I did what I set out to do and made it through the week. Staying busy really helped and even though both David and I teared up last night as we talk about her, we are doing OK. The sweet memories are winning. So without wanting to drag it out on here, this is the last time I’ll say it, but thank you so much for everything. To stay focused on the good, I wanted to share the things that have been making me smile this week, so here is a little of what I’m loving lately. Other loving lately posts can be found here.
The kindness of others. Oh snap, it wasn’t the last time I mentioned it, but I promise this is. The support I’ve received from your comments, friends and family has just blown me away. <3
Quotes. Is anyone else a quote or meme junkie? I sure am. They are like virtual, friendly high-fives that scream me too friend! This one pretty much sums up this past week for me:
And this one slays me because any mom of two or more has to be nodding along enthusiastically. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to divide duties between the ‘number’ button and the ‘door close’ button.
Simple, Juicy Chicken Breasts. Well that’s a weird one huh? But seriously. Last night I had chicken left, but for the life of me I could not remember what I had planned to make with it after accidentally tossing out my meal plan. So I pounded it until even, seasoned with salt and pepper, seared both sides in a little oil, then stuck the whole pan in the oven at 350 for 30 minutes. I didn’t expect much, but y’all- SO juicy and delicious. What the heck?!
I know this can’t be a new method, but why have I never done this before? If you eat dry chicken more often that you’d like, try this. I even took a stellar picture to commemorate it.
Seriously delicious.
Boogie Boards. Hailey received this Boogie Board for her 4th birthday and it has been a favorite traveling companion ever since. You can write and draw all over it, then hit the button and it clears the screen. Hailey takes it in the car with her and draws pictures, maps and words all over it.
She recently did this one on her own since she knows how to spell Hailey, mom and dad by herself, and was so proud that I had to snap a picture. The four shapes at the bottom are our beds, so we’d have somewhere to sleep she explained to me while giving me the ‘duh’ look.
Burn Boot Camp. Always, right? It was a challenging week, as two trainers-in-training were visiting our location and the workouts were intense. Still, my MOM came with me and killed it. I was genuinely impressed.
I had a question about their locations and yes, they are expanding beyond the Charlotte area! They are currently in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida and Wisconsin. You can check and see if one is near you here. Also I heard that a location is close to opening in Marietta, GA- my old stomping grounds!
New Kitchen Accessories. I recently bought this banana tree and this microfiber dish drying mat. Before now I just spread out dish towels to dry things on and though “life changing” may be a little bit of a stretch, the mat does basically suck all the water droplets out of a wine glass, leaving it completely streak-free, so… yes, maybe life-changing does apply.
It convinced my mom to buy one after she saw it, so…. there’s that.
Play around the house. Speaking of my mom, she came to visit for a couple days this week, which was just what I needed. One afternoon we did nothing but play with couch cushions. I sometimes wonder if I keep us too busy, so seeing how much fun it is to just hang around the house and play is awesome. The current ‘make-believe’ favorite around here is role reversal, where Hailey is mom and I am Hailey.
She really enjoys this, but I think I secretly enjoy playing her more. “Mom, may I please have some water? Tell me a story? Cover me up? Sing me a song? What we doing tomorrow?” … ahh sweet revenge.
Dad Making Dinner. I had a night I just couldn’t do it. I was curled (hiding?) on the couch wondering aloud why children insist on eating so many times a day and if feeding them dinner was really necessary. (I kid… I kid…) I guess I whined enough because David swooped in to make dinner and I was pretty impressed by his selection.
Wagon wheel pasta with a marinara dipper. I totally had the broccoli already steamed and ready to go in the fridge. I’m not sure a veggie would have ended up on their plates otherwise, but heck, I didn’t have to make it, so winning.
That about wraps it up, but I’d love for you to play along in the comments and tell me what you are loving lately!
A new recipe? A new purchase? A new movie or book? Or heck, a new way to decrease the amount of laundry that piles up each week? If you’ve discovered that one, you better share! 😉
Have a great weekend friends!
Kate says
Laudry tips would be welcome here as well. 😉
I’m currently loving my new French Press for work, pre-baked banana bread in the freezer for a quick and healthy way to curb my sweet tooth, and red lipstick!
Have a great weekend!
Brittany Dixon says
I’ve been so tempted by a French Press. I know it makes great coffee and I think it would just make me feel fancy- ha 😉
Tanya says
I LOVE when Alex makes dinner too! I don’t care what it is. In fact that was all I asked for for Valentines Day this year. For him to make me dinner. I just want a break.
