Sunday, September 14, 2014

Sunday Funday

Last week is still a blur of back to school activities, fall sports starting and meetings for this working mom.  This morning we woke up to fall like weather and I finally feel like I am hitting my stride!

I am hoping that this is the week I can finalize the trunk show schedule and get the website updated...I have over a 100 new products to put on the website.  So excited about our new finds and you will also find that some products will be listed as K's Finds.  Mini K is joining the Grove and has selected some items that she likes to wear and give as gifts.  I am hoping this helps with that hard to shop for tween market.  And if you know your budget, but don't know what to get just send us an email and we are happy to help you select the perfect gift, wrap it up and send it off to you!

These scented hairbrushes are one of K's favorites.  Even the tangles don't seem so bad with a fun sparkly and scented brush!  They come in Cherry Lime, Strawberry Cake and Watermelon and are $15 shipped!

For those of you that needlepoint, you know September is crunch time to send everything off to be finished before Christmas.  I finished this little pretty this week and am having it turned into a throw pillow for the sitting room.  So excited!

Coffee!  You didn't think I could survive without it did you?  If you know me you know that I am always looking for a good deal.  Shutterfly is giving away FREE coffee mugs this weekend with the code:  CHEERS.  If you don't like their standard mugs, you can use the same code and take $14.99 off the price of another mug.  I let the kids design a travel mug for their Daddy for his stocking at Christmas.

And speaking of the holidays, YES for those of you that know me, I have started my shopping!  So many of you have taken advantage of our 35% off holiday photo cards that I have been busy (and loving it!), but for those of you that haven't taken photos yet, do not fret...I have more sales planned!  So all you need to do is pick out your card design!  This card is one of my favorite new designs!  You can add rounded corners, put photos on both sides and who doesn't love a little glitter!

This blog has become my accountability to stay in touch, get things done and have some fun in the process!  I would love to hear how you do it, because I can always use some help and encouragement from my friends!

XOX

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

I wanted to pop in before my next client meeting and share an easy weeknight dinner.  This recipe was so so easy and everyone from the 4 to the 43 year old ate it and asked for more.  Weeknight dinners in our house are sometimes a source of stress so I thought I would share....no photos because it was gone!


Ingredients
6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
1/2 cup dijon mustard
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegr

Mix the marinade and place the chicken thighs in it.  Keep in fridge during the day.  Bake for 40 minutes in a 450 degree oven.

I served it with a salad and green beans.

What is your go to weeknight meal?

xoxo

Monday, September 1, 2014

Fall Back

It's September 1st!  After an almost 6 month break I am back to blogging!  Back in March I felt overwhelmed.  There just weren't enough hours in the day and by the time I sat down to write my mind was blank.

After all of this time I have missed it.  I have missed reading comments, talking about new products and reading other blogs.   I have been on instagram, but sometimes a blog is more than a picture so here I am.  A lot has changed both personally and with the Grove.  Both of my kiddos are starting at new schools, a brand new school for Mini K and a new building for C.  Mini K got braces and we are trading summer sports for fall ones with tennis and swim team coming along for the year round fun!

The Grove has changed and will be changing some more.  We will now offer non-personalized products and have been so busy with corporate and what I like to call working mom gifting.  I might need to trademark working mom gifting!  It's that luxurious 1-3 a.m. email that lists out all of the gifts they need for the next 2 months and how much they want to spend on them...the best part is we answer by 9am because this working mom household survives on Crossfit and my Keurig.

Labor Day to me always feels like a starting line.  I have spent this evening packing up my white jeans (total rule follower) and downloading our Christmas card photos.  I have spent the last few days making lists and plans for the things I want to do, write or tackle over the next month.  I love technology, but at heart I am a list girl and month by month to do lists are what keep me going.  I have given myself a goal of blogging 4 times a week and I hope you will follow along and tell your friends.

I also wanted to share a little something with you!  From today until September 15th ALL of our holiday cards are 35% off!  This is our biggest discount on photo cards so if you have your photo ready, order now and cross them off your list!  Our cards that allow you to attach your own photo are also on sale!  You can see all of the designs HERE.

This year we are offering postcards as some of our new designs.  I am hoping this allows people who cut their list down because of postage costs to be able to send to all of their friends and save money too!  My favorite postcard is this one:


I hope everyone had a great summer and I promise I won't disappear anymore!


