A FEW THINGS I'VE NEGLECTED TO SHARE WITH YOU...

There have been a few things that I've neglected to share with you the last 5 months.  I've had the best intentions.  Promise.  I've even taken the pictures fully intending to share them with you.  

Mark Bittman's Roasted Chicken, Baked Pureed Parsnips & Lemon Broccolini

I can't always get my act together to post them.  Life intervenes....in good ways.  We have been making good choices in our lives. Spending time with family...

Birthday parties....

My sweet niece....cancer free!  \0/

I love these kids!

Local grass-fed beef

and my hubby's favorite loaded mashed potatoes

There other distractions.....and it takes me forever to prepare a post for publishing.....which means you don't get to see some things that I have won.
 

 
Or see goofy photos of me wearing the things that I've won...
 

 
And then there's the house hunting...
 

We didn't think we wanted to be home-owners again. We really didn't.

 
We liked the idea of "loose feet" and the freedom to travel and enjoy life. We liked the idea of a landlord to worry about the repairs.

No lawns to mow.  Of course, the neverending Louisiana heat and humidity might have had something to do with that particular complaint...

After being here for the last 5 months, we need to spread our wings. Things are getting a little cramped. We want to entertain.  It's cheaper to buy than to rent.  Rent is so expensive.

I've done pretty well with a two burner hot plate and a toaster oven; but I want a kitchen.  I need to cook....really cook.

my sandwich of love

 And have friends and family over for more impromptu jam sessions....

And turn up the music....

And share some laughs...

And future "stars" get the spotlight...

I truly don't know how you all blog so consistently. You are my heroes.

Banana Raisin Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce

So to catch you up and so that I don't feel like I'm so far behind on blogging, I thought I would just post some random things that I've neglected to tell you about.  Like our daytrip adventures....

And the Winter Carnival...

Where there was ski joring...

And ski jumping....

And then there were things like this to warm us up when it was cold and snowing outside...

Jalapeno Potato Corn Chowder with Bacon, Cheese and Chives

All made from as many local and/or organic sources that I can find.  All made with as few packaged/processed ingredients as I have been able to get away with.  

Black Bean Burgers.  Yum.

It hasn't been perfect, by any means.  It's all about making little choices to eat healthier than I have in the past.  It's all about making good choices on the portion sizes.  

Whole Wheat Pearled Couscous Salad

 There have been potential snowball fights...

He didn't.....but he wanted to.  I could tell.

And lots of coffee....

And lots of "picture taking"....

Of stuff like this...

And this...

Who is forever taking photos of me....

Which I mostly delete...because I can...and because he should be taking photos of her instead...

grandchildren are amazing!

So it's all about making good choices.  It's all about enjoying family and friends.  It's about music and laughter and love.  It's about slowing down and taking notice of the things around us.  It's about taking time to stop and smell the roses...or daisies....or whatever is in season.

And I think we're doing a pretty good job...

How about you?

If you've stuck with me through this blog post, you deserve an award for patience.  It has been awhile since I've linked up with Cate at Moments of Whimsy for her Project 2011.  It's not that I haven't been trying to meet my goals; but, as you can see, I've found it hard to blog about them.  Maybe I will find some time to link up consistently.....or maybe not.  Either way, no worries!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Have a beautiful day!