Firsts!!!

Hello!!!! I'm back! a little break never hurt anyone, I'm refreshed to start blogging again - just realizing the amazing ability to connect with people around the globe is inspiring and leaving me awestruck! 

So for this first post back- I'm proud to say, I have a 3 year old!!! we have survived the (not-so terrible) twos and have moved on to 'three-anger' territory! This one ain't for the faint of heart- life is now full of opinions, boundary pushing and 'why's .... say a little prayer for me! 

This left me reminiscing, as most mothers do, where has the time gone? Life really does flash by when your cleaning pee and trying to sleep... 

This is an exciting season of life, a celebratory season - not only is it almost spring, but its the beginning of new lives, my best friend is expecting her first bundle of joy- other friends are welcoming new little's to the world too and to top it off I'm gaining a sister in law!!! There is just something about firsts...
So in honour - this is a flash back to my Little's first Birthday!!!! 

I will be doing lots of celebrating in this next season of the year and am feeling blessed!!!
Thank GOD for Pinterest and all the unachievable ideas ... Because I love to throw a good party, here are a few very achievable party ideas from my littles first 'circus' bash!! Because well- life with wee ones is a Circus... 

Tickets, clown noses, snowcone inspired cupcakes, lemonade and a photo booth really added to the circus vibe. We also had a make your own cotton candy and hot dog station. The big gift was this Circus tent from IKEA which has been well loved and still standing strong.. 

 Those polka dot balloons made for great photo pop for my little the next day for pictures! 
It was a great time celebrating with family and friends!!!!  Im so happy i took so many pictures to remember upon- 1 is a really big deal, not only is your little growing, but you have survived the parenting pains of year 1 too!!! 

simple korean pork - 15 min meal success!

How did we ever live without Pinterest- I even stare strangely when i meet people that aren't aware of its brilliance- and want to ask them.. "are you living under a rock?" seriously. 
...Well I'm not and now you aren't either - like every other facet of my life, i source Pinterest for LOTS of great ideas! Especially cooking and meal planning! 

Today I'm doing something new and sharing a great little recipe i found on Pinterest.
Korean Beef, turned into Korean Pork. This 'Korean Beef' recipe is sourced from this great blog Six Sisters Stuff (which is just amaze balls for recipes) . You can find the original recipe there, as mentioned. I found it on Pinterest. I don't find it particularly 'korean' but it has that asian flavour i always crave! 

I am a sucker for anything Asian and if it can be made within 15 minutes is as good as gold. 
This recipe has all the makings for success. 
Limited and simple ingredients, easily adaptable and easy to make. In my house it was husband requested and toddler approved, I had seconds so its going in the vault! 
I did make a few alterations as i felt the original was lacking a little extra depth in flavour and i made mine with brown minute rice and pork, that's what i had on hand cause that's how i roll when my house gets HANGRY. 

1 lb of ground pork 
(i have used beef and its great too, i think chicken would work as swell) 
1/2 cup brown sugar 
1/2 cup soy sauce 
1 tbsp red chili flakes (dependant on your spice preference) 
1 tbsp fresh ground ginger 
2 tbsp olive oil (originally sesame oil, but i was out) 
2 tbsp vegetable oil 
3 cloves fresh garlic (minced)
4 green onions chopped to preference 
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce 
Cooked Rice 

(I used brown minute rice as it was quick) 

Method: 

-Add oil to pan, allow to heat and add garlic till fragrant 

-While this is happening combine brown sugar, sesame oil (or olive), chili flakes and soy sauce in a small bowl and set aside  

-Brown meat (make sure it gets really crumbly) 

-Add sauce mixture to cooked meat, stir. 

-Add half of the diced onion and save the rest for garnish 

- Stir in Teriyaki sauce 

-Serve immediately over rice and garnish with onion and chili flakes and adorn with the sauces you love most, Siracha is this dish's very best friend. 

Enjoy 

DIY bird feeder - easy nature craft!

so.. you've been on pinterest, you know- SO many ideas for toddler crafts, so many fails.. well this one ain't that bad. 
Ive looked up all kinds of fun simple crafts for my and my little to do this summer and looking back, this one was a hit- we might even try it again! 

