Challenge Wednesday #24: About childhood dreams

Head over to Tracey's blog to see what I wanted to be when I grew up...


 

And then come back over here and tell me what you wanted to be when you grew up.  Are you what you wanted to be?  It's never too late, you know.

Challenge Wednesday #23: Its time for an adventure

So, there was a selfish reason for my question for Tracey at Control the Chaos this week.  I want to see as much of Scotland as we can while we are here...and I think her family's hobby could become one of my family's hobby AND help us see parts of the country that we wouldn't have thought of.  Hopefully you all can benefit from it too!


Oh, and you'll want stick around til the end.  Because there MIGHT be a link to a give-away.  Just sayin'. 

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I know I'm a geek. I'm married to a geek, and we have geek children. If you can identify with me and my geekiness, then you will understand why I am so excited to guest post today on Jen's blog.


Every Wednesday, Jen and I take turns trading blog homes. Last week, Jen asked me to come over and write about my family's favorite hobby: geocaching.


In her own words: "So Tracey, would you please tell me about your favorite geocaching experience and about any key things that we need to know if when we start doing it?  "


Woo Hoo! I think a little background information is in order. Like, for instance, what the heck is geocaching? And how in the world did you start?

Well, I'd be happy to answer those questions for you. Plus probably some that you didn't ask. 


Geocaching is, simply put, a high tech treasure hunt. Actual boxes, or caches, are hidden all over the world. In fact, odds are you've walked past or over or under several and not known it. You find a geocache using GPS coordinates, clues, and a little bit of "geosense."


We first started geocaching when we were living in Japan and were looking for a way to keep the kids engaged while we were out sightseeing. We registered for free at www.geocaching.com and immediately had access to hundreds of thousands of caches (that number is currently well over one million). You can search for caches in your area or by difficulty level, terrain, etc. 

a nose flute found in a cache
(don't worry, it was in a sealed bag!)

re-hiding the cache

Ok. Now on to Jen's questions. My favorite ever geocaching experience was probably when we took a trip to Luxembourg and spent the entire weekend geocaching. We decided to go at the last minute - we just needed to get away. So since we really had no agenda, we planned the trip around geocaching. We stayed in a beautiful area known for it's rock climbing and trails, and we created a list of caches close to our apartment. We packed a picnic lunch and spent two whole days out in nature, hiking and scrambling from cache to cache. We saw huge forests that went on forever, dark caves, and narrow paths between large rock formations. It was a perfect way to explore an area we probably would never have seen. And this is what keeps us caching - finding hidden beauty all over the world, having a destination off the beaten path, and working towards a common goal. It is truly a hobby that has something for the whole family. I enjoy seeing new things, my husband likes the puzzles, and my kids like the treasure hunt (many caches contain small toys for trading. You are welcome to take something from the cache as long as you replace it with a trinket of your own).


As far as key things to know, I do have a couple. The first day we tried geocaching we had a difficult time because we just didn't know what we were looking for. It's hard to picture until you see it for yourself. With that in mind, here are a few tips:

• Start small. Remember when I said you can search by difficulty? Finding a couple easy ones will help you learn what you are looking for.
• Keep trying! It takes a little learning to get the right mindset. Don't get discouraged too quickly.
• If you have a smartphone, I highly recommend the geocaching app. You might not want to spring for the $10 app right away, but if you enjoy geocaching and want to stick with it, the app makes a huge difference. Wherever you go, you can just hit a button and search for geocaches in the area. Makes for fun spontaneous caching sprees.
• Have fun and enjoy the new things you get to see along the way.

Well, I think I've rambled long enough. The only thing left is for you to get out and try it! And, you don't even have to be a geek like me to enjoy a fun and frugal family activity.

Ok, Jen. Here's your question for next week: What did you want to be when you grew up, did you follow your dream, and how are you making your dreams a reality in your current situation?

Can't wait to hear your response.

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Thanks for the post Tracey; I am so excited to try this.  Oh!  And guess what?  Tracey has a giveaway happening right now....make sure you head on over there to check it out!

Challenge Wednesday #21

Hey folks!  It's Challenge Wednesday again.  Are you wondering what that is?  Well, I'll let Tracey tell you.... 

