Thursday, March 26, 2015

Owning It (and a few questions!)

Hey, everyone!!!   First order of business... the recipe post from yesterday... so many skeptics in the house!!! I promise... it sounds disgusting - but it's so so so good!  Do I sit down and eat a bowl full??? No.  But do I like it as a "garnish" with ham??? Yes ma'am I do.  :)  If you end up trying it - let  me know!  I'd love to know what you think and whether or not you were surprised by it.

Today I'm blogging on Erika's blog as part of her Owning It series.  I didn't think I really had any crazy to claim, but I was totally wrong.  Go check out my post, judge me for being weird and quirky, and then come back and tell me what you thought :)


Since this kind of isn't a "normal" post day I thought I'd take a minute to answer a few questions that I get on the regular...

1) Where are the canvases in your kitchen from?
They're from Canvas People and they're 16x20.  Be sure to sign up for their emails because they do AWESOME coupons!



2) How do you keep your house so clean.
I always chuckle when this question comes up because there's usually a couple baskets of laundry around as well as toys all over the floor.  Back in the Fall (November I think), my parents actually hired a housekeeper to come one afternoon a week and help me out.  They saw that I was spending almost my whole Saturday trying to wrangle kids, run the vacuum and all of that and thought that this would be something that would benefit my whole family.  And truth be told - it's been AMAZING!!!  Working full time, there's not much "extra time" and having one less thing on my plate has been the best.  

We do try to pick up at night - it makes our mornings run smoother and makes me feel like I've got "it" together :)  Before the housekeeper was hired (aka the greatest day EVER) I had a little list of chores that I did on a rotating daily basis (i.e. vacuum bedrooms on Monday, dust on Tuesday, bathrooms Wednesday, etc.).  I LOVE me some Pledge MultiSurface Spray and am a big fan of cleaning with vinegar.

Also - y'all should know that my house stays pretty tidy because we're really not home all that much.  On the weekends and during breaks my house looks like a tornado has ripped through it as my kids want to pull out every toy we have and then build a fort :)

3) Where did you get that big bag made out of a tapestry from?
It's a Day Bag II from Nena and Co and it's even more beautiful in person :)


4) Do you work out?
I wish I could answer this with a "yes", but the real answer is no.  I so admire people who have the time to commit to this, but right now, it's not at the top of my priority list.  I do the occasional workout DVD and try to stay active with my kids - but beyond that I don't do any working out.  When I get home from work I devote my time to the kids and after they're in bed I blog, do design work, hang out with Dave, meal plan, sleep (hahaha), etc.  I'm a big believer in "everything in moderation" and I like to eat yummy food - but I'll have a small helping with a salad.  If I want a cookie, I have one... not three.  Typically, a bite of sweets is enough for me.  I don't look the way I did pre-kids (I weighed under 100 lbs) and I'm fine with that!  My body has done amazing things (like grown three healthy babies!) and I appreciate it as it is now :) 

5) How do you get it all done?
I get this question A LOT and the answer is that I don't.  I'm human and things sometimes get forgotten or overlooked.  I'm the WORST at responding to emails (I always read them and mean to reply and then get busy doing something and forget) and I feed my kids pizza.  This goes back to the last question about working out... when there's a lot on my plate I have to prioritize and sometimes "me time" gets put on the back burner.  Now, don't think that I'm buzzing around like a little bee all the time.  I start folding many a load of laundry while watching Real Housewives and find that at the end of the episode there is still a lot of folding to do and I love a good nap on Sunday afternoon.

6) When do you blog?
I blog at night, after the kids are in bed.  I try to plan out posts and work on them in advance if I can (although this doesn't happen as often as I'd like).  Sometimes I'll get up early on Saturday morning and write as well.

7) Where do you get Griffin's Kitty Shoes
Aren't they the cutest??? They're by Mini Melissa and I've found them on Amazon as well as Nordstrom.  I think that they run true to size and G wears them almost every day and has never got a blister or anything.

 

8) What kind of dog is Jack Bauer?
I wish we knew!  But since he was a stray, we really have no idea.  He definitely is a poodle mix based on his curly coat (he doesn't shed!) and we think his spots may be indicative of some Jack Russel terrior.



9) Luke is about to be 7, right?  How is he still in Kindergarten?
Yes... he is about to be 7 and yes... he is in Kinder :)  You can read all about our decision to have him do a "Round 2" of PreK HERE.

10) Where did you get your boys beds from?
The beds in the boys room are the Hemnes Day beds from IKEA and the bookshelves and dresser are part of the Hemnes collection as well.


Okay... anything I missed???  Let me know if you have any other questions! 

See you tomorrow for Friday Favorites!

34 comments :

  1. Even though I knew every answer to each question, I loved reading them. I know your readers really appreciate them too! Off to see how you own it!

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  2. I love this post!! Thanks for sharing.. I need to get some canvass made !! But been putting it off :)

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  3. Thank you for sharing your crazy today!!! :)

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  4. I gotta tell you, we are tea twins! I drink it the same way. Also, I really need to make you a mojito ;-)

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  5. Love that bag so much! Also love love GG's shoes! Loved your owning it post!! Have a great day!

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  6. Love your crazy post and the q and a! So fun!!

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  7. I love that Luke is still in K! My (will be 7 in August) son is doing a TK class (between K and 1) this year and it's the best choice ever. And my (turning 5 at the end of May) son is doing another year of PreK instead. I didn't want my sons going to college at 17! That idea scared me more than the idea of someone thinking it weird that my 6 year old was in K. ;)

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  8. Loved this post and your Owning It post! Your blog is seriously one of my favorites to read!

