Category: Life

Weekend Adventures In Jacksonville: Tea Blending and All-natural Babycare

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After a hectic Saturday, it was nice to get away…even if it was just for a day! AJ and I went to Jacksonville in order to take a few more classes at The Studios at the Florida School of Holistic Health. We learned about the art of tea brewing, blending, tasting, and even made two of our own herbal brews. We finished the day off with a private all-natural baby product making class with the owner, Donna. Eleanor is set with tubs of baby butter, foaming baby wash, massage oil, and diaper rash cream. I have the recipes for each, and plan on making a ton more. New mamas let me know if you need some and I can share some with you!

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1,000 Food to Eat Before You Die

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I don’t know about you, but I like to explore local fare when I am exploring a new city. What is the point of being in a new location if you are just going to eat at the same old chain that you can eat back at home? Don’t get me wrong, we eat at Chili’s and Olive Garden back home too, but when we are out exploring I like to take my tastebuds on an adventure too! This book is PERFECT for my wanderlust!

British and Irish

  1. Afternoon Tea
  2. Bangers and Mash
  3. English Biscuits
  4. Black pudding hash
  5. Clotted cream
  6. Fish and chips
  7. Mushy peas
  8. Shepherd’s Pie
  9. Trifle
  10. Shortbread
  11. Corned beef and cabbage
  12. Irish Breakfast

French

  1. Brie
  2. Brioche
  3. Baguette
  4. French cookies
  5. Croissants
  6. Croques Monsieur and Madame
  7. Dijon mustard
  8. Escargot
  9. Quiche Lorraine
  10. Steak fries

Belgian and Dutch

  1. Waffles

Italian

  1. Blood oranges
  2. Cannoli
  3. Carpaccio
  4. Chestnuts
  5. Crostini
  6. Espresso
  7. Gelato
  8. Gorgonzola
  9. Fennel
  10. Italian ices
  11. Lasagne
  12. Mascarpone
  13. Minestrone
  14. Pane
  15. Pasta
  16. Basil
  17. Pesto
  18. Pizza
  19. Prosciutto
  20. Ricotta
  21. Risotto
  22. Seafood in Venice
  23. Sfogliatella
  24. Tiramisu
  25. Hazelnuts

Spain and Portugal

  1. Capers
  2. Churros
  3. Saffron
  4. Tapas

German, Austrian, Swiss

  1. Marzipan
  2. Sauerkraut
  3. Whipped cream
  4. Schnitzel
  5. Lintz Chocolate

Scandinavian

  1. Dill and caraway

Eastern European

  1. Poppy seeds
  2. Sour cream
  3. Feta
  4. Paprika
  5. Kielbasa

Jewish

  1. Bagels
  2. Horseradish
  3. Kosher dill pickles
  4. Salted chickpeas

Greek, Turkish, and Middle Eastern

  1. Spanakopita
  2. Baklava
  3. Dolmas
  4. Halvah
  5. Kebabs
  6. Mint
  7. Baba Ganoush
  8. Olive oil
  9. Parsley
  10. Pistachios
  11. Pomegranates

American and Canadian

  1. Ambrosia
  2. Apple pie
  3. Bacon
  4. Idaho Russett potatoes
  5. Baked rome beauty apples
  6. Barbecue
  7. Benne wafers
  8. Biscuits
  9. Black walnuts
  10. BLT sandwich
  11. Boston baked beans
  12. Bread and butter
  13. Bread pudding
  14. Brownies
  15. Brunswick stew
  16. Caesar salad
  17. Candied apples
  18. Chicken sandiwch
  19. Chocolate cream pie
  20. Cinnamon toast
  21. Cobb salad
  22. Corn fritters
  23. Corn on the cob
  24. Cornbread
  25. Crab cakes
  26. Crawfish
  27. Creamed spinach
  28. Deviled eggs
  29. Funnel cake
  30. Fried eggs
  31. Gumbo
  32. Country ham and red eye gravy
  33. Hamburger
  34. Hash
  35. Hanger steak
  36. Hoppin John
  37. Peanuts
  38. Hot dog
  39. Hot fudge sundae
  40. Huckleberries
  41. Ice cream sodas
  42. Jambalaya
  43. Key lime pie
  44. Lemon meringue pie
  45. Maine lobster
  46. Manhattan clam chowder
  47. Toasted marshmallows
  48. Moonpies
  49. New England clam chowder
  50. Oreos
  51. Oyster Po’boy
  52. Peanut butter
  53. Pecan pie
  54. Pigs in a blanket
  55. Popcorn
  56. Red beans and rice
  57. Pork rinds
  58. Saltwater taffy
  59. Shrimp and grits
  60. Shoofly pie
  61. Sopaipillas
  62. Soft shell crabs
  63. Soft pretzels
  64. Southern fried chicken
  65. Southern potato salad
  66. Sweet Georgia peaches
  67. Sweet potatoes
  68. Tangerines
  69. English muffins
  70. Thanksgiving turkey broth
  71. Tuna salad sandwich
  72. Toll House chocolate chip cookie
  73. Vidalia Onions
  74. Turkey sandwich
  75. Watermelon
  76. Poutine

Mexican and Latin America

  1. Enchiladas
  2. Guacamole
  3. Pineapple
  4. Tortillas
  5. Chile peppers
  6. Bananas
  7. Empanadas
  8. Frijoles negros
  9. Picadillo
  10. Brazil nuts
  11. Cashews
  12. Ropa vieja
  13. Quinoa

Caribbean

  1. Pina colada
  2. Meat patties

African

  1. Couscous
  2. Mint tea
  3. Ginger beer
  4. Ginger
  5. Sesame seeds

Chinese

  1. Chow mein
  2. Dim sum
  3. Oolong tea

Japanese and Korean

  1. Bento
  2. Edamame
  3. Miso soup
  4. Sushi
  5. Tempura
  6. Wasabi
  7. Bulgolgi
  8. Kimchi

Thai and Southeast Asia

  1. Coconut
  2. Sriracha sauce
  3. Papaya
  4. Pho
  5. Watercress

Indian

  1. Basmati rice
  2. Dal
  3. Cinnamon
  4. Darjeeling tea
  5. Nutmeg and mace

Australian, New Zealand, and Tahitian

  1. Granny smith apples
  2. Macadamia nuts
  3. Kiwi fruit

Spring Break 2018

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From Breckenridge, New Orleans, Pensacola, to Boston, Spring Break over the past several years has always been full of adventure. Even in college I made sure to NEVER miss a Spring Break adventure opportunity from Daytona Beach, Chicago, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, there have been many memories made! However, this year’s Spring Break was full of a different type of adventure. I had a full to-do list of things to cross off and accomplish in order to be as productive as possible and prepare to bring Eleanor home. We started off the break with a great family brunch downtown, followed by a family fun Easter, a week of crazy decluttering, and a whirlwind trip to Lynchburg, VA with Waring as he spent his weekend at Liberty University. He sat through classes all day and I explored, ate good food, got a mani-pedi, and caught up on my to-do list making. All in all I am thankful for the time off, the time with Addie and Waring, and another Spring Break in the books!

Here is my to-do this for the week and an update on what I was actually able to accomplish:

  1. Visit Meredith and Baby Eli- CHECK, twice!
  2. Take Addie to the Dentist for a cleaning and check-up -CHECK! Addie was a super brave girl!
  3. Buy a new rocking recliner for the living room— NOPE
  4. Create memory boxes for Addie and Ella— Bought the boxes…but haven’t put it all together yet. 
  5. Create April Monthly Goals- CHECK! Yes, this is something I do each month and I am addicted!
  6. Declutter the WHOLE HOUSE–CHECK! This pretty much took all week and created a cluttered mess in the entire house, but at this point every closet is organized, the cabinets in the kitchen have new contact paper laid out, and I even found the space to put up a small coffee bar in the kitchen!
  7. Setup Ella’s Nursery- Partially…. We are finished except hanging up some pictures and finishing the crib that was mailed to us without HARDWARE!?!
  8. Touch-up paint in hallways— NOPE
  9. Recaulk bathroom tub — NOPE
  10. Clean oven- CHECK!
  11. Unpack baby stuff from the attic– CHECK, thanks Waring!
  12. Wash all of Ella’s hand-me-downs from Addie– CHECK!
  13. Take a trip to the Front Porch Cafe and have a library date– Nope, maybe sometime soon. 
  14. Go bowling- CHECK!

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Why I Put the “Little Things” on my Bucket Lists

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This weekend was a slow and relatively lazy weekend for our family. We spent time hanging out at the house and ate lunch around town before I went to work the Prom. Even though there were no tri-state adventures on the to-do list for the weekend, we still had quality family time and I even managed to cross of a bucket list item. I found the cutest pot set at TJ Maxx, purchased some thyme, lavender, and mint at Home Depot, and BAM….instant indoor mini herb garden!

