PHFR ~ {blooms and boys}

{ Pretty }

Oh how I love my dogwood in my front yard. The boys and I use it to watch the turning of the seasons and observe the birds that use it for shelter. 

{ Happy }

As I prepared dinner last night, and as Joe was getting ready for his piano lesson, Max crawled onto the piano bench to see what big brother was doing. Joe said, "Come on Max. Let's play!". Now this is huge. Normally, Joe calls me in to get Max away.... but this time, they just sat and made music. How this made my heart happy.

{ Funny }

Bathtime! Max was happily splashing when he heard the door creak open and Joe surprised him. This was a hilariously fun 30 minutes of screaming (with joy) and playing hide and seek. Adorable.

{ Real }

So. This homemade soup is gluten, dairy, egg, beef, and rice free. Yes. All of that. Joe is "sensitive" to these foods and has had trouble with digestion since he was born. So we have been looking for ways to eliminate foods that cause stress and add healing foods. (The soup is delicious. And made with REAL ingredients. But to cook like this, as much as I love it, takes REAL time.) We are learning. And becoming more REAL.

Blessed Easter to all....

Happily sharing here:

PHFR ~ {change of season}

{ Pretty }

Slowly but surely Spring is starting to show her colors. One of my favorite plants is the Forsythia. A riot of crazy color that seems to just burst forth from nothing.

{ Happy }

Our bluebirds are back feathering their nest and the whole family is ecstatic! We need to go to the bird store and get them some meal worms. What a beautiful start to Spring.

{ Real Fun }

Nothing is more real than potty training. My 20-month old, Max, was pulling at his diaper and then ran to the bathroom. So. Slowly but surely, we are becoming friends with the potty. Thank goodness for wonderful things like "Elmo's Potty Book". (He has yet to tell me BEFORE he goes in his diaper, but at least he is becoming aware, right?) And it's funny, because I hope that he will transition to other potties even if we don't have the Elmo book.....

 

{ Real }

We visited my dear friend Carol and her family this weekend for their St. Patrick's Day party. And by party, I mean a-time-filled-with-delicious-food-and-homemade-brew-and-family-and-friends. I've realized that it is the kind of party that I've always thought that I have, but no. These people ate almost everything. Here in the south, it's like people eat before they come over.... Still, that aside, the two men above are two of the sweetest, most wonderful men ever. AND. They make delicious food. Homemade pizza on Friday, and corned beef on Saturday (and then made into hash on Sunday). Good times. Real food. Real people. Real love. It was hard to leave our friendmily and come home to real life. :)

Sharing here today:

Pinning it Down {Mini Breakfast Frittatas}

Joining in with Sarah today... sharing how Pinterest is more that just a place to put stuff. It's a place to be inspired. And to do something. 


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Feeding my family is one of my favorite parts of my job ... I have always loved playing around with recipes and tossing things in the pan. And when I know that not only have I made something healthy, but that they love what I make? Bonus.


However. One of the hardest parts is planning ahead. My focus and prayer this year is to look to the future (not TOO far, or then I get a little paralyzed), decide what I would like to do, and then DO IT. 


So. In order to get more protein into my family's diet, I started to look for recipes with eggs that I could refrigerate or freeze. And I found this one from Family Fun. Now, I've made these before, for when we had guests.... why not for my sweet family that I am with everyday?! 

I also love recipes that are flexible. This particular one is almost like making individual omelets. You can have as much or as little seasonings or add-ins that you want. The one in the picture below has turkey bacon, garlic, onions, and spinach. Joe's comment was, "Mommy. This. Is. Delicious." Perfect.

I also had several potatoes that I needed to do something with (you know, a 15 lb. bag from Costco) so I looked up several recipes and found this one. The original is from Seasalt with Food.

Have you ever made Hasselback potatoes? I thought that they looked so restaurant-like and end up with a salty-crispy outside and creamy inside. A perfect baked potato in my opinion.

