to simplify my life

I decided that I will connect my two blogs into one. See, I am trying to simplify my life and having two blogs is just confusing. Therefor, from now on I will be writing on this blog everything that I like to talk about and I will see where things lead me to. 

My other blog is about one of my biggest passions - homeschooling! From now on I will be also posting things that relate to that topic, such as projects, interesting facts, photos, and reflections on life in the busy day in our "classroom".  After all, we are chasing butterflies everyday over here! ;-)

Fun place for my little boy!

I was very happy to read Jen's blog and find an opportunity to link to her little party of room tours. Today is the "Boy's room tour" and I am showing my son's room that I put together with many of his suggestions as you will see. Everything, except for the bed and curtains, has been freecycled to me by my friends! THANK YOU! 

Here we go:

As you can see, we are in between themes. I am in denial that this room should be updated... because of two reasons - not only do I not want to admit that my little T is growing up, but also I don't feel like painting and rearranging furniture and organizing etc...

so right now we are in between "The Cars", "Pirates", and "Star Wars"... I have a feeling that I should go more with the Space/Star Wars theme. After all he is writing songs about the Planets right now and he is teaching his girlfriend how to fight with a lightsaber in her Snow White costume...

When I was pregnant with T (almost 5 years ago) I had all this time on my hands - the one I don't know about these days - and I painted his room full of these cute animals. Soon, the time will be here, to paint over my little masterpiece. Sigh

Easter Bunny brought T the Star Wars wall stickers. If I knew I will be exhibiting his room just couple days later, I would wait with putting them up... but then again would I? He just couldn't wait to peel those stickers off that paper and place them on his walls...

There used to be a crib under those giraffes. It was a perfect spot! Someone told me that T must be happy to sleep there as it looks like two huge breasts looking at him from above. Not intentional... That made me laugh.

 

I wish my hubby read my blog... Those drawers are broken and maybe he would have fixed them after I posted it on here... I painted the letters of T's name orange, cause it's my favorite color... His is pink!

Gum ball machine is a must! Now I wish I had one as a kid... And books... we have tons. This is just a small amount that fits on this shelf. We have more in his closet and in B's room. Let's don't forget to mention our monthly trips to the library. We get on average 25+ books and puzzles...

I added the moon not long ago after I got it from my dear friend! I love that piece (painted cast). B is scared of it... she wants to spank it :-D not kidding...

Next to the door is a small table, where T does his art (smaller projects anyway) and my blue doggy. The magnetic board holds some dear pictures, sight words, and buckets with markers (idea from another of my dear friends). oh yeah, did you notice my little musician in the mirror? She wouldn't move. Her tune of the past month is "Jesus loves me". Now she is jamming it on T's guitar over and over...

I love the door organizer from IKEA. It holds those small things that I couldn't find a spot for. Now we know where T's flash light, slippers, and sunglasses are!!!

So this is it. Now looking back at it, I will have to come up with a plan to redo his room into one (less chaotic) theme. But I am glad that I got to share it with all of you before I have to say good bye to my wall creations (not talking about Star Wars stickers :-D) Thanks for the opportunity! ... and don't mess with the dragon!!!

identity crisis

I have been having an identity crisis lately. I have so many dreams and they are all laying on my mind and it seems lately that they are very heavy. I can't seem to find my way and I keep going in circles. With my kids and house and my animals... and my husband ;-) I am going non-stop, which I am sure many of you can relate to. I have so many ideas about so many things in my head and I can do nothing about it. Don't get me wrong, I love being a home keeper and caring for all my babies. But I must have entered some stage in my life that just keeps me restless. I can't decide what to choose... what should I work on... what is worth it? And then after some time of thinking - I realize that I don't have time for anything anyway so why even bother trying to figure any of this out? My head is spinning and I need to stop it in the right spot. What should I only do with my dreams? Which one to choose? I hope it will be the right one...

spinach turkey omelet

Here is the promised recipe for your delicious breakfast



2 tablespoons water
fresh spinach
2 eggs
garlic salt
1 tablespoons butter
cheddar cheese (grated)
turkey (lunch meat)


Wash spinach and drain in a colander.

Place it on the pen with 2 tablespoons water and cook, tossing until completely wilted.

Place it back into the colander and squeeze out as much water as possible.

Chop spinach and place it in a bowl along with eggs.

Sprinkle with garlic salt and whisk together.










Put butter on a pan and melt it. Place the egg mixture into the pen and spread all the way to the edges of the pan. Cook it until the mixture thickens. Using wooden spoon or spatula, push the edges toward the center so that any uncooked eggs flow underneath. Cook until the eggs set.

Place turkey and cheddar cheese on top of the egg mixture and fold omelet in half using your spatula. 

Serve immediately with side of your choice. I chose toast and kabanos (polish sausage - oh so good, and you can get it in any Polish grocery store).

fresh squeezed grapefruit juice

I am not a big fan of grapefruits as they are bitter and I always have
to add some sugar to make them edible. But my mother-in-law brought me some from Florida and I had to find a way to use them. I added these following ingredients in my head and it seemed like it might work:

3 large grapefruits, cut in half
vanilla extract
honey
cane sugar

Squeeze juice out of the grapefruits into a blender using any squeezing device you own. Add vanilla extract, honey, and cane sugar until you are satisfied with the taste. I tried to use less sugar and more honey and it worked wonderfully. Mix all ingredients in the blender for only couple seconds (it will foam  a bit) and pour into a glass. Serve this refreshing drink with your breakfast!

weekend menu

+ 2 recipes coming soon

I thought it might be some what inspirational for people if they would look at my weekend menu. I always like to get inspired by what others cook. I think it's one of the most difficult tasks as a mother and wife to think everyday of something to make for the whole family. And I am lucky, I don't have picky eaters. I hope you find this helpful:

Saturday


breakfast
- spinach/turkey/cheddar omelet with toast
- fresh squeezed grapefruit juice

lunch
- chicken noodle soup (I keep some chicken aside for next day lunch)

dinner
- breaded cod
- mushroom risotto
- green beans

Sunday


breakfast
- cereal (no time for anything else or we would never make it to church ;-)

lunch
- chicken noodle soup (left over from Saturday - mainly kids will eat that)
- grilled chicken/feta cheese panini
- chips (we like pita chips with this)

dinner
- Salmon burgers/sweet potato fries

I will post 2 recipes (pictured meals) later today :-)