DIY “out of the blue” care package

Stephen is the high school youth leader at our tiny church. At the moment, he only has a few girls in the group, and some of those girls left on Sunday for a week of church camp. I thought that it would be nice to surprise them with a care package! We didn’t mail it (it would be $$), so we just sent it in the van with them when they left. Stephen and I were counselors at this camp (where our love story began) and I remember that it was always fun to binge on caloric snacks with all the girls in the cabin :)

Included: (All bought at Walmart)

1. Pringles “Salt & Vinegar” chips
2. Chex Mix, Original
3. Pringles Stix in “Sugar Cookie”
4. Hostess Ding Dongs
5. NutriGrain Blueberry bars
6. Dove Milk Chocolate
7. Gatorade Cool Blue 12-pack
8. 3 packages of 3 blue kitchen spoons for . . .
9. . . . playing “Spoons” with the deck of Bicycle playing cards
10. Kleenex box
11. Sally Hansen “Hard as Nails” in Blue Flame (or Blue Me Away)
12. Journals—for the girls to write down memories, thoughts, prayers
13. Orbit Wintermint gum
14. Glow-in-the-dark bracelets
15. Jolly Rancher hard candies
16. Oreos

This idea was sparked, in part, from the Box of Sunshine I posted a couple of weeks ago!

Trinity, Michaela, Samantha: hope you girls are having a blast!

chocolate chip zucchini bread

 
If you’re looking to use up your abundant zucchini crop—this is your recipe! The word “bread” could be argued, as even Nolan calls it “Zucchini Cake.” My in-laws thought I left out the zucchini! It is scary good, especially with a steaming cup of joe :)

The zucchini is the first to be harvested in my garden, they were tiny last week, and in just a matter of days I now have eight large ones on my counter. I think I will be repeating this recipe for the rest of the summer!

Ingredients:
2  3/4 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups shredded zucchini
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, cocoa, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
In a small bowl, whisk together eggs, oil, and vanilla. Stir into the dry ingredients until just moistened.
Lastly, mix in the shredded zucchini and the chocolate chips. Transfer the mixture into two greased loaf pans.
Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.

Trust me, it’s soft and moist and delicious!!


Linking up with Andrea’s recipe club!

See my other recipes on my Pinterest board.

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favorite things July + giveaway!

It’s time again to share my favorite things of the month that I’ve picked up for under $10! 

Mossimo Racerback Tank—I bought it at Target last weekend for $8! Unfortunately, it looks like it’s sold out online. Some of the other colors look cute too though!

A while back, when I mentioned my hair gets tangly because it’s so long, a few of ya’ll recommended I buy a “Wet Brush”. I was looking at buying one online, but then I found it Target for $8.99! I’ve been using it for a little over a week, and I already love it. The bristles are so gentle, and they do the trick of getting through tangles! My scalp is much happier :)

 
Found this gem in the Target dollar bin for $1! It has a magnetic back, but I’ve got it sitting next to my computer. I jot down notes all over the house because I’m always scared I’m going to forget something important. :)

So technically this book is not under $10—it’s $11.51 on Amazon. But Kindle is only $7.99, and I’m going to give you a chance to win it for FREE! Even better. :)

Enough: 10 Things We Should Be Telling Teenage Girls by Kate Conner

I started reading this book to garner advice for the teenage girls in my life, but I didn’t realize that I would actually find words applicable to ME: nearly-a-decade-out-of-high-school ME.

Kate Conner is a blogger in her late twenties with a young daughter and two young sons. Her post on this same topic “10 Things I Want to Tell Teenage Girls” went viral with more than 2 million views in two weeks, so she turned it into a book. She addresses issues like social media, tanning beds, cigarettes, modesty, and drama. The book is sprinkled with scripture and laced with humor. But most importantly she emphasizes that every teenage girl is beautiful. And every girl is ENOUGH.

Here’s an excerpt:
”Assume everyone is doing the best they can.
Offer the benefit of the doubt.
Mind your own business.
Mind your manners.
Choose your battles.
Don’t take it so personally; eliminate defensiveness.
Evaluate.
Am I speaking to help?
Or am I speaking to feel better?
Be humble.
Be gracious.
Don’t believe everything you think.
To the extent you control your temper and your tongue, you control your life.
Wage war on jealousy; you are enough.
Refuse bitterness—stiff-arm it.
Don’t react; respond.
If you take pleasure in correcting someone, that is the time to hold your tongue.
If it pains you, that is the time to speak in love.
Don’t let your mood affect your character.
Think bigger—pray for perspective.
Practice empathy.
Love people, love people, just love people.”

To win this book, enter the Rafflecopter below. I’ll draw a winner on Saturday. Good luck!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

Linking up with Andrea and Erika!

See my June favorites

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Must live in U.S. or Canada.”

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Have a great day!

Ephraim at 6 months

 
Happy half birthday, little one!

