Awesome Aunt in training

Today my son Braxton and I are hanging out with my nephew Sloan, niece Harper and sister Rayel.

Sloan is almost 3 and Harper is just over 9 months old! All 3 kids play really well together. We’re so blessed to live closer to one of our families now – Braxton loves time with his cousins!

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I have a couple exciting projects planned for Sloan and I to complete!

This is what we’re going to make for lunch:

I discovered it on Pinterest!!

We’re also going to try our luck at a Milk Carton Bird Feeder craft. The dream would be it will look like this one:

However, the reality is our creation will be as authentic as this:

I saw an example of one at our local library! I even bought a carton of milk versus a plastic jug – with Sloan in mind!

Hope you have a tremendous day!!

Awesome Aunt in the works,

Dear Fellow Mompreneur!

It is 9:29pm on a Monday night! My 13 month old son went to bed an hour ago. I downed a chai tea latte that I made in the microwave, cleaned up some toys and just spent 20 minutes reading Facebook status updates!20120326-215845.jpg

One part of me is ready to crash, the other is giddy and excited about getting some “me” time to tackle some fabulous projects in my home office!

This internal battle, I mean discussion, is something that I’m sure you can relate with.

I usually ask myself daily the question, “Would I hire or fire myself based on my income producing activities today?” Today, I would say that I would HIRE myself!

That response should be my clear answer that I’ve done at least 1 thing to move my business forward and as a stay at home Mom (SAHM) that should be celebrated.

I am excited, however I also know I have a million things that I could be doing.

Clearly if I knew “what” I should be doing, I would already be doing it – instead of writing this note.

Back to my question about hiring or firing myself. Lots of days I would have to say fire! I embrace those days and know that my time was clearly spent better being a Mom, wife, friend, sister, daughter, you catch my drift. It would be so easy to beat myself up about not getting this and that done. However I’ve chosen to flush these negative thoughts down the toilet and keep my amazing feet moving forward!

Back to my “action step” list tonight. I’m looking for something that is EXCITING to do. Not for the biggest priority because it can wait until tomorrow in my opinion. If I’m going to stay up any longer, it’s going to be doing something that I’m passionate and pumped up about. Working on a deposit or paying a bill isn’t getting me jazzed up right now. Some nights my mood might be different – I am spontaneous and roll with my energy!

SOOO… there it is – I’m sharing with you my intimate, unedited thoughts. As a Super Mom and Domestic Goddess in Training, passionate Mompreneur and human – I AM living an amazing life. I get the choice of how to spend my time – just like you. We all have the same 24 hours in a day and can either pursue our dreams in the nooks and crannies of our full, abundant lives OR sit on our butts and complain.

If you’re having an “off” day and not getting what you think you should be doing in your home office – walk away! Turn off your computer and go be a Mom. When you’re super duper motivated – you’ll be more productive with your time. You’ll complete the project or action step more effectively.

I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. Enjoy the moment. Dream big and break down your goal into small, attainable steps. When you have 5 minutes in your day, tackle just one of those small baby steps and celebrate that you’re 1 step closer to achieving the big goal!

Congratulations on being you!

 

Hugs from another Mompreneur,

Price Comparison

I get the biggest rush going through sale flyers for grocery stores. I created a spreadsheet with the items my family buys regularly. Then when I see a “sale” in a store or flyer, I know whether it’s a good deal or not.

I first got the idea from my friend Sarah Deveau’s book Money Smart Mom! It took a bit for the idea to grow on me, as I used to make fun of my Mom for being a “Coupon Queen” when I was growing up! I vividly recall my Mom giving me a coupon for admission when going on a date in high school, in front of the guy.

Now I’ve got over myself and become a domestic goddess in training! In November, before I did a big cook (froze a bunch of meals), I went to a different store than usual just to buy 2 boxes of chicken breasts on sale.

Often when I go to the store I have a copy of my most updated grocery list with me. You can find me jotting down notes – new items, revisions, etc, in the margins. Then when I get a chance, I’ll update my spreadsheet, print off my newly updated document and put it in my purse for my next grocery shopping date!

