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38: week in review

September 24, 2023

gingham tablecloth espresso cookies - M Loves M @marmar

Hello everyone! It’s officially autumn, and boy does it feel like it. One thing I appreciate about Idaho is that we’ll have these very crisp fall mornings that will turn into these beautifully warm afternoons. It feels like the best of both seasons. We’ve already started to decorate for autumn (I got this new tablecloth for $20!) and I/Matthew pulled down my cold-weather box filled with sweaters and cozy things. I’m looking forward to thoroughly enjoying my favorite season- especially when it comes to baking. There are too many apple and pumpkin desserts on my list!

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- Corn and Poblano Chowder- from the Half Baked Harvest Everyday cookbook– a little spicy but so yummy for a late summer meal

TUESDAY- Dinner with friends

WEDNESDAY- Ground Beef, Roasted Poblano, and Monterey Jack Tacos with a Colesaw salad – a family favorite!

THURSDAY- Salt and Pepper Cod with Turmeric Noodles– from the cookbook The Cook You Want to Be– we loved this, even as leftovers. Just watch out for the clothes and napkin-staining turmeric.

FRIDAY- Chicken Breast with Antipasto Salad – from the cookbook The Cook You Want to Be– so easy and delicious!

SATURDAY- Breakfast for Dinner at Corinna’s request. I made a spinach and mushroom frittata and honey ricotta blinis with honey and sea salt which were so yummy! (both from the Smitten Kitchen Every Day cookbook)

SUNDAY- Balsamic Grilled Flank Steak with Basil Vinaigrette and Grilled Red Onion and Blue Cheese Salad – this is one of our favorite dinners so I can’t wait!

I’ve been wanting to make these Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies (seen in the first photo) for a while and finally got around to it this weekend. They are good, for sure, but just a little too sweet and the sugar tastes very granular (I even used less than the recipe called for because I didn’t pack the light brown sugar). I might make them again but just significantly adjust the sugar amount. It’s nice to have that rich, espresso flavor though! (edit: after 24 hours in the fridge the grainy sugar taste wasn’t as obvious but I’d still try cutting back)

cheese board - M Loves M @marmar breakfast for dinner - M Loves M @marmar

WHAT I WORE

My gingham dress from Doen is so comfortable and cute this time of year. I love all things gingham as you can guess from my new tablecloth. I love their pieces but usually buy second-hand.

M.Gemi makes some of my favorite shoes – they’re so comfortable and well-made. These leather sandals are a favorite in summer but fall too! Their Mary Jane ballerinas are currently on my wishlist.

swing with baby - M Loves M @marmar gingham dress - M Loves M @marmar

One of my favorite pieces of jewelry is my Haverhill birthstone bracelet. It’s always on my wrist – literally the last time I took it off was when I had Beatrice’s stone added. You can use code MARA15 for a sitewide discount too!

SALES TO NOTE

Jenni Kayne- 25% off shoes with code FALLPAIR. These have been on my wishlist for a while, especially these days when tying laces while holding a baby is impossible. I also love this lug boot style that I know would be worn a bunch this time of year.

MATCHESFASHION– 20% off new fall styles with code STYLE20

Abercrombie– 25% off select styles

American Eagle– 30% off all jeans (and cargo pants if that’s a style you’re into!)

ON MY MIND

Beatrice’s first birthday is next month and I think I’m in denial. I mean, I’m not but I am. It’s hard to believe she’s almost a year old. We’re not doing a big party but I think we’re going to plan a fall party around the same time and make some fun pumpkin and apple things. October is my favorite month of the year so I’m excited to have a birthday to celebrate. Just today, she pushed herself up into a standing position leaning on the couch. She loves to wave and play peek-a-boo – she’s seriously a dream baby!

We got together with our Wild + Free group on Friday and worked on a super easy but fun handicraft. The kids made these little notebooks (like this DIY) and then got to fill some of the pages with drawings and stamping. So grateful for this sweet little community that brings such beauty to our homeschooling days.

