Lately...

Dear Sweet Blog of mine, as we've been soaking up the last busy weeks of summer, although your space isn't filled with pictures, new recipes, and memories, I want you to know, throughout it all, I was thinking of you...

Here's what we've been up to:

Enjoying Beaufort's annual water festival. 

Sweating at the park.

Cooling off in the pool.

Relaxing with pedicures.

Celebrating Maddi's baptism. 

Spending a few days with one of my closest friends, Christy, and her family.

Building sand castles. 

Cooking shrimp.

Gearing up for the Dawgs!

Starting back to school...aka Mother's Day Out.

And preparing for baby Drennan Elizabeth to arrive! 

Our summer travels are coming to an end (other than one last trip with the girls to celebrate the best of friendships and turning 30) and then I hope to share more stories with you, my sweet, patient blog. 

If it means anything...I miss you, too.

Mini Quiche

Mornings are my favorite, yet busiest time around here.

I usually have early meetings, William is trying to get out of the door by 8 am with his Shakeology and coffee in hand, and Wills is either off to MDO (which means I am scrambling to get him dressed and fed) or he is dumping toys from every basket and bucket I try so desperately to keep them organized inside.  He's a morning person, like his mommy, and full speed ahead from the time he lifts his head from the pillow.    

On another note, if I've learned one thing through this pregnancy, it's that I need protein for breakfast.  Sure, I have my English muffin or my Kashi waffle, but these days, I feel queasy if I don't add in eggs, a Greek yogurt, a few Tablespoons of peanut butter or a rather large glass of milk.  So I have both. :)

I'm loving having these crust-less, mini quiche to quickly heat up and enjoy on our busy mornings.  Plus, if you are watching your caloric intake they are only 150 or so calories each.  Light, flavorful, and full of protein. 

Here's what I used.  Any variety of veggies will work.  But the fresh basil makes it extra delish!

Mix 1/2 cup of milk and 6 eggs, plus Himalayan pink salt and pepper.  Be sure to spray the muffin tin with cooking spray and then fill 3/4 of the way.

Add in the veggies and cheese.  I used sharp cheddar.

 Bake on 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating once inside the oven.

Immediately remove from the muffin tin.

Enjoy them over the next few days, or freeze them, individually, for a quick and easy breakfast to warm up while blending a shake for your hubby, putting socks and shoes on your child, and responding to work emails, all at the same time.  Embrace the busyness and cross "Healthy Breakfast" off of your list.

Truth

A long day, a traveling hubs, and a pitiful two year old with a tummy ache, means that sometimes my dinner looks like this.

Just keeping it real. :)

School Year Goals

As I begin the new school year, even though I work from home, I feel my stress level rise.  The beginning is busy and hectic as I try to cross tasks off of the list, contact my new students, organize my classes as well as find balance in taking care of Wills and my home.

Many years, in this transition, I lose me.  I become so overwhelmed with everything else, I forget and simply neglect the things I love - the things that bring me back to joy and to loving my job, being a mom, and doing both at once.

This year, as Monday morning approaches, I am vowing to keep these 5 items on the list!  Along with spreadsheets, phone calls, and power-points, I'm adding the following:

1) Make a green smoothie.  I feel better when I get this extra dose of nutrition for me and our little girl.



2) Take, at least, one 30 minute walk.  It always helps to get a little fresh air, re-think my priority list, and gain a bit of perspective.

3)  Start with my devotion.  So many mornings, I wake up, come downstairs, make coffee, and open my email - only to find glaring items I need to take care of.  The truth: they can wait the 10 to 15 minutes it takes for me to read my devotion and listen to God.  I am currently doing a bit of a hybrid between She Reads Truth (online,) The Power of a Praying Wife, and Joel Osteen's Your Best Life Now.  I am always looking for new devotions and would like to find one we can do as a family, including Wills.  Any suggestions?



4) Roll out my mat.  Surprisingly, this will be one of the hardest to check off of the list.  I struggle to find my yoga inspiration at home; I want to be in the studio.  But for now, with Wills still out of Mother's Day Out, that is not an option.  Sadie Nardini, Tara Stiles, or Shiva Rhea are my favorite for a quick you-tube video, or I can always lead my own practice.  10 to 15 minutes.  That's all I'm asking. 