We have been thinking about you guys all week. I’m glad your mom was able to be there to help ease you guys into this week without Koda. I’m so sorry for your loss!
sherry says
I’m loving Burt Bee’s almond and vanilla hand cream. Just got it yesterday but already can tell a difference in the dryness of my hands!
Pam says
Your solution to the “I forgot what I had planned for dinner” problem, which happens to all of us embarrassingly often? This app ——–> PEPPERPLATE
I just found it last week and it has changed my life!
Brittany Dixon says
Totally clicking over to check it out- thanks! Though it would also help if I just wrote it down in my planner ha!
Karen says
Husbands are great when they see us wives just cant find it in us and they just jump right in.
You and I seem to have quite the same helpful type….lately I have no idea what I would have done without mine also.
Have a good weekend;-)
Brittany Dixon says
Aw, love hearing that you have such a good one too <3 Have a great weekend! 🙂
Elizabeth says
Hi! This week I felt overburdened by having to feed my kids. It’s exhausting!.. Yesterday when I was home with them I made them all of their food (bfast, lunch, dinner, snack, dessert) and it seemed like I was cooking and cleaning all day. I’ve decided that I’m giving myself a break & heading to the freezer aisle for fish sticks or something! I also need to do a better job planning. I just hate to have everything so scheduled, I like to be spontaneous.
What am I loving lately? Showering at night. Yes, it’s extremely exciting! ha. Seriously, I’ve felt more together by showering at night because I can more easily style my hair in the morning. This week I also did laundry every other day and feel like it’s more under control.
Have you tried Black Box Wine? The Cabernet Savignon is usually out of stock in our Publix, so I decided it must be worth trying. I picked it up the next time I saw it on the shelf & it wasn’t bad : )
Have a great weekend!!!
Brittany Dixon says
I have not tried black box wine but will definitely keep an eye out for it now! And yes to the excessive feeding of kids- ha! I’m usually ok with it but this week I’m just drained. Dinner tonight for the was applesauce, apples, peanut butter and breadsticks (pizza dough I was too lazy to turn into actual pizza so I just baked it- ha!). Hope you have a great weekend!
Kathy says
Love the ROLL REVERSAL comment!! 🙂 Sweet revenge is right!! Ha! 🙂 I don’t know how ethical it is to share another bloggers recipe here but I just tried this amazing shake recipe and that is what I am loving now. http://happyhealthymama.com/2016/02/sweet-potato-chocolate-shake.html
Have a great weekend!!
Brittany Dixon says
Totally ethical!! Clicking over now to check it out- thanks! 🙂
christina says
how you cooked your chicken is how i sometimes cook my steaks! so good.
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
Your couch cushion fort is AWESOME!!!! I hope you have a low-key, relaxing weekend planned ahead for you.
Things I’m loving lately? First, second, and third dates with the boy. 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
First, second AND third dates?! Sounds like good stuff- yay! 🙂
Tracy says
I’m loving no school today or Monday for my kids!!!! Yay!
Oh word…the laundry in my house!! Gahhhh!
Would it be rude to ask how old your mom is? She and your dad both seem so young! They seem too young to be your parents! I was thinking they might like to hear this comment!! 😉
Have a great weekend! 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
If only I could tag them in this comment and make their days! I’ll screen shot it and send it to them. Then she can answer if she wants to 😉
Ashley says
Our lives are seriously parallel. We are currently en route to Nashville – and Emily is busily drawing a “map” on her Boogie Board. It’s a road trip and restaurant favorite. She’s also super into role reversal – and I’m always “big sister” and LOVE playing all her own tricks on her. Oh – and I’ve got TWO of those drying racks because I love them so much.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh my gosh, ha, that is seriously kinda crazy. Especially because Kaitlyn was almost an Emily- love that name 🙂
Grandma Honey says
I just ordered the drying mat and the boogie board. Thank you Brittany!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh great! Hope you love them as much as I do 🙂
Danielle says
Since we currently have no dishwasher, I’ll have to look into that drying towel!!
One nifty trick I recently learned for cooking chicken is to pan sear it, then add about a half inch of white wine, cover, and come back when it’s cooked through. I have yet to mess it up or over cook it! (Maybe this is old news, but it blew my mind)
Brittany Dixon says
Try it with wine? Don’t need to twist my arm 😉 I will definitely try that- thanks!