I picked up these tumblers from Elk and Friends for the big kids and I love them so much! We got the glass and the stainless steal but they have silicone covers, thicker straws for smoothies,  stoppers on the straws to prevent them from being pulled out, and best of all: lids so they can also be used as snack (or leftover) containers!

My latest cookbook from the library is Simply Symon Suppers. I’m not too familiar with Michael Simon’s cooking, so I’m looking forward to trying some of his recipes this upcoming week.

I just got this Mandarin Basile candle from Homecourt and wow it smells so good! I love a fresh herbal scent in the kitchen, especially after cooking. This is a limited-edition scent and smells like sparkling mandarin, spiced ginger, fresh green basil, and ripe fig.

homeschool with coffee - M Loves M @marmar gingham tablecloth - M Loves M @marmar eleven months baby beatrice - M Loves M @marmar

I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead!

xox

37: week in review

September 17, 2023

spicy short rib ramen - M Loves M @marmar

Hi friends! I hope you’re enjoying your weekend! We are tired. I’ve realized that it’s very challenging for us to do more than one activity a day, especially if they both require being in a car. Beatrice and cars are not the best of friends at this point. We went apple picking on Friday morning almost an hour away and while it was fun, especially since we’ve been the past 3 years, it was a lot to handle with all 3 littles. I didn’t get one photo either which my mama heart was a little disappointed about. I literally had no hands free though because Beatrice did not want to be in the carrier. She kept trying to squirm her way out of my arms but I couldn’t put her down anywhere. Anyway, then we went to a birthday party Friday afternoon and another on Saturday so to say I’m looking forward to staying home is an understatement. Matthew has also been out of town so that’s made it slightly more challenging. We’re all looking forward to him getting back! There are so many fun fall things though that we’re looking forward to doing but I want to make sure we don’t overdo it!

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- Marcella Hazan’s Minestrone Soup– If you like minestrone soup, you have to try this recipe! It’s a little work but while you are chopping veggies, you’re cooking on the stove, so it moves along easily. This soup is so delicious and it’s been one of our favorites since Corinna was Beatrice’s age.

TUESDAY- Mahi Mahi Bowls with Adobo Quinoa, Cucumber & Avocado Salad– really yummy! The pickled red onions are a must!

WEDNESDAY- Short Rib Peanut Ramen– this was so easy to throw in the Instant Pot (slow cooker works too!). The flavor was unique but so delicious.  It also made the house smell amazing – our next-door neighbor texted me and told me so!

THURSDAY- Honey Garlic Shrimp Salad with Grilled Corn, Avocado, and Bacon – I should look back and see how often we’ve made this salad this past summer. At least 3, right? It’s seriously so delicious and I love using the leftover dressing the next day!

FRIDAY- Orecchiette Pasta with Fennel, Sausage, and Kale – This tasted like something you’d get from a fancy restaurant – so delicious and such a treat for a Friday night!

SATURDAY- Chicken Saltimbocca with a Fried Caper Sauce and Arugula Salad – from this cookbook (one of my faves). I want to try this version next!

SUNDAY- Hot Dogs and Salad- simple summer fare since it’s technically the last weekend of the season!

classic italian minestrone soup marcella hazan - M Loves M @marmar mahi mahi bowls - M Loves M @marmar honey garlic shrimp salad from half baked harvest - M Loves M @marmar

WHAT I WORE

braid by my 4 year old - M Loves M @marmar

Corinna has taught herself how to do braids and the perfect messy buns I’m so impressed by her dexterity. She’s been loving practicing her braids on my hair, and I love it too. I always had so much fun playing hair with my mom so it’s special to share that with my daughter as well!

This sweater from Michael Stars is one of my favorites – it’s the perfect weight and I love that it looks good with leggings, jeans, or shorts. I’ve been wearing it a bunch lately because it transitions well from our colder mornings to warmer afternoons. While I was on their site, I noticed this amazing deal of a ribbed sweater tank. It’s final sale but the reviews are all so good! I’ve been looking for something just like this.