Friday, March 7, 2014

Friday FIVE

Oh Friday!  I have been waiting on you since Monday and am so happy you finally showed up to the party.  This week's favorites are mostly from my J'Adore Vox Box and a Dove product they asked me to try a few weeks ago.  All five items have one thing in common...they are helping me survive this winter that just won't seem to go AWAY!

1.  John Frieda 3 Day Straight
I have UBER curly hair and if that wasn't enough it is super super thick.  If I dry it with a hair dryer it takes almost an hour and if I let it air dry it takes more than a day to completely dry.  I have been getting the Keratin treatments since they came out and before that I did the japanese relaxer treatments.  So when this bottle of 3 day straight arrived in my J'Adore Vox Box I thought...how good can it be?  Well let me remove my foot from my mouth, because this ROCKS!  Seriously, I sprayed my hair with about 14 sprays and blow dried it.  It took less than 30 minutes to dry and stayed super straight and FRIZZ free for the next 5 days, not 3 but 5 and that includes my daily crossfit workout and being pulled into a ponytail during showers.  What was even better was the fact that it didn't know any band lines...those tell tale signs that you have had your hair up that make you want to dry it all over again...well that might be a tad too far.  I have already purchased my second bottle and am convinced this is every working mom's dream!

2.  Boots Face Mask
This hot cold weather has been brutal on my skin.  I tried my Boots Botanics Clay mask last night, because I have had to cancel my facial 3 times due to meetings, kids schedules and snow days.  I have NEVER used a Boots product before and if they are all like this I am sold.  This mask left my skin brighter, tighter and yet it felt completely hydrated.  So happy Influenster's Vox Box program introduced me to this product as I probably wouldn't have purchased it on my own.

3.  HERSHEY'S!
I am pretty sure that every man who works for our contractor knows we keep a bowl of candy by the front door!  Since construction starts again on Monday, I am extra thankful for these pink, silver and red Hershey's kisses.  I especially like that their Valentine's Day colors match my room!  In our house silver, sparkles and chocolate are ALWAYS in style.

4. Dove Deodorant
I have to keep it real.  Influenster sent me this about a month ago and I was like, it's deodorant, does it really matter the brand?  Then I realized I had been using Secret forever.  So I tried it.  It actually feels like lotion, which of course made me panic that it wouldn't work and if you have been in these old D.C. buildings when the heat is on you know they make our August weather seem cool.  Well guess what friends....it is AMAZING!  Seriously works, feels like lotion and comes in so many scents there is most certainly one you will like!  TRY IT!.

5.  Julep Hand Creme
Have you caught on to my winter theme yet???  My current favorite if the Julep hand creme with power cell complex.  It was in my Maven box and each month I love trying out new things that I would never purchase on my own.  The best part is that Maven members get FREE shipping and 20% off on all of their other purchases!  You can get your first Maven box for FREE.  Just sign up HERE.  Their nail polish wear like shellac and come off super easy, but from their lip balms to their eye primer/concealer, everything is great quality!

It feels good to be back and looking forward to blogging rather than feeling like I failed when the day got away from me.  I plan on spending the weekend with the littles, but Mini K wants to help out in the "shop" so make sure to follow us on Instagram for new product sneak peeks!

Thursday, March 6, 2014

You Are Going To Die.....

You Are Going To Die...

That sentence really gets your attention right?  Yesterday, was of course Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent.  I found myself with a client in town, a ton of meetings and not a lot of time.  I decided I could "grab ashes" at St. Peters on capitol hill and walked in for the 12:15pm service.

The priest started his homily with:  "you are going to die....just hopefully not today."  I think I have been thinking about his homily for the last 24 hours in an almost daze.  How often to we put our faith or what is important on the back burner.  If you are a list maker like I am, how many lists do you have going at any one time?  For me it is way more than I want to admit.

In a world where having it together and being caught up is so important it is way too easy to be caught up in the ways of the world and the things of the world, rather than what is truly important.  The next now 39 days for me are more about trying to finally kick the things I don't like about myself to the curb and embrace and accept the things that truly matter.

I realize this probably sounds like the most random post for a lot of you, but with Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook you really only see one side of a person and I for one will admit, I try to put the best of whatever I am going through that day out there.  I mean how many times have you caught yourself thinking or saying "I don't really care that so and so is stuck in traffic, or went to the grocery store or the classic their kid went to the bathroom on the potty."  I admit to having cringed at those posts, but let's be honest I know I have had days where just getting through my meetings, processing orders and getting to the grocery store has seemed like an Olympic event.