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Howzit. Remember me? Tracey from Control the Chaos? Yeah, I thought so. If not, let me sum up: every week Jenny and I take turns on each other's blogs. We give each other things to do, questions to ponder, all in an effort to live in the now, expand our horizons, and tell a story. You can click on that link above to see the kinds of things I write, or to see Jen's post from last week. But right now, I'm here to discuss these questions:


How are things going with your bucket list?  Any new additions? Anything crossed off the list? 


And boy, these are definitely good questions to answer. I have been thinking of my Bucket List lately, which was initially inspired by Jen in a previous challenge. I haven't visited it in a while, so now is a great time to do that, don't you think?


Even though it hasn't been updated recently, I have been making progress on a few of the items.


For instance, I completed a marathon in October, which was #1 on my list. Yay! The second item also focuses on running, which I love to do. However, now that I proved I could go the distance, I'm more interested in getting speedy. Not record breaking speedy, but competitive speedy. So, I'd like to run 5k in 25 minutes. This is a pretty lofty goal, and I am currently at about 27-28 minutes for a 5k. Still a long way to go, but I've been making progress by incorporating High Intensity Interval Training into my runs. It's been veeerrrry cold here, though, so I've been too much of a wimp to actually try a 5k outside. I hope to time myself again in a couple days, if I quit being such a pansy. I hate the cold.



I also want to read the entire Bible. I am currently following a "Read the Bible in a Year" program with a pastor friend and his family. And our old ohana in Hawaii. Church family. Yes, that's quite a long time to take to finish the Bible, but I am enjoying the small pieces that I can fit into a lifestyle that includes 3 kids and a husband who travels. I feel like I am able to digest it sometimes rather than simply read it as fast as possible. It's nice.


Sadly, I must delete our trip to Uganda. The friends we were planning to visit were suddenly and unexpectedly compelled to leave Uganda and return to the USA. We will not be able to go without them. We are hoping to replace it with another bucket list item, a trip to South Africa this fall.


And speaking of traveling, this weekend I can cross my "visit Scandinavia" off the list. 

Source: google.com via Cara on Pinterest

We're going to Oslo! No matter that I hate the cold and we're traveling to Norway in winter. A place that currently averages three hours of light per day. 


And as for additions? Well, I think it's about time to add homesteading to the list. We hope to move back to America, buy some land, and have a homestead. Like, with animals and a garden. One day, it will happen. Just wait and see.

Source: Uploaded by user via Sue on Pinterest

And now, Jen, I want to know how you are living in the moment in Scotland. What kind of things have you explored? What memories are you making? What opportunities are you taking advantage of while you are living in the UK? Come on, spill the beans, we want details!

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Thanks for the update Tracey!  Oslo?!  Sounds fun.  And all I have to say is that that setting {even if it is just an example} is absolutely idyllic.   Makes me want to move to the country when we head back to the States.  Rolling hills....

Oh, we have rolling hills in Scotland!  Can't wait to tell you about life here next week.  

Till then, be happy! 

Challenge Wednesday #20: New Looks

Have I ever told you how much I like change?  Well, I sort of do.

First off, {and this has nothing to do with Challenge Wednesday} you might notice the blog looks a little different.  Not much to say about it, except that I was feeling something new was needed.  So I spent some of the day yesterday trying different things out, and landed with this.  Hopefully it won't take you too long to get used to!

On to the more important stuff.  Check out this sandwich...

Looks good, right?  It's a new look for my kitchen.  That's a lot of veggies.

Well, you'll have to visit Tracey's blog home over at Control the Chaos for more details.

Ha.  Happy Wednesday!  We're halfway to the weekend.

Whew.

Challenge Wednesday #18: Whatcha Readin'?

So, last week Tracey asked me the following question: What are you reading right now, how do you like it, and do you have any reading recommendations for us?


And, this week, on Tracey's blog, Control the Chaos, I am telling you all what I am reading right now, and what a few of my favorite books {that I got back to read more than once} are.    Oh, and Tracey offers a great book recommendation too! 


You better click on over and check it out! 

Challenge Wednesday #16

Hey friends!

