October Favorite Things: Exploring and The Great Outdoors

This afternoon, the boys and I were able to enjoy two of my most favorite things...exploring new places and being outside!!  We visited Spavinaw State Park for the first time.  The boys enjoyed exploring and catching crayfish and other critters, while I took pictures and skipped rocks.  It was a much needed getaway!

Catching Crayfish!

October Favorite Things: Connection

Spoiler alert...this isn't going to be a normal "Favorite Things" post. Something happened today that I wanted to share with you about. 

My phone took an unexpected swim early this morning. And in hope of recovery, it has been sitting in a jar full of rice for the better part of the day.  The good news is that it appears to be mostly functional.  Siri does come on at random times, which is hilarious and frustrating at the same time.  I tried to turn her off, but the voice command kept taking over and making random phone calls.(I apologize in advance if you get a random phone call from me...)

October Favorite Things: Favorite Family Read-Alouds and Story Warren

I love a good story.  And I appreciate good quality literature.  I am always on the hunt for books for my boys to read (or us to read to them); books that will challenge them, inform them, and inspire them to live well. We can learn so much about ourselves and the world through a well-told story.

There are several book series that we have thoroughly enjoyed as a family.  Below are just a few of our favorite books that we have read together over the past few years.  Many of them I have talked about at some point or another here on my blog.


The Wingfeather Saga - Book 1

October Favorite Things: Sunday Night Breakfast for Dinner!!

I love to cook for my family and I really enjoy trying new recipes.  By end of the week, though, I am tired of planning, preparing, and cooking meals.  Saturday is usually a free for all ( hopefully including leftover pizza from Friday night pizza night).  Sunday lunch is generally some sort of basic meat, thrown on the grill, with a side or two.  Again, think easy and fast.

And then comes Sunday night!  Again, after a week of trying to have well-balanced, healthy, tasty meals, I am DONE!  Hence, Sunday night breakfast for dinner was started! We have had this tradition for quite a few years now.  Of course, it doesn't happen EVERY Sunday night, but for the most part it's just what we do.  And it takes SOOOO much pressure off of me.  We rotate between pancakes, waffles, biscuits, oven baked oatmeal, breakfast sandwiches, etc., with an occasional more "complicated" breakfast thrown in (think homemade cinnamon rolls or biscuits with gravy).  This is accompanied usually by some sort of breakfast meat, eggs, and fruit.  Voila!  Dinner is served.  Mom is happy and so is everyone else!

**On the menu tonight were pancakes, a sausage and egg scramble, and orange slices! Coming soon...links for recipes, my pinterest page, and more!

P.S.  Don't you just love that M-man was showing off for the camera??!!

October Favorite Things: Kibo Group

One of my favorite organizations to financially support is Kibo Group!  Kibo Group works to build creative partnerships in East Africa, helping communities to reach their full potential, all while tackling poverty and injustice.  They seek sustainable solutions that are community led and are therefore much more likely to succeed!  Here are some pictures from a dinner that was held last spring to support Kibo!  

 Banners highlighting what Kibo Group does!

 Big J checking out the information banners!

October Favorite Things: Quotes and Movie Night

A quote to remember why I am posting every day this month!  Technically it is already tomorrow, but I'm still awake, so it's still today.  :)  

October Challenge: Some of My Favorite Things!

If you have tried to follow my blog for any amount of time, then you know I've had a hard time posting with any sort of consistency over the past 2-3 years.  Why? Lots of reasons, but none of them really good ones.  So, today I'm starting a challenge to myself...to blog every day for the next 31 days!  It takes approximately 21 days to form a habit.  I'm hoping that this challenge will help me break through and get back into the habit of blogging, something that I enjoyed and have missed doing!

To make it easier for myself, I'm just going to talk about my favorite things: my family, books, food and cooking, websites and resources, school, exploring, or just being outside!  Today my 'favorite' is a someone, or actually two someones!  I love my boys and really enjoy being outside, exploring and having adventures with them!  These pictures were actually taken at the end of May at one of our favorite parks here in town, Hunter Park!  The boys enjoy fishing here, especially Big J.  We have lots of success when we fish this pond with worms. I'm so thankful for days like this!  What are some of your favorite things?