Things I Love Right Now...

Cooking Amongst Chaos

We finally got all of our things that have been sitting in storage for the last 3 years while we were living in the UK. See, when we moved to London, everyone said that most rented places came with furniture. Also, we anticipated a much smaller place. Both were true, but we didn't anticipate moving to Bath. (Such a wonderful surprise, really.) When we did move to Bath, we got lots of items from freecycle or IKEA and attempted to give or sell it all when we left. But we still had a lot of leftover stuff. And then the stuff from storage. And stuff we bought to make it for the last 2 months. Lots and lots and lots of stuff.

We are going to have the biggest garage sale you have ever seen!

I love many of the memories we have brought back from our time in the UK, but I also bring back a few lessons. One of them being that we can live in a smaller place AND that we don't need so much stuff. Even my packrat husband has been changed from this experience.

Right now, though, we have a ton of boxes all around that require sorting. This means that I do not have the time and/or energy to make elaborate meals. I can't wait to get back into, though!!! For tonight, out menu consists of:

• Campbell's Tomato Soup (requested by Tate)
• Pacific Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup (adult version of #1!)
• Grilled Cheese (Kid version and baby swiss/cojack for me)
• Grilled Ham Sandwich (for the major carnivore in the family)
• Spinach Dip and Chips (to use up extra spinach from last night)
• Random Fruits and veggies in frig/freezer as sides

Another quick meal has been to use a bag of FROZEN MEATBALLS. Meatball subs are so easy once you add a baguette, Pizza Squeeze (I know, I'm disgusting), and melted cheese. The little ones just eat the meatballs warmed up with the random fruit/veggie thing.

BREAKFAST FOR DINNER is another easy one with scrambled eggs, frozen waffles, and bacon. Bacon is easy if you prepare it by putting on a lined baking sheet and baking in the oven for 15-20 min.

Any other good suggestions that you use when you want to keep dinner simple and easy?

SMASH!

I saw these at the Archiver's store and sooo cool. Since we were moving during my birthday, I think I may treat myself to some of the fun bits as my belated bday present. (Wait--I said that about getting a electronic die cutting machine...)

I am waiting for the big Archiver's event at the Mall of America for both purchases. I love all the hype at these sorts of things!! I traded my husband a weekend football game out of town for a full kid-free day to shop.

Time to Make the Gifts!!

Yes, it is still about 85F/30C, but if you are going to make Christmas presents, now is the time!!

I was inspired after finding this book (and blog-http://superclea.blogspot.com/), and now I am ready to at the very least, start to make a list of ideas.

My sister or mom gave me a great book by either Good Housekeeping or BH&G one year of edible things to make. I couldn't find the link, but I did find this idea for this yummy looking bark from GH. http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food/holidays/homemade-food-gift-ideas

And of course, Martha Stewart, my queen, has a whole list of things you can make for other people. I actually used her recipe for bath bomb favors for my wedding and they were great.

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/gifts-for-her

What are you making for Christmas???

My poor neglected blog...

I am so happy to be back! I have been reading lots of blogs during this time, trying get ideas of how to decorate the new house.

Here are a few great links I found:

http://www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/

http://theinspiredroom.net/

and of course, http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/

We do not have all of our furniture yet. It is somewhere between St. Louis and here, and hopefully it will be found soon. The kids aren't complaining, as they have all of their toys, but our house is like one open romper room at the moment.

A quiet corner of the kitchen, necessary for my sanity whilst cooking dinner.Tate's shop. This is a temporary version, as the table is borrowed from my dear friend, Jen Shea Thomas.

This was on the wall when we moved in, and it is definitely staying! (I love it.)

Flowers from the garden. The green heart from a dear friend in the UK.And our garage sale pile. In our dining room. Yes, classy. (It grows daily.)