We hit the ground running after our return from our Big Sky ski trip. First it was getting all the laundry done and ski gear packed away. Then I had a doctor appointment in our old town and with the girls in tow we drove the 2+ hours that way to spend the day. I ended up getting to my appointment, dropping a sample off at Finley’s vet, eating lunch with our best buddies, and then visiting our old co-op for lunch. The girls got to surprise their old friends, as did I, and we had the best time catching up with our old co-op crew. I may or may not have teared up upon arrival. I miss getting to see and chat with that group weekly!
One of my co-op friends makes the most decadent whipped tallow and she gifted me a container of her whipped lavender body tallow. I’ve been using it on my dry hands and elbows. It feels luxurious and the ingredients are so pure. You can check it out here.
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Back on the farm (can I call my home that? I kind of like it…), spring temperatures are starting to emerge and it has us all excited about projects. I’m in the midst of filling up my garden with alternating layers of brown and green matter before adding soil and switching out the girls’ flannel sheets for their cotton spring sheets. Hailey and I visited a local plant shop to get her a plant and macramé hanger for her room and now she wants plants everywhere. We also planted an apple tree and a plum tree and are crossing our fingers they make it.
David got approval for the chicken coop from our HOA and installed beadboard in the laundry room to soon be painted and hooks added while I await the quote for wallpaper for the powder and laundry room. This is what I pictured during all those months of transition- getting to settle into our home and personalize it. I’m having a lot of fun with it!
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This past weekend my friend, Janna, came to visit with her two youngest kids and it was so wonderful- and not just because she brought me a dozen of gorgeous eggs from her chickens. I like picking her brain about home decor because she has one of my favorite cozy homes that when you walk into it you feel like, ahh, as it is so reflective of her family and feels so welcoming. I’m really wanting to build that energy in our home and am slowly becoming braver with the idea of color and putting holes in the wall.
We hiked, the kids played in the river, and we chatted about all the things. We strolled TR’s craft fair and had lunch at Coastal Crust. I tried to convince her to move here, so fingers crossed. 
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We started our third term in co-op last week, which means my lead teaching stint is behind me. I’m grateful for that! The stress I put on myself for lesson planning and class prep was a lot. I love teaching my kids, but realized I do not like the pressure and responsibility of teaching a class, even when the kids themselves are great (and they are really great kids- smart, kind, and respectful).
We also put on a Shakespeare play (Julius Caesar). The kids thrived in the excitement of the production, but it was a lot of work for the theater committee (which I was on) and while it was thrilling to watch the kids rock the performances, I’m also grateful that the extended days and practices are complete.
With moving, I said yes to a lot of things in hopes of having us plug right into community. Have long time readers realized I have no chill? I just jump right in! As a result, I realize I might have slightly overcommitted us – co-op, theater, piano, soccer, softball, youth group, etc. It’s all good stuff; it’s just a lot. We’ll ride it out through the spring, then reevaluate and prioritize before signing up for fall commitments.
On the “healthy living blog” front- David finally got his blood drawn for Function Health and I’m eagerly awaiting the results. I find myself drinking less evening tea as it begins to warm up and more sleep well mocktails. My red light face mask has become a staple in my evening routine. I keep saying I want to add more intentional stretching or yoga to my days but have yet to do so. With Finley’s morning walk and the afternoons being so pretty, I find myself hiking 2-3 miles a day and I love that it’s become such an ingrained part of my routine.
I’m splitting half a cow with a neighbor, and once we make sense of how to order the cuts we want, I’m looking forward to stock the freezer with local meat. David and I have been doing Madeline’s 30 minute workouts instead of the 60 minute versions and I like it. I feel like we’d cut corners on the 60 minute version, but it’s easier to focus and pick higher weights when it’s only 30 minutes. Oh! We also got mirrors installed in the workout room and it opens up the room so much. After working out in our crawlspace for 4 years, all that natural light just thrills me!
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Dinners have been simple lately. David and I are on a kick of maximizing produce, protein, and fats and our schedule has been full, so dinners have largely been straight forward. Not to be confused with not tasty; just simple, like protein, veggie, complex carb. Throw it all in a bowl (these dinner bowls– the best) and you have a deeelicious dinner IMO.
Recently I made baked sweet potatoes, ribeye steaks, and roasted broccoli. I topped it off with fresh thyme and some of my favorite steak sauce (that I almost like more on veggies than steak). (If not near a Whole Foods, it also comes as part of this variety three pack).
Last night I made breaded, baked crispy chicken tenders using this recipe. I really liked them! I have a few alterations I want to try, but will definitely make them again. Easy and delicious. We ate them on salad with buffalo and ranch.
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And that about sums up our transition of easing from winter into spring! I can’t believe we’re mid-March. I totally missed that today is St. Patrick’s Day and didn’t do a thing for the kids. Usually I try to make a green food or have a little surprise. Whoops. Instead maybe I just won’t remind them so I can pinch them when they get dressed for the day and aren’t wearing green Have a fabulous, and hopefully lucky 
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