What I Wore Wednesday

Linking up with  The Pleated Poppy again today. Getting out of my stay at home mom clothes (yoga pants) and into real clothes. Including an accessory or two!! Still working on the picture quality, the last two are hardly worth showing :(

Day 1
Errands and chores,  casual day.

please excuse my dirty mirror ;)

jeans~LA Idol, tee~Macy's, Junk Food hoodie~ Nordstrom Rack, shoes~ Gap, hat~ Farm Chicks Show

Day 2 (taken with phone, that usually takes pretty good pictures but is all fuzzy lately?)
Field Day at Conner's school

sweater~ Steve and Barry's super old, tank~ Old Navy jeans~Gap, shoes~Gap 

Day 3 (I promise no more phone pictures!)
Lunch and errands

dress~ Ross, boots~ Target

 I promise I won't put you through these horrible pictures anymore! If I can't get it together I will stop all together!! ;)

 Have a great day! Half way through the week! YAY! ~Shelby

Weed or Flower?

We had a beautiful day yesterday so instead of heading to the gym I decided to take Doyle out for for a run  jog. While running  jogging along a wooded trail by my house I noticed so many pretty flowers. It got me thinking about a discussion we had earlier in the week. What makes a flower a weed? or What makes a weed a flower? Many weeds have beautiful flowers, and what a bout wildflowers? Are they just weeds? I googled it and found that there are many answers. Most common one is a weed is something that grows with out you planting it and with out you wanting it there.
Here a few pictures I took with my phone on my way back from my run jog.  ;)

These are all "weeds" and all growing wild in the woods around our house. So.... I think I have decided  whether a weed or flower is in the eye of the beholder, or the hands of the weeder.Every child thinks dandelions are flowers. Who didn't give a bouquet of dandelions as a child? What Mommy hasn't received them clutched proudly in chubby toddler hands?

We are trained to see them as weeds. 

                                                                             {via}

What flowers do you consider weeds? How do you decide the difference?

Happy Tuesday! ~Shelby

Buttermilk Pancakes and my 80-20 Rule

 I am a big fan of making things from scratch. Yes, I love to cook but mostly I like to know what is going in our bodies. I guess I have sort of created an 80-20 rule when it comes to food. If 80 percent of the time we eat real food, prepared in my kitchen and aren't eating the weird chemicals put in processed food then I don't have to feel too bad about the 20 percent we do eat. Realistically we all know our bodies weren't created to handle the chemicals we have in so much of our foods. Convenience foods have their place, even in my home... I just don't think they should be the base of our diets.

Artificial flavors, colors and preservatives are put into everything! Which is where I decided the 80-20 was a good ratio. My family wants to eat Doritos now and then. I will occasionally buy treats like frozen corn-dogs or grosser than gross... handi snacks (seriously that cheese smells like vomit.) I don't think depriving kids is the answer. Nor is depriving yourself, (I could learn to deprive myself a bit more but that is another story!) I put coffee-mate in my coffee every morning and until I find and alternative that tastes as good I'm going to continue to do it! 

We go through periods of time, usually when our schedules are off as well, when we (I) allow more fake foods into our diets. Then I have to reel it in. I allow more sugar and treats and then have to reel it in. We are back at a reeling in faze at our house. I have to get our schedules back on track and our diets. 

I clear out the cupboards and get back to real life, real bedtimes, real TV limits and real eating. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

These pancakes are pretty much as easy as a mix. You need to measure 5 dry ingredients... how much longer will that take you? We love breakfast for dinner I will sometimes double or even triple this and freeze the pancakes for a quick breakfast, they are also great for a snack with peanut butter on them.

Buttermilk Pancakes


1 c. flour
1 TBSP. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 beaten egg
1 c. buttermilk
2 TBSP. oil

 whisk together dry ingredients and add to wet ingredients. mix well. pour batter on to coated (pam spray or butter) griddle, fry until edges start to bubble, flip and finish other side. Serve with real maple syrup or fresh strawberries and whipped cream for a special treat.


* if you do not have buttermilk you can make your own by combining just under 1 c. milk and 
   1 TBSP. vinegar or lemon juice. Add milk to measure 1 full cup. Sit about 5 minutes. That's it!

Yep, that is spray whipped cream, that's where the 20 % comes in. That stuff is FUN and is a special treat.

Happy Monday! ~Shelby

These are the days,

Here is a glimpse of what's been going on around here. I did some Hobby Lobby this week... and some TJ Maxx. Love both those places!! I got to many treasures to show you! I also hit and estate sale!  Did some window shopping at the Hob Lob.. (Maddie hates it when I call it that) for dining room chair ideas...