I am a big believer in accountability, so I feel a need to put it out there...

For me this lenten journey is about not only taking the time for what is important, but recognizing that on some days it just won't get done; and when that happens it doesn't have to be someone's fault.  Perfection is not reality.  It's fine to try and be the best version of yourself, but when you look around and realize you don't have anyone to call when the bottom falls out, and if you have kiddos the bottom falls out at least once a week (until you have a glass of wine!), was it really worth it?  I am so so thankful for the friends that are ALWAYS there.  WHo don't laugh at me when I ask them the same question for the 20th time because they know I am struggling with my answer.  I am blessed to have so many strong Christian believers in my life who hold me accountable.  I woke up early this morning to pray and reflect.  I usually run around early in the morning and try to get a bunch of stuff done, but today it was just to reflect and you know what:  I got more done today than I have in a long long time.  The master wanted to school me on the first day of this lenten journey and I have a smile on my face as I type this and realize, he has always been there, but unlike my to do list that often leaves me feeling like I have fallen short, he finds joy when I make time for him.  The priest closed by saying God gives us 168 hours in a week and really only asks for 1.

Perspective.   It's all about your viewpoint.  Now please don't think post means I have gotten on a high horse, in fact it's just the opposite.  I realize that I need to step back and think, calm down, ironically some of the same things I tell my kids, minus the "don't you think the Disney channel has been on long enough?"  I still love my family, and my friends and my day job and of course Pineapple Grove, but the reality is that if I don't invest in myself then all of those things cannot reach their potential either.

So thank you to all of you that are friends in real life, that send me random texts, or still claim me as a friend even after you know that I am oddly addicted to nugget ice and to those of you that have supported my business, thank you for being a part of something I love.  I am truly hopeful and committed that this lenten season leads to something far more than 40 days, but a grace that I can carry with me, because who couldn't use a little more grace in their lives?


Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Snow SALE

Today might be a 2 post day so I can post a recipe later, but news this big couldn't WAIT!  EVERYTHING in our paper section is 40% off through February 18th!  Your eyes are NOT failing you-40% off!  Just enter code: ERRT4

This is the sale to stock up for spring gifts and events!

These green gift tags are one of my favorite items!  Simply personalize them with Enjoy!, Celebrate! or Just for You! and add your names and you can use them year round and just change out the ribbon depending on the event!  They also make great gifts!

This year Mini K makes her first communion and I am still deciding on invites, but these are the current favorite!

We are also going to to gift her friends with the Jesus Calling for Kids books and we are going to add a personalized bookmark with each one!

Stationery is always a good gift to pair with a gift card for graduations.  I love to give notecards personalized with the name of friends or families beach or vacation homes.  These nautical ones are my favorite!

And it may be freezing right now, but summer camp is around the corner!  Order your K.I.T. cards NOW (that's Keep In Touch) cards for your camper.  Simply personalize our calling cards with their name, address, email and phone and the end of camp information exchange is a whole lot easier.

Of course ALL of our invites and save the dates are also 40% off so maybe this is your excuse to have a party!

The sale runs through February 18th and the code is: ERRT4


Wednesday, February 5, 2014

What's For Dinner Wednesday

For the record I did NOT serve this for dinner, but we are delivering quite a few of them to friends tomorrow as our Love 'Em Up daily task.  With so many friends texting and emailing photos of snow, snow and more snow I figure you must not run out of coffee, wine and sugar.  Or maybe that's just me....

Funfetti Cookie Cakes


Ingredients
3/4 cup of butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 box funfetti cake mix, dry
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2-3 teaspoons sprinkles
1 cup white chocolate chips

Directions
Cream the butter and sugar with a mixer
Add the egg and vanilla and mix well
Add the sprinkles, cake mix, and cornstarch and mix.  The dough will be REALLY sticky.
Stir in the chocolate chips.
**Here is the important part:  wrap the dough in plastic wrap and put in the fridge overnight.**

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease your pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
We used a heart shaped pan, but any cake pan will do.
Spread the dough out and back for 25-30 minutes until the outside is golden brown.
The center will have a fudgy texture and the outside will be crisp.


We iced our as Mini K never misses a chance to use the frosting gun as she calls it.  They are now wrapped in cello with bows waiting to be delivered after school tomorrow.


Monday, February 3, 2014

Sidetracked

I have been working on the back office of the website tonight when I was interrupted by tiny footsteps. My favorite little boy had a bad dream and since little ones don't stay little forever, a snuggle and hug from Baby C wins over blogging and the site tonight!

