hello 2013...more unplugging & more enjoying.

warning: this post is a little long so grab a cup of tea, make yourself comfie  & enjoy!

 

this was last Friday.

the girlies happy little zombie faces were glued to their brand new handheld video games all day every day since they got them.

i was on the internet on various screens for hours doing my yearly bargain stock up shopping online along with trying to keep up with everything & everyone else online. bleh.

 

after breakfast the Saturday morning of our unplugged gadget/technology detox i lit a candle, poured some tea & sat in front of my kitchen window with a years worth of magazines i was always too busy to get too & began purging. peace.

 

i was EXTREMELY giddy when i came across this article about the Unplugging Lifestyle in Sunset Mag, January 2013 issue. YES! i didn't realize this unplugged-ness i was craving was an actual thing, like an actual movement! as much as i would love my entire household to be this unplugged, it's a dream. but as for myself i have no problems with & look forward to powering down.

love this quote "i think TV and internet and phones become such a time suck that people feel that they don't have time for anything else..." Corliss.

 

i also love this post Do You Ever Think About Breaking Up With Your iPhone. as much as i LOVE my iPhone, the novelty of my cool new iPhone has worn off (Phaby my phone baby as i named "her" when i 1st got her) & i've been having these EXACT same thoughts. realistically going back to a non-smart phone is also a dream. aside from being a phone (if you even dare call it that, i rarely use it as an actual phone), it has been a handy & sometimes necessary device ex: fab educational apps, paperless organizer (list maker, calendar, alarm, reminders), being able to look up directions or recipes immediately, answer questions or important messages immediately, take photos & work sample etc...esp all on the go.

 

BUT i limit the amt of apps, games, etc & as a result i have the most boring iPhone ever. i have become disciplined with the amount of time i spend on it & about putting it on the charger in the closet, in the gadget basket during the day & checking it only a few times.

 

& i also love this post Does Your Life Need A Good Edit? (timely as i have spent the last month purging, cleaning & getting tons more done in general, but i applied it to technology too).  

 

don't get me wrong, i think technology is fascinating, very useful & even necessary at times, but i HATE having a lot of it, depending on it (except my GPS!) always being connected, accessible, or having a electronic device or screen of some sort in front of my face or in my hand (my poor wrist).

 

i also love connecting with, keeping in touch & seeing what's going on with everyone online all in one place, especially since i live so far away. BUT i've learned that i just cannot keep up with every single status update, tweet, IG pic (& liking them all), each pin on pinterest, blog posts, etc. & for me just TRY is super anxiety producing let alone time sucking. nor do i feel the need to share each of my life's details or thoughts etc with everyone...so i don't anymore. & also i now don't allow myself to feel guilty about being a bad friend (cyber or real life)...it's just impossible & its ok.

 

a few days before i started the hello...2013 posts i considered shutting this blog down for good. i'm too busy, there are sooo many other ways to share, i had bloggie writers block blah blah blah...maybe i was just done.

 

but then i came to a few conclusions:

 

*i'm just not a consistent blogger & never will be. that's that & that's ok (no pressure).

 

*i will no longer doing super long detailed homeschooling work sample posts. they take forever & i never looked forward to them. it's much faster to print out a pic & do a handwritten write up. easy.

 

*this is just going to be my little space to share whatever. i love this the most. posting whenever i want, whatever i want & not what i don't.

 

*i'm just gonna enjoy my little bloggie with my few followers & my few regular readers that drop in from time to time (according to the stats)...& I THANK YOU ALL!

 

hello...2013.

here's to more unplugging & to more enjoying.

if that makes any sense.

it has been unseasonably warm for the last few days...