Now, I know that you may be thinking that this isn’t a really big deal. I mean who really cares about a few tiny plants sitting in my kitchen? Well, I do! The whole point of an annual bucket list for me is to add a big of novelty/whimsy into every day life and to live with intention. Sometimes that means planning elaborate trips around the country or the world, but more often it means trying something new, getting outside of my comfort zone, or working on a project/skill that will bring fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment. Small and simple bucket list tasks like the one I have crossed of this weekend bring so much joy to my life and help add a sense of intention, accomplishment, and fun into otherwise uneventful weekends.

Thank you, Lord for another weekend with my family!

2018 Weekend Warriors

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Since Waring is now in grad school and testing season is about to kick off, our weekend family days are sacred. Here are just a few things that we have been up to so far for the first two months of 2018:

  1. January Beach Trip #1

 

2. February Beach Trip #2

 

3. Girl’s Spa Night

 

4. Valentine’s Family “Fancy” Dinner

 

Addie says “Family Days” are the best, and I have to agree!

 

Saturday Adventures in Jacksonville

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I can’t believe that I have let a month go by this year without knocking out any bucket list items! I am all about starting the year off with a bang. The past five months of pregnancy have been full of highs and lows, but I am determined to use my time wisely and have some fun along the way. After a very busy week for of school work and late hours it was officially time for some fun. Waring had to go out of town, but Addie and I spent some time in Jacksonville with Mom, Dad, and AJ.

We perused the Jacksonville Riverside Arts Market. It was a little colder than I would have liked, but I picked up some locally-made homemade toiletry item and some herbal tea. Then, we walked around a very eclectic shopping area and ate lunch at Hopinger’s. We finished the fun-filled day with an all-natural lipstick and lip plumper class at The Studio at Florida’s School of Holistic Health. We learned all about creating a base for these all-natural products and how to color them so that we can make truly one of a kind shades that are all our own. AJ and I had so much fun that we bought the annual membership so that we could take a whole year’s worth of classes (think: herbalism, natural home, face, body products, kombucha, beer-making, cheese-making, and all other kinds of fun!).

I can’t wait to see what other kinds of Holistic Health fun that we are going to have this year! Here’s to the start of another awesome bucket list adventure!

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Word For 2018: Steadfast

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As we look out at the year before us, no one is quite prepared for the future that the next twelve months will unfold. There will be challenges, conflicts, victories, heartaches, adventures, boredom, and a myriad of emotions along the way. Currently, at five months pregnant there is certainly a great deal of “unknown” ahead of our little family as well.

While I don’t know what the future holds in store for us, I have to remind myself daily that I do know WHO holds it. For this reason I am making STEADFAST my word. I am claiming it and writing it on my heart (any anywhere else that I can until it sticks). I have a head knowledge, but I also need to remind my heart this year that God is and always will be in control on my life, my future, my world.

My word this year will remind me to be steadfast in love for others, faith in Christ Jesus,  disciplined, and driven by kindness and mercy. I will make mistakes daily, but He will give me strength.

1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

Isaiah 26:3-4 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.

Psalm 112:6-7 Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

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Thank you, Snow Days

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I would like to personally thank our three Georgia Snow Days for:

  1. allowing a few more non-busy mommy-Addie days.
  2. the opportunity to play in the snow.
  3. a chance to see what it feels like to actually live in a location with four distinct season…even for just a few days.
  4. a chance to stay inside, light a fire, and cuddle.
  5. time to finally declutter, organize, and thoroughly clean after the holidays.
  6. naps in the middle of the day.
  7. a forced break form busy-ness outside of the home.

This is certainly the year for inclement weather days! While I am thankful for the extra few days, I am also grateful to be going to a workplace that I love and a work family that make coming to work feel like home. I can’t wait to see everyone tomorrow!

2017 Word of The Year: EMBRACE

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Last year I chose a word to be the semantic focal point of my year. I tossed around several ideas in my head, such as strive and intentional but they all seemed a bit too me, if that makes sense. You see, those words already play into my list-making, type-A, high-strung, restless, obsessive, over-achieving nature. I needed a word that would remind me to slow down, enjoy the mundane, and find joy in the everyday that is life between bucket list tasks and adventures. For me, packing as much as humanly possible into a long weekend or crossing off to-do list tasks comes naturally, but being empathetic, and remembering to slow down is all but foreign to me.

