Life lately

It's the end of the week...already.

These are some photos from my phone from our life lately. 

A bike basket. 

My Mother's Day gift was this darling basket for my bike. The bike I got a couple of months ago.  Since I got hurt longboarding, (not bad, but bad enough) I've been a little nervous to ride on a board again.  Eric thought I could still enjoy our family outings this way.  Isn't he the sweetest?!

(In case you're wondering he bought it at Target.)

. . . 

Park days.  

We love 'em. The kids work extra hard on their school in the morning, if they think there might be chance to head out.  

Mary says, we match because we both have aqua bikes.  :-)

. . .

Iced coffee.  
We've enjoyed some lovely weather this week.  Warm enough for an iced coffee. 
I often enjoy a cup of Costco's organic coffee in the morning,  but if I need a little boost in the afternoon, I've been enjoying the half-caff blend from Trader Joe's. 

. . . 

Fiestaware plate/coffee tray.
And speaking of coffee... when my friend was here for a visit, we poked around in an antique store.  I found this little beauty.  I decided to use it as a coffee tray to hold small of amounts of specialty blends. I'm partial to Fiestaware because of how cheerful it is with its array of colors.  I also like that its rather vintage.  My grandma had Fiestaware dishes.  This plate is a more modern version, but no matter, I still smile every morning when I see it. 
Little joys!

. . . 

A kitchen helper.

Abbie helped make dinner the other night.  She scrubbed all the potatoes for roasting, and measured all the ingredients into the bowl for meatloaf (except the meat, I did the messy job.)  She is an eager helper, and I am thankful.  

. . . 

Overnight oats.
So simple.  Just measure the amount you'd like into a bowl.  Add your liquid (water, coconut water, milk, almond milk, whatever you like.)  - some recipes say to use equal amounts of liquid to oats; other recipes say to double the liquid.  I've tried both ways and both ways work!. Cover and refrigerate overnight.  
EASY. PEASY! 
You can also add things like berries, raw nuts, chia seeds, hemp hearts, sliced banana, a drizzle of maple syrup.  There are so many possibilities! 

The consistency of overnight oats is a little different than that of traditionally cooked oats (which we are kind of liking!) AND there is great nutritional benefit when they are soaked.  
You don't even have to heat them up, but we like to warm it in the microwave for a mere 45 seconds.

. . . 

Elisabeth Elliot.
This book is a compilation of things she wrote for her newsletter (which wasn't really a newsy-letter, but rather one of encouragement and inspiration.)
I have several of her books on my bookshelf and was recently inspired to reread them.
So.much.wisdom. 

. . . 

Lego.
Since Daniel was little, he has followed in his brothers' footsteps and has really enjoyed playing with Lego.  He has recently taken an interest in trying his hand at making stop motion videos using them.  He succeeded and his first movie is titled, "The Adventures of Jones Spark."

. . .

Imaginations.
This is a new favorite way for the girls to play.  Actually, they like to fill the bathroom sink and play with toys, but after finding too many sopping wet towels a few too many times, I moved them outside.  

And as this week closes, so does the weather window, and we will return to cooler temperatures and rain.  


- Carol


Linking with Inspire Me Monday and Monday of Many Blessings, Monday's Musings.

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