"it has been unseasonably warm for the last few days...and today again, a romantic sunrise, clouds edged in crimson just before the sun rose between two banks of soft gray. now at half past nine the sea is that ineffably calm satin blue and the clouds have vanished. purity and peace." may sarton the house by the sea

i needed a break from reading book after book about the same subject matter(the south, slavery, hatred, violence, oppression, etc...).

the title of this autobiography caught my eye at the used bookstore & for 25 cents i figured why not? it is a journal of the author's east coast move from her inland new hampshire home to a house on the seacoast of maine. thru this journey of solitude & self discovery she re-awakens her creative passion & spirit.  

a light summer read, some of my fave subjects

& i miss the east coast (that i love!).

i'm enjoying it so far.

the beginning of this quote is especially true in that it has been crazy hot the last couple of weeks.

the brownsugars & i have started transitioning into our new homeschool year & we are off to a great start so far.

but there is still quite a bit of summer left in us that we just cannot let go of yet ;)

Weekending

saturday

this weekend was pretty mellow.

saturday morning i played catch up on things around the house.

the littlest brownsugar didn't feel well.

that girl is the type that if she is miserable,

she makes sure everyone else is too.

so we cancelled our backyard camp out plans.

i got this fondue set for $2 at my fave thrift store.

i marinated shrimp, chicken & par boiled red potatoes

& we had a fun little indoor fondue party for din instead.

sunday

sunday i laid in bed until 11 am finishing Catching Fire.

i am amazed that Hunger Games was soooo fantastic & Catching Fire was even better! i did not want to put it down, but i needed to eat.

part of my plan this summer was to get back to my menu planning.

i lost control of it during this crazy year & now back to it.

i decided to start off taking it a week at a time, but ended up with almost a month of healthy dinners on the calendar!

hubby started polishing up his grill master skills.

he made ribs for he & the girlies & slow smoked honey curry chicken i had marinating (similar to this recipe, but i added curry to taste). i sauteed some delish baby bellas in butter, olive oil, garlic, soy sauce & cider vinegar.

after that meal i am swearing off white rice...again...forever

this time though. 

it was all soooo good! can't wait for our summer BBQ party!

i couldn't help myself. even though i barely finished Catching Fire earlier in the day, i could not wait to get in my jammies

& get in the bed super early & read Mockingjay until my eyes refused to read anymore...& again...just like the others I'M HOOKED!!!

weekending. saturday & {unplugged sunday}

saturday

[beginning]

[middle]

[end]

{unplugged sunday}

saturday

[beginning]

we were instructed to lounge around in bed & not to come into the kitchen.

my smallest brownsugar A & i caught up on some reading while

my middle brownsugar M pulled off a fantastic fam breakfast surprise she planned with her Daddy only there to follow her instructions.

to my surprise she made 2 loaves of the most moist & delish gluten free chocolate chip pumpkin bread i've ever had.

i cannot bake to save my life

so for her to get the correct texture & moisture content in her loaves is quite an accomplishment

(not to mention a hands on life lesson such as measuring, fractions, following directions, meal planning, etc...)

 on  

along with turkey bacon & fresh slices of watermelon it was a fantastic meal.

[middle] 

while i got caught up on paperwork (BOO!!!),

my biggest brownsugar K practiced her guitar.

she is such a quick study

& is making such beautiful progress.

 it is so lovely listen to.

[end]

since He was home all day Saturday we decided to hit the 

Oceanside Harbor & grab some ice cream on the beach after dinner.

so glad we did, it was a nice (chilly!) way to end our Saturday. 

{unplugged sunday}

[beginning]

ok it wasn't a completely unplugged because i'm in the middle of wrapping up work samples & the end of this school year check out with our charters (YAAAY) so i had to go online for a bit to check some dates & messages etc... 

we also sampled an audio sparkle stories story 

(love!subscribing!)

but after that, being online was over...

[middle]

our congregation meeting,

which of course, was all about none other than freely forgiving one another, since that is the exact place i'm in.

James 3:2 is a great humbling reminder that "we ALL stumble many times..." & our imperfect human being selves need to be forgiven constantly & consistently.

 *super guilty*

Ephesians 4:32 is a another great reminder (command even) to

"...become kind to one another, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one another just as God by Christ freely forgave you." 

