The Greatest Showman

I don't see movies too often these days, but when I do, I try and save the movie-going experience for films that seem like they wouldn't quite be the same from the comforts of my couch.  The Greatest Showman is amazing!  The story is loosely based on the P.T. Barnum (of Barnum and Bailey Circus), and I found it a compelling, engaging story.  Even more so if you're a fan of musicals.  

The cinematography reminded me a little of Moulin Rouge, with it's vibrant colors woven in with song, the music is inviting, catchy, and emboldens you to want to jump up and dance (just ask my kids, we've had it blasting on repeat)!  Listening to the soundtrack the week before seeing the film and and then seeing the same songs come alive on the screen was magical. 

If you're skeptical, perhaps try listening to the soundtrack first, it's phenomenal, and I highly recommend seeing in the theatre for the full circus experience!

Currently...

+ just finished listening to these two new episodes of The Rewatchables (one of my new favorite podcasts), anyone else love Good Will Hunting?

+ loving this peppermint tea from Harney & Sons

+ kids and I are loving the greatest showman soundtrack (and seeing the movie tonight!)

+ reading this new book, though admittedly, I'm having a hard time getting into it, but I'm persisting due to rave reviews

+ picking up these paleo pancakes at costco - anyone else try them? I'm intrigued...

+ my kids and I did this science experiment today and it was bright and fun

image/heartoflight

Dinner Last Night: Thai Chicken Meatballs & Roasted Cauliflower with Curry & Lime

Both of these recipes were delicious, relatively simple to put together, and the clincher - kid approved!! The dinner trifecta I strive for every night!  Cha-CHING!  I take my small victories where I can get them my friends....

In terms of prep and planning, I discovered I was missing cilantro, which wasn't missed a huge oversight, but likely would've upped up the flavor a notch.  In addition to the cauliflower, I also roasted carrots, and that tangy mayo-lime dressing at the end was delicious, I feel like I could've subsisted on this dish alone tonight!  We had kale in the fridge, so to add a little greenery, I also made kale chips (tossed with olive oil and tamari and roasted at 400 for 10 minutes).  All in all - a delicious meal and the icing on the cake was that my kids actually ate it all!!  Hooray! 

image/designerhandbagsanddirtydiapers

Friday Fun

This weekend is my birthday!  Woohoo!  Celebrating with my husband and kids, keeping it low key, and celebrating at a kareoke bar with my close knit crew next weekend.  What are you up to?

+ thinking about making this cake for my birthday weekend

+ did you know we average 23,040 breaths per day?  How many do you pay attention to?

+ lovely, nameless feelings

+ real life vs. fictional characters from The Crown

+ just finished this book which I devoured in 36 hours, loved it minus the ending which I feel meh about

+ also just wrapped up this audiobook, highly recommend

+ I jumped on the essential oils bandwagon, and have recently been loving this and this

+ just started this workout program and it's kicking my butt (in a good way)

+ just checked this movie out from the library - I'm excited!

Have a good one!

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10 Years of Blogging

Somehow I managed to let a major blogging milestone slip past me in the last two weeks...January 7 marked ten years of blogging for me.  TEN. YEARS.  Holy cow...  It's hard to summarize everything that happened in those ten years, but ultimately a lot has changed, and I do appreciate returning to this little corner I've created.  It's my muse, my yearbook of sorts, marking special occasions, milestones, pitfalls and highlights in my life. 

These days, though I aspire for more, posts are fewer and far between.  Many bloggers I followed in 2008 have since retired or taken hiatus, but I sincerely still love it.  I always loved writing, perhaps because it's just one of those things that just flows to me. And though this blogging community has evolved significantly from those early beginnings of the late 2000's, it's still a space I find delight in returning to, time and time again.  It's also exciting to see how some of my virtual friends have flourished.  For example, I began reading Cup of Jo when it bore its original bare bones template, and Joanna and I used to comment regularly on each other's blogs, and these days, she's a household name garnering millions of followers.   I've enjoyed this community of blog friends, maintaining virtual friendships, some which have even translated to real life (Ashlee and Vivian).

So here it is.  10 Years!  Happy Birthday little blog.  I'm glad you're here.

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Dinner Last Night: Slow Cooker Creamy Lentil Soup with Dry-Rub Sweet Potato Steaks & Green Bean Slaw

In light of a New Year's detox, I opted to make this easy slow cooker creamy lentil soup.  Pretty easy, just dump the ingredients, let them marinate for 7 hours and then puree 1 can of chickpeas, lemon, and water for the "creamy" factor.  Delicious!  

I paired with a recipe from Deb Perelman's newest Smitten Kitchen cookbook, dry-rub sweet potato steaks with green bean slaw.  Never had sweet potatoes this way, and man oh man, were they good!  The "slaw" is made up of blanched green beans mixed with a tangy vinaigrette.  Would post the recipe if I could find a link online, but alas, there was none...

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Quote of the Week

Thought this was a great quote to kick off 2018!

image c/o elementsofstyleblog