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  9. You are adorable. Honest. Real. And adorable. Yes, I meant to say that twice. Off to read all about your crazy. 😁

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  10. I can totally relate to not understanding accents. I struggle with that too! I really enjoyed your Owning It post.

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  11. Hi andrea. I loved your segment of Owning It. I can relate to the hot tea and your being fair to your stuffed animals before going to the party with the bear. I used to rotate which animal I slept.

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  12. Loved your Owning It post! The special helmet made me laugh. But I'm with Erika..how do you keep a book open while blow drying your hair??

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  13. Great post! I always like to learn more about the bloggers whose blogs I read often. You have a sweet family.

    https://onlyfunnyonpaper.wordpress.com/

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  14. I love learning more about the bloggers whose blogs I read daily. Thanks for sharing more about you!

    https://onlyfunnyonpaper.wordpress.com/

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  15. I just love reading your blog because you are so real! I am a working mom too and though I love reading stay-at-home mom's blog, I absolutely love reading yours because you get it! Thanks for being so honest! Can we be friends?! :)

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  16. What time do your kids go to bed? And get up in the morning? My little one is staying up later and later making for one tired momma. Thanks

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  17. I loved this random round up of questions!!! As a mom of 3, that works full time, blogs, runs a business- I'm right there with you about the house being clean, working out, and getting it all done! There are times I feed my kids pizza, or pb & j. The house is a wreck on the weekends, the kitchen is a wreck every night, and I do laundry every day! I spend most Saturday mornings cleaning and I clean a little every night! We had a housekeeper last year, and I'm hoping next year too! Working moms just know that we have to get it done and we do it! (All moms know that!) We all do our very best! Thanks for keeping it real this morning! And yes, loved your Owning It post too!

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  18. Can't wait to head over to Andrea's and read your crazy! We adopted a "mutt" from friends last August....if you saw our puppy and his two sisters you would not believe the 3 were related as all they have in common is their coloring. The person we got him from actually sent off a doggy DNA kit and got some info about what he might be. I was cracking up..had no idea that was an option!

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  19. It’s such a great post! Awesome! I like your style of writing and your photos!
    I know how much time it requires to keep updating your blog, but don’t stop doing it!)

    Diana Cloudlet
    http://www.dianacloudlet.com/

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  20. One of my nephews is about to turn 7 in a few weeks and is in Kindergarten. You do what is best for your individual kids! :) I used to teach full-day Kindergarten...I appreciated when parents waited until the time was right for their child, instead of just going off the cut-off birth date calendar. :) My niece has some Mini Melissa shoes...I wish they made them in my size--haha!

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  21. This recipe has been on our Easter menu for years! I can't say that everyone at the table loves it (like the meat and potato guys) , but I sure do! :)

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  22. You seem so sweet and I view you as a "super mom"! I only have one little one (and quit teaching until she's in K) and am amazed at how much you do! :)

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  23. You seem so sweet and I view you as a "super mom"! I only have one little one (I quit teaching until she's in K) and am amazed at all you do. What do your little ones that aren't in school yet do during the day? We really need the 2nd income, but I am hesitant to put my daughter in daycare. She just turned 3. Maybe I'm overreacting. What do you do? I feel like by the time I get home it would be almost time for bed. Any advice?

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  24. I totally trust you on the pineapple dish! When I moved to PA I was introduced to a Pennsylvania dutch pineapple casserole that's made with crushed pineapple, eggs, sugar, butter and bread cubes and it's delicious. Kind of like a bread pudding, but served with ham as well. I will definitely give yours a try!

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  25. Thank you for answering my question about the cleaning thing!! And trust me your house is way cleaner than mine and I don't have kids :) lol

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  26. I'm cracking up about how you didn't want to hurt your stuffed animals' feelings! I was the exact same way! I swear those little stuffed critters have souls!!! Loved your Owning It - thanks for sharing!

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  27. My twins will be 5 this summer. I am not sending them to K. I want them to be older too! :)

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  28. I love pineapple casserole!!! It was always a holiday staple in my house growing up but of course I married someone who doesn't like pineapples.

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  29. I love your honesty & balance! I'm so glad you're so productive & do so much, including blogging, because I love reading your posts! Excited to read the owning it post on Erica's blog!

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  30. Did you use standard twin mattresses for your boys beds or the thinner ikea mattresses? I'm considering getting those beds when we move my boys into a shared room but have not been able to figure out the mattress situation. Thanks!

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  31. Great post! I love reading your blog. Thanks for sharing with us. Have a great weekend.

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  32. As a working mom, I love your blog because I find you so relatable! Honestly, I don't work out either. Could I? Yes, if I really wanted to, but I prefer to sleep (haha) and be with my family at night. So I try to balance it out with eating healthy (ish lol). And if you saw my house, it would be messy most of the time. Sure I clean, but not as much as I did pre-kids. I'd love to say I have a schedule for cleaning because that is my goal, but that's been a goal for the past 3 months and it didn't happen. I think I need to hire a housekeeper to come at least once, if not twice, a month. Best birthday/Mother's Day/Christmas present ever!

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  33. If you are ever interested in selling your Nena and Co day bag - please contact me!! I've been searching for a similare pattern and keep missing out.

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  34. If you are ever interested in selling your Nena and Co day bag - please contact me!! I've been searching for a similare pattern and keep missing out.

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