From This Front Porch: Alison

Showing posts with label Alison. Show all posts

Scenes of Summer

scenic rest

morning sun on flathead

let the sunshine in

yoyo

lake mcdonald

good morning

natures garden

sunday afternoon nap

two medicine

the harvest truly is great

our youngest and oldest

hidden lake

under the cosmos

My sweet husband gave me a new camera for my birthday, in the form of a phone.

This means I have my camera/phone with me, where-ever I go now days. This may (or may not) be the coolest thing ever to be able to capture anything(snap), anywhere(snap), anytime(snap). It may (or may not) be causing photo overload to my computer system and my brain!

So, the above pictures are some of my favorites that I've taken on my new phone so far. I have to remember to get out the big camera sometimes and use it. But this has been fun, so very fun.

Snappin' away here in Montana,

Alison

My Lot in Life

These are the glasses I picked out this time when I went in for my eye check up. I have to admit that I picked them out with my hair in mind. I thought they would accent the sprinkling of gray that resides in my hair these days. Or, better yet, draw the attention away from it.

To be honest, my lifes plans did not include turning gray at age 35. But it seems to be my lot in life, and I've decided to embrace it, along with the encouragement of my loving husband. Maybe I even feel a little bit lucky to have more and more of these shimmering silver embellishments appearing in my hair with each new year that passes. Truth is, I've always known that true beauty resides in the heart and some of the most beautiful people I have known in life wore thier crown of gray with humble dignity.

Father Time is not always a hard parent, and, though he tarries for none of his children,

he often lays his hand lightly upon those who have used him well;

making them old men and women inexorably enough,but leaving their hearts and spirits young and in full vigour.

With such people the grey head is but the impression of the old fellow's hand in giving them his blessing,

and every wrinkle but a notch in the quiet calendar of a well-spent life.

~Charles Dickens

Chocolate Update and Loaded Fruit Smoothies

I'm still here and I do have some posts coming up but they will have to wait for another day. Since I spent all my "blogging time" this morning on the post below which I posted over at the exercise blog, I just thought I would post it on my blog too. Sorry it's a little wordy...

I don't know how to put my feelings into this post this morning. But, I will do my best. When Sarah posted her new years resolutions (about eating no chocolate for the year) I immediately thought, "ridiculous". But almost as fast as I thought that, I thought. "YOU NEED TO DO THIS!" I very quickly decided to do it and I haven't looked back. It has been one of the best health decisions I have made.

When I was in college, I used to drink a daily dose of diet coke and when I got married I continued my habit. One day, my husband and I just decided to quit pop and we did. That's been nearly 14 years ago and we haven't touched pop since. In fact, when I think of drinking it, it makes me ill, just to think of it. Later we cut out all juices, opting instead for the real thing... fruit! So, I haven't had juice in the house for years other than for special occasions or an occasional package of juice boxes to send with the kids for lunch. I do let my kids have pop and juice occasionally at restaurants or at friends houses because I do want them to be able to start making their own decisions. Hopefully they will see the value of make wise decisions for their health. But I won't be surprised if they turn out just like me when they hit college and independent life ;) Everyone has to live and learn.

I don't know if it's a character flaw or benefit, but when I make a decision to do something it's all or nothing for me. It seems like if I allow myself some allowances and say... "I will just have one piece of chocolate a day", I will fail miserably. But if I say... "I will have NO chocolate", that is something I can stick too. It's a no tolerance policy! And it's working again. Thanks Sarah for putting the idea in my head.

During the holidays, when I loading up on sweets, I just felt sick. This scares me because there is Diabetes in my family and some autoimmune diseases. I was not feeling so well when I woke up in the mornings. Brain fog, lack of motivation, back pain. I'm feeling great now and it's all because I just decided to cut out chocolate. When I crave a treat or some munchies or something to drink I go through a decision process. In the past I would always choose chocolate if it was in the house. If I was in town I was always talking myself into grabbing a candy bar at the check stand or stopping to get a mocha. Now since I can't have chocolate I can much more easily talk myself out of these moments of pointless indulgence. If I can't have chocolate, what's the point of eating something that will just make me regret it later! I think cutting out chocolate is more than half the battle for me on my journey to eating healthier. I have no doubt I will be able to keep this resolution!

I haven't been exercising much lately. I hope to get back at it soon. Even without exercise I have dropped over 5 pounds in the last 2 weeks. My weight has been steadily decreasing since the first of the year and I know this will continue with my changed eating habits alone. Adding my exercising back in can only benefit me more.

I wanted to share this with you...

3/4 to 1 cup of Almond Milk
Handful of spinach
1/4 to 1/2 lemon with yellow skin cut off
2 different fruits (one frozen or both)
-banana
-apple
-orange
-berries
-plums
-cherries
-pineapple
-etc...
15 to 20 drops of stevia
1 teas flax seed oil
1 teas olive oil
1 teas flax seed
1 teas chia seed
Add ice if you don't have frozen fruit.

