Scattered Sundays
I had a big date on Tuesday with this guy.
You know, the (almost) 10-year-old male version of me.
Jack has been challenging us lately with his tween ‘tude and we’re trying to give him individual time with both of us or one on one. The theater in our town does cheap tickets on Tuesdays (Tightwad Tuesdays), so last week Troy took him to see Spiderman.
This week I got to have some solo time with him and we saw Wreck it Ralph 2. I didn’t care much for the original Wreck it Ralph, but this one had some great messaging about friendship, popularity, and forging your own path in life. We both enjoyed it and it was good to have a few hours just the two of us.
On Friday, I got a beach date with this little dude.
Pacific Northwest beaches are mainly rocks with some sand, and we spent an hour in the rain throwing rocks and asking/answering 45.9 million questions.
The big room swap for the boys that was supposed to happen over winter break was waylayed due to Jack’s broken arm. We tackled it yesterday and there was some amazing purging happening. Jack even said “I didn’t realize I had so much junk”. I did and it made me twitch anytime I walked by his room.
My personal hell
The “in-process” part of moving everything definitely took me out of my comfort zone. I hate clutter and junk and even though it was temporary, it just sucks to see stuff strewn everywhere.
We worked from 8 am until 7 pm and it was great to really deep clean their rooms and closets and dust everything. And we were able to donate a few bags to Goodwill, some stuff went in the trash, items were rehomed with baby cousins, and some homemade blankets and quilts were donated to the Resource Coordinator for our church.
There are still some odds and ends to swap out, but I’m excited to show you the finished rooms next week! The boys are both so happy with their new spaces and kind of ignored us last night while they just chilled in their rooms.
It is always nice to feel like you’re starting from a clean slate. And in my opinion, cleaning out and re-shelving books is so surpremely satisfying. Or maybe that’s just me?
The weather was mostly gorgeous this past week and I was so thankful to get multiple walks in. I love to be outside and a walk with some (half-assed and pathetic) jogging is the mental health break I look forward to most.
I finally tried out a Christmas present during a wog (walk/jog) on Friday and I’m in love. I got these Bluetooth earbuds from my friend Anne and they’re fabulous!
The sound quality is great and there is no long cord to get in your way. I almost choked myself with my earbuds a few months ago when doing gardening, and it’s nice to not have to constantly be adjusting the cord. #firstworldproblems.
As a chick who walks solo, one thing I love about the new earbuds is that they basically blend in with my clothes. There is no long white string that screams “this chick may not be paying attention to her surroundings”. I listen to my podcasts on low so I can always hear what is happening around me, but it’s nice to not advertise that I am potentially distracted.
Moms of nerds, I found a new graphic novel for Jack this week! They made the original Odyessy into a graphic novel!
As I’ve mentioned before, Jack has a super high reading level (mom brag based in fact) but hates novels or any book without images. We’ve found some classic books as graphic novels (check out this old post for some of our favorites) and have been pleasantly surprised with books like White Fang and A Wrinkle in Time.
If you have kiddos in your life who like graphic novels and history, the Nathan Hales Hazardous Tales series is HUGE in this house. Jack has learned so much about WWI, WWII, and a bunch of other historical events with these books.
Comment/Review of the Week
This week’s five-star review was left by Angela who made Instant Pot Paleo Beef and Broccoli {Whole30, Paleo, GF}. Here’s what she had to say:
Great recipe! We made it for supper tonight. I was a little hesitant on the pineapple as it’s not my favourite but the meal was really good and not at all ‘pineapplely’ We ended up adding a little salt right at the end but definitely as a personal preference. I’m super excited for the leftovers tomorrow!
Thanks, Angela and I hope those leftovers were everything you hoped they would be!
On Sustainable Cooks This Week
Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies {Whole30, Gluten-Free} – A fast dinner that is pure comfort food, Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies is gluten-free, dairy-free, Whole30 compliant, and paleo. Full of flavor and packed with tons of (frozen!) veggies, this sheet pan dinner is a meal prep dream. {Pin this}
Confessions – everyone’s favorite post!
