tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225676029572745262024-02-21T01:07:54.843-05:00Une Vie ChicTrying To Live A Chic Life In A World That Goes So Fast.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.comBlogger1274125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-75528431227845776602014-03-19T21:39:00.000-04:002014-03-19T21:39:00.905-04:00New BeginningsFor those of you who don't follow on Facebook, I've begun a new blog. It's called <a href="http://www.seekingsmall.com/" target="_blank">Seeking Small</a>, and it incorporates more of my life (which currently involves a lot of Eleanor). I have loved writing here, and I plan to continue when the whim hits. But 2 years ago my life got rocked hard by entering mamahood, and I realized that when this blog became more of a discipline to write rather than a labor of love, that perhaps it was time to figure out something different. <br />
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At first, I thought that perhaps I could simply change it up here, but that just didn't feel like a good fit. I'd write a ton of posts that never got published because it simply didn't feel like the right place. And so it would be silent here. I'd try and think of categories, to maybe jog my brain into writing more to no avail. <br />
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After chatting with a friend (Heather from <a href="http://www.ourkidsmom.com/" target="_blank">Our Kids Mom</a>....whom I've known since I was a pre-teen) I realized the answer for me really lay in starting over with a new blog. After much consideration (agonizing really, if we're being honest), I chose Seeking Small because for me, it spoke to bridging the old and new. I've always tried to seek our small pleasures, small moments in this crazy life. And the new blog gives me a spot to really dig deeper and be real. I wanted to create a space where I could celebrate the beautiful mess that my life so often is. <br />
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I know that not all of my readers will be interested in more mama things, and that's okay. I will occasionally post or cross-post here. But the majority of my writing will be there and I do hope you'll wander over and check it out. I've felt a peace this week that has been missing when it came to my
writing. It's hard to describe, but I feel like the new blog just feels
like home for me. I want to thank you all for reading and engaging with me both here and on other platforms (and e-mail!). <br />
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Merci,<br />
KateKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-48839424371483531612014-02-25T15:55:00.001-05:002014-02-25T15:55:10.972-05:00LIfe As I Know It<br />
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This year I've slowed down, tried to be more intentional. I stop in the middle of a blog post because I have a 2 year old grabbing my hand, ready to set off on wild adventures. I take time to sit with a hot mug of tea and sew or crochet or knit. As I type, Nora flips over the end of our sleigh bed and comes up and says, "Hey." It's her soft way of checking in when she's been playing by herself. She'll repeat it until you acknowledge it if you're in the middle of something. This time there is no wait, I smile, and say, "Hey love." She points to the wash cloth I'm crocheting, the one I've told her is for her and says, "Me." <br />
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2013 I spent wanting it to hurry up, for the next stage of life to begin. And when it didn't, when life was the same, beautiful, but less full than I imagined, I wanted to rush it. I wanted to hurry along to something, even if I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Even now, with the balancing act of different baskets (rather than keeping all of our eggs in one), I want to hurry, hurry. But I force myself to pause. To acknowledge today and it's beauty. <br />
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So now, I take it slower. I walk to the park and sit and just watch the clouds while Nora runs like a banshee to go down the slide over and over. I point out birds or talk about spring being around the corner. We stomp through the last remnants of snow piles, feeling the icy snow crunch beneath our feet. <br />
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Heart shaped biscuits</div>
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Our first year here was slower, and then the year before G's deployment, we were fighting and rushing and then with the pregnancy, the quickness of everything just kept on running along. This year has been more like the first. I take time in the small things. I have my favorite necklaces displayed on our dresser, carefully choosing one each day. I've read more, relaxed more, and loved more. <br />
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Color matching toys I made for Nora.</div>
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Sunday style posts were a bust because honestly the weekends are so full of life that I forget to pause and take photos or blog. Maybe Sunday supper would be best. We'll see. I'm just glad to be living a life full of meaning and intentional steps even if it's only for me and my little family. Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-85988290448283328152014-02-14T16:48:00.002-05:002014-02-14T16:48:25.775-05:00Valentine's Day ArtI have had an idea for something I wanted to make for G for a bit. And what better day to try it out than for a Valentine's Day pressie? I got out some card stock, some leftover paint, and got to work. I eyed the paper, and free-hand painted this:<br />
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I thought it was cute, and sums up both of us really. Nora was super excited, and as soon as G got home today, pointed to where I had it and so I let her give it to him. He thought it was awesome, so now I just need to find a frame and put it up!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-54588910945931263072014-02-13T21:52:00.000-05:002014-02-13T21:52:00.463-05:00Snow MagicThat first winter we moved here was magical. I baked a lot of bread, made a lot of stock. We sat around talking by candlelight, cozy and warm. This winter, maybe because of the cold, or maybe because we have a 2 year old, but has been a little magical in the ways of old. <br />
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I haven't made any bread yet (really need to), but I've baked and cooked. Sewn and crafted things for Eleanor. Spent time just reading and watching the snow fall. <br />
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Tonight I've made dinner (ham roast with roasted carrots and mashed cauliflower and potato). Then I'm on my second batch of ham stock (I end up with 2-3 gallons per ham). <br />
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I whipped up a batch of carrot greens pesto that yielded enough for 3 meals (using 2 bunches of carrot greens). I'd never thought you could use the carrot tops for anything like that, but it tastes fresh and spring-like. <br />
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I've taken all the peel off of the lemon I used for the pesto, and carefully minced it and put it in the freezer. Peeled ginger and put it in the freezer (apparently it keeps it nicely and makes it easy to grate). And I have gingerbread biscotti finishing in the oven (my first time making biscotti!). <br />
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So the house is warm and cozy, my 2 year old is out playing in the snow at night (she's snow obsessed and was literally in hysterics wanting to go out), and I'm ready to settle in and work on a few things for her. And the glow of the moon upon the snow makes it seem just a little more than a regular night. Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-5721049588172336662014-02-12T10:03:00.001-05:002014-02-12T10:03:09.278-05:00Tart Cherry: 1 Insomnia: 0For the last week I have seriously not made it to bed before 5 a.m. any day. Which I recognize is a problem. Sleep and I have a love/hate relationship. I love sleeping once I'm there, but I hate going to sleep. So much to read! So much to do! So much to ponder! <br />
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But I'm been exhausted lately, and finally fed up with my sleep habits. As much as I like being able to stay up until the sun comes up, I'd like more energy during the day. It's a clear sign I'm getting older (I used to easily be able to live on 2-3 hours of sleep), and I need to take better care of myself.<br />
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So, my aunt e-mailed me suggesting trying tart cherry juice. Apparently my Uncle Ron takes it, and as I'm pretty sure he's the healthiest person I know, it sounded like sound advice. I watched a Dr. Oz episode on it, learning about the natural low dose melatonin in it, and bought a bottle of concentrate. <br />
