everyday Ann

living the ordinary seeing the extraordinary

Outdoor Living

The heat and sunshine has me wanting to slow down from all the busyness this summer has brought and just enjoy the warm air, the long days and the carefree moments before they slip away. I am dreaming up some outdoor living spaces to add to my honey-do list.

I am looking to make our two tier deck a little more inviting with a relaxing space, plus some shade. Thinking a pergola for the second tier of our deck with some Edison lights strung around it would do the trick.

Last summer our fire pit was taken out when we redid some of our yard and it has left me missing campfires with my family, making smores and conversations had.

While pinteresting away for pergola plans and fire pit ideas I also came across some eye envy backyard spaces.

 

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Lake Life

Finally feeling a bit more settled after returning from a wonderful five day vacay at the lake last week. Trying to settle into normal bedtimes and routine after late nights, early mornings and constant play.

Spending time at the lake has been a family tradition every summer since I was young and now I love sharing in it with my little ones, although sometimes it isn’t quite as relaxing as years ago. We had to miss last year’s gathering because I was pregnant with Caden and my doctor didn’t want me making the seven hour trek. So this year Kolbe and Ethan were extra excited and had been counting down for at least a month. They couldn’t wait to see their cousins and be on the water.

In addition to catching fish the kids also all swam like fish! Even Caden insisted on being in the water after I dipped his legs in. Grace was brave breaking out of her comfort zone riding on the jet ski, tubing and kayaking with mom. We even survived the drive after a slow start stopping every 30 minutes for potty breaks with a newly potty-trained toddler.

Sharing a few pictures of our fun!

Yogurt Cones

A simple, patriotic and healthy snack while celebrating the 4th of July holiday. A sweet treat without the extra sugar that ice cream brings. Plus, an easy way to sneak in some fruit and protein. The kids love the idea of eating out of a waffle cone even if there isn’t ice cream inside of it.

Ingredients

Blueberries
Strawberries sliced
Vanilla Greek Yogurt
Waffle Cones

Recipe

Drop a few blueberries into the bottom of the waffle cone and spoon some yogurt over it. Continue to layer with blueberries and yogurt finishing with sliced strawberries and a few blueberries on top.

Have a great 4th of July!!

Walking Billboards

I am realizing more and more that every time I am out in public with the kids people are watching us and observing our actions. Commenting on our family size, the kids behavior or cuteness, my look of joy or exhaustion. Whether we want to be or not we are billboards advertising motherhood and family life, and I have to ask myself what kind of message am I sending? Over at Catholic Mom today sharing my reflections.

Dining Room Update

In our ten years of marriage we have never purchased a dining room set. During our apartment living we used a cardtable. When we bought our house we received a hand me down table that Aaron refinished. We rummaged his parents attic for some mismatched chairs to go with it that I painted.

Last year a friend had some chairs they were looking to get rid of. I wasn’t sure how they would match with our table, but once assembled loved the brightness they brought to the room. Once I saw how the chairs lightened everything up I decided to trade in the brown curtains for some off-white ones (waiting for the day they get covered with spaghetti sauce).

It’s amazing by how just changing out the chairs and curtains the room really transformed and seems a lot brighter, cheerier and bigger. I decided the room wouldn’t be complete without a new piece of art work. Absolutely love the quote from St. Teresa of Calcutta.

Before:

After:

Before:

After: