A year ago this week, my world and that of my family's turned upside down when I was told they were eliminating my position at work. For six years I had been working in what was called a Baylor position. I worked 24 hours a week (every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 8 hour shifts) in exchange for getting paid what I would be making if I worked 36 hours a week. I gave up my weekends, but we didn't have to pay for child care, I made enough money to support my family (because my husband's income is unpredictable) and I could participate in school activities with my girls. It was perfect for my family. A year ago this week, I unintentionally started a journey to finding my happiness. You see, I thought I was happy. After all, I was, for the most part, a stay-at-home-mom but I also had a great job that supported my family. I had the best of both worlds. Who wouldn't want that? A year ago this week, I started learning that sometimes you need to let go. I cried. I cried a lot. I … [Read more...]
Archives for October 2016
Triple Espresso at the New Century Theatre
My husband and I enjoy going to the theater and we love comedy so when Hennepin Theatre Trust contacted me about writing an advertorial post about Triple Espresso in exchange for tickets to see it, I jumped at the opportunity. Theater and comedy shows aren't something we've shared with our girls quite yet. It's not that we haven't wanted to, it's just that we haven't had the opportunity...until now. I'm excited to take them to see Triple Espresso at the New Century Theatre. They'll get to see their first show at a real theater and their first comedy show in one! With a name like Triple Espresso, you wouldn't think the show would be family friendly. I almost turned down the opportunity to see it because the name made it sound like an adult show. I am assured, however, that the entire family will enjoy Triple Espresso. It's "an evening of caffeination and cackles for the whole family - this production is suitable for ages 6 to 106!" So, what is Triple Espresso and what's it … [Read more...]
Incredibly Easy Vegetable Beef Soup
I love fall. Besides the beautiful colors, crisp air, and spicy smells, fall is also the beginning of comfort food time. This incredibly easy vegetable beef soup is one of my go-to comfort foods because I almost always have all the ingredients on hand and it's quick to make. My girls are super picky eaters but this is one meal they gobble right up (and usually ask for seconds!) I don't think they even realize how many vegetables they are eating. Bonus! My husband loves it because it's hearty despite being a soup. Exchange the rice for small cubed potatoes and it's even heartier. To make this easy vegetable beef soup you'll need: 1 lb hamburger or ground turkey cooked and crumbled 1 package of frozen mixed vegetables 1-2 cups cooked rice 32 oz beef broth Dried basil, parsley, and oregano to taste Salt and pepper to taste Mix all the ingredients in a large soup pot and cook until vegetables are thawed and soup is warm. My family likes to eat this … [Read more...]
Halloween Witch’s Brew Necklace
My youngest daughter's birthday is at the end of the month. Because her birthday is so close to Halloween, she's having a Halloween themed party. It's hard to come up with unique ideas but this year I think I've come up with the perfect activity/craft that also serves as a party favor... a Halloween witch's brew necklace! I told my daughter that we were going to make a "potion necklace" for her birthday but I didn't exactly tell her what the potion would do. I made an example of what the necklace would look like and she loved it! A bottle of "Slime of a Frog" and "Unicorn Dander". But that wasn't the end... I had her uncork both bottles and pour the "Slime of a Frog" into the "Unicorn Dander". I wish I would have gotten her and her sister's reaction on video! They thought it was "so cool!". I can't wait for the birthday party guests to make and then use this Halloween Witch's Brew Necklace! I hope their reaction is as fun as my daughters'. In … [Read more...]