Combine all in a high powered blender and liquify. Enjoy!

My mom passed this along to me. Actually when she makes it, she uses 1 tablespoon of both oils and of the chia seeds and 2 tablespoons of the flax seed. I usually make if for a mid morning "snack". If you don't know about flax seed and chia seeds, click here... FLAX SEEDS/OIL or here... CHIA SEEDS

Have a great weekend everyone! Keep up the good work.
Alison

Simplify: Week 3

I have been part of a Health Club for awhile now and have really benefited from it. It was good to get up and out of the house and exercising early in the morning. It helped me in my pregnancy and it has helped my back so much.

But as Lita gets older, it's harder to leave her at the childcare provided by the Club for various reasons. So the last couple weeks I've been doing my exercising at home to some great videos. When I do them 3 to 4 times a week, I feel great and I don't feel at all like I'm loosing ground! My goal is also to get back down to my pre-baby weight! So this is just another step to simplify my life and keep things running smoothly. I know that if I stay healthy and feel good, I can better manage my household, wifely, mothering duties. I'm also getting some great motivation and support from here! Join up if you want too!

Have a great weekend!
Alison

I Have A New Boss

No longer do I get to make my own decisions and do my own thing.
I can't even think for myself anymore.
I have a new boss.
This new boss tells me when I can sleep and when I can eat.
This boss tells me how long I can spend at the grocery store and whether or not I will get to finish my last errand in town before I need to head home.
She lays around all day while I work from sun up to sun down.
Sometimes she stays up all night and expects me to stay up with her.
She gets pampered while I clean up all the messes.
Everyone talks softly and sweetly to her and she turns around and screams at me.
She demands food.
She demands sleep.
She demands undivided attention.
Sometimes she wants noise and sometimes she wants it completely quiet.
Sometimes she wants activity around her and sometimes she wants to be left alone.
And she won't tell us what she wants, we're just supposed to figure it out for ourselves.
She can be emotional and moody.
She scolds me when I eat things she doesn't think I should eat or go places that she doesn't think I should go.
She makes me drop everything I'm doing and answer her every beck and call.
And sometimes I don't get around to answering her right away, and that doesn't make her happy! Not at all!
She makes it difficult to keep up with my daily routine like showering, running kids to school, making meals, helping kids with homework, etc. because she thinks her needs are the most important.
It's funny how she just came into our house one day and took over.
She can be bossy like that, this new boss.

And she's the sweetest little thing EVER to have around, even if she is a little bossy at times.
She happens to be the best boss I've ever had with the exception of 3 other little bosses I've had over the years. *smile*

Enjoying *almost* EVERY moment with "my new boss",

Anticipation!

The kids have started counting down the days until March 5th. Randy had the idea to make a baby chain so they could tear off a link each day until the due date. So here is the chain Kyla and I made. Do you think we'll make it through all those links? It's down to 28 today! Maybe that's not enough!? We shall see...

Today, the kids and I had fun making Valentines for their classmates and teachers. We've been working on some other fun stuff around here too. Randy's been trimming the windows. Kyla's been working on a flannel rag quilt and doing her first Science Fair Project. Colter's been doing some woodworking. Maya and I have been busy nesting. I have a list called "TO DO BEFORE BABY"... wash baby clothes, reorganize kids closets, clean out fridge, wash inside windows, wash baby bedding and blankets, freeze meals, load up freezer with bread... We are slowly checking off our list!

And since today is 36 weeks here is a picture for the curious...

Expectantly Yours,

Twenty-eight Weeks!

I'm not much for bump pictures of myself but thought I should record what I look like now as I enter my last trimester. I'm feeling great and looking forward to "welcoming" our newest little one very soon. It has gone so fast this time but maybe these last couple months will seem slower. December is sure flying by so far though...

Have a wonderful weekend,

Seizing My Cookbook!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you again to Jenn over at Seizing my Day for this wonderful signed Pioneer Woman Cookbook!

I have purchased two of these cookbooks so far for gifts but had not bought one for myself. A couple times when I was in Borders I had it in my hands and then I would go put it back on the shelf. My practical side would argue that I could always look the recipes up on the PW Cooking site. But it is always nicer to have the cookbook right in your hands! And it's even more special when it's been signed by the person who created it!

So, what a surprise when I posted a comment on Jenn's blog and won! A few days later it showed up in my mailbox! I was so excited to get it and try it out. Here are some things I tried so far...

Olive Cheese Bread was on the menu one night with Shrimp in Butter/Garlic and Spinach Salad with Avocados. I've made this bread before and we really enjoyed it and thought how good it would be with crab, so this time I substituted imitation crab meat for the cheese. YUM, YUM, YUMMY!

Then one day I made the Braised Beef Brisket! It is out of this world. You must try it if you haven't!!!

