Let's Catch Up & Connect

Where did last week go?  We stayed home all week long, but I never got a blog post posted.  Sad face.  I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!  We are getting back into our daily routine (one that does not include sleeping in!).  Yesterday was sooooo hard for all of us.  Last week, I was looking at some really old posts and found something that I had started doing way back when Ethan was a baby (and now he's 7!).  I thought it would be fun to start it up every now and then.  And then you can pick one or all of them and post yours in the comments.  I would love to hear what's going on in your life.

Outside my window... roses are blooming, leaves are rustling and the sun is streaming in.  It's a beautiful day outside! 

I am thinking...how amazing it would be to shut my eyes, but I need to make dinner soon and take care of some things first.  Oh, and I really need to get organized and make a list. 

From the kitchen... nothing much going on this week.  In fact, the kitchen is a disaster and will be cleaned today.  I am grilling up some BBQ chicken thighs for dinner, as well as Damn Delicious' Pesto Asparagus Pasta Salad.

I am wearing...yoga pants, an old t-shirt and a hoodie.  I have no make up on because I got up 15 minutes before heading to the lab to get some blood work done. 

I am creating... Oh man, I have so many works in progress and things to start it's crazy.  Like I said, I need to make a list. 

I am going... to work out tonight and make that list I keep talking about.  I am also getting to share a little of me with some college girls tomorrow night.  It's all about mentoring and It's going to be awesome! 

I am reading... through my Bible Study book, Glory Chasers, written by a sweet friend.  I also am working on finishing For the Love, by Jen Hatmaker. . . it's almost done!

I am hoping... to try out another batch of macarons.  I bought a food scale, so I am excited to see if it makes a difference.  I am really loving the challenge!

I am hearing... kids playing and birds chirping.  Oh, and a dog barking.  It's actually pretty quiet around here.  We call this time "Quiet Time" so the kids are in separate rooms doing a quiet activity.  In reality, they are resting and giving me some peace. 

Around the house... piles. piles everywhere.  Definitely need to clean house.  It's driving me crazy!

One of my favorite things... Right now I am really enjoying fresh flowers.  It really livens up a room and just adds some freshness and beauty to the room.  I also am so excited for season 2 of Fixer Upper on Netflix. . . we are HUGE fans.  I think having coffee with Joanna would be a dream!  I'm even trying to talk Jon into shiplap. Oh, and have you seen the new vintage inspired Pyrex at Target?  Oh my, I think I'm in love!

A few plans for the rest of the week: survive?  Make a list.  I think that that would be the first thing to do.  I feel like my thoughts are scattered and I am going to forget important things! 

What I'm listening to:  This week, I am blasting Greater, by  Mercy Me and Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli. 

So, now your turn:

Copy and paste your favorite, or all of them and try it out in the comments:
Outside my window
I am thinking
From the kitchen
I am wearing
I am creating
I am going
I am reading
I am hoping
I am hearing
Around the House
One of my favorite things
A few plans for the week
What I am listening to

Pi day pie

I'm sure that you all have heard by now that it's that day that makes math fun and worth eating pie for.  I think it gets more and more popular each year because PIE!!!  Seriously, it's also potato chip day, did you know that?  Probably not, because it's PIE day!!!  It's a big deal in our house, because my hubby is a math guy and well. . . mathies (is that a word?) do Pi!  

This year's pie is awesome!  My husband said it was really good . . . and rich.  So, if you are looking for something quick, easy, and richly delicious, you've come to the right place!  I actually made this pie Saturday for a memorial service (there was a ton of pie!).  

And because it's Monday and my body is exhausted from a fun weekend & that horrible time change, I am just going to let the pictures speak for themselves.  But, really this pie is awesome and it's easy and you could totally whip it up right now and impress your family with awesomeness. . . oh and this would be super tasty with a big scoop of vanilla on the top. . . just sayin'! 

Did you make a pie?  Or eat potato chips?  Comment in the comments! 

Chocolate Chip Pie
From Nestle

Ingredients:
9 inch pie crust
2 large eggs
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325.  Beat eggs in a mixer on high until foamy.  Beat in flour and sugars.  Beat in softened butter.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Spoon into pie shell. 

I used a frozen pie shell I found at Target for this recipe because I didn't want to worry about losing my pie dish.  You can also use the roll out dough. . . or if you want to make it a little bit harder, make your own crust. 

Bake for 55 minutes. Cool on wire rack. 

Other pies ideas 
Peanut Butter Pie
Pumpkin Pie
Skillet Apple Pie
Apple Danish Cheesecake
Brownie Truffle Cups
Strawberry Rhubarb hand pies

Let's have coffee and chat. . .

This is me.  Having coffee and chatting with you, because it's been a few weeks since my last post (sorry about that, by the way!).  It's spring here and with that came full blown allergic mess.  I had the worse cough and all I did was sit around and drink tea.  I felt completely fine except for the breathing part. . . that was hard.  So, I didn't function for about a week. . . I kept the kids alive. . . that's really all that mattered.  And so, once I did feel better, my house was a complete disaster!  So, I spent last week digging myself out of the mess that had established itself during my state of ick.  So, now, here I am trying to get back into the swing of things and get things blogged.  I have a long list now of things to share with you.  So, here's some things that have been on my mind. 

I attempted macarons today.  This was my second attempt. . . this time chocolate.  They didn't quite come out right, but they taste wonderful.  The ones I made before Christmas were almost perfect.  I should find that recipe and try again with those. These ones are chocolate with a chocolate buttercream.  So.Very.Delicious.  I normally like the look (and taste) of ganache, but I was out of heavy whipping cream, and really wasn't in the mood to run to the store. 

Have you heard of Ello glass bottles?  I have a few and they are amazing.  But, I am really more of a straw and lid kind of girl, becuase it's a whole lot easier to drink as I am walking around the house (you really don't want to see me drink and walk at the same time. . . it's not pretty!).  I got super excited when I saw that they had finally came out with a straw bottle (I find them at Target. . . because I kind of live there. . . ha ha ha).  It's definitely not perfect, but it works just for at home.  The lid is not super secure, so if you like to toss it in your bag. . . probably not a great idea.  I keep mine on my kitchen counter so when I walk by, I can drink.   I am horrible at drinking water and this helps me. . . especially when I put fruit in it. 

Target (seriously. . . I may have a problem!) started carrying Ben & Jerry's dairy free ice cream and it's delicious.  I was kind of dissapointed, because they use chocolate with soy, so Weston can't partake. . . but more for me!  It is really good! 

And finally, we started a new study this week and it's written by my friend Dorina!  I am looking forward to seeing and understanding the Glory of God better. 

Okay, so now that I have chatted your ear off, I am going to go and get dinner ready. . .