December 28, 2018

I LOVE LISTS

I guess Pedialyte is a good hangover cure. Who knew?
Restaurant supply stores are my favorite.
I am going to start taking more baths now.
The winning photos of the National Geographic Photo contest are beautiful
Some people try to get even with robocalls.
Modern parenting is relentless.
How much of the internet is fake?
Classical art turned memes
Let’s go glamping in 2019!
I’d like to be a travel photographer. Take note.
My friend Liz can help you find your word for the year.
Instagram backpedaled this week. It was weird.
I would like to tame my inbox in 2019
Comedians discuss the jokes they regret telling.
To watch again soon: Catch Me If You Can
File away: How to Organize Your Financial Documents
Invite me over and put George Carlin on my cup. Thanks!
These photos make me want to go to the snow.
Film footage from the 1890s is mind-blowing!
I really need a salad right now.
According to this picky eater quiz, I’m 55 years old but emotionally 25. LOL
If you need a digital detox to start the new year, this book is pretty helpful!
There are more food journals in my Etsy shop if you wanna snag one!

my everyday life, Photography

December 23, 2018

My Everyday Life: Week 51

Here’s what this past week looked like — My Everyday Life Week 51

Made treats for the teachers this week. Honey Candied Walnuts!

This holiday season is NUTTY.

I also made 3 batches of my killer granola for the teachers and family!

I am the treat fairy!

It feels good to send out love!

Morning meditation on our deck.

Blood tests during the holiday season.

Raindrops on car windows.

Basketball Mom.

Finally had a moment to write in our calendar. I’ve been too busy to keep it up!

Here’s a calendar like it– I got it at Homegoods a few years ago.

Trying!

Petey is at it again!

We had a steak dinner this week.

Followed by bread pudding!

Foggy day on the way to Napa for a meeting!

Enjoying this little nook.

Couch envy.

My friend Emma took me out to Buttercream Bakery in Napa. what a treat!

Food journal on Emma’s coffee table 🙂

A concoction I am obsessed with. Will bring it to the blog, I think.

A corner of my deck I love.

Snugs for Ella.

Three generations.

Casey and his bro gave my buddha a light and I am so happy about that!

Soon this bush will be bright red and all the hummingbirds will be all over the place.

I CANNOT WAIT.

I reach out my hand when we are on the couch and he holds it.

Kind eyes in the Target parking lot.

I’m curious about this game for children!

When all else fails, NACHOS.

I catch him wearing my hat.

Went to see Becoming Astrid with Jessica. It was good!

The lights reflect on the building my brother loves.

My mom’s rosemary is the one on the right.

Yes.

Had coffee with a buck.

Where you will find us most of this week.

Made the Applesauce Cake from Now & Again. SO GOOD.

The last sliver of sunlight.

Our friends had us over for a yummy dinner! I ATE TOO MUCH.

And got to play with kittens!!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE LISTS

I LOVE LISTS:

favorites, Inspiration

December 20, 2018

Fun Gift Guide

For many years our holidays were spent with my in-laws (a lot of them moved out of CA!) and our family tradition included a White Elephant gift exchange. It was always one of my most favorite parts of our holidays. We would all gather around together and laugh/steal presents. Lottery tickets are always an exciting wild card to the party! Today I put together this little Fun Gift Guide if you’re last minute shopping (like me!) and need some of my favorite ideas.

Table Tennis Kit– we have one of these and it is AWESOME.
Shower Cup Holder – who doesn’t want wine in the shower?
Light Box Letters -got this at the white elephant gift exchange last year! I have it in my office and it’s awesome.
Karaoke Mic – if you follow my Instagram stories, you already know how much I love this.
Drinking Buddies – I bought these drink markers for my Mom one year. We still use them!
Rainbow Maker – give the gift of rainbows! I gave my Mom this two years ago and it’s still up in her kitchen making rainbows.
Amazon Gift Card – gift cards are my love language. They create opportunities to get whatever I what when I want it!
Tool Kit -these are always a hot commodity when there are dudes around. I think it would be smart to keep one in my car.
Cards Against Humanity– Always good for a laugh! I have fond memories playing this game with my Mom + Dad in Tahoe.

Happy gift giving!

recipes

December 19, 2018

Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding

Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding!

