Day 30

 

I'm grateful for a warm, dry house filled with the smells of fresh food and the sounds of family.

 

This was my first experience with Butternut squash soup. I modified a Martha Stewart recipe. Here's the recipe I used:

 

1 butternut squash cut in cubes

1 onion

2 cloves of garlic

2 inches of peeled and chopped ginger

2 tablespoons of butter

3 cups of chicken broth

1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon coriander

 

I cut the butternut squash in half and placed it flesh side down, after removing seeds, in a baking dish with a small amount of water (1/2 cup or so). I then baked the squash at 350 degrees for almost an hour.

 

I then sliced the squash into strips and cut the skins off before cubing. I found cutting the skins off to be easier than peeling them. I chopped the onion, garlic and ginger next.

 

Put 2 tablespoons of butter in the bottom of the pot and once melted add the chopped onion cooking for about 2 minutes until softened. Add squash, garlic and ginger to the pot and cook all ingredients together until the squash is softened. This should take 6-9 minutes.

 

Add 3 cups of chicken broth to the pot, the cayenne pepper and coriander. Bring to a boil and then reduce and simmer for 20 minutes. When  you're done, run the soup through the blender until pureed. I found I had to do this in two batches.

 

The results are a flavorful soup with a kick.

 

Ken thougth it was a little too spicy but he has a very low tolerance for spicy foods.

 

I'm glad this was a successful experiment with new soups. I wish I had remembered to take my final picture of the completed, pureed soup!

 

Day 29

 

 

Took these yesterday but didn't get a chance to post them. Do you know what exciting day January 29th is? That's right, it's National Puzzle Day!!

 

I put up fliers at work and invited everyone to join in a puzzle exchange. Everyone could bring a puzzle or more and trade it for another that was on the table. I also laid a puzzle out on the table. We extended it another day because several people forgot their puzzles. There were only a few people who brought puzzles but others have been wandering back throughout the day to put together pieces. It's starting to shape.

 

I'm grateful to be able to share something I love with my co-workers and to provide an activity everyone can enjoy. It's nice on breaks to connect with staff you don't always see regularly.

 

Day 22 & 27

 

I'm really out of order here but I hadn't gotten around to photographing what I was grateful for on Tuesday.

 

Each month I have the opportunity of working in my daughter's classroom as an Art Docent. This month the lesson focused on Picasso. We discussed the life and styles of Picasso's art. We also touched on colors and what different colors can express about our feelings.

 

I decided to do a piece inspired by his Blue Period. Each child drew a self portrait with Sharpie and then chose the color they felt reflected their mood for the day. They could use white and black to make tints and shades of their color.

 

We discussed light and dark areas of the face and then they each made a beautiful portrait.

 

I'm grateful to have the opportunity to work with the kids and to have a job that allows me the flexibility to get into the classroom once a month.

 

The weather here has been gray and wet for the past week. The fog finally went away though so that's something. Sunday, Bailey was out with friends. We were looking for a family activity for Ken, Anique and I. Despite the wet weather we decided a trip to Pike Place Market would be fun.

I'm grateful for the chance to spend time with my family and to explore the city sights we so often take for granted.

Day 24

 

 

 

I ran into a shortage of lunch containers for today's lunch. I pulled out a couple of brown paper bags and decided I would decorate them just like the old days.

 

Bailey's favorite character is Batman and Anique's is Robin so it seemed like a perfect pairing. It's a good day when your 14 year-old still likes bags that were drawn on by mommy.

 

I'm grateful for having a child who can still enjoy being a kid even when it seems like he is moving toward adulthood way too fast for me.

 

Day 19 & 20



It has been incredibly foggy for the last few days. We get lots of rain, but this thick fog is unusual. It doesn't burn off and it's just at or below freezing. Brrr!

I don't drink coffee (shh! no one says that outloud in Seattle) but I love a good hot chocolate every once and awhile.

 

I was very grateful for a chance to indulge on a cold day!

 

 

It's always a blessing when they play nicely together. The miracle of the xbox is a spontaneous increase in the positive sibling relationship. No, I don't condone them playing for ever and ever, but Bailey and his friends are very good about letting her join in on their online games. Anique and Bailey played a little Rock Band first. Anique is a natural on the drums. They spent the remainder of their video game time playing Minecraft.

 

 I'm grateful not only for them getting along, but also for Bailey and his willingness to include his little sister.

 

 

Day 16

I have a confession to make, I didn't take my gratitude picture today. The only picture I took today was of the Reese's Miniature before I ate it. I was needing an intervention from hubby. So yummy. So not on my plan today.

I digress. Today I am grateful for the beautiful day we had. The view on the drive to work was gorgeous. The mountains were out and sparkling with all their snow against a mostly clear blue sky. It was darn cold but the prettiness of the day mostly made up for that.

I swore I would take a picture when I got to work, but my mind was already inside the building as soon as I pulled in the parking lot. It was dark when I left. And still really cold.

But it's winter and thepure, clear days are a blessing.

Day 15

It's amazing how much cell phones can do these days. I rarely take pictures on my phone because my camera is always nearby but I took the quick snap above with it yesterday.

 

She just looked so cute with her sweater and monster bag after school. I couldn't resist. All personality that one. She cracks me up!

 

Then I decided to play with an app I had downloaded forever ago and tried some of the options. The app is called Photofunia and has lots of filters and normal options too. This the Polaroid and Painting option. Kind of funky right? Do you have any photo apps you use on your phone?

