thoughtful thursday {K}

-K-

Something I love: kites

I've always loved kites (but haven't flown one in years!). My Dad used to make me and my sister homemade kites when we were little. :O) Peter also loved kites when he was younger and talks about the hours he would spend flying them. I think we should put kite flying back on our summer bucket list! Good memories! :O)

Something I don't: Kardashian anything....

Place I've been: Kill Devil Hills & Kitty Hawk, NC

Wright Brothers Memorial

Somewhere I want to go: Key West

Food I love: Key Lime Pie

recipe link HERE

Movie I've seen: Karate Kid

The Happiness Project: May 2015 (part one)

The Happiness Project: May 2015

 

Be Serious About Play

 

Leisure

 

 

Part 1: Find More Fun

 

"Happy people don't need to have fun," but in fact, studies show that the absence of feeling bad isn't enough to make you happy; you must strive to find sources of feeling good. One way to feel good is to make time for play!"

 

"Research shows that regularly having fun is a key factor in having a happy life; people who have fun are twenty times more likely to feel happy."

 

There are many things that we can do for fun, like working on crafts or a DIY project, reading a new book, or playing with our kids.

 

 

The first part of this month's challenge is to find more fun! That sounds easy, but in a world of busy days and filled calendars, you really have to make time to do fun things.

 

A few "fun things" for me are blogging (posting on my own blog and reading other blogs), cooking, working in the yard (planting flowers), going to the beach (especially walks on Sunday with Peter). Also, we are putting the boat over this weekend, so hopefully we can go for a few boat rides and maybe fish a little. I also want to learn more about my new camera and spend a little time taking pictures.

 

Find more fun.....that sounds perfect!!

 

top ten + pin it tuesday

(one)

Love this flavor infuser water bottle from uncommongoods.com.

(two)

I love trying new recipes and I really want to try learn how to make a frittata.....

recipe link

(three)

......and some Shrimp & Grits....yum!!

recipe link

(four)

Homemade Snicker Cups.....they look amazing! I must give these a try!!

recipe link

(five)

I need to put silicone baking cups on my to-buy list.

This set of 12 only $8.99 from Bed, Bath, & Beyond.

(six)

Another handy kitchen gadget on the list - this silicone steamer basket.

(seven)

absolutely love this outdoor dining space!!

The Garden Glove (Blog)

(eight)

this bedroom is pretty much perfect: color, bedding, rug, floor, chair, light, and that dresser! 

(I also like the way the dresser is styled)

Dear Lillie (Blog)

(nine)

Peter and I decided we need a pedometer after all the walking we did during our last trip to Disney. I really love this one from Fitbit. 

I know we must have taken at least 9,999,999 steps!!!! 

 (ten)

I want to add a few new bushes to the yard....a hydrangea, a forsythia, and one of these cute butterfly bushes.....

Lo & Behold Blue Chip

Menu Plan Monday: May 11-17

Monday 5/11 - Baked Fish, Deviled Eggs, Corn on the Cob, and Corn Bread.


Tuesday 5/12 - Pizza Bake Fundraiser today, so pizza & a salad. I also made Shrimp Dip.

Wednesday 5/13 - Dinner was straight out of the freezer section of the grocery store today....fish sticks w/ tarter sauce, clam strips and mac & cheese. It was pretty good though...considering.


Thursday 5/14 - Spaghetti & Meatballs w/ Texas Toast

Friday 5/15 - Steamed Crabs!!!

and Lemon Lush for dessert.

 

Saturday 5/16 - we had steaks marinating for dinner, but fell asleep after Logan and Lindsey left at 3:00 and didn't wake up until 6:00!! We decided to save the steaks for Sunday and ordered out. :O)


Sunday 5/17 - Steaks on the grill w/ mushrooms & onions and fresh corn on the cob. Peter wanted to try a new recipe for the corn and it was delish!!

The Simple Woman's Day Book: May 2015

The Simple Woman's Day Book

For Today...May 17th

Outside my window....overcast in the a.m., but an overall warm, Spring day!

I am thankful....for my children. They make me feel so loved and made sure my Mother's Day was special. Nathan gave me the sweetest card and hired a friend to power wash the house (it looks so good!). Logan & Lindsey sent me a beautiful hanging basket and a Target gift card.

I am very thankful for my mama too!

She is not only my role model, but my best friend. I love her so much!

I am also thankful for my sister! She is one of the hardest working single moms I know! She always puts others first, so I was glad (but a little jealous) that she got to go out to lunch with Mom for Mother's Day. [Restaurant review HERE.]

I am wearing....jeans & my new tee

....which is also my favorite quote of the day....

I am creating....not very creative these days! But....I am keeping the house tidy and organized. The transition of going back to work is not fun after being home all winter, but I feel more on top of things this year (well, I guess that's because I haven't officially started back to work yet). We'll see how I feel in a few weeks! :O(

I am going....maybe for another beach walk with Peter today (if the rain holds off and the gazillion bugs go away!)???

In my kitchen....

today was steaks on the grill and fresh corn on the cob.

In my garden....a few flowers that I planted last year are returning, but I need to buy a few more to fill in and some for my pots. I started weeding the patio area, cleaning up the marble chips, and need to buy a few bags of mulch. I love the beautiful hanging basket L & L gave me for Mother's Day.

From the board room (Pinterest)....

I love this reclaimed wood box with mason jars full of fresh flowers! 

The perfect table centerpiece.

One of my favorite things....

Amazing Race!

...and my favorite team - Tyler & Laura won!!

#teamsocal

Happy 1st Anniversary!!!

Wishing this special couple many, many years of love & happiness!

 

a special visit....

One of my greatest joys - spending time with our children!

 

Logan and Lindsey came home for an overnight visit on Friday.....we were so happy to spend a little time with both of them. Of course, when the kids come home, you have to cook all of their favorite foods! 

For dinner, Peter bought more crabs.....

 

For dessert - Lemon Lush!

Logan wanted a picture to send to Nathan (away at work), wearing his sweatshirt and eating his favorite dessert (they love to tease each other about who is the favorite child). LOL

Logan's hash tag......#thekinghasreturnedtohiscastle 

Lindsey got to experience her first breakfast at the Chesapeake House this morning. Let's just say she's a fan! :0) #bestbreakfastever

Later, we attended Tyler & Teresa's wedding at the beach....

 

 

...so happy for them!

a proud mom!

 

 

.....then a few hours of hanging out and catching up before they had to catch the boat home. They promised not to wait so long before coming back for another visit. They live close by, so we get to see them at least once a month or so, but there is nothing like having my children here.....I miss that! Hopefully, Nathan and Logan will soon have overlapping schedules so that we can all get together again.

 

 

xoxo