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In by Madison MayberryApril 21, 2016

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Happy Homecoming!

Happy Homecoming!

Want to create a spa-like feel in ANY bathroom? (Y

Want to create a spa-like feel in ANY bathroom? (Yes, even a dated bathroom like mine currently) it’s easier than you think.
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I’m always amazed at how little touches can make living in your home go from feeling ordinary to truly special. I’m not joking when I say that things like the ideas mentioned here make me feel like I’m enjoying a little spa getaway every single night. I so look forward to putting on my diffuser, a little soft music and then slipping into a robe and comfy slippers that are ready and waiting for me.
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Don’t ever fall into the trap of believing that the small ways we care for ourselves is vain or silly. In fact, the more I read about the body-mind connection, the more it affirms to me the importance of signaling safety, care and respect to our bodies when we make small acts like this a priority.
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No matter what your home looks like - magazine ready or a little outdated - some small hacks go a long way to helping your space feel like something special.
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Want the links to everything shown here? Comment “spa” and I’ll send them your way!
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#homedecor #homedesign #makinghomeyourhaven #makinghome #home #homesweethome #datedbathroom #bathroomsofinstagram #selfcare #spa

Baked potatoes are a favorite meal of mine but whe

Baked potatoes are a favorite meal of mine but when feeding a large family it’s a PAIN to serve. All that fluffing, buttering, topping, etc. by the time they are all prepared the meal is cold. You know what I’m saying?
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My hack? Make it into a baked meal in a 13x9-inch pan. You’ve got hot, loaded baked potatoes with minimal mess ready to be served easily and quickly! Check out all the details below!
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Baked Potato Bake
Ingredients
3-4 lbs. Russet potatoes, baked until tender
1/4 cup butter, melted
Salt and ground black pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 lb. bacon, crisp cooked and crumbled
Sour cream
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Directions
Heat oven to 350°F. Line a 13×9-inch baking dish with aluminum foil. Spray with nonstick cooking spray. Cut potatoes in half and place, skin side down, in baking pan. Fluff the potatoes with a fork.
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Drizzle butter over potatoes. Sprinkle with salt and ground black pepper. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and all ingredients are hot. Top with dollops of sour cream before serving.
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#mealtime #familymeals #easyweekenightmeals #familyfriendly #food #recipe

This week’s haul totaled $189.55! It’s always

This week’s haul totaled $189.55! It’s always shocking to me how much more I can get when I shop intentionally and utilize online shopping to track my spending each week. I have just come to accept having a large family that it’s impossible to stay on budget and eat well without meal planning and shopping online so I can track as I go.
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Want to see this week’s plan? Comment “PLAN” below and I’ll send you our week’s meal plan!
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#largefamily #familymeals #groceryshopping #budgetfriendly

Chicken coop transformation! We aren’t done yet,

Chicken coop transformation! We aren’t done yet, but it’s always amazing how much a little power washing and some paint can do. We painted the coop Ballet White and Onyx trim both from @benjaminmoore and I’m loving how it fits in our backyard now and mirrors the exterior of our workhouse.
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Now, if anyone has tips on building a great fence, please share them below! We aren’t sure if we will use this for goats or chickens yet. What’s your vote??
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#diy #chickencoop #farmlife #goats #chickens #renovation #paint

Crispy Baked Bean And Beef Tacos! . . A little tw

Crispy Baked Bean And Beef Tacos!
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A little twist on regular tacos that makes it so much easier to prep tacos ahead of time and easier for little people to eat without making a giant mess! (If you know, you know)
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Preheat oven to 375F and grease a 13x9-inch baking pan or dish.
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Combine a pound of browned ground beef prepared with taco seasoning with a can of rinsed and drained black beans. Divide 1 1/2 cups of shredded Mexican blend cheese among 12 soft taco shells. Spoon some of the meat mixture into each taco (you will have leftover meat mixture to use in anther recipe!) roll up and place in prepared pan.
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Brush tacos with a little liquid coconut oil or other oil of choice and bake 12 to 15 minutes or until tacos are crispy. Top with lettuce, sour cream, guacamole and/or salsa and serve!
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#easymeal #familytime #familyfriendlymeals #mealtime #tacotuesday #makeaheadmeals #food #cooking #foodforkids