Next time, I am going to make several batches!

(Oh yes. Everything tasted wonderfully this morning, and I knew that my boys were ready for the day. )

Joyfully joining in with Sarah today:

Comfort. Food.

     As the cold mid-winter wraps around my bones, it is no wonder that I look to satisfying food to help me break the chill. It is why soups, stews, and chowders have been filling up my pots and soothing all of our bellies around here. (Ahem. and WHY we also need to be more diligent about exercise. Oh dear.)
     

Chicken Vegetable soup

     However, there is another warmth that I have clung to recently.... that of friends and family. My dear friend Whitney, who had sweet baby Molly on December 20th, knows just how to comfort. 


     On Tuesday, after I dropped Joe at school (and said a prayer that he would have a wonderful day) Max and I headed to Whitney's for the day. To spend time in her company is healing and feels like home.  As we sipped coffee and ate cinnamon muffins, I talked her ear off about my hopes and fears and concerns about my Joe. Oh, he's doing o.k. at school, but there is still that nagging pull at this mama's heart that says... something isn't connecting. Whitney has know Joe while in the womb, so I trust her vision and perception. And doesn't it help to talk through things with others who know us... especially ones who will be honest? The ones who say, "well, i DO remember when..." or "hmm. i see why you are scared". 


     It was then that it hit my heart like a sword. I know that no one else has the answers, but dear GOD how good it feels when someone is willing to LISTEN. To offer comfort in the form of a hug or words, or a simple, "but you know that we love him, right?"


     Isn't that what God is whispering too? "You know that I love him, right?" Despite the quirkiness? Despite the quietness? Despite the confusing array of symptoms that "aren't quite right"? I need to listen harder to that whispering. My worry has caused me to feel so paralyzed at times. Paralyzed and scared. I look in the mirror and don't recognize who that person is looking back at me... This person who whispered quiet prayers and not-so-quiet prayers to God BEGGING for a child. SO. This child. This one that is my first, my gift, my world.. needs me to continue to look to God for guidance. To look to God for comfort. To never give up. To possibly find an answer to this puzzle of social awkwardness and yet moments of incredible insight and care and concern for others. These days of being uncertain are all part of the journey. I know that. But oh. How rocky this journey sometimes is!


     And that is why I am grateful for the gifts that I see around me. Snuggling with a new baby, laughing like crazy at Max's silliness, talks with a genuine friend, and yes, the food that is from His bounty.


     I also wanted to feed Whitney and her family, so while she took the baby to the doctor and while Max played at my feet, I made them a steaming pot of potato bacon chowder. I tweaked this recipe a little, since I didn't add the cheese. I did, however, blend about half of the soup to make it creamier, since there was no milk or cream... So delicious.


     (After all, I had to feed Whitney after she helped to feed my heart.... It was the very least I could do.)  


    And here is a picture of sweet Molly.... God's gracious gift indeed....

Sharing here today:

Thanksgiving multitudes... #505-533

Allow me to introduce you to my niece, Lucy, who loved showing off her pilgrim costume when we gathered for Thanksgiving. She is just one of the many people that I am grateful for...especially this Monday after Thanksgiving.

(I wonder what the pilgrims thought about lost teeth?)

What a fabulous weekend of feasting, gathering, laughing, reminiscing, more feasting.... And just time to be together. 


While it is no secret that I simply adore my family, I am constantly amazed with how MUCH..... Time is precious, and the people in my life even more so! 