But I will leave you with one of my spring favorites, coming to the Grove!


Wednesday, January 29, 2014

What's For Dinner Wednesday

I planned ahead and prepared this post just like I planned dinner!  By the time you are reading this I will have had my protein shake and will be on the treadmill.  This working momma NEEDS a workout!

This week I made one of my favorites, but made it kid friendly:  Chicken Spaghetti

Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter (I used light)
1 cup chopped onion
14oz chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup (I used light)
1 can cream of mushroom soup (I used light)
1 can Rotel drained (I used mild)
1/2 cup sour cream (I used light)
3 1/2 cups chopped chicken (I shredded one rotisserie chicken)
3 cups shredded monterrey jack cheese (I used reduced fat)
1 16oz box angel hair pasta (I brake the pasta in half before I cook it)

Directions
Cook pasta until al dente
Melt butter in a skillet and cook onions until they are tender
Dump broth, soup, sour cream, chicken, cheese and onions into a bowl, add onions
Drain pasta and add to bowl

Spread into a greased casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes

I serve this with raw broccoli and carrots because they are K and C's favorites and a salad for us.  Tonight Mr. G will be eating it with a salad, as I am looking forward to my protein shake and workout!  SERIOUSLY

SO that is what's for dinner.  I am thinking next week may just need to be dessert!


Monday, January 27, 2014

Monday, Is That You Already?

Seriously time SLOW DOWN.  Between work, sports schedules, house projects and workouts I am not really sure how it can already be Monday.

The littles are asleep, my tomorrow is organized and prepped, for now and I am back in my office working on the website and planning spring and summer.

If you are in the D.C. stay tuned for a clearance sale...as in $1, $5 and $10 items.  See my procrastination is your gain!

For now I am looking at pieces like this and wishing for white jeans, a crisp oxford, with a monogram of course, and a pair of flip flops.

Do you love this necklace as much as I do?

Until then it's hot tea, warm pajamas and socks and back to work!

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

What's For Dinner Wednesday

This week has been insane between client deadlines, D.C.'s total panic over snow and 3-4" that have left schools closed for days, but I was determined to post tonight.  I tucked the littles in bed, snuck out to the gym, don't worry Mr. G was home with them and now I am on the sofa, watching Nashville, typing this post on my iPad so forgive the lack of photos!

So this week's new recipe was Baked Potato Soup
I confess I was shocked at how easy this recipe was!

6 russet potatoes
3/4 bag southern style frozen hash browns
1/2 an onion, diced
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups milk, I used skim
8oz shredded cheddar cheese, I used light
Old Bay Seasoning
Salt
Pepper
Light Sour Cream

Directions
Bake the potatoes in a 350 degree oven for about an hour until they are soft.  Then peel and dice.
Place onions, potatoes, chicken broth, 2 teaspoons Old Bay and salt and pepper to taste in crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours.
Add shredded cheese, 2 cups milk, hash browns 1/2 cup light sour cream and cook another 1-2 hours on low
Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish with chopped green onions, cheese and bacon


Sunday, January 19, 2014

Friday FIVE Part 2

I know it's Sunday, but this year I am determined to get back to blogging and get ALL of my new products on the website so better late than never!

Baby C, I really need to stop calling him that, is finally feeling better.  We are going to see a specialist on Thursday to try and figure out what caused it, but for now he is happily watching hockey and singing Jingle Bells....yes in January!

SO this week's list is a combination of 2 of my favorite things:  gifting and wrapping up home projects.

1.  Puppies!
We  got 2 new puppies and they are super talented!  They sit super still, can hold flowers and can also serve up a mean punch.  They are Staffordshire and I ADORE them.  I have been wanting a pair of Staffordshire pitchers for awhile and a dear friend spotted these for me at an antique store and a trip to the UPS store later they are in my dining room!


2.  Take A Seat
I loved the shape of this bench the moment I saw it, but wanted to do something else in terms of fabric. I LOVE how it turned out and now have a pretty and functional place to sit in my master bedroom!


3.  Let there be light!
Mr. G knows I love pineapples (hello, Pineapple Grove Gifts) and found this antique majolica pineapple lamp on his travels for me.  A monogrammed shade is coming but we picked it up from having it rewired and I just love it.  There is something about lamp light in hallways and rooms that make houses feel like home to me.


