Weekend Ramblings

Do you ever have one of those weeks where it's just easier to not menu plan? That was this week for me. I sat down last Sunday night with my menu planning notebook and just hit a wall. So, instead of having a plan for every night, I went to the grocery store and bought a lot of general stuff like tons of veggies and pantry staples and then every night we have just made whatever sounds good. It's actually been really nice. I'll probably go back to more of a "plan" next week, but I've loved the spontaneity of this week.

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I finished Pride & Prejudice on Sunday and I was so sad to see it end. Sure, I struggled to get into the book but once I got used to the language and style of writing I absolutely loved it. If you haven't read it, you should. And give yourself some time to really get into it. The writing is so lovely and I found it to be so much more than just a "romance" novel. Now I am reading Frankenstein and it is blowing me away. I did not expect the writing to be so captivating and beautiful. I love it so far, which is not something I thought I'd ever say. With that said, I do feel a little book frustrated lately. I have this long list of "to read" but my library either doesn't carry the books I want or there is a wait for them. Don't you hate it when that happens?

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I have been thinking a lot about this job I have called mom and wife and caretaker of the house. While I have days where I want to hide in a corner and rock back and forth from the monotony and never endingness of my to-do list, most days I feel so thankful and...well...full. There is just something wonderful about tackling a mountain of dishes by hand and wiping the counters clean afterward, or soothing a crying baby and "flying" through the house with the best 2 year old I know, making a meal that not only nourishes the ones I love but tastes good too, folding clean clothes and ironing my husbands shirts while listening to NPR on Saturday mornings, or scrubbing the bathroom (my least favorite job of all) and feeling relief that I won't have to do that again for another week (or two, let's be honest). Sure, it's a job that never ends, and, like I said, I have days where I really want to run away and leave all the mess behind, but lately my heart is so full of gratitude for this season - for the opportunity to love my family with my time and labor. Life won't always look like this.

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Despite the beauty and mess of these days, I have also felt extremely weighed down by fear and anxiety. In some ways, I feel surrounded by death - some people we know and some we only know of have passed on and I feel the space they leave. Some have died too young and some at the end of a long and lovely life. I hate that as I get older I am more aware of all the ways that death can creep up and, truth be told, it scares me. I don't really know how to live without the fear of death - of the ones I love being taken from me or me being taken from the ones I love. All I know is that I'm constantly reminded to hug those precious ones every chance I get and to surrender my fears to Jesus.

"Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go for to You I entrust my life." Psalm 143: 8 

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We woke up to trees and lawns and cars covered in snow. After breakfast and steaming mugs of coffee (for the grown ups) and a tall sippy cup of cold soy milk (for the toddler) we bundled ourselves in coats and scarves and embarked on a snowy ("shnow!") adventure. Then back inside for the rest of Toy Story ("Butz!") and the thawing of cold toes and noses.

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And to round off this wonderful post of everything and nothing, here are some things I've been reading lately - things that make me feel all the feelings and inspire the heck out of me.

Use your words. 

Another mom shares her story - a different story - and it made me feel normal and thankful.

I read this secret on one of my darker days and it made me cry. Sometimes we need to know we're not alone.

Much love to you!

The Appliance That Changes Everything

Yesterday I bought this hair tool and I think it just might change my life.

John Frieda Hot Air Brush

Okay, that's probably an exaggeration, but I really do love it.

Here's how it works, at least for me:

I have pretty thick hair so it can take forever and a day to dry it, so I let it air dry for a bit. This works out well because I usually have either J or A demanding sweetly asking for my attention so I can attend to their many demands while my hair dries a little. Once I have satisfied the needs of the masses - aka, my two year old and 3 month old - I start the magic. Basically I divide my hair into sections and then place the brush under my hair, starting at the roots, and pull it down and under or down and out depending on the style you want to achieve. Even though I have let my hair dry quite a bit already the process still takes a while, but, honestly, I think it takes about the same amount of time as drying plus straightening or curling does. If you want more volume at your roots (who doesn't?) you just hold the heat there a little bit longer. I've heard you can also create waves in your hair but I have yet to attempt this.

