Sun-shining....

It's amazing what a little sunshine can do for the soul. Today it is sunny with a high of 68 degrees. Sounds beautiful, doesn't it? Well, it is. Today I also have no plans except to stay home, enjoy my boys, and take care of some things around the house that I have been meaning to do for a while. I intentionally asked the hubbs to take the car to work with the carseats in it so that I wouldn't be tempted to go anywhere (don't worry though, in case of an emergency we have extra carseats, I'm just too lazy to put the seats in my hubbs' car unless I have too!)

As much as I love Winter, days like this are incredibly refreshing-- especially after a busy holiday.

Today I took time to drink my coffee, snuggle with my boys, did laundry (a necessary evil), organized our room *a little bit*, and played outside with the munchkins. The rest of my day consists of an adventure to the park, pizza and movie night(Cars, our oldest's choice) with the fam, and my brother coming into town to visit (love his visits!). All are low stress and somehow relaxing to me. This day hasn't been without it's sibling fights, fits or "did you really just do that?'s" but it was still wonderful...and intentional. Intentioned to slow down, let things not get to me as easily, and enjoy this rare, warm, sunny day in Winter.

Here's hoping that if you weren't able to slow down today, that you will make a day for it sometime soon. It's okay to give yourself (and your family) a break every once and a while.

This isn't from today, but this is one of my fav Sun-Shining pics of our littlest



Ever tried to paint your nails in the car?

Meet my new favorite nail color

It is called "Last Chance" by Sinful Colors(quite the name). I have a thing for quirky nail colors, especially dark ones, and came across this one the week before Christmas. Festive, right?! That's what I thought too...

Anywho, I was so excited to try it out, but the week before Christmas was way too busy with packing for our trip to my in laws house for the holiday that I didn't have a chance to use it. So what did I do? I decided I would take advantage of the 12 hours sitting in the car on our trip and paint my nails. The hubbs can't stand the smell so he wasn't too thrilled, but we just rolled the windows down and it gave me something to do for the incredibly long trip.

The result? I have decided that our highways have WAY too many bumps AND I should have brought nail polish remover. My hands looked like a Kindergartner painted them. So about a 1/3 of the way into our trip we took a much needed break and stopped at the amazing, the wonderful, Target, to pick up various things including nail polish remover for my botched paint job. 

There I discovered the best thing since Peppermint Mocha creamer...Nail polish TOGO! Individually wrapped pre-moistened wipes to take your polish off. Apparently I wasn't the first one who decided to paint their nails on the go...

Verdict? AMAZING discovery and I recommend them to all ladies everywhere. My nails finally looked like a sober adult had painted them. The hubbs didn't like the added smell in the car, but he was eventually able to breath fresh air again...

Have you had your black-eyed peas yet?

Happy New Year to all. Here's to everything new and promising that 2012 will have for us. Whether you are a goal-setter or just a ride the waves type of person this post has a little of everything.

First, food! Some families have traditions of eating black-eyed peas on New Years Day to bring good fortune for the new year and some, I'm learning, serve hog jowl (I can't believe I just wrote that, it makes me shutter to think someone would eat that, but whatever, to each his own--if someone can explain to me how this tradition started that would be great, because I am at a loss), etc....My husband asks for black-eyed peas every year, but I have never cooked them for him because that too just does not sound in the least bit appetizing. This year though, with a new recipe in hand I officially became the best wife ever (in his eyes).

I first had this dish when it was cooked by my mom's husband who happens to be an excellent cook. I was a little skeptical at first because it contained the dreaded pea, but soon warmed up to it with each bite. My husband loved the dish and raved about it. I don't know his actual recipe, but I decided to take the idea and create my own....

Sweet Pea's

one can of black-eyed peas

8 oz frozen green beans (Or more if cooking for more than 6)

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 chicken bouillon cube

1/4 cup bacon pieces

1/8 cup water

1) Put all ingredients into a saucepan and heat over medium heat

2) Stir occasionally and cook until a thick sauce forms and peas and beans soften (about 20 minutes)

3) Serve warm. 

This was a crowd pleaser and even I, the naysayer, loved them and even got seconds.

Here's a link to the Pioneer Woman's blog for a southwestern type dip using black-eyed peas that I may have to try later on....

Moving on....Do you make resolutions or set goals for the new year? I'm usually not a die-hard resolution setter, but I like to set some (realistic)  goals to shoot for in the year. Some of mine this year include getting our home more organized(this has gone down the drain since the littlest guy came around last year) and back on schedule, studying the Bible more, and another more personal one that I will just keep to myself :)

I recently stumbled across a blog that has a list of one thing to organize each week in your home and I love this idea. Not too much at one time, and definitely do-able. I have included a button on my blog (On the right side) in order for you to refer to it if you would like. It's called "52 Weeks to an organized home" and I suggest you check it out or even make your own list of 52 things you would like to do for your home or in your life this year.

Another thing I found is this blog with AWESOME printables to help organize other areas in your life.... meals, shopping, daily tasks, etc...I have already printed some of these out and plan on putting them in light-weight frames, putting magnets on the back and putting them on the side of my fridge. You can write on these with a dry-erase marker that way you don't have to reprint each one.

I hope everyone begins this New Year with excitement and determination to, if anything, keep pressing on towards the "goal", whatever your goal may be.

A quick recap of some of my favs from 2011...

Adding our youngest to our family

AMAZING trip to Savannah, GA and Tybee Island

My oldest starting school....sniff sniff




Favorite new recipe: PESTO!

Favorite Project: Frame

Favorite painting of my hubbs this year....

For Pryce's nursery...


Love to all and best wishes in the new year!