Wednesday!  Yahoo!  Almost half way thru the week.  What's on tap for the weekend???

I'm going be gearing up for "Game On!" {there is still time to join in!}

But first, Wednesday means that it is time for a challenge, and this time Tracey challenged me.  Go on over to her blog, Control the Chaos, and check it out.

If you are new around here, Tracey is a friend of mine {whom I wouldn't have met if it weren't for living in the Netherlands}, and we have been giving each other challenges.  She does her best to live a pretty natural lifestyle, using homemade products (food and otherwise), so there is less she has to worry about when it comes to...well, life.  And I am hoping to follow in her footsteps.  





Go on now...I'll wait.

Alright, now that you did that...what are some homemade items I should make?

Talk more soon pals.

Ba-bye for now.

Starting 2012 with randomness...and a few treats!

Wowza. It has been a crazy few days.   22 hours of travel, which included an hour delay, an 8 1/2 hour flight from Minneapolis to Paris, a seven hour layover in Paris, and an hour and half flight to Edinburgh with two energetic and...just plain awesome kids.

Whew. We are home in Scotland.

And glad to be here. {even though I am missing our family and friends back in Minnesota and all of the great times we had over the last five weeks...but more about that soon.}

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I had prepared an entire post including my "top 11 photos of '11 of my kids".  And then lost it.  Kaput.  Gone.

So, while I put that back together, here are a few treats for you:

#1.  I should have provided a link to this on Wednesday:

This is my sweet niece E opening a gift I made her.  Check out Tracey's blog to read more about it.  Fitting for today, since it is a calendar...that she gets to start using today!

#2.  And remember my friend Sonja, who I ran ran/walked the Turkey Day 5K with?  She went and started a blog.  Check it out.  Make sure to follow her, she is a fun and energetic woman who I am happy to be able to call a friend.

That's all for now folks.  Come back tomorrow for a recap of 2011 in photos.  And eventually I will get around to those darn New Year's resolutions.  {hehe}

Challenge Wednesday #9: The Why of Gratefulness

Last week, Tracey and I decided that this week, instead of a true challenge {because what we are doing here today is pretty darn easy} we would trade blogs to tell each other and our friends {that'd be you} why we think it is important to be grateful. 


So, without further adieu, here's Tracey of Control the Chaos... 

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The Why of Gratefulness

Every year at this time Facebook, blogs, and emails are flooded with stories of what we are grateful for(our families, of course), how we plan to celebrate our gratefulness (with food, of course), and any special traditions go along with all this gratefulness (sharing at the table, notes, gifts).

Why do we do it, year after year?  Well, duh, it's important.  But why?  I mean, surely our friends and families know how thankful we feel.  Right?  Right?

Is it coincidental that at the time of year when we feel most grateful (or at least the time of year when we best express it), we often feel most pressured, stressed, and out of time?

Source: pre-schoolplay.blogspot.com via Lally on Pinterest

There are just so many places we need to be, so many things we need to do, and so many people we need to please.  Maybe...maybe they don't know realize where and for whom our gratefulness extends.  Or maybe our actions are speaking too loud for our words to be heard.

Source: etsy.com via Lori on Pinterest

Maybe it's time we make our actions match our words.  Because we have today, but we're not guaranteed tomorrow.  Maybe in so doing we will not just say it, but we. will. know. it.

So, why is it so important to be grateful?  For them.

And then, for us.

Challenge Wednesday #8

Good morning {or afternoon.  or evening.  Guess it just depends on when you are reading. {wink}}

Tracey and I are taking it up a notch this week.  We both did challenges.  Check out her bloggie home for my report on to-do lists {which is not as easy as it sounds, it turns out}, and keep reading here to hear about Tracey's adventures making her young 'ens some sweet treats AND a bonus!  {There is a recipe!  Score!}

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Ooh, double challenge week!  This week I was challenged to make a special treat for my kids.  A fun one, I think.  I would like to say I make them special treats all the time, but the reality is that I easily get caught up in keeping everything whole, real, and slow cooked and sometimes forget to make something simply because it would make my kids happy.  Not to mention the fact that I manage to fill my time with "regular" food and consequently the fun stuff falls by the wayside.