So here's what I love about it:

1. It's unbelievably easy to use. I am not particularly gifted at hair type stuff, especially on myself, so I was relieved and pleased that this was easy to figure out and use. I mean, I realize I could achieve this look with a round brush and blow dryer but I'm just not coordinated enough! I've tried. Trust me.
2. You know the way your hair feels after you've just gotten it cut? Yeah, that's how my hair feels after using this. It makes my hair so soft and light. 
3. The right side of my hair loves, I mean, l.o.v.e.s to turn out while my left side turns under. I love that I was able to get both sides to cooperate.
4. My toddler - the one who screams bloody murder when I wash her hair or even brush it - lets me use this on her. It doesn't get too hot so it doesn't hurt her head and I think she was pretty fascinated by it. Also, she could use it as a microphone to sing into after I had finished her hair. Okay, okay... I also sang into it a little bit.
5. It's really pretty affordable when you think about how much you might pay for a dryer, straightener, and a curling iron. I bought mine at Fred Meyer (that's where the gift card was for) and it was $39. On Amazon it is $26.49.

Okay, so because I love you, I am going to show you some pictures I took right after I finished doing my hair. Please forgive the poor quality. Also Arthur is like - "who cares about your hair? I just wanna eat, man!"

It even tamed my cowlick - that's what I call a miracle appliance

This is the side that loves turning out

Arthur is like - are we done yet?!

What hair tools or tricks do you swear by?

xo

ps: John Frieda didn't ask me to talk about their product. I just like it and thought you would too.

Dinner: May 5-11

For my birthday this year my parents got me the cookbook, Dinner A Love Story by Jenny Rosenstrach.

Dinner A Love Story

Jenny had me at "dinner diary." Every week (for fifteen years!) she wrote down what she wanted to eat for the upcoming week. Brilliant, right? This book, part cookbook and memoir, is the fruit of those 15 years. It is divided into the various stages of Jenny's life (i.e. Just-Married Stage and the New Parent Stage) with stories and recipes that correspond to those days. This book has given me hope for the days to come (you know, when my child might actually eat the food in front of her instead of playing with it. Or, wait - does that ever change?) and perseverance in the nitty-gritty of early parenthood. Basically, it revolutionized the way I do dinner in our house.

Since I love plans and lists I have started planning my own menu at the start of every week. When Sunday rolls around I write down what we're going to have Monday-Sunday of the upcoming week and then on Monday (usually) I head to the store with a complete list of all the ingredients I need to make those meals a reality. Planning out our meals has relieved so much stress! Of course, we don't always follow the plan, but it's such a relief to know that the guesswork has been taken out of "what are we having for dinner tonight?" Plus, when I'm stumped about what to include on the menu it's nice to have a handy reference to look back on - "oh yeah! we had (insert meal here) a few weeks ago and it was awesome! I'll make that!"

So, I've decided to let you in on my weekly menu. Maybe this doesn't interest you in the slightest, or maybe, if you're like me, you love this kind of stuff. I also hope that maybe it gives you fresh ideas for dinner because I know how easy it is to fall into a dinner rut. Finally, I hope you'll share your favorite dinners in the comments below. I always love to hear new ideas!

Without further ado, here is our menu for May 5-11

Monday: Chipotle chili (I decided to make this a vegetarian meal to save money)
Tuesday: Thai basil fried rice (sans radishes - I hate 'em)
Wednesday: Baked potatoes with leftover chili
Thursday: Crispy paprika-parmesan fish with green beans
Friday: Taco pizza (Friday night is always pizza night)
Saturday: Rotini pasta with ground turkey and broccoli
Sunday: Grilled chicken, grilled corn on the cob, homemade sweet potato fries (Forrest is making all of this since it's Mother's Day)

What are you having for dinner?

xo

It's that time again...

