Friday Fun

We are keeping it low key this weekend - on the mend from some winter crud this week.  If I'm extra ambitious, hoping to make this little diddy to satisfy my sweet tooth.  What are you up to?

+ for the bicycle enthusiast - 62 mile superhighway just for bikes in Germany

+ local teen walks a mile in Muslim friend's shoes

+ wouldn't mind a cup of this hot chocolate right about now

+ a new school of Barbies, what do you think?

+ sweet app, grow a forest of productivity...literally (and stay off your phone)

+ what's your best age as a parent? - interesting question

+ a cheaper version of the popular anthropologie capri candle

+ the most instagrammed location in every state

+ the reason some people just seem happier than others

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Dinner Last Night: Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup

In an effort to make dinner a bit more seamless, I've been looking to my slow cooker more and more these days.  Plus who doesn't love a bowl of warm, steaming hot soup on a blustery winter day?  When slow cooker broccoli cheese soup popped up on my feed, I was intrigued.  Upon reading the recipe, I was surprised that the Pioneer Woman called for two cans of cream of celery canned soup and velveeeta cheese -yuck!  So, I made a few changes and it turned out just fine.

I used one can of cream of mushroom instead which we somehow had in our pantry - so only half the yuck. Plus, if it didn't get used in this soup, it would've gone in the garbage.  I'll credit that purchase to my husband - I usually can't get over the image of a can-shaped glob of soup in a bowl.  This added some creaminess, and I then added about 3/4 cup of milk.  Instead of Velveeta, I just added grated cheddar cheese at the end.  A bit healthier, but just as tasty!

image/http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/slow-cooker-broccoli-cheese-soup/

Happy 8th Birthday Blog

Happy belated birthday little blog.  It's hard to believe you are 8 years old (on January 7th).  I've loved having this space to write, to exhale, and to just be.  I know my followers have declined over the years as my posts have become more infrequent, but if you're still here reading this, thank you for sticking around and following this journey with me.

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Goals for 2016

Following my tradition of years past, I don't really like to make resolutions per say, as I dislike the guilt that comes with not living up to the resolution.  Rather, I like to make new goals.  While January 1st really is just an arbitrary date, I do like the newness of a new year, marking the opportunity to set new goals, seek new ambitions, and pursue all that 2016 has to offer.  Plus I feel that posting my goals in a public space - like a blog - helps hold me accountable to follow through.

Here are my goals for 2016

+ upgrading our guest bathroom
This is my big project for the year which involves painting bathroom cabinets, removing and installing a new countertop, laying and grouting a backsplash, and painting the walls.  I'm pretty psyched about the DIY aspect and hopeful that I can do this by myself (with some help from the men in my life), but I really want to try and do most of it solo - just to say I can.  Last weekend, I took one of the free classes offered at Home Depot on installing a backsplash, so I'm feeling pumped about kicking this project into gear!

+ be healthier
I'm not aiming to diet, more aiming to avoid some of my weaknesses.  I didn't crave much sugar until the end of my second pregnancy, but once he was born, all of my sugar cravings came back with a vengeance.  I'm trying to become more aware of my daily sugar intake in things you wouldn't assume are packed with sugar (yogurt, granola, etc.).  I'm also striving to eat more greens, vegetables, and wholesome snacks as opposed to reaching for the cookies, ice cream, and sweets when a late night craving strikes.

+ fasting
Not fasting with food, more with habits. Last year I gave up social media for Lent, which was a great exercise in seeing how much I even refreshed my instagram account.  I want to try a few of these this year.  Things I'm considering doing fasts for: buying lattes, social media, dairy...any other ideas?

+ focus on gratitude
I bought the 5 minute journal in late 2015 and love how after completing it every morning, my day is framed in happiness, gratitude, and positivity.  Focusing on the good upon waking up adds a sense of purpose, energy and inspiration to the day.  I'm finding it so important to be grateful for all the things in my life, rather than get swept up in the minutia.  My goal is to do this as often as possible - if not everyday - as well as keep up my mom's one line a day journal daily.

What are your goals/resolutions for 2016?

Past goals for 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009

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What I've Been Reading Lately

+ a few books - some chic lit inspired*, some a bit more meaningful

After I Do

The One That Got Away *

After You
Happier at Home

+ an emotional, incredibly moving essay about being newly widowed

+ ten truths all middle schoolers should know

+ the incredible things we do during conversations

+ fifty-two places to go in 2016

What have you been reading lately?
Articles? Books?  Essays? I'd love to add some material to my list!

image via sfgirlbybay

2015 Goals Recap

Following my blog traditions (7 years running!), here is my recap on achieving my 2015 goals...

+ worry less

Hmm...Well I tried.  I don't think I'll ever truly be able to share the worrier in me, but I think I've done a better job at letting go, stepping back, and taking a deep breath when things are beyond my control.  I still worry about lots of things, but I think I'm getting better at being present, enjoying the moment, and letting today be today, and leaving some of that worry behind.

+ read more books

This is true, while I haven't polished off any complete bookshelves, I definitely read more than my paltry 2 books in 2014.  This has spiked significantly since I discovered you can check out ebooks on your kindle!  WHAT!?  How did I not know this before?

+ get outside

We definitely took advantage of our gorgeous summer weather and got outside almost everyday.  We haven't been outside all that much with a newborn these past few weeks - but I think that's excusable, right? 

+ try and shop/spend locally

Um...not so much.  I'm a sucker for Amazon Prime and the convenience of a drive-through (especially with two kids in tow), however, I'm debating doing Starbucks-free in 2016.  If I tally up the amount of money I fork over to that company, it makes me cringe...  Thoughts? 

+ other random goals and ideas

…successfully make a poached egg - nope

…memorize a recipe for homemade pie crust -YES!  I did this and have made 9 pies from scratch

…wait to get to work to check email (i.e. not right when I wake up) - yes, definitely better

…make chocolate babka - not yet...

…drink more water - a definite improvement!

…finish my daughter's baby book - no but finished her 1st year in review video...

What are your goals or resolutions for 2016?

* * *

Past goals for 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009

Quote of the Week

"The only power we have in our life is our attitude and that makes all of the difference."

~ Mimi Ikonn

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