So, I just turned 48. FORTY-EIGHT.

When I say that out loud it sounds ridiculous. There is no freaking way I am FORTY-EIGHT, that is almost 50, which is the most outrageous thing I have ever heard come out of my own mouth. Other than maybe ... don't lick your sister... that was one for the books.

As I am approaching 50, I am realizing some things:

1. Being a mom will be work... in worry, guidance, and prayer, as long as I am alive.
2. Weighing 30+ lbs more than I should is not okay at this age, it is taxing – time to fix it.
3. I have removed any and all negativity from my social media accounts. I go there to smile, cry and share.  (cry in happiness and shared sadness) 
4. My husband is my BFF. We know that we are lucky to have one another. We match.
5. I have way too many clothes.
6. Thinking about our next and last home makes me super duper excited and sad at the same time.
7. I have a bedroom full of little kid stuff as if I were a grandmother, and I am not. (yet)
8. I have 9 pairs of readers and still find myself in situations without a pair. +1.75 approaching +2.0
9.  I make my bed most days now, for the first time in my life. (super-weird) 
10. My sister is my person. I knew this, but I get busy and sometimes forget, sorry boo. xo
11. I am lucky to have a "second career" and to work in a profession that I love. 
12. I wish my mom was here to see these kids of ours all doing their thing.
13. I am making a conscious effort to spend time with those in my life that are growing old.
14. Our house is almost paid off.... - hey let's move. (so silly)
15. I am so grateful for my dad. Not that I wasn't always grateful... just now more than ever. He is one humbled, vulnerable, brilliant, patient, amazing human.
16. The days I get to have all my kids in the house at once are my favorite days.

     And, of course, there are more but 16 seemed like a good number... and so is 48. :)

Mom, Can You Make Me a Cake...

Mickey (middle kid): Mom, can you make me a cake to take on the last day of my summer job before I go back to college?
Me: Sure, anything in mind?
Mickey: Yes, it needs to be a llama in a hat.
_______________

Okay then.
It had been a while since I made a cake, and well, the first llama... in a hat. This cake also had to taste fab! She was bringing it to the local country club to celebrate with the staff, 3 of which are chefs, one of which is a pastry chef. Double pressure as far as I am concerned. It has to taste and look fabulous. – I mean, it always should. Now, I am used to creative pressure, it's what I do but this was culinary pressure, a whole different ballgame.

I decided to do a lemon-blueberry cake with lemon buttercream frosting.

I did do am Instagram story as I evolved.
Here is how it went...

Rice Cereal/Marshmallow Sprinkle Hat

It is quite amazing what all you can make with rice cereal and marshmallows

Fondant Ears Attached to Dowel Rods

Freeform... not perfect, but neither are a llama's!

Fondant Ears Centers, Painted Gold :)

Fondant Nose

Fondant Eyes. Painted Gold

He turned out pretty darn cute. And they say, delicious too. WIN!

Treasured Metal Glider – Restored

This is my Grandma & Grandpa Wolff's metal porch glider that I remember swinging in on their front porch say... 40 years ago. I was lucky enough to be the recipient of this treasure! I know every cousin of mine has the same memories and can remember to be careful not to "put your fingers where they could get pinched".... This is my latest rehab...

BEFORE

AFTER

I am so pleased with how this turned out. I had worked it out and painted it once before but I did not take the right steps, use the proper paint or have patience through any of it... This time I did it a little more like this. Sanding A LOT, priming, sanding and using the right tools and paint. And I will ABSOLUTELY bring it in during the winter , and hopefully it will be something my kids or even grands will enjoy, sand and paint to their liking many years from now.

PRINT YOUR FONT LIBRARY | of your fonts, in their font – MAC

I forgot this was so easy!  

I am still a bit of a 'paper' person and I like being able to scan through my plethora of fonts on a printed document. Thought I would share.

found this sweet info @ www.cultofmac.com

LOVE WINS.

Valentine's Day is a VERY Special Day in Our House

Growing up, Valentine's Day was always celebrated with boxes of colorful paper, glue, lace, doilies, ribbon, thread and really anything else you can craft with taking over the dining room table from the third week in January until the very last moment that you could make it to the post office to mail your fantastically crafted, hand made valentines. My mother made this as special as any other holiday. Her beloved Victorian house was decorated so sweetly in delicate cupids, antique valentines, lace, hearts and love. She made sure we celebrated this season sending messages of love to everyone we knew. February 14 was also mom's birthday. A valentine baby. Grandma used to tell us that when she was born her nostrils were shaped like hearts. Silly, that grandma.

