Belated Five on Friday:A Fun Trip

I hope this is a better late than never post. 

 I didn't have enough time to prepare a 5 on Friday post ahead of time last week before our trip. And even if I had I didn't bring my computer and it would have been difficult for me to link it.  However, I saw on Amy's blog (Love Made My Home) that she extended her 5 on Friday all the way to Thursday of this week, as she's doing a giveaway too! I meant to get this post done yesterday, but it was a caregiver day - so I just didn't get time. So I thought I'd go for it today and it would be a fun way to show more photos of our recent trip and why it was such fun! 

ONE

Great Food:

Like this breakfast we ate in a cafe near a college area one morning.  I had read about so we gave it a try. So yummy!!  What did we do before Trip Advisor for great hotel and dining ideas??

TWO

Fun Hotels:

Like this really cool place we stayed at in Milwaukee that had been a former brewery. They had renovated into a really cool hotel that still had the big copper brewing drums and you could even see up into them from as domes in the lobby. The whole aesthetic there was sort of steampunk meets industrial. Our suite was so nice with a full kitchen and living room and even beer suds on the french doors leading into the big bedroom. Very cool! 

THREE

Museums:

We went to several fun museums. A favorite was one that had turn of the century "old streets of Milwaukee" and showed old shops and homes where you could peek in the windows. I especially loved the ones that showed homes from all different nationalities with their dress, kitchens and dishes. The one above was the "Polska Chata" or Polish House. 

FOUR

Other Sights:

My Kiddos loved Sky Zone which was a large trampoline facility. They could enjoy a basketball, dodgeball, and volleyball court all on trampolines. Also a giant jumping area where even the walls were trampolines. Yes, they could literally jump off the walls! Annie got some rosy cheeks at that one. ;)  We also had our breath taken away at a gorgeous Basilica built over a hundred years ago by Polish immigrants. (there's obviously a big Polish population in Milwaukee - which is some of my heritage...so obviously my kiddos' too). We enjoyed the beautiful lakeshore and teal green waters of Lake Michigan. And ended out trip visiting family in Green Bay and enjoying a Green Bay Gamblers hockey game. 

Five

Bonus Ear Piercing:

My daughter even worked up the courage to get her ears pierced while we were shopping in a mall on the trip! So I think this trip, and family time, was extra memorable for her!! 

I'm very belated, but I'm still linking with Amy of Love Made My Home for Five on Friday.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Hello and Happy Monday Friends! 

It was a wonderful past weekend (& week for that matter) that flew by! I took a break and said I was busy, but it was actually because we were on a family road trip during my son's winter break from school. We decided we wanted to go to Milwaukee and then visit family in Green Bay on the way back home and catch some Green Bay Gamblers hockey games. Those of you that follow me on instagram probably already figured a lot of that out. I prepared some posts ahead of time and had them set before I left, as I knew I didn't want to take my computer and I just wanted to focus on family for the week. We had such fun eating great food, visiting museums and other fun places, and of course getting in some quality family time together! It's always nice to be home, but difficult to get back to reality today - so here goes...

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

Around 30* and cloudy. We had some snow as we rolled into town getting back  last night. I think more snow/rain predicted tomorrow if it gets warm enough. 

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

A slice of toast with nutella and some strawberry slices. Coffee with natural hazelnut creamer.

  AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:

Just lots of gray. A new dusting of snow is covering everything - so the ground looks clean and bright white. I see some blue jays flying together from tree to tree out my office window.

RIGHT NOW I AM:

I am listening to nature sounds from Johnnie Lawson on youtube. If you haven't ever seen his beautiful nature videos I highly recommend you check them out! They're as soothing to watch as to listen to. I'm listening to birds chirp as a brook is bubbling through a forest - I think he wrote that the video I'm listening to was taken somewhere in Ireland. So peaceful and relaxing as I try to motivate myself off vacation mode.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE:

Been doing laundry since last night, but still lots of catch up there. Need to put things away from the trip, tidy up in general. I want to do some dusting and clean up too. Take down my Valentine's things still up here and there and put out my few St. Patrick decorations. Love that we're heading to more of the Spring holidays. March here we come!  I'll be getting my Easter goodies out before too long. 

ON TODAY'S TO DO LIST:

Many of the things I mentioned above. Plus, I need to empty out our fridge of anything old/expired. I've been working a grocery list for tomorrow and need to plan meals for the in-law's too.

CURRENTLY READING:

I finished my Nora Roberts book on the trip - it was a fun read! Now I'm looking into something else light and quick to just keep jump starting me back to more reading.