Ever since we moved back eight years ago to the sm

Ever since we moved back eight years ago to the small town where we grew up, I’ve driven through the neighborhood we now live in at least once a month. Homes don’t go for sale in this unique little pocket of town often, and I always dreamed about living here on a little section of land with neighbors and a farm-like feel. I dreamed. I prayed. I also tried to “make it happen” on my own efforts and yet the doors were not opening. Seven months ago we got a call from our realtors that this home would be coming on the market. For so many reasons the timing and details didn’t feel quite right on paper, and yet God clearly told me “go” and so despite logic, we went. He paved the way for the sale of both our home and lake home in the smoothest of transitions and landed us both where I wanted to be and yet didn’t want to be at that very moment.
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In the months that have followed, I’ve watched God affirm this move in so many ways. Sometimes, like yesterday, I walk through the backyard and am overwhelmed by both the amount of work that’s in front of us AND simultaneously so excited about the possibilities for this land and this place. While I don’t know exactly what that will be, I’m finding so much wonder and excitement anticipating how God will use this place and this space in ways that I might not even be able to fully see right now. And in the meantime, watching my girls play for hours on a dirt pile surrounded by sunshine and kittens feels pretty darn sweet, too.
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#faith #followinggod #home #renovation #homesweethome #homedesign #fixerupper

Dinner tonight! Secretly a little excited about th

Dinner tonight! Secretly a little excited about the cooler temps because it means I can get my slow cooker out more often. Dance nights and sports nights mean I’m rushing into the house just as everyone is starving and this meal is one we make on rotation literally every week in the fall and winter.
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Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs
Ingredients
2 slices white or whole wheat bread
1/2 cup milk
1 large egg
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 lb. lean (at least 80%) ground beef
2 jars (28 oz.) marinara sauce
2 cups chicken broth or water
1 lb. spaghetti
Parsley for garnishing, if desired
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat bread and milk. Let soak a couple minutes to soften the bread, then use a spatula or your hands to make a slurry. Stir in the egg, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and salt. Add ground beef and mix with your hands to evenly combine. Form into 16 meatballs and place in the bottom of a large slow cooker.
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Cover meatballs with the jars of marinara sauce. Cover slow cooker and cook on HIGH 3 to 4 hours or until meatballs are cooked through. Break spaghetti noodles in half. Add to slow cooker along with the broth or water, making sure noodles are submerged completely. Cover and cook 1 to 1 1/2 hours more or until noodles are tender. Spoon into bowls to serve. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and Parsley, if desired.

I was watching my son run around this loop on our

I was watching my son run around this loop on our front drive, so full of life and joy and energy, I felt like my heart might burst with joy. It brought to mind this quote and concept that we can’t selectively numb emotions. We can’t pick and choose, we can’t numb ourselves to feelings of grief, sadness, anger, anxiety, or fear without also cutting off the experiences of true joy like my experience today watching my son run around this loop.
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There have been so many moments of grief, sadness, fear, and anxiety wrapped up in my experience as his mom - specifically the first year of his life - but diving deep into the hard emotions of that season have paved way for the deepest and most abundant JOY watching this little boy with a mended heart and mended eyes running strong and steady without a care in the world.
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It’s hard to sit in seasons of grief, to sit with the discomfort of not having the answers we do desperately wish we had. But what a gift to live in a world where both the deepest of sorrow and the greatest joy can co-exist and pave way for one another.

Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas! These are a recipe

Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas! These are a recipe from the blog that I have come back to time after time for an easy weeknight meal. They are SO incredibly good, easy to make and easy to make ahead of time when you know you won’t have time to make a meal on the spot. I typically serve this meal with a side of rice or tortilla chips, shredded lettuce, sour cream and guacamole!
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2 cups from 1 can (28 oz) Mild Green Chile Enchilada Sauce
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2 1/2 cups shredded deli rotisserie chicken
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2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese (8 oz)
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2 cans (4.5 oz each) chopped green chiles
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1 package (11 oz) Flour Tortillas for Burritos (8 Count)
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1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
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Sour cream, pickled jalapeño chiles, chopped fresh cilantro, if desired
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Spread 12 cup of the enchilada sauce in a 13x9-inch pan. Combine the green chiles, chicken, 1 cup of the enchilada sauce, 1 1/2 cups of the cheese, and half the heavy cream in a bowl and stir to combine. Divide between 8 tortillas and roll. Place in baking dish.
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Combine remaining cream and sauce and pour over enchiladas. Top with remaining cheese.
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Bake 30 minutes covered with aluminum foil at 350F. Then 10 additional minutes uncovered.
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#easyweeknightmeals #easyrecipes #dinner #familydinner #mealtime #enchiladas #makeaheadmeals