Mom's tradition of Valentine's Day and the season of love is alive and well. We have a messy dining room table (the very table actually) from the third week of January until February 15. Even at 16, my Mickey was cutting and gluing away, making sure handmade love notes were sent to all.

Thank you mama for this wonderful tradition. I miss you. so. much.

DAY 30 - Whole30® 30 Days of Education That is For Certain

I Said "I Can Do Anything for 30 Days"... I was Right.

TOP 10 Things I Learned on My Whole30® Journey

1. Sugar makes you need (physically need, like an addict) sugar. [PERIOD]
2. What feeling hungry is really like... not "fake hunger".
3. I used to eat mindlessly when stressed (battled a few of those in the 30)
4. How to make homemade sausage and cashew butter. (super easy and awesome)
5. I am a nicer person when the right foods go into my body.
6.  I will never buy a hot pocket again for my children. (70+ ingredients, half of which I can pronounce)
7. Prepare, prepare, prepare. Plan, slice, dice, roast, can, freeze, cook and store.
8. Read ingredients, not just the nutritional info, damn near everything has sugar. (or fake sugar)
9. Life is really okay without Diet Coke.
10. I am in control of this whole food intake thing, I did not used to be. Sugar ruled me.

I am slightly terrified about day 31. Reintroduction of foods is the next step. Not all too comfortable with reintroducing anything... except maybe a Bloody Mary. 

DAY 20 - Whole30® Bake a Cake? Challenge Accepted.

The 2nd Birthday of Rhett, my sweet little great nephew.
We are not pastry chefs or cake decorating professionals by any means....
we had fun, it was a Saturday night family project.

Sugar and butter and flour and more butter and more sugar and some food coloring and some more sugar. I did not lick, bite nor taste. And I LOVE butter cream icing almost as much as I love cake.
Needless to say that was a bit tricky but not impossible. Yay me.
Oh and Rhett liked his cake, A LOT.

So, I can bake and decorate big crazy sugar mountains and have self control.
That is new for me. I like it.

Happy Birthday Sweet Little Boy!

Day 16 - Whole30® Putting the Food Processor to Work!

I think the only thing I thought to use a food processor for is making my own paper out of recycled paper... (another fun project to post at another time) Silly me... when you are mindful of what you eat ALL THE TIME, you get really creative. Not that actually using a food processor for food is all that creative, but the possibilities are endless. I started off slowly...

Made a little cashew butter! YUM!

Nut butter is so expensive in the stores, make your own!! For cashews, I used "cashew pieces" which will save you a buck or 2.
So many nut recipes here... this girl is good, he whole blog is beautiful and useful.
Beth at tasty-yummies.com - Nut Butter Yumminess

Day 15 - Whole30® My Compost Bucket Runneth Over

What a great problem to have...
Buckets full of peels, trimmings, cores, eggshells and coffee grounds. There is sure to be most lovely compost from what I have been feeding the bin!

It is just about time to start the seeds inside for fresh summer vegetables. I CANNOT WAIT!

Feeling great. I have added a little morning bootcamp work out 3 days a week. It is so awesome to be sore again. Sore means you actually did something that worked your body and I welcome it.

"Wow, I really regret that workout." – nobody. ever.
Too true.

DAY 14 - Whole30® LOVING my 16" Electric Skillet

How fantastic is that? ^^
Makes life pretty easy to slap some ghee or coconut oil down and throw in your veggies and protein. Spice separately or together. This has been key for me!! (the non-chef/cook) Clean up is super-duper easy = 1 pan.
I have enjoyed some new recipes for sure, and Sunday prep for the week is essential. Not only a great grocery list but getting some things divided, chopped, sliced, peeled & cooked.

Tomorrow will mark halfway. I cannot believe that I have done this so well and to the letter, especially after not even being able to go 2 days in a row with general healthy eating, I was struggling so badly post holidays... clothes were not fitting. Well, they are now!!! Still tight but not painful. I was ridiculous.

Whole30® is the perfect jump start to eating the way we were meant to eat. As extreme as it sounds and it DOES sound insane at first, it is really not that crazy. I feel good, I think more clearly (not always about my next meal, as I did before... no lie.)
AND I am proud that I am in control of what food I put in my body!

DAY 6-9 Whole30® - Good Thing I like Eggs.

Yes, I have eaten a lot of eggs.
Here are 16 WAYS TO COOK EGGS

I love eggs, from my head down to my legs.

Hard Boil
Soft Boil
Sunny Side Up
Twice Over
Scrambled
Poached
and on and on.... 
We are getting chickens again in the spring, and fresh eggs are so much better. Can't wait.

I have been challenged the last four days by cooking for family, eating out and up against time.