5)  This 5th one was tough.  What is missing?  I've included exercise, reading, nutrition.  All of those help keep me from drowning in the chaos of a new year.  Then I realized - relationship!  Although I love my job and working from home, I'll be honest, it can get lonely.  Especially when Bill travels.  So that's the 5th.  I will make one connection, outside of work, every day.  (My mom doesn't count, because I already talk to her 10 times a day and am so thankful for that.)  It can be a phone call to a girl friend, a coffee after my Tuesday yoga class, a random conversation in the grocery store, a chat with a fellow mom at Wills' school, a walk with a friend in the neighborhood, or even a text message exchange with a new mom.  Just connect!  Talk to someone other than my 2 year old and my computer.  Sounds simple, right?  We will see.  :)

I do love the excitement and routine that comes with a new year.  With a little more balance, I am hoping to find myself to October relaxed, organized, and thankful for the calm that also comes after the storm. 

What I ate Wednesday

Good morning, from Beaufort!  You all know the inspiration flows when I am in the Low-country.  We are here for our annual Water Festival trip, and we couldn't be more excited to share this tradition with Wills for the first time. 

Here's what I ate in the midst of packing, traveling and arriving to my favorite place.

Breakfast was a quick cup of coffee, watermelon, and two scrambled eggs with cheese.

Mid-morning packing was in full force, and I whipped up my latest smoothie, inspired from Jenna at Eat Live Run.  I've been trying to fit in a daily smoothie to make sure this growing baby girl gets all that she needs.  These are a little more nutritional and calorie dense than my usual pre-pregnancy smoothies. 

1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk, 2 large handfuls of spinach, 1/2 cup whole fat plain Greek yogurt, 1/3 cup raw oats, 1 Tablespoon chia seeds, 3/4 cup of frozen peaches, 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, and 1/2 cup water.

Delicious and filling. 

I packed lunch for the road.  A large bag of grapes, cracked pepper turkey and muenster cheese on an Everything bagel thin with mustard, and Cheetos. 

I enjoyed a few snacks when I arrived in Beaufort.  A handful of animal cookies, a few crackers with pimento cheese, and three or four sips of red wine.

Can we talk about dinner?  It was the most amazing thing I've eaten in a while.  Seriously, I wish I could eat this everyday.

Fresh blackened red fish.

Fresh heirloom tomato pie. 

Along with corn on the cob.

I could go on for days about this dinner.  Thanks, Mom and Dad!  

Where am I?

Want the truth?

I've been feeling particularly uninspired with my writing these days.  I'm blaming it on the pregnancy hormones, the hot days of summer, a husband who is traveling quite a bit making my time to write very limited, the distance from my yoga mat, a regular glass of red wine, and a good book.  I am hoping some new routines will help me find my niche, again.  

Regardless...I'm determined to find some inspiration, make time for the things I love (even on the days when all I would really love is a nap,) and enjoy these last four months of pregnancy and the time I have with Wills as my only child. 

In the midst of a dreary, overcast morning, this is my inspiration.  These are the little blessings I am so thankful to share:

Concerts from my boys.  Wills is beyond obsessed with music.  It is, by far, his favorite thing. He plays his drums, taps his foot, sings, always has a guitar, and at any given moment can be found on the piano banging away singing "Sweet Annie."

An occasional sip of red wine waiting to be paired with a football game and a cozy fire.  39 days until Game Day!  Who's counting?

My new Fitbit Flex...thanks to Sissy, Tony and Maddi!  I love tracking my steps, sleep, water, calories, etc.  Plus, it's cute enough to stack bracelets and wear with almost anything.  It blends right in.

Planning a three-year-old fire truck birthday party. 

His and hers pizza night.

Deep dock conversations.

Making the most of the summer heat with a daily trip to the park.

Then coming home to a few fall inspired lunches.

Looking forward to my 30s.

L

More tomato sandwiches than I can count. 

Telling stories about this sweet boy.

 and...dreaming about our baby girl.  One day, I will find the words to share this excitement.  For now, we are speechless and overwhelmed with gratitude, anticipation, and love for this growing miracle.  

 On the challenging days, it always helps to capture and hold tight to the simple moments that bring us so much joy.  In the end, the rest is silly.  These are the moments that matter.