Wednesday, August 31, 2016

What's Up Wednesday

It's the last Wednesday of the month and I am linking up with Sheaffer, Mel & Shay for What's Up Wednesday to share a little about what's going on in our world...



What We're Eating This Week...

Last week I shared Menu Planning 101, and had a few people ask for an example of my monthly menu.  I will be sharing my complete August menu next Tuesday.  Be sure to check it out if you need a few ideas. Here' what we're eating this week...

Sunday: Cajun Chicken (from Trim Healthy Mama's Cookbook) over Zoodles &  Caesar Salad

Monday:  Lemon Pepper Tilapia over Quinoa, & Ina Garten's Roasted Broccoli

Tuesday: Taco Tuesday (In a Low Carb Tortilla)

Wednesday:  Crockpot Chicken Parm with Dreamfield's Noodles & Salad

Thursday:  Pulled Pork With Sugar Free BBQ Sauce (Buns for the family, Low Carb Tortilla for me)

Friday: Kitchen is Closed!

What I'm Reminiscing About...




What I'm Loving...



You guys know I watch my carbs closely, and after hearing my Dad rave about his Zoodles (zucchini noodles) for a while, I broke down and bought a Veggetti.  Here's the deal, if you make a really good sauce, like my Olive Garden inspired Alfredo Sauce, you won't even miss the noodles.



What We've Been Up To...

Since school started I have more free time, and I am trying my best to stay on top of housework and laundry.  All is right in the world when my house is organized.  I found this schedule on Pinterest last week and have been trying my best to follow it.


I just realized how sad it is that my what I've been up to lately is about cleaning and laundry.

What I'm Working On...

It hit me last week that Kendall is a JUNIOR!  She has TWO years of school left!  I have been working on a spreadsheet (yes, I'm crazy) on colleges that we need to check out, how far away it is from home, how much it costs a semester, and what the requirements are for Kendall.  We are even planning some college tours this fall.  As much is it makes my heart ache to think of my baby leaving the nest, I am so excited for her future.  



What I'm Excited About...

My weekly Bible Study starts a week from today, and I am so excited about it.  It is hard for me to be disciplined enough to study the Bible daily without a scheduled plan.  This Bible Study helps me to study scripture, but it also gives me perspective from a variety of women, which I love!  Women with grown children, women without children, women raising children, I love the perspective!  This Bible Study is always one of the best parts of my week!


It's been a long time since I've done a Jennifer Rothschild study, but I really like her.  She is an amazing speaker and writer who lost her sight as a teenager.  She is completely inspiring, and I can't wait to see how she challenges me through this study.  If you're a local friend, you should join us next Wednesday!

What I'm Dreading...

Is it too early to be dreading January?

What I'm Watching/Reading...

Consider this a Public Service Announcement:  The UP Channel (which is 188, if you have Dish) has the best reruns ever.  Shows like 7th Heaven, Gilmore Girls, Parenthood, The Middle!  This may be completely old news, but this is the first time in a LONG time that my TV has been on in the afternoon for anything other than an animated show.  

(Picture from HollywoodReporter.com)

I do have a goal to read one book in September, and by that I mean not a Curious George or Pete the Cat Book.  I'm not usually a book reader, but am pushing myself to be.  I love to write, and I think my writing skills will improve when I read more.  I have narrowed it down to Uninvited by Lisa TerKeurst or Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist.  I'd love your input, if you've read either of these, or have any other suggestions for me.

What I'm Listening To...

Fact: I've been stuck on Billy Joel lately!

(Picture from UltimateClassicRock.com)

His music is soothing!  I pulled up my Pandora station to see what my top ten stations have been lately, my musical taste are all over the place...

1. Billy Joel
2. Rod Stewart
3. Adele
4. Dan Seals
5. Needtobreathe
6. Prince
7. Eric Church
8. Outkast
9. Randy Rogers
10. Hootie & The Blowfish

Everyday calls for a different soundtrack, right?  Just, beware of the Outkast days, y'all.

What I'm Wearing...

This is always hard for me, because I am not a fashion blogger by any means.  Now, don't get me wrong, I love shopping and clothes, but at this stage of my life (i.e. raising kids) fashion just takes a backseat.  So, consider this your second Public Service Announcement today: Go To Dirt Cheap!  Have you been there?  Yes, you have to dig, but the savings are ridiculous!  I bought these Rock Republic jeans advertised on the Kohls website for $88 for $12.

Yes, $12!  I wasn't sure that I was cool enough to pull off distressed jeans, but I was willing to test the waters for $12.  I also saw some Tahari and Lilly Pulitzer dresses in there for between $12-$20, too.  If you have a Dirt Cheap near you, it's definitely worth a stop in.

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month...

Jentry and Jesse celebrate birthdays one day apart in October, so I'm looking forward to planning their 3rd and 5th birthday parties, and start shopping for their presents.  I am also looking forward to breaking out some soups, chili, and stew as the weather cools off.  

This month's bonus question: What is your favorite transition piece for fall?

This fashion related question was super easy for me!  My military jacket is by far one of the most worn items in my closet, especially this time of year!  My fashionista friend, Andrea, says olive is going to be the "it" color this fall, too!  I love that this jacket is easy to throw on and matches anything, PLUS the utility pockets make it so easy for an afternoon at the park...I don't even have to tote around my purse.




That's what's up with us, what's up with you?

