Just Be Yourself!

I am tired. Tired of seeing posts about being the perfect mother. I was just searching on Pinterest for teen bedroom ideas and up pops a pin the reads "7 Things Kids Need to See Their Mom Doing".  Before I go on, I must say that I never clicked on the pin. I'm sure the 7 ideas are lovely. I'm just tired of reading posts that make me question my mothering skills.

The photo in the pin shows someone sewing...surely a better mom than me. I have a machine. I can imagine what I want to make and cut pieces to make it without a pattern. I can (most times) sew it together when I remember how to fill the bobbin and thread the machine. I get a thrill when I see my handiwork. And then , it all falls apart in the wash. Seriously... My stitches are too loose and my creations are lost.  Seeing that title and image on Pinterest made me wonder if my daughter has had a lesser childhood. She actually asked me to teach her to sew last week. I honestly told her no and explained why I was not the best person for the job. Hopefully, one of her grandmothers will be able to help!

Here's the thing....we are all good moms. We are doing the best we can, some days that may be a meal with all four food groups and other days it may be a PB&J and a banana....or a bowl of cereal.  Your kids may have a perfectly clean room...or perhaps a  messy room with a scary pile like I see right now. Our children may be dressed in the finest...or be running around in dirty socks because the laundry did not get washed and they need to make do. You may have planned activities every day during the summer... or there may be a construction crew fixing the rotten seal at your front door and your fun for the day may be all-you-can-play video games because mom is up to her eyeballs in sawdust! (If that last example seemed too real, it's because it is!)

We love our kids and they know that...they know it in all seasons...the easy times and the stressful times... through the sun and the rain...they are loved! No one will every be able to give me a list of numbered things that will make me the best mom for my children. And no one will ever be able to give you a list. Because you already are! Just be yourself!

I'm sharing these flowers with you, moms! You all are the best!

My dear friend, Patti, brought these to me! They are from her garden!

So what are you sweet moms doing today? I'd love to know!
xoxo Elizabeth

p.s. My friend, Patti, just opened an Easy shop!
When you get a chance, hop over to The Cozy Dewdrop ! Her shop is on a little break until August 17th, but it is still open so you can view her delightful items!

Waving Hello!

  Hello, hello! I am coming out of my cave for a bit. Wow, it has been a long time since I last posted. I feel like I should have numerous stories to share...but when I look back at the last 8 months, it all seems like a whirlwind.

  Both of my children started new schools this year.

  My son is in high school and loves it. He took an art class first semester and I enjoyed watching him work on his self-portrait.

9th Grade self-portrait

  My daughter is in middle school this year. And growing up so fast. Her school had a half-day today, so she is enjoying the sunshine.

A girl, her dog, a new book, and sunshine:)

  What else is new?

I am officially a big nerd:)

  I started wearing glasses this fall. I really needed them for long distances. Driving is much easier now that I can see road signs.
  I have been simplifying life. I was a bit overwhelmed and it was time to let go of some commitments. (I highly recommend this if you are feeling scattered. It will all be okay and you can always add more things to your plate when you are ready.)
  Along with letting go of commitments, I've also let go of unused items around our home. It's nice to have an empty shelf or two. (I still have a long way to go!)
  Yoga and BodyFlow are my two favorite gym classes.
  We can not walk to school this year, so I feel like I spend lots of time in the carpool line. I am thankful for wonderful friends who share this job with me. (You two know who you are and it has been such a joy to get to know you and your kiddos better this year.)
  The last few snow days have helped me catch up on laundry...I can see the bottom of the laundry hamper! (This is the first time since becoming a mother that I can say that!)
  Zoe's Kitchen just opened nearby. Such a great place for fresh takeout and they have great gluten-free options!
  I am often asked about my shop. Polka Dot Skies is still on vacation and will be for a while. As much as I love my shop and my customers, life keeps getting busier as the kids grow up and I don't want to miss the rare opportunity when my tween and teen want to chat. I really treasure these moments. Right now, I am exactly where I need to be.