ON THE TV TODAY:

We caught up on the Amazing Race last night as a family. We also watched Survivor when we were on the trip in the hotel one night. I still need to catch up on American Idol, The Good Wife and some cooking shows. I did watch Downton Abbey last night after everyone went to bed as I couldn't wait!! Lol! Just loving it so much. ;)  

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

MONDAY: clean out the fridge - probably something easy...maybe sandwich wraps stuffed with meat and veggies to use up. Side of fruit

TUESDAY: chicken salad sandwiches and chips and a garden salad

WEDNESDAY: Southern Bourbon BBQ meatballs & mashed potatoes, gravy and green beans

THURSDAY:slow cooker ham and scalloped potatoes

FRIDAY: waffles and fruit (breakfast for dinner) 

**I'm also planning to bake some banana bread and make blueberry bars with cream cheese frosting during the week (bring the in-law's some home cooked treats too).

WHAT I AM CREATING AT THE MOMENT:

Scrapbooking project that will be a gift for a cousin of mine in the future.

NEW RECIPE I WANT TO TRY THIS WEEK:

Nothing really new this week

TIP OF THE WEEK:

I always have an extra blanket in the car (for hockey games and just because I live in the north! Lol), but it comes in handy when you're staying at hotels, like we just did on our trip. We often do the pull out couch in the room for the kiddos and the extra blanket works well as more warmth, as hotel blankets are often "wimpy" or when we make an extra bed out of cushions on the floor if one of the kiddos wants to sleep there. 

FROM THE CAMERA:

We ate wonderful things like this on our trip:  strawberry nutella crepes with a side of parmesean garlic hashbrowns. And blueberry pancakes bigger than your head! 

We went and saw a beyond breathtakingly BEAUTIFUL Basilica (say that 5 times fast) in Milwaukee that was built by Polish immigrants. We also went to wonderful museums and one included an aquarium.

And we even had time for antiquing and I picked up a lovely roseville pottery teapot that fits perfectly in one of my dining room cubbies. A wonderful souvenir! 

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

I'm linking with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

Easy Caesar Boats

I've been trying to be healthier and choose smarter food options. I actually like salads a lot and don't know why I don't eat them more often as a main dish for lunch or dinner. I think part of it is that sometimes they can seem like too much work with all the peeling and chopping.

 I've been seeing more ideas, on places like pinterest, for easy lettuce cups or boats as a way to eat salad. They're also a handy way to lighten up things that are yummy - but more fattening - due to carbs. Serve them in a big romaine leaf cup (or "boat" like their shape) and they can still be tasty, but far less calories.

I made these easy caesar boats the other day for lunch. They were so easy, and so tasty, and I didn't even miss all those croutons. 

I washed some large romaine leaves. I then added 2 tbsp of yummy caesar dressing (only needed a little). And topped them with some shredded leftover rotisserie chicken I had on hand. I then added some grated parmesean cheese and some black pepper. Such a fun way to eat a salad!

Instead of croutons I added a sprinkle of sunflower seeds. Quite a tasty lunch!  I've also eaten turkey & cheese, or ham & cheese "sandwiches" this way. Just put a little mustard or honey mustard on the leaves and add the meat and cheese. Cuts out those carbs, but still has yummy fresh and crunchy flavor with the crisp lettuce. You could roll them up as a "wrap" too.  Here's some other ideas I saw on pinterest:

Chicken salad with fruit and nuts wrapped in lettuce leaves.

Some chicken lettuce tacos and some pulled pork lettuce sandwiches. Yum!

Even a neat way to have a gluten free dessert - this one has lemon pudding on it with strawberries & candied pistachios. The lettuce is just a fresh "vehicle" to put the dessert all together in an easy-to-eat way.  Such fun ideas!! Here's to happy healthy eating. ;)  

I  have some busy days ahead so I'll be taking a break through the weekend. I'll be back on Monday. Have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday Wonder

STILL DREAMING

I miss the vibrant colors of Spring, so dreaming on photos like these helps.    ......Kind of.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Happy Monday Friends!

Hope your weekend went well and didn't fly too fast. We had hockey for both kiddos. We also had a wonderful dinner out with friends one night, followed by some fun games of cribbage while the kiddos played and hung out. Annie and I made some fun Valentine's strawberry (pink) cupcakes for Sunday. All in all a fun weekend. Now on to the week ahead!

