Five on Friday

Just a random mishmash of 5 things on my mind this Friday...

 

ONE

 

I've had a hard time finding balance these days. I guess that's something all people (maybe especially mothers?) struggle with throughout their lives. I kind of feel like something's got to give, but I don't know what that ought to be. Right now I'm only working outside the home a few times a month (and only on the weekends), so I know those moms who balance motherhood and full-time careers have it much harder than I do. But I work hard to ensure that the time spent at home is meaningful. From laundry to cleaning (I'm the housekeeper), to carpooling and cooking, I also try really hard to be present with my girls. If I'm here with them, I want to truly be with them...to engage, to play, to do fun activities together. Then add on the things for me: time with God, exercise, trying new recipes, and now, blogging. And then there are the things I feel I need to do but don't yet do: volunteering, PTO, more play dates, writing opportunities, etc. Anyway, I completely realize these are mega first world problems...just wondering how others manage to achieve balance? Or is it something we never fully find?

 

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TWO

 

Y'all, I cannot say enough good things about this Tee Dress from Old Navy. I tried it on in the store and brought home the red and white striped version (which isn't online). It's slightly fitted and has some spandex in it, which provides a nice fit. I sized up, only because my normal size made me look like I was headed to the club. It's such a cute dress to throw on for errands, dinner out, or even church! I love that you can dress it down with Converse sneakers or flip flops or dress it up with some cute sandals. And bonus, it's 40% off right now!

Fitted Tee Dress

 

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THREE

 

Lily's class had a Mother's Day Tea on Wednesday for all the moms. It was so thoughtful and sweet. They had punch and cake for us, and it was just so nice to be recognized. It was a really special time with my big girl. And I simply adore Lily's portrait of me and the way she answered the question, "My mom likes to...". She knows me well!

 

 

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FOUR

 

It's almost officially bathing suit season which means one thing...fear. No, really...I should do this year-round, and I try to, but I especially add this to my routine during the summer/bathing suit months. And that's this: planks. Do y'all do planks? I swear, to me it's the quickest way to transform your body and to tone so many areas. Even after only doing them a few times I can notice a firmer tummy. If you don't know how to do them, a quick Google search will help you out.

 

 

And on the above note about trying to get my body bathing suit "ready," read the article below for some wonderful perspective.

 

"I refuse to let my insecurities press upon the minds of my children and teach them that, in twenty years, they should sit on the sidelines while life happens."

 

Dear Fellow Moms: Stop Whining and Get in the Damn Pool

 

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FIVE

 

I recently ordered this book of poems by Tyler Knott Gregson and have loved looking through it and reading a few at a time. He's a photographer turned poet, and he types his poems out on a typewriter, using found or old scraps of paper. His poems are simple yet poignant, and I can't wait to read more.

 

Chasers of the Light: Poems from the Typewriter Series

 

Here is my favorite so far:

 

 

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I hope everyone has a happy weekend! I'm planning on planting some flowers and herbs, cleaning out our garage and taking some things to a consignment store, and keeping the nursery at church on Sunday. Hope to see y'all back here on Monday!



Cabbage Casserole

I can almost promise that even if you don't like cabbage, you'll like this cabbage dish. It's about as Southern as you can get...the cream soups, the Ritz crackers, the can of Ro-Tel. And sometimes that's just what you need...a casserole to offset the kale smoothies you've been drinking all week. It's called balance.

 

I served this with pork tenderloin and green peas (because Rob loves green peas)...and I couldn't forget the Sister Schubert rolls. The meal was about as Mississippi as you can get, and we loved it. The casserole is creamy, but the cabbage adds a nice crunch. And I like the addition of the Ro-Tel because it makes it a little spicier. Anyway, try it! I think you'll like it!