(& keeping on forgiving & keeping on forgiving...etc...).

this talk was obviously *lovingly* specifically designed just for moi...good thing i did not miss it :)

[end]

afterwards i came home had lunch & put up on my snuggly pjs & Ugg boots,

 i poured a cup of hot tea & snuggled up with my new snuggle buddy, the stuffed kitty my little A gave me to use when she is too busy to snuggle & my newly washed no longer stinky brown dog & caught up on some reading.

a pen pal letter from a friend in England, some new mag issues & 7th grade chemistry to round it all out.

restored{center.balance.soul}

my Monday was super fantastic!

the brownsugars went fishing with their Dad

& i spent a much needed day with myself!

i took myself to lunch at my fave Chipotle

& had a fab non-fat vanilla chai latte.

i layered up my new wrap bracelet i mentioned here

& bought from my lovely friend & her sisters shop  

& wore it for the 1st time.

beachy & earthy happy little bursts of color

I LOVE IT & plan wear it all summer in different ways!

i also treated myself to a few new art supplies

& a Jack Johnson Kokua Festival CD

{perfect beachy music choice...LOVE}.

next i navigated thru Carlsbad (on Memorial Day mind you!)

to a beautiful new-to-me beach hidden behind cliffs. 

(not sure of the actual name but

someone called it the Carlsbad Cliffs).

i didn't hike all the way down to the water, 

 i decided to sit on top of the cliffs instead

& observe from a new perspective. 

i spent hours.

a few people & their dogs walked thru the trails.

peopled climbed the rocks.

surfers surfed in the water below.

i sat in the sun quietly watching.

i wrote & drew a little.

i read a bit more of The Hunger Games,

but then dolphins started swimming & playing in the water.

i have watched them play in the water from the shore before,

but never high on a cliff...in the glistening sun.

but the dolphins did it...my eyes would not go back to the book.

it has been way too long

& i've been desperately missing the beach.

this one visit was all it took to find my center,

restore my balance & soothe my soul.

i have always dearly & deeply loved the beach

...thank God somethings never change. 

{unplugged sunday}

the night before {unplugged sunday}

He & i hired a sitter & headed to Mission Bay to meet old friends (like middle school old).

OMG we had a B L A S T!!!

the bar's dj started off with a Beastie Boys tribute

& i rocked the dancefloor for the night (like i do)! 

{unplugged sunday}

[beginning] 

our sweet brownsugars set us a special breakfast service complete with instructions & place cards.

farm fresh eggs, fruit & fresh squeezed orange juice along with turkey bacon & pastries.

before He had to leave for work after :(

[middle]

the brownsugars decided to make their own music

& i decided that since i could still hear it...

i would enjoy their lovely music outside in the sunshine ;)

a few days before, i forced myself to finally finished the other horrible book i was reading

so i FINALLY introduced myself to Katniss Everdeen.

my last pic before the...

[end]

the brownsugars & i were gathering fallen avocados in our grove &

W H A M!

i got bit by a black widow!

long story short...

i got lucky with my symptoms & wasn't as severe as most bites.

i was able to stay home & monitor it with the help of neighbors, a doctor in the family & poison control checking in on me. 

thankfully i am back to happy now.

dream come true [domino mag]

i am soooo super excited!

 domino

 my favie mag that was ever in print released a new issue! 

1. the new domino mag release & i just ran out & picked it up. (this is it on the check out belt).

2. my old domino mag collection from when it was in print years ago.

if i was the coveting kind...i'd totally covet my precious domino mag collection!

3 & 4. exciting sneak peeks! i'm already cozied up under a blanket on the couch with Stinky Little Brown Dog ready to savor each page!

* i have no clue what blogger is up to, but me no like-y & it's not working for me...thinking it's time for a change very soon.

coffeeshop. treats. new favie book!

