Tonight is soccer practice and that means I pick one kid up from school and immediately need to turn around and bring the other to soccer practice. In the middle of that have dinner ready to feed one early and the other later....whew! Save me from the dinner woes!
Tonight's instant pot dinner is from the foodfanatic blog. I am making the Honey Mustard Pork Chops - sounds yummy!
I will most likely serve it up with egg noodles (kids love 'em) and green beans.
I had planned on using my slow cooker and promptly forgot until I was halfway to work this morning. Oops.
I'll let you know how the pork chops turn out (my first try int he instant pot) and what the kiddos think!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
More Promos and Deals!
Have you hopped on over to Forever.com yet for their 10 Days of Deals? Today's is another awesome print deal - 50% off all Artisan print jobs!!! Get your page prints and storybooks printed today!
And they added a special Deal of the Day just for today! Perfect to start your Christmas and Hanukkah scrapbooking.
Now over at Creative Memories, check out FREE SHIPPING on orders $80 or more - this is only between November 4-8 so you still have time!
Check out the beautiful Winterberry collection - it's pretty cool with it's icy blue and purple color scheme.
And did I mention the new Border Maker cartridge? The Crystal Chain is my favorite one yet!
And they added a special Deal of the Day just for today! Perfect to start your Christmas and Hanukkah scrapbooking.
Now over at Creative Memories, check out FREE SHIPPING on orders $80 or more - this is only between November 4-8 so you still have time!
Check out the beautiful Winterberry collection - it's pretty cool with it's icy blue and purple color scheme.
And did I mention the new Border Maker cartridge? The Crystal Chain is my favorite one yet!
Don't forget to stock up on adhesives and refills while you're browsing my CM site. You don't want to run out!
Enjoy your day and let me know what you are scrapbooking today!
Monday, November 4, 2019
Yum, and Doing the Hard Things
Update on the chicken dinner from last night - YUM!
Pretty much followed the recipe to the letter, used frozen bone-in chicken thighs (cause that's what I had) and increased the cooking time to 15 minutes to accommodate the bones and frozen state of the chicken. Even made the gravy - so easy!
This instant pot has a timer, soooo, next time I'll do the prep and set the timer to be done after practice or work. This feature so helps with my "finding" time to make dinner. Do you have any instant pot recipes to share?
Bummer that EVERYONE loved it so there aren't any leftovers. ;)
What's the hard thing I had to push through? After his soccer game, my son really wanted to go on a play date with a friend with whom we'd lost touch a few years ago.
With everything negative that's happened in our lives, my cynical thoughts began to cram their way into my brain, and prevent me from allowing a simple play date. I pulled back from all of our relationships due to the problems in my marriage. I am still cleaning up the mess my husband has created, living within it every day and trying my best to shield my children. To allow this play date would be to allow people to once again get close, and thus potentially find out about my situation. And once people find out, they fall into two groups: those who truly wish to help and support (of which there are very few) and the bigger group of those who drop away. The ones who turn away from us in the grocery store, at a softball game or at a school event leaving my poor kids to wonder why. I understand they are uncomfortable and unsure about what to say, but it hurts deep down inside. It feels like a betrayal. But I guess since I am the one that hid first, I brought this reaction onto myself and the kids.
I allowed the play date. It's the very least I can do for my son. I'll set my fears and angst aside and do what's best for him. I am trying to be a better mom.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Pretty much followed the recipe to the letter, used frozen bone-in chicken thighs (cause that's what I had) and increased the cooking time to 15 minutes to accommodate the bones and frozen state of the chicken. Even made the gravy - so easy!
This instant pot has a timer, soooo, next time I'll do the prep and set the timer to be done after practice or work. This feature so helps with my "finding" time to make dinner. Do you have any instant pot recipes to share?
Bummer that EVERYONE loved it so there aren't any leftovers. ;)
What's the hard thing I had to push through? After his soccer game, my son really wanted to go on a play date with a friend with whom we'd lost touch a few years ago.
With everything negative that's happened in our lives, my cynical thoughts began to cram their way into my brain, and prevent me from allowing a simple play date. I pulled back from all of our relationships due to the problems in my marriage. I am still cleaning up the mess my husband has created, living within it every day and trying my best to shield my children. To allow this play date would be to allow people to once again get close, and thus potentially find out about my situation. And once people find out, they fall into two groups: those who truly wish to help and support (of which there are very few) and the bigger group of those who drop away. The ones who turn away from us in the grocery store, at a softball game or at a school event leaving my poor kids to wonder why. I understand they are uncomfortable and unsure about what to say, but it hurts deep down inside. It feels like a betrayal. But I guess since I am the one that hid first, I brought this reaction onto myself and the kids.
I allowed the play date. It's the very least I can do for my son. I'll set my fears and angst aside and do what's best for him. I am trying to be a better mom.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Sunday, November 3, 2019
10 Days of Digital Deals
Yep, you read that right, 10 days of Digital Deals over at Forever.com. We're already on Day 3 (eek, I missed days 1-2!) but today's is still pretty awesome -
Save 50% on all FOREVER Design & Print and Artisan printed products!
