Summer Bucket List 2018

Since it's only a couple days until summer officially begins, I decided I need to finalize our Summer Bucket List! My husband and I have been discussing things to put on it and I realized we both have different ideas when it comes to the goal of a bucket list! My Type A personality wants to put all realistic yet creative things with the goal being to cross the majority-- if not all-- of the items off. His spontaneous, dreamer personality wants to put all sorts of fun and crazy ideas on a bucket list even if we only get the chance to do a few. What do you like to put on a bucket list?

(For the record, this one will probably include more the small-scale, realistic stuff I'd like to do with the kids...and then we'll create a bigger, more outlandish family one, haha!)

Summer Bucket List 2018

1. Schedule a family photo session

2. Go on a hike

3. Decorate the house with some fun summer photos

4. Go to the zoo

5. Pack a picnic

6. Swim in a pool

7. Visit a local festival

8. Make fruit-infused water (strawberry-mint-cucumber is amazing!)

9. Run with our jogger stroller

10. Take a mini vacation

11. Visit family around the state

12. Enjoy the farmer's market

13. Go to a baseball game

14. Make popsicles

15. Sit around a backyard campfire

16. Pick berries

17. Explore the library / Go to storytime

18. Meet up with old friends for a girls night out

19. Run through a sprinkler

20. Grill peaches and pineapple

Life Lately

I'm guessing this post is going to take more than one sitting to write it...because my 'sittings' are rather short these days. ;)

-We have finally transitioned G to her crib and pack and play instead of cosleeping. To be honest, as she approaches one year we're realizing that she's just simply a very difficult sleeper no matter where she is. She was waking up 6-10 times a night in our bed to nurse (which at least I didn't have to get up and we both fell back to sleep quickly) and now in the crib or PNP she's waking up 4-6 times a night and I'm only nursing her two of those times. The whole nighttime thing is just grueling and takes me to the end of my rope mentally and physically and emotionally at times, but I try to step back, look at the big picture, and either tell myself to offer it up and give it to God or to remember it won't last forever and I *might* even miss those midnight snuggles someday. ;)

-Man, I'm tired just thinking about it all right now and I'm having trouble thinking of what else to write...because that seems like our life right now, ha.

-But there's Poldark. So one of the perks of no longer cosleeping is that my husband and I get back some quality time together in the evening! We were big Downton Abbey fans and were sad to see the series end, but we've recently picked up the PBS Masterpiece series Poldark, based on the books. Have you seen it? What are your thoughts? We were unsure the first few episodes and the characters are pretty flawed at times...but we're getting hooked just like I did with DA. Episode 4 was sooo good and we both had teary eyes at the end! Would love to hear your favorite period dramas or series in the comments!

-We bought our very first grill this past weekend! So exciting! We had a hand-me-down charcoal grill from my brother-in-law and it worked well and made delish food but we finally splurged on a gas grill that has much more surface area as well. I'm so looking forward to trying new things on it as well as the classics-- I really want to try grilling pizzas!!

Funny story about our purchase...we couldn't find anyone with a truck to borrow so we ended up renting the Home Depot truck (did you know they have that service? Pretty inexpensive, too!). I drove home with the baby while P drove home with the grill (his baby??). I helped him unload it and then I went to take the baby upstairs for her nap and he left to drop off the truck...

And then he called me when he got there because he realized he would need me to come pick him up and bring him back home!! We're so sleep deprived we didn't even think about that part!! hahaha!!

-Inspired by Humorous Homemaking, I have begun a weekly Kitchen Day, where I spend a large chunk of my time in the kitchen making 'non-dinner' items like muffins or granola or boiling eggs or prepping produce for the week. I am loving it!! I also designated a Laundry Day, Cleaning Day, and Grocery Day for the week. Beforehand, I had been doing those things as needed whenever they came up (throw in a load of laundry here and there, sweep the kitchen when I saw too many crumbs, etc.) but I am really liking to focus on one thing each day and to do it well-- and then to forget about it until the following week, haha! What are your favorite ways to do chores? Are you a routines and schedules person or a procrastinating person or somewhere in between?

