As of late...

It's been a really long time since I've posted anything to this blog and there's a reason. I feel like I'm finally able to post this after really thinking and reflecting. So often we are told to not air "dirty laundry" and whatever you post about yourself should be your best self, well I'm going to have to call that out. Are we really supposed to handle everything internally?

For years I had a group of girl friends that from the surface seemed to be really close, as I got older and lets just say it, "shit got real" I started to realize I was kept around more to have a good time than anything else. This past year and a half has been one of the hardest years that I've faced as an adult.Though they wouldn't know that. I think people are complacent with the Facebook side of my family and any disruption seems to throw off that picture they have. Most of these friends don't know what is or has been going on. Some do, but aren't around. And yes I say that it is more surface level but I can't really fault them, we are all dealing with something, right? But I feel like as I get older I need more depth. When I have had friends going through tough times I would reach out and ask to hang out with them, take them to happy hour, or just be there for them. I can say that the same hasn't happened on my end.

Most days I am just trying to live life on the surface, not thinking about the gargantuan elephant in my house, that has been slowly growing for the past 5 years and if you do the math, half my marriage has been closer to surface level. Maybe it was a age thing, maybe the two of us have actually changed THAT much, but what I can say is this seems like a lot longer than a "dry spell." Whatever the case things could be a lot better. And the hardest part for me is that I don't have my friends surrounding me and lifting me up.

I don't write all of this to say, poor me and to play the victim, because I can assure you I can push through on my own strong, however it has been brought to my attention several times that I come across stronger than I probably am. I don't want to completely give the vibe that I don't need a tribe or village to help me through, most days this is true... But there are times where I need someone in my corner or to treat me like Savannah the hurting friend who just needs an ear and shoulder to cry on, and not Savannah the wife, mom, sister, lending ear etc. I don't always feel strong enough to push through and won't I usually ask for help based on past experiences. Luckily, I am Savannah the Mom, and that keeps me realistic, rational, and helps me keep a more positive attitude.

At the end of the day adulting is hard. I have faith that I will find my tribe, those like me, for now Keep Calm, Stay Strong and Push Through.

Garden Update

Happy June! It's been about a month since we planted MOST of the Garden. I was out there this weekend and things are growing the kid's planter boxes are up. Some things are growing better than others. I never put too much thought into the best way to grow things, I might look something up here or there but I like the learning process. My garden is always  trial and error.

The Kid's planters. They need some work still but these are their responsibility. Watering, weeding  and gathering the food. 

Lettuce! We always have soooo much we are always giving it away.

Zucchini. We have about five plants. There are a few tomato plants mixed in that have popped up from our composting. They are being transplanted to another spot. 

Cucumbers have popped up. I hope they do better this year with a new location in the garden. 

Cilantro! This is another over abundant plant we get every year. I guess I need to start looking up homemade salsa recipes. 

Sugar peas. They are not my favorite but my family loves them.

We have one lonely brussels sprout plant. 

I'll be able to decorate with my own corn this year!

We have a few cherries on our baby cherry tree.

We also have quite a few apples on our baby apple tree.

Jayden next to our asparagus that has taken off and it over 6 feet now! I couldn't fit the top in the picture. 

Stay tuned as the Garden grows.

Five Things Friday: May Wrap Up

It's been a while since I've posted... life has been a bit busy and stressful the past month, and if I'm honest few years. I am aware that things could be better/ worse etc. But this is my life at the moment. There have been some great things and some lows. Good news or bad news?

Learning to Breathe

If I pinpoint anything that I've been able to do this past month is just breathe. At the end of the day that is all you can do. Giving yourself space from people and things is sometimes what you need. I am by nature anxious. I plan, I set goals and I like control. Feeling out of control freaks me out. I am learning that there are parts of my life that I can only plan out a month/ week/ day in advance. So I am learning to just be, and breathe.

*Image from minimalbackground.com

Making the Team

Most people on my Facebook know that my daughter has been in Gymnastics for the past few years and we found out this month that she made team! Which is crazy exciting for her as well as her dad and me. Super exciting news with a super price tag. We are looking for ways to make this work in our already super tight budget. Where there is a will there is a way! Here we go! Jumping both feet in!

Daelyn Showing her excitement!

Rejoining the Workforce

I have been a stay at home mom for the past 10 years. I have recently accepted a position at my daughters preschool. I will be teaching little 3-5 year olds this is both exciting and scary. I've taught dance and have a human development degree however this will be my first experience teaching. I will be switching things up and instead of volunteering and PTA-ing (yes, it's a verb) I will be joining the rest of the adult world and working three half days.

*Image from Shaddyoak.net

CamBoo

Speaking of Preschool, Camryn has completed her last year of Pre-school and when she returns to school in the Fall she will be a big Kindergartner and also starting her journey to learn Spanish like her older sisters. I can't believe that she is actually old enough to be in school full time! Unlike my very shy 9 and almost 7 year old Camryn is vivacious and spunky. Her teachers may have my number on speed dial!

Camryn and her teachers on the last day of school. 

Summer Shopping

Twice a year we go shopping for my children's clothes and shoes. Fall (Whenever the Nordstrom anniversary sale is held usually July) is for school clothes for the next year, long sleeves, pants, boots etc. Spring/ Summer shopping is not as big as fall shopping but the kids will usually get a couple pair of shorts, skirts and shirts, with a summer dress or two.

Another summer staple are KEEN sandals for the kids. They are so cute they keep the kid's feet safe and they don't smell after a full sweaty day in the sun! My little Edison was NOT feeling any of the more masculine colors but wanted hot pink sandals. After not having his size he landed on a cool coral color that matches his sisters. I love them. He loves them. So what if they are a "Girl Color" right now they are a "Boy Color" because a boy is wearing them.

These little love shopping! 

Recipe: Roasted Asparagus and Mushroom Linguine with bacon

I posted this picture to Facebook a couple of weeks ago and forgot to document the step by step process... When I got the opportunity to make it again I figured it would be a good recipe to post.

I have made this a few times now and it's been a hit! Roasted Asparagus and Mushroom Linguine with Bacon.

My phone was full so I wasn't able to show pictures before I roasted the veggies.

First I cut up the veggies, the asparagus and mushrooms. I chop the the bottom inch and half to two inches off the bottom of the asparagus and toss out (generally speaking it's tough to chew) the mushrooms I cut in half and then chop into five pieces (They were HUGE mushrooms). I put a little olive oil on a baking sheet and toss the veggies on. I season with a little sea salt and course pepper.




My roasted veggies. I put in the oven for about 30 mins on 425 degrees. Then I chop the bacon into half inch pieces. I use about 1/2 package of low sodium bacon.



While the veggies are roasting I make my bacon.



Once the bacon is done I pull it out of the skillet. I pull out the bacon I pour all but about 1-2 table spoons out of the skillet. * Those veggies got thrown back into the skillet before I poured out the excess bacon grease so just ignore those.

I start the water for my noodles. I use fresh noodles so they only take a minute or two to cook, make sure to add salt to your boiling water before adding the noodles to the pot.

Next I put my roasted veggies in the skillet to crisp up a little while my noodles finish cooking. I also add garlic (chopped or pressed) and onion powder (again if you like onions use fresh)



I finish by adding the noodles, some pasta water and bacon to the skillet and toss it a few times with some fresh Parmesan cheese.

Ta da! So yummy! 

Recipe:

2 packages of the fresh linguine pasta (found in the refrigerated section)

1/2 package of low sodium bacon (or more if you are a bacon lover or want to indulge!)

Asparagus and Mushrooms whatever amount you want 

2-3 Cloves of Garlic

About 1/2 cup of fresh Parmesan cheese

Seasonings:

Sea Salt

Onion powder (Fresh onion works)

Black Pepper

*Again, I don't measure seasonings. Put some in and taste, if it needs a little more add it. Don't be afraid to flavor! 

My husband hosted a Sibling dinner (there are Nine including him, four showed up) I made this for them thinking there would be leftovers and there was a tiny bowl I had for lunch. Everyone seemed to enjoy it.

We also had salad and had Brownies for dessert. I'm not a baker the brownies are from a box. 

Also...If you haven't tried the Fresh Garden's Crispy Jalapenos on your salad you are missing out! We put them on our salads and also burgers! So tasty!