Simple Things Sunday No. 7

delectable treats

This week I’m celebrating yummy home made banana splits!

We’re doing 14 days of Valentine’s in our house to show dad/hubby we love him! This was day #2.

It was scrum-didili-umptious!

Friday Faves - Apples & Traditions

#1. honeycrisp apples

Honeycrisp Apples! Pretty much enough said.

#2. our new favorite tradition

I’ve been wanting to start having my kids memorize Bible verses, but wasn’t sure how to go about doing it. I didn’t want it to feel like something that was forced by any means. I wanted them to enjoy it, and look forward to doing it! So, kind of on a whim, I told Cooper we were going to start memorizing verses, and for each week he could memorize our verse for the week, we’d go get frozen yogurt on Saturday. I wanted to see if it was something he’d be interested in.

Well, we’re two for two and getting ready to go on week #3! He’s loving it! He’s so proud, it’s helping us actually LEARN values in the Bible (‘cuz we’ll chat about what the verse means and remind one another if we see something that pertains to it throughout the week), and frozen yogurt is a perk!

So, as I had mentioned, I started it on a whim so I didn’t sit down to plan out verses initially. We began with Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

Then, I sought out the following link on my Pinterest board. It’s perfect! Week #2 we did 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Be kind to one another and build each other up.” We’ve now got it printed, laminated and ready to go!

Here was the card we memorized this past week:

Here’s our next verse we’ll start tomorrow…

So easy, and beyond rewarding! Maybe it’s a tradition you could start, too! Seriously…froyo, weekly? Okay, so it doesn’t have to be that. Choose something that will motivate your own child.

Happy Friday!

Thoughtful Thursday–Don’t forget your spouse on Valentine’s!

I need to be honest.

My hubby and I do not always celebrate Valentine’s Day. We’re some of those that think it’s a commercialized holiday and I don’t need to be told when to love my spouse. BUT, with that said, why NOT take an excuse to love my spouse? Whether guys care to admit it or not, they always love being doted on, am I right?

I’m super thankful to not have the pressure to HAVE to do something for Valentine’s Day, but if I have the time, I enjoy doing something.

This year, I’m gonna do the 14 days of Valentine’s. Here goes…

There will be a lot of links because I haven’t finished putting them altogether yet. So hang with tight!

14 Days of Valentines

First, I’m printing this cute freebie out to lead the hubs to his first “gift”, and will probably try to tie each item to something from here on out, just to keep the theme going:

Day #1: You are the apple of my eye

(swap out the red/green heart – so cute)

Day #2: I’m bananas for you!

We’ll make banana splits for dessert that night!

Don’t forget whipped cream ladies!

Day #3: I wouldn’t “chews” anyone but you!

For free printables for some of these cute ideas, check out this cute website!

Day #4: What are the chances I have a “shot” at getting you tonight?

**Slight side-note here (and I don’t mean to start a debate or controversy here, I’m merely stating my personal beliefs on the issue): I am a Christian, and by that I mean I am a Christ follower, love Him to pieces, wouldn’t be alive without Him, am willing to do ANYTHING He wants me to do.

When some non-Christian friends find out I drink, they’re often shocked!! I live my life by following the words of the Bible. And the Bible states to not be drunk. So I, personally, am comfortable having a beer, or a glass of wine, or a mixed drink, just so long as I don’t get drunk. I am also careful that I don’t drink around others when it may cause temptation. But, seeing as it’s just the hubs and me….a shot for our evening’s festivities seems, well, appropriate. =)

Day #5: Blow me a kiss, Valentine! (or two or three)

Day #6: Have a great day, Cupcake!

I’m planning to get him one of those fancy cupcakes from Icing on the Cupcake this day. And….maybe, perhaps, the kids and I will have to share one while popping in, too! =)

Day #7: Valentine, never “LEGO” my heart

My plan is to take my son to Target to pick out a little lego kit like this one for them to do together.

Day #8: We go together like milk & cookies

For this day, I’ll get him some cookies & milk for work. Not sure what kind yet, maybe even homemade, for the office! We’ll see.

Day #9: I’m “berry” lucky to be your Valentine!

Day #9 is a Saturday, so we’ll have waffles with strawberries for breakfast! And hopefully we’ll have some whipped cream left.