-We've done a lot of traveling this month for family gatherings, holidays, and weddings but it has gone fairly well. It's been so much fun to see G interacting more with cousins and friends. Her first birthday party is coming up and we're so excited to host our family and friends here. I've gotten a few ideas on Pinterest without going overboard and decided to do an ice cream theme (even though we're dairy free, lololol....yeah, not really.) Supposedly, she is supposed to outgrow the dairy sensitivity by age one...but we're almost there and she's still getting nasty diaper rashes anytime I have milk products. Let me tell you, it's getting verrrrrry old in the summertime when I just want to eat all the ice cream, all the cheese, and all the yogurt and cream cheese, and did I mention ice cream? But it's a small thing in the big picture, and we're so grateful she doesn't have any true, chronic diseases.

-Naptime's almost over, so that's all for now, friends. Give me some comment love and tell me all about your summer. :)

Yes, I will do just about anything for some free Chick-fil-a food...
Cow Appreciation Day 2017. So fun. ;)

Tuesday Talk #36: Summer Adventures Have Begun

Normally I abide by the rules when it comes to seasons-- you know, spring begins March 21st, fall arrives September 21st, etc. But there's something about summer that just doesn't want to play by the rules. It can't wait for June 21st. So in my mind, it's already here! Let the summertime adventures begin! :)

P. and I are trying to get a lot of our traveling and visiting in this month since next month I'll be a little more limited to the area according to my doctor. This past weekend, we enjoyed a visit to my husband's brother and his family in central Ohio. Despite a short thunderstorm, it was a gorgeous sunny weekend and we loved exploring a local park, swimming in their backyard pool, and just catching up. My hubby and his brother are hilarious when they get together, so it's always a treat to watch their battles of quick wit. They're also dog people, so we brought the Little Dog along to play with his doggie cousins.

Here are a few pictures of our time. And here is a recipe that I made for dessert to share. (I LOVE fresh berry season!!) Give me some comment love, sweet friends. I'd be delighted to hear what you're up to this month-- any traveling adventures or summer treat recipes?! :)

Look at that blue sky!

They conquered Big Rock! 

Love this man.

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Quick Takes Friday [vol. 22]

Did you think this was turning into a book blog?? I know, seriously!! I was way behind in my book reviews, so my apologies for the slew of reviews! (but then again...I'm a book lover, you're a book lover. No apologies needed, right?)

--1--

Summer. Sweet summer. It's finally here. Our days are 80's (and 90's today!) with little humidity and lots of sunshine. It's so gorgeous. The cornfields around our house are topped with their golden fuzz. The birds can't get enough of the seed in my birdfeeders. I ate breakfast outside this morning just drinking in all the beauty of this season. 

--2--

P. has had two trips this month for work-- both of which involved flying out of state, which is unusual for him. My first time with him gone since we've been married, and my first time alone in the house. It was actually a bit of an adventure. I'm thankful my single years taught me to be content and competent on my own...there are recipes to be made, projects to do, books to read! But I was still very happy to pick him up at the airport and have him home once again!

--3--

Speaking of adventures, I sought out the nearest farmer's market last week! There's such a charm to market shopping! It makes me feel like an old-fashioned girl, going to the market to barter for fresh food for the week. My 'splurge' was a cute little pot of rosemary to plant in a flowerbox outside. I'll definitely be back next week! I can't wait until the watermelons are ready...

--4--

I'm writing for The Catholic Sip now and was featured on one of their podcasts recently. What a fun time. One of the hosts was one of our groomsmen, so I had a bit of an 'in' to writing for them. They're a great new ministry, though, and it's made me seek out other podcasts. I never really listened to them before and now I'm finding all sorts of neat ones (although I still don't quite understand how to use them...can you subscribe so they're automatically downloaded to your phone? Help a tech-challenged girl, will you?) Do you have any favorites podcasts to share  while I'm on this craze?

--5--

I officially told my employer that I'll be looking for a new job so they can begin the hiring/training process while I'm still there. What a bittersweet time! I've held my position in cardiology for eight years!! But the drive is now about an hour from our new house and I'm just exhausted from the early mornings and the two-hours worth of driving each day-- it makes for a cranky wife sometimes, just to keep things real. I'm on the hunt and God has provided some exciting opportunities! One step at a time...I'll keep you informed, stay tuned!