Pause. My motto right now.

  Now it's your turn. I have truly been wrapped up in my own little world for a while and I have missed you all. Please let me know how you are doing.

xoxo,
Elizabeth

To All The Moms Who Are About to Lose It in May

Dear Moms,

May is always so busy. The final sprint to get the school year and sports/dance/church/music activities all finished up really packs the calendar.  It is the one month that tries to push us over the edge. I think Mother's Day falls right in the middle of this month to remind us of the reason we do all of these things. 

Our children...they are our best gifts. 

Chatting on the Golden Gate Bridge

They are the reason we...
 ...help plan parties at school.
 ...take snacks to soccer practice.
 ...hem dance recital costumes at midnight.

They are the reason we...
 ...stop by the grocery store 4 times in one week to get random things like: Kleenex, healthy snacks for teacher appreciation week, and erasers.
...can't sleep because we just signed them up for summer camp and we are praying for God to send them new friends to hang out with.
...run pick up photos at the drugstore for school projects.

They are the reason we...
...go on overnight fieldtrips with zillions of silly 5th graders.
...spend Sunday afternoons on the front porch watching talent shows.
...search our purse to find enough change for ice cream day at school.

All of these extra activities can add extra stress. 
This week, I was taking my daughter to a friend's house for a meeting. I have been there at least 5 times. I got lost on the way. When we finally found her house, I looked at my friend and confessed  "I think I might be losing my mind".
Yesterday, I sent my daughter off to school in a damp t-shirt because they had gotten their school play shirts the day before and I forgot to wash it in time for Play Spirit Day. 

May is filled with extra stuff. It always will be. Don't be too hard on yourself. You are doing a great job. (Don't we all need to hear that sometimes.) Remember the reason we do all of these things. Tackle one day at a time. And at the end of the day, if you need to whisper (or shout) "Take that, May!" it will be fine.

I hope you all have a very Happy Mother's Day! You have earned it!

xoxo, Elizabeth

Get Your Kids to Eat More Veggies!

I want my kids to eat more veggies.
My daughter (age 10) loves them. My son (age 13) hates them. This week, I am trying something new. Every night with dinner, I put a platter of fresh fruit and veggies on the table. I don't make a big deal about the tray... they just take what appeals to them. (When I try to talk my kids into something, they pretty much run in the opposite direction!)

This is so simple. It takes about 10 minutes to wash and cut everything. You can do it ahead of time and keep it in the fridge.

How is it going?  My daughter adds lots of veggies and fruit to her plate. My son has eaten a couple pieces of broccoli (and lots of fruit). 

The best things about this fruit and veggie tray?
1) It is bright and colorful. Very appealing!
2) Because my children eat more fruits and veggies, they do not go directly to the pantry after dinner to look for something else to eat. 
3) My son is getting used to the idea of being close to veggies:)
4) My hubby and I eat more fruits and veggies too!  
5) I pack up the leftovers to send in school lunches.

How do YOU get your children to eat more vegetables? (Any and all advice is appreciated!) Leave a comment to let us know what works for you!
xoxo,
Elizabeth

A New Year's Wish

Happy New Year!

2014

  Each year, I look forward to a new beginning. It is human nature to try to become better as we grow older. 
  Over Christmas, I thought a lot about how we focus on the wrong things. It is easy to get wrapped up in all the hustle and bustle of the holidays and spend time on things that don't really matter. I want to spend more time on things that are important. I think each us is on this earth to make a difference. If you are overflowing with joy today, make sure you share your smile and shine your light! And if you are having a tough time, look for someone who is willing to hold your hand and share their joy with you.
  This year , I want to focus on things that matter.  Family, Friends, sharing joy, being there for people, creating beauty, building community.

  My 2014 wish for us all is...

"Less Miley and More Kid President".

Life is short, sweet friends!

 If you have not heard of Kid President, follow this link to watch his video! He will make you smile...I am inspired each time I watch this!

                                                     A Pep Talk from Kid President!

What is your New Year's Wish? What do you want more of ... or less of? I'd love to know!