Cooking for Family
They remind me daily that they are not on the Whole30® and I remind them daily of how great they would feel if they gave it a whirl. Oh well. Not too terribly difficult if you are making a meat, and veggies... it is the pasta, mashed potatoes and the like that are the killer. But you know, I am really satisfied with my Whole plate. Like the book basically says if you don't eat sugar, you don't crave it. TA DA!

Eating Out
I was nervous at first... the kids favorite wing place. I do love a sloppy, spicy, delicious chicken wing dipped in some blue cheese but knew that I was going to make this place work for me.. we come here a lot and this should not be that difficult for them or me... it's food. So, I ended up with plain, boneless, skinless chicken breasts grilled with an array of spices and a bowl of celery. Not the greatest meal of all time but it worked for the evening, for the program, the kids got their favs and I was "filled up" and good for the night.

Time
When you leave the house just after breakfast (you guessed it EGGS! oh and asparagus) and thought for sure you would return by 12:30-1 pm, and it is rounding 4 pm when you walk in the door things are all mucked up. Hungry. Not ravenous. But hungry. Now, in the Whole30® program there is no snacking. So if you begin this eating process it had better be a nice meal to tide you over for the next 4-5 hours. Dinner is usually around 6 (or 7 or 8:30, let's be real... my kids play sports, it is late most every night) So, I made my meal. I sat at the table and enjoyed every bite. I made enough to eat again, if indeed I was hungry when "we all ate together". Eating later the evening is also a Whole30® no-no... So when the "all eat together time" came I spent that time peeling and prepping roasted rutabaga, sweet potatoes, and parsnips for future dining. Did not eat, was not hungry. Who knew, when you actually put the right things in your body it really does its job of sending messages to eat when HUNGRY. Pretty cool.

I will leave you with a lovely egg recipe from luvabargin.com

http://www.luvabargain.com/deviled-avocado-eggs.html

DAY 4 & 5 - Whole30® vs gatherings with LOTS-O-CRAZY Food.

First off, I DID IT!

DAY 4
A previously scheduled gathering of out of town family requesting a hometown favorite pizza meal followed by make your own sundaes with all the fixins AT MY HOUSE! Challenging to say the least, everyone asking "aren't you eating pizza". I answer with the Whole30® explanation and how I believe in it and refer to it like a cleanse of sorts. Only to be dished (which I knew) a hodge-podge helping of naysayers, true supporters and supporters that are encouraging and rolling their eyes simultaneously.
By the way, I ate well that day, bacon wrapped asparagus, eggs, huge beautiful salad loaded with veggies.

DAY 5
The Cake Battle. My brother-in-law [Gary] and I celebrated our birthday's together (previously scheduled meal and dessert) with a meal and our favorite cake from our favorite bakery at my mother-in-laws. The cake, is ridiculously sweet and rich and did I mention ridiculous. After I was watched by many, inquiring about what I was and was not eating, Gary said, "well I know you will eat cake with me". He could not believe I declined, and stated that I would regret it.... I thought to myself, seriously?? The regret would be if were to eat it!

So, I was faced with many challenges even beyond what I mentioned and the saving grace was that I had all REAL FOOD available to me, pre-prepared and ready to go. I really did not crave the other things around me. I had moments, don't get me wrong... Those foods are [were] habit.

Made this yumminess on Sunday.

Thank you holisticallyengineered.com

www.holisticallyengineered.com

Butternut Squash Breakfast Skillet

Ingredients
    12 oz butternut squash, peeled and diced into ½” cubes
    1 Tbsp oil of choice
    1 lb homemade breakfast sausage
    ½ tsp salt
    ½ tsp pepper
    ½ tsp onion powder
    ½ cup water

Instructions
In a large skillet, heat 1 Tbsp of oil over medium-high heat
Add the butternut squash and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
Add the water, cover the pan loosely, and cook for 4 minutes or until
   the water has absorbed and the squash is tender.
Push the squash to the sides of the pan.
Add the sausage in the middle of the pan and begin to brown
  (do not mix with the squash until cooked)
Once the sausage has cooked through, mix it with the squash and add the seasonings.
Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to heat through.

DAY 3 - PALEO - Dreaming of Chips & Salsa

Not sure how normal it is to dream of eating chips and salsa, but I did last night. I remember saying that these were the best chips I had ever had... and realizing with a heavy heart that I had just "ruined my 30 days" and cried while I finished the bag. Woke up so relieved that it was indeed a bit of a nightmare, but I also know how very REAL that could have been. Sadly, I have been known to do such things.