Artisan is the new Storybook Creator, and with it you can create the most beautiful scrapbook pages (and calendars, photo books, invitations, etc) with ease.
I made these pages back in 2017 so I'm not exactly sure of the digital artwork used. I'll do better keeping track with more current pages!
Right now Artisan is only Windows PC based unless you run can run Windows on your Mac.
Take a look around Forever.com and see what they have to offer - and make sure I am set as your Ambassador so I can answer all of your questions, and help you navigate through all the neat stuff!
Finding Time = Easy Dinners
As you can tell my my lack of posts, there hasn't been a ton of extra time in YEARS to fit in crafting. I seem to exist day to day, month to month and year to year, just doing for everyone else. I know I am not alone in this - a mom's job is never done, right?
There also isn't a lot of extra money to spend on meals not eaten, or fancy appliances to make it all better.
One time of the day I dread, and truly shouldn't, is dinnertime. Or more honestly, the time leading up to dinnertime. I say I should not dread it as it's one of the very few times my kids and I are together and can swap stories from our day and just be with one another. It's deciding what to make to please all of us that I find so stressful. Add to it our super busy lives, and that I am always out of time, my stress level hits the roof. Recipe (pun totally intended) for disaster!
A friend recently recommended using one of those new-style pressure cookers to cook an easy, healthy dinner, that the three of us would devour. I found this one at an amazing price on Amazon. Saved my pennies and am giving it a try.
Tonight I am trying this chicken recipe from the Diethood blog. I like the ease of this recipe and the optional gravy add-on.
I will keep you updated as to how it turns out and share the reviews. Check back in tomorrow!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
There also isn't a lot of extra money to spend on meals not eaten, or fancy appliances to make it all better.
One time of the day I dread, and truly shouldn't, is dinnertime. Or more honestly, the time leading up to dinnertime. I say I should not dread it as it's one of the very few times my kids and I are together and can swap stories from our day and just be with one another. It's deciding what to make to please all of us that I find so stressful. Add to it our super busy lives, and that I am always out of time, my stress level hits the roof. Recipe (pun totally intended) for disaster!
A friend recently recommended using one of those new-style pressure cookers to cook an easy, healthy dinner, that the three of us would devour. I found this one at an amazing price on Amazon. Saved my pennies and am giving it a try.
Tonight I am trying this chicken recipe from the Diethood blog. I like the ease of this recipe and the optional gravy add-on.
I will keep you updated as to how it turns out and share the reviews. Check back in tomorrow!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Friday, November 1, 2019
Journaling?
So I heard something on a podcast the other day that’s got me thinking. I’ve always journaled the good, the bad, and the ugly. I felt that getting it all on paper whether in a scrapbook or journal, was cathartic and helped tell the story. All of it makes up who we are, right? We shouldn’t sugarcoat reality. We need to own it, accept it and push forward, good or bad.
The podcaster suggested this is not a good idea. She said to only write down your positive thoughts, your affirmations and successes. When you journal, you’re making it real. You’re solidifying your truths. If you immortalize your negativity or bad things that happen in your life, then you’re affirming those ideas and essentially propelling them forward.
Huh.
I see her side of this debate. I really do. But isn’t that living your life in a rose-colored bubble? I’m not suggesting we wallow in our grief or sorrow or anger, but we shouldn’t ignore it either. We should identify it, live with it a bit and understand why our feelings. Only then can we let it go to move on.
Maybe I need to journal about this.
The podcaster suggested this is not a good idea. She said to only write down your positive thoughts, your affirmations and successes. When you journal, you’re making it real. You’re solidifying your truths. If you immortalize your negativity or bad things that happen in your life, then you’re affirming those ideas and essentially propelling them forward.
Huh.
I see her side of this debate. I really do. But isn’t that living your life in a rose-colored bubble? I’m not suggesting we wallow in our grief or sorrow or anger, but we shouldn’t ignore it either. We should identify it, live with it a bit and understand why our feelings. Only then can we let it go to move on.
Maybe I need to journal about this.
Mom-Guilt - Under Control?
Hope you all enjoyed a fun and safe Halloween! Here are my kiddos:
Last night my kids decided to split and hang out with friends in different groups. Not really a first for us, but I felt differently about it this time. With me raising them essentially on my own, the fear of choosing which one to go with and which one to abandon (yup, the initial feeling is one of abandonment when I can't be with one of them because of our situation) was HUGE. Every time we're separated at events I feel like I am letting them down by having to choose one of them over the other.
Not this time.
My son's best friend's mom took control (something I need more of in my life) and simply told me she'd pick him up, feed him and take him around a local neighborhood. I wasn't invited, nor was I not invited, but she made the decision for let me. My insightful friend must have known my internal struggle and without making me feel small or ignored, let me, and my enormous mom-guilt, off the hook.
Instead, my daughter and I traveled to her bestie's home and we spent time with teen and adult friends and had a blast. She got to bond with girls that love her and have her best interests at heart, while I was able to get in some much needed adult time with the parents and neighbors. As well as cook and bake for people who appreciate it (another story for another post!)
