High Five for Friday #170 | Glorious Outside Time!

by Katie @ Cup of Tea // April 20, 2018 // 4 Comments

Welcome to High Five for Friday – hosted by me, Becky, Tif, and Della! Come, read up on what we’ve been up to this week and get to know some amazing bloggers.

I hope you had a wonderful week! It was one of those normal weeks. One of those weeks were we just went about our regular routine. And it was delightful!

First off, thanks for all the comments around last week’s post and my lesson on grace from my husband. We’ve all been there – reactive, grumpy attitudes triggered by the crazies (like kids!). My attitude last week was ridiculous, and I’m grateful for a husband that saw I needed a quiet afternoon to myself and was quick to forgive me.

Anyway, on to this week!

1. We had a rough start to the weekend. William got sick in the car JUST as we pulled into the parking lot at school on Friday. WAAAAAAAA! Friday is the day both kids are at school and I had a whole list of things I was going to do. He thankfully didn’t seem sick otherwise, but we had to keep both kids home from church on Saturday, just in case. But thankfully, by the evening, the kids were sick-free for over 24 hours and we were able to meet friends at a new playground! Elizabeth and William both had a blast, and my husband and I had fun catching up with friends.

2. Sunday was lovely weather in the morning! So the kids and I went outside for some fun. My husband hauled out the ol’ kids car, and after a quick spider web sweep, the kids could use it. But they were having a hard time sharing. So I quickly rustled up some dishpans of soapy water and let them wash the car! It was about 30 minutes of working together and peace 🙂

3. Another fun outdoor activity we have loved lately is playing with water beads! Elizabeth has fun “cooking” with them. And then she was pretending to wash them. William was mastering pouring the water beads. It’s the perfect activity when you aren’t really up for playing chase but you can all be together.

4. One of my big projects this week was organizing the kids’ class closet at church. When we first moved into our new church I did an initial purge/declutter of supplies and tried to organize everything. But it was in need of a second purge and declutter. It went a lot faster than I expected! Monday I went through the items and tossed any trash and reorganized what we had. William was surprisingly helpful! And then Wednesday I went back to put everything back in to bins and logically organize it all. Hopefully the system will work for all of us.

5. Did you see yesterday’s lastest video?? It was a round up of all the favorites that I’ve been loving lately. I’m just so glad to be back to doing videos! Confession – I like doing videos more than blog writing. I keep toying around with doing videos 100% of the time and no blogging, but then there are some content ideas that would be better for the blog. It’s tough! Anyway, if you haven’t watched it yet, sneak in 10 minutes to watch!

How was your week?? Can’t wait to hear all about it!

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The Favorites Right Now // New Video

by Katie @ Cup of Tea // April 18, 2018 // 2 Comments

Here it is! The last of the videos recorded WAY back in February that had to do with 2017. HA! But as I review all of these favorites, they still are favorites and they still rock my socks!

Speaking of videos, what topics would you like to see? Daily Life vlogs? Mom-related things? Organizing? Stories?? Let me know!

For those of you that aren’t video people, let me recap.

Online Grocery Ordering // I mentioned this in my meal prep video last year, but honestly – if you haven’t tried online grocery ordering, whether you use Instacart, Amazon, WalMart, or your favorite local place (like Harris Teeter for me!) then what are you waiting for??? I used to be concerned that produce would be bad, but I’ve had no issues so far! I also thought this would be something I stopped using once William was a little older but nope! Just did it last week! HAHA! It’s my favorite thing.

Racerback Bras // Anyone else suffer from bra straps that slip down? I don’t know what technically causes this, but I’ve always suffered from this. It all changed last summer. I bought a dress that required a racerback bra, so I just jumped on to Amazon and bought one. And it changed. My. Life. I will never go back to regular bras. I’m not constantly doing the sneaky strap pull up anymore. It’s great!

Zero Waste // It all started towards the end of 2017 when I was searching for ways to streamline my pantry. Somehow I got caught in a YouTube rabbit hole and next thing I know I am watching videos from Zero Wasters. Now…. a zero waster I am not. I don’t aspire to be. But the concepts around zero food waste was what intrigued me! I identify with the need to simplify what you bring into your home and trying to use up all you have. Next thing I know I’m contemplated bulk shopping at my whole foods, simplifying the ingredients that I store in my pantry, and cooking from just a few food sources. My life has changed! If you have no clue what I’m talking about, then I suggest watching Pick Up Limes for cooking ideas around zero food waste, and also this basics video from Sustainably Vegan. The blog Litterless is also not so intimidating. But what started it all for me was watching this video from the zero waste guru herself, Bea Johnson. This is when the food thing clicked. All of these things will look SO intimidating. But if you’re interested in simplification of your food and the things you cook, there are so many good ideas buried within this zero waste movement.

Weekly Date Nights // I know I’ve talked about this before, BUT the secret to our great year last year was weekly date nights! My husband and I just buckled down and made it a priority. We put it on the calendar, found a few babysitters, and just did it. It’s so hard once you become a parent to put aside the Mommy/Daddy role and remember that you’re husband and wife! You forget to date! You forget how to flirt! Date nights have changed that for us. I know it’s hard to organize – believe me! But try to make it work if you aren’t doing this!