 

 

Cabbage Casserole

{Mississippi Magazine}

 

1 medium cabbage, shredded

1 medium onion, chopped

2 sticks butter, melted and divided

Salt and pepper, to taste

3/4 cup mayonnaise

2 (10 3/4 oz.) cans cream of chicken soup

1 (10 oz.) can Ro-Tel tomatoes, drained

1 1/2 cups grated Cheddar cheese

1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed

 

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a 9 x 13-inch glass dish, layer cabbage and onions. Drizzle 1 stick of butter over top and sprinkle with salt and pepper. In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, cream of chicken soup, and Ro-Tel and spoon over cabbage. In a separate bowl, mix 1 stick butter, cheese, and crackers and spread over casserole. Bake for 45 minutes or until cabbage is tender.

 

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Hope everyone has a great day!

Penne Alla Vodka

If you're looking for an easy, tasty vegetarian dish, I've got you covered. I love a good pasta, and the sauce on this one is perfect. Add chicken or shrimp if you want some protein, but know that it's good enough to stand on its own. We served ours with crusty French bread and a glass of wine. Easy peasy...and you likely already have all the ingredients at home...so no trip to the grocery store necessary!

 

 

Penne Alla Vodka

{The Pioneer Woman}

 

1 pound penne

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 whole medium onion, chopped finely

3 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup vodka

One 14-ounce can tomato puree or tomato sauce

1 cup heavy cream

1 generous pinch red pepper flakes, plus more if needed

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Grated Parmesan, for serving

 

Cook the pasta according to package directions.

Saute the garlic and onions in 2 tablespoons butter and the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat until soft. Pour in the vodka, being careful if your stove has an open flame (remove the pan from the heat before adding). Cook and reduce for 2 to 3 minutes, then pour in the tomato puree. Stir the mixture until it's thoroughly combined, then reduce the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream. Stir to combine, then turn heat to the lowest simmer possible. Sprinkle in the red pepper flakes and add salt and pepper to taste. Finally, stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Pour the drained pasta into the sauce and toss to combine. Sprinkle on the Parmesan, then sprinkle on more red pepper flakes if desired.

 

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I hope everyone has a happy day!

 

Weekend Update

I hope everyone had a happy weekend! Here's what we were up to...

 

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Friday, Lily's preschool had their annual May Day program. The kiddos sing patriotic songs and wear shirts that they've painted. It really is a sweet way to wrap up the school year...and I can't believe that this was Lily's last year to participate...and Hadley will be in the program this time next year! We still have two weeks left of school, and then summer will be in full force. I'm ready for slower days and no schedules.

 

 

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We went for a walk in our neighborhood Friday afternoon and stumbled upon some honeysuckle. Seeing it and smelling it brought back so many happy memories of my childhood. It was fun to share those memories with my girls.

 

 

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I worked Saturday and had a good, steady day. I'm really lucky to work with a group of ladies who value teamwork. It makes such a difference as a nurse.

 

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Yesterday we missed church because Rob has been sick. We were able to have lunch at a favorite Mexican restaurant, so that was our little Mother's Day celebration. I really don't ever want or expect anything fancy for the day...it was just good to be with my husband and kids. My only request was that I get to take a long, uninterrupted nap...and I did. 2 hours! Do you know how long it's been since that has happened? It was so nice...

 

And as far as a Mother's Day pic with my girls goes, this was the best we could do! Just keeping it real...



 

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I picked up this candle from Target recently, and it's the perfect summer scent. Really light...I love the combo of lemon and ginger. I couldn't find it on Target's Web site, but it was with the other candles at my local store.

 

 

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When I got in from work on Saturday evening, I came home to some flowers from my grandparents...wasn't that sweet? Flowers from them for Mother's Day. They are always so thoughtful.

 

 

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I've got several books on my wish list. Have y'all read any of these? Curtis Sittenfeld is one of my favorite authors...I was a big fan of Prep, American Wife, and The Man of My Dreams. I can't wait to check her newest one out. She writes what I like to call smart chick lit. And then everyone seems to be reading The Nest these days, so I'm jumping on that bandwagon. I read The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst and loved it. She has so much wisdom to share, so I want to check out another one by her.

Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice

 

The Nest

 

Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions

 

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Hadley brought home the sweetest Mother's Day gift for me...she made it in Mother's Morning Out...oh how I cherish anything with their hand or footprint on it! Lily's class is having a Mother's Day tea on Wednesday, and she spilled the beans and told me I'm getting a flower pot that she painted. ;)

 

 

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I shared this picture on Instagram and Facebook and wanted to share it here too. My two moms...I am so thankful for them both.

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I hope everyone has a great day. I've got a run to the grocery store, laundry, dinner prep, cleaning, and working out on my agenda. See y'all tomorrow!

A LETTER TO MY MOMS, ON MOTHER'S DAY

To my mom:

 

Thank you for raising me...from birth to an almost 10-year-old little girl. It seems unfair that so many of those memories I don't remember because I was too young. But then there are so many I do.

Mom, I remember your laugh and your vibrant smile. I remember the big glasses you always wore (a sign of the 80s). I remember the way you smelled, and I remember you always kept a jar of hand lotion near.

I remember your voice. I remember that you always called my sisters and me "my girls." I remember that you called Dad "my Bob," and I remember that the world "darling" was a large part of your vocabulary!

Thank you, mom.

Thank you for being half of the biggest reason I had such a happy childhood. (Dad was the other half.)

 

Thank you for the summer vacations spent at Lake Tiak-O-Khata. You'd slather us up in sunscreen and braid our hair before we spent the day building sandcastles, swimming in the lake, or eating dripping ice cream cones. Oh to be back there for just a day...

 

Thank you for encouraging my friendships. I have so many good memories of you spending time with my friends and me...Leigh, Katie, Lauren, Molly, Amy, Marley, Kristen, and Paige are the names that come to mind. And you know what I love so much? So many of them still talk about you and still have precious memories of you.

 

Thank you for encouraging me to get involved...and to be an active participant in life. From performances at church, to being on the swim team, to playing basketball at the YMCA...I stayed active and learned a lot about life through those activities. And you were always there to cheer me on.

Thank you for our monthly mother-daughter dates. I think those may have started when you knew you weren't going to get well. You let my sisters and me choose the specifics of our very own "date" with you. I can't remember what you and Chris did for your special date nights, but I remember I always chose a fancy Italian restaurant (because that's me in a nutshell), and Emily always chose Piccadilly. Could we have been any more different? I always ordered cannelloni, and to this day cannelloni reminds me of you. I hold those moments so dear, and I still remember how special you made me feel.

Thank you for our bi-annual trips to Williams Brothers in small-town Philadelphia. It was our favorite spot to go shopping for clothes, and we'd go in the fall and again in the spring...and we'd come home with bags full of clothes...me giddy at my outfit options.

Thank you for buying me my first bra. I was in fourth grade and didn't need a bra. I look back on that time now and wonder if you were afraid that you weren't going to be here when it was time to pick out a bra...so you went ahead and did it for me. I remember proudly wearing it to school one day and then realized that maybe I'd hold onto it for a later date. I quickly realized that bras, really, were no fun.

Thank you for being so brave. Really, mom, how was that so?

Thank you for fighting...for enduring surgery, chemotherapy, lab draws, hospital stays...all to hopefully extend your life with us...and our life with you.

Thank you for teaching me that being silly and goofy is a good thing!

Thank you for teaching me that it's possible...very possible...to laugh and to enjoy life even during a hard time.

Thank you for always turning lemons into lemonade. I remember my sisters and me trying on your wigs and modeling them around the house. Your ability to laugh in spite of being sick was and is inspiring.

Thank you for our morning devotional reading and prayer time. I remember crawling into bed with you...or snuggling on the couch in your room. You'd read a devotion to Emily and me and pray with us and over us.

Thank you for teaching me so much about God and about the importance of faith in the midst of trials. You always told me to never forget how much Jesus loves me. I haven't forgotten that.