Remember that time I took a two and a half month break from blogging?

Yeah, me too.

It's not that I didn't think about it. I had plenty of ideas to write about, but I just lacked the...energy. I kept feeling like the first post back needed to be monumental in order to make up for all the weeks I'd been away.

Meh, I've given up on that idea and instead am just going to tell you about what's going on right now.

Today is Fat Tuesday which means tomorrow officially starts the Lent season.

To be honest, I love this season. I love the struggle of giving something up, the inevitable quiet that happens in my physical and emotional space. It is a sacred time, a time of remembering.

Last year I gave up makeup, and it was quite the challenge! This year I am giving up all social media. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter will not see me and I'll not see them for the next forty days. I'm nervous, it's true. I look at social media in my down time (and my busy time) as a way to relax and check out. Without it, well...lets just say that I'm hoping to embrace more of the quiet I mentioned earlier. I'll be posting here regularly (I hope!) to let you know how it's going.

Are you participating in Lent this year? I'd love to hear what you're giving up or adding!

xo

A Very Manly Christmas

You are probably already done with all of your Christmas shopping, but just in case you're not...here are a few ideas for that special fellow in your life!

Make magazine
$34.95 for a year (6 magazines)

Image retrieved from here

This magazine is perfect for the guy who loves to know how things work and is interested in building a few special projects of his own. Forrest had a subscription for a year (6 magazines a year) and he loved it.

Dear Mr. Watterson
$18.99 for the DVD (check out the link for all the bundle gift options!)

Image retrieved from here

For the guy who loved reading Calvin and Hobbes as a kid. Or, if you are my husband, still loves reading them.

Knitted ties
$ depends on the type of yarn you buy

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Maybe this one will need to wait until you have a bit more time, but how awesome are these hand knit ties? I love homemade gifts and this one is so original!

ASOS Cable Sweater with Elbow Patches
$35.39 ON SALE

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Because...who doesn't love their man in a sweater that has elbow patches??

NBA League Pass
$39.99 for mobile

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Because the Blazers are ON FIRE this year and he needs to watch all of the games.

What are your go-to items for your fella? I'd love to hear.

xo

Eyes of Faith

The snow started to fall on Saturday morning. The flakes were small but consistent. I watched as my neighborhood was transformed from normal to wonderland, and my heart felt full.

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The baby and I enjoyed the glow of lights from our small tree and played while Harry Potter battled trolls and dragons in the background. Still my heart felt full but also distracted.

Despite the beauty of our cozy home, I felt discontentment and jealousy creep in. Instead of being still and soaking in the glow of Juniper's smile, I focused on the small screen in my hand and the pictures of other homes with better decorations and trees. Later, I was, I am, embarrassed that I let myself be distracted from the loveliness that is my home and my life.

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It is so easy for me to get wrapped up in the lives of others. To put more energy in watching and assuming what life is like for so-and-so. To get caught up in jealousy and envy at the good fortune of others. Why is it so hard for me shut off Facebook, Instagram or Twitter? Why do I focus so much on the perceived lives of others instead of marveling at the beautiful life I have been given?

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Yesterday morning I listened to an Imago Dei podcast from the first Sunday of Advent. I was so encouraged by the songs, the Scripture and the message. One question that stood out to me was:

In this Advent season what kind of eyes do you have? Natural eyes or eyes of faith? What distractions are keeping you from having eyes of faith?

Welp. Ain't that just so appropriate?

I decided that for this Advent season I need a break from so much social media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). I removed the Facebook and Twitter apps from my iPod Touch and I am going to try to check it less frequently. I want to be present in this season. I want to focus on my beautiful girl and really listen to her babbles because, as I'm always reminded, these days together are just too fleeting. I want to soak in the light from my tiny tree and breathe a prayer of thanks for a warm house and a roof over my head. I want to look for the Christ child and ponder His coming, and I want to be ready and waiting for His still small voice.

