01// this trusty ipod dock and the music that streams from it. music is a game-changer for me. with great music, even cleaning the kitchen is, dare i say it, actually fun. as soon as i wake up, music goes on, and it pretty much goes nonstop throughout the day though the type changes. we start with louis armstrong or thomas newman or classical and we end the day, almost always, with motown. think itty bitty pretty thing, anything stevie wonder, or michael jackson. it is good stuff. dance parties on the reg.
02// playing around with the doterra oils i purchased last month (that links you to the doterra website under my account; when i ordered my set, i got an account, so fyi: it will give me some “points” if you order, or at least i think that’s how it works!). i’ve used them nearly every day but have been reticent to talk about them until i saw the evidence, i guess? i’ve seriously enjoyed using them so i’ll start to share piecemeal as i go. on the left: hand sanitizer (sans some of the not-so-great stuff found in other ones). this is water, a few drops of vitamin e, and about 15 drops of onGuard. and on the right: homemade diaper cream. get a glass jar (or baby food jar as seen here) and just slightly warm up organic coconut oil
by putting about an inch of water in the pan and placing the jar with coconut oil in the pan (double broiler style) on low. it takes no time at all to turn. once the oil is cool but still liquid, add 15 drops of lavender oil and about 5 drops of melaleuca (aka tea tree). replace the lid and shake. we’ve never really had a “diaper rash problem” but i do like this. if you decide to make your own, be sure to use glass jars. essential oils shouldn’t be stored in plastic. (find glass spray bottles here
.) keep in mind, at warm temps, coconut oil becomes liquid again! since we’re in the middle of winter, we don’t have this problem. :-
by putting about an inch of water in the pan and placing the jar with coconut oil in the pan (double broiler style) on low. it takes no time at all to turn. once the oil is cool but still liquid, add 15 drops of lavender oil and about 5 drops of melaleuca (aka tea tree). replace the lid and shake. we’ve never really had a “diaper rash problem” but i do like this. if you decide to make your own, be sure to use glass jars. essential oils shouldn’t be stored in plastic. (find glass spray bottles here.) keep in mind, at warm temps, coconut oil becomes liquid again! since we’re in the middle of winter, we don’t have this problem. :-
03// ina’s blueberry coffee cake muffins. if i’m browsing for a flour-based recipe–pancakes, cake, bread, muffins–and i come across one that calls for a substantial dairy portion, it’ll always be the one i choose. this one calls for a pretty decent portion of sour cream and it makes all the difference. moist. not too cakey. not too sweet (though i did decrease the sugar by about half a cup). if you don’t typically have sour cream on hand, i think plain yogurt would do just fine.
04// these two colors: meet me at sunset
+ turquoise and caicos
. i keep going for these over the winter colors and it can only mean one thing: move aside, winter. (in related news: we all have a snow day today.)
+ turquoise and caicos. i keep going for these over the winter colors and it can only mean one thing: move aside, winter. (in related news: we all have a snow day today.)
05// when the kids get crafty. i love seeing them sit and use paints and crayons and pencils over staring at a computer or tv screen. i suppose we’re all this way, but sometimes i think i’m this way on overdrive. we fought the “technology fight” big time with the two older boys, so i suppose i’m always waiting (and fearing!) it with william and lindsey. anyway, she’ll sit for a good long while with a book or a craft. i love it. i also just bought this
the other day and i’m trying to put a sheet of it, some paints or crayons, some scrap paper, these scissors
(toddler-approved and they spring back open by themselves!) and some glue (not necessarily all at once) out on the counter for times when imagination’s running low. parker sits at the counter and traces his hand over and over. (as i write this, parker is currently watching cars. so, you know.)
the other day and i’m trying to put a sheet of it, some paints or crayons, some scrap paper, these scissors (toddler-approved and they spring back open by themselves!) and some glue (not necessarily all at once) out on the counter for times when imagination’s running low. parker sits at the counter and traces his hand over and over. (as i write this, parker is currently watching cars. so, you know.)
what are you enjoying lately?
No snow days here.
I too always have music going. This morning Bon Iver over computer time and breakfast. I like to clean to Glee.
I love muffins!
love bon iver, but he always makes me emotional! sometimes i have to turn him off :-
I listened to Bon Iver for the first time during the summer that I was pregnant with my first son…fell in love with him and listened to it nonstop during that very heady time. Now I literally can't listen to "For Emma, Forever Ago" without crying. Glad I'm not the only one! If you like indie…I'm a big fan these days of Low (try "So Blue") and The Weepies ( try "Gotta Have You").
i used oshadi essential oils. they're not nearly as expensive as these ones… but the ones you use look AWESOME!!
i've never heard of those! there are a lot of really good reputable oil companies out there, i know. i did quite a bit of research and ended up here but along the way, i liked a lot of the ones i discovered.
Music here too, always! Also, your first link under the picture of Lindsey isn't working !
thanks becca! changed it!
Love love that music doc. We really need a better one; lately we've resorted to streaming our music through our TV over AppleTV but it's not ideal. And those muffins sound divine and I'm going to try them soon.
Doterra! I love them! I am recently all into them as well :). I visit my friend's house often, and her mother has like all the oils and a ton of Doterra products, no lie. I call them her lotions and potions and love learning about her new discoveries of how the oils are working for her and her family. Currently, I am saving up for my next purchase, and I am beyond stoked and highly anticipating the day when I can place that order!
As a result of this post:
– Put Motown on Pandora so I can jam while I work. 🙂
– Bookmarked the muffin recipe, so I can make it this weekend. Cheers to Ina, man!
– Agreed with you on #5 and simultaneously laughed out loud at the massive blanket piled on Lindsey, making her look remarkably similar to an old Disney movie character. 😉
Music can for sure make or break a day!! I'm curious….what dock is that? I'm on the hunt for a good one!
I am enjoying your blog, to name one thing I am enjoying lately 🙂 and reading the books that are becoming films this year.
Lately I have been enjoying a new boyfriend and his sweet way of treating me as a princess. http://www.thegodwithinu.com/
Getting caught up over here. Those muffins look so good right now (actually, muffins always look good, what am I saying). Also, loving the new 'do! And your updated photography page. Hope you guys have been doing okay with all the snow!