What I’m Loving- Edition 1

I love finding new ideas from friends and bloggers online. Things that they have used and loved.  Things that bless their families or make life a little easier. Things that they know to be worth time and money. I really have been blessed by these great ideas.

In this spirit of giving and sharing, I plan to periodically share  things that are serving our home well, foods that have been especially tasty, reads that are funny or encouraging, what is helping my kids– basically whatever I’m currently loving. 

And just for full disclosure, there may be a few things that are affiliate links. This just means that I’m sharing something that I really do think is great, and that if you make a purchase through the link, I earn a little bit back. No extra cost to you, and just a little help for me to pay for the workings of this blog.

Here’s to sharing new ideas and learning from each other!

What I’m Loving…

For my kids:

1. Crayola Dry Erase Activity Center. These boards were actually recommended by another blogger and I immediately ordered two from Amazon (they are just $10!). They have been so awesome to use when we are doing homeschool. I love that they have several interchangeable sheets that the boys can use to practice writing, counting, and just drawing. Truly, they are one of the biggest helps to this newbie homeschooling mama.

2. Classic Starts series children’s book. I have been reading these abridged classic books to the kids before nap time everyday. The boys love them and I enjoy reading them too. I mean, these stories are classics for a reason. And reading chapter books to my kids while they are laying in bed is a new (wonderful) season. So far we’ve read The Jungle Book and Peter Pan, and are halfway through The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle.

For me:

1. Infinity scarves all day, everyday. I hate being cold. Like for reals. But this winter, I am finally acting like an adult and just getting more apparel that keeps me warm. It’s pretty remarkable the effect a simple scarf can have.

2. A Gospel Primer for Christians. I’ve read this book before, but starting the year off with a refresher in the beauty and wonder of the gospel seems like a great idea. It’s an easy read and isn’t long at all. Really, it’s a book that every Christian should have on their shelves to read every so often.

3. Just got Sally Clarkson’s new book (Own Your Life) in the mail today. I am so excited to start reading it. If you’re not familiar with Sally, you should be! Visit her blog, listen to her on a couple of podcasts (here and here), and definitely check out some of her books (one of my favorites to read and reread is The Mission of Motherhood).

In our home:

1. Costco prints. We had family pictures taken this fall for the first time ever and I ordered a lot of prints from Costco. Seriously, their print quality is so good, the price is outstanding, and even the big prints are done in just an hour. Yet another reason I love Costco 😉

2. Pizza steel (similar to a stone). I don’t know how I waited so long before getting a pizza stone, but the difference is just incredible. We opted for baking steel instead of something ceramic that could break. With having pizza at least once a week, it was worth the investment.  A quick dough, whatever toppings and sauce that are on hand, and about 8 minutes in the oven. Yum.Yum.Yum.

At the Table:

1. Still enjoying these bagels. Toasted, buttered, sandwiched with eggs and cheese. Mmmmmm.

2. Hot chocolate after playing outside in the cold. Quick and easy stovetop directions: combine 1 tablespoon teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa with 1 tablespoon of pure maple syrup in a small pot. Stir in a cup and a half of milk and heat until warm. Makes two to three servings.

What about you? What are you loving right now? I would love to know!