St. Patricks Day Meal Plan

by Jenny Irvine // March 5, 2016 // 2 Comments

This post just has me hungry looking at it…

Since, my oneword365 this year is “home” as in all things “home”; HOMEcooking, HOMEmaking, HOMEsteading, & HOMEschooling…I will be sharing some of My Happy Homestead Meal Plans with you all. Now, I only shop once a month {and, an occasional and I do mean occasional stop at the local grocer only if I seem to have forgotten something}. So, planning ahead is key to my sanity. Last year, I did not do such a great job planning and while I didn’t need to go to the store more often…the dinner ‘witching hour’ has been a bit stressful to say the least.

So, new year – new season and feeling a bit more adjusted in our new{ish} home – can you believe we have been here a year?

Back at the Meal Planning Grind – lets work together; work smarter and not harder.

Check out what I have up my sleeve for our St. Patricks Day Meal Plan {confession; I may not make all of this but, certainly hope to make at least some…need a reminder that “life happen s” and sometimes are best of intentions just don’t come to fruition.}

What’s for breakfast?

I think my kids are going to love these potato cakes from Tomato Tart . With some some raw cheddar cheese from Trader Joe’s and a dollop of sour cream …can you say, yum?

Every kid loves fruit! Well, ok maybe not every kid – but, most! However, there is certainly something about making food into fun designs and shapes that does makes it that much more enticing, right? {FYI yes, my kids are like yours and will likely eat the chocolate and marshmallows first – it’s ok mom’s they will be fine, I promise.} I am really liking Neighbor Julia’s rainbow of colors and design she has here.

Ok., so my kids eat literally all day – I’m pretty sure I did that too. A day would not be ‘a day’ if we didn’t have 100 snacks – so, for St. Patricks Day I think a batch of minty puppy chow should do the trick. Gal on a Mission adds essential oils to hers – while, I know some do – we will not be doing so. Yes, we use oils. Yes, we love oils. We do not consume ours at this time {another day/ another post}. We will also be using natural decorating colors like these. (afflink) Also, here are the mint chips we will be using in our St. Patricks Day Puppy Chow.

Lunch Time!! Did we not just eat all morning?

I seriously can’t wait to make these Irish Nachos from Baking Beauty – mouth watering crispy potatoes, melted cheese, Baking Beauty adds bacon {I may do that too} but, I was thinking some thinly sliced/diced corned beef would be super delicious for a twist {by the way this may end up being served at dinner with the soup as I’m pretty sure daddy-bee is going to want to be home for this number}.

Ok., while this stew from Three Beans on a String does sound super delicious. I will likely end up changing a lot of it because, that is just what I do and, confession there are veggies in here like; rutabaga and turnips that I; 1) have never cooked with and 2) will likely not have on hand when the time comes. I will most likely add more carrots, add potatoes, and probably some kale to add a bit more “green” flare.

Mom always said don’t play with your food – well, holidays don’t count in my book. Thanks Eye’s Like Food for sharing her beautiful big and cut cucumber display. I will need to make 3 of these because the kids will devour it in 5 seconds flat.

And, what St. Patricks Day Meal Plan would be complete without an after dinner Shamrock Shake Treat, right? This recipe from Dessert Now- Dinner Later sounds like the perfect wrap up to our day. Again we will be using natural food dyes and sprinkles.

I hope you found our St. Patricks Day meal plan helpful and I would love to hear from you if you do in fact make any of these recipes. You can share your pics on our Facebook page... also, if you’re wondering why we will using natural dyes – here are 5 Reasons Your Family Should Avoid Artificial Dyes too.

Lastly, before you go – Don’t forget to “pin” this meal plan to Pinterest so you have it when you need it!

When Life Happens and You Don’t Feel Like an A+ Mom

by Jenny Irvine // March 3, 2016 // 1 Comment

When Life Happens andYou Don't Feel Like an A+ Mom

So if you’re anything like me, you sometimes have the best of intentions, big ideas, or great plans only to fall short of your vision. You want to do some fun crafts, games, or activities with your little ones all too soon to realize that the darn holiday or event is literally the next day and you have nothing planned. That’s right, nothing – not one.single.thing!

That’s when it gets good…the flood gates open; I some how go from this desire to be an A+ ‘fun mom’ to a horrible mom in a bad mood all because I had these ‘great‘ ideas and plans built up in my head but, instead of my ‘fun fantasy plans’ this thing called ‘life’ happened.