Dairy-Free Chicken and Gnocchi Soup {Olive Garden Copycat and Gluten-Free} – A creamy and fuss-free Olive Garden copycat, this dairy-free Chicken and Gnocchi Soup is the ultimate comfort food. A healthy, dairy-free, and gluten-free take on a classic, this amazing soup can be made in the Instant Pot, crockpot, or on the stovetop. {Pin this}
Baked Cauliflower Patties {Whole30, Paleo, Vegetarian, Keto, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free} – Healthy, crispy, and delicious, these Baked Cauliflower Patties are a Whole30 compliant, paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, and low carb delight. This easy side dish is packed with flavor and is a tasty way to get more vegetables into your meals. {Pin this}
The Five Most Popular Posts This Week
- Instant Pot Sous Vide Egg Bites Recipes {Pin this}
- Healthy Orange Chicken {Whole30, Paleo} {Pin this}
- Trader Joe’s Whole30 Shopping List {Pin this}
- Virgin Mojito Recipe {Pin this}
- Healthy Sweet Tea Recipe {Pin this}
Hop in the DeLorean
Last year the top post from this week was: Homemade Dusting Spray
Meal Plan
Monday:: Troy’s amazing burgers, sweet potato fries and salad
Tuesday:: Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Not just because I want to eat it (I do) but because I need to take new photos. I have a note in that recipe to use green beans instead of peas to make it Whole30/paleo, but I think the photos are confusing people. So, I’m remaking it with green beans and taking photos. My job is weird. But cool.
Wednesday:: Making a new recipe. Again. It’s soooooooooo good and simple (sheet pan!), but the photos I took last week were ass ugly. I need to remake and take new pictures so that people won’t think I’m sharing plates of dog food. Garnished with parsley.
Thursday:: Leftovers. Bennett is with my inlaw’s all day while I hunker down at Panera and work on blog admin stuff. It’s a good day for a fridge clean out!
Friday:: Popcorn, leftovers, and movie night
Saturday:: Bennett’s birthday party!
Sunday:: Family dinner
What We Bought This Week
Trader Joe’s: $54.14 (I have a rule to never buy tomatoes, especially in winter. But I think I need them as a garnish to make my new recipe look presentable).
Costco: $112.26
Fred Meyer: $24.95
What are you all having this week?
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Jack breaking his arm. You smashing your finger. What’s going on?
We’ve been doing the one on one time, which is great, but it ends up that it’s not enough. Still working on with the needing to be content with what he’s got.
We’re a hot mess, Lesley!
It’s never enough, but we can only do what we can do, right?
The kiddo and I are on our own for the next few weeks, so probably not a lot of planned meals. Mostly some sort of potato (usually sweet) with veggies and a random protein (like canned sardines). Or ramen noodles in place of the potatoes, but still random veggies and protein.
I have lots of plans for food prepping for my upcoming surgery. Your salmon and cauliflower patties are on the list, lots of egg bakes, the 15 freezer meals I already prepped… Oh, and I need to make lots of bone broth over the next few weeks.
Do you get the sardines from Costco? I saw them there when I was making the Whole30 shopping list.
I’m so impressed with you and your freezer prep!
Yup, sardines are from Costco. I was a little hesitant, because some brands are just nasty, but these are really good!
Thanks! Just put 10 cups of bone broth in the freezer with more brewing up in the crockpot! My goal is to drink a cup every day after my surgery.
Okay first off I have nut pods in the fridge and EVERY time my husband gets something out he makes a lame joke…EVERY TIME
I think this time of year lends itself to purging. I’m not doing the “hold everything to see if it brings you joy” thing, more of the “why the f* do we have so much stuff and it needs to leave right this dang minute or I’m going to have a melt down” mindset. Anyway I was on a tear yesterday and many, many bags went to our local charity and my husband sold a ton of stuff on marketplace to the point my daughter walked into her room and freaked a little. Then I gave her some of money, she bought new books and new boots (that match the inside cover of her fav book series, cuz you know, that isn’t weird or anything) and all is well.
Her dad did have a miny meltdown when she was trying on clothes and her fav pants are now crops. He still sees the little girl, not the teenager (even when she rolls her eyes and tells him he’s embarrassing for the millionth time that day)
Ha, I feel your pain J. It’s an absolutely hilarious name and still makes me giggle. Who was in that marketing meeting and thought it was a good idea?
There are boots that match book covers? Tell me more! And I love that you were on a tyrannical purge. It’s the best way to do it. I don’t need to hold shit to make sure I don’t need it in my house anymore.