Happy Advent season my lovely friends.
Much love to you.

A Very Merry Humblebug Holiday (& Giveaway!)

Update

And the winner is....Julia! "It's a Wonerful Life. Hark the Hearld Angels Sing while people throw love and money at George Bailey gets me every. single. time."

Me too, Julia, me too.

Contact me at elizabethcheri (at) gmail (dot) com to claim your prize!

Thanks for participating, guys!
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The holidays are upon us, and, if you're like me, you are loving all the gift guides out there. Like this one or how about this one?

Well, I'd like to add my own two cents to the discussion and offer up the perfect holiday gift for that special lady in your life. Whether she is your mom, your sister, your best friend, your wife, or your daughter, she will love a piece of Humblebug Jewelry which is handmade by Crystal Humble.

I met Crystal twelve short years ago at a small Bible college nestled in the Rocky Mountains of Estes Park, Colorado. I remember feeling so nervous and alone as I climbed the steps of the Chalet for the first time, but then Crystal bounded up to me with her bright smile and I was able to take a deep breath. We have been friends ever since.

Crystal is so full of joy, energy and imagination, and when you look at her jewelry you can't help but feel joyful, energetic and full of imagination too. I am the proud owner of one of her necklaces, and I hope to add a few more pieces to my own jewelry collection (hint, hint, Forrest).

Today, I am beyond thrilled to announce that you, dear reader, have the opportunity to win one of Crystal's beautiful necklaces. Take a look...

"Vanity of a Beautiful Mind"

Isn't it gorgeous?!

To enter the giveaway just leave a comment below answering the following question...

What is your favorite holiday movie?

One entry per person. (Facebook comments do not count.)

The winner will be announced on Sunday.

As an added bonus, from now until December 15 use this special holiday code -  "Holiday Cheer" 12252013 - to get 20% off orders of $100 or more on the Humblebug website. Thanks, Crystal!

Also, feel free to like Humblebug's Facebook page! Crystal is always updating her portfolio and the pieces are always so gorgeous to look at.

Happy Holidays!
xo

Check back next week for gift ideas for the special fella in your life.

P.S. For some, leaving a comment has been tricky. If you do not have a Wordpress or Google account, go ahead and use the Anonymous option; however, please make sure to leave your name in the comment. Thanks!





This giveaway is sponsored by Crystal Humble of Humblebug Jewelry. Thank you so much, Crystal!!

Drips & Trips

Seems like everything is leaking over here. And by everything I mean the sky and Juniper's nose. While I love a rainy day, I do not particularly care for a drippy nose especially when our holiday trip to Colorado is right around the corner.

Whenever we take a trip I tend to go overboard with the planning and preparation. For example, we leave on Friday so this is what my week looks like...

Monday - Laundry
Tuesday - Grocery shop
Wednesday - Clean house & car
Thursday - Pack & prepare snacks

I don't know about you, but when I travel I like to snack... a lot. Since we are trying to make healthy choices, I didn't want the car to be an excuse to eat Oreos and Cheez-Its. I found a lot of great ideas from the website, 100 Days of Real Food and then some ideas that are variations of what we eat everyday. Here is a list of what we'll be munching on from Idaho to Colorado!

Cheese & Triscuits (did you know there are just a handful of ingredients in Triscuits??)
Grapes
Apples
Bananas
Carrot Sticks
Peanut Butter
Homemade Granola
Nuts
Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies (our sweet tooth indulgence!)
Roast beef sandwiches
La Croix

There you have it! What are some of your travel go-to snacks? I'd love to hear.