Thank you for always fixing my hair...oh, making my hair perfect was a full-time job for this OCD, perfectionist little girl you had. Some days I remember getting into bed with you and letting you fix my hair there because it was too hard for you to get out of bed.

Thank you for being honest with me, mom. I'll never forget you telling little 9-year-old me that you may not live. I didn't believe you, but I look back now and wonder how you found the strength to try to prepare me.

Thank you for ALWAYS wanting what was best for my sisters and me.

Thank you for the letters you'd write to me when I was at overnight camp. I still have those, and do you know how much I cherish them?

Thank you for thinking so unselfishly of your girls and the fact that our lives would likely go on without you. You had gifts for our milestone birthdays set aside. And special things set aside to incorporate on our wedding days. You were so brave, mom.

Much of who I am is because of you...who you were, your example, your love for me.

I love you, mom. Thank you.

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To my second mom, Jennie:

Thank you for loving my Dad and for not being scared away by the fact that he had two little girls at home.

Thank you for learning everything from scratch. You went from being single with no kids to being married with two children under your roof. I'm sure that was a shock to your system!

Thank you for trying and for simply doing the best that you could.

Thank you for taking me to the salon to get my hair fixed. I'd had a perm, and my mom was always so good at styling it for me. After she died, I was clueless. I remember standing in front of the mirror one day and brushing out my perm. I was this.close to getting out the scissors and cutting it all off. Instead, I brushed out every last curl, and I looked like a frizzy mess. Picture Albert Einstein on steroids. You took me to the salon, and they worked to reverse the perm...and gave us both tips on how to style it.

Thank you for teaching me how to shave my legs. I remember leaving 5th grade and making a pact with some of my girlfriends. We would not return the following fall with shaved legs. We were hell bent on staying tomboys and not getting into girly stuff. Well, imagine my heart when I returned to school as a 6th grader, and all my friends had shaved their legs. Most wore bras; some wore make-up; but almost all of them had smooth legs. I came home that afternoon and asked you to show me how to shave my legs!

Thank you for taking me shopping for back-to-school clothes. I was always so modest, and I remember sitting with you in the dressing room at Gap Kids or The Limited Too (who remembers The Limited Too?). I'd always tell you to turn your head and close your eyes...and you would, and we would both laugh while I quickly got changed and then instructed you that you could open your eyes.

Thank you for loving my friends. Thank you for becoming friends with my friends' parents.

Thank you for helping me choose my first dress for a semiformal dance. I wanted short (like really short because that's what I was into then!) and sequins. We made the trek to downtown Jackson to Lamia's Boutique. I tried on tons of dresses, and you helped me choose one with pink sequins. And I think we even got it shortened.

Thank you for "siding" with me after that disastrous moment as a Cutco Knives salesperson. It was one summer, maybe going into 10th grade? Dad had found a "perfect" job for me, something he'd found advertised in the classified section of the newspaper. I went for an interview and got the job (they probably only turned felons down) and had a training course shortly after. A few minutes into that training course I realized that being a door-to-door salesperson was not in my DNA. I mean, I got nervous in group settings and would make myself physically ill if I had to speak in class. Why any of us thought I could sell knives to strangers is beyond me. Anyway...you understood and made me realize that, sometimes, it's OK to back out. And you talked to Dad about these things, and I think he understood...or he at least tried. That meant a lot to me.

Thank you for helping me through some difficult times in college...from simply being homesick to being deeply depressed, having your shoulder to lean on got me through those tough times. Your words of wisdom helped me move forward.

Speaking of wisdom...my goodness, you have a lot. I could write a book with so many of the gems you've shared with me over the years. "Fake it 'til you make it" is one of my favorites...and something I still pull out many times.

Thank you for understanding my struggle with anxiety and depression. Thank you for encouraging me to see a psychologist and thank you for finding the perfect one for me. That first appointment changed my life for the better...and it was your understanding that led me there.

Thank you for introducing me to Anne Lamott and to Pat Conroy...two of my favorite authors. Anne Lamott writes about her faith, and she is quirky and unconventional. I finally felt like I was allowed to be all of that too.