I need to note: I am not a chef, not even really a cook. I do cook because I have a house full of people that require feeding... Cooking has never been my favorite, eating however... I am damn near a professional. As I post recipes that I have invented or found, my terms will not be proper, and my measurements will be vague. I assure you, I won't put anything up that I did not find to be worthwhile.

So here I am Day 3.

Did you know that "runny"(house term) in sunny side up eggs can be the "sauce"!!

Sunny-Side Ground Turkey Plate

Tasty.

carmelized onions (in coconut oil)
ground turkey - about a patty worth
2 eggs (once over still runny, of course - -psst.. it’s the sauce.)
bit-o-salt
pepper
fresh baby spinach

P A L E O – I can do ANYTHING for 30 days.

I have finally decided to give it a go. What do I have to lose really?  Well, actually I have weight to lose, and unhealthy habits to lose and getting so sleepy mid-day to lose and, and, and ... So here I go.

Wednesday, January 14 - DAY 1
Whole30®
is a 30 day reset button of a program design by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig at Whole9®
Taking out all the sugar, grains, dairy and legumes that could be having a negative impact on our health. Designed to help put an end to unhealthy cravings and habits, restore a healthy metabolism, heal your digestive tract, and balance your immune system.

sugar, grains, dairy and legumes

DAY 1 was pretty easy. I felt crazy-good positive about my decision and there weren't any "situations"(out to lunch, cocktail moments etc). Awesome grocery trip, grabbed a flurry of veggies, meats and fruits off the list. My youngest daughter and I have been grain free for sometime now, but taking my almond milk and yogurt away still seems weird.
BUT AGAIN, 30 days! I GOT THIS!

The long and the short of the program is
Eat real food.
Do not consume added sugar of any kind, real or artificial.
Do not consume alcohol in any form, not even for cooking.
Do not eat grains.
Do not eat legumes.
Do not eat dairy.
Do not consume carrageenan, MSG or sulfates.
Do not try to re-create baked goods,  junk foods with “approved paleo” ingredients.
Do not step on the scale or take any body measurements for the duration of the program. (only day 1)

Today is DAY 2, still feeling good and prideful about my decision. Went to the grocery (again) because I found some recipes that I wanted to try. Cabbage Rolls being one of them. yum.
Paleo Cabbage Rolls
thank you stupideasypaleo.com

stupideasypaleo.com

A Little Boost!

We get busy with life [GUILTY!] and we forget to dive in and embrace what fills us up from time to time. Get to it folks.

TOP 3 Favorite Font Sites (in no particular order)

Some commercially free, some free for personal use, some not...
ALL VERY NICE. 

Be good to your type.

For a PARTY or just a fun day... MAKE A PHOTO BOOTH

This particular photo booth was created for my daughter's 16th Birthday Party! Believe it or not there are some awkward moments when kids start to arrive and this was the perfect thing that helped everyone let loose. SO. FUN.

Find/make a backdrop. I used some fringe curtains that I had found at the thrift store some time ago and knew they would be used for something fabulous. I also made some smaller tissue pom poms.

Then to make/find your props. A handful of dowel rods, some tape oh and perhaps some glitter and some FREE printables. Yay! for the free printables. Get creative and make some of your own too!

Download ~ So, very creative Oh Happy Day!

Download this 12 page PDF of stashes, crowns, ties... GREAT PROPS here.

                                     Download the sunglasses from Creative Juice here.

 

                   Download these Batman/Comic book printables from prudentbaby.com here.

Here are the props, ready to go!!

Photo Booth FUN!

Deck Entry Makeover in ONE DAY!

Found an old screen door at the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. = $5
Some yellow hinges at my local hardware store = $6.50
Found some outdoor paint colors that would make me smile whilst sitting on my deck. $30
And boom. Pretty.

6th Grade Auction Item Complete!

My year to volunteer! I volunteer for this, that and the other at all my kiddo's schools but this year I was a homeroom mom... first. time. ever. (My oldest is 23) I thought it was time to serve in that area of volunteerism... It was no sweat... good moms to work with, that is what makes that stuff bearable. So, while at it I thought I may go for creating the 6th grade auction item for the upcoming ginormous fundraiser this year. I wanted to make it as easy as possible on the parents. I remember being a "50+ hour work week outside the home mom" and I chose to be compassionate to those moms & dads this year... All I asked is that the children finish the sentence "I believe.... " The responses were wonderful!!! Quotes like "I believe in human rights" to "I believe the Steelers are better than the Bengals" I created a tree of life using their quotes as the swirled leaves in the tree and had it put onto 20x20 stretched canvas. Simple and heartfelt from the mouths of babes. Turned out pretty good. Now folks... get your bid on!!!