I just wanted a steak

The hubs and I have been talking about getting steak for a few months. We don't buy it in the stores all that often, let alone at a restaurant. 

We finally go out, and dispite asking how the kitchen tends to cook (and adjusting my order accordingly) my steak was....over cooked :( 

When I treat myself to steak once in a blue moon, I just want a decent (note I'm not after perfection) medium rare steak. 

Not even going to go into the mashed potatoes too cold to melt butter. Or the kids tri tip that looked like it was day old. 

Rant over. 

Something I've learned this year...

I like to think I'm a crafty person. I like to work with my hands, get messy, and create something. I've dabbled in making cards here and there, but never really jumped into making them, let alone actually sending them. That is until I found something magical! Lawn Fawn products make you want to create something amazing! I've jumped full force into a crafting niche and I'm finally happy!

With cards I can get super messy, super creative, and in an area less than 5x7 be able to finish quickly. I admit I'm am a super impatient crafter. I want things done. Like now! No, like five minutes ago. Scrapbook pages take to long for me. I switched to digital and that's been super awesome...but still doesn't draw me in like card making does. I've really learned to love making cards again.

Hubby build me the craft closet of my dreams. Now, before you get too jealous it's not a huge closet. It's a coat closet, but the perfect size for my crafty needs. Best part? When I'm mid card, and paper is strewn everywhere...I just close the door!! No mess to clean off the table, no need to stop and clean up mid project. I can just start creating at a moments notice. It's pure heaven, a real sanctuary.

Here's a few cards I've made recently:

Thank you card using Lawn Fawn Scripty Thanks

Thank you card with Love You Tons

These cards were really fun to make! I used the negative of the thanks to make a whole new card. Hardest part was keeping track of all the little pieces to fit in the voids LOL!!

I believe in crafty karma, meaning I draw inspiration from others posting cards so I post mine in hopes of returning the inspiration :)

Most likely the worst blogger ever...

I love the idea of writing blogs. I started this with the intention of being able to write a whole lot more than just a Facebook status. Now that I got rid of Facebook, we've really been secluded to ourselves, not on purpose though!

The hope was to be able to see more people without Facebook. Sounds weird, but why hang out with someone to catch up if you already know what they've been doing for the last week and what they had for breakfast that morning. Leaves really nothing to talk about. I've kept Instagram, which has been working out so much better for me. I love sharing pictures and seeing pictures from other friends.

The Spencer 'Bentures blog needs some attention. Summer break is coming to a close and we have had quite an adventurous one. We've been raising butterflies, loosing teeth, growing out of everything, creating memories, and of course a little travel too.

I'll elaborate more on the summers details in later posts. Gotta stretch it out ;)

Merry Christmas 2014!

What an amazing year! We clearly have been super busy, hence the blank blog. More of an update later but for now, Merry Christmas! Enjoy this magical time with family and friends🎄

Nursing Nostalgia

My kids are growing so fast! I knew they would, and everyone tells you "You'll blink one day and they're off to college."

Whenever I heard that, I'll admit I rolled my eyes, thought to myself it'll be different for us. Try and try as I might time just keeps speeding on. Funny how that concept changes as you get older. Weeks fly by like days, and before I know it a month has passed! Scary sometimes!!

They're growing into such wonderful little people. It's beautiful to see them make choices on their own and to be proud of the results.

I do miss moments of them being small. I'm so glad we had kids in the age of picture and video taking phones! I have tons of short videos of the kids doing normal things. Going through them is so much fun!

One thing that I miss the most is nursing my children. Weird right?!

When I got pregnant with my son, I didn't put much thought into breastfeeding. I knew I was going to, because it was the best start for him. Baby to breast and it just works…right?! I didn't do much reading about hunger cues, proper latch, counting diapers to check supply, all things that are so crucial to early nursing success. I regret that the most.

The first week was a challenge, his latch wasn't great which means there was pain…lots of pain. I made a multitude of first time Mom mistakes and as a result lots of stress.

I stuck with it though, I was determined to make it work because it was still the best thing for him. And guess what?! At six weeks something magical happened. It worked!! His latch was perfect, he was getting a balance of fore milk and hind milk, no more crying because of gas, no more tears on either end.

It was beautiful! I would pump at work and nurse at night. I didn't bother with sleep training or night weaning while I was working. Those late night nursings were some of the best moments. I always nursed him back to sleep, in a rocker, signing him "You are my sunshine" and he fell back to sleep. To this day, he still asks me to sing him "The sunshine song" when I tuck him in at night.

When I got pregnant with my daughter, my son was only 9 months old. The happiest surprise ever! I continued to nurse Corbin until he was 15 months old. I remember so many times I would go in to nurse him back to sleep and the tiny baby in my belly would try kicking her brother off my lap. It made me giggle and swell up with so much love. I was rocking two children, nourishing one at the breast and one in my womb, I felt like a superhero!

When my daughter was born, I expected troubles like the first time around. But to my ultimate surprise she was a natural from the first latch. Her first nursing session lasted 30 minutes! Although she was colic for 5 months, nursing was never an issue. The late night nursing snuggles were just as special, I rocked her in the same chair as her brother, and sang her the same songs. Though her song was "Rock-a-bye-Baby."To this day she asks for 'The Baby song' to tuck her in.

She nursed for almost 27 months. It hasn't been a full year since she weaned, I guess I was seeing the date approach and felt a little nostalgic. Our family is happily complete, so no more nursing babies for me. I'm so glad I took pictures of my children nursing!

I'm bulletproof…

…well maybe I'm not, but my coffee is!!

Last New Year, my resolution was to cut out the sugar in my coffee. I started to realize that my morning coffee contained at least 2 tablespoons of sugar. And some days I'd repeat that twice in the morning, and then again in the afternoon! That's a lot of sugar, not to mention that wasn't my only sugar intake for the day.

Before I got married I would drink my coffee black. Not because I was trying to be healthy, I just honestly enjoy the flavor of coffee. When Hubs and I got married, I noticed his coffee habits were quite different. He enjoys his sugar and cream with a dash of coffee :) Before I knew it, I was adding just as much sugar and cream to my coffee….and loving it!!

Buuut, on this journey to be eating better and setting good eating habits for the kids, we started cutting back last year. I still on occasion make a sweetened latte, but mostly I enjoy my espresso, americano, and latte just plain.

I've been seeing recipes for Bulletproof coffee all over Pinterest. This article from Stupid Easy Paleo is amazing at explaining all the benefits as well as several recipes I'm excited to try! Getting enough healthy fats in your diet is important, and this is a great way to start the day off right.

My first attempt was a different ratio than linked above. I brewed two shots of espresso and added enough water to make 8oz of coffee (technically an Americano), two teaspoons of coconut oil, and one teaspoon of ghee (organic grass-fed found here). I measured the oil and ghee in the cup that came with my immersion blender, poured the coffee right on top, then gave it a good blend.

I admit I was skeptical, I almost added some raw honey thinking I needed to mask the flavor. After one sip, I knew it was a winner and was honestly shocked at how delicious it was!! It was creamy and tasted like coconut flavored coffee. I will repeat again tomorrow, but using the "official" recipe and will report back with those results.

Roses around the yard!

Our new home has rose plants everywhere! Most were a mystery to us when we moved in since none of them were in bloom. I know nothing about growing roses. Honestly, I was going to take them out come springtime. But once I started seeing their colors, I can't do that now! Here are some of the beauties that have bloomed so far. There are still two mystery colors to be discovered.

This last one is quite unique! It smells beautiful!! The color is a beautiful lavender ombre, really difficult to photograph though. Now I need to find the names of these beauties and how to care for them.