Have a Happy Day!
xoxo, Elizabeth

p.s. Nothing against Miley...she is young and still finding her place in this world. (I hope she gets settled soon!) 

Hello!

Hello! I have missed you all! Our summer was rich and full of fun things and I did not spend much time on the computer. Just after school started back, I went to San Francisco with my hubby. So things are just getting settled around here:)

San Francisco

So here is our summer in a nutshell.
Travel:
Spartanburg, SC for a couple of weeks to visit my family. My nephews were there too!:)
The kids and I went to Isle of Palms for a week in August.
My hubby and I went to Charleston for a quick getaway. The Killer's concert at Daniel Island was awesome!
San Francisco for a week. My husband went out for a conference and I tagged along.

The Ups:
Celebrated my daughter's birthday with a Ben and Jerry's birthday party!
Went to the White Water Rafting Center right before school started.
Celebrated our son's birthday at Carowinds.
Saw my cousin who lives in Seattle when we were in SC.
My parents took me to the mountains for my birthday. We shopped, had a great lunch on the porch at The Wrinkled Egg, and enjoyed ice cream at Piggys.
Went to boy scout camp for parent night. Always so nice for a mom to see that her son is enjoying every moment and not getting sunburned:)
Celebrated our 18th Anniversary.
Spent lots of time with my sister and my nephews.
My children went to Washington DC for a week with my sister.
Playing racketball with my family...finally found a sport we all love!
Going to the Farmer's Market.
Meeting the author, Mary Alice Monroe.
Spending time with college buddies and their children.
Went tubing with friends in Todd, NC.
Robin Mark came to our church for a mini concert!
Bowling with our youth group...love those kids!
Time with dear friends.

The Downs:
My son was sick on Little Polka Dot's birthday. His fever was high and lasted several days. This resulted in blood work and some tests at the hospital. It was a long scary week and fortunately everything turned out okay.
I got a little cranky at Isle of Palms. Me in a condo for a week with lots of people...even people I dearly love, is just not a good setting. So I had a good cry and a little flip out moment in front of my mom and then everything was better.

Music I loved this summer:
The Killer's Miss Atomic Bomb.
Avicii's Wake Me Up
Ryan Scarborough's album, Working to Build.

YouTube favorites:
Kid President's-- A pep talk from Kid President to You
Already Falling--- a beautiful dance from the Academy of Dance Arts.

So now, it's your turn! What have you been doing lately? I would love to know. I hope you all are doing well and I look forward to catching up with you!

xoxo,
Elizabeth

Our 18th Anniversary

July 1995

 

  This time 18 years ago, we were leaving our wedding reception. (Also known as the hottest reception EVER!) Even though every day is not spent joyfully dashing through rose petals, I am very glad it is his hand I hold throughout this life.

xoxo Elizabeth

Menu Plan Monday. July 8, 2013

Our Pink Hydrangeas

  Happy Monday! We had a great weekend! My hubby was off for two extra days for the 4th of July. We enjoyed going to the pool and watching fireworks at our little neighborhood park. We learned long ago that it is the perfect place to gaze at the fireworks bursting all around our neighborhood. We set our chairs up on the peaceful little hill in the park and watch the show, just the 4 of us. I am glad my children are still amazed at the dazzling works of art in the sky!
  I am sharing a photo of our lovely pink hydrangeas. They are loving our shady backyard and all the rain this year! We have lived in our home 8 years and this is only the second time they have bloomed.

It's time to plan the menu for the week!
Monday- Healthy Mexican Sweet Potato Skins and watermelon.
Tuesday- Curried Red Lentil Soup with Chickpeas and Quinoa and a salad.
Wednesday- dinner with friends
Thursday- leftovers
Friday- dinner with friends/family
Saturday- Tex-Mex Fajitas  and fresh fruit.
Sunday- Spaghetti with Veggie Bowtie Pasta (my daughter's favorite noodles from Barilla!) and a salad.

My birthday is this week, too! At least it is not the BIG 40 ! I dreaded that number last year!