Day #10: I love you, my stud MUFFIN!

For the free printable above, click the picture to take you to the link. They have a recipe, too. Not sure what kind of muffins I’ll make just yet!

Day #11: I don’t know where I’d be if you hadn’t “popped” the question!

This may be more of an excuse to make this for myself, but I’m sure he’ll enjoy a bite, too. Click the picture to take you to the link for the recipe.

Day #12: I think you are “soda”mazing!

I’ll probably get diet coke for my man, but again…click the picture above to take you to some of those adorable free printables!

Day #13: I’d be so mixed up without you!

So many delicious kinds to choose from when it comes to Chex Mix! My man prefers salty though.

Day #14: I’m nuts about you!

Final one! Pistachios will be a hit!

So…choose 1, choose 3, or dive in and do all 14 days!! I may be posting a shopping list tomorrow if you’d like to do all 14. Whatever your plans are for Valentine’s Day this year, tell your special someone that you love them! =)

Happy Early Valentine’s Day!

Trick of the Trade Tuesday

arranging pictures for a photo gallery

Okay, okay…I realize this is MAJORLY OCD. But, it makes me eerily giddy! And my photographer said she loved that I did it, so that has to say I’m somewhat normal, right?

We all have a photo gallery somewhere in our homes, right? Well, how often do you print out a picture, only to find it either doesn’t fit the feel of your space, or the opening in the frame itself?

What I’ve started doing is arranging my frame layout in Microsoft Publisher, but you could also do it in Word. That way, I have all the sizes to the openings of the frames saved and ready to look up when I’m ready to swap out photos.

The other bonus is I can arrange the pictures to see how I like them best. How the colors play with each other, how they look altogether, etc. I have two “galleries” that I’ve done this with so far. The first one, up above, is the layout that I have above my couch in my living room. And yes, I even measured the mats, etc. so I could see EXACTLY how it would look. This also helps me in purchasing pictures from photo shoots we’ve had. Makes sure I put our gorgeous pictures UP ON THE WALL (instead of keeping a digital copy on my computer for nobody to ever see).

The second gallery I’ve done this with is one in our hallway, as seen below (shown that it’s actually done in Publisher).

Let me know if you want a “tutorial” on how to do it. But otherwise, hope the tip helps you and your photo arranging successes! =)

Menu Plannin’ Monday

Last week:

Monday: Pork Tenderloin with Peach and Pecan Sauce

Even my son likes this one!

Tuesday: Chicken Parmesan, Broccoli & Spaghetti (sorry, no pic, but you get the idea!)

Wednesday: Red Bean, Chicken & Sweet Potato Stew (not my fave, it was okay, far from great. I included the link, but make at your own risk ;)

Thursday: Honey-Orange Pork Tenderloin & Salad

Delicious recipe, and actually quite easy! =)

Friday: Winter Baked Ziti & Salad

Saturday: Husband’s Work Party – got to get fancy! And the food was good to boot!

Sunday: Leftover Winter Baked Ziti – yum!!

Monday morning MOPS breakfast: Overnight Blueberry French Toast *Slight alteration – I used 1 1/2 bricks of cream cheese, mixed with 1/4 cup powdered sugar, and only 10 eggs.

Plans for the week ahead:

Monday: Chicken with Orzo

Tuesday: Spanish Style Stuffed Peppers

Wednesday: Autumn Chopped Salad

Thursday: Chicken & Roasted Fennel and Carrots

Friday: Pasta Fagioli

Saturday: Chicken & Spinach Salad

Sunday: Slow Cooker Hawaiian Meatballs (to take to Super Bowl party)

Simple Things Sunday No. 6

children’s museums

Museums are a special treat, but one that never goes without extreme excitement! We recently visited the Sacramento Children’s Museum and I captured this melt my heart photo.

We also love Sacramento’s Railroad Museum, our local zoo, Monterey Bay’s aquarium (which we hope to take the kids to soon), and a handful we’ve visited in the LA area.

They aren’t super cheap, but when we do plan for it, the kids are ecstatic! So…for that reason, the simple thing I’m celebrating this Sunday are those special outings with your littles.

Cherish each one!