Thank you for nursing me back to health. You gave me the courage to admit that I had an eating disorder, and you walked beside me through that terrible time. You read the books I read; you and Dad met with my psychologist. You helped hold me accountable. You noticed when I was falling back into old patterns and reminded me to get back on track. Do you remember taking me to get that milkshake in Oxford? I was trying to gain weight quickly, so I could feel "normal" again...I sucked that milkshake down like I had been on a deserted island with no food for weeks...do you remember how sick it made me...I had gone from a no fat "diet" to consuming who knows how much fat in a matter of seconds. Ha! I'm glad I can laugh about that now.

Thank you for the many, many e-mails...through college, grad school, my time abroad, and my time in New York. We're both writers, and we both communicate well that way. I still have so many of those e-mails, and I treasure them...the stories and the words of advice and love.

Thank you for helping me plan my wedding! Rob and I would've eloped if it hadn't been for you.

Thank you for helping me plan my wedding while simultaneously walking with Dad through a cancer diagnosis. That was a hard time, and your ability to do it all was (and still is) astounding to me.

Thank you for working with an interior designer friend to get Rob's house (soon to be our house) unbachelorpadified. We were on our honeymoon, and we returned to a house that felt like it was not just Rob's...it felt like it was mine too. That was such a special gift.

Thank you for the years spent holding Dad's hand and being his rock during the ups and downs of living with cancer. You have been his caretaker when he needed one; you have been his advocate; you have been his personal chef; you have been his nurse (truly...you have even given him IV medicine!); you have been his cheerleader and sounding board...and the list goes on. I can never thank you enough for helping him (and us) through this journey.

Thank you for "getting" me. We have a similar sense of humor, and we're alike in so many ways. Thank you for helping me realize over time that it's OK to be myself, fully...thank you for giving me the courage to embrace who I am.

Thank you for loving my girls. You are their J, and they adore you. Thank you for teaching them about birds, and the garden, and rock and roll...all the important things in life!

Thank you for embracing motherhood and for embracing us.

I love you, Jennie. Thank you.

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Loving Lately

A few things I'm loving lately...

 

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How pretty is this blouse? I don't own anything off the shoulder, only because it doesn't seem practical to me, but I'd love to have this top for a night out. The colors are spectacular.

 

Suzie Off the Shoulder Top

 

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Here's a basic white tee that's been taken up a notch. The hemline is so lovely.

 

 

Crisscross Hem Mix Media Tee

 

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I'm sunglasses obsessed. Adore the clear frames and the silver lenses.

 

Jardine Oversize Round Sunglasses

 

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I pretty much live in T-shirts during the summer. That said, I still like to look pulled together. I love the color of this top as well as the oversized, slouchy feel. 

 

Oversize Raw Edge Tee

 

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So much love for this bag. The colors are so vibrant, and it's big enough to schlep everything and anything you'd need for the day.

 

 Beach Bag with Floral Embroidery

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I think this top would be so cute with white denim shorts or jeans. I love the colors and the neckline embroidery.

 

 Embroidered Block Print Split Neck Top

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I like the sleeves on this dress as well as the overall loose fit. I'd wear it to church with some fun black sandals.

 

 Embroidered Caftan

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I just know I would work out more if I had purple sneakers. Right? But, really...how cute are these? Love the shade of purple.

 

 Nike Air Max Thea Textile Sneaker

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I saw this shirt styled half-tucked/half-untucked with white jeans, and it looked fabulous. I always like white on white in the summer.

 

 Embroidered Square Neck Blouse

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I'm really loving this off the shoulder top. It's casual enough for daytime activities, but you could easily wear it out to dinner too.

 

 Vintage Soft Off the Shoulder Tee

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I'm always looking for a good pair of denim shorts...not too short but please not too maw-maw either! ;) These fit the bill. I like the frayed hem.

