End of the Year Teacher Gifts

I usually like to give all our grade school teachers and secretaries a gift if I can for working so hard for our school all year. 

At a Catholic school, they take smaller salaries and are often asked to take on more than usually and make many sacrifices for their students. 

I love gift giving and had fun something different together for an end of the year gift. 

Made 2 batches of Pioneer Woman's Restaurant Style Salsa and filled 12 small jars. 

End of Year Teacher Gift: 

Salsa, Lime Beer Salt, Some Chips. 

Recommended to serve with something cold ;)

The Graduation

I remember laughing at the thought of Kindergarten 

graduation when I first heard about it. Go figure I would be 

in tears watching Nicholas last night. 

I looked into the crowd and all the parents were beaming and so proud of each of their own children. To Andrew and I's bemusement, Nicholas took on the role of class clown while performing on stage, not the serious child he his at home. He was in tears the night before when we asked him to sing us one of his songs. 

To be able to watch them grow and learn is such a gift I get to experience. The years do go by fast; I was just posting about his First Day and now he will be in First Grade. 

Godmother Aunt Hilary drove all the way from Kansas City to attend and brought him some loved baseball gear. We love her!!

After the ceremony we took the kids to Dairy Queen for ice cream which is a big treat in this household. 

It is surreal. His teacher made a slide show from highlights of the year with this poem at the end that I thought carries so much wisdom. 

If I had my child to raise over again.

I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.

I'd do less correcting, and more connecting.

I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I would care to know less, and know to care more.

I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.

I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I'd run through more fields, and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging, and less tugging.

I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I'd teach less about the love of power,

And more about the power of love.

                            
Poem by Diana Loomans called If I had my child to raise over again.

By God's grace my I live that to my best ability, for that is my vocation. So happy to be your mom, so proud of my little boy, may God grant me many more years to have the privilege to raise you to God and watch you grow. 

Our Summer Pastime

The Garden. 

We tilled and planted over the weekend. 

Christiana especially loves to garden. She was the only one helping Dad the whole day and watered every living thing in yard. She is most excited about planting watermelon :) 

Paleo Club Roll Ups

These have quickly become our lunchtime favorite! 

Paleo Club Roll Ups 

Black Forest Thinly Sliced Ham,  Turkey Breasts, Turkey Bacon,  Avocado Slices, Cherry Tomatoes halved,  Mustard,  Ground Black Pepper

So. Darn. Good.

His and Hers Grad Gifts

Since Andrew is a teacher, we are often invited to dozens of high school seniors' graduation parties.

It can really add up if we did a $20 dollar gift or cash for each one. Cards alone are about $4 each! (I decided to make my own cards this year and save $50)

And instead of a small $10 bill and boring cash...we did something they could use. 

His and Hers Laundry To Go Bags: Pretty and Practical 

Gift Includes: 

- Laundry Tote  (something similar via Sears)

- Detergent Gels (off brand and at $1 store)

- Tide/Bleach pens 

- Fabreeze Spray

- Cellophane Bags and Ribbon (recycled from previous gifts)

Cost: About: $12

For those students we are not as close to - we did up the bags without the totes and just did detergent, Tide pens, Dryer Sheets, and a Lint Brush.
Total Cost w/o Totes: $8

Spring Fling

We took a family adventure out to a friend's farm on Sunday. 

Nicholas and Christiana were in Heaven...they gathered eggs, picked strawberries, watched baby lambs frolic, and threw rocks in mud holes. 

There is something to be said about wide open earth, watching things grow, and simplicity of life that opens the soul. Andrew and I felt so refreshed and happy watching joy burst out of the kids as they experienced the farm. 

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner and were sent home with a dozen eggs, watermelon, honey dew melon, peppers, zucchini, and tomato plants for our garden. 

 Happy Spring Sunday.

This Little Light of Mine...

Kindergarten Spring Music Program 2013. 

Paleo Diaries: Blunders and Bests

Blunder Numero Uno:

Thought I was getting "raw" honey..... but I got what appears to be a bees wax candle. It's hard as a rock and not sure how I can use it. I am pretty sure I got the wrong thing.

update: I stand corrected. My paleo expert friend just informed me I have to submerge in hot water and then dip the top "comb" part into the liquid honey and will stay in liquid form for ever and ever. 

Who knew? Not me. I wonder how many other people send their raw honey back? 

Blunder Numero Dos: 

Coconut Milk - A big fat case of it - UNsweetened. I've been drinking rice milk and almond milk for years...but I can't hardly get a cup of this down. Darn. I wonder if the sweetened version will fare better.

STILL LOOKING for a coffee creamer.  Almond Milk seems to overtake the flavor of the coffee, which I drink ceremoniously every morning with great delight and not for the caffeine.

Fasting from it's daily pleasure this month. 

Really Good Finds: 

I am a dip and chip person. So not have something I can crunch and dip into salsa, avacodo or egg salad is a texture conundrum... 

This is the best almond butter I've tried. Closest thing to peanut butter so far! Sweet and smooth...very impressed.  

Worcestershire Sauce and Soy Sauce Replacement and a great bbq sauce...no sugars! 

All of these were ordered through Amazon so I get them in two days...sigh of relief in the cooking department.

Who's Who?

We put Avila in one of our favorite outfits Christiana wore and realized we took similar pictures at the same age. Side by side we chuckled at similarities like build (love those big bellies!!) and same coloring, but their faces are different and unique in all their loveliness. 

Christiana Marie Summer 2010                              Avila Maria Spring 2013

Pack a Picnic: Southern Belle Chicken Salad

PACK YOUR PICNIC: SOUTHERN BELLE CHICKEN SALAD

I'm a "guest" sister blogger at Anna's big time blog, InHonorofDesign and am starting a picnic series for her

Spring has been a bit stubborn this year, but when warm weather does hit, we find any excuse to eat out side and picnic. We thought it would be fun to start a short series called Pack Your Picnic, to give you some fun ideas to make and bring on the go with you for when that perfect weekend arrives.

 

 

Sunday after church, I grabbed the blankets and baskets and headed to our back yard. I first had this chicken salad at Anna’s bridal shower! It is adapted from our good family friend and is a southern style version that will soon be your favorite.

Southern Belle Chicken Salad:

4 C. Chopped Cooked Chicken
2. C. Grapes, Halved
1/2. C. Toasted or Roasted Sliced Almonds
3/4 C. Sour Cream
1/2 C. Mayonaise
1/4 C. Major Grey’s Chutney (This is the special ingredient that gives it amazing flavor! Found near the mustard and condiments in whole foods and other stores)
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/8 tsp. Curry Powder
1/3 tsp. Pepper
Combine sour cream, mayo, and chutney with seasons and stir together with a spatula. Toss in chicken, grapes, and almonds and coat evenly.

For a picnic: stuff into pita with lettuce. For a more elegant variation, serve atop a big leaf of romaine or even just dip with tortilla chips.
Other Options: For a healthier version you can use plain Greek yogurt in place of sour cream, pecans in place of almonds, or add some chopped celery.

Happy Picnicking!