. A variety of factors led us to move when she was three months old and we’ve rented it out ever since. We have been trying to sell it for quite some time and finally, it’s time to say goodbye.
We spent a few hours there recently with both our girls, taking down the last remnants of our life there. They had a great time…
For us, it was a bit harried as we tried to coral our youngest, who is intent on getting into everything she shouldn’t.
As we drove toward home, we had no regrets. But there is definitely a feeling of bitter sweet reminiscing. This was our real first home together and we worked hard to make it our own. We are lucky in that we can take pieces of it with us and always hold on to those memories.
With the announcement and release of Apple’s new Health app, a slew of new apps have been appearing that take advantage of its functionality. Everything from recipe planning to fitness tracking is covered. Whether you want to simply live a healthy lifestyle or lose weight, there seems to be something for everyone.
Here are a few that I’ve discovered so far:
Human: a fairly simple app that tracks your movement and encourages you to move for at least 30 minutes a day. It’s pretty great looking and for someone who wants something simple to keep them motivated every day, this might be a good fit.
Yummly: a super clean and beautiful way to access tons of recipes and build a shopping list with just a few clicks. There are tons of filters and ways to sort the recipes so you can target exactly what you want. Pretty snazzy if you want to get inspired or keep organized for the week.
Noom Coach: an app that tracks activity and food to help you lose weight. It’s by far the simplest interface I’ve seen for adding food and has lots of suggestions and coaching tips to keep you focused. One great feature is a color coding system to help you get a more balanced diet and focus on the right types of food in the optimal quantities.
There are lots more out there and more to come soon, I’m sure! I’m holding out for a FitBit update so my flex will sync with Health. It’s pretty neat how information from many sources can be brought together in one place. It will be interesting to see what other creative ideas come of it!
I adore fall. I love the crisp weather, the crinkling leaves, the colors, the light, the lead-up to the holidays…you name it. What I don’t love are the crazy price tags on seasonal decorations!
So this year we took matters into our own hands and are making some of our own. We started with some dried hydrangeas from the garden. We purchased a $6 wreath and some crafting supplies and for under $20 we have a great wreath. Sure beats the pre-made ones that were $60 and up! For future seasons we could easily change up the bow or add some different colors for a completely different look.
Next on the list is spray-painting a few old flower pots to go on the front porch. We are sticking with mums and not much else this year. Our neighbors sent us some amazing looking squash which will add to the decor until they’re eaten.
We also scattered a few inexpensive decorations around the house with some more dried flowers. If you’re careful to choose ones that aren’t completely obvious in their seasonality, you can probably rotate them around the house throughout the year.
Now, if only I had some crazy embroidery skills I’d have some awesome throw pillows…
I’m the first to admit that washing dishes is not my forte. Thankfully, my husband takes over that job most of the time. I grew up using a dishcloth for the task, he favors a sponge or a bristle brush. If I’m being honest, I’d have to say that I get a bit grossed out by the sponge most of the time. So I’m turning the question to the world at large…
What tool do you favor when washing dishes?
I’ve actually done some research on the cleanliness of each. A brush (provided it dries fairly quickly) ranks as the most clean but the least versatile, while sponge is the least clean (mostly for the grody bits that get trapped in it). A dishcloth is somewhere in between and seems about equal to the sponge for versatility.
I’d assume that a few simple practices are also recommended:
1. Rinsing the tool after use to dislodge any leftover food particles.
2. Regular cleaning/replacement regimen (dishwasher for the sponge, washer for the cloth, etc.).
3. Exposure to high heat for killing of bacteria (sun, microwave (use with caution), dishwasher or washing machine).
Last week we were out of town longer than expected so we’ve been playing meal catchup all of this week. After a few meals out at friends and celebrating our anniversary, we had a hodgepodge of food left in the fridge by weeks end. The funny thing was, there was no coherent plan for any of it! So tonight I set out to create a meal (and leftovers for lunch tomorrow).
jasmine rice with red onion, zucchini and garlic (cooked in the same pan as the chicken so it picked up some yummy flavor)
and cauliflower with a little red wine vinegar, mustard and a titch of mayo.
Sound random?? It totally was but it sure was delicious!
This week’a goal is to prep ahead as much as possible so we can all sit down to eat together as a family. We really love establishing that routine as a family norm and Lena definitely responds well to it. She’s much more likely to eat what she’s given without argument and/or coaxing. It’s difficult when I sometimes don’t walk in the door until after 5:30 but we’re working on it!
It’s crazy how quickly these little babes grow and with them, our expectations. It’s so easy to get caught up in the moment and forget to see the bigger picture. Sleepless nights, tantrums, incessant questions, disregard for rules, is there a moment that isn’t challenging? Think positive? No way!
I often hear people bemoaning the struggles of this or that stage and wishing of speedy delivery to the next and we are certainly guilty if this too! I don’t believe these complaints represent our overall parental well-being or happiness and we all need to share our frustrations. Yet, I can’t help but feel that it’s too easy to focus on the negative aspects of our current struggle and forget all the amazing and wonderful things that happen each day. Our brains are hard wired to focus on the negatives and the positives are all too easily glossed over and forgotten.
My mission these days is to actively remember all the great things that happen each day. We have technology at our fingertips, so use it! I have a terrible memory so I need all the help I can get. Snap a picture, capture a quick video, jot down a note, save a piece of artwork or some token from a shared activity…the list goes on. I’m making it a point to do this and the process helps me focus on the good stuff! It doesn’t have to be anything monumental or earth shattering, just something that makes you smile. Let’s try a little harder to be grateful for the amazing family we are building (despite it’s many flaws)!