Our Local Library // If you’re not taking advantage of all your libraries have to offer, then shame on you! For kids, there are always story times, fun activities and just the joy of looking on the shelves and finding good books. We go every other week and it’s a highlight! And for you – check out cookbooks! Check out a good fiction! That self-help book you’ve been wanting to read? See if your library has it! Also, check and see if your library has a free e-book app. I was disappointed when I had to return a fiction book I was reading before I had finished it (darn you person who wanted to read it next!!!) but rejoiced when I found it on my library’s e-book app! I swear, I could do a whole video/blog post around the library routine we have.

If any of the above sound like you need more info let me know! Some of these could be new blog post/videos easily!

What has been bringing you joy lately?? Let me know!

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High Five for Friday #169 | Half Birthdays + Lessons in Grace

by Katie @ Cup of Tea // April 13, 2018 // 5 Comments

Welcome to High Five for Friday – hosted by me, Becky, Tif, and Della! Come, read up on what we’ve been up to this week and get to know some amazing bloggers.

I hope you had a wonderful week! Spring is finally arriving here in Durham, NC! Sunny and the 70s – that’s what Spring normally feels like around here!

1. On Saturday we got to go to a Carolina Hurricanes hockey game with friends! We had such a fun time! We last were at a hockey game about 6 years ago, so it was fun to be there. Elizabeth would definitely love to go to a game next year!

2. William lately has been changing a lot! He will be two at the end of May, and he’s starting to transform from a baby into a full-fledged toddler. He also talks A LOT! (wonder where he gets that?) I’m excited for when his gabbing becomes actual words.

3. If you’re not watching my Instastories, then you are missing out on quite a bit of ramble and the best auto-correct snaffoos. This week I had one for the ages. I don’t like almond, soy or other nut milk. I did, though, pick up a carton of oat milk, and it was delightful! But auto-correct strikes.

4. Guess who’s 4.5 now??? Elizabeth celebrated her half birthday on Wednesday and she was SO excited! We love any excuse to celebrate something, and half birthdays are a part of the annual celebration list! She has changed so much in the last 6 months. Her interests have really taken shape! She is quite the adventurer and is really brave. She loves to sing and dance, but still is shy. She’s also gotten fiesty. Hopefully, that simmers down.

5. At my Monday Bible study this week, we were having a discussion about when we last received grace from someone. My mind IMMEDIATELY went to the day before. Sunday evening we were planning on having dinner with friends. By the end of Sunday, I was tired. We had spring break that week plus a busy weekend hosting brunch, the hockey game, etc. I was excited to head out to hang out with friends! But I was definitely wearing thin. Elizabeth woke up from her nap extra cranky and whiny, and her attitude was rubbing off on me. When it was time to load up in the car, I heard one too many whines, and I declared I couldn’t go! I offered to have the kids at home and let my husband go on his own, but he said the kids would be fine and he’d take them. He was definitely disappointed I wasn’t going, but he sensed I was frazzled.

They drove away. I was so steamed! I was annoyed I was frazzled, annoyed that he decided the kids would be fine when I just KNEW that the whines would continue while they were there (why didn’t he listen to me??). I threw on my walking shoes and hit the neighborhood to calm down. While I was walking, I realized my attitude was STUPID! Here I was, annoyed that my husband didn’t hear my recommendations of leaving the kids at home with me, but yet I missed the gift and grace he gave me! He knew I was done. So he just took the kids for a fun evening. And he was right! They had fun! And I had a restorative 2.5 hours on my own. It was life-giving!

Grace comes in all forms, and when you need it most. It was definitely a lesson in asking for help and letting my husband help me!

How was your week?? Can’t wait to hear all about it!

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High Five for Friday #168 | Easter Joy

by Katie @ Cup of Tea // April 6, 2018 // 7 Comments

Welcome to High Five for Friday – hosted by me, Becky, Tif, and Della! Come, read up on what we’ve been up to this week and get to know some amazing bloggers.

Did you have a delightful Easter?? We did! We traveled up to my in-laws in Virginia Beach for a weekend of celebration. We had beautiful weather and lots of laughter.

It was wonderful spending quality time with everyone. And is there anything more delightful than children enjoying a holiday?

I NEVER remember to take pictures during fun times. I’m too busy enjoying the moment. But I always regret not stopping to snap a photo. Thankfully, we were more on top of things last weekend, and we snapped some of the most delightful photos! These will be printed!

Elizabeth and I enjoyed making our annual resurrection rolls on Sunday morning.

And the Easter egg hunt was a hoot! We did it a few times. And by the end all the colored, hard boiled eggs were smashed to bits. So we grownups had fun hurling them into the woods! HA!

Hope your Easter was blessed and glorious! He is risen!

This week’s featured blogger is Whitney from Polka-Dotty Place! If you love hospitality, fun activities for kids, accessible style and fun party ideas then Whitney is your girl! Whitney is a wife and mother living in Indiana and she adores creating memories for her family. Our kids are just a few months apart and I was so excited to see the fun party for her 2 year old boy, Fletcher! And I love the re-do of Whitney’s childhood dollhouse for her sweet girl. It’s adorable!! Go over and say hello to Whitney!

How was your week?? Can’t wait to hear all about it!

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4 Lessons I Learned About Myself in 2017

by Katie @ Cup of Tea // April 4, 2018 // No Comments

I was quiet a LOT on the blog and on my YouTube channel during the last half of 2017. I talked a little bit about why in this post, and also in this video.

But I also learned a lot of interesting things about myself last year. I’m still sorting through them in 2018, but nothing like a little insight to do life better.

So let’s just pretend that it’s January and I’m sharing this video then. And not all the way in April HA!

I recorded this way back in February, but have delayed making it live. There’s that ol’ action vs inaction rearing its ugly head.