--6--

This book. This beautiful book that I've had for months but read at just the right time. God has a way of nudging us like that...despite all the joyous events in my life these past few months, I've felt a little spiritually dry or distant. Enter Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet, by Sara Hagerty. A story of personal faith, infertility, adoption, authenticity, rejecting legalism, and finding sweet intimacy with God. It was a powerful book for me and one chapter in particular just...hit me. And all of a sudden I was crying redemptive tears and praying from a heart that God was slowly renewing. 

--7--

And He knew I would need that closeness with Him. The God who sees us. The God who is with us. The God who holds us tightly and walks with us through the valley. 

Because last month I miscarried. 

I know. I'm tucking it here in the last of my quick takes. Because after these weeks of intense grief and sorrow, the wound is healed enough to be tucked away...or maybe rather protected from those who don't understand. But I want you to know. And I'll talk about it more soon. But for now-- know that I tasted the indescribable goodness of being a mama. Of a little life growing inside. I have a child. I will meet him someday. My heart is torn by the separation of this life...but rejoicing that the Lord is holding my baby. He is still good. And I praise Him for the gift of a little one, an eternal soul that will be happy with Him forever. We love our child more than I ever knew was possible. Love hurts but it's still beautiful.

Every life is a gift, no matter how brief it be upon this earth. And so life is still beautiful, too. 

Happy Independence Day!

(photo credit to my friend K., who took this
picture last night at the river fireworks with me!)

Happy 4th, dear friends! I hope you have a beautiful weekend celebrating the great gifts of our loving God! Fresh summer recipes, gorgeous weather, conversation and laughter with friends and family.

Life is beautiful. And it doesn't end here. I heard this timely and appropriate thought on the radio this week: may God bless America, but more importantly we need to pray that America will bless God...with the laws we pass, the words we speak and the truths we defend...as well as the quiet witness of our daily lives and the love we reflect to others.

Watch some fireworks this weekend!

7 Quick Takes [vol.16.5]...because vol. 16 never got published...

It's me again! Happy Friday! And love me some sweet summertime-- are we really in the middle of June already?

--1--

However, I'm finally slowing down in life. And it's good. Really good. I stepped down from my management position at the pregnancy center in February and am currently training the new nurse manager while I transition into simply being a nurse counselor/sonographer on a weekly volunteer basis. It was such an incredibly difficult decision! I wrestled with it for months, praying and doing my best juggling both nursing jobs, but something had to give. (Unfortunately, it was this one since my other job holds my health insurance!) But as always, God has been at work throughout the transition process. I'm so thankful for the experience and growth of these past couple years working for the ministry, and I'm excited they've allowed me to stay on in this role--counseling and ultrasound are my passions when it comes to unplanned pregnancies. 

--2--

Some of my extra time in the past couple months has been spent with these precious little men!!

Watering Aunt Laura's flowers

L and C's first fort-building experience!

 And welcoming this precious little girl into the world!

They just don't come any cuter than these three!

--3--

I've also organized or redecorated almost everything in my home! My mom and sister have been amazing support these last few months and they realize that sometimes when you're struggling, the simple girly things can make a big difference! And as usual, when I'm not exactly sure what's going on in my life, it helps to know what's going on in my cupboards, hee hee! Some pictures again, perhaps?

Crate training for the Little Dog and a homemade bed

Redecorated my room on a dime :) 

The coffee/tea bar I kept seeing on Pinterest!

--4--

Summertime reading is in full swing. You'll be seeing book reviews throughout the next couple months, I just finished a nonfiction memoirs-style book and a theology one has just a few chapters to go! And to satisfy my fiction appetite, I've been devouring one of my favorite mystery series by Mindy Starns Clark. Her heroines are such strong and capable, yet gentle and godly women. Tonight I'm reading...