[yes we rushed out the door & i forgot to do my poor brownsugar's hair & i didn't realized it until i saw the pic]

yesterday after completing & turning in K's worksamples

(meanies having worksamples due the week after springbreak!),

the brownsugars & i hung out at our fave local coffeehouse.

to treat ourselves

i had a delish vanilla chai lattes

(instead of the reg spiced chai latte)

& the brownsugars shared a super yum

blended creme brulee.

so we sat, sipped & read.

us bookworms were surprised & giddy even to see their kiddie book basket was full of great new books!

 not only did we each find new favie drinks,

but we found a new favie book!

not only was the character a super spunky & stinkin' cute brownsugar girlie,

but we LOVED the message of the book

 against the attitude of throw away wastefulness & cherishing things that are special to us.

 also a very good example of a capable, resourceful & creative mama...who in the end broadened her girlie's way of thinking differently about things & also inspires her.

Open up a fresh and stylish story about growing up and keeping hold of your favorite memories. As the year passes, the narrator’s favorite dress goes through a series of creative changes, from dress to shirt to tank top to scarf and so on, until all that’s left of it is a good memory. Assisted by her patient and crafty mama, the narrator finds that when disaster strikes her favorite things, she doesn’t need to make mountains out of molehills—she “makes molehills out of mountains” instead! Structured around the days of the week, the story is also illustrated to show the passing of the seasons, a perfect complement to the themes of growing older and keeping hold (and letting go) of special mementos.

please read this review !

weekending {bike. taproot. me. tidbits.}

oops! this was supposed to post Sunday!

{saturday}

i finally got to ride my bike!

with Him working every weekend & rain on top of it,

i haven't been able to make any group rides for months,

but this weekend He arranged his work schedule so i could get out there for a bit.

i didn't get to do the full 25 miles that i wanted,

but i was so happy with the 18 miles i did get to do.

the coffee shop at the coast is the 1/2 way break point.

we stop, get a little drink & chit chat.

i got a 4 berry smoothie with a soy protein boost.

*happy girl*

{sunday}

i've been WAITING!

i got my 1st eagerly awaited issue of

 taproot magazine 

earlier in the week.

the girlies grabbed the mail & for a couple of days i didn't even know it was here until later in the week.

i saw it sitting open on the kitchen counter while K was reading it!

it is such a beautiful magazine!

it's surprisingly different in substance than what i expected, but in a very good way.

i got a few quiet minutes in the morning to enjoy a little bit of it with my cup of coffee.

it was another full weekend with many activities.

yes, the girls & i did projects, crafting, cooking & made some neat discoveries even,

but i wanted to share a few of my personal tidbits.

i'm always posting kid/family stuff

(which honestly i need a break from),

it's nice when i get to focus a little attention on myself

& how i get to enjoy being me.

the last few weekends made me realize how necessary it truly is to take time to take care of me 1st sometimes.

& there aint nothing wrong with that.

i'm noticing i'm not the only mama needing some me time.

{tid bits}

*i finally got to sit down (fully distraction free) & watch

Food Inc. & Food Matters.

unbelievable both documentaries.

re-inforced alot of my food based decisions.

*one of my fave routines was starting every day with my fave news programs on NPR during my morning tea or coffee.

i think i just gave up because either i did not want to bum the girls out with what's going on in this crazy world.

& it was never quiet enough to listen anyway.

but they are older & more aware now & i can actually listen.

nice to be back to it. 

wintercrafting{Goldilocks & the Three Bears readers theater puppets}

the girlies did book reports.

 A hates to write so she came up with this cute idea to tell the story of Goldilocks & the Three Bears...

reader's theater puppets that she made herself!

the big girls REALLY weren't that into it at first.

 but then they started rehearsing, setting up the little scene & adjusted their attitudes & got into it all.

they helped make a success of their little sister production for her.

she was so thrilled with herself & her sisters. 

 it all came out so cute & i video taped it

 but of course it won't load.

*even though its been in the 70s & 80s lately i guess technically this counts as a winter craft ;)