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Home of a Magnolia

We are all really busy, but we must take a few minutes and take care of ourselves.  I'm reminding myself of this as well as others.  No matter how busy we get with family and home life we need to take time to make ourselves feel good.  This might mean going for a mani/pedi, treating yourself to a 15 minute bath with your favorite bath gel, getting your hair colored, going for a walk, etc.  Ladies do not forget yourself and especially your bra when you go out.  Look at yourself in the mirror before you go out and ask yourself if you have put on your best face for the day.  Do your clothes give you a lift or bring you down?  Put on a little extra blush or mascara if it makes you feel better.

Recently, I've noticed several ladies that have gotten so busy with life they have forgotten themselves.  On occasion I have needed to be reminded to do something for myself to give me a lift in spirit.  We sometimes get stuck in a rut and start wearing big, slouchy clothes, comfortable shoes, hair in a ponytail and minimal make-up.  Remember you are important.  Treat yourself with importance each and everyday. 

The apparel, shoe and cosmetics industries offer the consumer many choices, but not all of these choices are suited for everyone or every occasion.   UGG boots don't look good on every body type, but might be great for fetching the newspaper in the driveway on a cold morning.  Plaid pajama pants were not meant to be worn outside of the house unless you are in the UGG boots fetching the paper.  Hair rollers are not hair accessories.  Lately, I've noticed some trends in fashions we might want to avoid if we are trying to look our best.  As we head into spring consider adding something fun and new to your wardrobe.

I've seen people wearing a certain brand of flat canvas slip on shoes in the last year and I must say WOW!  First of all I must give the company credit for donating a pair to a needy child each time a pair is purchased.  This brand and style has been around for many years, but they seem to be all the rage again.  With this being said, I must say these shoes are not flattering to the foot or the leg. These shoes remind me slightly of the Grasshoppers brand my grandmother wore when working in her garden.  I'm assuming comfort is the reason for purchasing a pair of these shoes.  This company does make a few other styles, but this style is the classic.  Ladies, if you want to put a little pep in your step choose something feminine and girly.
Wrote by Home of a Magnolia
I feel like I have been out of commission for months even though it has only been a few weeks.  While I'm keeping up with most of my favorite blogs, I have done nothing update my own.  This week is opening night for the production my hubby and kiddos have been working on for the last few months (lots of pictures to come).  I've been stitching and ironing to make sure their costumes are perfect.  My daughter also has a dance competition coming up as well as a solo routine she is working on for the recital.  I've been working on the costume for these events too. These sewing projects are very funny to my mom as she remembers how I hated sewing classes when I was working on that degree in home economics.  Now it seems to be a must have skill.  I can't imagine not being able to alter or stitch up something when I get in a pinch.

With all of this fun I also started a Bunko group in my community.  Several friends and I played when I first moved to the community, but our group quit playing.  A new neighbor asked me recently if I played and suggested we get a group going.  This past week was our first meeting at my house.  I think everyone had a blast and looks forward to playing again next month-much needed time away from the mommy duties.

Work has overwhelmed me lately.  This past week I almost missed a meeting because I got the dates mixed up.  I'm usually very on top of things, but I've been more than a little stressed with tons of meetings and lots of reports due.  When I left the office on Friday I felt very good about how much I had accomplished.  I plan to tackle this week with GUSTO!

Tonight, we are enjoying what will most likely be the only meal we enjoy together this week as tomorrow night is dress rehearsal and then the play begins on Thursday evening.  Hubby has city council this week and I have a Monday night meeting.  Hubby pulled out all the stops and fired up the grill.  YUMMY!  Good ole backyard favorites- BBQ chicken, potato salad, corn on the cob and a fresh green salad.
No special recipe, just store brand sauce and leg quarters. 
Wrote by Home of a Magnolia
The national and state news is full of stories about how our students are not making the grade.  At work I've been so fortunate to work with some great students.  It is so rewarding to see young people strive for excellence.  Many of the students I work with have few experiences outside of their community.  I've witnessed a few break out of their comfort zone to try something new to improve upon themselves.  Even though we live in a small rural community some of my students have found opportunities while others have created opportunities for themselves.  Sure there are others that like many adults are apathetic to their situations, but that is the choice they make.  As many of my students get ready for college, I'm consistently asked to write recommendation letters for scholarships.  I love bragging on the accomplishments of such great young people.  These are the stories of young people you never hear.  You see happy stories don't sell so we don't hear much of this good news.  The stories of guns, knives, fights, drugs and poor test scores overshadow the good. 

Pray for me tomorrow as I travel with a large group of students on a really cool field trip.  I'm so excited to witness some of them have a really awesome experience.  Some of these kids have rough days in class, but here is hoping for a "knock your socks off" kind of day. 
Wrote by Home of a Magnolia
We had an exhausting, but very rewarding week.  Hubby had city council this week.  I love to hear reports about what is going on in our small town.  The city is currently working on a downtown redevelopment project.  This past week we drove around town taking pics of things we like and dislike about our downtown.  If you read my blog very often you know I love living in a small town.  We stay very busy believe it or not, but we are fortunate to have people working to provide wonderful opportunities for our residents.  Earlier this week I attended a meeting with people from other small towns in surrounding counties.  It saddened me as I heard all of the excuses others gave for not being able to provide great experiences for young people in their communities.  Wow, my family and I are so fortunate to live in a small town with big ideas!

In case you haven't noticed, Valentine's Day is tomorrow.  I've never been one to get into the pink and red hearts.  This afternoon I went to Walmart and to Dollar General to pick up a few things-big mistake. Let's me just say- romance is not found on the aisles of these stores. As a mom I really dislike the little Valentine cards the kids take to school.  Hubby threw away (on accident) my sweet daughter's list of classmates and she just about had a meltdown.  He was kind enough to contact a friend's mother to get a copy of the list.   Earlier this week my son was on the computer with an Excel document open.  I inquired about why he was looking at an Excel spreadsheet and he proceeded to tell me he made a list of his classmates back in August.  He was using this spreadsheet to address the cards fro his classmates- Now this is a Valentine for Mama.  Tomorrow both of my children will come home with a sack full of colored cardboard cards from all their classmates.  We will spend about 2 minutes looking at these little treasures before they go into the trash.  We could all save a few bucks and just not buy this junk made in some other country.
 
Tasty Treats Blog Swap- I recently participated in Twist of Lime's Tasty Treats Swap.  I was paired with Mama Henley.  She sent treats from her state- Florida.  My family and I have enjoyed these treats which help us think about the warmer climate in Florida.  The toffee is soooooo yummy.  I'm saving the key lime juice for a few weeks until it warms up- a key lime pie is in the works.

Thanks, Mama Henley


Wrote by Home of a Magnolia
Yesterday, I had a huge event at work.  Everything went as planned and I saw so much good come from my work and the work of others involved.  I worked my butt off and it paid off.  With all of this good stuff going on I felt one person did not come through for me.  I was very disappointed to say the least.  When I got home I talked to my hubby and he agreed with me (thanks honey).  I prayed about this situation before going to bed.  As I prayed, I asked God to give me the words to say to this person if I even needed to say anything.  When I woke this morning I prayed again. 

After arriving at work I was very busy taking care of business.  I found one of my students to ask him a question.  This student was having a rough day.  He explained his dilemna.  God opened the door to allow me to use my situation to talk to this student.  He was focusing on the bad.  I explained to the student a lot of good things happened yesterday, but I almost allowed the actions of one person to overshadow all the good.  It was as if God opened up my mind and helped me relate these two situations.  I encouraged this student to focus on all of the good things he has accomplished this year even if others try to focus on the past.  The lesson I learned today- Too much focus on the bad can totally erase all the good. 
Wrote by Home of a Magnolia
Are there foods you just HATE? I don't like to use the word "hate" even though I thought it everytime I saw beets or apple rings on my lunch tray during my school years. I realize beets are all the rage now, but I just cannot eat them. All kids go through phases where they only want to eat certain foods. In the past I've had someone I know tell me her kid only eats McDonald's Chicken Nuggets?


My husband and I have always taken our children to events. We expect them to be on their best behavior as people don't want children around if they can't behave- tough to hear, but it is true. You should hear them talk! I'm not saying my children have perfect manners, but they have manners and we are working on perfection- Ha!

One of the best rules my hubby and I ever enforced was the "NO NASTY" rule. In other words, you cannot identify any food as "NASTY". Another rule is you must taste a food before you decide you don't like it. This evening I cooked baked apricots. I put a very small amount on the children's plates and only expected them to take one bite. Neither of the children had ever eaten an apricot so both tasted it. My son, the oldest is very wise and commented "not bad", but he did not pig out. My daughter tasted the apricots and simply responded "no thank you" when I asked if she would like anymore. We have always suggested they reply "no thank you" if someone offers something they don't like to eat.