Along with the brisket I made this dish. It's not in the cookbook but it was SO good so I took a picture and I'll share the recipe soon with you at Country Kitchen Recipes. It's OH SO easy...

The kids had an early out at school last Friday so we made cookies together. These are the Oatmeal Crispies (MM's favorite cookies). I didn't have pecans on hand so I substituted walnuts instead. The kids all had fun mixing and stiring...

And we all had fun eating them. I also used half the sugar that it called for and they were very good and wholesome tasting!

Other great recipes I've tried or eaten...

Pico De Gallo (Yum)
Cinnamon Rolls (Yum, Yum)
Iny's Prune Cake with Buttermilk Icing (Yum, Yum, Yummy)
MM's Favorite Sandwich (Yum, Yum, Yummy, Yum)
Macaroni and Cheese (Yum)
PW's Mashed Potatoes (Yum, Yum)
Chocolate Sheet Cake (Yum, Yum, Yummy, Yum, Yum)

Other recipes I want to try...

Huevos Hyacinth
Edna Mae's Sour Cream Pancakes
Potato-Leek Pizza
Simple, Perfect Enchiladas (TONIGHT)
Mocha Brownies
And all the rest!

You can find ALL these great recipes and SO much more right here!

Thanks again to Jenn for the cookbook and for the 4 leaf clover!

Feeling Very Lucky,

Memory Lane Monday: Senior Pictures

It's graduation time of year again. I thought I would go back 15 and 20 years and post our high school senior pictures for this weeks Memory Lane Monday post.

First, here is Randy. He graduated from high school in 1990...

And I graduated from high school in 1995...

Here is another of my Senior Pictures taken 15 years ago.

Wait a minute! This looks more like 150 years ago! What is going on here?!

Yes, this is me in a gown that dates back to the mid to late 1800's. My sister and I were working at a historic mansion as tour guides at the time. My boss gave me permission to wear this gown for some of my Senior Pictures. These pictures were also taken on the grounds of the century old mansion where we worked.

This rich, gleaming, slightly stiff material, consisted of satin-like fabric with a thin genuine gold thread woven throughout. The gold thread gave the material added weight, increased value, and a shimmering appearance in the light. It also gave it the durability to withstand the next 150 years.

This beautiful gown was donated to the mansion where I worked in hopes that it would be preserved and treasured for years to come. To this day, it is displayed as a reminder of the days when ladies wore corsets and rode in horse-drawn buggies.

And now, moving forward,

or backward,

Another senior picture of Randy from 1990...

He was quite a handsome Senior I am thinking! I really wish I would have known him back then.

Or not.

Considering that I was only finishing 7th grade at the time, he probably would have been slightly unimpressed with my giggly, immature, knock-kneed, clumsy, thirteen-year-old self.

No, it was better that we met 6 years later. Much better.

And, it's much better that I wasn't living 150 years ago when I would have had to wear a corset every day. Much much MUCH better. Although I wouldn't have minded the horse and buggy entirely...

What's around the next corner on Memory Lane?
See you next Monday!

Grab my button and take your own walk down memory lane every Monday!
(copy and paste this code)
Don't forget to leave me a comment so I can walk along with you...

52 of 52: I Made It!

Here I am* with the kids (and Randy) on the tip-top of an Island! More picture to come!

I made it! 52 Weeks of getting myself in a picture at least once every week! A BIG THANKS to Carin for the great Challenge! I know it forced me to be "in the picture" many times when I would not have thought about it. And it was great to see all you other Mom's "in the picture" too!

I have decided I will not go on with the next years challenge. I would like to focus on a different, personal weekly challenge and have found that one scheduled weekly challenge is enough for me to do above my other daily life posts. I will start that next week, hopefully... I'll need to dust off the scanner for this one!!!

hugsfromus,

and family

Hosted by Forever In Blue Jeans

*52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with your family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!

51 of 52: Montana Front Porch Giveaway!!!

What do these two pictures have to do with this giveaway?

A while back I decided to try Zazzle! I ordered these...

I thought they turned out great so I decided to use them for my 3 year blogiversary giveaway.

Giveaway #1
Ft Benton Windmill Mug with $10 Borders Gift Card

Giveaway #2
Backyard Sunflower Mug with $10 Borders Gift Card

Now you can pick out a great book or magazine at Borders, make your favorite drink and sit out on your front porch and enjoy this beautiful spring weather...

Oh wait, everything was covered in snow yesterday here in Montana... good thing these are mugs!

****************************************************

So, here's what to do:

1. Please leave a comment on this post telling me something about where you live (no specific information) for a chance to win one of the above prizes.

2. If you are a "follower" of this blog or come here regularly, please leave another comment if you wish.

3. If you mention this giveaway on your blog/other site, please leave another comment if you would like.

Any and all are welcome to comment.

I will choose the 2 winners through Random.org on Tuesday evening, April 20th and will announce the winners then.

If you are a winner, I will post my email address so you can send me your address. I will then send you your prize.

Good luck!