I don’t prefer to shop for groceries at Wal Mart, but if I can spend part of my grocery budget there and have more to spend on other budgets, I will!

Want to make your own? DOWNLOAD my Excel spreadsheet, so you have something to start from OR create your own (Type A personalities)!!

*Please note the prices found in the image are based on my own observation! As the creator of my Grocery Price Comparison document, I assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor do they represent or warrant that the information contained herein is in all cases true, accurate, appropriate, or legal.

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About a year ago, I decided that becoming budget savvy needed to become my middle name.

Why do I go out of my way to save on groceries? So I can justify having a house cleaner, pedicures, and nice clothes! As an example, say a house cleaner costs $60 every 2 weeks ($20/hr for 3 hrs) to clean bathrooms, floors, and dust. If I can save $30 on groceries and chose to eat at home more instead of dining out, saving another $30 – then I’ve paid for a house cleaner!! To me, having a house cleaner is living an amazing life. I justify delegating the house chores I don’t prefer, by extra time doing income producing activities.

The best part of life is that you get a choice, of how to spend your time and money. You can save in places, to spend in others. Everyone’s motivation is unique to them.

What do you do, to save money?

Stay Amazing,

Progressive Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite annual holidays to spend time with family and friends. I have many fond memories of spending it at my Grandma’s. This year my family of 3 decided to spend the day at home by ourselves.

Chef Beazley and I took turns in the kitchen creating our Progressive Thanksgiving dinner. Here are pictures from our feast!

Course #1: Butternut Squash Tomato soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons!!! Oh and every celebration deserves champagne.

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Course #2: Pumpkin Cheesecake

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Braxton loves solid food!

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Course #3: Chicken Fried Steak with white gravy, Green Bean Casserole and loaded Mashed Potatoes.

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Course #4: More Pumpkin Cheesecake…

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What delicious dishes did you enjoy for Thanksgiving?

It’s fabulous that I’m back to my 30 Day Challenge this week, as I really splurged on Monday!!

Stay Amazing,

Ta Da!

I have officially decorated my first cake! I was looking for inspiration the other day in my post Cake Goddess in Training.

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Raspberry Lemon Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Icing

I debuted my finished product to John yesterday morning and he loved it.

Then he commented, “oh you didn’t put any lemon peel on top”

“No, I didn’t!” rolling my eyes

As John walked out the door he commented, “do you think any other couples debate over whether a cake should have a zest of lemon on the topping?”

We both laughed!

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So seriously, I’m curious to know if you and your partner have discussions like ours? Maybe we’re just strange!

I would LOVE your opinion – if you agree with John and his lemon garnish, we’re friends off – just joking!!

 

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(polls)
I’m off to enjoy a slice…

Cake Goddess in Training

One of our favorite TV shows lately has been Chef Ramsey’s MasterChef. Last week the competitors had to make a 6 layer sponge cake!

John’s Birthday is in a week and I was secretly planning to make him a cake for this special day. Well – he beat me to the punch! Chef Beazley got creative in the kitchen this week and made a sponge cake with lemon rinds!

He cut the cake in 2 pieces and then left to work for a couple days. Before he departed, he informed me that he “left the cook book open to the page with the lemon cream cheese icing”.

So here I am – looking for the domestic goddess angels to surprise me with their presence! I’m going to rock this cake – I keep telling myself.

I picked up a package of fresh raspberries to use between the 2 cake layers and garnish. If I’m going to do this – I’m going to do it amazing. Always striving to Surprise & Delight! Wish me luck…

Enjoy the summer heat,

Turquoise & Lime Green

I’ve been working on Braxton’s room…

Inspiration has come from the colors turquoise & lime green. John saw what I was creating and asked what the “theme” was. I was a bit puzzled and stumbling over my words came up with western, Texas and agriculture inspired!

My real motivation came from my awesome friend Jill. She showed me pictures of her baby’s nursery when she came to visit Braxton & I!

Check out pictures of Baby H’s room, it was featured on our friend Crystal.Cattle’s blog as part of her famous Turquoise Thursday series.

I look forward to giving you a video tour of Braxton’s room when it’s done!

Hope you’re having an amazing day.

Live Inspired,

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