Hello, friends! We took it easy this weekend and I tried to get a bunch of chores done on Saturday. I love starting the week feeling ahead and not behind so it’s been a process lately to really organize my time and stick to my To Do list goals. We enjoyed a bike ride together though and Corinna and I baked granola which was so fun. I love how the smell of freshly baked granola fills our house, although it did make me think of fall because of the spices.

WHAT WE ATE

I plan to share the meals I made the previous week, with links if possible, as some inspiration for your own menu planning.

MONDAY- Not So Fried Chicken Salad– this has become a repeat for us!

TUESDAY- Zucchini and Feta Fritters with Avocado Crema (from this cookbook)- the fritters were a huge hit which I was so happy about!! They’re a great way to use up all that zucchini crop! (p.s. this recipe looks similar)

WEDNESDAY- Pan Roasted Pork Chops with Shallots and Fennel (also from this cookbook but found here with a video)- I wish I had taken a photo but it was probably the best thing we’ve made in awhile. It seriously tasted like a dish you could get at a fancy restaurant. I need to write it down for my recipe book.

THURSDAY- Asian Steak Salad (from this cookbook) – the almond sauce dressing was so good and I love a salad with fresh mint, basil and cilantro. It tasted so fresh and delicious!

FRIDAY- Grilled Shrimp and Caesar Salad

SATURDAY- Burger Night!

SUNDAY- Soba Noodles with Charred Broccoli and Spicy Almond Sauce – a leftover concoction that will hopefully turn out!

I always love a cheese board! This one was super simple but very good.

I made a raspberry frangipane galette (from this cookbook) with raspberries from our neighborhood farm and it turned out so delicious! We all agreed I need to make it again soon!

WHAT I WORE

Baby Beatrice has been fighting her second nap of the day so I’ve been wearing her in my Ergobaby Embrace carrier. It’s so soft and comfortable and I appreciate how easy it is to put on.

Messy braids and pretty Doen blouses for homeschooling days.

My favorite tee is currently on sale! I have the heathered oat color and it really goes with everything!

This gingham Hatch dress is sadly sold out, but linking in case it comes back.

SALES TO NOTE

LOFT– 30% off tops & $49 jeans and pants

Nordstrom– last day of the Anniversary Sale

Everlane– 25% off Best-Selling Styles

ON MY MIND

I know it’s still the beginning of August but it already feels like summer is ending. It feels a little bittersweet because while I’m looking forward to fall, I’m not ready to let go of these long summer days. We’ve developed such a sweet little routine of going on morning walks together, and I think I’ve mentioned that I’ve also been taking evening walks by myself which has been such a highlight. Once the sun starts setting earlier, those evening walks will sadly come to an end, so I’m hoping I can replace that time with something just as fulfilling.

We’ve also been going berry picking at our neighborhood farm and that has been so enjoyable. I’m not joking when I say I’ve realized a goal of mine is to have a mini orchard with lots of berry bushes. There’s just something so rewarding about picking the freshest berries and eating them. Makes me think of one of our favorite Robert McCloskey books.

I hope you all have a lovely week!

xox

I hope you all are enjoying your weekend! Yesterday was probably my favorite day of summer so far. From start to finish it was so special that I hope I never forget it. We were invited to our friend’s property to pick blackberries so we started the day in the dreamiest garden. The blackberries were the most amazing ones I’ve ever had – so perfectly ripe that they basically melted in your mouth.  Then Augustine and I went on a bike ride together, just the two of us, which we have been talking about doing for so long. I haven’t been on a bike in years but it was “just like riding a bike.” For dinner Matthew made the best cowboy burgers ever (loaded with cheese, onion, cilantro, paprika, and garlic) and then I made a blackberry thyme cobbler for dessert.  I was able to sit out on our porch after the children went to bed and enjoy the sunset while eating my dessert. It was such a treat!

WHAT WE ATE

I plan to share the meals I made the previous week, with links if possible, as some inspiration for your own menu planning.

MONDAY- Garlic Butter Creamed Corn Chicken– This was really flavorful but did feel a little rich for the summertime. I can’t wait to make it again in a cooler month, and I think frozen corn would still taste great!

TUESDAY- Sheet Pan Jalapeño Pineapple Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Garlic Sauce– This was delicious and so easy! It will definitely be a repeat over here.

WEDNESDAY-  Cauliflower Shawarma with Green Tahini and Fried Halloumi– this came together easily because I had made hummus. We all love halloumi because of how sweet it gets when fried/grilled.

THURSDAY- Ginger Sesame Crusted Salmon Bowls– this was good but we all prefer this salmon bowl more

FRIDAY- Herby Avocado Steak Salad – from this cookbook

SATURDAY- Cowboy Burgers (this recipe but with ground beef) We’ve made this several  times with turkey but we couldn’t believe how much better it was with ground beef.

SUNDAY- Spaghetti Vongole with fresh sourdough and a caprese salad

a strawberry mint mojito and burgers outside! Long live summer!

I made a lentil spaghetti for the kids the other day and while they thought something was different, they still ate their whole bowls. Success!

WHAT I WORE

I got a few pieces of clothing from Darling which are so darling. Do you remember their magazines? I was so excited to hear how they’re doing and they have put together a very versatile capsule wardrobe collection. They sent me this tank and this slouch cardigan. I braved the heat and tried both on with my favorite Everlane white jeans (here’s a similar style).

