Soul Food

Coming down from a whirlwind of festivities this past weekend, I have given into my body's need to relax. No plans, nor schedules. Just surrounding myself with good people and focusing on my new journey into yoga and taking the time to read good books. 

After a long year of planning and prepping, my family and I celebrated the marriage of my youngest sister to her best friend. I am so incredibly happy for them, they make the best (and cutest) couple EVER! I loved every second of every minute within each and every hour. Between the prepping, family get together's, the sister time, it has been such a bonding experience as a family. To see it all transpire in a perfectly momentous day and to return to reality, my ultimate goal is to continue to nourish these relationships I have with my siblings. My sister's are my kindred spirits. 

 Catching up with my girlfriends has taken precedence during the week. Lunch dates at some of the best places around our little town has been so nice. One of my favorites, this simple Mexican food truck "Once Upon A Taco" which serves the best taco's around and fresh squeezed watermelon lemonade! HOLY! Its a few blocks away from work, so taking the time to sneak in a walk and good food is an awesome treat. These little things in life are sometimes taken for granted. But I am acknowledging how blessed I am to live in a thriving town that has hidden gems throughout :)

Thursday I spent the evening at the Won Dharma Center with some of my favorite ladies, finding inner peace and tranquility. The grounds alone are breathtaking. It was exactly what was needed to restore my soul and find balance.

Even though work has been interlaced throughout it has truly been a fabulous week spent nourishing my soul with family, friends and good food!! 

 

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Back With a Bang!!

{Back with a Bang, get it?! LOL! Super corny! Still getting used this new look myself though....}

Now that tax season is over and I have been able to fully unwind, I feel as though I have truly hit the reset button and have gotten to enjoy the comforts of home. I had a much overdue date night with my husband accompanied with new business contacts that have become friends through my husband's business. They are such a great couple, I am in much hope for a future get together! We had a great time at a local brewery, I enjoyed a delicious dinner of bacon wrapped shrimp stuffed with wasabi sided with an array of fresh steamed veggies, it was heavenly! It was so nice to share laughs, great conversation and just relax. I was also able to see my husband's work (beautiful remodeled bathroom), which I rarely get to see in person. He is so talented and it was amazing to see his craftsmanship in real life, I am his number one fan-girl!  In all, Saturday was simply smashing!

{There is something so magical about spring and waiting for those first blooms. These are some beauts}

Sunday was just as divine. My husband took the day off to spend with Logan and I, we enjoyed a lavish homemade breakfast. That has always been a tradition of ours and its THE best way to start off a family day. I whipped up some scrambled eggs, used a heavy hand with shredded cheddar cheese. Then sauteed onions and potatoes, both of which came from our local CSA. Tossed in some fresh pork sausage, sprinkled it with dill and freshly ground pepper. Sided with apple slices and of course a frothy cup of coffee, it was delicious!

{So happy that my hens and chicks have made a comeback!!}

We then did some fun shopping together. My husband bought me a small greenhouse that I am completely over the moon with! Whilst the weather refuses to warm up, I am keeping it in our living room. As soon as it warms up, I will move it to our mudroom. But for now, I rather like it right where it is. I have never started a vegetable garden from seeds, but there is simply no going back. I have gotten the utmost enjoyment watching our baby plants grow, nurturing them. Its so exciting and amazing! Putting together my greenhouse and lining our little Dixie cups holding our future veggies on its shelves was a delightful way to spend my afternoon soaking up the little bit of sun that there was.

{All planted with organic love}

Afterwards, Logan and I took off on the four wheeler to do some forest foraging. We found all sorts of artifacts. We brought home a beautiful birch branch, which is now showcased in my kitchen waiting for herbs to be hung and dried. We also found a perfect sheet of birch bark which I will be framing, its AHHHHmazing. We then took off down towards the creek to collect rocks in which we will paint and use as markers in the herb garden. It was a grand adventure and seeing the excitement on my son's face as we collected together is always priceless.

        

{I was super duper excited when I came up with the idea to hang this little birdhouse from my branch and pop a tiny airplant in its hole! I mean, cereal?!?!}

The best ending to our afternoon ride was when he picked me some flowers and had us smell them together, he is just the best and I am so smitten with my little guy. He makes my heart swoon :)

{He is the blue to my sky} 

To end our perfect Sunday, we painted, one of our favorite crafting activities we do together. Then cuddled together and watched 101 Dalmatians, which he took a keen fascination to. It was by-far one of my favorite weekends of all!!!!! 