If you’re looking for a pair of white sneakers, I just got this pair. Everyone needs some white kicks in their wardrobe!

I’m using this eye cream from Goop and I really like it! I was out for a little bit and wow what a difference it makes to use an eye cream, especially a good one. My tired eyes are thankful!

SALES TO NOTE

Everlane – 30% off fall icon styles

Abercrombie – 25% off select styles

ON MY MIND

This week was our second week of school and I feel like we’re starting to get into a good little routine. It’s still an adjustment but I’m hopeful it will get easier as time goes on. It’s hard to switch off that summer mode when the weather is still so warm. We’re trying to get through our Morning Time first so we can still fit in a walk before starting our lessons. Thankfully lessons have coordinated well with Beatrice’s morning nap, so I’ve been able to work with both A&C. Corinna (4 1/2) has been so eager to learn and while I’m not pushing anything with her I do want to take advantage of her interest to do some basic math concepts. She has surprised us all by learning to read so math is now what she’s asking to do every day (even weekends!)

I’m barely able to fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans so I’m thinking I need a new intermediary pair. While I could suck it up (literally) and fit into my old jeans, it would make me way too uncomfortable and that’s just not worth it. This is the pair of jeans I’ve been wanting to get but the price has me wanting to wait a little longer. I’ve loved Everlane’s jeans in the past (quality and price are so good) so this is one of the other pairs I’ve been looking at. Plus, the reviews are so positive!

I’m one of those people that really thrives off lists and organization. I have a weekly to-do list on my phone that keeps track of the different chores and tasks I would like to get done each day. Today I added a new one to the list. Sunday: clean out the car. This is a task for me and for the kids. In just a few weeks I’ve noticed that the car has become a dumpsite for shoes, backpacks, books, papers, wrappers, etc. So now I’m going to ask the kids to go in on Sundays and clear out anything that’s theirs and put it back where it belongs. Maybe during the dinner prep time period, or before lunch. You’ll have to share any of your productivity tips with me!

Have a great rest of your weekend everyone and a lovely week ahead!

xox

36: week in review

September 10, 2023

nature walk - M Loves M @marmar

Hi everyone! I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend! It’s still hot in Boise but we’ve been having these lovely cool mornings that remind me that fall is right around the corner. We decided we’re going to take advantage of having our favorite summer meals a little bit longer which I’m totally ok with. We’ll have lots of time for soups and stews, but when it’s 85 in the evenings something lighter sounds much better.

This was our first week of school and even though we started on Tuesday because of Labor Day, we got through almost everything. I’m trying to remove some of the pressure of homeschooling. The truth is, homeschooling doesn’t (and shouldn’t) look like regular school anyway. It’s a part of our daily life and while that might not work for some families, it does for us. I love that I can do some of the readings with Augustine in the evenings, or over the weekend if we need/want to. And the beauty is that we can make changes if something isn’t working well for us. I’m looking forward to about a month in, which I think is when we’ll find our comfortable rhythm.

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- Roasted Tomato Soup with Broiled Cheddar (this recipe was not good! When tomato soup is good it’s soo good but this one just tasted like tomato sauce) It was from this cookbook. Next time I’ll stick with our go-to tomato soup recipe.

TUESDAY- Chipotle Steak Taco Bowls– this recipe required a little bit of prep work but we all said it was delicious and I even printed out the recipe to store for the future.  The pepita scallion dressing was so good you could drink it!

WEDNESDAY- Halloumi Roast with Eggplant, Zucchini, and Tomatoes- This was so easy and delicious! Roasted Halloumi cheese with late summer produce and piled it onto a bowl of quinoa with a drizzle of balsamic.

THURSDAY- Crispy Shrimp and Broccoli with Rice and a Sesame Peanut Sauce – I ate this recipe cold because it took me awhile to put Beatrice down so it wasn’t my favorite. Another one from this cookbook which I haven’t been nearly as impressed with as this one.