With our 90-degree days, shorts outfits feel like a must around here. I’m thankful we haven’t had too many 100-degree days but August is coming!

SALES TO NOTE

J.Crew– 30% off Wear Now Styles with code SHOPNOW

Abercrombie– 25% off almost everything

Nordstrom– Anniversary Sale is still going strong! Have any of you shopped the sale?

ON MY MIND

We’re still in the middle of summer but I’m also working on planning our fall schedule. I’m currently reading the book Know and Tell and getting excited for Augustine to start his first year of formal homeschool lessons.  I feel like each year we’ve added to our curriculum from our Teach your Child to Read book, to our Math curriculum and then this year will be History, Geography, Natural History, and more Literature. I’m following Ambleside Online’s program which is modeled after Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of education which I have really connected with over the years. Corinna is also going to be doing ballet again and Augustine is going to continue with his music lessons which will make for a fun fall.

For the past 3 Augusts we’ve spent time in San Diego and we’re all missing the salty beach air more than we can admit. I wish we could make a trip out this summer but it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen. Maybe in Fall, but hopefully for sure in winter when we need a break from our cold weather!

My evening walks have been so incredible and life-giving! I look forward to this time so much and I’m going to miss them come winter. The two photos right above were taken around 9:15pm if you can believe it. I haven’t really loved our late summer sunsets because it’s hard getting the children to bed, but with them not taking naps, they’re asleep earlier so I have time to sneak out for these walks. I love how much cooler it is and, oh, our beautiful Idaho sunsets are something else!

I hope you all have a lovely week ahead as we say goodbye to July and hello to August!

xox

Happy Sunday y’all! Getting this post up a little later than usual. We’ve been celebrating Matthew’s birthday all week which has been so fun. I feel like I love Matthew’s birthday week as much as my own. It’s just the best to celebrate our favorite guy. To make things extra special, I made his favorite recipes all week, and two birthday desserts: his forever pick of a mud pie, and also this strawberry pretzel cake (but with Biscoff instead of gingersnap cookies although Matthew would love that too I’m sure!)

Here’s a recap of our week:

WHAT WE ATE

I plan to share the meals I made the previous week, with links if possible, as some inspiration for your own menu planning.

MONDAY- Honey Garlic Shrimp and Corn and Bacon Avocado Salad – one of our favorite summer salads!

TUESDAY- Pulled Pork with Coleslaw

WEDNESDAY- BBQ Chicken Salad with Avocado Ranch– so yummy and easy to put together

THURSDAY- Sourdough Pizza with leftover pulled pork, red onions and bbq sauce (and a margarita pizza for the kids!)

FRIDAY- Spicy Orange Sesame Chicken– tastes better than takeout in our opinion!

SATURDAY- Grilled Skirt Steak and Orzo with the best basil vinaigrette ever – seriously make that vinaigrette and put it on everything!

SUNDAY- leftovers

If you haven’t made fried eggs with oregano yet, you’re missing out! This is my go-to breakfast that I have most days of the week.

New favorite summer dessert: the big pie crumb bars from the Smitten Kitchen’s Keepers cookbook. SO good! I used a combination of plums, peaches, raspberries, and blueberries. I wish the recipe was available online but trust me, this cookbook is worth buying!

Scrambled eggs with fresh herbs will always make me think of family holidays because it’s a simple breakfast but feels special and fancy. I love to make this for Christmas morning to go along with our coffee cake, but it’s just as delicious as any other time of year!

The strawberry pretzel cake I mentioned above. I have a feeling it will be another new summer staple. Very kid-friendly too!

WHAT I WORE

This white button-up shirt has been a staple for me for the past several years. I found it on sale here! It’s such an easy pick for any denim outfit, but I also love it with linen shorts.

Staying cool in this hatch tank and these linen pants. This is a weekly favorite for me. I really love the beige and black color combo outfits right now, although I know it’s not very summery.

SALES TO NOTE

The Anniversary Sale is happening! It’s kind of crazy to think back on how much time and effort I put into those sale posts every year. It was a lot of work, and while I enjoyed it, I’m happy not to be spending that much time on it this year. I thought I’d just highlight a few favorites:

• a lip set you will reach for daily ! (or could give as a gift)
• my favorite bra, and favorite strapless
• my go-to hair styling tool
• iconic jeans
• wishlist item

Gap– 50% off!

Wayfair – Outdoor Clearance

Banana Republic– Big Summer Sale- I am loving BR these days. Everything is so good and this sale is one to take advantage of!

ON MY MIND

We’ve been taking it easy today because Augustine stepped on a wasp the other day and his foot has been so swollen. Thankfully it’s looking a lot better but it’s hard for the boy to get around. It sounds like it can be swollen for a week but we’re praying it doesn’t take too long.

I know I mentioned this book to you a few months ago, The Mission of Motherhood. I really enjoyed it so I’m looking forward to reading it again with my friends for our Book Club. It’s a book that would be so encouraging to go through with other mamas. By the way, have you seen my Amazon Storefront? I have a section for favorite books on there, as well as homeschool resources, favorite books for kids, etc.

I hope you all have a wonderful week and stay cool! It will be another hot week for us so I’m seeing some splash pad and pool days in our future. Oh and naps too!

xox