Tag: home

Spring in the Kitchen: From Garden Fresh to Family Favorites

by Mothersense, posted in Mental Health Recovery, Reclamation


As the Texas sun begins to warm up that “black waxy” prairie soil and the evenings stay light a little longer, our appetites naturally start to shift. We find ourselves craving the crisp snap of fresh greens, yet we aren’t quite ready to give up those comforting staples that make a house feel like a home.
Planning for the next few weeks is all about balance—celebrating the new growth of the season while keeping the “tried and true” favorites on the table. Here is a curated guide to spring eating that bridges the gap between light, seasonal fare and soul-warming classics.
The Seasonal Stars: Fruits & Veggies
Spring produce is all about brightness and texture. Right now, keep an eye out for:


Strawberries: At their peak of sweetness.
Asparagus & Snap Peas: Perfect for a quick sauté or adding crunch to salads.


Radishes: Providing a peppery bite to balance out sweeter dressings.


Blog Tip: Try a Strawberry & Spinach Poppyseed Salad. It’s vibrant, festive, and looks beautiful on a spring table.
Lighter Bites: Springtime Pasta Salads


Pasta salads are the ultimate “bridge” food. They are filling enough to satisfy but cool enough for a 75-degree afternoon.
Lemon-Asparagus Orzo: This is spring in a bowl. The citrus zest cuts through the richness of the feta, and the tender asparagus tips keep it feeling fresh.


Garden Primavera Macaroni: Take your standard macaroni salad and load it with every crunchy vegetable you can find—cucumbers, bell peppers, and broccoli florets.


The Comfort Staples
Even as we move toward warmer temps, some nights just call for a “staple” dinner. These are the recipes that ground us:
Classic Chicken and Dumplings: It’s a year-round essential. To give it a springtime lift, be generous with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon in the broth to keep the flavors “up.”
Sheet-Pan Lemon Herb Chicken: If you want the comfort of a roast without the heavy cleanup, toss chicken thighs, new potatoes, and spring carrots onto a single sheet pan.


The “Dump & Go” Finale
Sometimes the best part of spring is spending more time outside and less time hovering over the oven. Enter the Dump Cake. It’s the ultimate low-effort, high-reward dessert.
The Peach & Berry Twist: Layer canned peaches and frozen blueberries in a 9×13 dish.


The Topping: Sprinkle a yellow cake mix evenly over the fruit.


The Finish: Place thin pats of butter over the entire surface and bake until the fruit is bubbling and the top is golden-brown.


A Note for the Hand-Bakers
If you’re still reaching for the flour bin to knead a fresh loaf of sandwich bread, keep an eye on the rising humidity! Texas spring weather can make your dough a bit stickier than it was in February. Trust your hands—a little extra dusting of flour during the kneading process will keep things moving smoothly.


What are you most excited to cook this spring? Drop a comment below and let’s swap seasonal secrets!

Love and light Julie

Ultimate Spring Cleaning: Mind, Home, and Finances

by Mothersense, posted in This Life

Spring Cleaning for the Mind, Home, and Finances

As the fresh bloom of spring arrives, we often turn our attention to decluttering our homes—clearing out closets, deep-cleaning neglected spaces, and making everything feel new again. But spring cleaning shouldn’t stop at just the physical space we live in; it should extend to our minds and finances as well. This season presents the perfect opportunity to refresh our lives holistically, shedding mental clutter, bad habits, and financial stress so we can move forward with a sense of renewal and purpose.

Declutter Your Mind: Letting Go of Mental Baggage

Our minds accumulate clutter just like our homes. Negative thoughts, emotional baggage, and unnecessary worries can weigh us down, preventing us from moving forward. Use this season to do an internal inventory and clear out what no longer serves you.

1. Release Negative Self-Talk

Pay attention to the thoughts running through your head. Are you constantly doubting yourself or dwelling on past mistakes? Replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations. Instead of saying, “I can’t do this,” try, “I am capable, and I will figure this out.” Writing down positive mantras and placing them in visible areas can serve as daily reminders to shift your mindset.

2. Unplug and Reduce Digital Clutter

Just as you clean out your inbox and delete unused apps, take a step back from excessive screen time. Set limits on social media consumption and unfollow accounts that don’t add value to your life. A digital detox can free up mental energy, reduce anxiety, and create more space for meaningful connections and personal growth.

3. Prioritize Self-Care and Mindfulness

Spring is a great time to establish a self-care routine that nourishes your mental health. Whether it’s yoga, meditation, journaling, or simply taking a walk outside, find activities that bring you peace. Prioritizing self-care helps reset your mind and improves your overall well-being.

Refresh Your Finances: A Spring Cleaning for Your Wallet

Your financial well-being is just as important as your mental health. Take this time to review your spending habits, eliminate unnecessary expenses, and set financial goals that align with your future aspirations.

1. Cancel Unused Subscriptions

Many of us sign up for streaming services, gym memberships, or monthly subscription boxes with good intentions, only to forget about them later. Review your bank statements and see which subscriptions you can eliminate. If you’re not using it regularly, it’s time to let it go.

2. Review Your Budget and Cut Back on Unnecessary Expenses

Look at your budget and see where you can make adjustments. Set a limit for dining out and entertainment, and prioritize home-cooked meals that are both healthier and more cost-effective. Shopping with a grocery list and meal planning can significantly cut down unnecessary spending.

3. Tackle Debt and Build Savings

If you have outstanding debt, make a plan to tackle it aggressively. Consider the snowball or avalanche method to pay off credit cards and loans. Simultaneously, focus on building an emergency fund. Having financial security will alleviate stress and give you peace of mind.