"Picasso" and "Sandra Dee" had a cool day, even with record-breaking warm temps, rain and 35-60 mph winds. This mom had a pretty great day too.
(My son made most of his costume purchasing just the beret and neck scarf. My daughter's 50's costume is still available on Amazon in case you want to plan for next year. We just added leggings and sneaks.)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Last night my kids decided to split and hang out with friends in different groups. Not really a first for us, but I felt differently about it this time. With me raising them essentially on my own, the fear of choosing which one to go with and which one to abandon (yup, the initial feeling is one of abandonment when I can't be with one of them because of our situation) was HUGE. Every time we're separated at events I feel like I am letting them down by having to choose one of them over the other.
Not this time.
My son's best friend's mom took control (something I need more of in my life) and simply told me she'd pick him up, feed him and take him around a local neighborhood. I wasn't invited, nor was I not invited, but she made the decision for let me. My insightful friend must have known my internal struggle and without making me feel small or ignored, let me, and my enormous mom-guilt, off the hook.
Instead, my daughter and I traveled to her bestie's home and we spent time with teen and adult friends and had a blast. She got to bond with girls that love her and have her best interests at heart, while I was able to get in some much needed adult time with the parents and neighbors. As well as cook and bake for people who appreciate it (another story for another post!)
"Picasso" and "Sandra Dee" had a cool day, even with record-breaking warm temps, rain and 35-60 mph winds. This mom had a pretty great day too.
(My son made most of his costume purchasing just the beret and neck scarf. My daughter's 50's costume is still available on Amazon in case you want to plan for next year. We just added leggings and sneaks.)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Whoa...
...so life has a funny way of taking a turn, flipping upside-down, and taking it's sweet time to right itself. Am I the only one to feel like this?
For my few followers, I so didn't abandon you! I am still upside-down and trying like mad to be right again. I am plugging away raising my amazing children now ages 15 and 11 (yikes) and dealing with a crumbling marriage. That story is for another time.
Am I still crafting? Quilting, not so much dang it, but I did get to digitally scrapbook my family 2020 calendar the other day (to take advantage of the 40% off print sale (promo code TREAT until midnight tonight EST) over at Forever.com, (make sure you have me -Carrie Graziano- as your Ambassador) and I completed about six 12x12 scrapbook pages of my son's new adventure into soccer. That's the most I've been able to get done in months. I have crafted a bit with my son, lastly making his Picasso costume. I'll post those pics soon - trying to find some edit time!
When I last posted I was working as a full-time CPA in a textbook distribution company. I switched jobs back in late 2014 to spend more time with the kids, and deep down I think I knew my relationship with my husband was on the down turn. I forced family photos (wish I hadn't) and was up-ending everything in my life to try to find happiness. At that time, I couldn't pinpoint my feeling of unease. I couldn't bear to immortalize family memories then; it felt wrong, and I didn't understand it. So I just stopped. I also gained a tremendous amount of weight - which I am happy to be losing and on my way to a healthier version of myself. Again, another story for a future post!
I am glad to say I am still at the job I took back then, 5 years and counting. I work for a locally owned photo studio doing their accounting, human resources and managing their school/sports division. I get to take some photos, but mostly for my own enjoyment. This is our busiest time, and I am trying to squeeze in a blog post - I am just a little nuts!
Hoping you'll stick by me while I resurrect my blog and update the links and content. Maybe help me decide what it can be. Looking forward to this adventure!
For my few followers, I so didn't abandon you! I am still upside-down and trying like mad to be right again. I am plugging away raising my amazing children now ages 15 and 11 (yikes) and dealing with a crumbling marriage. That story is for another time.
Am I still crafting? Quilting, not so much dang it, but I did get to digitally scrapbook my family 2020 calendar the other day (to take advantage of the 40% off print sale (promo code TREAT until midnight tonight EST) over at Forever.com, (make sure you have me -Carrie Graziano- as your Ambassador) and I completed about six 12x12 scrapbook pages of my son's new adventure into soccer. That's the most I've been able to get done in months. I have crafted a bit with my son, lastly making his Picasso costume. I'll post those pics soon - trying to find some edit time!
When I last posted I was working as a full-time CPA in a textbook distribution company. I switched jobs back in late 2014 to spend more time with the kids, and deep down I think I knew my relationship with my husband was on the down turn. I forced family photos (wish I hadn't) and was up-ending everything in my life to try to find happiness. At that time, I couldn't pinpoint my feeling of unease. I couldn't bear to immortalize family memories then; it felt wrong, and I didn't understand it. So I just stopped. I also gained a tremendous amount of weight - which I am happy to be losing and on my way to a healthier version of myself. Again, another story for a future post!
I am glad to say I am still at the job I took back then, 5 years and counting. I work for a locally owned photo studio doing their accounting, human resources and managing their school/sports division. I get to take some photos, but mostly for my own enjoyment. This is our busiest time, and I am trying to squeeze in a blog post - I am just a little nuts!
Hoping you'll stick by me while I resurrect my blog and update the links and content. Maybe help me decide what it can be. Looking forward to this adventure!
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