The thing I have to remember is how happy the kids get when I do something special for them, and it's really not much effort to make a treat.  Even better, many of the treats they love can substitute flours and sweeteners for healthy alternatives.  I admit, though, that the only substitution I made was using raw sugar instead of refined.  Baby steps.

One thing I am really trying to do is ask their opinion whenever possible.  And so, even though I was sure their choice would be to make banana muffins with me, I asked them what they wanted.  

They chose lemon bars.  And they didn't want to help.

Ok.  Start over.  As it so happens, lemon bars are one of my favorite treats too.  So I quickly got over myself and pulled out my grandmother's recipe.  

Yummy lemon goodness.  Would you like to make it too?  Here you go:

LEMON BARS

Crust:

1/2 cup butter 

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 cup flour

Filling:

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons flour

2 tablespoons lemon juice

grated rind of lemon

Combine flour, powdered sugar, and butter until a soft dough is formed.  Pat into 8" or 9" square pan.  Press sides up about an inch.  Bake 20 minutes @ 350 degrees. 

In the meantime, beat eggs with sugar (don't overbeat).  Add flour, lemon juice, and rind.  Pour mixture into baked crust and bake (another) 20 minutes @ 350 degrees.

Cool.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar and cut into squares. 

This was sooo worth the effort for the expressions on their faces as they tasted their treats.

Another lesson learned for Mama.  Thanks, Jen.

I think Jen had a fabulous idea for next week.  She suggested our challenge be the same:  

Take the week off from challenges.  But lets trade blogs next week, and tell each other {and all of our friends} why we find it is so important to be grateful. 

Excellent idea, Jen.  I am up for the challenge.

Be sure to visit Control the Chaos and see how Jen fared with her organization challenge.  It's a great post, and I can definitely relate to "life happening."  See you soon, friends.

Challenge Wednesday #7

#7?  Where's #6, you ask?  Well, over at Control the Chaos, of course.  I wrote a post over at Tracey's bloggie home last week, but didn't have good enough internet to link back to it on the actual day.  So please, take a sec and read about my adventures making my own, homemade cleaning solutions.  And now, for this week's challenge....here's Tracey!

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Last week Jen challenged me to "take photos of your daily life.  Lets say 1-2 a day?  And then share them next week.  See, I am a big believer in living in the moment.  Why?  Because we are creating such precious memories for our children when we do that.  And preserving those memories?  Priceless."

I was up for the challenge.  You see, I always want to capture my days with my precious family, to have a tangible reminder of these days that slip away just before we get a good grip.  Because I know in my head that my memories will fade, even as I promise myself they won't.  But then I wake up and have a to-do list that stretches from here to Africa and three kids needing my attention and food to cook and a house to clean and work and and and…the memories fade and there's nothing to bring them back.

But last week?  Last week was different.  I don't have a fancy camera, and I'm not a good photographer.  But I've got my trusty iPhone (thank you, Steve Jobs, RIP), so I have no excuse.  

The difference is that last week I actually used the camera that is always with me everywhere I go.

And here is what I saw:

While Cooking:

While Playing:

the Little's first fat lip

While Running:

While Geocaching:

While Hanging Out with the Fam:

at the neighborhood farm

Here's what I learned this week:  I LOVE MY LIFE!  Ok, I already knew that.  But I had so much fun documenting my week, my day to day activities, that I think this might be the start of a new trend.  Thank you once again, Jenny, for challenging me to see my life and family as the special and precious things that they are.

And now, Jen, here is your challenge for next week:  keep your daily life as chaos free as possible.  Create a daily to-do list of 3-5 items in order to accomplish a week's worth of tasks.  The list can include small items like make bed or large items like grocery shopping.  The point is to have a clear cut idea of what you want to accomplish and make a straightforward plan to get there.  Next week I will simultaneously complete a challenge from Jen, so what do you have in store for me?

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Wow, love the photos Tracey. Poor little!! I hope her lip is all healed up.  And I do have to say I am a bit jealous of your home outside of town.  Running past those animals and the fall colors would have been awesome.  Didn't see many of those sights where I was living in the Netherlands.  {wink}

Oh, this challenge from Tracey?  Perfect.  I have so many things I want to get done over the next few weeks, this will help me stay on task and focused on what is important.  