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We're all 3 now drinking it nightly. Last night was the first night. We slept in past noon yesterday, so I knew it might be difficult, but before midnight all the lights were out, I was threatening Nora with expulsion from our bedroom if she didn't settle down, and we eventually all fell asleep.<br />
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I woke up at 6 a.m. I told myself I needed to go back to sleep, but quickly realized it wasn't going to happen. Nora was up before 7:30. So, here I am, 10 a.m. and debating a morning nap. But, overall I'm quite impressed by how refreshed I felt by 6 a.m. I will keep the facebook page updated with how well this tart cherry juice works for our family!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-44708655435540669692014-02-09T22:51:00.001-05:002014-02-09T22:51:46.161-05:00Style Sunday: Drugstore BeautyLiving on a tighter budget, while also wanting to play more with hairstyles and make-up means that if I want to try something, I need to think cheaper. Luckily, thanks to Pinterest, it's easy to find good make-up that doesn't cost a lot.<br />
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I've been wanting to try Revlon's Matte Balm in Sultry, but every single Target I have looked at has been out of these! Apparently they're very popular. Still, I decided to try one of their Just Bitten Kissable balm stains and chose smitten. It's a beautiful pop of color! I've been keeping it in my bag to use daily.<br />
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I'm also loving Rimmel's Kohl eye pencils in both the Soft Kohl Kajal jet black and the Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl in nude. I use the nude on the bottom waterline of my eyes to make me seem more awake. It has helped a lot (still dealing with insomnia, so I'll take all the help I can get!). <br />
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And finally, I picked up Rimmel's Stay Matte pressed powder in Transparent. I like it a lot, it's great to just set everything, and at $4, was much cheaper than anything I'd found before. It lasts, blends well and looks beautiful (but keep in mind, I'm super pale, so the color really doesn't work if you have some color). </div>
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Soon, I'll take pics of these on me and post them to the facebook page. Unfortunately the weather here has not been cooperating for good lighting for pics. I've been so pleasantly pleased with how these look that I can't wait to show you! Hope your weekend was relaxing and full of joie de vivre!</div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-23576314579411638512014-01-31T15:00:00.002-05:002016-01-07T18:36:09.455-05:00ZzzzzI missed writing Thursday's post. Because I fell asleep before 10 p.m. Oh yes, yes I did!<br />
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Yesterday I was up before 8 a.m., getting Nora and I ready for a play date. Then after that play date we had another with the moms' group. Hours of children and playing and chatting left us both tired. Dinner was chips, salsa, guacamole and some microwaved quesadilla things from Trader Joe. After catching The Big Bang Theory, we promptly fell asleep (in our clothes). Woke, undressed, and went to sleep again.<br />
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At 2:25 this morning I woke up. And tried desperately to get back to sleep. Then woke again at 5 with G. Then tried to get back to sleep. We slept until after 11. Seriously. I apparently needed some major re-charging.<br />
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So here I am, a Friday. G took Monday so we have a 3 day weekend. I'm guessing this will involve lots of sleep. <br />
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Hope everyone has an amazing weekend! I'll be back on Sunday, hopefully refreshed and ready to share some style bits with you. Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-68909985774920008862014-01-28T23:25:00.001-05:002014-01-28T23:25:27.186-05:00Play Room Nook DesignG and I have been steadily working to make our home feel more like a us, more of a family space. Only, let's face it.... we're on a thrift store/IKEA sort of budget. So, it's slow going, as we find the perfect things for our space.<br />
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After having Nora's play kitchen in a nook of the play room, we realized it would be better to move it into her room on the second level (the play room is in the open space outside our bedroom on the third level). By doing so, we originally planned to move my desk from the living room up to in front of the window (how it was when we first moved into the house, only with a different desk). However, sitting around today I realized that there was a better option: a little bench seat (hiding the kitty litter out of site) in front of the window, with a table in front of that and a couple chairs.<br />
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By doing this, it still gives me a space to work while Nora plays. Very important. Secondly, she can sit at the table and color or do a puzzle, or sit on the bench and read by the window. And lastly, it gives us a small "breakfast nook" of sorts. We can have coffee there and read the paper on Saturday mornings. Sounds odd, I know, to have a breakfast nook 2 floors up from the kitchen. But for us, it seems like it might work out to be a highly functional space. <br />
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Here is the design board I came up with tonight:<br />
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Breakdown:<br />
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• The paint color will be Benjamin Moore's Stonington Gray, like most of the house.<br />
•<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S39888837/" target="_blank"> Ikea Besta bench</a>, put in under the window to create seating and also hide the litter box.<br />
• <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40063632/" target="_blank">Ikea Docksta</a> tulip-esque table for a work space and cozy place to chill.<br />
• <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80153070/#/00246219" target="_blank">Ikea Bernhard Chairs</a> (2). The seat is leather, and the base is chrome.<br />
• <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80251706/#/20159107" target="_blank">Ikea Lack Shelves</a> on one wall to offer a place for art/photos/etc<br />
• <a href="http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Dovecote_Pendant/280/" target="_blank">Home Decorator's Dovecote</a> pendant light in nickel.<br />
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Notes:<br />
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• I will be attempting to DIY a bench cushion from <a href="http://www.prettyhandygirl.com/2013/01/sewing-a-bench-cushion-with-piping.html" target="_blank">this</a> tutorial by <a href="http://www.prettyhandygirl.com/" target="_blank">Pretty Handy Girl</a>. Doesn't her project look pretty?<br />
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• I would prefer to DIY some chairs rather than splurging on the leather ones, so I will also be searching for simple wooden chairs to paint similar to these from <a href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/" target="_blank">This Old House</a>:<br />
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• The beauty of the dovecote light is that it is a conversion one... meaning it will just screw into our recessed lighting socket that is already there. <br />
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• And finally I'd like to try my hand at making a sunburst spoon mirror in white to add some texture. This <a href="http://danaalbertson.blogspot.com/2012/05/diy-sunburst-spoon-mirror.html" target="_blank">tutorial</a> from <a href="http://danaalbertson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dana Albertson</a> looks amazing! <br />
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So there you have it, the plan for later this spring (around April I should be able to get to it!). I'm excited for some modern pops done in a cozy space.<br />
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-43714299284894723802014-01-26T18:33:00.001-05:002016-01-07T18:39:53.734-05:00Style Sunday: Sultra Bombshell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The other day on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/UneVieChic" target="_blank">Une Vie Chic Facebook page</a> I showed a photo of my hair all curled for the day. I realized that I love the product enough that I wanted to share about it here!<br />
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Back in 2011, before I found out I was pregnant with Nora, I was a wee bit indulgent while G was away. I splurged on a pricey curling iron called the <a href="http://www.sephora.com/the-bombshell-1-inch-P268003?skuId=1271790" target="_blank">Sultra Bombshell 1 inch curling iron</a>. At $130, it was a ridiculous sum, but I had been researching wand curling irons for a bit, and decided to go for it. G really loves when my hair is all sexy curls, and so I figured he'd appreciate something I might use more often.<br />