4.  Take Note
January to me is the month of planning and thanking.  I know that spring is around the corner, even if the corner is big one and spring in our house is a lot of parties and gifting.  Right now we will double your order of flat or folded notes for FREE-no code needed, just enter in the TOTAL quantity you want to receive. I am in LOVE with these baseball notes for boys.  I have them for C with a 3 since he isn't playing baseball yet, but love that you can put your child's number on the back of the card.  A client just ordered them with her son's team name on the front and 14 on the back for the year and they are going to use them to give out awards, etc during the season.



5.  Sunnies
Spring is coming, but Valentine's Day and spring break will be here before you know it.  Mini K loves sunglasses and we found out this year at her eye check-up that while she has perfect vision they suggested she wear sunglasses outside because she reads so much on her kindle and ipad.  I am a BIG fan of Bonlook for glasses.  Bonlook offers prescription and nonprescription glasses at amazing prices.  Since she is my little rockstar, I ordered her the Rockstar sunnies in turquoise as part of her Valentine's Day happies.  You can take $15 off your purchase with code:  imback15 and if that isn't enough shipping is FREE.


These are my favorites for the week and I cannot wait to see what this week has in store!

Friday, January 17, 2014

Friday FIVE Part 1

It has been a long week my friends!  Some highs, so lows and one sick little boy.  It started on Wednesday with a trip to the ER and we have been back at the doctors and the hospital each day since.  This winter has been ROUGH and you will NOT hear me complain come August and our 100 degree days...sunscreen and air conditioning beat sick little ones every day and twice on 3 day weekends!  I just realized that C has been wearing red shirts ALL week, but I promise he has actually changed clothes multiple times a day...don't ask!


So my Friday 5 tonight is Baby C's 5 little fingers wrapped around mine snuggled up on the sofa hoping the meds do the trick.  Did I mention Mini K is making us watch Cloud 9...I mean all the cool kids are watching it.

I did have someone email me after they saw my Instagram feed and ask if orders will still shipping on time and I am going to have a smug working mom moment and say orders are still shipping, for the most part, within 48 hours...sleep well I can catch up on that next week right?  Feel free to send wine, magazines and miracle cures until tomorrow ladies!

XOX

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Up In The Air

I squeezed in a spring buying trip this past weekend and found some great stuff.  I returned to Baby C saying he didn't feel good and a client emergency for my day job that needed to be handled.  I won't even discuss the Little Mermaid play costume that Mini K informed me we are supposed to make.

I had plans for a blog post.  Did you read it?  Did it end up being as awesome as I thought it would be?  Oh wait, I never actually got around to writing it!

Today has been a blur of briefings, meetings and then the dreaded call:  you son needs to go to the ER and yep, that is where I went.



Baby C has a septic infection, Mr. G was of course out of town (forget Murphy's law, that's working mom law) so thankfully they let him come home after x-rays, fluids and meds.  Mr. G was able to get the last seat on what used to be a lovely US Air flight and has now become American Airlines but I won't get on my soapbox about that.

His hospital bracelet is still on because we have to go back for a check up tomorrow.  So while today is in fact What's for Dinner Wednesday, the menu was actually Gatorade by force for C and Golden Grahams with a side of scrambled eggs for Mini K.  I drank an imaginary glass of wine and then settled for a half caff coffee from the Keurig because I am still on the post oral surgery liquid/soft food diet.

I type this in case someone else is having a day or week like mom and out of gratitude that my week isn't worse.  It's life and I am determined this year to just embrace it and go with it.

So tonight's dinner will wait until tomorrow and I will post it---it is that good!

Until then, I will sit next to Baby C and hold his hand and he will join me in the luxury that is sitting in front of the tv.  Sometimes a working mom needs a sick little one to make her slow down.

Sweet dreams and Purell hands my friends!

Friday, January 10, 2014

Friday FIVE

I have 5 things I really want to post, but I also have the reality of a 6am flight to Market for our spring buy tomorrow morning and being less than 36 hours post gum graft.

I know if there anything more exciting.  So I am asking 5 of you to have a glass of wine for me tonight and I will post from the show!  Feel free to follow along on Instagram.  You can find me under Grove Gal K!

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

What's For Dinner Wednesday

Tonight was week 1 of one of my goals for 2014: try a new recipe.  A friend's husband posted a photo of some well cooked chicken on Facebook, I confess that is my fear with these weekly posts but comfort zones are so 2013!