 

 

Day 14

 

I'm loving and grateful for warm, fuzzy pajamas. I had taken to sleeping in various sweatpants or shorts. This is mosty because I hadn't updated my pajama wardrobe in a really, really, really long time. My mom always manages to find me gifts I love but didn't even remember I needed. I think it's a mommy thing.

 

I received these on Christmas and am enjoying them so much! Now I just need a pedicure (sorry it's cold and wintry--I haven't polished my toes).

Day 13

 

I love flatbread. I've never tried making it my self though. When we decided on a create your own pizza night I remembered reading a blog post where they used naan bread as a crust.

 

This was a such an easy recipe. With only 5 ingredients it came together very quickly.

 

I'm thankful I tried a new thing and that everyone enjoyed it. Food accord doesn't happen very often. I will definitely be making this again.

 

Do you like flatbreads? Any suggestions for recipes to try?

Day 12

Today I'm grateful for the father-daughter relationship.

 

Tonight was the 6th Annual Father & Daughter dance. It's held by the high school Journalism club. Ken and Anique put on their dress clothes and headed out to dance the evening away.

 

Anique was so excited, all day she kept asking if it was time to get ready yet. She picked out her favorite green dress but absolutely had to have some purple. She added a purple hair flower and then we found her purple cardigan to tie it in with her outfit.

 

Apparently she danced the Macarena and her daddy boogied on the dance floor too. She got her fill of punch and cupcakes and had their pictures taken. It was a fun couple of hours for her and I'm so glad they could share this special time together. 

 

Ken took this with his phone while they were at the dance. I wish I could figure out to upload his video. It's a great short clip of Anique showing off her Macarena moves.

Day 10

 

 

I'm grateful for being able to take time today to finish a project. I need to remember to be purposeful about making time to be creative.

 

I've been wanting to try metal stamping for a while now. I ventured down to Seattle to Fusion Beads to pick up supplies. Yes, I could have shopped online but the store is absolute bliss. I had a fantastic Groupon to use and some Christmas money to spend. Couldn't resist!

 

I started with a very basic set of letters. This is a birthday present for a friend this weekend. (Shhh! Don't tell!)





 

Day 9

Okay, consistency is obviously not my strength. I have been falling behind in taking my pictures. I'll keep striving to get better.

This evening it began to snow. It has been chilly all day but we don't get snow very often. The kids are super excited. I'm bundled under a blanket now trying to keep my feet .

I'm grateful for having a warm dinner on a cold night. This isn't a very good picture of it but it was a nice hearty warm meal.

This morning I prepped a chicken soup for the slow-cooker and a batch of curry chicken. The kids aren't big fans of curry but the soup is alway a hit. I placed the ingredients for the curry chicken in a gallon ziploc and just poured it in to the pan to cook when I got home from work. Very easy!

Day 5 (Late)

Oh goodness, I've already fallen off the wagon and it's only the first week. This weekend I tackled a big project and was all out of oomph for editing and posting.

So, here is a belated Day 5 :

 

I am so relieved and happy to have our family/playroom cleaned out and organized. I am excited to have a useable space again where the kids can hang out with each other or friends.

 

 I feel so much lighter and relieved to have this major task over and done. This is a much happier space now.

Day 4

 

 

Today I want to express gratitude for my mom. She is our primary childcare resource and I appreciate her flexibility and willingness to adapt to our crazy schedules. She will come super duper early (despite the fact she hates mornings) and come on an extra day if needed.

 

Today, the kids are out of school and they have been home by themselves the past two days. My mom came by and got Anique so she could play with her cousin, Soulea and Bailey could hang out with his friends.

 

Anique loves to hang out with my mom. My mom is very patient with her and even when she isn't feeling well, will chat and keep her occupied.

 

I truly appreciate all that she does!

 

 

Day 3

No fancy title today. I'm experiencing some technical difficulties with Blogger. I'm not able to upload any pictures from my computer directly on to the post.

 

My little Anique can make me laugh. She has such a talent for mimicry and acting. She is constantly singing songs from movies or re-enacting scenes. This week she has been regaling us with scenes and songs from High School Musical 1-3 (many, many times over), Beauty and the Beast and tonight The Little Mermaid.

 

She also was acting out what dad does after work. It was hiliarious!

 

She is not always an easy child but she is so joyful and sweet much of the time. I'm blessed to have her and excited to see her "talents" continue. 

 

Day 2

With the holidays happening during the week this year and after an extensive vacation, it's been hard to get back in the work groove.

 

I was home for less than an hour before heading out to take Bailey and Ellie to see Jack Reacher. The kids are still on vacation from school and B had movie tickets he received for Christmas. So, I took off my work shoes and put on my chauffeur hat. :-)

 

So, today I want to express gratitude for my couch. Yep, it's the simple things in life some days. It's nice, it's comfortable and it's where I plan to spend the next little bit reading in a quiet house now that everyone else is asleep. Bliss!

Day 1

Here I am on Day 1 of my 365 day challenge. I realize it's probably predictable and cliche but I want to express my gratitude for my husband. We celebrated our 17th anniversary last month. While we have had our ups and downs, together we make a strong team. He supports my projects, is there to be my sounding board, and hugs me when all I want to do is cry. He is a great father to our children as well.