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Fair warning, it gets HOT. The pink glove is what you wear to wrap your hand around it without touching it. The first time I used it I accidentally brushed the top of my forehead with it, and I had a burn mark for a while. However, the heat is actually it's strength. I used to curl my hair and by the end of the evening the curl would be falling out. (I have a lot of thick hair.) This week, I curled my hair on Thursday morning and it was still going strong up until Saturday afternoon (when I washed my hair). It literally still had the same curls I had on Thursday, even after running my hands through it a million times....without any styling product to hold it. I had simply rubbed some Moroccan Oil into my hands before running my fingers through it after it cooled on Thursday to give it a bit of shine.<br />
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Another feature I love is that it's cord swivels, so it doesn't tangle. Makes it easy. Also dual voltage, so if I travel out of country I can take it with. And you wrap it up all nicely in a little felt pad that you use to place under it while you're using it (so it doesn't burn your counter).<br />
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It took some watching youtube videos about clipless irons, and a couple practice times, but it is super simple to use, and in under half an hour I have sexy curls that are always a nice surprise for G. Yes, it is pricey, something I had saved for, but I strongly feel I'll be using it for years (and I've already had it for nearly 3). So it's an investment that has worked well and cut down on time getting my hair curled (it used to take me upwards of an hour with all my hair, now it takes me 20-30 minutes).<br />
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So, if you are looking for a great curling iron, I cannot recommend the Sultra Bombshell enough*. It comes in 3/4 and 1 1/2 inch sizes as well, but I thought the 1 inch was the perfect one for me. <br />
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*I was not paid to endorse this curling iron, nor have I worked with the company (though they can feel free to get ahold of me any time!). I simply love this curling iron enough that I use it much more frequently than I've ever used a curling iron before!<br />
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<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-66547577662077493552014-01-23T16:16:00.003-05:002014-01-23T16:16:51.930-05:00Tasty, Healthy Mexican Flavor<br />
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Last night I tried out a new recipe that was so, so good. And vegetarian! I doubled the recipe and made modifications to the ingredients, and I think it worked really well. I pre-soaked my dried black beans and then cooked them while I prepped everything else. We served this up with sliced grape tomatoes and red and yellow bell peppers. <br />
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<u><b>Black Bean and Quinoa Casserole</b></u><br />
Makes 6-8 servings. Originally recipe found <a href="http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=1239857" target="_blank">here </a>on Sparkpeople.<br />
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• 1 c. cooked quinoa<br />
• 3 c. cooked black beans (or two 15 oz cans, drained)<br />
• 2 large sweet potatoes, shredded<br />
• 1/2 a large onion, diced<br />
• 1 1/2 c. frozen corn <br />
• 1 c. shredded cheddar cheese<br />
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. ground cumin<br />
• 1 tsp chili powder<br />
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper<br />
• 1/4 tsp ground jalapeno pepper (optional)<br />
• liberal pinches of salt and pepper<br />
• 2 eggs<br />
• 1 1/2 c. salsa (we used the roasted tomato salsa from Trader Joe...so good!)<br />
• sour cream for garnish <br />
• 2-3 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro for garnish<br />
• olive oil <br />
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Pre-heat oven to 350F. Oil a 9x9 baking dish. <br />
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In a medium pan, heat a little bit of olive oil. Once hot, saute the diced onions on medium until softened. Then mix in the chili powder, cayenne pepper and ground jalapeno pepper. Mix well. Then add the frozen corn and cook until soft. Take off heat and set aside. <br />
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In a large bowl, combine the black beans, quinoa, sweet potatoes, cumin, 1/2 c. cheddar cheese, and the onion corn mixture. Mix together the eggs and salsa and pour over the mix. Mix well, thenpour into prepared baking dish. Sprinkled remaining cheese on top. Bake for 30 minutes. <br />
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Serving size is 1 cup. Top with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of cilantro. Serve with a salad or veggies.<br />
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This is a super high protein meal, suitable for vegetarian friends. Oh, and delicious beyond belief. We all gobbled it down and looked forward to leftovers today. Heats beautifully the next day!<br />
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I'll be doing a price breakdown of these meals later, but seriously, even doubled this wasn't more than $12 for 12-16 servings. <br />
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-65753509525088723492014-01-21T18:03:00.001-05:002016-01-07T18:43:35.241-05:00Coffee On A Snowy Day<br />
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We recently picked up some new mugs at Crate and Barrel. They hold 15 oz and fit into my hands like they were molded for me. I love the scent of the coffee as it hits me, cozy, warm, harkening me back to when I was a wee little girl sneaking sips of my grandmama's cup. The heat radiates down through my fingertips, warming my hands. The taste, like comfort tinged with the bitterness that sometimes comes in life. <br />
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I've always drank coffee. I honestly cannot remember a time when I haven't. And though we get some odd looks, Nora drinks coffee as well. We learned quickly that the only way to keep her little paws off our mugs is to tell her that it is "très chaud" (very hot)*. That usually works. I drink mine with a splash of milk, though if we're out I'm not above drinking it black. G likes his sweetened with a bit of sugar. I always tease him, and he says I'm already sweet enough so I don't have to use any. Nora likes to eat chocolate covered espresso beans, so she's not particular if her coffee is sweetened or not (I usually make what we grew up calling coffee milk for her). <br />
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It's snowing hard, G got sent home early, and there is a good chance that tomorrow will be a snow day as well. I love these times. The quiet city. The hot drink warming me. Simple luxuries that make my life beautiful. <br />
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*For some things I use more French than English. For instance, "listen to me", "very hot", "stop", and "it's finished" (my way of telling her the tantrum is done) are almost always in French. Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-86488484513344443462014-01-20T00:01:00.001-05:002014-01-20T00:01:13.437-05:00Style Sunday: Bedding ChoicesG and I have been trying to set up a guest bedroom. First, we tried matching to my grandmama's vintage curtains. But in the end we realized that in nighttime light, the curtain background was too tan. But laying in the guest bed, thinking like Pooh Bear (E's current favorite film), I realized that the solution may already be at hand.<br />
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This was our bed. The awesome DwellStudio duvet cover is one G picked out back before Iraq and E. But, sleeping on the third level of a rowhome, where the heat rises to sweltering, we rarely use the duvet. Instead, it's simple a pretty bedspread. **Further, it's shorter than it should have been and it can't tuck in much at the bottom and reach the top well. So last night I asked G to grab it off our bed and try it on the guest bed. Turns out that it is the perfect modern pop (without being too modern) to our antique bed. So, we've decided to try out new options for our own bed.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHsXZIo72HAaHvLmmywLJU-epINHJWg03kP8eLdSdeMYpjXtj3SOxLJn23FpUMYvxX7vA8rs6o-gDsV89SdEAHHM5hiapL3Vpo3_ika5AZO_eJZN6IHuWn3rHyx-2K5a7-3hKJ1qrnw4/s1600/_8203541.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></div>
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<a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/levtex-ikat-quilt/3541805?origin=keywordsearch" target="_blank">Levtex Ikat Quilt at Nordstrom</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRIr2h7Js36sM1eqpfJr9ctHx83SFSRu1plQ0rgAlDivK7p1ub9KttAwRc9QeWOf2thUEiyyd0NM6YAPGo1JRy5CVlzD76fKo9HcHTCekVgi05cPPEajpniTOaxTIf4zEcZCHhFHRys0/s1600/_8405434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRIr2h7Js36sM1eqpfJr9ctHx83SFSRu1plQ0rgAlDivK7p1ub9KttAwRc9QeWOf2thUEiyyd0NM6YAPGo1JRy5CVlzD76fKo9HcHTCekVgi05cPPEajpniTOaxTIf4zEcZCHhFHRys0/s1600/_8405434.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/levtex-hemingway-quilt/3528039?origin=category" target="_blank">Levtex Hemingway Quilt at Nordstrom</a></div>
