TIDBITS.

1) making a minor dent in my vintage fabric stash.

2) a new wall-hanging for my boys (inspired by this book.)

3) banana-sour cream pancakes with lemon zest.

4) Red Jacket apple-strawberry juice. Yum!

5) flowers from a tree at the park.

6) popcorn for dinner... twice.

7) amazing thrift find.

8) a rare occasion.

9) the product of a 'happy' sink.

10) I tried marmite for the first time and loved it.

11) plum preserves.

12) a homemade preschool project.

A few things:

- chocolate ice cream and pretzel sticks are a dangerous combo- I'm addicted.

- does Gotye remind anyone else of Phil Collins?

- scented trash bags were the worst idea I've ever had.

- is anyone looking for vintage fabric? my mother-in-law has some great stuff in her shop.

I have a few DIYs in the works that are perfect for mother's day- see ya soon!

-Amanda

OATS.

 

Oats have a bad rap and I am here to change that for good. I have loved oatmeal my entire life, but up until last year, the only oatmeal I ever ate was seasoned with loads of cinnamon and came in a little packet.   Over the past few months I have been obsessing over oats. I literally wake up excited to eat oats and still crave them throughout the day. Now, I am not assuming that you will feel that way after you try my recipes, but then again, maybe you will ;)

I have created five recipes on the fly. This wasn't a "challenge" I made for myself, it just happened naturally. I  did not purchase any ingredients specifically for making oats, I used what I had and that's it. That being said, hopefully you will have most everything of hand, as well.

Quick Oats:

Boil 2 cups water and then add 1 cup quick-oats (or multi-grain hot cereal). Stir for around 5 minutes, until it is nice and thick (less thick if you prefer).  Remove from heat and add a dab each of butter and coconut oil. This will be the base for the following recipes.

Prepare base, divide among two bowls and top each with the following...

Strawberries and Cream Oats:

 Add a splash of cream (or half & half). Top with 1/2 cup chopped strawberries, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of raw sugar (optional).

Maple Oats:

 Add a tablespoon butter, a drizzle of pure maple syrup, and a sprinkle of maple sugar (optional).

Banana-Whipped Cream Oats:

Whipped Cream: Combine a 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream, a pinch of salt, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Whip, using a hand-mixer for about 3 minutes, until very thick and fluffy. 
Add a 1/2 cup sliced bananas and a large dollop of fresh whipped cream.

Coconut-Chocolate Chip Oats:

Add a handful of bittersweet chocolate chips and a generous sprinkling of sweetened coconut shreds. 

Granola Oats:

Add a 1/2 cup sliced bananas, a handful dried cranberries, and a drizzle of honey.

yep. I did just write this post but I tend to have new 'standard meals' everytime we move. 

Are you the same way?

happy breakfast!

-Amanda

TIDBITS.

1) incredible, vacant shop sign. 

2) a sunday "baking" project with E.

3) a little flower from my little gentlemen.

 4) banana-nut bread. < link

5) new $5 walmart rug.

TIDBITS.

1) breakfast. 2) saturday morning. 3) beauty.

4)  a haircut for ethum. 5) sanity.

(still playing catch-up)

-Amanda

ETHUM SAYS.

I haven't done one of these in awhile, but I've saved up a few gems in my notebook...

"Thank you God for beef."

As we're saying the Lord's Prayer, "give us this day, our daily bread... no, bread and butter."

"This is America."

One day, Ethum was watching a car being towed in the parking lot of our apartments and I asked him to get off the kitchen table and he replied, "no, I'm watching Mater". (any other moms watch Cars a million times yet?)

"Mom, that's the point."

TIDBITS.

1) knuffle bunny. 2) typical ethum play. 3) sweetness.

4) garlic chicken prep. 5) breakfast.

6) braid-bun/top-knot. (for the record, I totally made this up myself 

before I saw it pinterest, or anywhere else for that matter. yep.)

-Amanda

ON THE ROAD.

note: we are parked... in case you were wondering.

Well, well, well. Hmmmm. This is exactly how I feel, lots of huffs and puffs. I'm so stressed out that I'm doing that deep exhale thing every thirty minutes or so because it actually feels like weight is being lifted.

Things have gone a bit topsy turvy since we got here. The corporate house they had waiting for us is still occupied by another family that was supposed to move out two weeks ago. My husband's new position is based out a Canton, Pennsylvania. We have spent that past few days driving to neighboring towns trying to decide what is best for our family right now and we have settled on Williamsport. It's the biggest town around here yet has population of about 40,000. Thats a big change from Houston, but I think I will be happy here. The local grocer has a large natural foods section (in lieu of Whole Foods) and the closest thing to a mall is the brand new Kohl's right off the highway (hello online shopping). Theres not even a Target here but that only means I will be forced to support the little local stores in town, which really is a good thing. Theres a housing shortage here due the to oil boom in the last few years (which is why we're here too).  I found an amazing apartment that was built in the late 1800's and we are waiting to here back from them. I hope it works out- its amazing! Say a little prayer for us :)

Oh yeah, we celebrated Ethum's 3rd birthday in the car by letting him eat candy all day. ha.ha.

Sorry for the ramble jamble. I didn't even edit these photos. bad, bad blogger. I hope things get back to normal soon!

 -Amanda