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(1) HORMONES ARE NO JOKE.
Holy moly, have I been through the ringer this month. Up and down and all around. It’s been strangely comforting to know, though, that mamas have been here before and made it out okay.
Holy moly, have I been through the ringer this month. Up and down and all around. It’s been strangely comforting to know, though, that mamas have been here before and made it out okay.
(2) A GOOD MARRIAGE TAKES WORK.
Mark and I have been watching the Beloved: The Mystery and Meaning of Marriage video series on Formed. I’m pretty sure the series is meant for engaged couples or newlyweds, but I really appreciated the reminder of what a special sacrament marriage is. So thankful I get to go through life with Mark.
Mark and I have been watching the Beloved: The Mystery and Meaning of Marriage video series on Formed. I’m pretty sure the series is meant for engaged couples or newlyweds, but I really appreciated the reminder of what a special sacrament marriage is. So thankful I get to go through life with Mark.
(3) I’M A MUCH CALMER PARENT WHEN THE HOUSE ISN’T IN CHAOS.
Duh. Since I’ve been feeling a bit fragile, I’ve been trying to know my triggers and too much stuff is a big one. To combat that, I’ve been simplifying the areas where I spend the most time, having frequent 5-minute pickups, and keeping the kids accountable for putting their things away.
(4) COOKING 100% FROM SCRATCH IS A LOT HARDER THAN IT LOOKS.
After watching the Cooked series on Netflix a few weeks ago, Mark and I have been inspired to try replacing almost all of our processed foods with our own homemade version. It has quickly become one of the most rewarding ideas we’ve come up with, but also one of the hardest! Too lazy to bake bread? No bread for lunch! I’m learning so much and it’s been a fun adventure to experience with my husband (a WAY better cook than I am!) too.
(4) COOKING 100% FROM SCRATCH IS A LOT HARDER THAN IT LOOKS.
After watching the Cooked series on Netflix a few weeks ago, Mark and I have been inspired to try replacing almost all of our processed foods with our own homemade version. It has quickly become one of the most rewarding ideas we’ve come up with, but also one of the hardest! Too lazy to bake bread? No bread for lunch! I’m learning so much and it’s been a fun adventure to experience with my husband (a WAY better cook than I am!) too.
(5) MEAL PLANNING WORKS BEST WHEN MARK AND I SHARE THE WORK.
Cooking 100% from scratch obviously means more work, which hypothetically could be so overwhelming to me that I’d just quit. Thank goodness for Mark! We’ve been making a menu together on Friday night and then splitting up the dinner duties throughout the week. I’ve cracked the meal planning code!
(6) COOKING AUTHENTIC MEXICAN FOOD IS FUN.
A lot of food lessons this month! I’ve been taking a Mexican street food class on Craftsy and am enjoying practicing what I’ve learned. My favorite so far is the Roasted Tomatillo Salsa, which Mark has declared one of his favorite salsas ever!
A lot of food lessons this month! I’ve been taking a Mexican street food class on Craftsy and am enjoying practicing what I’ve learned. My favorite so far is the Roasted Tomatillo Salsa, which Mark has declared one of his favorite salsas ever!
(7) THE SHEER AMOUNT OF PLANTS AND FLOWERS IN THE WORLD IS MIND-BLOWING.
My latest Great Courses Plus class is called How to Grow Anything: Container Gardening Tips & Techniques. It’s been a very informative class, but yikes! SO many names – my mind was spinning as she rattled off at least 20 different types of flowers and plants. I think I’ll be wandering the garden center looking a bit lost, haah! One of the best tips I learned was the “thriller, filler and spiller” technique and I’m anxious to try it out on our front steps this spring.
(8) WE DON’T HAVE TO LIVE ON TONS OF ACREAGE TO ENJOY GOD’S CREATION.
We may only have a postage stamp of a yard, but that hasn’t stopped us from watching dozens of birds and even a cottontail rabbit! Sometimes I get so frustrated that we don’t have acres and acres of land, but there’s still much to enjoy if we take the time to notice.
(9) I LOVE BUSINESS.
Love, love, love. And what a surprise that is to me! Big White Farmhouse unearthed a passion I didn’t know existed and while it’s a TON of work, I love every minute.
(10) WHEN IN DOUBT, LISTEN TO SOPHIE.
Her wise words this time? “Run around, go to church, eat a cookie and feel better.”
Her wise words this time? “Run around, go to church, eat a cookie and feel better.”