Emily 







30 comments:

  1. I can't wait to see your August monthly meals
    I really want that veggetti! And I love that cleaning schedule!!
    College..WOW! Please post lots of advise on here!! I think I will probably blink and Ian will be off to college :( That sounds like something I would do...make a spreadsheet or a check list!! :)

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    1. Thanks, Heather! The spreadsheet started because one of the schools Kendall is interested in is stinking expensive. If that's where she 100% wants to go, we'll support her (notice I said support her, not pay for it), but I wanted her to see that she can get a great education elsewhere for half the price! Thankfully most colleges have their tuition, dorm & meal costs on their website. I'm excited to tour a few schools this year with her so she can make an informed decision and not feel rushed & unprepared her senior year.

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  2. It's not sad that you have been cleaning lately. A clean house is a happy house....errr! Maybe I am sad too?!

    Guess who FINALLY bought a utility vest. Man I am pumped for it to arrive. Those jeans are insanely cute too. I would have snagged them up as well.

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    1. Atleast we can be sad in a clean house! Ha!
      I'm so excited you ordered a utility vest! I saw one the other day & thought about you! I can't wait to see how you style it.

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  3. Billy Joel is my favorite! I've loved him since I was a kid. That looks like a good cleaning schedule too!

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    1. His voice is so relaxing to me! I love it!
      The cleaning schedule has been great. I don't always stick to it exactly, but it's nice to have an idea of where to start.

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  4. You are SO organized. Love your chart. Monday is HOLY SHEET DAY! in my house too. Love the pic of you and your daughter. Have a great weekend.

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    1. Ha! I sleep so much better in clean sheets! We just got rid of a bunch of sheets the other day because we never use them. I despise folding fitted sheets, so I just wash them & put them right back on the bed.

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  5. I love those jeans! I tried those on a few weeks ago and then talked myself out of buying them :( I need to follow your cleaning chart. I am sure that would make my life so much easier.

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    1. Those jeans are so comfy! They have a little stretch in them, but not enough to get stretched out by the end of the day. I'm really enjoying them.

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  6. Aww you angel, I love being your fashionista friend!! ;-) You'll look sooo cute in that jacket!! You are so smart to get a jump in colleges!! We did and now they are in college and I don't regret a minute spent researching. Your house c,eating chart is fab and hello you awesome chef!! Now I want a Veggetti!!!

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    1. Thanks, Andrea!! Your fashion posts always help inspire me!
      I'm looking forward to touring some colleges with Kendall this fall. Did your boys go to the same college?

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  7. Aw! You can't dread January! That's my birthday month! Precious kiddos!

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    1. My mom's birthday is in January, too, so there are still a few reasons to celebrate! Heck, maybe we'll even get a snow day or two! :)

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  8. I have never heard of Dirt cheap. I need to check to see if we have one around here. College...time flies by so fast! I can't wait to see what your research turns up about the schools. Love your cleaning schedule. I will have to try one. I tend to do everything in one day, and then I am just worn out!

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    1. I was the same way when I tried to clean the whole house every day, and I would always leave our bedroom & bathroom until last & was always too tired to do much in there. This is working so far.
      I'll have to send you my college spreadsheet when I'm done with it. Your daughter won't be far behind.

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  9. Forgot to comment on the Bible Study. Jennifer Rothschild is so good. I start a Bible Study next Tuesday. We have been going to a new church so I'm sure I'll meet lots of new ladies.

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    1. That's great! Do you know what your studying yet?

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  10. I want a military jacket so badly. I'm adding that to my list of things to buy. I also want that zoodle maker thingamajigger you put on here today too! And I've been meaning to pick up Uninvited for nearly four weeks now...shame on me! Maybe I'll get it tomorrow. Look at those sweet babies all growing up! xoxoxo

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    1. I got my military jacket at Old Navy a few years ago & love it!! It's the perfect weight for fall & spring. I wear it all the time!

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  11. I have never heard of Dirt Cheap - the only Dirt Cheap we have around here sells alcohol! I have heard Uninvited is realllly good. Can't wait for your monthly meal plan!

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    1. That's funny because the Dirt Cheap here sells just about everything, but alcohol! Ha! I think I'm going to go with Uninvited. Now, I've just got to make myself sit down & read!!

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  12. Thanks for giving me credit for the Zoodles! Good, aren't they?

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    1. They are good!! Can you make them ahead of time? That's the only thing I don't like about it...they're time consuming. I wonder if I made up a batch if I could use them all week?

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  13. I've been eating zucchini noodles lately and love them! I've been trying to stick to a cleaning schedule forever but it doesn't work haha

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    1. Hi Jacquelyn!! I love the zoodles, too! I tried to use the veghetti last week to make sweet potato fries, but I think I did it wrong. They were too thin and I burnt them. :(
      I'm loving the cleaning schedule, but it is hard to stick to it. Atleast it gives me an idea, though.
      Hope you're doing well!! I still miss your blog!

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  14. I'm saving your cleaning schedule find for the near-future when I'm sure I'm going to feel like pulling my hair out with two babies under our roof. We don't get the UP channel, but I've seen what shows they offer and I feel like I NEED that channel now. ha.

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    1. Cleaning with babies is hard, but cleaning with mobile children is impossible, that's why I haven't been able to do it until they started preschool. I have been hooked on the UP channel while folding laundry...which I'm doing daily thanks to the cleaning schedule. Ha!

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  15. I am currently binge watching Gilmore Girls for the 2nd time and trying to get my kids to memorize the words to Piano Man...I also need to get one of those zoodle makers...it is officially on the list!

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    1. I LOVE the Piano Man! SO cute that your kids are memorizing it!
      You'll love Zoodles! They are so good, and I don't feel guilty after indulging in rich sauces. Yum!

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