Gidget Goes Home » life is beautiful

today

gidget — Mon, 14 May 2012 02:23:03 +0000

What we planned for Mother’s Day:

church, 1st service, where I would watch a touching slideshow honoring the moms who had babies this year (including me)
brunch at my favorite local spot, Swami’s Cafe
a walk by the beach, or if nice enough, an afternoon at the beach
a delicious dinner of rotisserie chicken (from Sprout’s), corn, CA salad, and scalloped potatoes

What really happened (the not-so-good):

Last night Brody threw up right before we left my brother’s house (an hour away from home); he slept fine all night but we opted to stay home from church anyway (plus Hallee has a cold and I have a persisting sore throat).
Hallee was up all night (or at least it felt like it). She was bothered (maybe a sore throat, too?) enough to not even nurse at times. My physical therapist urged me not to lay down and nurse her anymore though anyways because of my shoulder so the part of the night spent nursing, I spent part of the night sitting up like a zombie.
I awoke to the sound of complete meltdowns from Brody and Hallee and various complaints from Gigi.
We stayed home all day, and in fact, I am still in my pajamas at 4:25 pm.
It was foggy most of the day (May Gray and June Gloom are my nemesis).

What also really happened (the GOOD):

David made me eggs, toast and tea for breakfast. Yum.
He played with kids so I could catch up on reading blogs and updating our photos on the computer and family blog.
Kids quietly and contentedly watched Mary Poppins.
He made me lunch (tuna melts!) and we enjoyed some El Nopalito chips and salsa (THE best).
I received Parenthood Season 1 (yay!) and a beautiful art book that the kids will draw/write in every year for me (I requested this and LOVE it).
David ran to the store to get the chicken. We’re scrapping the potato dish but he’s currently putting together my favorite salad ever (see below).
Hallee caught up on sleep a bit with 2 great naps. Brody took a marathon nap and kept all his food down today!
Gigi picked me flowers from the yard and drew me odd combinations of letters and a drawing.
Two days of resting my shoulder means it actually feels better today.

Lessons (re)learned? Finding beauty in the ordinary, blessings amidst the bummers, it’s really all about perspective.

I hope Mother’s Day treated you sweetly.

Want to try out my favorite salad? It’s based on one from a restaurant I worked at in college.

Mix up these items for a delicious California Salad, courtesy of GidgetGoesHome.com.

Lettuce of your choice (red leaf is my favorite)

Sliced red onion

Generous crumbles of goat cheese

Plenty of avocado cubes

A sprinkle of chopped walnuts

{optional} strips of chicken

Top with raspberry vinaigrette (I love Trader Joe’s). Enjoy.

P.S. I took a little time today and revamped the blog a bit. If you’re in a reader, won’t you click over and take a look?

today is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

A tool for satisfying the ultimate craving…

gidget — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 03:24:50 +0000

In the trenches of motherhood, I often find myself craving time with the Lord. Uninterrupted, quiet, devoted time seems like such a treat, and it’s just not something I get much of these days. So any tool that helps me to soak up bits of His word throughout the day is a welcome one.

When I received this unique devotional, I set it up on my desk, right by my computer, and I love having a Bible verse and short encouragement staring back at me when I’m sittin down for a few quiet moments. Plus, it’s cute, too, so that’s a fun bonus. Read on to learn a little about the Cravings devotional and how you can help author/creator Carey Bailey celebrate its release.

About Cravings

Cravings is a collection of card-size devotionals based on the Psalms. They are written to help mothers develop their relationship with God in the midst of motherhood.

Each card contains a scripture for the day, a “thoughtlet,” and an action idea. As moms crave the sweet morsels from God’s Word, they can draw a card from a delectable Cravings holder—a pink cupcake!—that also displays the daily card for hands-free viewing. Versatile enough to fit with any feminine décor in a dining nook, a prayer closet, a kitchen–wherever you‘d want Scripture at your fingertips. If you find you need Cravings around the home, just one may not be enough!

Cravings can be a mom’s daily devotional, a supplement to her regular quiet time, or even doubled up during the day. The set of 40 cards offers over a month’s worth of Cravings in whatever way serves the spiritual needs of individual moms.

About the Author Carey Bailey is a recovering perfectionist, wife, proud mama and Family Life director for her church in Surprise, Ariz. On the side she loves party planning, crafting, and pursuing her dream of writing. She has a degree in religion from Westminster College and writes at her blog at www.carebaileyonline.com. “When I became a mom I lost my God time,” says Carey Bailey. “I couldn’t figure out how to fit it in, since everything but that time was a priority. So I made note cards that I set around my house with scriptures written on them. Even when my arms were too full of babies, laundry, and diapers to pick up a Bible, I could easily read God’s words of encouragement that I was starving for.” And Cravings–The Devotional was born. Celebrate with Carey by entering her Minute-for-Mom Giveaway! One grand prize winner will receive:

$50 gift card to Erin Condren Shop (Your one-stop-shop for all things awesome!)

$50 gift card to Victoria’s Secret® (For something pretty.)

$25 gift card to Bath & Body Works® (For a little spa treatment.)

2 Sets of Cravings – The Devotional (For you and a friend.)

Scentsy Plug In and 2 Bars (A lovely scent for your space.)

Hurry, the giveaway ends on 5/12/12. The winner will be announced 5/14/12 on Carey’s blog!

Just click one of the icons below to enter! Tell your friends about Carey’s giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

Thanks to Litfuse for providing the devotional for review!

A tool for satisfying the ultimate craving… is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

10 on 10: February 2012

gidget — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:53:50 +0000

I’m a few days late in posting, but here are my shots from February 10th… just a little glimpse into the ordinary beauty of my day. Cheating a bit here with a few collages… shhhh, don’t tell!

