Menu Planning.

Alright folks, this isn't about it being pretty-it's about function. And while I am totally envious of those of you that have beautiful hand writing, time to create things on the computer then print, a vynyl cutter and so on - I don't. I couldn't even find a clean sheet of paper so I used an old calendar from one of my daycare parents (thanks Crystal!), held it up to the window and traced the lines of the calendar on the back. And yes, it's taped on the inside of our cup cabinet, because that's the counter space where I do most of my cooking prep work. It's not pretty but it works for me. Maybe after my kids are grown a little I'll be able to find the time to make a pretty frame and calendar for the wall. But, as it stands here it is!

 

I find time here and there to get on Pinterest and to recipes, and I try to only pin things that I know my entire family with eat, including Owen who is 18 months old, and things that I know I can cook without completely screwing it up (I have hungry boys to feed! Waiting an extra 30 minutes for me to throw something together isn't an option!). 

I sat down during nap time and wrote out the days on the calendar and then started filling it in. There are things that I cook on a weekly basis because we love them and the kids will eat everything. Taco salad is a huge hit so we have it at least once a week (and there are always yummy leftovers for lunches!). Clay loves meatloaf so we have that all the time too. Anyway, I fill in the weekly rotation that I have in each week, trying to keep it randomized so we don't get too bored. I try to do Meatless Mondays so I keep those days free. 

Then I go onto Pinterest and scroll through the recipies that I want to try out and fill them in the empty spots. It takes a total of 15-20 minutes to do and it honestly saves me every single night.

Once I have the calendar filled in I put together a grocery list of everything I need for each dinner. This part takes the longest. I usually write on my calendars the amount of meat needed for each day (1 package of ground turkey, four chicken breasts, etc) and then I can just add everything up and buy all my meat at once. Costco has the best products for the best prices.

I grocery shop twice a month with the occasional stop for milk or butter, or bread if I didn't have time to bake it, etc.

Whew! That was a lot of talking. If you have questions or suggestions on how to do it better please share!!


I'll share recipies as I try them! And I'll also do another post about making freezer meals and the like soon.

Christmas!

We had an amazing Christmas, full of giggles and squeals of excitement (from all of us, even Clay and myself). Jack got a train table from Santa and Owen got a tool bench. They both LOVE their gifts and have been disappearing into the playroom for hours at a time without much fighting or arguing (which is RARE). Clay got a little helicopter that he's been flying all over the house and the kids LOVE it. Owen jumps up and down each time it flies in the air. This was the first year that Jack had any sort of understanding that Santa would be coming and leaving presents and he was PUMPED.

Christmas Eve my little brother Colton and he's sweet girlfriend Sammi came over for dinner and to exchange gifts. I burnt dinner but everything else was a success. The boys loved coloring with their Uncle and Aunt and I loved soaking up every second of being around my little brother. I'm lucky to have him in my life. I may or may not lay down in front of the moving truck in July to keep them here.

Colton and Sammi hung out and helped us with putting together the boy's Christmas and watch Elf. It was a perfect evening.

Clay and I woke the boys up around 6am so that they would nap before we had to head out to family gatherings. They were overjoyed and spoiled with their gifts.

I'll leave you with some pictures. I hope all of you had a great Christmas!

The stuffed stockings and Jack's table.

I LOVE these stockings.

This took Santa about 1.5 hours to build. Jack crumbled it within ten minutes.

Tool bench and cats!

Flying the helicopter!

The scary mess...

My honey and myself making Christmas dinner.

Dinner!

Look at those cheeks!

LOVE these boys.

<3

Snow!

It finally snowed! I've been waiting all Winter long for some snow that we could take the kids out into. It takes us about 45 minutes to get everyone dressed and ready to go so I'm not going to do that unless there is some actual snow to play in.

Jack and Owen both loved it. Jack probably ate his weight in snow. We built a snowman that was quickly beheaded by Jack. Then he ate it. HA! He's so funny and full of energy. Owen thought that the snowman was Santa (he's been confused about the two all season long).

I hope your Winter is full of lots of snow and sweet smiles!

December Cara Box!

I participated in this amazing exchange that I heard of from Elise over at her adorable blog. You can sign up and partake in the amazingness over here! I was assigned an adorable lady to send a box to, and you can read her adorable blog here! Emily sent me an amazing box full of sparkle, check her out here!! Jack loved helping me open it. He went to town coloring the stocking and loved hanging it up and telling everyone about it. That frame is ADORABLE! I put our Christmas card in it and set it on the table (I need a picture of that!)

