{Congratulations, Sister}

Mad props to my baby sister for graduating from VCU over the weekend! We are so very proud of her! Sista worked hard and earned it. Go girl!

Snapshot of our week:

Find me on Instragram as nurdyburdie

Eat, Drink and Be Merry!

Wishing a fabulous start to the Christmas season to one and all!

Puffy Paint Snowman and Being Thankful

It's cold, Avery and I are bugging each other, and I realized that we need more craftiness in our lives. Since our move, arts and crafts have a taken a backseat in our daily routine. How could I let this happen?! I live and die by the glue gun! Not anymore, my friends, not anymore. This crafty lady is back in action. But let's not start off with a project too ambitious. Here's an easy one--a totes adorns fluffy, puffy snowman. And the best part? You make your own puffy paint! 

For the Puffy Paint you will need:

1 bottle of white school glue

1 bottle of foam shaving cream like Barbasol or the Dollar General brand as shown in the pic

and then...

Mix 1 part glue with 1 part shave cream.

That's it!

To Decorate:

Small paint brush

Construction Paper (for base as well as accessories)

Scissors

Raisins (eyes)

Pretzel sticks (arms)

Other ideas are mini-m&ms, candy corn, licorice strings, etc. Use your imagination! 

Your child's creation may well look like Frosty endured an icy typhoon. Avery's sure did. In her defense, she is two, and following directions is not really her thing. A four or a five year old could bust out some fabulous snowmen though! Give it a try; it really is fun at any age!

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So what are you grateful for this Thanksgiving?

We have a lot to be thankful for and I'll bet you do to! Without going into too much detail, (don't want to drag this whole post down) this last year was incredibly trying for us as a family. I'm thankful that we're finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm thankful for our home. Grateful that we even have a home. It's beautiful and peaceful way out here and we're happy to be near family.

I'm so lucky to have these goobers in my life. They are completely hilarious, each with their own quirky weirdness that I adore! They get that from both of us.

Of course, we appreciate our friends. They're always nice to have around. ;-)

I'm so thankful for the good days, where we all seem to "mesh" just so.

We're lucky to have those chaotic days too. Makes me appreciate the awesome ones that much more.

Speaking of being thankful, I've been reading a lot about happiness lately and gratitude is key to being satisfied. Wanting what you have brings more happiness than having what you want. I am really working towards practicing gratitude in my daily life--something I also want to instill in my children. This gives me an idea for another post.

This Thanksgiving we have so much to be thankful for! We really, really do! 

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Random Instragram photo dump:

Find me on Instragram as Nurdyburdie.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Spooktacular Halloween

We're just about all settled into the new homestead. I'm ready for chilly autumn weather, warm soups and cozy crafting. To me, Halloween signifies the start of the 'fall feeling.' In just the last few days, the trees have stripped naked all over our lawn and the forecast for
 the foreseeable future is hovering around 60 degrees. Yep, it's fall y'all! We headed out to grandma's church for Trunk or Treat. 

 Sawyer is some bad ass Star Wars dude--please don't ask me which one.

 The whole gang.

A very special boy is turning SIX!

And more fall fun...

Our friend Hannah gets to meet "grandma's cows."

Dirty face=playtime success!

We had our first overnight guests at the new casa! We love our friends so much and are glad they like us enough to make the drive here!

Zucchini "Noodle" Stir Fry

We are always looking for ways to sneak more nutritious foods into Avery's meals. Sustaining oneself almost entirely on peanut butter and jelly just can not be healthy! We have found that an simple stir fries are simply the best way for both of our finicky wee ones to eat their veggies! This is an easy recipe approved by my picky darling. Try it for lunch or do it up it green onions, vegetables and chicken for a quick, crowd pleasing dinner.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup Soy Sauce
2 tsp garlic
1 tbs rice vinegar
3 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp water
2 medium zucchinis (roughly 2 cups "noodled")
1 6oz. package Chow Mein Stir Fry Noodles, prepared according to package directions (found in the Asian section of most supermarkets). Cooked spaghetti would also work here.
2 tbsp stir fry oil
1 cup tofu cut into cubes

Use a cheese grater or vegetable peeler to your zucchini to make noodles. I used a peeler here for thicker strips.

Combine soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, sugar and water to make the sauce. Yes, I cheated and used jarred garlic. Shoot me.

Heat your oil and get the tofu going first. Saute for a couple of minutes.

Add your zucchini noodles. Keep it going a few minutes more.

Add chow mein noodles and sauce and work it all together until everything is nice and hot.

Serve! Grow- ups and adventurous kids can add a little Saracha for a nice kick!

Avery approved!

{Out For A Walk}

Leaves are just starting to change their hue and slip off the trees here in Virginia. Mornings have that distinct, sunny autumn chill that has me wanting to stay cozy under the sheets for just a few more minutes, please! Afternoons, however, are the bees knees as far as weather is concerned. Avery and I decided to head out for a stroll down the long gravel road behind our house.

I am in love with this owl hoodie!

Basking in the fabulous golden sunshine! Hallelujah! 

Please take note of the exquisite mani which also entails painting actual fingers!

We finally made it to the pond!

This sounds sappy but I am always in awe of the landscape here. I like to imagine being a visitor from another part of the world, seeing it for the first time!  

Go, sit upon the lofty hill, 
And turn your eyes around, 
Where waving woods and waters wild 
Do hymn an autumn sound. 
The summer sun is faint on them — 
The summer flowers depart — 
Sit still — as all transform’d to stone, 
Except your musing heart.

-Elizabeth Browning

Happy Fall Ya'll!