So today I threw everything in the crockpot! turned it on to low and walked away for 7 hours and guess what?  Everyone loved it!  I confess I'm too nervous for tomorrow's dental surgery to eat anything but water but pleasing my 2 kiddos and the husband with one meal is kind of like winning the lottery.

I just realized I forgot to take a photo of the finished meal, so please forgive me.



Chicken & Dressing Casserole
Take 3-4 skinless boneless chicken breast and place in bottom of crockpot.
Cover with 1 cup of chicken broth.
Mix 1 can of Cream of Chicken and 1 can of Cream of Celery soups with 1/4 cup of milk in a separate bowl. NOTE: I just healthy request soups and skim milk.
Pour mixture over chicken
Cover with 2 1/2 cups of dressing mix.  I used Pepperidge Farm
Pour 1/2 stick of melted butter over dressing.
Cover and cook for 7 hours on low and serve.

This was a simple,easy weeknight dinner.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

New Year, New Goals



I still cannot believe it is 2014!  2013 was an amazing year and it ended in a blur of activity.  The holiday season at the Grove was our busiest yet!  As soon as I shipped the last order I picked up Mini K's birthday cake and drove straight to her birthday party.  I may have also decorated the outside of our house in the dark, been caught wrapping presents by Mini K because I pulled an all nighter, but this past Christmas was so special.  Baby C finally got Santa and Mini K was a great big sister!  As you can tell from my lack of posts, the blog came in last and honestly, I have no regrets.  I am so thankful to have spent the time with family and friends and reflecting on 2013 as I planned for this year.

Christmas came, then Mr. G's birthday 2 days later followed by Mini K's 2 days after that.  She seemed a little tired, but had been staying up late so I didn't think much of it, well were we in for a shock at her 8 year old well check-up.  Mini K had pneumonia.  Forgive my tangent, but I determined to be more thankful for the little blessings that just appear.  I had been sent a Braun Therms VoxBox to try out the new forehead scanning thermometer.  K's doctor said we needed to monitor her temperature every hour for the first 3 days they sent us home because she can spike a high fever fast.  Did I mention that ALL she wanted to do was sleep?  Well enter my little angel aka my new thermometer!  All I had to do was swipe it across her forehead ---it didn't matter if she was awake or asleep and viola, I had her temp!  The best part is you can use this thermometer on an infant, a child or even an adult.  It is now one of my MUST HAVE products and something I will be giving to new moms!


I am spending this week updating the website and getting ready for our first buying trip of 2014!  We will be launching some new custom products this year as well as adding some non-personalized gifting options in the under $25 and under $50 categories.

New Year's Resolutions have never been a big thing for me, but I am big on goals for the year.  I tend to want to achieve goals and resolutions tend to be forgotten by February!  So here are my goals for 2014:

1.  Cook one new recipe a week. (Keeping it real grilled cheese with a new kind of cheese counts!).  I will be posting these recipes on the blog of Wednesdays this year, so please check out What's for Dinner Wednesday and let me know if you do a similar post as I would love to read.

2.  Write more letters just because!  I know the cost of stamps is increasing, but I LOVED getting everyone's holiday cards in my mailbox so I am going to try to keep it up in the new year by sending the kids godparents random photos and notes of the kids.  The best part, Mini K is joining me on this...she thinks it is fun and has no clue it will help her handwriting!

3.  Entertaining.  I have spent the last 3 years either planning for a renovation, construction, unpacking from construction or decorating.  The reality is, I will always have a house project, the next one, our butler's pantry, starts in 7 weeks but we built this house so we could have space to entertain and then I let life become an obstacle rather than an avenue to entertain.  So this is year we will open our house up to family, friends and neighbors.  Let the party planning begin.

4.  Girlfriends.  I haven't decided on a cooking club, a bookclub or a pinterest party, but 2014 will also be the year I make time ( and host) and once a month girls night!

5.  Be Accountable To My Health.  I have always worked out, but not really with a plan.  I made Crossfit a priority in December and have seen HUGE improvement in my strength so I am adding nutrition in January along with running.   Two feet in casts in one year made me scared of running.  The thought of not being able to drive for 6 more weeks is terrifying to a control freak like myself.  But I ran over the holidays and realized how much I missed it.

SO there they are...if you know me feel free to call me out on any of these goals.  One of my biggest jobs as a mother is to set an attitude of CAN DO for my kids instead of EXCUSES and kids learn from examples and actions not words.