A sweet night

Tonight the hubby and I were able to get out for some much need alone time : ) It's been busy these days with decorating and DIY'ing for our place, (6more days!) so it was nice to get out with the man who has made all my dreams a reality. I bathed n fed the kiddos, thanked konkie for babysitting n headed to our favorite rooftop tavern. We drank, ate, talked n held hands like teenagers : ) Then a sweet ending at our local ice cream parlor. I still pinch myself sometimes because I never dreamed I could be so happy but here I am, completely happy and totally in love, with my hubby, my kiddos, my life. : )

Goodness delivered!

We recently joined an organic delivery service Natures Garden Delivered and we are loving it! It's similar to a CSA, they only offer in season local produce and goods from local farmers but with the added perk of being able to customize your order every week with your preferences according to what's fresh n available that week. Who doesn't love getting packages!? They come right to the door n even recycle the boxes and paper for you! Every week we are excited to open our goodies n see what we can create! It's a great way to try new fruits and veggies too (little ones and adults!) and since our local farmers market is seasonal this is perfect for the months they are closed! For tonight's dinner I am making weelicious cheesy turkey meatloaf and just subbing some of the veggies with the squash and peppers from our box! Tuesdays just got a whole lot better! Who knew supporting your community's agriculture could be this fun : )

Crock pot Teriyaki chicken

So this recipe came together this Monday when I realized it was 1:00 and I didn't have all the ingredients for these Asian chicken tacos I wanted to make ( but I will make soon!). Pintrest + my crock pot to the rescue again! I browsed through several recipes, looked in my pantry corner, gathered what I had and came up with this! Crock pot chicken goodness that's what it was =) I served it alongside my favorite weelicious side dish Israeli couscous salad (only change I make is I use whole wheat Israeli or pearl couscous) Crisis averted, family fed, mission accomplished, take that Monday! =)
 I've linked up to weekend potluck! check it out for more kitchen inspiration!

Crock pot Teriyaki chicken
Family pack boneless chicken breasts or thighs
2/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup Mirin ( if you don't have Mirin just use more brown sugar, I had it and wanted to try it)
6 Tbs apple cider vinegar
3/4 tsp minced ginger 3/4 tsp minced garlic
salt n pepper to taste
4 tsp cornstarch mixed with 4 tsp water

* Cut chicken into bite sized pieces and put in crock pot ( I use kitchen shears, I hate chopping chicken)...
Then whisk the sugar, mirin, vinegar, ginger, garlic, and s&p together and pour over chicken..
Cook on low for about 2-3 hours untill chicken is cooked through...
Remover chicken and keep warm..
Pour liquid into a sauce pan and bring to a boil..
Then add cornstarch water mixture to liquid and stir untill thickened. Serve sauce over chicken with rice or couscous. Enjoy!

Oh Snaps...

 I am counting down the days untill we are in our own little space! Its almost here! As usual our days have been filled with happy little moments which lucky for you I snapped a few =) Happy Tuesday!

County fair y'all

Package from nana!! I love packages

Sweet gift from Konkie's cruise

Gorilla art...

Cute fabric that will be in our home soon!

Spinach pesto grilled cheese star

Looking for "yellow"

latest art project

"Pre-school" @ home

I go back and forth with whether or not I want to home school my children. Sometimes I think middle school age other times I think elementary age, and then there's times I wonder if I should send them to pre school. Good thing I have a few years to decide =) For now I am trying my best to make sure Jyselle (Aaron too when he can ) is getting the most out of our days together. She is getting smarter and smarter every day and I want to use every opportunity I can to help her little mind and imagination keep growing. I do my best to involve her with everyday things like cooking, cleaning, and gardening and she loves it. We have so much fun together even with the occasional tantrums. I recently got this book too that has excellent ideas and resources. Montessori Schools and the teaching method in general appeals to me the most because it seems to focus so much on these important developmental years.Whether we decide to take the home schooling route or private or public school is undetermined, but for now I am concentrating on making sure I am doing all I can to enrich this little one. Its hard at times but when I see her smile and light up and see her little mind working its one of the best feelings ever! =)

morning nature walk and crafting our findings

making strawberry milk (which soon became called super juice!!)

shapes, stacking, and dancing

making pb n honey heart sandwiches n asian pears with fruit crisps

Fall Garden

Fall is here! Its our first in Georgia and I am so excited! One of the things I miss most about our place in California is our little garden. Some of my happiest moments with Jyselle were in that garden.(side note: my awesome neighbor and her little ones graciously took over for us when we moved and if you're reading this we miss you!) So I am so excited to get a jump start on ours now. The great thing about container gardening is I can start now and in a few weeks when its time to move to our place we can just pack em up to there new home =) My mom (who is a pretty great gardener herself) showed me the coolest site that will tell you what to plant and when for you area its so helpful! Sproutrobot.com. So according to my area we are starting with carrots and turnips! I cant say enough how rewarding it is to garden with your little ones. Its not only fun but it teaches appreciation for Gods beautiful creation and inspires more willingness and excitement to try new fruits and veggies when they see they grew it themselves! This is my first try at a fall garden so here we go! I will be sure to document our journey! Happy gardening =)

Happiness is...

 Every moment I get with these two. I could never have pictured my life this way a few years ago, I am so grateful to be able to spend my days with them. Children truly are a blessing. Even with tantrums and tears they have given me a happiness I never could've dreamed of . I am a very happy mommy : )