Ever-so thankful for:


gap-toothed smiles
Lindsay and Zack playing with Max
Julie's pumpkin bread (made with love!)
big breakfasts
cousin silliness in the swings
Muppets with sisters and kids
memories of original Muppet laughs
introducing Joe to "The Goonies"
listening to "The Goonies" and remembering lines by heart
road-trips home
day-dreaming of future home on the water
dreaming out loud with Tom
....."and with your spirit".....
ever-growing family gatherings
Joe loving his first fishing trip with "the guys"
gorgeous day on the water
fresh rock fish
nap time
pumpkin spice coffee
sweet potatoes piping hot
turkey-and Katie's-cranberry-orange-sauce-and-stuffing sandwich
"Because of Winn-Dixie"
shopping-planning giddiness
designing Christmas Cards
finding the perfect surprise
candles that smell of cinnamon and home
Advent wreath surrounded by greens
hot chocolate with marshmallows
Max saying "Nana" 

Aunt Julie and Max

Lance in the leaves

Sharing at Ann's today.

November Daybook {A heart full of Thanks and giving}

Outside my window...

it’s gray and drizzling. My windows are actually open and allowing a nice breeze to flow through. I cannot believe how unseasonably warm it is. Then again, it IS Virginia. Weather here follows no known pattern. (Unless crazy is a pattern.)

Thinking...

that this world can be a pretty spectacular place. There is so much going on for others and I love being a part of great things. Like over at Momastery. Glennon has paired up generous people with families who need a little assistance this holiday season and called it "Holiday Hands". Beautiful expression of how we can do more than we ever thought possible. (I don't know about your house, but lately, money here is a little tight. Sacrificing a great paying job to stay home these two years was an easy choice, but has put a strain on things. Now, of course, I am terribly worried that I won't be able to get back to a job... So prayers, please!)

Prayerfully pondering....

exactly what it is that God expects of me. Not an easy task. As I approach 40, I still wonder if what I have done with my life is enough. What IS enough? In regards to my family, my teaching career, my very self? I have turned to our dear Pope John Paul II and read some of his readings. I love this quote:

Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.
Pope John Paul II

Hallelujah is our song.... Everything Hallelujah. Yes. This is what needs to stay front and center, as all other things will fall into place as they need to.  (I just need the patience required. That is where prayer comes in.)

Thankful for...

the time to be able to pray and think. As I said above, I fear that this time at home may come to an end sooner than I would like, so I KNOW how special this is. 

From the kitchen...

I am preparing dessert for Wednesday’s dinner with Tom’s side of the family. I am making white and dark chocolate bread puddingwith Kahlua sauce. For those of you that love chocolate, this is simply delectable.  

I am wearing...

the mom’s uniform of black sweatpants and a cozy long-sleeve tee. (One day, this will change, so I don’t mind…I love being comfortable, and it means that I am going to be playing on the floor.)

Creating...

a mess in the kitchen, Christmas presents, and Christmas cards. I am also creating a heart ready for the journey of Advent.

I am going...

to dinner with my in-law’s on Wednesday and then to my parent’s home on Thursday. So looking forward to spending time with lots of family. All of my sisters and their families will be together. This is rare! (Oh yes. And looking forward to all of the yummy food, too!)

I am reading...

Half the Sky  and traveling along with some of the strongest women in the world. It’s amazing how they have found their inner-strength amidst intense persecution and oppression.

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe with Joe. How I LOVE this book, this series, this author. My heart has a special room for Narnia, and I have enjoyed seeing the wonder in Joe as we explore this fabulous place together.

Listening to...

Max giggle at Elmo and all of the Sesame Street friends. It’s amazing to watch him clap and start to follow along. My baby is growing up, and while I KNOW that it will happen, I am also hearing my heart break just a little. 

Around the house...

the baby-proofing continues. Gates and door latches and handle covers galore. It’s fascinating to me because we did not have to do this with Joe, and I was foolishly hoping that we wouldn’t have to. But with one too many cabinets completely emptied….well….it has to be done. For Max’s safety and my sanity.

One of my favorite things...

is that time in the morning when Joe is at school, Tom is at work, and Max and I can play. This one on one time with him is so very precious and I am ever so grateful for the chance to play and giggle and just….be.

Some snapshots of  our Christmas card photo-shoot:

Sharing here: The Simple Woman's Daybook

Wordless Wednesday ~ {Three Cheese Spinach Tortellini Bake}