For our family Christmas Eve celebration, my Mom would make a croissant bread pudding (Ina’s of course) and sour cream coffee cake for dessert along with a store-bought bouche noel (because she knew my brother Ryan liked it so much). Come dessert time, my Dad was always on coffee duty, my husband passed out on the floor in a food coma and Cooper in the other room, eyeing all of the presents under the tree, chomping at the bit to open one. We would always be so stuffed from appetizers (sorry!) and dinner when she served the bread pudding. My Dad would do his classic, “You gotta try this!” cheer to get us all to join in, while we all cried “MERCY!”

That didn’t stop me from taking a slice of her coffee cake…

Her bread pudding came back to greet us for Christmas breakfast the next morning paired with her oven baked bacon. If I close my eyes, I can see her crossword puzzle on the kitchen counter, the sound of the kitchen fan buzzing as I watch her SLOOOOWLY flip bacon over in the baking sheet. She would do it at such a slow pace that it would take all of my willpower to NOT step in and take over for her. We would sit down around the table, she’d sprinkle some powdered sugar on top and eat together in our pajamas while she stood in the kitchen in her Christmas day/I’m not a morning person haze. I am so grateful I had so many years of this exact routine.

I’ve been on a cinnamon raisin toast kick for the past few months. Problem with this new food obsession is that I am the only one who eats it in my house. I had a whole loaf in the fridge and was thinking about my Mom and her bread pudding so I put this little Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding together and made it for a special weeknight dessert. It’s a great way to use up leftover bread. It’s a great dessert or breakfast for that matter! Scoop with vanilla ice cream for dessert, dust with a little bit of powdered sugar for breakfast. Always serve warm!

In the process, I found out that Cooper is a fan of bread pudding, so that is incredibly exciting for us! Maybe I can start a new tradition with it in my own home?

LISTS

December 17, 2018

Intentions for the Week

Happy Monday, friends!

This is your friendly reminder to slow down if you can. Take your time with things. Don’t rush! I was rushing around my house yesterday and ended up breaking my pinky toe (I think!). Be present and don’t hurry. That’s when mistakes happen. Everyone is rushing around and stress is at an all-time high.

Questions for you this week:

What can you do to make things easier for yourself?
How can you ask for help?

Feeling lost? Start with an Intentions for the Week list. Here’s mine!

Intentions for the Week:

laundry
finish up Christmas shopping
get bloodwork done
make doctor’s appointment
finish addressing + mailing holiday cards
send out packages to family + friends
straighten up workspace after packaging is done
gift for teachers
make another batch of chocolate chunk blondies
make banana bread with all the bananas I have leftover
make instant pot applesauce
drink enough water
take a bath
conference call prep
make more family dinners at home
meditate
order more food journals
get rid of paper piles around the house
do meal prep
make cream of spinach soup
grocery shop
bookkeeping
catch up on social media
events for school
plan a date night with Casey!
take pictures of our holiday decorations

Last Week’s Intentions:

~~laundry~~
~~sell Food Journal!~~
~~address my holiday cards & send them out!~~
~~make a new cookie recipe/share recipe~~
~~work on packages/orders~~
trip ~~to the post office (maybe a few trips!)~~
~~go out for a drive at night this week with the family- look at lights!~~
get some exercise
~~spend time around the Christmas tree~~
clean up office
~~clean out~~ fridge/do some meal prep
~~remember to eat healthy food~~
~~drink enough water/tea~~
~~have a date with the calendar~~
plan a date night with Casey
~~grocery shop~~
~~bookkeeping~~
library time
~~donate items to school~~
~~work on Christmas shopping~~
keep the house tidy
give myself permission to go slow when I need to! (I tried at times!)

Mantra for the Week:

Pump Jam for the Week:

Have a great week! Don’t forget to write down your Intentions for the Week! It will help hold you accountable.

I’m rooting for you!

Tracy

my everyday life, Photography

December 16, 2018

My Everyday Life: Week 50

HERE’S WHAT THIS PAST WEEK LOOKED LIKE: My Everyday Life Week 50

Spent a lot of time at the post office this week!

Thank you for all of your food journal orders. I am going to probably have more in my Etsy shop in the new year.

I had a helper with our Christmas cards this year. I am so glad I thought to ask for help because he made the process faster!

I like addressing our cards myself. I use a stamp for our address. I’m not crazy enough to write our address on all of them. That would take foreverrrrrrrrr.