"Things" on Thursday

I am a stickler for exercise. Some people have labeled me a "health nut" (have they not seen my pantry?) It's something I enjoy, something I know to be very important, and it's a great way to relieve stress.

Something that doesn't get enough exercise these days...my BRAIN. When I'm home with the Littles, things are in constant motion. I don't always complete one task before requested to do five more.
Get food on the table, feed the dogs, someone spilled, the dogs need out, "I need more cheese",      "She ate my cheeto", the dogs need in, get the laundry out of the dryer before the wrinkles set in, "ewwww the dog just yacked"......yeah - you know what I'm talking about.

Well, it makes my head SPIN.

We were in Destin over the summer and I found a book called "642 Things to Write About" by the San Francisco Writers' Grotto. When I picked it up and opened it, I immediately thought about my blog. I thought it would be a fun thing to do and maybe a good exercise for my brain.

So - I am going to start "Things" on Thursdays.

I will pick an "exercise" in the book and just go for it.

You're welcome to join in - it might be kinda fun! AND you can say you "worked out"!

Okay, here we go...

Name the trees that stood in the neighborhood 

where you grew up.

Oh, now this one is an easy one. The state tree for Arkansas is the Pine and that's exactly what we had. We had quite a few. I didn't always like them because of the blasted pine straw that decorated our yard each Fall. I didn't love to rake (I guess these memories are beyond the small window of time when kiddos actually enjoy chores), I didn't like how the pine needles and their counterpart, pinecones, would stick in my feet. I just didn't love them. They scared me at times...during a big storm, the tall, skinny pines would sway back and forth threatening to snap.

Now, we have very few tall trees in our yard. I miss the shade they provided. I miss seeing the squirrels scurry around and race up and down. I imagine my girls running around those trees playing hide and seek. That can't happen here.

I drove by the house where I grew up not too long ago. Many of the trees were gone.

Someone else didn't love them so much either.

As an adult, I have a great appreciation for trees. I love to see them in all stages and to photograph them at different angles. Unfortunately, I have not put in the time to learn the genus and species of many trees, but I truly enjoy them and admire them.

Now I feel like planting one.

Oh yeah - I've tried that several times.

I'm not having great luck. Our yard holds a lot of water, SO - the trees I've wanted and planted (several being fruit trees) have not survived.

Let me hear about your trees? Love'em or Lose'em?

Mugshot Monday

I love to take pictures.

I love to take pictures of my little lattes.

I have thousands. Literally. Unfortunately, in today's digital age I've allowed my photos to collect in the hard drive of my computer and just sit. I've backed some up, but I have much improving to do in that category. Definitely on my list of "to do's".

I will be posting a "mugshot" of each of my littles on Mondays, as a place to remember the smiles and tears of the past and present -- and everything in between.

Sugar

Spice

Bean

Have a Happy Monday!

Caught In the Act

A few weeks ago, we spent the night at my in-laws lakehouse.

They have a great room over the garage that's detached from the main house.

We call it "the loft".

We usually stay in the loft, and whatever kiddos don't have a bed in the main house stay in the loft as well.

This particular night we were in the loft and Spice was assigned to the fold-out couch/bed (hide-a-bed...whatever the official term).

She did great and we all slept well.

At some point in the morning, I noticed Spice wasn't out 'n about playing with all of the other kiddos.

Hmmmm.....

Where to look?

I headed straight up the stairs to the loft and found this...

(**I realize the photo quality is pretty terrible, BUT the moment...PRICELESS!)

Hmmm...what ever could that be under the covers?

Aha! Caught ya!

You can tell from her expression she got in SO much trouble!

She left a trail...

She definitely had her daily weekly dose of Dove chocolates all in one setting. 

What can I say?

She has her mama's sweet tooth!

Overwhelmed with AWESOME - AWBU 2013

Oh my...

Where to begin?

Please forgive me if I skip around here and there, but I'm on information OVERLOAD!

This past weekend, I attended the 3rd annual Arkansas Women Blogger's Unplugged conference (soon to be Arkansas Women Blogger's University - AWBU).

Reactions vary when a mama such as myself tells someone that they are headed to camp. 

"A what?", "you're going where?", "to do what?"

Yep. 

All those things and more.

"I'm going to CAMP, people!"

And at that point, I'd leave it at that.

Due to time constraints, if you want to know in detail just what AWB's is all about - please click here.

In a nutshell, it is a group of totally fabulous women who share the passion of blogging and other social media. 

Blogging about any subject from lifestyle, to farming, to healthy eating, to touching people (oh yes, I can't wait to read more about my fab fellow AWB Wendy Finn and her blog I Touch People. She's traveled the world going to different spas and learning various massage techniques. How cool!)