What do ya think? I'm thinking arm chairs in one on the left and side chairs in the middle? one on the right.. not sure I'm lovin.

I also got this great pillow at TJ Maxx, how great is that pillow with my red walls!?

I had lots of coffee out of my new mug.. horrible phone photo but it's super cute, trust me!! ;) Did you know coffee tastes even better in a fabulous mug? It does, true story.

 

Boy wonder mowed the lawn, he does a good job even though I'm always afraid he'll crash into something gawking around at shiny objects. I love how green everything is getting! Yeah, he is a serious goof ball, look at that face!

  

found this note, still stuck to his book case from like 2 weeks ago.. he actually does a pretty good job keeping his room picked up.. told me he left it as a reminder for when he wanted to shove something under there.. do you think he stops to read that first, like ever? I think he was to lazy to throw it away... or he never even saw it to begin with! AHHH boys! :)

 

My baby girl shaved he legs!! Sadly I have no picture of her... she is 11, so you understand...

I got me a new cookbook for $4!!! TJ Maxx I love you! I have a bit of a cookbook obsession. I have way to many, but I love them!! I checked this one out while watching American Idol last night... 

and can I just say "WHAT?!!!!?" I think Skylar is adorable and being a wanna be country girl myself, I was not happy with America's decision to send her home!!!. However I did not vote... so I don't get to complain, right? Man, I love all her cute cowboy boots!! 

Conner coached Maddie on how to catch a baseball.He was so patient and full of praise for her efforts. You know when they aren't fighting over who gets to sit in which chair or who gets to talk to Dad on the phone first,  or better yet what we are going to listen to in the car... (sometimes I want to bash the radio in, seriously.) they are pretty cool kids. I'm so proud and grateful to be their Momma, even when they bicker over who was the first to roll down the window when we hit our drive way... seriously... they fight over this one daily. Some days are worse than others and some days.. they love each other ALL day!!

Maddie decided we should have a prayer list. She got the idea from a friends house. I plan on making some amazing little crafty project where we can write them all down but for now it's on the chalkboard. We include these people in our prayers each night. 

Maddie's class went on a field trip this past week, we added the last one because the "popular" boys wouldn't let another boy sit with them on the bus. She often tells me she feels bad for this little boy because he doesn't fit in, has no friends and kids are mean to him. It breaks my heart to think about how he feels lying in bed at night.....and how his mommy feels. We all just want to be loved and accepted, and we all want that for our children most of all.

I am proud that she notices and will often stick up for a child being left out or picked on. That takes guts. 

No.... my kids are not perfect, I know they do wrong and do not always act kind and acceptable... I'm sure sometimes they go along with the crowd and stand back and say nothing, they are kids, heck most adults do that... but I also know more times than not they are kind and respectful. 

After we prayed for all the left out kids out there, Maddie said she bet someday those boys would regret being so mean. I'm pretty sure they will. Don't we all have someone we wish we'd have stuck up for, or included or simply smiled at? 

I have always told my kids......

 They do not have to be friends with everyone, but they must treat everyone with kindness and respect, especially the people who don't seem to deserve it or the ones who don't quite fit in, because they are the ones who need it the most. 

Wish everyone told their kiddos that... and reminded them of it often. I will get off my soap box for today! 

Have an amazing weekend! We have a busy one!~Shelby

Best boy books

My boy is a reader. He reads alot and he reads fast. He started reading late, according to the school. Towards the end of second grade he caught on he was hooked. It is not rare to find him doing this...

I too am a lover of books. I thought I could share a few segments on my favorites for myself, girls, boys, little ones, and cookbooks.



Today I will start with books my boy is loving now and a few that got him reading. I will not tell you what ages I think they are for. Check them out at the book store or on Amazon. Every child is different and not reading at the same pace. I for one am tired of kids being told where they "should" be academically. So there! I have tried to put them in some order. I have so many ideas I did not link them all to Amazon as I had hoped. But you know the laundry still needs to be done... so... I made the pictures bigger! That way you can search them yourself. Ha! I'm clever like that.


As Conner has gotten older I have worried a bit about the material he is reading, I know they up the sex, language and violence. I came across this website that I have found super helpful when saying yes or no to a series.

http://www.theliteratemother.org/ 

This site rates a book on sexual content, language, violence and even, alcohol reference. Plus it tells you exactly why and where in the book it got the rating it did. This way you can use your own judgment and are sure you are sticking with your families values.  Love this lady! She's part of the village it takes to raise great kids I tell you!