With the word EMBRACE I had a constant reminder about the commitment that I wanted to make in choosing to enjoy each moment for the gift that it was, whether that may be blessing my home and family through spring cleaning, or having a lazy weekend with Addie and Waring on the couch. I wanted to embrace life in all of its various forms and remember to slow down just a little bit. There will always be another list to make and items to cross off, by these moments with my family are fleeting.

The word EMBRACE was a wonderful gift. I will carry it around with me always. It may seem silly to some, but whenever I hear this word it feels personal to me…like a secret gift given to me by God…or an inside secret that only we know about. I love this idea of a word of the year. I think it will be a new tradition….oh and I do love traditions!

PS: Thanks for Christine for the wonderful word art!

Bucket List: 2018 Edition

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More than any other action item on the bucket list this year I am praying that God’s provision and guidance lead our family this year. I am praying for wisdom and increased faithfulness on my part so that I (and our family) may abide and in His plan and not our (my) own. This year I am seeking to be more intentional with my prayer life. Let me know how I can earnestly pray for you this year.

Here’s The List:

  1. Try Float Therapy at Remedy Float in Savannah. This ancient technique has been around for a while, but it involves resting in a water chamber that is filled with one thousands pounds of salt so that it is IMPOSSIBLE to sink. You float in darkness and with complete sensory deprivation. It is supposed to be incredibly relaxing and safe for pregnant women!
  2. Learn about and try soaping. I have always been interesting in making my own soap and bath products. This year I am going to take a class in Jacksonville from the Studios at Florida School of Holistic Health. 
  3. Light a Sky Lantern. I have these….but have never lit them!
  4. Visit 2 New States. I visit Michigan and Colorado last year….so onward to state 39 and 40 this year at least!
  5. Create a back porch haven. We recently had a concrete slab poured for our back patio. I can’t wait until the covering is built over the next few weeks and we get to start creating a backyard sanctuary complete with our new grill that Waring’s parent’s bought us for Christmas!
  6. Have a healthy labor and baby. Our last labor experience was a bit of a surprise followed by the scariest days of my and Waring’s lives. We are praying for a bit smoother delivery and a healthy baby and mama!
  7. Go to Harry Potter World. This has been on the list for a while….at some point it may happen. 
  8. Prepare the house and the nursery for Baby Harvey #2. The future nursery of Harvey Baby #2 is currently our Christmas gift wrapping center/guest room. Now I just need to find out the gender, clean out the room, and search Pinterest for hours. 
  9. Spring clean before baby. Christmas break normally starts part 1 of my two part spring cleaning, but it has only been completed half-heartedly this year in light of all the busyness we have had. We have on more snow day today, so I am going to try to knock out a little bit more. 
  10. Start (and keep) Journaling during Quiet Time. I am notoriously inconsistent with journaling of any kind…but I do find it beneficial. 
  11. Take a Blue Ridge escape. Pick a weekend and go!
  12. Buy a fancy purse. I have been eyeing several lately but I just can’t pull the trigger…..
  13. Find and STICK to a skin care routine. I started researching this last year, but fell a bit short in the execution. 
  14. Use Fly-Lady Routines and complete a 30 day Declutter Challenge. I have done each of these before, however I am in desperate need of a review. 
  15. Start an herb garden. Don’t hate me…but I am not a huge fan of basil. I am kind of obsessed with cilantro, tarragon, and dill though. I love the idea of growing herbs because they don’t take up much space. 
  16. Cook at least one new recipe each month and post pictures of the progress. I don’t know about you, but it seems like we cook the same meals over and over for dinner and it just gets BORING! This year we have deer meat, tons of locally caught shrimp, and frozen fresh picked tomatoes to experiment with for dinner!

In addition to this annual bucket list, I also like to compete a season bucket list full of fun traditional things that we like to do with each changing season. These lists generally revolve around the holidays celebrated during each season and are pretty similar from year to year. I love the idea of being intentional during each season and creating lasting traditions and memories with the family.

And…if I didn’t already have enough lists, I like to also create a monthly goal checklist that breaks down some of these larger bucket list goals into manageable bites throughout the year and focuses on growth in several areas of life (physically, spiritually, financially, relationally, etc…) to help me track my progress and growth each month.

 

What’s your plan for this year?

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