My kitchen helpers (ha)

Because everything is better in a jar

PS - The posts might be a little more infrequent over the next two weeks. Keep checking back though because I'll be posting some Christmas gift ideas that I think you'll love. xo

Eating Healthy - The Second Step

Last week we heard from Laura Chapman about the first step to eating healthy. Today she is back to continue the conversation as well as offer some surprising and encouraging advice. Enjoy! xo

Image by Icatus

Lately...

Motherhood is exhausting. It is mind-numbing, hair-pulling, cry-my-eyes-out exhausting.

It is also beautiful, life changing, and the most wonderful job I have ever had. My heart swells when I see Juniper's eyes light up over a favorite book previously forgotten, over the tinkle of bells, and over the sight of my face or Forrest's. Her wobbly steps are getting more bold and her jibber jabber fills the house - even at 6am. She is a light and a joy - as well as a terror. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

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This happened on Saturday...

We have already decided we'll retake the class when it is offered in January. I am hoping that friendly exchanges with other moms will turn into play dates and coffee dates. Plus, Juniper didn't blow one bubble so I think it wouldn't hurt to keep working at it.

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This tea is my new best friend. It is mild and comforting. Sweet but not cloying. A perfect way to end the day cozied up with either a good book or a knitting project (more on the latter later).

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I am lonely. Little things remind me of friendships that are states away - things like Catching Fire and the coming holiday season. Pictures fill my Instagram feed of friends laughing and spending time together and I just keep thinking - I should be there, but I'm here.

I'm trying, I'm really trying to put myself out there and make some gal-pals. But, it's hard, you know? Most of the women I have met are Mormon and I know I could/should get over my fear that somehow they'll convert me but something just holds me back.

We are the youngest couple by about ten years at our church and we love the opportunity to learn and socialize with the wiser and older crowd, but are we sacrificing something by not going to the church that is cool and has people our age? Is Juniper socialized enough by weekly story times and occasional cousin play dates? So many questions, so few answers.

Even though I am lonely, I am not depressed. My marriage gets sweeter every day, my daughter makes me laugh (and cry), friends that are states away pursue me through weekly phone calls and messages, and family is just a Skype call away. This season, this new place is teaching me contentment in all situations and my eyes are opened daily to the blessings present in my life.
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Thank you for listening, for reading. What are some of your lately's?

xo

Eating Healthy - The First Step

I am really excited about a new series of posts here at The Little Reviewer. Over the next several weeks, we'll be talking about healthy eating. 

The author of these posts is my friend of ten years, Laura Rice Chapman. I mentioned her once before, and I am one of her biggest fans (no really, I am). She is a wife, a mom (of two dogs), a friend, a doula and a nurse. She is also an inspiration and example of healthy living.

I hope you enjoy her story and thoughts on healthy living. xo - Elizabeth

Happy Halloween!

I learned an important truth about myself yesterday. While I may make awesome birthday cakes, rock the gift giving and am generally a terrific mom, I am not gifted in creating Halloween costumes.

Someone gave me the idea of dressing Juniper up as a skunk for Halloween - a pretty clever idea, I thought! The execution, however, well...take a look for yourself...

Pumpkin Patch

On Saturday, my fall dreams came true.

A pumpkin patch huntin' did we go!

When we lived in Oregon (sob), we had a tradition every fall of going on the Hood River Fruit Loop. For one thing, it is a beautiful drive through leaves that are every shade of yellow, red and brown. For another thing, we always stop at a beautiful white house for wine tasting, Rasmussens for pumpkin picking and this other stand (I can't remember the name) for apple gathering. For the last thing, it is tradition and it pained my heart to not keep up the tradition this year.

The pumpkin patch we found near Pocatello was pretty darn cute. There was a hay ride out to the pumpkin field, a corn maze, tons of activities for kids and two greenhouses full of already picked pumpkins. This year, we forego the hay ride (Forrest is a tad allergic) and we got our pumpkins from the already picked pile.

We still had fun posing the little girl on the pumpkins, near the pumpkins, etc, etc.

Apparently we are those parents.