--5--

I rode a horse last weekend! My heart is so happy on a horse but I rarely get to ride. A friend from the pregnancy center got a horse this past year and invited me over to ride. When I got there, she handed me a helmet and said her sister was in the house fearing for my life due to the horse's unpredictable nature.

Um. Uh-oh.

But it all turned out okay! I strapped on the helmet and said a quick prayer! (don't try this at home, folks.) Actually, I was very cautious and asked lots of questions before I felt safe enough to try it out. Moon was fabulous for me and barely gave me any trouble. S. was so happy and asked if I would come back week after week to work with her. 

Um. YES!!!

--6--

These have all been fun, lighthearted updates. I'll share the other stuff, too. Grace is woven in it all. But hearts can't unload four months in seven quick takes. 

--7--

And tummies want snacks. So I'm off to find some strawberries and raspberries in the (organized, of course) fridge.

Have a wonderful weekend, dear friends! Be present, be at peace, and live with gratitude. This is life. This gift of one moment after another. I'm hugging you right now!

Happy Sunday Morning to you

It's a gorgeous Sunday morning. Quiet and peaceful (and the house is clean!). I'm sipping the house blend from my favorite coffee shop and eating Kashi cereal before I leave for Mass.

I hope your morning is beautiful, too. Let's worship the Lord together across the miles this day, His day.

I spent the weekend with this amazing friend, who inspired me to get back into blogging! I may even join up with this cool series.

Happy Sunday, friends! Enjoy the sunshine!

Sharing My Zucchini Bread...Recipe :)

I wrote about learning to share my zucchini bread a few months ago...someone asked if I would also share the recipe itself! So here it is! It's a healthy version that I've modified a little. It's a very forgiving recipe, so feel free to change it even more to suit your tastes. Mmmm...enjoy! (And make sure you share...)

Laura’s Favorite Zucchini Bread

2 eggs

½ cup honey

½ c olive oil

½ tsp salt

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp cinnamon (I prefer more)

1/3 tsp vanilla

1 medium zucchini (about 1 ½ cups; I sometimes use more)

1 ½ c whole wheat flour

Beat eggs, honey, and oil together. Mix in the rest of ingredients, adding flour last. You may also add nuts if you wish. Bake in a greased loaf pan for 1 hour at 350 degrees. The last time I made it I sprinkled brown sugar on top before baking and it made for a deliciously sweet and crunchy crust. 

This recipe was modified and taken from Keepers at Home :Healthy Choices, compiled by Marvin and Miriam Wengerd

(The Last of the) Snapshots of Summer: Week 14

Taking on the Windy City with my dear friend R.-- what a delightful adventure! (although it's too bad we didn't have time for deep-dish pizza!)

Goodbye, beautiful Summertime! Fall officially arrives tomorrow!

Snapshots of Summer: Week 13

Taking advantage of an afternoon off work...backroads country bike ride

Snapshots of Summer: Week 12

Homemade salsa simmering on the stove-- made with garden veggies from my bestie's mom and using the unbeatable special recipe from another girlfriend's mom...I love my friends' mommas!!

Snapshots of Summer: Week 11

Chocolate chip cookies baking over the campfire? Yes, please!

Life is Beautiful...

-on a bike ride down a country road, with deer grazing (do deer graze?) in a nearby field.

-watching Mary Tyler Moore episodes with my mom and a bowl of freshly-popped popcorn (in my Stir Crazy popper from a garage sale!).

-little moments with A. when her work shift was called off: baking and cooking and mopping and even cleaning out the garage.

-around a campfire on the lake with three treasured girlfriends, making s’mores and Smart Dogs (*ahem* they are much healthier. Do you know what real hot dogs have in them??)

-when others share from the abundance of their gardens and our countertop protests under piles of cucumber, yellow squash, and tomatoes.

-reading a fun Christian fiction book in bed, snuggled under polka-dot cotton sheets.

-chubby little nephew-arms reaching for a hug or a hold, and his adorable scrunched-up grin and giggle.

-taking advantage of a rare full-hour lunch break at work and gathering with the Cardiology girls at a Mexican restaurant next door.

-standing at the window watching an incredible lightning show in the night sky before a storm (God's fireworks! SO neat...just don't tell my mom, who always taught us to stay away from windows when there was lightning!)