Alright...so a challenge for Miss Tracey.  This is getting tough!  I think I am going to dig into my archives of 31 days to being a better mama.  Even though Tracey is one of the best mama's I know {I may have referred to her as my mommy guru at one point}, we can always use reminders of the important parts of being a mama.  So, before next Wednesday, I challenge you to make your kiddos favorite treats.  And report back...did they like 'em?  Ha.  I am sure they will.  Maybe you can even share a recipe?!  I love recipes.  

Challenge Wednesday #5: a new bucket list

Another Wednesday, another challenge!  Read on, friends, read on!   Last week, I challenged Tracey to start a Bucket List.  

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Last week Jen challenged me to make a bucket list of my own.  And let me tell you, I am up for the challenge.  I have always had things I wanted to accomplish, but these things have always floated around my brain in a sort of nebulous, like 

WOW THAT WOULD BE COOL TO DO SOMEDAY...HEY STOP COLORING YOUR SISTER GREEN!

So I got to spend this last week really thinking about the things that are important enough to me to put on my Bucket List.  It was a little difficult to develop some of my ideas, and to break some of them into doable action steps.  So, once again, this will be a work in progress that you can check on periodically.  I'll put it on a page on my blog, Control The Chaos.

And now, without further ado, here is the Beginning of Tracey's Bucket List:

1. Run a marathon. 

     -I had to start with this one to give me a victory right off the bat.  It's motivating, you know, to sometimes put something finished on your to-do list just so you can cross it off.  Besides, I just did it two weeks ago, so it still counts, right?

2. Run 5k in 25 minutes.

3. Read the whole Bible

     -I shamelessly stole this one from Jen.  It's a good one - hope you don't mind, friend.

4. Learn to make soap

5. Visit South Africa

Source: kilele.tumblr.com via Rose on Pinterest

6. Visit South America

Source: google.com via Laura on Pinterest

7. Go to PA school

     -maybe.  Still thinking on this one.

I did mention this is a work in progress, right?  Seeing it in paper makes it look pretty meager, but some of these are going to involve smaller bucket list items in order to work toward the larger goal.  

Once again, thank you, Jenny, for giving me a challenge that helps me grow myself and steers me towards who I want to be.  And now are you ready to be steered a little yourself?  Here's your challenge:

eliminate 2 cleaners from your house and replace with 1 non-chemical item

So, Jen, here is what I'd like you to do this week:  Simplify your house by eliminating two chemical cleaners from your arsenal and replacing them with one non-chemical alternative.  The idea that you need specific cleaners for every single job in your house is a myth.  Not only is it expensive to buy all of these specialized cleaners, they are full of harmful chemicals, creating a danger zone for your kiddos.  A few well thought-out items can clean your whole house.

Here are a couple resources to get you thinking:

control the chaos

simple organic

Good luck…looking forward to your report next week.

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There couldn't be more perfect timing for this challenge.   I just had to throw most of our cleaners before we packed us up on Monday, so this way I can start at our new house with more natural cleaning materials.  

I have to admit I might have even saved some empty plastic spray bottles because I had been thinking about doing this for some time.  Thanks Tracey, for spurring me into action!  

Check back next Wednesday to see how it goes for me.

Challenge Wednesday #4 : A book report??

Hello friends.  Do you know how long it has been since I have done a book report?  A good, long time.  
But last week Tracey challenged me to read the book "Food Rules" by Michael Pollan.  And, summarize it.  So it was time for a book report.  And I got in the groove.  I even made sure I had an attention getting introduction.  Wanna hear it?

“A land with lots of herring can get along with few doctors.” –Dutch Proverb


I've gotcha intrigued, don't I?   Click over here to read more.  

Challenge Wednesday #3

Wednesday, Wednesday... isn't there a song about Wednesday's? 

If you are new around here, each Wednesday my friend Tracey from Control the Chaos and I give each other challenges.  Both of us are intend to live full lives, in the most simple and enjoyable way possible.  So we thought we would take our strengths and interests and introduce each other to them.  