4. Set Financial Goals for the Year

Spring is the perfect time to reassess your financial goals. Do you want to save for a vacation? Start an investment account? Buy a home? Set clear and achievable financial goals, and create a plan to make them a reality.

Declutter Your Home: A Fresh Start

The traditional aspect of spring cleaning—tidying up our homes—is still essential. A clean and organized space contributes to a clear and focused mind.

1. Purge and Donate

Go through your closets, cabinets, and storage areas and get rid of anything that no longer serves you. If you haven’t used an item in over a year, it’s probably time to donate or sell it. A clutter-free space can make you feel lighter and more at peace.

2. Deep Clean and Organize

Wipe down walls, clean baseboards, and dust every nook and cranny. Reorganize drawers, pantries, and closets so that everything has a place. Investing in storage solutions can help maintain a tidy space long-term.

3. Create a Peaceful Environment

Incorporate elements that make your home feel more relaxing and inviting. Add fresh plants, open up windows for fresh air, and use soothing scents like lavender or citrus to create a calming atmosphere.

Conclusion: A Full Life Refresh

Spring cleaning isn’t just about tidying up—it’s about renewal and setting yourself up for success. By decluttering your mind, refreshing your finances, and deep cleaning your home, you create a balanced life that allows you to focus on what truly matters. This season, take the time to evaluate what’s no longer serving you and let it go. A fresh start is just around the corner!

Spinning

by Mothersense, posted in Always my babies

I feel like things are spinning out of control. And as a mother at least some semblance of control is necessary to function in the day to day. My oldest is off to his trade school to work on an associate’s in diesel mechanics, seldom home. I was not prepared for that because he was such a momma’s boy for so long. I am grateful that he has come out of his shell and just cover him in prayer daily that he makes good choices. We have added a 17 year old to the mix last year (2013) and she is a fabulous kid who just needed a safe place to land for awhile until she has time to spread her wings as well. (*sigh* its so hard) And then the oldest daughter is finding her way in high school and flip flopping between “Mom fix this” and “Mom I’ve got this” all of that is enough to make some skiddish but not this faith driven, battle scarred mom. It does make me a tad dizzy as we walk a fine line with teens anyway, but these three, I just know they will manage to make a mark on the world, they have the heart for giving, and I love them for it. I certainly hope that they learn much sooner than I did to set boundaries before getting hurt too badly.

Flip down on the other end of my children and you have a 13 year old with all of her alphabet of difficulties who is doing marvelously well in a homeschool setting. This is her 8th grade year and she is doing a little bit of “feeling her oats” as the hormones have kicked in a tad and we are operating this year with NO MEDS, focusing our energies on coping strategies, breathing, manners, exercise and good nutrition (with some supplements). I finally managed to set her up for co-op classes. Its gotten off to a rough start but it is one day a week that she for sure gets to see friends and her classes are mainly science which she loves so she is doing well. Then we have the babygirl who declares herself the “normal one” just because she is my mini-me and that is so her personality!! She loves showing her FFA goats and is becoming quite opinionated but alas I know that inside that sweet little 10 year old girl there is a hormonal monster waiting to jump at me and be all emotional and I am just not ready yet. Finally we have the baby of all of my babies who has just turned 5, he is a little devil at times but mostly he is momma’s little sweetheart. He holds my hand, gives hugs freely, and lots of cuddles and kisses. And sadly those days will be gone much too quickly for my taste.

My world is spinning because I have 6 kids in my home and on bad days 7 because I sometimes include my husband as a kid too! (winky face – he knows) I love them all so much and fight so hard for them to have everything they need in the world and maybe spoil them just a tad too. And the holding pattern we may have been in for awhile, well it got smashed to pieces and now we are FULL SPEED AHEAD and really my babies are not babies anymore (BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS BE MY BABIES)..DISCLIAMER…I don’t have baby fever at all. I do not miss pregnancy or the middle of the night feedings, but dad gum I just wish that I had them for longer, its going by way too fast and soon I will be the grandma or grams or nana….I try not to think of that just yet because I just need to focus on NOW.Oh and the macaroni noodles I was boiling for lunch. Love and Light people – be good to YOU!!

Farewell 2010

by Mothersense, posted in This Life

Oh 2010, where have you taken me? I suppose it has not all been bad.  I did finally get my associate’s degree after much procrastination!! Yippee!! I went through the ceremony and while I said it was for my kids it did feel really good to dress up and put on the cap n gown and do the whole show.  So Thank You Hill College for that opportunity!  We spent several days in Louisiana re-connecting with family and that was incredible!! We have also been able to use Facebook to connect with distant cousins that we normally would not get the chance to get to know.  I have a place to display my beautiful kids and all of their silliness. When faced with adversity we have managed to make it through.  We had the opportunity to walk away from this little cracker-box house that we call home, but decided instead to make it HOME.  I hope you can understand the difference.  A house is a place to lay your head, shelter that is necessary.  A HOME is a refuge from the storm, a safe place that is yours. It is where you know you can be you and not worry about judgment.

And I guess that is the most I can say about TWENTY TEN, because the rest of it kinda stunk.  But for TWENTY ELEVEN, well it holds all of the hope and possibility that comes with every new year, and I will continue to tell my story, and be grateful for my HOME!!

Farewell 2010, you were not the best year, but you were not the worst!!! You certainly won’t be missed.  Bring on 2011!!!  Sincerely, J*

 

 

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