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I found these quilts originally while looking at options for the guest room. However, I quickly realized I liked them way too much to leave them in a room that will seldom be slept in. Trying to decide between the two was ridiculously difficult, so we've decided to order them both. It will allow us to switch it up seasonally if we like. I like that they are both modern and a nod to the old (with the patterns reminding us of moroccan tile work. <br />
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So, switching up the style of our room, we'll see how it goes. We both love these sorts of patterns, so perhaps next we'll try stenciling a rug using an ikat pattern? <br />
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**When I e-mailed DwellStudio to complain about this I never got a response from them, so we basically avoid buying their products, particularly ones where size is an issue. Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-9707049427304462482014-01-17T21:55:00.001-05:002014-01-17T21:55:13.416-05:00Spicy Sweet Potato Soup On Rice<br />
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First up for new recipes I'm trying this month is a thai flavored soup made of sweet potatoes, ginger, peanut butter, cilantro and lime. I decided to alter the recipe in order to make it thicker, perfect for eating over rice as a meal. Here is how I did it:<br />
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<u><b>Spicy Sweet Potato Soup</b></u> <br />
original recipe found <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/spicy-sweet-potato-soup/" target="_blank">here</a> on allrecipes.com, makes 8 servings<br />
<br />
• 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks<br />
• 1/2 c. sour cream<br />
• 1 tsp grated lime zest<br />
• 1 tbsp butter <br />
• 1 onion thinly sliced (yellow or white)<br />
• 2 cloves of garlic sliced<br />
• 4 cups chicken stock (I used turkey stock I made from our Thanksgiving heritage turkey)<br />
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin<br />
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper<br />
• 2 tbsp grated fresh ginger<br />
• 1/4 c plus 2 tbsp peanut butter<br />
• 1 lime, juiced<br />
• chopped fresh cilantro<br />
• salt to taste (I don't know that I used any!)<br />
• 1 large roma tomato, seeded and diced<br />
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First, I pre-heated the oven to 375F and roasted my sweet potato chunks the night before in order to have them already cooked (cuts down on cooking time the next day substantially). <br />
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Combine sour cream and lime zest and allow to sit and flavor (this was amazing and I'm making this for mexican from now on!). <br />
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In a larger pot, heat butter over medium heat until melted. Add the sliced onion and garlic and cook until softened. Once soft, add the sweet potatoes, chicken stock, cumin, red pepper, and ginger. Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes. Using an immersion blender, blend soup until smooth. (If you're using a regular mixer, allow to cool a bit and add a little soup at a time, pureeing. Caution because hot soup can explode in a mixer. After done pureeing, heat again.) <br />
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Add peanut butter and mix. Next add the lime juice and mix in well. <br />
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To plate, we simply put some freshly cooked basmati rice on a plate, then ladled on some of the soup, topping with a spoonful of the sour cream mixture, cilantro and tomatoes. Bon appétit! <br />
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<br />I highly recommend this soup. We all loved it, Nora ate every last bite each time it's been served (we had enough leftover for 2 more meals). I think it would be even more amazing with some grilled chicken sliced and placed on top of the soup before the toppings. We'll be trying it that way soon. <br />
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Mission delicious budget dinner: winner. Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-28922854957254751942014-01-15T17:01:00.000-05:002014-01-15T17:01:07.808-05:00What's On The Menu? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Most people laugh when I say we're sticking to a food budget, because they don't believe it. But the reality is that I am trying very, very hard to stay under $175 for every pay period. Which may sound like an astronomically large budget, but that's for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We also eat mainly organic (which would be a discussion for another time), and real food, not highly processed. So I sat down the other night and painstakingly worked out menus for the rest of the month. Many of the recipes are new ones I'm trying (actually almost all of them), and I'll be sharing them here as I go along. <br />
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We realized that in order to stick to the budget, we really have to utilize our love for beans, legumes and veggies. Most of this is meat free if not actually vegetarian (some use chicken
stock, which I'm subbing in homemade turkey stock for). And most have
salad or some other veggie side, to make them well rounded meals. As
for breakfast I make a delicious slow cooked oatmeal (cooks overnight)
that will basically be a staple. <br />
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Here are some things on the menu for the next 2 weeks (we eat a lot of leftovers around here):<br />
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• Spicy Sweet Potato Soup Over Rice<br />
• Tomato Basil Soup (which I have actually never made!) with Grilled Cheese (Mozzarella and Parmesan)<br />
• Butternut Squash Tian with Herbed Bread Crumbs<br />
• Quinoa and Black Bean Casserole<br />
• Moroccan Chickpea Curry (we're actually using my lamb heart recipe only utilizing chickpeas)<br />
• Quinoa Veggie Burgers with Homemade Baked French Fries <br />
• Black Bean Burgers with Homemade Baked French Fries <br />
• Spaghetti Squash Curry with Roasted Chickpeas<br />
• Pork Chops with Black Beans and Corn Salsa with Garlic Mashed Cauliflower<br />
• Niçoise Salad<br />
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Sounds tasty, non? I'm out to prove that you can eat very inexpensively while still eating whole foods with flavor. Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-79123546226501331252014-01-14T22:09:00.001-05:002014-01-14T22:09:15.007-05:00Lamb On A BudgetLamb is a delicious, but somewhat expensive meat. After moving here we noticed that our local Whole Foods gets in about 4 lambs a month, and butchers them in house, including organ meat. So over the last few months I grabbed lamb heart whenever I saw it, slowly gathering 6 lamb hearts. I've <a href="http://uneviechic.blogspot.com/2012/11/i-heart-lamb.html" target="_blank">previously written</a> about using a recipe called Moroccan Lamb Heart, but recently really changed how I did it and wanted to share how we ate enough lamb for 3 meals, for less than $9 spent on meat. For those who can't stomach the idea of eating heart, regular lamb or chicken would work well too. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpzLzjJXzyuHuuFRah6zm2u-9ILU8JeBT_AU03szoUtvA53RdYwa6HPFCeVY_i_Az_zNMywQjDvliNAdaKDaKK9aZdlYsiWf-p7UQYztuVFiNc6ZVFxKuwjdkUpnGueqtmNYjbll2Bic/s1600/IMG_7792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpzLzjJXzyuHuuFRah6zm2u-9ILU8JeBT_AU03szoUtvA53RdYwa6HPFCeVY_i_Az_zNMywQjDvliNAdaKDaKK9aZdlYsiWf-p7UQYztuVFiNc6ZVFxKuwjdkUpnGueqtmNYjbll2Bic/s320/IMG_7792.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<u>Moroccan Lamb Heart Curry </u><br />
adapted from <a href="http://moroccanfood.about.com/od/maindishes/r/Heart_kebab.htm" target="_blank">this recipe</a> on moroccanfood.about.com<br />
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• 2 lb. lamb hear, cut into 1/2 inch cubes <br />
• 4 tsp. paprika<br />
• 2 tsp. ground cumin<br />
• 1 tsp black pepper<br />
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper<br />
• 3 tsp salt<br />
• 2 Tbsp. vinegar (I used regular white vinegar)<br />
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil<br />
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Combine all ingredients and marinate for 30 minutes-3 hours in a container in the refrigerator.<br />
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Now, for the other ingredients:<br />
• 1 large white or yellow onion, sliced thinly<br />
• Can of tomato paste (I used tomato paste I made which is super thick)<br />
• 3 carrots, diced<br />
• Approx. 1 1/2 c. frozen peas<br />
• Olive oil<br />
