by Kimberly | Aug 22, 2016 | Uncategorized
Aren’t sunflowers happy and bright? I think they make a perfect flower for a Monday. And I love surprising people with flowers, especially when my local Trader Joes has such a variety of pretty stems for such a great price.
Mondays are often a hard day for folks. Whether its a return to normalcy (I didn’t do any dishes yesterday so I have a sink full), alarm clocks (yup, mine went off early this morning), or just because you are sad the weekend is over…Mondays often get a bad rap.
- Plan something beautiful. Whether its a coffee date with another creative, a play date with a friend, or blow-drying your hair and putting on make up, plan something for every Monday that helps bring extra beauty in to your day.
- Make a list of happies for your Monday. It can be some quiet time to regroup from the weekend, special lunch date with your littles, find special things to be grateful for and write them down!
- Buy flowers. Most Mondays include a trip to Trader Joes for me (or us, my littles and me). We love the relationships we’ve formed there over 2 years of going every Monday, produce to start our weeks out on a healthy note (to detox from the weekend), and the pretty flowers that greet us when we walk in the door. This week, the flower of choice was sunflowers.
- Breathe. Yup. Its that easy. Sometimes just taking time to breathe, whether you are sitting in traffic or practicing yoga, breathing helps bring life into our whole bodies. Remember, God breathed life into dirt to form man and gave him a soul to long after Him. Breathing is crucial to our well-being.
Enjoy your Monday friends.
by Kimberly | Aug 21, 2016 | Uncategorized
We are more than halfway through 2016 and rushing headlong into 2017. So, what are you thinking about, looking forward to, and anticipating for the remainder of the year?
The Fall is always busy for us as we have the holidays but also our anniversary and our two little boys both have Fall birthdays. There is never a dull moment and I sorta like it that way.
I do love downtime – and really the only downtime that I absolutely love is downtime with my mister. Whether it is a date night out in the city, a date night in, or just watching Netflix – that is always my favorite part of the day.
I’m usually not a slipper kind of girl – I really just love barefeet – but these are super cute, and super expensive (so they will just stay cute on someone else’s feet)
Love lettering and stuff for your home, and was just introduced to this little Etsy shop
Music is something super important to me. And it is also the most painful to me at times. Love this discussion with David Mathis and Bob Kauflin
These would be super tasty on a cloudy afternoon – I think maybe even better with blueberries. Perfect for Sundays when you serve brinner.
by Kimberly | Jul 24, 2016 | Uncategorized
You certainly need to find people you can trust to recommend books to you – and when you do, always read them!
Not many books make me laugh, cry, and challenge me on almost every parenting area. And also one that makes me re-place my hope in God because I know this parenting journey is tough and I can’t do it on my own. Love That Boy is a must read!
I love history and the American presidency, so when I knew that was a backdrop to this parenting book, I knew it would be a winner. And it didn’t disappoint.
You don’t have to have children with special needs in order to gain insight into your children through this book. But, every parent will gain insight into themselves, their children, and even their parents. They will be able to see how other parents parent through new lenses. You will learn what is important to you in how you raise your kids – even if you didn’t know it in the first place.
The only sad thing about this book: there was no hint of Christ. And even though I can’t save my children, I can’t make them place their hope in God – I can aim for that end. I can show them the gospel. And I do believe, if I didn’t have that hope – then this book and the whole parenting journey would be incredibly futile and depressing.
Thanks Blogging for Books – incredible choice!
by Kimberly | Jul 24, 2016 | Uncategorized
This week has been especially tough. All of us have been sick in some way shape or form and my mister has been working a lot in between two short vacations. That will be so lovely and we are looking forward to it. But, today…I’m looking for some lovely things (besides my two boys who are great gifts to me – we are going to a park tonight and watching Turtles right now.)
This chantilly cake from Publix. Yes, please, and thank you.
This gorgous hideway in the NC mountains. A sweet friend is there and I just learned about it. Oh my gracious – I will definitely travel blog there any day!
This book. If you are a parent and want to really think about parenting, and cry, and laugh – then this is a must rest this summer. And if you want another book list, check this one out.
I’ve been trying new recipes with farm fresh produce that we harvested last weekend (farm life is a gorgeous, hard, life) – and now I want to make this soon while I have lots of fresh corn!
North Carolina is by far my favorite state. We are going there this weekend. Vacations are wonderful. With small kids, travel can be difficult, but one way to make it lovely is by including these little snack kits for the kids.
by Kimberly | Jul 9, 2016 | Uncategorized
In light of all the hate around us, we can choose joy. Choosing joy is within us, because the Holy Spirit lives within us.
In the hate-filled world we live in, in which we are raising children, in which we encounter all sorts of situations that are just waiting to dump rain on our parade, we can choose joy.
