Mantra Monday | 04

Get Out And Explore

My husband grew up in Columbus, but I grew up in Cincinnati (two hours south), so I am new to our city and even though John grew up here, many things have changed since then. We are really enjoying exploring our “new” city and I hope to share those adventures regularly on the blog.

COSI is an amazing science center in downtown Columbus and I actually did visit COSI about 26 years ago when I was in sixth grade. Or fifth grade. I can’t remember. Man, has it really been that long? So, when we moved back I was so excited to take our girls there. I did some quick research because one of our daughters is autistic and the other has some autistic markers. I was SO happy to see that they were going to host an Autism Activities Day at COSI. For three hours, the science center is open to families with autistic children and adults! They limit the amount of people that can get in and it’s closed to the general public. I can’t tell you how amazing this kind of opportunity is for families like mine. Going on these exciting adventures can be very overwhelming and difficult for those with autism. So having a calmer environment and being surrounded by families dealing with the exact same thing as you is such a relief. You don’t get the judgmental stares when your child does something that is deemed “bad behavior” to someone who doesn’t know the full story. Everyone is so understanding. They just know what it is you are going through.

We went this past weekend and had a blast! There weren’t very many people there, so we were able to really spend time with some of the exhibits, which are all interactive. Here are some images I took with my iPhone of our trip. They are hosting another one in November and we will definitely be signing up for that one too! And I should note that they also have Sensory Friendly Movie showings at COSI as well. I think we might try out one of those if the mood strikes.

 

Mantra Monday

Mantra Monday

Bits of Life

Collected: Cookbooks

I just love a beautiful cookbook. I have most of my cookbooks in my kindle app on my iPad but lately I have been finding that I prefer the hard copies to the digital copies. They are beautiful when out and displayed in your home and make menu planning that much more enjoyable.

I purchased Lunch at the Shop by Peter Miller shortly after moving to Ohio. I read a review on another blog and knew I had to have it. It’s been such a joy to flip through and I finally got around to making my first recipe from that book the other day. Lentils Folded into Yogurt with Spinach and Basil is SO GOOD!!! I followed the recipe to the letter and to make it faster I used pre-cooked lentils from Trader Joes. My husband and I have been eating it for lunch for the past two days.

I just love how this cookbook makes lunch accessible and encourages it’s readers to make it instead of eating out. Since my husband and I now work from home this is the perfect little book to add to our shelf and we can’t wait to try more recipes.

Friday Favorites

Love these secrets on how to be more tidy.

Ask and you shall receive. This is a great article that opened my eyes to how important it is to ask for things and learn how to hear “no”.

One of my favorite bloggers shares a tutorial she found on how to get those beach waves with a clip or clip-less curling iron. I bought a curling iron and will be trying it out on Monday for my wedding anniversary date.

Adding THIS to our weekly menu for next week!

SO IN LOVE with this DIY bird feeder.

I have been wanting Insight Yoga for so long. And I have coveted My Cakies dollhouse pillows for years and now she shares the pattern in her new book. They both arrived in the mail today. I LOVE HAPPY MAIL!

Happy Friday everyone!!!

From California to Ohio

About six weeks ago my family and I moved from Southern California to Columbus, OH. It took us five days and nine states…California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and finally OHIO! Here are some iPhone photos from that trip.

Bits of Life

Throwback Thursday – Joshua Tree

One of the hardest parts of moving across the country is leaving those people you love. I did it once 10 years ago, when I moved with my boyfriend (now husband) from Ohio to San Diego. I did it again a month ago, when I left Southern California to move back to Ohio with my family. I miss my friends so much. But it helps to return to a place where we already have family and friends in place because we grew up here.

So, today I choose to look back on an amazing trip I had with my California girls this past January. Throwback Thursday is a good excuse to do just that! I miss and love you beautiful ladies and I look forward to the day when we all get to hang out again!!