 I have missed you and now that I'm back, I'm feeling as though I've connected with an old friend and hopeful for the future! I am so glad to be back! Leave me a note, I would love to hear from you! 

{Love life, because life is too short NOT to!}

Effortless Ways To Unravel

After a long day at the office, it's time to head home, wrap up in your softest robe imaginable, pour yourself a glass of wine and divulge in a steamy book of...NOT! Who you kidding Jackson?! That is not the reality for most ladies my age! There are tiny creatures waiting for your full attention and undying affection, hungry tummies of all sizes, baths to be drawn, messes to be swept and of course playtime in between!!!

So, let's hit the restart button on this gig and walk in the door. First things first, unwind by giving your family your FULL attention, because that is therapeutic to everyone's soul, eh! 

Then head to the kitchen, flip on the beats, now enters Taylor Swift "Shake It Off", let's dance!!! One of my favorite ways to unwind is with my son showing off some great moves, which he impresses me every time (not sure its vice versa though, lol!)! He's got skill!!! But seriously, shake off the load you carry from work, because it's simply not fair to unload all that crap on those you love.

 

(You know you are with me! So why not turn up the tunes as well! Shake it baby!)

 

 After dinner when everyone is ready to relax, play and enjoy family time....slip into your favorite lounge attire. Mine usually consists of leggings, a big over sized super soft sweater and of course knee high socks/slippers. Its what I call lounging fashionably, you never know who might arrive at your doorstep, at least at my household! I know for some of my favorite ladies, whipping off that contraption called a bra is the very first thing they do when arriving home!! HA! Couldn't be more with them on this!

Then I like to light my bazillion candles......I would like to state that I am not a pyro, although others might disagree (since I have them EVERYWHERE!). There is something so calming about the soft glow of candlelight. It calms the soul. Combined with the woodstove, its perfect!

I typically take a shower, but obviously, drawing yourself a bath is super luxurious, so if  you can, indulge darling. Whether it be a bath or a shower, allow yourself to breath in the steam and wash your worries and anxieties down the drain. A friend of mine just recently led me to something I haven't tried yet, but it sounds like bliss. Place a few drops of your favorite essential oils (Eucalyptus or lavender or whatever you love) on a wet washcloth and simply hang it where the steam will vaporize the oils throughout the shower....did I hear "aaaaahhhhh" yet?! Speaking of the shower, not to go off on a tangent, but I do my best thinking in the shower! The most creative ideas simply blossom....somehow I need to take advantage of this, maybe by simply keeping a notepad in the bathroom to quickly jot down my ideas. Because as soon as the steam evaporates, so does my entire thought process. So sad....anyway, moving on.....

 

(We love tubby time! Be sure to treat you tiny tots to the relaxation of essential oils!)

After tucking the babes to bed, its time to fluff your favorite satiny feather pillows and pour yourself a nice crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc, ahem, at least that is what I do! My absolute choice wine is Bancroft Estate, which is a California Sauvignon Blanc....the taste is absolute adoration first sip. Please do add this to your shopping list, I promise girls, you will not be disappointed. Although the sticker price gets a $$ at nearly $15 a bottle. Its well worth the splurge! 

 

Married with that, I keep a deep dark chocolate bar in my freezer so that I can break off a square. I happen to be smitten with Godiva Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Bar...oh my heavens. Another fabulous idea that the same said friend passed on to me, which I did try, is to sprinkle a few drops of lavender essential oils onto your pillows. Let me tell you, the first time I did this, my son planted his blonde little head into his pillow and came up asking me what that smell was and that he loved it! As I did too!! I am thinking of purchasing some vanilla oil as well and combining the two with water to create a mist. I will let you know what the results are in a future post! The soft smell of lavender helped to just calm the body and mind. Holistic remedies have always been a strong interest of mine! 

 

I also found that listening to my Calm App right before bed truly helps my thoughts to unravel into dreams clouded with scents of lavender and what's to come, because darling, the best is yet to come!!

 

I would love to hear how you unravel!!

XO, Carla