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I was really excited about it, but forgot to post a photo for the Feb photo challenge yesterday. So, here’s one for February 1st: An oldie from this past June - Mouth wide OPEN

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I met @mtt for the first time 9 years ago today. ❤️

We got real fancy and bought each other some small “anniversary” gifts. I got him some Knipex pliers for his growing collection, and he got me a milk frother for my new coffee setup. I know, I know. Be jealous.

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“You want a balloon eye?”

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He’s picked me a few flowers with help here and there, but this is the first one he stopped and picked for me on his own. 🍀🤍

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Book Review: Trees: A Rooted History

I purchased this book a couple of months ago with the intention of using the illustrations as part of a lesson I put together for our little toddler homeschool group we’re apart of. I did end up briefly using it, but that was really just a good excuse to get my hands on it because for some reason it’s been on my wishlist (I LOVE children’s books). I mean, can you blame me, though? The artwork is wonderful! And the book is very informative. There are so many different approaches to trees rather than dialogue and pictures of only trees themselves. The book discusses leaves, roots, and seasons. It talks about seeds and species. There’s a large amount of history dispersed throughout the literature. There are spreads dedicated to what animals eat trees and which ones live in trees. And there is a lot of information about how trees are used to make things. All of the text is accompanied by beautiful, eye-catching illustrations that, in my opinion, are the driving force to purchase the book. I am so happy to have this as part of our personal library now, and I’m excited that it will be useful for many years to come. I’d honestly recommend this book for ALL ages.

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Pretty sure the last time I watched an LSU football game was in person a few years back. I’ve slacked as a fan, but I’m ready to jump on the bandwagon tonight! Geaux Tigers!

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Tried a yogurt + honey hair mask today (via Little Green Dot). My hair takes all night to dry, but looking forward to seeing how it feels in the morning.

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“It’s a good day for a noothie (smoothie).”

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Pretty much guaranteed I’ll open the car door to find her socks on the floor. Every time. ❤️ (Also, driving @mtt’s truck today and feeling like a big girl.)

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Collection: Gold Candlesticks

I recently realized that I have a lot of small (and some bigger) collections of things. So, I’m on a totally unnecessary mission to discover and photograph (appreciate) all the little collections I have around the house.

First up, these old candlesticks.

I thrifted a few here and there, then found a big old box of them one time at Goodwill. I like the impact they make all together. On a shelf. As a table centerpiece. Etcetera. But I also occasionally like to pull one and place solo with a candle as a little statement. Speaking of candles, I’m in the process of switching over to non-toxic and fragrant free options. So if you have any good recommendations, send them my way.

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New Year - 2020: A Few Thoughts and Lots of Photos

Happy for a New Year over here!

A few thoughts about it: There are several things I want to stay the same, primary of which is spending time together as a family. At home, at church, with extended family, and in travel. There are also a few things I’d like to do differently, primary of which is planning meals better and following through with just some of my many ideas. And I want to give more.

And some pictures from New Year’s Day:

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This week, I’ve run into a cedar chest and have a bruise on both the front and back of my leg. I didn’t know you could hit something so hard that could happen. I also fell today at church while standing still and holding my baby. She’s just fine. It’s been a good week.

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Pumpkins are still out at our house…for now.

They might actually stay out a while, but Christmas decor is coming soon. 🎄🤗

Speaking of Thanksgiving (well, technically 🎃🎃) AND Christmas, this Rifle Paper Co. recipe box would be such a good hostess gift or Christmas present!

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Spent the day getting things done with @Mtt and Rowyn (while Brigsby kept his grandparents busy). One of the highlights was spending a leisurely 30 or so mins at Lowe’s looking at boards and drinking coffee. Adulting. And then also, this pretty sky after picking B up.

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Saw this Starbuck’s hack a few days ago. Tried it today. A regular coffee with pumpkin cream cold foam. Not too sweet. Grande was less than $3.

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My favorite (and most frequent) use of Siri is requesting a timer. I use it every time I bake and for speed clean ups around the house.

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I’ve had these clear bags in my Amazon cart for months. I noticed the price went down today (lower than Prime Day), so I finally pulled the trigger. I’ve been packing small things in Ziplock bags for travel, so I think I’ll love these. They have good reviews. Hope I can add one!

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A sweet hug from my boy yesterday in yet another dirty mirror (guess what’s on my cleaning list this week).

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Using (and Sharing) Toxin-Free Products: My Why

I recently did a poll on my Instagram Story asking if anyone would be interested in me sharing some of the clean health, beauty, and cleaning products I use. I received more feedback than I expected (based on the few previous polls I’ve done), which was exciting to me because finding and using (and seeing the benefits of) cleaner products is something I consider a passion of mine. And the positive response validated my desire to start sharing more about that (on Instagram and here).

Before I start putting any products or advice out there, I wanted to quickly share my reason for transitioning to cleaner products over the last several years. Really, it’s three main things:

  1. For the health of my children
  2. To take the best care of my body (my temple that God has given me) that I can
  3. And, because I feel a PERSONAL conviction in taking the knowledge I now have (and am constantly trying to take in) about the dangers and waste of conventional products and BEING INTENTIONAL about applying it to my life the best I can

Those all kind of go hand in hand, and there are multiple (overlapping) reasons within the ones I just listed. I’m actually working on a longer post about it. But for now, that’s it in a nutshell. I also just want to say that, in the grand scheme of things, I know very little. But I’m trying to do better about really researching things. So, my purpose in sharing is just to make others aware and offer suggestions about what has worked for me and what I like.

That all being said, there were several people (in a related, but different Instagram Story poll) that also relayed that they were unaware of the dangers of chemicals in conventional products. So, I wanted to touch on that quickly. Basically, there are many toxins and carcinogens in soooooo many health, beauty, and cleaning products on the market. Even in some products that are marketed as “all natural.” And it’s the potential for the build-up of these toxins in our bodies (and the ill effects of that that may not be seen for many years) by using multiple products containing them that I want to avoid.

I want to be my best self and take care of my body and my babies’ bodies the best I can (I know I already said that, but it’s important enough for me to repeat). Taking the time to research and invest in quality and clean products is one way I know to do that. It’s taken time (over three years now) to figure out the best places to learn from and what products align with what I’m comfortable using (and all the information is constantly evolving). One of my favorite blogs to follow along is Branch Basics (also my favorite multi-use cleaner!). One good post to start with is this one.

I’m hoping to compile a big list soon of everything I use. I think it will be a good way for me to keep track of what I use and like and the products I still need to improve. And it will be a good way for me to easily share everything I use with anyone who is interested.

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We had a weird, but good several days out of town last week. One of the highlights of our trip was just finding an empty park and letting Brigsby play. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our Saturday at a random (to us, at least) park in Longview, TX.

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