How can he be six months already? I teared up last night when I set my 5-month-old down in bed. I will miss all the little baby stages!

6 Month Stats

Weight: 17 pounds, 11 ounces 

Length: Around 26 inches

Eating: Nursing exclusively—still every 3 hours during the day. We are about to start solid foods—rice cereal, vegetables, and fruit! 

I have to say that I’m extremely proud to have a 17 pound baby who has only ever had milk. I had a totally different experience with Nolan. Even though he started off a pound heavier at birth than E, he was a skinny guy for his first half-year of life. I was nervous that he wasn’t getting enough milk, so I started supplementing with formula at three months. He was eating rice cereal at four months, and veggies & fruit at five months. This time, I wanted to see if we could make it six months, breastfeeding exclusively (no bottles)—and we did it!!

Bedtime: He stays up a little bit with Mommy and Daddy after Nolan goes to bed, then he’s down at about 10. He is still waking up at least once. Last night it was way too many times—1 am, 2 am, 3 am—just wanted to socialize with Mommy, I guess!

Awake: Since he is staying up a bit later, I often have to wake him at 9:30 or so. He eats at 6 or 7 and goes right back to sleep. Yesterday, I had to wake him at 10:45 for church!

Naps: Naps vary from day to day. Yesterday he had three. And I still hold him most of the time in the Snugli.

Diapers: We bumped him up to a size 3 this past month. (And we’re switching from Pampers to Luv’s to save $). It seems like we were only buying size 2 for a second!

Clothes: I’m about to pull out the 9 month onesies. His 6 month shorts are still fitting nicely.

Favorites: Chewing on anything, reaching for items that I’m holding, listening to us sing, giggling at Nolan, playing in the Jumperoo. He has discovered the TV. He zoned out in front of an entire episode of Duck Dynasty the other night, then immediately closed his eyes when I laid him down in my arms. :)

Latest Tricks: Squealing, singing, blowing some raspberries. He is starting to squirm around on the floor—rolling and inching around to face the direction that he wants to. I am so not ready for him to crawl!

Happy six months, sweet Ephraim Luke. I can’t wait for the next six!

friday favorites

Here’s another round of Friday Favorites—a summary of things I’ve loved this week. :)

1. Our garden that has completely exploded! 
Our pumpkin flowers are enormous and it’s neat because they only stay open in the morning.


 
I think the zucchini will be our first harvest—and soon!


Can you spot the tiny cucumber? I’ve never had a garden like this before and I’m just amazed at how big it has gotten in just a month. Growing your own seeds is a surefire way to be in awe of God’s creation. I’m sure I’ll be talking about it every week!  :)

2. Shipping diapers to my door.
 
With both Ephraim and Nolan in my cart at the store, I don’t have room for big diaper boxes. I always do the math on Target.com to get the best deal and have it shipped to my house for free (with the Red Card)!

3. Coconut Cove Soap from Bath & Body Works
 
Bath & Body Works was having a sale last month when I got this soap online for $2.50. Coconut for me is hit or miss, but I took a chance on this scent, and I absolutely love it! So perfect for summer.

4. Hot Chocolate
 
Steve and I might be the only crazies who drink hot chocolate every night, even in the summer. What can I say? We’re addicted :)

5. Time with the boys.
   
I can’t believe my little guy will be half-a year old on Monday!

Linking up with Andrea, Erika, and Narci.

 

playdate

Last week, I got my first smart phone, and though I won’t be trading in my real cameras anytime soon, I can totally see how convenient it is to just whip out the iPhone and snap a few photos of the kids in action :)

We went for a drive to meet my friend Briana and her two sons, Coleson and Decklen for a playdate at the park.


Hammie had to go down the slide first to make sure it was okay :)
 

We had so much fun hanging out with these guys—wish we lived closer!

And a few photos from yesterday! I love seeing how Ephraim is sleeping when I wake up in the morning :)  Sleeping on his tummy is a new thing.
 
Waiting for Daddy to get home from painting ceilings all day!
 

Can’t believe it’s already Thursday!
Check back in tomorrow for my Friday favorites :)

what i wore wednesday

It’s a hot one here this week. I mean, no it’s not the 100s of Texas, but 85 is hot no matter where you go, and we don’t have air conditioning to retreat to :) In fact, we don’t even have ceiling fans in our house (it’s on Steve’s to-do list), and most of the windows do not open! In these days it’s fun to throw on a light cotton dress and call it good. How do you beat the heat?


Dress: Target Mossimo Racerback Maxi
Shoes: Crocs A-Leigh Mini Wedge
Earrings: Nickel & Suede
Sunglasses: Target (old)

   
This cute feather charm on my necklace came from my friend Kim (our MOPS leader). She gave these to all of us to get excited about next year’s upcoming theme, “Be You Bravely.”

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Linking up with Lindsey, Alison, and Shanna.