I hope you all have a happy week! Do you have any pretty flowers blooming in your yard? I would love to know!

xoxo Elizabeth

P.S. I'm linking up with Menu Plan Monday! And this is the week of the big Summer Sale at Polka Dot Skies!

Homemade Peach Pie Recipe

 

 

What do you do with half a bushel of fresh South Carolina peaches? In our home, my children eat them like you eat an apple... fuzz and all! And I peel and slice the juicy fruit to have with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And sometimes... we make peach pie:)

This is the way my mom taught me to make homemade peach pie. And her mom taught her... and on and on and on. I can vividly remember making pie at our kitchen table. My mom slicing peaches while I used a fork to mix the crust until it was just crumbly enough. She always let me taste a bite of the crust before we sprinkled it over the pie. This is one of those recipes I just whip together by memory.

Homemade Peach Pie
8-10 fresh peaches
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. flour
1/2 stick butter (4 Tbsp.) , softened
dash of cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Rub a pat of butter over the bottom and sides of a shallow pie plate to make it non-stick.

Peel peaches and then slice them into the pie plate. I use as many peaches as it takes to fill the pie plate to the top. Usually 8-10.

In a medium bowl mix sugar, flour, and softened butter with a fork. I cradle the bowl in one arm and use the other hand to press the mixture against the side of the bowl with a fork. This mixture will eventually get very crumbly. Continue mixing until you do not see any big lumps of butter.

Pour the flour mixture over the peaches. Use a fork to gently spread the mixture over the top of the pie. Do not press down too much... you want the crust to be light and crumbly.

Sprinkle a dash of cinnamon over the flour mixture. And you can add a few very small slivers of butter to the top of the pie if you would like too.

Bake the pie on the center rack at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes. (I always put it on top of a cookie sheet in case it runs over.) At first, it does not change much, but after the pie has been in the oven a while, the juice starts to flow out of the peaches and you will see it start to bubble around the edges. I like to continue cooking until the crust is golden.  Let the pie cool down for a bit (at least 10 minutes) before serving.

This pie will make your family happy and your home smell heavenly!
I hope you enjoy!
Please let me know if you have any questions about the recipe. I will be happy to reply.

xoxo Elizabeth

Chores: A Summertime Routine that Works for Us!

Summertime!
Like most moms, I am thrilled to step away from the school and after-school activity rush for a while! This is our first week out of school and I am establishing a routine that seems to be working for our family. (My son is 12 and my daughter is 9.)
I want us to have lots of fun this summer. I also want my children to help around the house and understand the importance of contributing to our family.

Our basic schedule... and you all who know me well know this is not set in stone. :)

We do chores in the morning. The children's chores do not take much time. My chores take longer and I also try to pack Etsy orders and check email. (The kids usually have screentime, play LEGOS, swing in the backyard while I am finishing my chores. Whatever they want to do is fine.)

After lunch, we go do something fun!
A trip to the pool.
Go to the LEGO store... my children are good savers and they use their own money for toys.
Play board games.
Go to the library.
Visit the bakery:)

I love this routine... work in the morning and play in the afternoon!

Daily Chores.
They do not get paid for these.

Everyday
Make Beds
5 Minute Around the House Pick-up. (Check every room and pick up your things. Put them where they belong.)

Monday
Clean Rooms

Tuesday
Empty Trash - Kitchen/Kid's Bath (They alternate each week. If my son empties the kitchen trash this week, my daughter empties the trash can in the kid's bathroom.  Next week, they switch.)

Wednesday
Clean Bathroom - Guest Bath/Kid's Bath (They alternate each week. Cleaning the bathrooms took some serious training last summer. And a refresher course this year. )

Thursday
Empty Laundry Baskets. (I just have them dump their laundry baskets in the laundry room.)

Friday
Vacuum Your Room. (New this year. I need to teach them how to use the vacuum cleaner.)