-fishing with girlfriends and giggling as we tried to get the fish off the hooks (it takes a village three girls to get a hook out of a perch’s mouth).

-phone calls with my marmee when I’m in need of her wisdom and understanding and listening ear.

-dancing through the house because a hummingbird landed on my new feeder (it doesn’t take much to make me happy!)

-meeting new people, sharing in conversation, laughing with a stranger.

-a motorcycle ride with my dad, loving the freedom and sunshine and daddy-daughter time.

-during a calm, peaceful evening out on the deck, praying my rosary and star-gazing, drinking in the beauty of the night…until I saw a black-and-white creature waddle up to the deck—you’ve never seen such a sneaky, lightning-fast getaway as mine. (he was a cute little guy, but I wasn’t about to risk smelling like a skunk just so I could enjoy my evening outdoors!)

Life is beautiful. What a gift.

And for the cherries on top of these colorful sprinkles, two quotes:

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” — Robert Brault

“I believe we would be happier to have a personal revolution in our individual lives and go back to simpler living and more direct thinking. It is the simple things of life that make living worthwhile, the sweet fundamental things such as love and duty, work and rest, and living close to nature.” — Laura Ingalls Wilder

Snapshots of Summer: Week 10

Yummy blackberries almost ready to pick! (Thank you for sharing, C.!)

Snapshots of Summer: Week 9

Mmmm...morning bike ride to the coffee shop for breakfast!

Baking from the Garden: A Healthy Zucchini Bread Recipe

Last night, as a delicious summer thunderstorm approached from the west, A. and I decided to bake up a storm inside (and it was delicious, too). The zucchini bread turned out so well I decided to share it on here. For all those fellow health nuts health-concious individuals...this recipe is a great alternative to the ones that have more sugar than flour! And as Rachael Ray would say, it's yum-o!!

(so I have to be honest here: those amazing zucchinis in the picture? Not from my garden, but graciously shared by a better gardener than myself!)

Zucchini Bread

2 eggs
¾ c honey (I use ½ cup and then add just a bit of sucanat/sugar)
½ c olive oil (I use coconut oil)
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp ground ginger (oops, we didn’t have any)
¼ tsp cinnamon (didn’t measure; I’m sure I used much more!)
1/3 tsp of vanilla (same as above)
1 medium zucchini squash, grated
1 ½ cup whole wheat flour

Beat eggs, honey, and oil together. Mix in rest of ingredient, adding flour last. The zucchini should be about 1 ½ cups, loosely packed. Can also add nuts if you wish. Bake in a greased loaf pan for 1 hour at 350* F.

From Healthy Choices: No sugar. No white flour. No artificial anything. Authors Marvin and Miriam Wengerd of Keepers at Home Magazine

Snapshots of Summer: Week 8

Happy feet: colorful toes covered with sand after a trek on the campground beach

Snapshots of Summer: Week 7

The ice cream aisle...one of our favourite summer places! (My roomie A. is so good about putting up with me and my summer snapshots!)

Snapshots of Summer: Week 6

Fruit smoothies with a touch of elegance!

Busy, Lazy, Beautiful Summer

We’re cooking here in Ohio this week. Ninety degree temps and thick humidity.

I love it.

But it does make for some lazy summer days.

And I’ve been especially lazy in the blogosphere. Between summer trips and spending time outdoors with my family and friends (and sometimes just by myself!), writing hasn’t been a top priority. I miss it. But I really like living life, too, so it's all good.

I’m keeping up with the Snapshots of Summer and Wisdom for Wednesdays (because one can be lazy and still do those), but inspiration for anything else seems to fail me lately.

(Oh, and speaking of cooking—yes, we were speaking of it, at the beginning—does anyone have any tasty summer recipes or websites with such to share? I’m in want of some new recipes, especially ones that use goodies from the farmer’s market…)

I hope you are all having a wonderful summer.

God is good. And life is beautiful.

Amen?

Chaperoning for our diocesan youth retreat. An incredible weekend with incredible teens. The theme: Seek God in Every Moment. LOVE that.