(19 months of the best baby smiles around!)
We broke up the usual weekday monotony with a Wednesday night pizza and lasagna family date at a local restaurant which was a highlight for sure! Chase has been obsessed with asking when he’s “officially” 4 1/2 and since Wednesday was the day, we went out to celebrate. Though our night out was an overall fun way to break up the week, we made the mistake of letting Ryder sit in the booth with us rather than strap him into a high chair and I’m pretty sure he thought the squishy booth seat was a trampoline. Let’s just say dinner was delicious but a distracted kind of delicious with all of the child-wrangling involved. Parents with older children, please assure me that one day we will have a peaceful night out at a restaurant with our children!
As for the weekend ahead, Ryan and I have a date on the agenda for this evening (woohoo!) and then we have some not-so-fun things on the to do list, including replacing the toilet in Chase’s bathroom. During Chase’s quiet time earlier this week, he flushed his toilet too many times and it overflowed. The water ended up leaking through the ceiling of our home office and it was quite a disaster. We’ve been meaning to replace his toilet for months now (it’s always been a little funky with flushing) so the time has officially come. Also, does anyone else feel like when it rains it pours when it comes to household issues? Phew! It’s been one thing after the next over here lately but we are slowly chipping away at every little issue!
On that note, let’s flip things around and talk about some positive things, shall we? Below you will find a short list of things that are making me smile this week and, as always I’d love to hear from you guys about the things you’re loving this week as well. Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!
Things I’m Loving Friday
I’ve been on the lookout for another pair of Adidas Swift Run sneakers ever since my first pair began wearing out. I basically live in these sneakers (I’ve previously had two pairs) and since I know I’ll get more than my fair share of wear out of another pair, I ordered this fun animal print pair last week. I was so psyched when they arrived because the pattern is funky and unexpected in a pair of gym shoes. They’re just as comfortable as my previous pairs of Swift Runs and are my favorite shoes for boot camp workouts! Also, if these shoes are on your radar, I’d highly recommend ordering them 1/2 to a full size down as they run quite big.
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Valentine’s Day Heart Idea
Since February 1st is tomorrow, I wanted to share this super sweet but very simple Valentine’s Day idea with you guys! I featured this one on the blog last year after I saw it on Instagram a few times and it was such a hit with Chase that I’m planning to do it again this year for both boys. Beginning tomorrow, February 1, up until Valentine’s Day, tape one heart a day on your child’s door featuring one reason why you love them. It’s such a fun way to spread the love leading up to Valentine’s Day and remind your little ones why they are so important to you! Just FYI, if you’re not in the mood to cut tons of little hearts out of construction paper, Amazon sells lots of heart sticky notes. That’s the route I always go because oddly enough I find a lot of random uses for little heart love notes throughout the year.
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Chase’s Pandora Requests
Chase has always loved saying, “Hey Google, play Baby Einstein music on Pandora” and requesting music from our Google Home speaker but over Christmas he realized I was requesting a lot of other stations and began to crave variety. Chase began requesting a bunch of stations in a row (rapid-fire style) and wasn’t even listening to the songs that would pop up but it wasn’t until Ryan brought up the Pandora app on his phone and looked at our latest stations that we saw the way Pandora interpreted his requests. We immediately burst out laughing. While “Hide and Seek Songs” and “Shark Radio” made us smile, there’s no topping “I’m a Poop Dealer Radio.” What in the world!?
This mug is a new morning favorite for me. I wanted a large insulated coffee mug with a handle that would also fit in my car cup holder and when I stumbled upon this 18-ounce mug on Amazon I read some of the reviews and quickly added it to my cart. I love the matte white finish and the way you can sip through the lid, add a straw or seal the liquid inside when you’re on the go. (I do not use the lid at home.) It’s one of those simple purchases that I know I’ll get a lot of use out of and is now on my radar for a good gift to give to a friend or family member in the future as well!
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Drippy Peanut Butter Hack
I have a hack to share with you guys today that may help a few of you out there… though I’m also wondering if I’ve been in the dark about this one and it’s common sense? I don’t know but it’s been a game changer in our house when it comes to making natural, drippy peanut butter more sandwich-friendly. For the longest time I continued using organic peanut butter with added sugar on Chase’s peanut butter and jelly sandwiches because it spread so much better. Chase gets plentyyy of sugar in his diet (the Fagans all share a giant sweet tooth) so I am always looking for ways to eliminate what I feel is unnecessary sugar from our family’s food and peanut butter seemed like it should be such an easy one! I found myself getting frustrated because the texture of nearly every single jar of peanut butter made without refined sugar was so drippy and hard to spread! And then this hack came into my life!
A while ago I read about a hack for making super-drippy natural peanut butter easier to spread and haven’t looked back since. You simply stir up the peanut butter and then store the natural peanut butter upside down in your pantry. It worked like a charm!! Though some separation still occurs, it’s not nearly as big of a pain to stir up every single time I go to make a sandwich and I figured it was worth sharing here in case any of you find yourself in the same boat!
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The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
As a reader who loves historical fiction, The Nightingale has been on my radar for several years. It was constantly recommended to me but for some reason I always resisted reading it. I think this stemmed from the fact that people always talked about how sad it was and how it made them cry numerous times. I’ve read a bunch of WWII historical fiction novels and am no stranger to how challenging it can be to read a book set during this time. Remembering the atrocities that happened during WWII is heart-wrenching and horrible and yet I still find myself feeling inspired by the resilience of the people who faced these unthinkable horrors.
With 41,000+ reviews on Amazon, clearly The Nightingale is a beloved book. To be honest, I thought it was slow to start. I had a hard time getting into it but once I did, the book really took off and I couldn’t put it down. I took several days to read the first half but flew through the second half in a single evening. It’s the kind of book that is impossible to stop thinking about once its over. I cried numerous times (anything involving children destroys me) but found myself once again in awe of the bravery of so many — especially women — during WWII.
The Nightingale follows the lives of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle Mauriac, two young women who are very different in many ways but find themselves connected again through the horrors of war. Vianne is a young mother who ends up with a German captain billeted to her home during the war after her husband leaves to fight. Vianne and her daughter must learn to live with Captain Beck as they struggle deeply with the danger around them and impossible choices that continue to come their way.
Isabelle, Vianne’s younger sister, is a strong-willed 18-year-old determined to do something to fight against the Nazis in the war. Isabelle end ups up part of the Resistance and what follows in her life is a series of incredibly brave and terrifying assignments she willingly accepts over and over again in an effort to help others. Despite Isabelle’s always-on-the-run role in the war, she finds love and purpose during wartime, something she initially thought was impossible.
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Friday Flashbacks
Sharing a few party-friendly recipe favorites just in case you guys are doing something fun with friends and family for the Super Bowl this weekend!
Black Bean and Brown Rice Salad: A cold and tasty dish bursting with color, texture, flavor, healthy veggies and whole grains.
Avocado Deviled Eggs: A zesty, creamy and oh-so-tasty twist on a classic party favorite!
Easy Black Bean Dip: A family favorite that comes together fast!
Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Bars: Made with coconut oil, oats and honey, these bars are one of my favorites to make when we have friends over.
Simple Shrimp Dip: A crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make and one of my most popular blog recipes ever!
Cold Quinoa Salad: Light, refreshing and easy to prep ahead.
Paleo Lemon Cupcakes: A citrusy sweet treat that’s Paleo-friendly.
Easy Cilantro Shrimp Appetizer: A one-dish recipe bursting with flavor thanks to cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Question of the Day
What is one thing you are loving this week?
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I got a water bottle from this company and love it!
See they have a coffee cup also, just wanted to share.
https://www.rticcoolers.com/shop/drinkware/12oz-Coffee-Cup-Teal-Matte
We have a cooler by the same company! Love their stuff!
My brother taught me a trick for natural peanut butter! When he buys a jar he stores it immediately upside down in the fridge, and as long as you don’t need to break it open right away (like if you haven’t completely run out of the old jar) it will start shifting the oil to the top (now bottom) of the jar, so you don’t have to deal with the immediate flooding over the jar when you try to open and stir for the first time. I always hated that part when breaking open a new jar of peanut butter and have permanently started storing them upside down ever since!
