Cooking: Down time week

The weekend came and went. 

Too fast as always. 

Confirmation was lovely. Company was great.

 

 

 

 We went to see the McCallie/GPS talent show, which is like going to America's Got Talent, it is so professional and well, talented. One of our dearest friends performed and was amazing. As I sat and watched her I couldn't help but think of how shy she was just four years ago, and here she was on stage singing!  She was a finalist and I foresee huge things for her.

Finalists ready for the voting!

This week is a reprieve from our busy schedule. I plan on getting some more projects done around the house and just recharging my batteries from the last few weeks.

Down time Casa Swann Menu

• Chicken and tomato soup (from the freezer)
• Spaghetti squash casserole (veggie)
• Pa Nang Curry 
• Black bean and sweet potato quesadillas   

Whatever: The List, February

 

 February is already making herself known. In my neck of the woods, January went out with a roar of tornadoes and flooding. February brought her cool and cute self calmly in with a blast of cold air and sunshine. We are cold here this weekend at Casa Swann, but we are happy. This Sunday my oldest daughter makes her Rite of  Confirmation, a path she sought out on her own. I personally feel confirmation and the rest of the Catholic rites, should be achieved with your own free will and heart. You must decide how you will celebrate your faith in God.

 

I was a busy girl in January. Cleaning out closets, looking around town for a rental space for our last Little Piggies sale, working, painting, etc. were attacked with the gusto that I feel at the start of a new year.  Lots of prayers have been lifted up as I struggle to find my place and watch my children grow and find their own. 

We are all growing and working towards goals. My husband has hiked dozens of miles with 6 bricks in a backpack training for an event he will do in June. He never ceases to amaze me.

I miss these old school Valentines.

2013 is starting off as a year of reflection and hopefully personal growth. 

AND a year of checking things off. 

My lists keep me on track. 

 

 

2013:THE LIST

1. Cut the laziness out of our family's life: This is actually working! I hide Facebook on my phone, took iPads away from bedrooms, and we still don't have cable. Family time is evolving slowly.
2. Stop cursing: As my daughter likes to remind me, I am not doing so *&^% good.
3. Drink more water. Check. Started filling up a water for the car.
4. Be a better friend: I have gotten lazy in my friendships and my mental status shows it.  Step one of my plan is to call or text my friends when I think of them. If you are hearing from me a lot more lately, you now know why.
5. Put myself out there for God. Lots of prayers and the light is emerging....YIKES
6. Read  100 books. 5 down, 95 to go!
7. Do a creative project a month. Working on a wine themed project. Crocheting still on table.
8. Exercise with a purpose.  5 workouts a week, but no spin yet. However, I am seeing change, very very slow change.
9. Teach my baby girl to cook.  We made cookies!
10. Go back to school. Summer or fall.
11. Finish our list of house projects.Ellie's room got painted. Boom.
12. Organize my stuff. Cleaning out closet is scary, but I have taken 3 bags to charity.
    
13. Stick to a financial plan to pay off all our debt by 2018.  Work in progress.
    

InstaFriday

Jumping on this bandwagon over at Life Rearranged.

 

I am linking up to the party.

I love Instagram. Who doesn't?

That is the app that makes your boring life seem a little fancier.

 ------

Sunday, I was feeling under the weather with a stomach and headache. I was craving some broccoli soup and so I made the simplest soup ever. Basically it was onion, broccoli, garlic, broth, salt, pepper and a little Greek yogurt at the end.  That and some homemade biscuits and a Sherlock Holmes movie did me right.

 

  

We finally had a few days of sun after what felt like 40 days of rain.

This was my view after dropping my kids off at school. beautiful sunrise.

 

 An era ended for one of my kids this week. Middle school swimming. 

She grew a lot in the last three years.

 Ever since my Sadie girl died 4 years ago, I have been religiously looking at Jacks online.

Waiting for one to tell  me it is time to come and pick her up.

This was one looks like it might love me, but she did  not speak to me.

The weekend is here! So happy!