FRIDAY- Beefsteak Skirt Steak Salad with Blue Cheese and Parsley Basil Vinaigrette- Matthew’s ideal meal: steak and salad!

SATURDAY- Burger Night with Salad and Fries- we love mixing our burger meat according to this recipe. It makes it so yummy!

SUNDAY- Grilled Chicken with Summer Squash Salad

tomato and steak salad - M Loves M @marmar

blueberry muffins - M Loves M @marmar

For the first day of school, I made blueberry muffins which has become our little tradition the past few years. I made the Smitten Kitchen recipe which the kids really like. They’re not too sweet and there’s a little hint of lemon that’s just right.

I made a really delicious Honey Mama’s knock-off recipe. Matthew and I are doing a little health challenge this month but we’ve ok’d an occasional honey dessert. This one will be a repeat for sure because it satisfies that chocolate craving in a healthier way.

WHAT I WORE

Just a few weeks ago you wouldn’t have found me anywhere close to a pair of jeans, but with our much cooler mornings, I’ve been reaching for this pair of denim and this cardigan. It’s still getting quite warm in the afternoons and evenings so I’ll usually have a midday outfit change into a dress/shorts. This dress silhouette from Christy Dawn is one of my favorites (I have two different prints in the same cut). You can use my code 15MARA for a little discount!

SALES TO NOTE

Abercrombie– 20% off almost everything with YPB purchase

GAP– 30% off your purchase

Nordstrom– End of Summer Sale up to 60% off (lots of cute shoes – see below – but also this cozy FP sweater!)

American Eagle- 20% off off $50, 25% off $75, and 30% off $100 orders

GIGI PIP– Check out their Summer Sale and use code MARA15 for 15% off

ON MY MIND

Getting ready for our homeschool year has taken over every spare minute the past month at least so it’s strange actually to be starting. As I mentioned earlier, I can’t wait to get more into our routine but so far I’m pleased with our curriculum choice of The Good and the Beautiful Math with Ambleside. Ambleside has such a diverse booklist and I really feel like Augustine is getting access to beautiful thoughts and ideas that will hopefully inspire him in a fundamental way. From artists to composers to history, nature study, and literature, it’s truly a feast of riches and I feel lucky that I get to be learning alongside him.

I have been seeing all these cute Samba sneakers everywhere, which reminds me of a pair of black and white ones I had in high school. I came across this beige pair and now it’s high on my wishlist. I love the natural color and I feel like I would wear them a bunch.

I started taking my evening walks again the other night which has been so nice. I had to take a break out of busyness and challenging bedtime routines, but when I can sneak those in I feel so much lighter and calmer. Beatrice has been going through a little bit of a sleep regression at 10 1/2 months. She’s been waking up several times at night and while it’s been common for her to wake once or twice, usually she goes right down to sleep. Lately, however, she’s been waking up and then not going back to sleep as easily. Or I’ll put her down and she’ll be asleep but 7 minutes later she’ll be sitting up in her crib crying. Friday night she was up at 5 am for the day which Matthew and I joke is the normal (but not desired) wake time for babies, according to our first pediatrician. One thing that helps is looking at The Wonder Weeks app which does tell me that she’s in a leap right now (the Leap of Sequences). Reading about that leap reminds me that this too shall pass, and it allows me to be more patient and understanding with her during this period. These challenging times can feel so long and overwhelming sometimes, but it’s just for a short season and before you know it, they’ll be through it. I love how these younger years teach you so much about compassion, patience, and gentleness. Even though I feel utterly exhausted, I’m also cherishing these early years because they are fleeting.

 

And on that note, I’m going to bed! I hope you all had a lovely weekend and have a wonderful week ahead!

xox

braided garlic - M Loves M @marmargarlic from our garden is strung in the pantry

corinna in sunglasses - M Loves M @marmar

Corinna was so cute borrowing my sunglasses the other day. A little big but so adorable! (one of my favorite pairs)

farmers market flowers in boise, idaho - M Loves M @marmar

the prettiest farmers market flowers