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

Temps are a little warmer, but with windchill still feels pretty chilly.  Right now temp is 22* but it said it feels like 11*.  Gray skies as it's quite cloudy. We got a little bit of snow yesterday and they're predicting warmer temps this week with more snow for several of the days. 

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

Piece of toast with butter and jam. 1/2 cup of coffee with sweet creamer.

  AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:

Everything is covered in a fresh blanket of white. With the gray - almost white skies and the new snow it looks like a world of white everywhere.

RIGHT NOW I AM:

Listening to some worship music as I was doing some devotional time. Now working on this and thinking of a busy week ahead.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE:

I've already jumped into getting laundry going and the dishes are done. I need to do some more dusting and will mop my ceramic tiles floors as they could definitely use it. This on and off snow stuff makes for messy floors from kiddos and one Miss Ruby.

ON TODAY'S TO DO LIST:

Both kiddos are off of school right now. My son is off for winter break for the week. My daughter is off for just a couple of days due to teacher inservice. Going to take them for several activities today and also need to run some errands. We have various appointments this week and other busy events coming up this week and weekend - so I'm going to be one busy Gal! 

CURRENTLY READING:

Reading Nora Roberts book called The Liar. Just felt like reading a quick and fun romance kind of book. But I love that some of the beginning of the book is talking about Spring in Tennessee and mentioning things like soft Spring rain and flowers blooming. Things I'm dreaming on these days!!

ON THE TV TODAY:

I watched Downton Abbey and it's just so good. After every episode I want to cry because I know it's one step closer to being finished. I have The Good Wife taped but didn't get to it yet. We did watch the new Amazing Race as a family and my hubby likes Gold Rush and we didn't watch that one yet. I have some cooking shows taped yet too. 

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

MONDAY: leftover tacos from the weekend

TUESDAY: chicken, mashed potatoes, salad

WEDNESDAY: something easy - busy night

THURSDAY: breakfast for dinner

FRIDAY: vegetable stir fry

WHAT I AM CREATING AT THE MOMENT:

Valentine's cards, valentine project

NEW RECIPE I WANT TO TRY THIS WEEK:

Nothing really new planned this week

TIP OF THE WEEK:

I saw this (probably on pinterest) and thought it was so cute and haven't done it yet... but mean to one of these days for Annie. She loves creamy tomato soup and will often float cheesy crackers in it. But it would be cute to take some bread and butter it - add a little parmesean cheese to the top - and cut it out with cute little cookie cutter shapes (or free hand). Then toast it in the oven until you have cute cheesy croutons she could float on top of her soup. She could help me make them and she would love it!!

FROM THE CAMERA:

Tax season has begun - hubby has been using our dining room table regularly for the extra space.

Annie and I made strawberry cupcakes with vanilla frosting in pink camouflage cups for Valentine's Day. Then Annie had a friend over later and they decorated them with mini chocolate chips and sprinkles.

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

I'm linking with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

Valentine Letter Scrapbook Page

Hello and Happy Valentine's weekend Friends!  

I've been having such fun, lately, catching up on some crafts and some scrapbooking. I recently completed a scrapbooking layout that would be perfect for a Valentine's page...or really any layout page where you wanted to express love for family, a friend, or romantic loved one. 

It's pretty and it allows for several spaces to place photos, or to use as a journaling box. 

As you can see I needed to work on half a page at a time to achieve the whole layout I was looking for when it was done. So I placed the pages side by side as I worked. I love this pretty heart paper I found - it was a perfect easy backdrop. Then I went to work cutting out and placing my boxes, and my word boxes and my large heart. I then decided i wanted to use some parts on both pages and cut those pieces in half. 

And as you can see on this half I added the letter spot. I knew I wanted to have a separate spot for a "love letter" of sorts. Whether to write to a family member or a romantic loved one. I just think there's a charm to pulling out a letter to read at a different time in the future. 

Can you see where I'm going with these 2 separate sides that will come together as 1 layout?

Here's a closer view of the envelope I embellished and then adhered to the page.

One can then pull out the letter and read whatever secret special note a person wants to leave there for that special someone. Maybe a Mother to her Kiddos...or maybe a Wife to her Husband. Hhmmmm??? Regardless, it's secret of course. ;)   A little love banner needed to be drawn across the top to insure the reader knew this was a note of love. 

Other pretty embellishments were drawn or stuck on here and there.

And then when it's all done, and in the scrapbook, it comes together as a pretty completed layout ready for photo memories. 

I'm linking with Andrea of Scrapality for Scraptastic Saturday.  Happy Valentine's Day to All of you my Friends!!!