So, last week over at Control the Chaos, I reported on the challenge Tracey had given me to make a homemade staple item {quite a challenge for a self-professed queen of convenience foods}.  And here is Tracey to report back on the challenge I delivered her...

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Last week Jen challenged me to make a 1000 gifts list.  This is a great challenge, because it really made me stop and notice what was going on around me.  It's been very busy around here, and my mind has been focused on what's ahead, rather than on what's here.  

So, I figured 100 gifts was a nice round number.  Hmmm.  It's been great and all, but that's a lot of gifts to find in a week.  So, I came up with 55, and a promise to continue.  Good?

Here's what I found so far:

1000 gifts

1.  The Sweet Miracle content to cuddle beside me while I drink my coffee.

2.  Two boys who woke up easily this morning and got ready for school with no complaints and wonderful attitudes.

3.  The husband who understands my need to recharge and happily watches the kids so I can do that.

4.  The girl who likes to nap.  I needed rest today.

5.  Fun Fridays and The Amazing Race.

6.  My husband’s talent for and interest in technology.

7.  No plans on a Saturday.

8.  Amaretto in my post dinner coffee.

9.  Kids who still think we are cool.

10. My son’s love for others.  It never ceases to amaze me.

11. Big #2’s talent for dancing.  Highly entertaining.

12. A few blessed days of summer...in October.

13. Biscuits and Nutella.

14. Home movies.

15. A game called “Islands”, invented by two very creative little boys.

16. A family who has no need for fancy pants dinners.

17. Easily accessible markets where I can buy fresh and in-season produce for reasonable prices.

18. Flannel pajamas.

19. The opportunity to train and run my first marathon.

20. A pet hamster that provides endless joy for the three kiddos.

21. Fresh bread from the oven.

22. A church ohana that calls just to make sure we are doing fine.

23. Only needing one car.

24. Getting to play the drums at church.

25. A part time job where I get to feel like a professional.

26. A fantastic babysitter who takes amazing care of the Little.

27. Giggles.

28. Children who like to read.

29. Children who enjoy being active.

30. A husband who likes to be home with us.

31. The orchid on the bookshelf.

32. Peace and quiet after the kids go to bed.

33. Great big blankets to cuddle under on the couch.

34. A friend who is a great cheerleader.

35. An opportunity to live abroad.

36. Finishing my first marathon.

37. A spontaneous hug from my boy.

38. Husband anticipating my needs.

39. Stroopwafels and coffee.

40. The Brady Bunch.

41. Camping.

42. Fall colors.

43. Big #2’s curly hair.

44. My own curly hair (I guess).

45. Bedtime.

46. Three fantastic children.

47. Big #1’s easy and infectious giggle.

48. Getting to go home and see our family.

49. Boy time while the Little and I go to the U.S.

50. The iPad to entertain the Little on the airplane.

51. Living in the country but still close to town.

52. The dimple in Husband’s cheek.

53. Wheels and wheels of cheese.

54. Warm blankets to cuddle under on the couch.

55. House Hunters on Hulu.

So, I declare my first challenge a success.  It's fun to sit on the couch with the computer, listen to the joyous sounds around me, and write them down so I can savor the moment.  Thanks, Jen, for your inspiration. 

You can find the continuation of this list on the top of my blog, Control the Chaos.  Just click on 1000 Gifts.

Ready for your next challenge, Jen?  I challenge you to read Food Rules by Michael Pollan, and share a brief summary as well as your thoughts.  The additives in modern food are both unnecessary and unsatisfying.  Getting back to the basics can help us enjoy what we eat, control our cravings, and give us the healthy lifestyle we all want, without diets.  

Can't wait to hear how it goes.

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Okay, first...let me tell you.  I got to see this lady finish her marathon.  If I needed an inspiration to get back on track?  There it was.  

And second, Yay!  I am so excited.  With that my new lease on getting healthy {and staying that way}, this book should be a big help.  Can't wait to read it.  Hey...friends, do you want to read along with me??  

Challenge Wednesday #2

This Wednesday, you will find me over at Control the Chaos.

Click on over to see how I did with the challenge to make a staple item from scratch.  Did I do it?  Was I successful?  Will I do it again?

Here's a hint...

Now go check it out!