My daughter (weird kid) really dislikes peanut butter. Last year at a wedding shower at church, the ladies hosting served homemade Buckeye Balls (peanut butter balls coated in chocolate)- rich and delicious. My daughter insisted on having one even though I told her the inside was peanut butter. I was chatting with some other ladies when I looked down and noticed the Buckeye Ball on her plate was gone. I asked my daughter if she ate it and all she would say was "no thank you". I realized on this day we are raising a little lady. Eventually I noticed it carefully and discretely wrapped in her little cocktail napkin.

Manners do not come without lots of teaching. My hubby and I use dinner time as a time to teach good manners. I hope my children will get return invites when they visit the homes of friends. Now if I could get them to not lick their fingers, but this is going to be a real problem with Doritos promoting it during the Super Bowl. As for that kid eating only chicken nuggets - he ate anything I put in front of him, but I wasn't willing to go to McDonalds like his mom.

My favorite advice on parenting- You must decide you are more determined than your children if you want to change their behavior. Good gosh, it takes lots of patience and prayers, but it is worth all the effort when the behavior changes. Gotta run so I can rest up for the next parenting challenge.
Wrote by Home of a Magnolia

The Birthday Boy

Today I am so thankful for weekends.  I am hopeful the dark circles and bags under my eyes will disappear after resting and relaxing.  This week has been unbelievable with four late nights, a birthday party and an all out effort to stay well.  Several meetings topics: economic development, strategic planning and funding for public education- woohoo, my idea of a good time! Ha!  Just as bad the flu is hitting our small town hard and heavy.  My neighbor's three children all have the flu and many others are experiencing the same illness.  With a week like we just experienced it was soooooooooo important we stay well.  I cranked out the orange juice, refilled all the hand sanitizers and enforced bedtime as soon as we arrived home each night.  I have one more big event this coming week and then I can relax.  A four day weekend is approaching, but not fast enough.


Backyard Football -hubby is feeling the pain of trying to hang w/11 year old boys

Just because we thought we didn't have enough to do, we threw a birthday party into the mix on Saturday.  My favorite boy turns eleven in just a few weeks and we decided to celebrate early so we can participate in other events in the coming weeks.  On Saturday, friends and family joined us for what we hoped would be a game of backyard football for some great boys.  It rained all week and into the night Friday night, but the sun emerged on Saturday just in time for a messy and fun game of football.  At my son's request the menu consisted of ice cream cake, queso and pigs n a blanket- little boys are easy to please.  Thanks Mama Henley for reminding me my house didn't have to look perfect.  After the boys tracked in grass, straw and mud from the backyard, I'm glad I didn't over do it.


The work week was hectic as hubby and I endured endless meetings.  Both of us as well as our co-workers experienced our fair share of stress this week.  I was looking forward to the weekend for the rest.  After the party my hubby and son decided to go to a basketball game and I offered to have dinner ready for our family and some friends after the big game.  Dining at a local restuarant late at night a couple of times helped me realize I am much more hospitable than night time waitstaff.  Many dread cooking especially after a rough week, but I find it so relaxing to work in my kitchen.  Our friends also work with us and needed, as well as deserved a comforting homecooked meal.  My prescription:  Garden Salad, cooked apples with cranberries, green beans and Savory Chicken Casserole

Savory Chicken Casserole- My husband's assistant brought this casserole to our family after my daughter was born.  My children love it.

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast cooked (I seasoned and baked with some dry basil)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
2 cups Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoning Stuffing Mix
2 cups chicken broth
1 ream crushed Ritz crackers
1/2 stick melted butter

Chop chicken into chunks.  Combine first 6 ingredients.  Place ingredients in a 9-12 inch pan sprayed with Pam.  This mixture might seem a bit soupy, but the stuffing will absorb the liquid as it cooks.  Top casserole with cracker crumbs and drizzle melted butter over crackers.  Bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until bubbly.

Cooked Apples and Cranberries
I sliced 4 Granny Smith apples and soaked in orange juice.  Added the apples w/juice a few dried cranberries, a tablespoon of butter and 1/4 cup brown sugar to a skillet and cook until apples soften as desired.

Wrote by Home of a Magnolia
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Home of a Magnolia
Native of small southern town and still living in a small southern town. Happily married to my college sweetheart and raising two busy children. I love my work as an educator, but in my spare time I love to COOK!
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