Weekly Update
My house is so quiet! It is the first day of school for my girls and I’m not sure what to think! I have mixed emotions. I shed a few tears this morning looking at the back-to-school picture of my girls and knowing this is the first day of my Teagan’s senior year. I remember her first day of Kindergarten! I feel so proud and thankful to see this day, to see them all grow. Thankful for my life and theirs.
Despite my brief tears, I am giddy to have time to write and think. A slow-living mindset was a challenge the last couple of weeks, juggling all the things– New Nostalgia, home, and my girls’ needs. It was so “people-y” around here! I love my people, but I also need some quiet in my days to think and produce content for the blog and my social channels.
I do so much better with routine and rhythm. I felt myself getting very moody, grumpity, and desperate for these things the last few days of summer break! Back-to-school came right on time.
My girlfriend was laughing at me when I was sharing all of this with her. She said, “I feel like it was just yesterday that you were saying you couldn’t wait for spontaneous summer days.” She is right. Most of the summer I loved not knowing what each day would bring ,until I didn’t. Ha! I do not do spontaneous for many days in a row very well. Oh, how I love predictable routine!
Weekly Goals
Meal Plan — grocery list +5 meals
Dates — my Todd, my girls, one close friend
Do a Pin — adding some Fall to my mason jars!
Reading Progress —The Little Book of Hygge; The Out-of-Sync Child Grows Up; Nothing To Prove; Chasing Slow;
Daily Personal Health Goals
Spiritual — journal, Scripture, pray, meditate
Move Body — walk/jog; yoga or strength training; Abs, Core & Pelvic Floor
Hydrate + Nutrients — water (80 oz a day); leafy greens & berries, vitamins, powdered greens, seeds
Everyday Home Goals
{doing these things every day has changed my world!}
Make Bed
Wipe Surfaces (quick wipe bathroom sinks/counters, kitchen counters, tables)
Clutter (quick pick up and a few minutes wherever it is accumulating)
One Full Load (dishwasher & laundry–don’t stop until dishes and clothes are put away!)
Floors (quick sweep, vacuum & spot clean — if needed)
A Chore A Day Goals
{these daily chores have been key to keeping my house clean in minutes a day!}
M – Bathrooms (all but the floor…that will come on Thursday!)
T – Dusting (“work quickly, top to bottom, left to right” –Clean Mama)
W – Vacuuming (just the middles will do)
Th – Floors (sweep & mop)
F – You choose! (did you miss a day? No worries. Fridays are catch up days!)
Sa – towels & sheets (nothing like fresh sheets and towels!)
Su – none (just do Everyday Home Goals listed above)
{Homekeeping Goals Inspired by Clean Mama’s Simply Clean Book}
Anti-Procrastination Free Printable
{want this FREE printable? keep scrolling}
Latest Obsessions
{some are affiliate links}
Cell Phone Holder
My daughter got this Cell Phone Holder for Christmas from her sister, and whenever I drive her car I use it and am tempted to steal it…so I just ordered my own. It is so handy! It can stick to the side window or the windshield or comes with a clip to clip to an air vent. It’s so great to keep the screen in front of you, while keeping both hands on the wheel. Great for displaying maps or talking on my Voxer app.
Ongoing Obsessions
Kindle Fire
This ongoing obsession with my Kindle Fire is not letting up. I especially love using it in the evenings when tucked in bed. It’s like my own perfect sized, personal television. Before I indulge in watching Netflix, Amazon Prime shows, or my fav YouTube Channels, I make sure I read at least a chapter or two of whatever book is on my Kindle. I love using the same device to both read and watch.
Essential Oil Diffuser
Still using it daily and love it! The Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser by AromaSoft is amazing for getting the scent out into larger rooms. It is priced very reasonably and works so well! After buying 4 other diffusers, I did some research, read a ton of reviews, and bought this one. I’m so happy I did!
Rocky Mountain Oils
Rocky Mountain Oils are my current oils of choice. I just love them, their scent is so pure! I really appreciate the free shipping.
My new “back-to-school, almost fall” blend:
2 drops orange
1 drop cinnamon bark
1 drop vanilla
Another scent I love for “almost fall” is Majestic Breeze from RMO. It smells like a warm hug to me. I diffused it all last fall and winter, so I’m eager for the cozy familiar scent again! The description says it is calming and balancing. No wonder I love it. It is on sale right now!
Recipes I’m Making This Week
I follow a loose guide every week. Some themes we use:
Taco/Mexican Meal | Brinner (breakfast for dinner) | Pasta/Spaghetti Meal | Slow Cooker Meal | Instant Pot Meal | Grass Fed Beef Meal | Organic Chicken Meal | Fish Meal | Meatless
It feels like fall in Nebraska! Time for this simple soup that takes minutes to make.
Didn’t get to this recipe last week, so…
Breakfast for dinner.
Because the weather…
Slow Cooker Meatloaf Meatballs
If you like meatloaf, you will like this! My girls sure do.
Smitten Kitchen Oatmeal Pancakes
I rarely cook in the morning, but it is back-to-school week, so I just might!
Spaghetti night (with homemade sauce sweetened with carrots!)
Every week!
{Watch my Instagram Stories to see some of these recipes. I often capture my cooking process!}
Instant Pot Weekly Staples
Crockpot Bone Broth (made it in Instant Pot this time)
Instant Pot Yogurt | Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats | Instant Pot Quinoa |
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs | Instant Pot Black Beans
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
What are you wanting to get done this week?
What recipes are you planning on making?
Are you on Pinterest? Share a favorite pin you want to accomplish.
Dee Tracy
August 16, 2017 at 6:27 pmHi Amy,
I pinned the black bean recipe and can’t wait to give it a go! Thanks so much for sharing!
AmyNewNostalgia
August 18, 2017 at 10:42 amYou bet! Let me know what you think if you make the beans.