And, of course, you just have to see what I hand to Tracey as her first challenge, don't you?

Challenge Wednesday #1

It's Wednesday {just in case you were wondering}.  Which means its time for Challenge Wednesday.  This is the day that Tracey and I will be giving each other challenges and reporting on how they went.  Of course, we have to start somewhere, and so Tracey is delivering the first challenge to me.  

Here.  And now.  Read on, my friends, read on.  

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Well, here we are.  Time for Jen's first challenge.  This is so exciting, isn't it?  Why don't you all join in too?  You can always leave a comment with how it goes - we'd love to hear your thoughts.

I hope you don't mind making something, Jen, with all that's going on in your life right now.  Believe me, most of this is easier than it seems.

Drumroll please…..MAKE A STAPLE FOOD ITEM FROM SCRATCH

Convenience foods seem easy, but can be loaded with ingredients that have no nutritional value and are far from healthy.  Although it seems daunting to make everything from scratch, getting a few staple items in your repertoire makes things simpler and easier for a couple or reasons:

• you can stop reading labels because you know what you've put in your food
• you can take advantage of local, in season produce when it tastes best and costs less
• less sugar, more good stuff (especially with sauces where you can be sneaky with veggies)

Ok, so I won't sound too preachy, I'm just going to stop there.  Except one more thing:  it actually gets kind of fun.  Believe me, I am no cook.  But get this:  you don't have to be to eat delicious food.  Just try it.

You can make whatever you want, dear friend, but in order to get you started here are a couple ideas:  ranch dressing or pizza sauce. 

Or, you could even ditch the frozen waffles and make a batch of buckwheat pancakes and store them in the freezer.  They heat up in the toaster exactly the same way.

It's really up to you what you decide to make, but believe me when I say that whatever it is, it will probably taste better than the store bought version.  Good luck!

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Oooh, thanks Tracey!!  This IS a challenge.  I am the queen of convenience {which, like Tracey mentions, sometimes can barely even be considered to be convenience} foods, so this is going to be good for me.  In fact, I think I might even take it up a notch and add this to my bucket list.  Make some food from scratch each week.  

How about you?  Do you make foods from scratch?  What should I try out?  The ranch dressing, pizza sauce, maybe baby food? 

Today I....

am over at Control the Chaos.

Visit me over there, won't ya?

Have a happy Wednesday!

My Wednesday Surprise...

So, remember that surprise that I told you about on Monday?  I told you I would tell you about on Wednesday.  Well, it's Wednesday now.

And I don't lie peeps.  Here it is!

I have met a few people here in the Netherlands that will be life-long friends.  You know the kind...right?  Those people that you identify with, and that you don't want to lose touch with...even though you have only known them for less than a year.  This lady is one of them.

She is inspiring (running a marathon next month, yo!), supportive, and a wealth of knowledge.  And she a big fan of living intentionally, simply and "in the moment", which is what we all know I aspire to.

So here she is.  Beautiful, right?   She is going to tell you about our new plan for Wednesday's.

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Hi.  I'm Tracey from Control The Chaos.  I am wife to a husband who travels frequently for work, mother to 2 Bigs and a Little, and part time pediatric occupational therapist.  I write about keeping our lives simple and chaos-free, so we have time to enjoy each other and our crazy adventures of living in a foreign country.

Jen and I are real life friends here in the Netherlands who share a passion for blogging, family, and making the most of every moment.  She invited me to come guest post today and introduce a new feature we are both adding to our blogs.

Every other week, I'll be making my appearance here.  Jen is going to give me a new challenge each week, and I'll blog about my experience.  On the off weeks, you can find Jen over at  my blog.  She'll be writing about a challenge I give to her.

We both have a goal to live more well rounded, intentional lives.  To seize the moment and make pure, joyful memories that won't be crowded out by all the complexities of life.  We agree that a great way to work towards that goal is to draw from each others' strengths and expand our own horizons.

Stick with us on this new adventure; I think it will be exciting and entertaining.  Or at least it will give you a good laugh now and then.

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Thanks Tracey...can't wait to share the journey with you.  

And the challenges. Am I nervous?  Yup, just a bit.  But that is what living in the moment is all about, right?