I got caught up on an important work call. The dog puked on the floor for the 100th time. Speedy-Bee and Nature-Boy turned the house into a real hunting camp complete with guns, nerf-gun bullets, and little stuffed animals tucked in every cranny of our home. Music-Bee needed help with her report. Crafty-Bee wanted to bake a recipe which we only had half the ingredients for.

So, what do I do?

I do what every awesome mom does, hide in a closet, and login to Facebook for a breather. Wow, that really made me feel better -ummm, said no one ever. I log in only to see little Sally’s mom made awesome looking cupcakes, Johnny’s mom decorated the house perfectly for a fun afternoon of crafting, Grace’s kids are sitting picture perfect on the couch listening quietly to a story and, here I am feeling like a horrible mother hiding in a closet. My big plans of awesomeness turned into just ‘another day’ in the blink of an eye.

Have you been there? I mean, seriously y’all don’t make a girl feel like she is the only mom who has ever hid in a closet for peace and quiet from life’s chaos.

This message is to all the overachievers out there {and trust me, I am one} guess what, you’re not a bad mom if you didn’t have a chance to decorate Easter eggs, carve that pumpkin, or make some super-duper special treat for your kids class party. Yes, we really have had years that we did not decorate eggs. We have had years where our NOT carved pumpkin sat beautifully displayed for the world to see. You have strengths and bring beauty to your kids days- everyday, 365 days a year.

Your kids simply want you to show up and be there. Your mood changes the homes atmosphere {no pressure, haha} and, your shortcomings teach your kids grace. So, don’t beat yourself up the next time things don’t go as planned. Don’t rush around like crazy to ‘pull it off’ {ummm…because clearly I may or may not have tried to do this}.

Simply show up, be there, and maybe consider turning your phone off.

All that said; by all means if you still feel so inclined to do some activities, cook some yummy food, play some games, or read some good books in the days, weeks, months ahead stay tune because I have some holiday round ups coming just for you!

And, remember whether you do one, none, or all of these things….the most important memory you could make today is simply being present. So yes, that means staying out of the closet. Well, unless there is coffee and chocolate involved….then, by all means sip your coffee and wolf down that chocolate piece before you are busted!

Still finding crafty? Here is our ‘My Happy Homestead Holiday Round Up with Supply Lists’ so, you can spend more time crafting and less time running around!

Easy St.Patricks Day Crafts For Kids

Chasing Fear Out of Your Homeschool

by Jenny Irvine // November 17, 2015 // No Comments

Oh my goodness, sorting through old blog posts both published and unpublished I stumbled across this cute little gem ….look how tiny they were! Looking back at these pictures I am reminded of how quickly they grow up. I am reminded that all the curriculums in the world can not compare to ‘play’ at these young ages.

I have read posts, counseled, conversed, and literally spent hours with concerned parents – ‘are we doing enough’? “What if I keep my 3 year old home for preschool – will they ever make it into college?” I get it! I’ve been there! That fear of ‘are we enough’ sweeps in like a raging storm. That fear can be crippling but, one should never be afraid to fail – one should only fear not trying. The fear of ‘damaging’ our kids through homeschooling is an insecurity brought forth by the very system in which saw us through our own school days – are we smart enough, good enough, wise enough?

7 years later in our homeschool journey – I’m still asking those same questions.

As if, our own doubts weren’t enough – there are/will be the inevitable ‘curious cat’s “;

“So, do you plan on doing this ‘homeschool thing’ forever?”

“So, what about high school? I mean it’s fine for elementary but, what about the upper grades?”

Sometimes these questions and comments come across as curiosity, genuine concern, plain old noisiness, and sometimes they are just shear antagonistic. My response varies but, it normally sounds something like – “We started this journey as a family; one day, one year, and one kid at a time…and that is the path we will continue to take.“

Choosing a life of virtue, wisdom, nurtured curiosity, and self expression for our kids is something to be embraced not something to be shamed out of doing. You are giving your child a gift. Whether you homeschool for 1 year, twelve years, or are simply supplementing your traditionally schooled child’s education there is no curriculum for an ‘atmosphere, a discipline, a life’ yet to be explored.

I am in no way opposed to traditional school options: I have certainly looked into, and been intrigued by the option. At the end of the day it is a matter of heart – what is best for your family? Curriculum is a tool and ‘school’ is a location – the real question you

should be asking is; “What would you do if you weren’t afraid? Let your faith be bigger than your fear and do that!“

We alone are not enough – never have been and never will be!