We started here.......

BOB BOOKS

These are what really helped Conner learn to read, these and an AMAZING teacher. I highly recommend them for beginning reads.

  Magic Tree House

Once Conner became a confident reader books were his favorite, He read every one. I have kept them for Conner's kids. And because they remind me off that little 1st grade boy, with teeth missing. They are a perfect read for little boys with big imaginations.

Ralph S. Mouse Series by Beverly Cleary, Mr. Popper's Penguins, E. B. White books are my favorites Stuart Little,  Trumpet of the Swan and my all time favorite book ever, Charlotte's Web. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane was a book I read to the kids. The Little Auto by Lois Lenski  is adorable. We must have read it a million times. Where the Sidewalk Ends.. a classic.

 My Father's Dragon was another favorite.

Swindle, Zoobreak, Mr. Chickee's Funny Money, And the ever popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series.

These are all ones he has read in the past. Hatchet and the Peter and the Starcatchers stand out as favorites.

 I can honestly say I have not read a single Harry Potter book, but Conner loved them! The Rangers Apprentice and The Percy Jackson Series were popular too. Number the Stars was a good one for my history buff. (not shown because it is at school for a report on Denmark)

Both of the other Hunger Games books are on loan. Mocking Jay is #3, I think. The content is disturbing but we loved them. The Last Lecture by the late Randy Pausch was a book I read and thought Conner might enjoy. He loved it and it is such a powerful message about life. You will see it again on my favorite books!

Pendragon Series
He got the first few of these for Christmas and was hooked. He did say they got kind of weird though.

These are hit no matter how old they are.

This one was a must have in the 3rd grade.

These are so great! They have Girl ones too. They teach you how to tie knots, do cart wheels, make invisible ink, all sorts of great to know, fun, useful stuff. Conner was going to run away from home one day years ago. He packed this book, a flashlight and his blanket. He only made it to the mail boxes. :)

And last but not least. The train catalog. Conner and my Dad (Boppo we call him) LOVE trains. Conner has been scouring over these Walther's train catalog since he was probably 2 years old. He still loves them.

Conner actually has a learning disability, because if this, something he finds difficult is to put what he knows or thinks down on paper. If he reads the book for a book report I will then read it too, so I can help him organize this thoughts and I know what questions to ask him. This is how we can achieve an actual report that is cohesive and makes sense. So, many of the books I have actually read myself. I plan on telling you all about my wonderful little man and his journey soon.



Any questions or new book suggestions for my boy I'd love to hear them!! Read on! ~Shelby

What I Wore Wednesday

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy again today..

Only two photos this week. I am still horrible at taking photo's of myself, the lighting never seems right unless I haul my full length mirror down stairs. Not super convenient! I may have to buy a new one,  anyway, here goes....

Day #1
My "getting tired of jeans day."

Dress ~Ross, Shoes~ Ross, Necklace~ Vie Vu

Day #2

My "I don't want to do my hair day.."

Jeans~ LA Idol, Belt~ Shopko, Top~ TJ Maxx, Sweater~ Nordstrom, Necklace~ Brighton,  

Earrings~ Made by friend, Shoes~ Target, Ring~ Bought in boutique on the Oregon Coast

Happy Wednesday! ~Shelby

Ice cream in a bag

As the weather gets warmer we love to make Ice cream in a bag.

 Fast, fun and yummy.

Here's the line up.... EASY PEASY....

ICE CREAM IN A BAG

·         1/2 cup milk

·         1/2 teaspoon vanilla

·         1 1/2 tablespoons sugar (or to taste)

·         6 tablespoons rock salt

Put milk, vanilla and sugar into a pint or quart-sized freezer bag. Seal well.

Fill a large, gallon-sized freezer bag with ice. Add the rock salt. 

Put the smaller bag into the larger bag and seal.

Shake, shake, shake and mix until the ice cream thickens, about 10 minutes. You can also let the kids gently throw the bag back and forth to help mix the ice cream. The bag gets very cold, so you might want to use towels to hold it. Remove smaller bag and rinse off salt. Cut the end off of the small bag and squeeze into a bowl. Add toppings like sprinkles if you wish. Enjoy!!! 


*this is definitely "soft serve" ice cream and it does melt rather quickly... almost didn't make it through the photo! You can serve it in a cup for kids so they can drink the end.

** My kids like to add food coloring! ;)

Makes 1 serving.

 Send the kids, and the dog ;) outside to run around the house a few times while they shake their bags.