• Water <br />
• Flour (I added it to thicken it a bit)<br />
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When it's about 1/2 an hour before you want to cook the lamb (based upon how long you choose to marinate it), add a little olive oil to a pan, heat and then cook on med-low the onions, allowing them to soften and turn golden. Once they are cooking, add your tomato paste. <br />
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Let the tomato paste cook in with the onions, adding extra olive oil if it starts to stick. In a separate small skillet, add a little olive oil and heat. Once hot, add carrots and cook until softened. Once soft, add peas and begin to cook. <br />
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Then, take out the marinated lamb and scoop all of it's deliciousness into the pan with the onions and tomato paste. Combine, and begin cooking. The lamb will cook fairly quickly, so once it's been brown for a bit, take a piece out and cut to check if it's simply pale pink inside. If so, add the carrots and peas. At this stage add about 1 cup of water and mix to make a sauce. Continue to cook as the sauce thickens.<br />
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I added a small handful of flour, sprinkled on top and mixed to combine to make it a thicker sauce (without having to add a cream). If you are okay with a thinner sauce, you can omit that step.<br />
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Once the thickness is to your liking, turn off heat. Serve over basmati rice. Bon Appétit!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-27962312996439905172014-01-12T20:15:00.000-05:002014-01-13T01:03:37.486-05:00Style Sunday: A Little Polish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I bought a new nail color last month that I love, love, love. Swaying slightly from my love of dark blue/purple/grey polishes, I was attracted to this one because it reminds me of a deep claret wine. Called "In The Cable-Carpool Lane" by OPI it's a beautiful wine red, perfect for the cozy month of January (reminding me of mulled wine).<br />
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Me typing with a sleeping E on my lap.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrGkaX8eOrZ4kL6bpJTDEn4RR964RFLFphfhTM5bu9y_rR90pPB6VNUopf20iKF7BwFv3LA37NQXkh6H1BkuLplRYZspB3R1M33G0ASIQyNKEIE2ZN2AcgF-KJ65WDhly6UPlYUbvryk/s1600/OPI-In-the-Cable-Car-pool-Lane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrGkaX8eOrZ4kL6bpJTDEn4RR964RFLFphfhTM5bu9y_rR90pPB6VNUopf20iKF7BwFv3LA37NQXkh6H1BkuLplRYZspB3R1M33G0ASIQyNKEIE2ZN2AcgF-KJ65WDhly6UPlYUbvryk/s320/OPI-In-the-Cable-Car-pool-Lane.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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And for a better look. Image from<a href="http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/opi-san-francisco-collection-review-swatches-pictures/" target="_blank"> MakeupandBeautyBlog</a>.</div>
Taking the time to myself to soak my hands, clean up my nails, paint them and moisturize them is a delightful little luxury. I'm hard on my hands with all the cooking and deep cleaning I've been doing, so taking the time to pamper them a bit was nice. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuVN02HER-CHaiHeuA-VwotdJOa64-I0Yb88_umTxeafis08JiI-4iFE04gkVp_jrsfpXD_js2BlxgvoooIfPF_SVbgLAgcLPqHATIIfkNcfwbROmh7YZ-QgvQAbPmTEPBuqs6KqrhTA/s1600/jimmychoorosalie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuVN02HER-CHaiHeuA-VwotdJOa64-I0Yb88_umTxeafis08JiI-4iFE04gkVp_jrsfpXD_js2BlxgvoooIfPF_SVbgLAgcLPqHATIIfkNcfwbROmh7YZ-QgvQAbPmTEPBuqs6KqrhTA/s320/jimmychoorosalie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And the color reminds me of the Jimmy Choo Rosalie bag in plum that I fell in love with this fall. A nice, warmer color for the cold winter months. <br />
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Any colors you are rocking this winter? Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-43493597778450341242014-01-09T19:36:00.000-05:002014-01-09T19:36:05.860-05:00Salad Additions On A Budget<br />
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We've been trying really hard to incorporate veggies as at least half of every meal. And salads in the winter time seem such a luxury that we've been gobbling them up by the head-ful! My biggest advice for saving money on salads is to buy heads of lettuce and prep it yourself at home. A salad spinner helps you wash the lettuce, as well as keep it nice and fresh for up to 3 days in your refrigerator. I've found that the bags or containers of lettuce simply don't keep well once you've opened them and we end up (even with as much salad as we eat) wasting some of it. <br />
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Obviously for a punch of flavor, lettuce alone doesn't do it. So, I like to add carrots, tomatoes (we buy some local grape tomatoes that have been tasty), red onion, and bell pepper. But dressings can be where it starts to go downhill. You want a dressing that is delicious, inexpensive and easy to make, but that doesn't overpower everything else. For me personally that means a simple balsamic dressing I can whip up into an old dressing bottle and keep in the fridge. Here's how I do it:<br />
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It looks a little off on the ratio because I already has some in the bottom.</div>
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<u><b>Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing </b></u><br />
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• Olive Oil (You want to use a robust one, in my opinion)<br />
• Balsamic Vinegar<br />
• Onion Powder<br />
• Salt<br />
• Freshly ground pepper<br />
• Herbs and/or spices, to your preference (I like oregano lately, but herbes de provence works well)<br />
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Here's where it gets a little complicated and G tells me I'm worse than a little old lady. It's hard to give exact measurements of the seasoning, because it's really to taste. The most important rule is to do a 3:1 ration of olive oil to vinegar (no matter if you're making a red wine dressing, champagne dressing, or balsamic). So, for my bottle of dressing, I pour in my olive oil, and then add in the vinegar to equal approximately 1/3 of the oil. (easier in a straight up and down bottle). Then I add in the seasoning to taste, a little at a time until it tastes right. It keeps easily in the fridge, but it never lasts long around here. This dressing is also great on chicken, grilled veggies, and a caprese salad. <br />
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We haven't been eating much carbohydrates with our main meal (we start out the day with slow cooker oatmeal), so I wanted croutons to add to the salad. But if you've ever looked at most boxes of croutons you know the ingredients aren't usually the best, and any good ones seem pricey for how little you get (we'd need a bag of Trader Joe's croutons for 2-3 meals...and at $2.99 that seems a little ridiculous). So instead, I've been making my own for years. It's easy, tasty, and they make a ton from one loaf. This recipe leaves me with a quart sized bag full, even after one meal. <br />
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<u><b>Croutons </b></u>(for salad and soup)<br />
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• Loaf of ciabatta or a baguette, cut into 1/2 - 1 inch chunks. (chunkier works better for soup)<br />
• Olive oil<br />
• Salt<br />
• Oregano (or other seasoning, base it off your tastes)<br />
• Onion powder (I like the way the powder seeps into the bread and flavors it)<br />
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Pre-heat oven to 375F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean up. Mix together the oil and seasoning, whisking to combine well. Then pour over your bowl of bread chunks and mix with your hands, really making sure they are coated well. Then spread on the lined baking sheet and bake for 10-20 minutes, checking for when it turns golden brown. <br />
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So, two recipes to help improve your salad on a budget that always seem to get rave reviews. I'd love to hear your suggestions for salad toppings, or if you have a great dressing recipe! Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-76984796881730525972014-01-07T21:19:00.002-05:002016-01-07T19:23:16.784-05:00Entertaining SimplyThis year G and I have decided to put ourselves on a fairly firm budget. The last two years we didn't do well budgeting, and our savings account shows it. The beauty of this is that I work well in tight constraints. If you give me a deadline for a writing project, I will get it done, and done beautifully.....but not until the 11th hour. I was up until 7:30 a.m. Christmas morning putting the last coat of paint on Nora's play kitchen. And if you give me a tight budget, as well as a goal to entertain more, than I have found I really enjoy the challenge.<br />
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The aftermath, empty champagne bucket (thrifted), and a sad mostly empty plate of brownies.</div>