DIY bird feeder is a fun way to get your little involved and curious about nature. This would be a fun craft to try making out camping too! All you need is simple stuff i am sure you already have on hand. 

-1 paper roll
- Peanut Butter (or non-peanut butter if you have allergies) 
- granola, seeds, oats, birdseed..whatever you have on hand 
- plate to roll the seeds into the roll 
- string or ribbon to tie it to the tree

Simple & Fun (like all the good stuff) - my little loved watching the birds come around our new tree to have a tasty treat! 

toddler room inspiration

Toddler room inspiration is everywhere, the time has come for my baby to get a bigger and more appropriate 'big boy room' (que the lullaby music and the tears)... 
I have started to look for ideas and have decided against a 'theme'. There is just too many choices and making decisions is not my strong suit! This way the room can grow with him and we can change it as interest evolve. 
Also as much as it is HIS room, i still need to like it and live in it too - I'm still aa decorator at heart & so mommy approved is key here too- (I'm talking full advantage of his 'not caring' at this point in the game) 

I love the feel of the IKEA kids rooms, they are bright, fun and fresh, so that is what I'm going with. Without being too IKEA at all! My budget is low for this makeover so I'm going to have to get creative and be resourceful. (which is a challenge i find rewarding) 
No limitless showroom budget here! 

This is my jumping off point. I love the artwork of Eric Carle and his art is probably the biggest inspiration. Here is a sampling of some great ideas I've put together for a bit of a mood board. Other inspiration can be found here on my Pinterest

The main image is from 'handmade charlotte ' i love the half height bright paint although in not sure of the mountains-maybe just straight. 

Night table - I also have a 'lack' table from idea i could just paint a bright teal like in the image. 
Storage- Ill be working with a minty-aqua existing dresser so i think it blends in nicely. 
Extras- Im a sucker for shelving and these 'swing' looking shelves are so playful and fun- as are the balloon nightlight! 

No room is complete without some Chevron - so I'm sure ill sneak some of that in too! 

Stay tuned for a room reveal shortly!!! 

weekly meal planning- 'pin'able version

Call me crazy but one of my most favourite parts of handeling the household is meal planning, grocery shopping, prep and of course cooking.
Each week I enjoy sifting through pins and recipes to plan food for my family. This helps me all feel organized and it takes the guesswork out of dinner time.

My guys are fussy eaters, but that's real world so I don't always get to cook what I want but I make sure it's a balance of new things to broaden their horizons and old favourites. For my interest it keeps things new in the kitchen too

I have a wonderful planner that allows me to slot in my meals and so me, my planner and Pinterest sit down once a week, check the schedule and plan meals accordingly.
I've made this weeks pretty for you and because it makes it more fun, if you want to use this weeks meal planner go ahead! Print it out or 'Pin' it along with the grocery list and enjoy! 

My intention with this blog is to help make managing family life a little easier and enjoyable in this 'oh so busy' world. To offer tips and tricks to the average super mom that my family and I have found useful. Managing the day to day with littles is a serious learning curve so help yourself to a little meal planning ease and it will look cute on the fridge between sticky fingerprints and magnetic letters :)

Here's a little look at what's for meals this week in my house!

Monday - Tortellini & peas in olive oil topped with parmesan 

Tuesday - Bacon wrapped BBQ chicken & Cesar salad

Wednesday - Creamy Chicken Enchiladas (made with Tuesdays leftovers)

Thursday - Sausage & Veggie Jambalaya

Friday - Meatloaf (with secret veggies) & Mashed potatoes 

Saturday - Steak Sandwiches & fresh corn on the cob 

Sunday - Slow cooker Turkey Chili & homemade biscuits 

Heres the 'Pretty version' all recipes can be made from your favourites as they aren't too elaborate.
Each week i like to try something new so i will be trying to make homemade biscuits from 'Miss Kay's Duck Commander cookbook' (post coming soon) & this recipe from Pinterest for quick sausage jambalaya and substituting minute rice (minus the shrimp-my gang isn't a fan of the flavour)

Hope this helps inspire your week 'pin' your weekly meal plan here and enjoy another beautiful week!