…my new tea kettle is warming up some water for my coffee!

…did a little organizing in Brody’s room.

…happy Hallee enjoying some floor time.

…smoothie time is one of our favorite parts of the day!

…teaching Gigi to read, a little bit each day.

…remembering a special friend today on her birthday. She gets to celebrate with the Lord in heaven now– miss her though.

…doing the dishes is one of Gigi’s newest favorite ways to serve the family.

…homemade pizza for dinner.

…silly laughs with Yaya & Papa.

…time to play our favorite game!

10 on 10: February 2012 is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Lately… {on simplifying in the New Year}

gidget — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:45:14 +0000

We’ve been struggling a lot with Gigi the last couple of months. Mainly through the hustle, bustle and excitement of the holidays, but even since then, we’ve been seeing some behavioral and anger issues in her that we want to start working though now, so as to hopefully prevent the development of a pattern in her personality.

Of course, even more importantly, in the long run we want to get to her heart, but practically we have some serious issues to work through right now.

Among seeking wise counsel, looking to the Word and how the Lord deals with us and we can model that with our kids, and reading elsewhere, we’ve been seeking some serious simplification. I might say that that is probably our main goal for the new year… simplifying life.

I recently read the book Simplicity Parenting with some other moms from Gigi’s preschool. We are going to continue working through some of its suggestions and meet again next month to discuss it more, because it has been that monumental for all of us.

I hope to elaborate here on what we’ve been doing sometime in the future, but for now, I just wanted to get something written down to commemorate the journey we’ve begun. Between significantly paring down our toy collection and establishing more rhythm, we’ve been making some serious changes around here to try to make life easier and more enjoyable amidst the craziness that is a family of five.

I’d love to hear from any of you who have read the book, or even if you haven’t– what have been some of the simplifying changes you’ve made that have impacted your family the most?

Oh, we’re also working our way through Tsh’s ebook One Bite at a Time, as another encouraging resource for simplification.

*affiliate links included in this post. thank you.*

Lately… {on simplifying in the New Year} is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

10 on 10: December

gidget — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 06:09:13 +0000

I missed last month but I was glad to see my iPhone reminder pop up today telling me to break out the “real” camera and start capturing some of the simple, beautiful moments of the everyday.

I’m linking up with A Bit of Sunshine… Click below to view more 10 on 10 posts!

10 on 10: December is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

{this moment}

gidget — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:09:17 +0000

SouleMama‘s {this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

{this moment} is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

10 on 10: October 2011

gidget — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 05:18:52 +0000

Here are a few of the everyday glimpses of beauty in my day today!

Hallee’s first nap in her big-girl crib in Gigi’s room!

Gigi spent all morning pretending to work in a face-painting shop.

Hallee enjoyed a morning swing.

Quite possibly my favorite lunch {onion bagel + cream cheese + heirloom tomato + lemon-pepper}.

We walked to the park to meet a friend.

Free-spirited swinging.

Sunflowers from our CSA.

Brody after nap, watching me cook.

Making some ranch dressing.

A little Do-Re-Mi with Daddy before bed.

I’m linking up with A Bit of Sunshine… Click below to view more 10 on 10 posts!

10 on 10: October 2011 is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

{this moment} ~ Great-Grandma Edition

gidget — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 21:59:37 +0000

SouleMama‘s {this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo {3?} – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

{this moment} ~ Great-Grandma Edition is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

The years are short, but the days are indeed long.

gidget — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:18:17 +0000

Sometimes I find myself reading frantically simply because I want to finish a book.

I have a tendency to read several books at once and there are so many more books I want to read that I seem to be just trying to get through.

That’s how life feels right now, too. I’ve got so many needs to fill (including but definitely not limited to my own) and so much I’m looking forward to in the future (not changing diapers?)– that I’m often living just to get through.

Survival mode. That’s where I’m finding myself these days.

I know it’s just a phase. But I’m longing, I’m trying, to soak in the days instead of counting down the minutes until everyone’s needs are met and the day is done.

Sometimes all I want to do is snuggle my little baby before she starts crawling away (time is flying by), but wait! I can’t because the Four Year Old just tried to “help” the One Year Old do something and instead he smacked his head on the floor and now is wailing. {sigh}

We constantly muse about (in retrospect) how easy one baby was…. but quite frankly it was also, in a sense, boring compared to this crazy, full life we have now. So we quickly utter words of gratitude in those moments, for where we are in this journey of family and life, right now.

Praise the Lord for our mostly quiet afternoons around here. The days when I get to take a breather and have a few minutes of rest are indeed blessed. If we’re home, as we are most days in the afternoon, I’m usually able to get both babies napping and Gigi occupied in her room for Quiet Play Time for at least an hour.

I’m thankful to have a moment when I can stop and reflect on the day, recover from the craziness of the morning and gear up for the late afternoon (and the potential likely 5 o’clock meltdown).

And when I need to eat my feelings, these sure help.

The years are short, but the days are indeed long. is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

10 on 10: September 2011

gidget — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 05:06:20 +0000

It’s that time again! I’m linking up with everyone at A Bit of Sunshine and capturing a few glimpses of the beauty of everyday life.

{a big sister and a big yawn}

{a morning surprise}

{a delicious breakfast: Croque Madams and Blueberry Maple Oatmeal Smoothies- seriously, these smoothies are SO good– thick, nutty, creamy, fruity}

{diapers drying in the sun}

{a baby who has turned into a little boy}

{guacamole for lunch}

{first face painting experience– our annual trip to the local Greek Festival}

{beautiful stained glass}

{Jesus with a li’l reminder- one of the beautiful mosaics in the Greek Orthodox church}

10 on 10: September 2011 is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!