Um, I have to know. What songs are on the ‘I’m a Poop dealer’ station? lol My 4 yr old also loves the word ‘poop’, so this playlist is right up his alley! We’re constantly reminding him that bathroom words are for the bathroom. Kids always make me laugh!
Totally doing the heart thing—thanks for the idea? Doesn’t most natural peanut butter need to be refrigerated? That’s usually the reason I have problems with spreadibility as it hardens when it gets cold.
Oh my gosh my son is 18 months and allll over the place. Honestly we never even go out to eat anymore because it’s so exhausting wrangling him! I just finished Daisy Jones and the Six based on your recommendation and loved it!! Have a great weekend. 🙂
This age is TOUGH for dining in public for sure! Probably why we eat 99% of our meals at home or get take out!! Haha! And I’m so glad you liked that book — definitely one of my favs from last year!
Ha, YES! that PB hack is the best!
I wanted to ask you this as you seem to be a very thoughtful person who gives amazing, heartfelt gifts!
My husbands big 50 bday is coming up along with our 20th Anniversary and he needs NOTHING! Its so hard to surprise him (although I did a great job one year with a scavenger hunt around town with his BFF’s waiting at the end). What would you suggest to get a husband who does soo much for you, is so thoughtful, works his butt off to makes sure you dont have to lift a finger for anything who I would do anything for??! We are going away for a week but I wanted to give him SOMETHING that he can look back and remember the milestone. (and he is an introvert so no party) We have been trying to declutter and purge a lot so I am trying to keep that in mind. thanks in advance!! xoxo
Hi!! I did this project for my dad’s 60th birthday and it was a HUGE hit!!! –> https://www.pbfingers.com/60th-birthday-present-60-reasons-why-youre-loved/ I think it’s something anyone would love, especially for a milestone bday!! I hope this helps!
wonderful, thank you!!!!
Julie -once a month Home Depot offers free kids workshops. They are drop in from 9-noon. The projects are adorable and so fun to do. You register online and the first one your child attends they get an apron. Each month you sign up and then after your child makes the project there, they get a project pin for their apron. They have the project picture on their website so you know what you are making. Most are wooden items and very high quality and then they have painting stations too. Tomorrow is an adorable valentine string art project. Even though our son is a teen, we take him (they are happy he comes – he has special needs and so cognitively and developmentally he fits right in). We now take our great niece too and it is a nice family outing. Like I said it is free and I think your family and your blog readers would love them. Just go to Home Depot website and search workshops and you will see the sign up. Just an idea since I know you guys love to do things as a family. And even Ryder would enjoy with your help. Love your Valentine note ideas for the month of February. Have a great weekend!
PS. We do bring a box to put the project in in our trunk since it is still wet after they paint
Thank you for this idea!! We actually had a friend schedule a bday party at Home Depot at the end of the month that we’re going to! I can’t wait to check them out! They sound right up the boys’ alley.
Love your Friday Favorites series! The mid-week date sounds so fun! Albeit different with young kids – I know it was just what you all needed. I love breaking up the usual routine sometimes. Love the mug and shoes! That pattern is so fun. I don’t know when I discovered the hack of storing natural pb upside down, but we do so until we’re ready to stir and refrigerate. Game changer! I hope you have a great weekend!
Just finished The Great Alone by the same author as the Nightingale….so, so good!
Another natural nut butter hack – when you first open the jar put it in your stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Let it run on a low or medium speed for a couple minutes then put it back in the jar. Blends in the oil, minimizes the “hard chunk” on the bottom, and I never have to re-stir due to separation. It’s one more dish but SO worth it!
Hi Julie! Re: your PB struggles. When I buy a jar of natural PB, I leave it upside down for a day on the counter and then shake the crap out of it before stirring it which reduces the muscle requirements. Then store in the fridge. The cold temp leaves it stirred and it won’t separate.