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Because of the budget, going out for drinks with friends is simply not going to be happening very often. So, instead, I'm opening up my home more. I invited 2 good friends over for New Year's Eve. Nothing fancy, they brought cheese and I provided chili, salad and brownies (along with wine and bubbly of course!). I decorated the chalkboard and made a pennant banner that said "2014" out of a brown paper bag, gold spray paint (sprayed into a cup and then hand painted) and garden twine. It was a fun night, and a great start to a new year.<br />
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Last weekend I invited a friend over on our snowy night for dinner and coffee and it was nice. Later this month I've invited a few friends for dinner. The weekend after that I'm having a friend join us for a brunch. All will be simple meals (think quiche and frittata), but I'm hoping to be more relaxed. Practice makes perfect, after all. I have a goal to entertain in some way (coffee or a meal) each month. I've finally figured out that keeping it simple is key to not stressing. And a tighter budget necessitates simpler meals. <br />
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It's actually been fun, the idea of people popping in more. Tonight after discussing the menu for the dinner party G and I agreed that this year really feels like it's going to be great. And because I know that we're not the only ones who'd like to entertain more, but are on a budget, I thought that I would love to share tips and tricks as I go along (along with any mistakes!). Let this be the year that we charge forth boldly and with bubbly. Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-28818545867519482942014-01-05T21:51:00.003-05:002014-01-05T21:52:44.648-05:00Style SundaysIn order to keep myself on track in my own life, both in the pampering way and the blogging initiative way, I've decided to take a page from Michelle at <a href="http://italiagal.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Italia Gal</a>'s book and institute Style Sundays here at Une Vie Chic. What this means for me is anything to do with style, from beauty/hair, to entertaining with style, to decorating my home. Anything is up for grabs really, but I want to write in a way that inspires you and myself.<br />
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So this first Style Sunday is dedicated to hair. More importantly a shampoo and conditioner combo that I literally have been raving about. I discovered it as a sample from Sephora, and then ordered it before Christmas as a gift to myself. And after I've washed and blow dried my hair, I repeatedly touch it, have G touch it and say, "It's like my hair is after the salon, only every time."<br />
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I've tried buying the same shampoo that my salon uses (a pricey organic, usually Italian line....they occasionally try new ones). But it just never works the same. We've still yet to install the water softener in our basement and the water here is just harder than the water at the salon. So, ultimately I end up disappointed. When you leave the salon, your hair tends to be super silky, like butter, and I think we'd all agree it's heaven.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVBvS-55zc5I-HeJKbQHVYldn-iANtOEvN3FlMEQ23A_S6zXYNt0HXyrUiI2dxvG4EOaY8YAiI4KeDmwEKBwa-FhyHu3rZSqFrbUn5FbF7xejFccN-Cf0QyFoS1sREAODqAB_XT3pj0U/s1600/caviarmoisture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVBvS-55zc5I-HeJKbQHVYldn-iANtOEvN3FlMEQ23A_S6zXYNt0HXyrUiI2dxvG4EOaY8YAiI4KeDmwEKBwa-FhyHu3rZSqFrbUn5FbF7xejFccN-Cf0QyFoS1sREAODqAB_XT3pj0U/s1600/caviarmoisture.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, <a href="http://www.sephora.com/caviar-anti-aging-moisture-duo-P377000?skuId=1446053">Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner</a> ($54 for a set at Sephora...pricey, but it's concentrated and I see that lasting me months), is <i><b>amazing</b></i>. It makes my thick fine hair super manageable and silky. My hair actually has seemed healthier since using it (and I have a pretty good head of hair!). Overall, I've been super impressed and after using it for weeks, decided to share.<br />
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Pros:<br />
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Silky, delicious hair. I make other people touch it. Yes, yes I do.<br />
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Smells divine.<br />
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Super concentrated, so even with all of my hair, a little shampoo goes a loooonnnng way.<br />
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Formulated without parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. I can't use things with any sort of sulfates in them because it ruins my skin quick. So, this point is important for me. <br />
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Cons:<br />
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It's a bit pricey, definitely on par with salon brands.<br />
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The bottle twists open on top, so if you have soapy hands it can be a bit of a pain.<br />
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Neutral:<br />
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It contains caviar extract, so if you are vegetarian or vegan you might not want to use it. <br />
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So, if you are looking for something that will completely revitalize your hair, I recommend this. The best part is that you can give it a try and if you don't love it, Sephora has an excellent return policy. This is just me sharing something I love, not working with either Alterna or Sephora (though they can be free to get ahold of me anytime!).<br />
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P.S. Also got a sample of the Caviar Dry Shampoo.....it has turned out to be the perfect thing for my bangs (which always get oilier than the rest of my hair). So, if you're looking for something for bangs, I totally recommend that too!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-3389086881805180422014-01-02T01:56:00.000-05:002014-01-02T01:56:04.579-05:00Oh, Hello There<br />
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My chalkboard for our New Year's Eve Dinner.</div>
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This last year... well, let's just say I was happy to wish it Bon Voyage on it's journey to the place called the past. G and I rung in 2014 with friends in our home. A simple meal, lots of bubbly, and a reminder of what I want going forward. So, as most bloggers are apt to do this time of year, here is my list of goals for 2014:<br />
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• Begin blogging 3 times a week. I've missed blogging terribly, and after discussing it with G I realized setting up a schedule would help me. I will be aiming to post on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. <br />
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• Work on my friendships here. I tend to worry I'm being a bother to people, as everyone is so busy. But after having a friend call me out on it, I've realized I'm isolating myself because they think that I don't want to get together!<br />
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• Host more dinner/cocktail parties. I always have such a blast! <br />
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• Join the Y. I need to start putting my self as a little bit higher of priority. So, I'll be starting to run again, starting at 3 times a week. Found a Y just a little over a mile from my house, so I can stop stressing over trying to get to base (over half an hour away) just to work out.<br />
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• I'm aiming to get back down to the size I was 4 years ago when we moved here. Basically, I'd like my favorite clothes to fit again! I loathe having to buy new clothes when I have perfectly lovely ones just waiting to get acquainted again.<br />
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• Work through at least the first 3 (of 5) levels of the Rosetta Stone French so that my fluency will return. <br />
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• Take time for myself each week (on Thursdays) for pampering. <br />
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• Put more money away so that we can take a vacation or two sometime this next year (even a weekend would be nice!). <br />
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• Read a minimum of 1 book a week. I'm accepting that I don't have as much time to read as I'd like, but I need to make it more of a priority. <br />
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I know, I know, lots of goals, but I'm excited for a fresh start. <br />
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Until Sunday,<br />
KateKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-78751915938522317152013-12-09T15:04:00.000-05:002013-12-09T15:04:12.570-05:00Busy Busy BeesThis last month has been a whirlwind of painting walls, painting the fireplace, moving bookcases and furniture and mirrors. My living room, while still not quite done (painting takes forever....mostly the prep work) looks quite different. Cozier, a place for a family. We also moved Nora's playroom up from what originally was her nursery to the open space outside our bedroom. It was hard, the change of our (mine and G's) space to "ours." But honestly, it makes so much sense, and it has given G and I more time by ourselves. Which means I've actually read several books in the last week!<br />
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Nora turned 2 a couple weeks ago. Her party went well, though she got overwhelmed by all the people. At one point, she grabbed a blanket and curled up on the dogs' bed to just sort of take a time out from it all. I'm still in awe that I have a 2 year old. But boy do I have a 2 year old! She's incredibly strong-willed and self-assured. There are some days I think I'm in over my head, as I deal with what is clearly a mini me. But most days I love watching her explore and create. I just try and keep up.<br />
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Coupled with all of that we've had a bad cold for weeks now. Not sure it's still a cold or if the constant change in weather (from 60's to snowing in a matter of a few days) that has our sinuses out of whack. Whatever it is, it's left us trying to rest a lot. <br />
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So many things I've been up to, and photos are coming. This year was rough, but it seems like we've accomplished more in the last few months than we had in the first 4 years of living here!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-48480436906031666282013-11-04T18:48:00.000-05:002013-11-04T18:51:50.869-05:00LBA (Lazy Bum Anonymous)One of the hardest things to do in life is to just be honest with yourself. As if admitting mistakes or failings will mean you are a failure. But nothing changes when you're on the path of denial.<br />
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Hello, my name is Kate, and I can be incredibly lazy. I once told a friend (who had some time off from teaching during a summer) that she should be careful. I had found that the more time you have to get things done, the more you will tell yourself you can do it tomorrow. And then the next day, and so forth. When I was a housewife, I had endless amounts of "me" time. I found it easy to put things off, to just zone out watching movies. Our house would be in disarray and instead of feeling motivated I would get overwhelmed and just hide from it. We'd go out for coffee for hours to avoid it. I could clean, but declutter? No.<br />
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Enter Eleanor. Dealing with a newborn, I'm told you should forget about cleaning and focus on them. But strangely, having her has made me more motivated. I suddenly craved the time to spend cleaning and organizing, and would happily hand her off to G when he came home so that I could just do dishes and clear off the counters. But it seemed like there was never enough time. In all honesty, I clearly wasn't making the time. We were still practicing avoidance.<br />
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Well, she's almost 2. Seriously, that boggles my mind. And not only is she more easily spending time amusing herself, but the kid is mildly OCD. Fuzz ball? She yells so someone will rescue her from it. Something on her hands? Oh, hells no. She's just now accepting that she can lick her fingers. And best of all....she likes to clean. Oh yes, give that child her small broom and dustpan and she will pretend to sweep for a good half hour. Ask her to help you put away silverware and she is more than happy to push the step stool over and put like with like. So, not only do I have more time with her entertained, but she can help tidy. She has been throwing things away and picking up when asked since she was around a year old, I kid you not. <br />
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So, here I am, admitted lazy person. Only this time without the computer? I'm less lazy, go figure. I have spent my days painting the walls in our house (still to be completed, but I painted for 5 1/2 hours straight last Friday night), cleaning up, cooking, folding clothes, etc. And last night I finally decided to set up a program to create the habit of tidying. My kitchen is now 90% tidy. And every morning I will be spending 15 minutes of spots that need tidying.<br />
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It's now been a week and it's working well. My coffee table was cleared on the first full day and has stayed that way since. It's not always completely tidy (what with the toddler and all), but it is every night. Same goes for the desk. My kitchen counters were the first thing I attacked and with the exception of today (I've done something bad to my back and am hobbling like an 80 year old woman), they've stayed clear of clutter and dishes.<br />
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Our next big project is tackling the rest of our bedroom and closet. Oy vey! Stay tuned!<br />
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Oh, and the book I read (quickly, it's short) was: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Staying-Organized-Survival-Guide-ebook/dp/B0077C4KOG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383608802&sr=8-1&keywords=the+staying+organized+survival+guide">The Staying Organized Survival Guide by Chloe Wilson. </a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-6192343734053873202013-10-23T20:44:00.001-04:002013-10-23T20:44:46.692-04:00Kitchen Goddess Checking In<br />
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With the weather getting cooler, we've really been eating a ton more soups as of late. I've made potato soup before, but never to this extent. Previously, it was basically potatoes, onion, butter and milk. But for this you make a roux first of butter and flour, and it just gets more delicious from there. I modified the recipe and am sharing my version here. <br />
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<u><b>Baked Potato Soup A La Kate</b></u> Serves 6 <br />
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Original recipe found at <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Baked-Potato-Soup-I/Detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Thumb&e11=baked%20potato%20soup&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%20Page">allrecipes</a>.<br />
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• 12 slices bacon<br />
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• 1/2 cup butter<br />
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• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour<br />
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• 5 cups whole milk<br />
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• 2 cups chicken stock (made from organic better than bouillon chicken base)<br />
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• 6 large potatoes, chopped up and roasted (I chopped into larger chunks and then cut after they cooled)<br />
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• 4-5 green onions, chopped<br />
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• 1 1/4 cup cheddar cheese shredded<br />
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• 1 cup greek yogurt (you could definitely use the sour cream they have on the list, but I use greek yogurt as a substitute most of the time)<br />
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• pinch of salt (to taste, at the end)<br />
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• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper<br />
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• extra milk and chicken base to tweak<br />
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• additional cheese and green onion to top<br />
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Pre-heat oven to 400F.<br />
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Roast potatoes, tossed with olive oil, in a baking dish with either a lid, aluminum foil, or parchment paper over for approximately 1 hour. I used golden potatoes, and I highly recommend them because they keep their shape better in the soup.<br />
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I oven bake my bacon (using a metal cooling rack set into a parchment lined baking sheet for 20 minutes), but you can fry as well. Just make sure you cook them crisp. Blot grease off, and then crumble (or chop) into small pieces.<br />
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In a soup pot, melt butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour until it is combined and smooth (do this slowly so it doesn't become glop). Then slowly add the milk, whisking briskly. It will thicken a little, but don't worry if it's not too thick, it thickens greatly later. Then add in your chicken stock, whisking as well.<br />