Extra Chores
If they want to do these, they earn a little money. I keep a running list on the pantry door of extra chores I think of during the week.  After they have completed the chore, they write their name next to it so I can remember how much I owe them at the end of the week.

Examples of Extra Chores
.25 Sweep Front Porch and Walk   ______
.75 Sweep Back Porches and Stairs  ______
.05 Take Kitchen Laundry up to Laundry Room ______
.25 Wash and Dry a Load of Laundry ______
.25 Fold and Put Away a Load of Laundry ______
.10 Brush Buddy's Teeth ______ (maybe I should pay more for brushing the dog's teeth...)
.25 Water Flowers--early morning only so the sun does not scorch the leaves. ______
.25 Sort Socks in Random Sock Basket

I really like this system because it gives them a chance to earn extra money and it saves me from all those extra things that always need to be done!

Allowance
We give our children allowance each week. $3. This is not based on chores, behavior, or grades. My husband and I started doing this when they were very little. I like this system because they have learned that they can save their allowance and use it for whatever they want to buy. When we are out at a store and they see a toy/doll/video game they would like to get, they don't beg for it. They spend their money if they have it, or they save up to buy it themselves.


I would love to know how you all handle chores and allowance. What works for you? I think you just have to find a plan that works for your family. There are no right or wrong answers. For us, we don't worry too much about kid's chores during the school year. They are so busy with school, homework, and activities that trying to add chores into the mix creates alot of stress.

Questions? Comments? I can't wait to hear from you!
xoxo Elizabeth

p.s. I am closing Polka Dot Skies Saturday to enjoy time with family and friends! If you need anything today or tomorrow, use coupon code HAPPY25 to get 25% off your order! I will ship orders on Monday.

5 Things

Hello Lovely Friends!
Something fun to share on a Sunday afternoon!
My bloggy friend, Billie Jo, tagged me in a post and I promised to share 5 things you may not know about me.
So hear goes...

#1 I was a synchronized swimmer growing up. Yes, I started synchro in 8th grade at Camp Mary Elizabeth. When I was in college, I was on the synchronized swimming team. When our neighborhood pool is quiet, I still practice a few tricks!



Can you find me? 2nd row, 1st on the left. Such a fun group of friends!

#2 One of the most life changing books I have ever read? Kisses from Katie. It's about a girl who is getting ready to graduate from high school and decides God is calling her to go to Uganda to help orphaned children. I urge you to read it.

#3 One day, I want to live in the woods in a log cabin. I want to pare down my belongings and have our little cabin filled with only the things we truly love and use. I would like it to have a front porch that can hold some rocking chairs and pretty potted plants along the steps. Something cozy and charming.

#4 I like happy endings. When I read a book or watch a movie, I want things to end well with all questions answered and tied in a neat little bow. Harry Potter... the perfect ending!

#5 I don't like talking on the phone. And speaking of phones, I still have a plain old cell phone. It has a texting keyboard, but it is not fancy. I can not justify spending the extra money on a data plan each month. I would much rather have a pedicure now and then. (Or stop by the bakery to get cupcakes!)

So who wants to play along? I would love to know 5 interesting things about you all! Please let me know if you would like to write a 5 things post! I will officially tag you!
Update:   Carrie from  Bake No Prisoners... Can't wait to read your 5 things!
                 Jane from The Felt Boutique ... I just read your 5 things! # 4 sounds wonderful!

xoxo Elizabeth

Memorial Day Thoughts and Menu Plan Monday,on Tuesday. May 28, 2013

Hello Lovely Friends!

I hope you all had a good weekend! Here in the states, we observed Memorial Day. For me this day is always a bit somber. We often take our freedom for granted. It was secured for us by brave men and women who fought for our country. My grandfather fought in WWII. He was one of the finest gentlemen I will ever know. He left my grandmother and a young child (my aunt) to go fight in the war.
 
My grandfather did not talk about the war when I was growing up. He was kind, good-natured, and deeply patriotic (in a very reserved way). Everyone in our small community called him Daddy Rob. He was always helping someone with home repairs, yard work, or stopping by to check on elderly neighbors in the community.

