The signs that Spring is coming are starting to show up everywhere.
Sidewalk Chalk art is making appearances on driveways and walkways around town.
Blue Skies, Green Leaves, Vibrant Colors and Buzzing Bees all signs that Spring is breaking through, dusting off her flip flops and getting ready to don her crown of flowers and wave her wand that will wipe away the last vestiges of the dreary grey, cold winter and usher in the warm colors, sounds and smells of Spring.
Last, but not least, kids dressed in Sunday Best waiting to see the Easter Bunny.
What are your favorite signs of Spring?
Don’t forget… Sunday is Daylight Savings.. Time to “Spring Forward” one hour!
You know that mom? The one that you see dropping her kids off at 7:30 in the morning in her heels, pearls, matching cardigan and cami with her perfectly pressed slacks and flowing silken locks. Her kids are dressed in the latest fashions, their hair perfectly groomed and even the youngest one not in school is impeccably dressed.
Yep, that’s not me.
I had visions of being that woman. I was her for about two weeks of my daughter’s kindergarten year and then, well… then reality struck. The newness of school wore off and while she still is excited to go to school each day and loves it passionately, she no longer bounds out of bed. Now she begrudgingly inches out from her slumber cocoon after I’ve tugged and pulled and cajoled for 10 or 15 minutes.
Once I have her out of bed, that’s when the fun starts, she wears a uniform so there aren’t many options but she has a definite style and if the right knee-highs or tights aren’t available to match her twinkle-toes, well… let’s just say, another 5 minutes can fly by on the wings of frustration.
While all this goes on, nobody (me) is getting dressed and nobody (us) is eating breakfast and somebody (me) realizes that it’s 7:35 and we need to leave in 5 minutes and the 3 year old is still tangled in his sheets wearing his spiderman underwear and possibly his cowboy boots. I rush into my jeans and t-shirt, toss on some glasses, sling the blanket wrapped 3 year old into my arms and juggle my keys, purse and the 6 year old’s personality into my car and away we go.
As we pull down the driveway and the rumbling starts I realize it’s our collective stomachs and breakfast has been missed.
It was during one of those moments that I realized that I needed a plan, something to make our mornings less crazy; so the kids and I sat down together and made a plan.
The 6 year old would pick out two possible outfits, socks, tights accessories every night and whichever one felt more like her when she woke up, that’s what she’d wear that day.
She got an alarm clock and wakes up with it every morning, this was a great win because it makes her feel more grown up and responsible and I can concentrate on getting the 3 year old out of bed.
Everyone starts going to bed 30 minutes earlier at night (win).
I would set out everyone’s toothbrushes and toothpaste the night before so they could pop into the bathroom, brush their teeth, wash their faces and be ready to go, no more rummaging through drawers (I see this one evolving into their responsibility as they get older).
We each say “Good Morning” or “I love you” first thing. That just starts the day on the right tone.
This article about making mornings easier is part of the Kraft Bagel-fuls “Break up with your Breakfast Routine” sweepstakes. Visit BlissfullyDomestic.com for all the fabulous details.
Green Eggs and Ham.
A favorite book from childhood and the perfect dish for St Patrick’s Day.
“I do not like Green Eggs and Ham, I do not like them Sam I Am” ~ Dr Seuss
Trust me, get your kids involved in making this dish and they’ll not only have fun in the kitchen with you; they’ll devour this protein packed dish and ask when they can help you cook again.
Rachel’s Note: This was one of my first attempts at vlogging last year.. be kind.
4 eggs
1 slice of thick cut ham
green food coloring
salt and pepper
1 Tbsp butter
Melt butter in a skillet.
Add ham slice to butter and cook until brown and sizzling and delicious.
While the ham is cooking, crack eggs and whisk with enough food coloring to turn the eggs into your favorite Green Eggs and Ham, remove the ham from the skillet and replace with eggs.
Cook about 4 minutes and serve.
thanks for linking up, make sure you visit the others who’ve taken the time to link up and share their recipes with us. I’d love if you’d leave a comment letting me know your opinions on today’s recipe or just saying Hi. I love hearing your thoughts. Thanks y’all.
We were tired of the same tan walls, the sound of our own voices echoing as they bounced off the floors, the walls, the ceilings of the house that we’d been cooped up in with strep and flu for over a week. So, we did something radical.
Instead of ushering each person off to their own room to fight the madness.. we left. our. house.
I used Mr Google and found out that we had a Botanical Gardens and Nature Center within 20 miles of our house. Why YES we have lived here for 4 years thankyouverymuch.
47 “Are We There Yets? and 10 I’m hungry/tired/thirsty’s later.. we arrived.
The first thing the kids wanted to see.. the butterflies
I tested out my macro attachment, can you guess why I love this picture so much?
We walked among a rainbow of Orchids and visions of Alice in Wonderland danced through my head.
I realize now that my kids have never heard the full version. They’ve only read the watered down Children’s Book Version. Well, we’re off to the library today to remedy that, I think we’re ready for Chapter Books at Bedtime.
The Sun played a game of Peek a Boo with us darting behind clouds and inspiring my kids to play a game of their own.
It was a magical day. A day of learning and wonder and nature and family. A day without TV or video games, a day outside. a day that lent itself to stories, wonder and roving imaginations. My kids saw and touched and smelled, they frolicked and ran and danced and climbed and hiked and I took hundreds of pictures. I’m so glad that we chose to go outside, to get away to explore because as I was going through the pictures and smiling… I saw this picture and I realize that my kids are walking their own paths, they no longer need me to hold their hands every step of the way. Instead of walking beside me, they’re ready to lead the way.
Let’s talk pasta, quick and easy and flavor rich pasta packed with zucchini, garlic, red bell peppers, mushrooms and sprinkled with fresh grated parmesan cheese. In a word; this pasta is tonguegasmic.
1 Tbsp Crushed Red Pepper ( start with 1/2 and go up)
Let’s Get Started
Chop or slice your red bell pepper
2. Grate your zucchini (or use your food processor that you probably should have figured out how to work by now *ahem*)
3. Mince your garlic and slice your mushrooms
I don’t have a picture of this step because I couldn’t get the lighting to work and the pictures were really bad
4. Start your pasta water
5. In a medium skillet over medium heat saute your garlic and mushrooms and peppers in olive oil for about 2 minutes, add in the zucchini and crushed red peppers. Cook, stirring frequently for about 12 to 15 minutes.
5. While the veggies are cooking, add your pasta to your pasta water and cook according to box directions.
6. Drain the pasta, Drain the veggies and toss them all together.
7. Top with fresh grated parmesan and serve to the delight of your friends and family.
Thanks for linking up your recipes! I love seeing what y’all have been cooking and finding new people who share my love of food!
Thanks to Lori and her mom for the inspiration
I’m researching photography tips and trying to figure out how to take better pictures of my food; lighting, lenses etc.. if you have any tips or websites to share… I’d be eternally grateful! Thanks y’all!