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Add in the chopped potatoes (I do bite size), and the chopped green onion. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Then taste, and pat yourself on the back because halfway through and it already rocks!<br />
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Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. This is where it really has thickened. At this point I added another 1-2 cups of milk (I didn't measure, just poured) and another teaspoon of chicken base for some flavor boost. Stir to mix that in well. Next, mix in the cheese, greek yogurt, and most of the bacon (leave enough to sprinkle on top before serving). Let cook a few minutes and then taste again. At this point add the pepper and salt. Taste, and adjust if you'd like more. Cook until cheese is thoroughly melted in. Smile big and serve to people who will call you a kitchen goddess/god.<br />
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This soup was amazing, and I did indeed get called a kitchen goddess. It's rich and filling (a little goes a long way). We served it by itself as a main course, but had a started of roasted broccoli. There will be temptation to make it "lighter." Please don't. It's really a quality over quantity issue, so unless you have health problems, do not try to cut fat or calories. And mainly, enjoy! <br />
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<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-5492929964967536302013-10-13T21:37:00.002-04:002013-10-13T21:37:58.871-04:00So Wake Me Up When It's All Over<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Not all those who wander are lost, but sometimes it's so easy to wander from yourself when you feel lost in your surroundings. This week was painful, like waking up to reality and realizing you can't tell the difference between a bad dream and life. We would have been due the middle of the week and I muddled through, breathing deep the smooches piled upon me by a toddler whose heart is achingly large.<br />
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It's been good stepping back from social media and the pregnancy announcements that seem so plentiful and joyous. And I rejoice for them, I do. I just hurt and I know that's okay, but I can't talk about it, can't acknowledge that I am anything less than okay. That I'm angry at God and the world. That I feel so green I feel like I'm in the wrong season as these leaves change and flutter down upon me.<br />
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I've been busier without the familiar screen distraction. I've cooked and baked and cleaned. But mostly I've breathed. I sit with a hot mug of coffee enveloped in my hands and I breathe in the moment of respite. I laugh with G and it hurts, he hurts, and yet we keep on breathing in and out. E bounces around the bed til early in the morning, giggling and spinning and planting violently loving smooches. And I'm grateful. I'm a mama. The guilt of that, of not appreciating my blessing has hit home hard in the silence without the screen.<br />
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I've actually worked on my novel, the one I was supposed to write before I realized that the exhaustion wasn't just off hours, but Nora curled and growing. It feels good to write, to see my characters once again, watch them in my mind like a movie where I don't know the ending but I'm enjoying the story.<br />
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I'm enjoying my story. The best ones are not cartoons with bluebirds and rainbows. There can be beauty in that rainstorm that rises and swells around us at times. All those cliches of dancing in the rain I've found to be bullshit, but if you simply curl up and watch, go into yourself and not place demands upon yourself to dance like a fool while lightning strikes down, then perhaps you'll be able to see the beauty in the darkness. The darkness makes it easier to see your own light, to cut out the crap that bogs you down and just doesn't matter.<br />
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My uncle commented on the last post that Facebook has allowed him to keep up with and even reconnect with old friends, and I completely agree on that point. But for me, that medium in particular simply became a place where people I don't have huge interest in, acquaintances and friends from the past who share nothing in common with me anymore, seem to play a huge part in how I feel about me. The comparison game that is so easy to fall into and lose because in the end the person you are comparing yourself to is smoke and mirrors and the more we play the more we lose ourselves, our authentic selves, to it.<br />
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I love connecting with friends but the darkness has opened my eyes to the constant competition that seems to run rampant. To take care of me and my own sanity I needed to step away and look inward upon what matters most to me. And that answer was not how many likes a post got or how irritated certain people made me. Letting go of that stress for even a week has already been healing.<br />
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So here's my update: I'm more productive. I'm more reflective. The chatter box I am has found solace in just sitting without words said aloud. The words that swirl in my head are ones I'm still working my mind around, facing fears of feeling less than even as I snuggle our wee one. I'm coming to grips with not giving a shit, with realizing that speaking my own truth is not a slam to someone else. That my decisions are my own and that there really should be a way to make it abundantly clear that you don't care if someone would choose the same. <br />
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Oh, and I totally have been sneaking in t.v. late at night. And by t.v. I mean Julia Child's The French Chef on youtube. Watch it. Even Eleanor is addicted to that woman. Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822567602957274526.post-29164211244243042072013-10-07T12:25:00.003-04:002013-10-07T12:30:03.122-04:00Detox<br />
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You ever feel a niggling suspicion that perhaps you spend just a wee bit too much time online? That you're more distracted than you used to be, and that social media seems way more important than it should be? And that perhaps not every moment is something to photo just to put on Facebook or Instagram?<br />
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Nora and I spent last week watching the 1900 House and Frontier House on YouTube. We've since moved on to The Victorian Farm (all BBC or PBS true reality shows). She's incredibly into them, which cracks us up a bit. But watching them I was struck by a few things said by those on them. First, that they used to think they understood the term busy. Secondly a teenager, after going back to her normal life, commented that she was now bored so easily because there really wasn't much to do.<br />
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Our first winter here we spent a lot of time in candlelight, watching movies, cooking, baking, and playing board games. We didn't have smart phones. We didn't watch a lot of t.v. And I hadn't quite discovered so many awesome websites. It was cozy.<br />
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Four years later we both realized we rely too much on the internet. Between reading websites and blogs to social media to watching t.v. online it can take up too much time. We don't have enough time to read, play games, clean/organize, or just relax.<br />
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So for 1 month we're doing an experiment of sorts. For all intents and purposes, we're giving up the internet. There will be exceptions to that. I am going to blog about our experience once a week (usually Sunday). I will still be posting photos of Nora to facebook for the grandparents (so I don't get phone calls asking why they haven't seen any photos in 2 days!), but not looking at anything on social media. We will still use the internet as a resource if we need to look up a recipe or how to do a task around the house, as well as checking e-mail once or twice a day. And once a week we'll technically be using the internet to catch up on 1 show we both like as well as having our Friday night movie night through Netflix.<br />
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But otherwise, no Pinterest, no Facebook, no Instagram, no blogs, news sites, comedy sites, etc. No distracting ourselves from life with a pretty screen. My hope is that we become less dependent on these things and more intentional about working hard and enjoying life. That we will read more, play more board games, and connect a little better, both with each other and friends. Because honestly, it's so easy to feel disconnected in this modern age, wouldn't you agree?Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.com5