When my son was in 1st grade, he was working on a project and asked Daddy Rob some questions about the war. It was the first time I had heard him speak of it. He was there when his unit freed a concentration camp. He received a medal for protecting his unit during a battle. He spent many days and nights in cold fox holes. But he was some humble when he spoke of his part in the war. It just made me more proud of him.

One day, I will write more about my grandfather. He passed away a couple of years ago. He was 90. The last time I saw him was on his 90th birthday. He was one of the most special people in my life. I still get teary-eyed when I think about him being gone, but he had a strong faith and I know I will see him again one day.

I hope you all don't mind me getting sentimental. I know so many of you have special loved ones in your life who have served our country, too.

This week is busy.  We have guests coming this weekend!
Tuesday- Fresh Spring Rolls with Homemade Peanut Dipping Sauce
Wednesday- Curried Red Lentil Soup with a salad.
Thursday- leftovers
Friday Lunch- Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup and salad.
Friday Dinner- Sandwiches, Curried Chickpea Lime Rice Salad, and fresh fruit.
Saturday Breakfast- bagels w/cream cheese and fresh fruit. (Bagels and cream cheese from Panera.)
Saturday Lunch- taking our guests to Cafe 101 (one of favorite little places)
Saturday Dinner- Spaghetti , garlic bread, and a salad.
Sunday Breakfast- cereal and fresh fruit.
Sunday Lunch- ???
Sunday Dinner- dinner out with friends.

I hope you all have a good week!
xoxo Elizabeth

p.s. I'm linking up with Menu Plan Monday!

Menu Plan Monday. May 13, 2013

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a very nice Mother's Day! My family cooked a special lunch for me and we celebrated with cupcakes and presents!
I would just like to say that I thought about you all often yesterday. I am so thankful to have wonderful bloggy friends who inspire me to be a better mama! Thank you all so much!

My daughter's last dance recital was Saturday. She is ready to move on to other interests. And that is fine. I just asked her to hang on until the recital. She was oh-so-cute in her jazz and tap numbers. And beautiful on stage for her ballet dance. Behind the scenes, there was a lot of arm crossing and "let's just get this over with" looks.

I am proud of her. Happy that she finished the year, but also happy that she is brave enough to try something new next year.

What's cooking in our kitchen this week? Lots of healthy things... I have enjoyed way too many cupcakes lately!
Monday- Tex-Mex Fajitas, black beans, and fresh fruit.
Tuesday- Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad
Wednesday- leftovers
Thursday- Quinoa and Veggie Salad
Friday- leftovers
Saturday- Healthy Mexican Sweet Potato Skins and a salad.
Sunday- dinner out with friends

Hope you all have a happy week!
xoxo Elizabeth

p.s. I'm linking up with Menu Plan Monday!

Today I Feel Like A Mama Bird

Little Polka Dot's sketch of an Evening Grosbeak, Jan. 17th

This morning I feel like I am a mama bird pushing my baby out of the nest. Little Polka Dot has been sick all week and home with me. As much as she loves school and friends, she wants to stay home today. There is drama... Oh so much drama.  There is boot stomping involved. There are tears. There is begging and lots of pleading. "Please Mom, Don't make me go to school. I'm not ready. I just need me more day at home."
But she is ready... I know she will be okay. I stay gentle but firm. We drive to school. We are 3 minutes late because of the drama. Rarely is she late to school. She is normally my early bird. Gets dressed and has breakfast and then reads or draws... counting down the minutes to go to school.

So my prayer today is that she sees her friends and realizes that she is okay. May she stay busy and be content and not have too many sniffles. ( I hope I sent enough tissues.) I hope her face is not still splotchy from all the crying. I hope she understands why I pushed her out of the nest this morning.

I hope you all had a nice quiet peaceful morning, but if yours was a bit crazy like mine, it's okay. I think it is perfectly normal to have rough days. It makes the nice ones seem that much sweeter!

xoxo
Elizabeth (otherwise known as The Mean Mama Bird)

Back to School Blues

Back to School Blues.