An amazing Christmas sign with a cute little picture frame in it. I LOVED this, it when perfectly with all my Christmas decor! And Jack helped me devour the Reese's! YUM.

 These clothes pins were covered in glitter! COVERED! I had no idea what to do with them so they have been in a few different places.

I put them on yarn and made my kitchen painting sparkle, but then Jack attacked them and they are now on top of the fridge. I put them around an empty tuna can and have some of the kid's art supplies in them. It's adorable! (I'll add an picture soon!)

This adorable owl got a place front and center on the tree this year.

I love all of my goodies! It was so nice meeting new ladies and getting to send and receive a package! Who doesn't like opening a box full of surprises and a sweet note?

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Going Public.

I've given it lots of thought, I've probably lost a little sleep over it. But, I've made the decsion today to go public. There are many reasons why I've kept my blog private, and none of them seem as important as they used to.

So. I'm going to be linking up (if I can figure out how), updating often (regularly even!) and keeping the writer in me alive. I'm not sure how it'll evolve, or if it even will but I'm going to give it a shot and see what happens.

Clay and I rang in the New Year at home, with our babies sleeping peacefully. We don't really do resolutions around here, but I do have some things that I need to change, that I've stopped doing and that I need to start. Don't we all? The New Year is just the perfect chance.

I was really good about meal planning and grocery shopping only twice a month this summer. We saved a bunch of money, it saved me a ton of time and stress about dinner and we ate much better. I'm going to start doing this again. Maybe I'll make it into a monthly post!

I need to start exercising again. Clay and I both started running in the Summer but then it got too hot, then too cold and then we were too busy. UGH! I'm on a mission to make time for myself, even if it's just 15 minutes, to work out.

Clay and I need to be better about making time for ourselves to go out and do something. We rarely get out together. It would be amazing to go on a date once every two weeks.

Blogging! I need to be a better blogger. I love having my own space and being able to talk about whatever I want but I seem to NEVER make time for it. That changes today!

I'll be putting together several posts so keep an eye out in the upcoming days!

What are your goals or resolutions for the New Year?

Christmas decorating!!

Christmas is by far my favorite Holiday. I love it. The lights, the presents, the giving, the cold, the snow, the music, the pretty decorated trees, the family time, the traditions. I just love it. 

I also love that I'm able to be crafty and make things so I don't have to spend the insane amounts of money for Christmas decor at the stores. I most certianly ripped the flowers off my summery/fall wreath and made the one you see above. Total cost? $0! Love a free craft for my door!

This is the back of my door, so my entry way (if you want call it that...). And yes, I still have framed subway art from Thanksgiving. I'm all out of printer ink so it'll be that way until the Husband remembers to buy some. I made the paper wreath last year and I added all the photos from Christmas cards to it. I absolutely adore making art with my boys and those snowman feet are SO stinking cute. 

Enjoying the virtual tour of my Christmas decorations? ;)

I love snowmen. This tin is never where it's supposed to be, or how it's supposed to be (see how he's on his side...Darn kids!) and the frame still has the store paper in it instead of a super cute photo of my kids because I want snow in said picture. Where is my snow?!

Our tree! It's so little but Husband said we can upgrade this year so I'm waiting for the after-Christmas sales. 

It's hard work knocking down ordaments! 

My Christmas card holder. I made this last year and I love it! It's just a piece of foam covered in fabric hanging from ribbon! 

Ribbon covered vase and pretty candles for my center piece. The flowers were off of my old winter door wreath that I took apart to make my pantry door wreath and this. So happy with how it turned out!

My pantry door! I love this wreath. Husband hates it. I've won the battle of keeping it up so far.

My plant shelf.

The other side.

Whew. That's about all of it. We have lights outside but that would be a pretty boring picture to take with the sun shining. 

Things have been really crazy around here. Busy, dramatic, stressful, etc. But, we are still managing to enjoy the season. Jack is loving Santa, our elf on a shelf and all of the lights. Owen is just going with the flow like he usually does. They are getting so big and grown up. Jack is so smart, and funny. He tells me this all of the time - 'Mommy! I'm funny!' I can't help but laugh most of the time. Owen is talking up a storm. He uses full sentences and knows exactly what he wants and how he wants it (even if I have NO idea what he is trying to get across to me). 

Jack was sick yesterday and this morning he refused to take off his pjs. 

But, look at that grin! And the bedhead. I'm not sure what Owen is doing, those are some sassy hands! 

Anyway, all is well here. <3

OMG.

Only 19 days to Christmas and I haven't wrapped anything.

....I'm panicking.