Maybe I should start by saying what I thought I might get out of going to AWBU. I love to blog. I love to blog, but do a terrible job staying on track and being consistent. I started my blog in 2008, after my D was born. The main objective: to document our lives with our new precious daughter. I would blog about what she was doing and post a few pics so we would have a record of our quickly growing little girl. The next year I had fewer posts, the next year fewer, and things continued to progress in a regressing fashion (and we added a couple more little Coffee's to the brew). 

Just in case you may have drifted for a moment: I was blogging, but in a very sporadic fashion.

The inconsistencies bothered me to the point I would stop blogging. I would stop until I thought I could catch up and maintain chronological order of events. This drove me BONKERS.

Well, it wasn't long before this snowballed on me and I rarely blogged. Ever.

Thankfully, within the last several years, I have worked with our wonderful LEADER, Stephanie (aka The Park Wife) on some community health initiatives in my hometown. While learning about Stephanie and her many accomplishments, I heard about Arkansas Women Bloggers (AWB) and knew that it sounded right up my alley.

Next thing you know, I'm signed up, participating in "blogger assignments" and began thinking of ways to revamp my blog. Once again, Stephanie stepped up and was ready and able to help me in any way. She was very willing to answer any and all questions to the best of her ability.

I read about AWBU and had hopes of attending the conference last year. Unfortunately, I did not make last year's conference, but set sights on AWBU 2013. Once the dates and details were released, I cleared "take-off" with the Hubs and SIGNED-UP for camp. I wanted the FULL camp experience, so I signed up for the bunk room. I had pictures of Parent Trap in my mind...

This was somewhat of a brave move for me. I'm somewhat of a wallflower. I'm not the social butterfly in a big room of strangers. Large numbers of women intimidate me. Whether it be for food, fashion, or just plain fun. If you are a stranger, I proceed with caution!

Fastforward:

I am now home from camp as of two three days ago. (this post has taken me longer than I planned.)

What did I think?

LOVE!

The weekend kicked-off with an extra segment of "Foodie Friday". Loved the speakers, loved the "Big Event" competition, loved my fellow bloggers and I LOVED the fact that I WON the GRAND PRIZE of the day! Not sure how you did it, Debbie, but THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!

AN ELECTRIC SMOKER from Cook Shack, Inc. 

I about fell over.

I think I actually did some silly sort of jumping up and down, but I couldn't help it.

I knew the hubs would be ecstatic.

AND, it would solidify any doubts he may have incurred while hanging solo with our three littles while I was gone.

Just when I thought it COULDN'T get any better...

Saturday was filled with learning opportunities out the wahzoo.

This is where information overload comes into play.

I was hoping that the information I gathered while at AWBU would help me to narrow the focus of my blog. To help me have a clear vision of what I wanted, who I am, how I wanted to people to view me.

That didn't necessarily happen while I was at AWBU.

But, what DID happen:

I met a LOT of wonderfully talented women bloggers who share a common interest.

I had a TOTAL BLAST bunking with some super-cool chicks. 

I ate some yummy food and won some FABULOUS prizes!

AND, I brought home the realization that there is only one person responsible for helping ME to be the blogger I strive to be.

That's none other than yours truly.

I have my work cut-out for myself.

BUT, I will no longer sit back and settle with the excuse that I can't do THIS because of THAT. 

AWBU has aided the realization that help is just a phone call, Facebook message, tweet, instagram, pinterest pin away. (did I get them all?)

It has privileged me to a slew of fantastic resources and placed me in the presence of some PHENOMENAL women. 

Seriously.

You gals ROCK and you ROCK in ways I can only dream.

I'm thankful for the experience.

I'm thankful for the extremely hard work and great efforts that were placed to make this thing happen.

I'm looking forward to continuing new friendships and working toward being the bloggy gal I hope to be one day.

Until then...

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!!

XOXO

The BIG Event

Such a natural. Loved having Amy James of Our Everyday Dinners as our valiant leader. 

Who wouldn't want to dive into that?

Beautimous!

Sadly, the judges did not agree with our opinion...

Comfy accommodations aka "glamping".

   Look at this gal. She's not rubbing it in or anything.

Can't wait to try out some tasty bites from P. Allen's cookbook.

If ya can't beat'em, JOIN'EM. 

So impressed with Cyndi Minister of the The Twisted Purl! Seriously? Too cool.

Big kids at camp. We even exchanged t-shirts.

We giggled 'til the wee hours.

Crazy kids.

Staying up late didn't keep us from cheering on the 5k participants.

Thanks so much, NEW BALANCE. 

No worries - Kelly did NOT stick her finger in an electric socket. This is a routine drill, folks.

This spunky chick is hilarious. If you haven't checked out her blog, it's a MUST! (just click HERE -- don't miss out on "Toe Woe of DIY Pedicure Gone Bad". All of that and MORE for your entertainment.) 

Simple is...GOOD

Anyone else feel like life has been a WHIRLWIND lately? 

From meals, to dishes, to school, to activities, to laundry, to...wait a minute...

had to go carefully balance the FIFTH load of laundry on top of the fourth. As long as everyone has clean underoos I figure I can pile on a couple more! (just kidding, Mom)

My point is...

 with the beginning of the school year, and new routines...

MAN!

This Mama can't catch up!

For any and all SUPERmoms that stop by --

my ears are open for TIPS!

I have a mama that did it all --

and I just. didn't. inherit it.

What I DO have (besides a FUNtabulous FAM) is the yearning for, dreams and HOPES that one day...

I'll get ORGANIZED!

But...

It won't be today, folks!

Until then, 

I will continue to share the simplicities of life that give tastebuds pleasure and ease the Calgon moments of the day. OR, it also works for when you need to throw together something quick and easy.

I have TWO today.

First: my version of a Greek Salad.

One can of chick peas, rinsed and drained.

Tomato, cucumber, and pepper, (preferably locally grown and FRESH). Cut into large chunks (I did actually use some cherry tomatoes this particular time and halved them. I used a mix of bell and banana peppers from the Princess Patch)

Sprinkle in crumbled Feta -- in the amount to your liking.

Squeeze in some lemon juice (~1/2 lemon for this amount).

A dash of extra virgin olive oil.

Sprinkle in kosher salt and pepper.

Optional (but, totally fab -- I just didn't take the time to walk outside and clip them...): chopped fresh herbs. I recommend parsley, thyme and/or oregano.

BAM! (thanks, Emeril. Not for the recipe, but because it's fun to say BAM!)

Next -- one of my favorite fruit and yogurt combos:

Use your favorite brand of Greek yogurt, and cottage cheese. To make an even healthier version - use plain Greek yogurt sweetened with honey. Add some fresh raspberries...

And BAM! (sorry, word for the day, I guess)

You want to know the best part...

Enjoying it with my girls!

Have a GREAT day! :)

Evidence

The majority of the flooring in our house is hardwood.

I am NOT a fan of carpet (thanks to my two fur babies).

We are down to carpet only in the girls' bedrooms and our closet.

We even had to throw OUT our area rugs, because the pups decided to use it as indoor grass.

Please tell me that I'm not alone in the occasional love-hate relationship with your pets.

Anywhoo...

The point of this story is related to my excuse for the ever-so-frequent HAIRBALLS that float across the floor. It happens way more than I would like. Dustbunnies come out to play almost as frequent.

I was walking around delivering laundry today, and I looked down at what I THOUGHT was a hairball. I was bending down to pick it up when I discovered it was in the shape of a curl.

As I examined it further, I realized that it was more like human hair than puppy-dog hair. (GULP)

I rounded the corner and saw another curl. I looked on top of the bench in our entry hall and saw a pair of scissors (hey, at least they were the round-tip kind) laying on the bench.

One of my little Lattes had been playing beauty shop!! I had pretty good suspicions as to who would carry out such an activity. I went directly to the source. SPICE's first reaction was to say that Bean did it!

Wasn't' buying it.

She decided to confess and told me that she took off a curl on each side.

I found 4-5 little piles/curls of hair throughout the morning.

Thankfully, with her beautiful, curly hair --

it disguised her adventure with the scissors fairly well!

I love my mischievous little mess!!

the clean-up crew ;)

Moments

I hate feeling sorry for myself.

Even with KNOWING that -- I still let it happen.

I have a poor, pitiful ME party...

For what?

Mostly for small, piddly things...

not even worth mentioning.

It makes me MAD more than anything.

In the midst of feeling sorry for myself, I could have ALMOST missed out on the following moments:


**A kiss to make a boo-boo all better.

Seriously?

Me feeling sorry for ME could have made me miss one of the sweetest things about my day.

When Bean gets hurt, she fusses, and then walks over to me and wants me to kiss whatever is hurting.

Once I kiss her hurt she STOPS fussing.

She's okay.

Miraculously HEALED.

Really?

That is such a wonderful moment -- there and gone just like that.

Wish I had a picture...

**I worked on teaching the girls how to ride a bicycle.

Riding a bike -- such a milestone.

Memories of my dad literally whipping me back up on the bike after fall, after fall, after fall...

Not trying to make it sound abusive or anything.

It worked!

I was trying to quit -- he kept me going.

I may not have used those tactics, but I enjoyed being a part of such a memorable milestone.

They both still have a ways to go...

but, I know they will get it.

**Or this one. (light bulb -- CAMERA! Well, I had my phone at least)

If I wasn't looking out of the kitchen window (while washing the dishes),

I would have missed this.

Poor pitiful me...hahahaha (it's just that -- PITIFUL)

**I could have missed this...

**OR this.

So many moments -- flying by...

Can't promise I won't ever wonder into the world of self-pity.

But, I will fight it every step of the way with reminding myself what a wonderful life I'm living.

God continues to bless me each and every day...