Not for my children. They love school and are so happy to see their friends again.

I am the one with the blues. I miss them already.

We had a really great time over the holidays.

The house is quiet today.

The lego table is waiting for a little girl to get home. (Please don't think we spoil her too much. Some of these sets were for Christmas and birthdays, but most of them she bought after saving her allowance money.)

The scrabble game is packed away. My son won the last round.

Another favorite game is back in the box.

And our coat rack looks sad with only one jacket.

Sometimes it is so hard to watch our children grow up. Birthdays and other milestones can be bittersweet. But we are blessed to be able to watch our children grow. The last few weeks, my heart has been with those moms and dads in Connecticut who will not get to send their children back to school. I am keeping them in my prayers. I hope they feel God's arms wrapped around them.

Much love, Elizabeth

Christmas Calendar

It's that wonderful time of year! We joyfully count the days until Christmas! This year, I made an easy Christmas Calendar with materials I already have at home. Brown paper bags, red and green construction paper, green glitter paper, clothespins, and red ribbon. I spent part of Sunday afternoon making the numbers and then glued them to the bags. I clipped each bag to a red ribbon strung along the staircase.

Each bag holds surprises for my children. Nothing fancy.
Little sweets
Salty snacks
Chapstick
Etc.

Some bags have little cards sharing a fun activity we will do that day.
Decorating gingerbread houses.
Going out at night to look at Christmas lights in our neighborhood.
Baking Christmas fudge for friends.

A sweet little reminder of baby Jesus in this bag.

Does your family have a special way to count down the days until Christmas?
I'd love to know!

xoxo Elizabeth

Menu Plan Monday. Nov. 26, 2012

Hello, Sweet Readers!
I have missed you! Life has been so busy lately and blogging never made it to the top of my to-do list. I hope you all are doing well and had a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Our Thanksgiving started with friends and ended with family. We all got up early to run a Turkey Trot 5K with our buddies. There were 13 of us. The morning was beautiful and everyone was in a festive mood! We all agree if you run a 5K on Thanksgiving, you can eat as much pie as you want! After the race, my parents came to visit! Thankfully, my mom cooked the turkey and the traditional sides... homemade dressing, cranberry sauce, and macaroni and cheese. I made a pumpkin pie, a big green salad, and sweet potatoes. Little Polka Dot and my mom made a beautiful mincemeat pie. No real meat in there, I promise! Just spiced fruit. It was delicious! We had the best time cutting little leaves out of the dough to decorate the pie. My son even strayed away from the football game to help with the leaves. He made his into footballs... so funny!

Last night, we decorated our Christmas tree! It is one of my most favorite things we do as a family.
I'll add some photos soon!

Also, Polka Dot Skies is back open! I closed it for a while to prepare for two holiday shows. The shows were fun and now that they are over, I will be adding some new things to the shop! 15% off today with coupon code MERRY.

What's on the menu this week?
Monday- Curried Chickpea Lime Rice Salad and fresh fruit.
Tuesday- Beans and Brown Rice with a salad.
Wednesday- Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala with naan bread and green peas.
Thursday- leftovers
Friday- takeout sushi
Saturday- Hungarian Noodles-- an old recipe from a friend in Atlanta.
Sunday- dinner out with friends

Hope you all have a wonderful week! Any big news since I last saw you in October? I'd love to know!

xoxo Elizabeth

p.s. I'm linking up with Menu Plan Monday!

Menu Plan Monday. Sept. 17, 2012

Happy Monday! We had a wonderful weekend! I went out with friends Friday evening and Saturday evening, my son had a sleepover for his birthday. Six of his buddies came over and they had too much fun (and probably too many sweets)! He asked me to make a creeper cake... a strange character in the Minecraft game. So here is my "Betty Crocker" picture of me with my handmade cake!

How funny is that? Not the prettiest cake I've decorated, but all those middle school boys sure loved it!