Joy is not the same as happiness. Happiness is based upon our circumstances. Joy is based on something deeper, more abiding, and longer lasting – it is based on the character of God and the joy that He gives because we know that He is supremely in charge.
How can we cultivate choosing joy when so much around us is joy-less?:
- Surround ourselves with pretty things. Yes I know this is superficial, but if I include fresh flowers, yummy treats that are pretty to look at,my happy smiling boys, together time with my mister, sunsets, and good books – if I include them in my day – those things help fuel a joyful attitude.
- Memorize Scripture. There are so many Scriptures that will help us fuel the joy that is within us. Romans 15:13 and Isaiah 12:6 are great ones and easy to memorize. Write them down and keep them in visible places. (If you want a joy verse handlettered, just hit me up for a custom handlettering job).
- Be grateful. Keeping a gratitude journal or reading books on gratitude will help you as well. I’ve just started 1000 Gifts and I love Choosing Gratitude. Such a great help in keeping our minds on the little blessings God has given us. And these would make great activities any time of the year.
- Write snail mail. Sitting down to write mail to others, and even send little gifts, help me remember why I love people. I love seeing the best in them, encouraging them, and adding some beauty to their days. If you need some new stationery these are perfect for any occasion (or no occasion at all).
What are some ways that you choose joy in your life? How you do encourage your friends and family to cultivate and choose joy?
by Kimberly | Jul 1, 2016 | Coffee with..., creatives, food, Georgia, Uncategorized
The Atlanta Zoo is a crazy place. And we were in the petting zoo one afternoon and tons of kids were around and the smell of animals was around too. All of a sudden, I hear my name. But, I didn’t recognize anyone. So, I figured my name is pretty popular so maybe it was for someone else. But, then she was looking at me, knew my son’s name, and said “don’t worry you don’t know me.”
And that, dear readers, is how I was introduced to Jeni of Barefoot in the Kitchen. We have one friend in common – and that one friend is a pretty strong tie. Since that day in the zoo, we have had a play date, and cooked together, and I got to be in her home and her kitchen, learning from her on many fronts. You will definitely want to check out her recipes and kitchen advice, as she has had some recipes published – she’s my someone famous that I know!
Yall, meet Jeni.
Jeni is a SAHM of kiddos ranging from high school to preschool. She married a twin, lives near Athens, GA, in a small southern town, and declares it was love at first sight with her now husband. She has a bright sunny home and kids all around, and she makes healthy meals for her family. It can be done, yall! This was great encouragement to my heart as it is one of my struggles (getting things cooked and having two preschoolers).
Growing up, Jeni’s mom helped her learn all things in the kitchen. Her mom made things from scratch and encouraged Jeni to do the same. She wanted to experiment with foods and spices! When she was first pregnant, she wanted to make sure her baby got all the nutrients she needed so she wanted to make every calorie count. She then ended up making her own baby food along the way, making sure her babies got healthy food in their growing tummies. She has wanted and made a healthy family atmosphere, both in food and spiritual content. She has set her mind to something, worked hard at it, persevered, and the Lord has blessed her endeavors.
Some of Jeni’s inspiration comes from familiar names: Pioneer Woman, Sara Moulton (I love her too), Rachael Ray, Southern Living (of course, who doesn’t). She also does something that I like to do, she asks her family what food they want. Of course there is pizza, spaghetti, and tacos. But, instead of getting all of these take out, she takes the time to make these at home, making them healthier for her family.
I asked Jeni what her favorite kitchen tools are (and I agree with these, and I’ve already bought some of the towels she recommended and I love them):
Five Kitchen Tools:
1. Every cook needs a good all-purpose knife! Wustof and Henckels are both solid choices for price and quality.
2. Stand Mixer – I’m not sure how I truly lived before my sweetie pie surprised me with a Kitchen Aid for Christmas one year. Cookie dough, whipped cream, pizza dough, bread/rolls … life changing, I tell you.
3. Blender/Food Processor – With picky children, this is an invaluable tool to use for hiding fruits and veggies. Homemade marinara, soups, smoothies … I use mine all the time.
4. Silicone Spatulas – The best all-purpose tool aside from your hands. They’re heat-proof and super durable for use on the stovetop or for just mixing together ingredients.
5. Flour Sack Towels – I bought a huge package of them and use them for everything! Drying dishes or produce or hands, mopping up spills, covering yeast dough, whatever. Wash and bleach ’em and they’re ready to go again!
These are some of her favorite recipes:
Italian Heritage Casserole – One of my mom’s favorite go-to special occasion meals. (Note, I made this recently and it is super yummy and easily whole30 compliant and perfect for meat and potato eaters)
Lasagna Rolls – I made this dish for Leah when Georgie Girl was born. My mom made a
podcast recording of me making it for a project when earning her Master’s Degree.
Here are the two she has had published by Taste of Home:
