Fighting to Keep Things Simple

Apple Cinnamon Tea.  Ahhhhhhh.

Moving back to the US has been interesting.  One thing we have noticed, is that there seems to be more pressure to schedule things here.  I am fighting that urge and wanting to spend lots of time at home. 

With Paul's back in the state that is in, we are trying to keep it simple. 

For instance, like making dinner from bagged salad, stuff from the pantry, and a bag of frozen Honey BBQ chicken.  Yum.

Playing close to home.                                                 (in our pajamas.)

Couldn't have made the past few weeks without this guy.  My baby brother.  We are 18 years apart, but we are very, very close.

And since we have been home, we were there to see a deer in our yard.  In the suburbs!

 My childhood BFF, Claudia,  also came for a visit and helped out a ton!  Both kids adore her, and she and my brother cleaned my kitchen until it sparkled.  It was so nice to spend time with someone who knows me so well.  I have to be honest, it has been lonely moving to a new place.

One day soon, I hope to have time to create.  Look at this cute cup cozy!!!  

I will have to be patient until that moment comes.  We are in survival mode.

Why I Haven't Blogged Lately....

Soooo kids....wear your helmet when you ride a bicycle.

Paul was riding his bike, in the dark, without a helmet on the way to Target.  There was a drainage ditch to the side of the bike path and flipped into the hole.  He broke his vertebrae in 3 places and will be in a brace for 12 weeks.

Be back as soon as possible!

Making Morning Easier

Yum!! Baked Oatmeal for "Oatmeal Day"!

I got the recipe from here lottie and doof,  who got it from Heidi Swanson's book, and it turned out superb.  It is flavorful, not overly sweet, and can be heated up all week.

The baby loves it, as do I, but Tate is going to stick to his Quaker Maple Syrup version (which I know is total junk for him!).  He tried the Trader Joe's version and also turned his nose up to it.  (It has a weird after taste that even I didn't like).

Here is the recipe:
I omitted the nuts and used real maple syrup instead of sugar.

Baked Oatmeal (from Super Natural Every Day: Well-Loved Recipes from My Natural Foods Kitchen by Heidi Swanson)*

• 2 cups / 7 oz / 200 g rolled oats
• 1/2 cup / 2 oz / 60 g walnut pieces, toasted (see page 219) and chopped
• 1/3 cup / 2 oz / 60 g natural cane sugar or maple syrup, plus more for serving
• 1 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder
• 11/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• Scant 1/2 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
• 2 cups / 475 ml milk
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 ripe bananas, cut into 1/2-inch / 1cm pieces
• 11/2 cups / 6.5 oz / 185 g huckleberries, blueberries, or mixed berries

Preheat the oven to 375F / 190C with a rack in the top third of the oven. Generously butter the inside of an 8-inch / 20cm square baking dish.

In a bowl, mix together the oats, half the walnuts, the sugar, if using, the baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.

In another bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, if using, the milk, egg, half of the butter, and the vanilla.

Arrange the bananas in a single layer in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle two-thirds of the berries over the top. Cover the fruit with the oat mixture. Slowly drizzle the milk mixture over the oats. Gently give the baking dish a couple thwacks on the countertop to make sure the milk moves through the oats. Scatter the remaining berries and remaining walnuts across the top.

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the top is nicely golden and the oat mixture has set. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Drizzle the remaining melted butter on the top and serve. Sprinkle with a bit more sugar or drizzle with maple syrup if you want it a bit sweeter.

Travel and My Children

On Sunday, we went to see my cousin who was on a stopover on the way to her first military assignment.  I am soo proud of her!! She just earned her airborne wings and the girl is so strong! 

  Tate went with me and said "I love airports!" as well as  "I want to live in a hotel." I think all the travel he has experienced has left an impression on him.  I, on the other hand, do not need to go anywhere for a very long time.  (Or at least until the baby can sit in her seat for longer periods of time!)

And another traveller....."I am ready to go to school!"

Still not Settled.

I want the house to look more like this:

But it looks like this.  My children will not let me get rid of the cardboard boxes!

And my 15 month old babe is finally getting teeth.  (The front 4 all at the same time!)  She thinks frozen blueberries make her mouth feel much, much better.

In order to make it feel a bit like home, I made homemade cinnamon rolls.  

I used Paula Deen's recipe and the dough is so nice and soft!!

 Happy Autumn, friends.

Geocaching!

If you have never heard of geocaching, it is kind of a treasure hunt that results in getting your little ones out for fresh air and lots of exercise!  

There are these little containers hidden all over the world (yes, the world!) by other geocachers.  You are given coordinates, map, and clues to find them, and when you do find them, you sign the log and sometimes leave behind a little trinket, taking one if there is one to take.  Other times,  you get additional coordinates that will lead you to another cache, that will result in a log/trinkets.  This is very exciting for a 6 year old little boy.

  We started doing this in England as a way to get out for Sunday walks in the beautiful countryside, and now we have started here as well.  There are so many nearby!!  When everyone needs to just get out, it is a great way to hang out as a family.

(A magnetic cache that was found on the underside of the trash can.)

Cool Ideas from Magazines

I love how they used the vertical space!

For a easy party in the fall...

Soleil would love to play with these!! Yarn+doll clothespin+paint+craftfoam (tail)=mermaid

An Appointment with Mom.  A daily ritual for afterschool....

(I tried it today with unsuccessful results.  

I am hoping it is due to the fact that Tate was exhausted after I picked him up!)

Random Creating

This is a Nancy Drew book that I saw at the book store. I am inspired to scrapbook like this in the future! I have always loved the style, but didn't know how to start. I may copy this exact layout just to give it a try.

I want this in my living room. Notice the little hammock in the bottom? Paul isn't going for it...

My new iPhone case that I made today. All I need to add is a little snap up on top. This would be a great project for a girl scout troop (since all the kids seem to have cell phones these days!), maybe as easy Christmas present for someone.

From Family Fun Magazine:

I want to make it, not for a pet, but for the kids. They used clear tops of disposable baking containers as sky lights, had windows cut out in the sides, and even a treat shoot on top, made from a cardboard tube. (I think Soleil would go for that if we put goldfish crackers down it!)

Tate's scrapbook page. I helped, but only a little.

And tomorrow, this guy starts school. In a new country. In a new school. Entirely in Spanish.

I am nervous and a little sad. I really miss being at our old school in Bath, UK, and the school run will be very different. (I miss my friends!) Also, after having him home from early June until now, I have gotten used to the routine of both kiddos. I am not ready to let that go.

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.)

Moving Bulletpoints

1. Macaroni and Cheese Yellow is NOT a good paint color. (But try convincing a 6 year old boy of that...)
2. There is wireless internet EVERYWHERE in America! For FREE!! (Gas stations, restaurants, McDs)
3. It has been 2 months since we have had any furniture. (But I have to admit, I love to sleep on an air mattress. Am I the only one?)
4. The is NO perfect house. A visit to Pottery Barn might make you think there is, but really, there isn't.
5. There is a lake with a beach and a playground and restaurants less than 5 minutes away!!! YAY!
6. In reference to #5 and #6, things will not turn out as you envision them. Some things will disappoint, but what's cool is that some things will be delightful surprises!

I know, I know...postings are boring without pictures. I will try to find one online of the lake near our new casa...

(Bayside Grille on the water)

Apologies!

So sorry, readers... this has been a rough couple of weeks.

*My dad beat all odds and is recovering from heart bypass surgery.
*Still NO furniture.
*I cannot get a decent cup of tea for anything.
*The inside of the 3 American hospitals I have been in during this time is comparable with fancy hotels. no joke. They even have valet parking.
*I am wearing shorts for the first time in 3 years I think.
*I am never moving again. (Ok, I am, but I will pretend like I am not.)
*My neighbor has a huge pot belly pig. With tusks.
*I cannot wait to create as soon as my craft stuff gets here. Scrapbooking is first on the agenda. Oh no, wait, I guess decorating the scrap room is first.

Photos to come!

I plan on resuming regular blogging activities as soon as possible :) Meanwhile, I will read your entries on my phone (I can barely work the thing) to keep me inspired as the days go by.

Further Delays

Good news: We found a lovely home. It is sweet, in perfect condition, and on a kid friendly culdusac.
We have also been enjoying getting to know Minneapolis.

Not so good news: My dad is in the hospital with heart and kidney troubles. We are in Michigan with my family until further notice.

I might be able to do a few posts on my parents' super cool iPad that my dad has here while I hang out with him. I have been reading other blogs during the quiet moments, and they have been a helpful distraction when I need it. :)

I hope you are all having a great summer so far.

Be back soon!!

Sorry folks... this move is kicking my butt. I promise to post when I can:)

Happiness Project Inspiration

I am reading this, recommended by my friend, Sophie.

It is pretty good. It is about a woman who makes a list of small things that she can do each month to make a positive change in her life. She is a bit intense about how she goes about it, but the general point is a great idea.

My 2 things for the month are:

1. Go to bed earlier/get more sleep.

2. Write more letters to friends. (One letter for

one friend per week.)

I LOVE anything mail/post related. I love sending and receiving letters and even playing mail/post man with Tate.

pretty mail calligraphy

Felt Mailbox Pattern

Found a scrapbook store in France. :) Love the postcard stamp.And totally unrelated, another friend of mine and I went to Trowbridge today. We found this excellent Italian cafe that had amazing antipasti. When I went to the toilet.... It made my day.

Rocker for Summer

In the back of the great British magazine, Country Living (VERY different from the US version...) there was a little ad.

I'm in love with their rockers!!!

How pretty would this be in a secret garden? (Funny enough, I think that is the name of this model.)
And as a snuggly place for a book? Tate would LOVE it.