What's on the Menu this week?
Monday- Crockpot (Chicken, onions, & potatoes) with a salad.
Tuesday- Curried Chickpea Lime Rice Salad with pita bread.
Wednesday- leftovers
Thursday- Sweet and Tangy Meatballs (crockpot) with brown rice, peas, and carrots.
Friday- Breakfast for Dinner--pancakes, bacon, and fresh fruit.
Saturday- takeout
Sunday- leftovers

What are you cooking this week? I'd love to know!
xo Elizabeth

p.s. I'm linking up with Menu Plan Monday!

Ready, Get Set, Go! Adventure

 

Hello! It's time for our weekly check-in with Ready, Get Set, Go! I've been very outdoorsy lately. We had a great adventure last Friday. It was our last day of summer and our family had a blast at the U.S. National Whitewater Center! It's a beautiful outdoor sports facility. We spent the entire day doing all sorts of adventurous things. (Those who know me well know that I am not normally adventurous, so I had to jump out of my comfort zone and be brave!)

We all LOVE rafting! Our guide, Mike, was lots of fun and really made the trip exciting for the kids. We "surfed" by turning our raft around and going upstream into the rapids. My son loved it! He was waterlogged and laughing all at the same time! I'm pretty sure he wanted to fall out of the raft, but no such luck... maybe next time...

Following my daughter on the high ropes course was scary, but I watched her with amazement as she tackled each section of the course. She was determined and strong and graceful. I followed in her footsteps. At one point, she reached a section that is even hard for an adult to stretch too. I heard her say "this is scary" but there she was... all by herself ... 10 feet away...  and she figured it out! And to my surprise, once I got up in the air, I was able to get over the height and just enjoy the challenge.

We also went ziplining! My son was so cute and confident on the Mega Zip! Flying through the air is both peaceful and exhilarating! Is that possible? Before our trip, I did not understand why anyone would want to strap themselves into a harness and step off a tower into midair. It sounded a bit crazy. All I know now is that I want to do it again...and soon!  

If you are ever near Charlotte, spend a day at the Whitewater Center! There are so many activities that we want to try next time. (Mountain biking, war canoes, eco trekking, etc.) I told my husband that it was the strongest I'd felt in a long time. It felt so good to be able to conquer those challenges!

Back to Ready, Get Set, Go! :)
Here is my list of other outdoor activities:
A walk with my hubby.
A walk/run on a wooded path in our neighborhood.
A bike ride with my daughter. 
Bike rides by myself! Now that my kids are back in school, it's easier to go for bike rides in the mornings.

I'll see you again next week! You are welcome to leave note or link to let us now what you are doing for the challenge! Whether you are just starting out or you've been doing this for a while, I'm proud of you! Remember to be daring and try new things!

Ready, Get Set, Go!

xoxo Elizabeth

Menu Plan Monday. August 20, 2012

Hello! Hope you all are doing well! Imagine my surprise when I hopped on my blog this morning and found out that my daughter took over my post on Friday! (he, he)
She loves to write and was so excited you all read her post! (thank you!)

We had a wonderful weekend in the mountains with my nephews and my parents. This is the view from our cabin.

The kids had a blast swimming and jumping off the docks. It was a joy to watch them!

What's on the menu this week? Several things from last week because with swimming lessons at 6:00pm three nights, cooking dinner did not happen as often as I had planned. We improvised with cereal and fruit one night and stretched the leftovers for the other two.

Here's what's cooking this week:
Monday- Summer Corn, Bacon, and Potato Chowder with a salad.
Tuesday- Greek Crock Pot Chicken with green peas and rolls.
Wednesday- Tex-Mex Pasta Salad.
Thursday- leftovers.
Friday- sushi from our favorite sushi place.
Saturday- Apple Spinach Salad with homemade garlic cheese biscuits.
Sunday- leftovers

Before I go, I'd like to say thank you for all of your sweet comments on my post last Thursday. I appreciate your encouragement and I am excited that many of you are going to join me in the Ready, Get Set, Go! challenge!

xoxo Elizabeth


p.s. I'm linking up with Menu Plan Monday!