Ugh I so hear you on the “when it rains it pours” thing with house projects! Facebook just popped up a “memory” reminder of my worst one this morning… Last year at this time, my furnace broke and I spent two weeks without heat during the polar vortex while my home warranty company haggled to find the cheapest unit possible… only to figure out there was a distributor TWO BLOCKS from my house. And the next night after finally having heat again, my dog woke me up at 4 AM because there was a bat hanging from my bedroom curtains. Four rabies shots later (and one booster for her), we’re good as new. Haha This was also my first year as a new homeowner, so I can look back on it and laugh NOW but it was decidedly not funny at the time.
I just ordered those shoes this week! I did a 1/2 size smaller…hopefully they fit, they are adorable! Have a great weekend!
If you loved The Nightingale, check out The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah too. I loved them both!
Happy Friday! 🙂
This week I’m loving all of the tea! I’m in south Georgia and we have finally gotten winter like cold weather the past two weeks. Hot tea for me is a must these days- my latest find is an Almond Coconut black tea. So yummy!
PS. If you store the natural PB in the fridge it will be thicker for spreading also.
I’ve always stored natural pb upside down, but I’m usually too impatient to give it time to mix once in the fridge haha. When I don’t want to deal with it, we get the fresh ground pb (at Whole Foods and some other stores) and it’s awesome; spreadable with zero extra additives plus it typically stays mixed until we’re finished with it.
You missed the boat on the upside down peanut butter big time! Plus fun tip, must labels say to store it like that?
We must just use magical PB! I buy the Aldi’s kind that’s just peanuts and salt and once stirred the first time we don’t have any problems with separation or spreading on bread. But a great tip none-the-less!
The Great Alone is even better then The Nightingale and is by the same author. I love historical fiction and read a lot of the same books as you. I found the Nightingale slow in the beginning as well but loved it in the end. The Great Alone was much quicker to get into and I read it in 2 days and its a long book!
If you’re looking for another WWII historical novel, I just finished the Last Train to London by Meg Waite Clayton and it was amazing. It focuses on the effort to get Jewish children out of Germany and is a unique perspective compared to other WWII books I’ve read. Highly recommend!
This is random, but I love your area rug (in the photo of your coffee mug)! Where is it from? We are in the market for one and this is definitely our color. Thanks in advance! 🙂
I store unopened natural peanut butter upside down in my pantry. When I’m ready to open it, I stir it up and then store it in the fridge. The cold keeps it emulsified which means that I don’t have to re-blend it every time.
The nightingale was one of my.favorite books….and then I read her other novel winters garden. It was while she was doing research for winters garden that she learned about the nightingale, and if you can believe it, winters garden is even more powerful. So so good
Love that mug; it’s definitely going to be on my “to-purchase” list! Also, that is an excellent tip about peanut butter! It would especially come in handy when using peanut butter in recipes!
Hey glad to see that someone is having a nice weekend, we are stuck in a snowstorm and there is literally nothing to do except be inside the quilt in front of the fireplace :P. The idea of Valentines hearts is so cool!
Hi Julie! This author was just interviewed on the Today Third Hour show. She wrote a book about her dad and his past during World War II. I thought you might enjoy it, I saved it on my Amazon list!
When Time Stopped: A memoir of my father’s war and what remains
In this remarkably moving memoir Ariana Neumann dives into the secrets of her father’s past: years spent hiding in plain sight in war-torn Berlin, the annihilation of dozens of family members in the Holocaust, and the courageous choice to build anew.
I finished The Nightingale on Sunday! I was on vacation last week and had lots of time to read by the pool and on the flight there/back (though admittedly it’s about the opposite of a beach read, ha) – I was stressed about finishing it before it automatically returned to the library, so it was nice to have the free time to get through it. I could NOT believe how many characters didn’t make it until the end of the book! I guess maybe I should have expected it, being that it’s set during WWII, but I swear every time another character died I was stunned. Thanks for your recommendation about Sarah’s Key – I’ve got another book with a short return date staring me down in the library app right now, but after I finish that one, Sarah’s Key is next on my list. The Nightingale really piqued my interest about France in WWII and I’m looking forward to learning more about that time.