We went on a bike ride yesterday that was longer f

We went on a bike ride yesterday that was longer for Truett. As he was peddling his little legs so hard, clearly exhausted, he said, “I know I can do this because last week I scootered a long ways!” As a dear friend often reminds me, we have to make our own proof of being able to do hard things, and that’s the hardest step. But once we have done that, our belief in what’s possible grows.
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This summer I watched our kids grow and change in so many ways. I watched one go from swimming in floaties to going off the diving board solo without any floatie or life jacket. I watched two become proficient swimmers. I saw them embrace new experiences, face fears, and grow in leaps and bounds in confidence because of it.
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Whatever you are facing today, I pray you have the courage to make your own proof that it’s possible.
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#inspiration #courage #parenthood #motherhood

Friday night = pizza night nearly every week. . .

Friday night = pizza night nearly every week.
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If you’re not making your own pizza dough yet, it’s easier than you think. And once you get the recipe down, you don’t even need a recipe as you gain comfort and familiarity. The recipe is below… if you try it, be sure to share and tag me when you do!
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Homemade Pizza Dough
Ingredients
1 cup very warm water
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more as needed (perhaps up to 1/2 cup more)

Directions
Place warm water in a bowl; add in sugar and sprinkle dry yeast on top of water. Let stand 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the yeast and make sure bubbles appear at the top which indicates yeast is active. Add in the salt and 1 1/2 cups of the flour. Gradually work in the remaining 1 cup flour as you knead the dough. Add additional flour, one tablespoon at a time, until dough is soft but not sticky.

Place in bowl; cover with a cloth and let stand until doubled in size. At this point you can punch it down and bake or you can punch it down and allow it to rise a second time.
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#recipe #pizzanight #pizzadough #easyweeknightmeals #dinnertime #familymeals

Most favorite crew ever. First day of 3rd and kind

Most favorite crew ever. First day of 3rd and kinder! Truett will start four year old preschool next week!

Our little miracle boy is celebrating FOUR years s

Our little miracle boy is celebrating FOUR years since his heart surgery. It’s been such a journey to get to where we are today (emotionally) where this day brings nothing but joy and celebration for this little boy who is so full of LIFE. Years one and two of this anniversary were filled with trauma, flashbacks, and fear. I spent a good deal of time in therapy getting help for the trauma left in the wake of nearly loosing him, his heart surgery, then his eye surgery, and then pandemic lockdowns while I was still processing it all. But sweet buddy, look how far we have come. I love you to the ends of the earth and couldn’t be more thankful to be your mom. You love BIG. You feel BIG. And I am completely convinced God gave you an extra dose of life as a special wink to our family. There are still unknowns in your heart story, potential for another open heart surgery someday. But God’s redemptive power has banished all fear of your future in my heart knowing you are held by the one who cares for you even better than I ever could. We love you, True buddy! Keep shining bright.

Every year I’m SO dang thankful to be here, with

Every year I’m SO dang thankful to be here, with this community of women. I didn’t come for the community (I was just passionate about the mission and products and wanted to make some money) but the community has been what has kept me here. Every year when I arrive at LEAD I’m reminded I’m in the company of family. From my amazing team members, deep conversations, friends who stop in late night lobby run ins to pray together (love you @kissinthekitchn!) and hugs galore, I’m SO dang thankful for the best yes!

Baby’s first time at the beach!

Baby’s first time at the beach!

Last baby…. A love story. Gosh I couldn’t ador

Last baby…. A love story. Gosh I couldn’t adore him more.

Want to know what’s better than Prime Day? Getti

Want to know what’s better than Prime Day? Getting to share what you love and earn an income doing it. I’ve said it before, but when passion and purpose combine it doesn’t feel like work, it feels like the most authentic thing in the world. I love getting to do this work every day, and I want YOU to experience the joy, too. This month only you can join for just $20 - an investment I can almost promise you that you will make back in no time. 😊 Want more info? Message me any time or leave your email below!

Instagram post 18170894128303227

Instagram post 18170894128303227

We might not have a lake house anymore but it’s

We might not have a lake house anymore but it’s so sweet to have family who is kind enough to invite us for the day!

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