We have yet to carve up the large pumpkin, but I let Juni paint her little pumpkin. She lost interest pretty quick, but it was fun while it lasted.

How was your weekend?

Love,
Elizabeth

Thursday

I wake up to the sound of bare feet shuffling the few steps from our room to the baby's room. Angry cries are contrasted by a gentle, soothing voice and all goes quiet.

A pajama clad baby with hair sticking up on one side joins me under the covers and snuggles in. I breathe in the scent of her clean, baby hair and close my eyes for a few more moments of sleep. But the baby is insistent that now is the time for breakfast, so while she eats I sleepily look at Instagram, Facebook and email.

I can hear and smell the coffee percolating and the eggs cooking. The baby and I stumble out of bed and assume our regular positions in the living room while Curious George and the Cat in the Hat teach us all about bees and how to stay cool when it's hot.

The rest of the morning goes by in a blur with Forrest off to school and the baby off to a nap, but wait...no nap. In a flurry of makeup, diapers and outfit changes we are ready to take on the world. Into the stroller goes the baby, sandwiches, peanuts, grapes and cookies. Leaves crunch under the stroller wheels and unknown birds sing in nearby trees and bushes. We find the perfect spot under a large tree with leaves like a carpet underneath.

We wait and then we see him, walking quickly and with a huge smile on his face at the sight of his girls. The three of us settle into each others company and enjoy our feast. Sticky hands demand more grapes while dad patiently teaches how to say "please" in sign language. The smartest girl in the world quickly learns and earns more grapes than she really needs.

A walk home, some play time and then it is time for nap number 2, or is it really number 1? A little bit of effort and the baby is sleeping soundly, covered by the blanket that took me almost 9 months to complete.

The afternoon goes by with dinner prep, cheerios sharing and squeals of laughter. Dad comes home, but then, just like that, he is gone again.

A clean diaper, pajamas and the baby and I cuddle into our rocking chair. Quiet melodies escape from my lips and soon the baby is lulled into a sleepy stupor. With a kiss and a flick of the light, my job as mom is done for the day.

Dishes done and sweatpants on, I cuddle the dog and relax into the evening. A good book, a little Bon Appetempt and Parenthood on NBC.

Soon, Forrest will be home and we'll make some toast while watching an Andy Griffith in bed. Then lights turned low and pillows fluffed, we'll read until our eyes are too heavy to stay open. Lights off and it is finally time to sleep until...it is time to start all over again.

I am so thankful for this life. For the gift of being Juniper's mom and Forrest's wife. I wouldn't change one thing.

xo,
Elizabeth

Faith - why is it so uncomfortable?

I have been thinking a lot about faith recently.

To provide some perspective, my faith story is probably similar to a lot of people: I grew up in the church and grew up believing that Jesus is the Son of God and that by His grace I am forgiven of all my sins. I went to Bible college because I did not know what else to do with myself, and I spent six years studying the Bible. Following graduation, I became rather apathetic about my faith. Honestly, I was confused by all the Biblical training I had received rather than enlightened. So many Christians are divisive about theology, and I did not know what to think about a faith that had seemed so simple when I was 7. I still believed, but I let my faith take a backseat to everything else going on. Only recently have I started making a daily habit of reading my Bible and praying again. I believe that faith is not easy nor for the weak-hearted. Sure, I still have a lot of questions and uncertainties, but I believe that part of what makes faith so beautiful is trust - a trust in God that goes beyond my need for questions answered.

To DIY or not to DIY

The house that we are currently renting has a very odd lighting situation in the living/dining rooms. Odd in that there are no overhead lights. Thankfully, we brought a few lamps with us, but I'm not sure that is going to cut it as the days start to get shorter.

While my parents were here, they bought us a lamp that I absolutely adore.

 

I love him.

Despite our three lamps, I am still a bit concerned about lighting in the dining area.

I'd rather not eat in the dark, you see.

I'm weird that way.