 

 1969 Best Girlfriend Shorts

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A white version of the above shorts, plus these are a little shorter and maybe a little more fitted. Either way, I like this pair too. And they come in tall, which gives us long ladies an option for a longer inseam!

 

 Authentic 1969 Summer Shorts

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This bracelet is so fun. You could wear it with nearly anything. The tassels are my favorite.

 

 Olivia Bracelet

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I LIVE in my Birkenstocks in the summer. If you don't have a pair, you need to invest...they are so comfy, and I think they give off a cool and casual vibe. These are at the top of my wishlist. Birks in coppery rose gold? Yes, please!

 

 Copper Birkenstocks

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I hope everyone has a great day! I am officially crazy and thought Lily's Mother's Day Tea at school was yesterday...but it's next week. Sometimes I wonder if I'd be able to keep up with my head if it weren't attached to my body. Anyway...Rob and I have a baby shower to attend tonight, so we got a sitter and plan to go to dinner too. I'm excited. See y'all tomorrow!

 

Summertime Activities for the Littles

Summer is fast approaching, so I thought I'd put together a list of some of the things my girls love to do during those few months. School is out; it gets hot as heck here, and the days can be long...so I really try to think of things that will be fun for all of us...

Below are a few things my girls enjoy, and I think your littles will too!

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Oh how we love Kinetic Sand. Even I enjoy playing with it...it's kind of soothing in some weird way. I like that the texture is similar to sand, but it doesn't stick to your hands like sand. And clean-up is easy because it's more malleable. The girls like to combine the colors, and I just save it all in a big Tupperware container. Use cookie cutters, buckets, or sandcastle molds for even more fun.

Kinetic Sand

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We purchased this water table last year, and it was a hit. Just fill it up with water, and let the kids go. Add bath toys or water guns for even more fun.

Waterpark Play Table

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I like this because it does my job for me! The girls can easily hold down the trigger, and it makes perfectly formed bubbles.

Bubble Gun

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I remember making Shrinky Dinks when I was a little girl...and I promise you it's just as much fun now! We got a similar kit last summer and took it to the beach with us in case it rained. I want to purchase a few kits for this summer for those kind of days...or for when it's just too darn hot to go outside.

Shrinky Dinks

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Lily got this book for Christmas, and she's had the best time with it. From simple to complex, the author teaches you how to make art with your fingerprints. It's easy enough for a little one to go through by herself.

FunPrint Drawing Book

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You can pick up an ink pad at any craft store, but we have this one, and it's great. The colors are rich and don't dry out quickly.

Colorbox Inkpad

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The cousin to Kinetic Sand, Kinetic Foam is our new favorite. It holds a shape a lot better than the sand, so it's great for building. 

Kinetic Foam

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These water beads are so cool. They come in packets and look like tiny beads. Once you add water, they plump up in size and feel squishy. It's fun to watch them grow in water, and I promise you'll enjoy running your fingers through them. It's a great sensory craft.

 

Orbeez Water Beads

 

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Djeco makes some of the most beautiful crafts and puzzles for children. We have done several of their collages or craft kits, and they're always pretty enough for a frame afterwards. We have this particular collage kit, and Lily has spent hours working on it. Everything you need is included and is separated into little envelopes...the animals come "naked," and the child glues pre-cut shapes and patterns onto the body to complete each one.

 

Djeco Collages

 

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This is another fun craft idea...kind of a make-your-own snow globe. It's easy to do with a little help from an adult, and the girls love it because they have something to play with afterwards. Lily still has a few on her dresser that we've made together.

 

Glitzi Globes

 

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A lot of the items I've featured are indoor crafts, but when the weather is nice, we do as much outside as we can. We'll set up in the grass or out on the driveway and bring things indoors when it's too hot (which is usually after 8 a.m. in the summer months in Mississippi!). What are some fun things y'all do in the summer with your little ones? I'd love to hear!

 

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Hope everyone has a great day. I've got a few errands, and then I'm headed to a Mother's Day Tea at Lily's school. My heart is full.