Hi Friends... Today I share a favorite post from Spring 2014 (thus you'll see ages of my kids is off. ;)) Hope you enjoy...Just before I went to bed last night, Josiah ran out to get a book he had left in the car...He came in and said, "Hey Mom, you can really hear the waves out there. Wanna come out and hear them"What I almost said: "No. I've heard them like that before. I'm tired."(Thankfully,) What I did say: "Yes, I do."I wrapped myself in a blanket (because YES--58
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Birth Order: What Firstborns Need Most from their Parents
A simple walk through the Swanson household would make for an easy object lesson in birth-order. You start in the front of the house with Luke and Levi's bedroom. There are clothes on the floor, towels on the floor, and...well, everything on the floor. There is a backpack with yesterday's lunch still in it, and then a few lego-figures, special rocks, and a few dollars wadded up and tucked under the bed from the last time I threatened a little life gave a stern warning if the room didn't get
White Bean Chicken Chili. For Cowboys and the rest of us.
I started playing with a recipe for White Bean Chicken Chili last fall. I love all of the spices and flavors in chili, and wanted to master my own chicken-version. With just enough spice, diced green chilis, and corn. Then last December Bryan Jennings was on island filming the latest Walking on Water movie called "Surfers and Cowboys," and Dave and I invited the whole crew to our place for dinner. The whole crew, including the surfers, and the cowboys. And when I say cowboys I mean the PBR
Skate Park Photo Shoot with Professional Photographer, Jim Russi.
One fun thing about living on the North Shore of Oahu is that we are surrounded by all kinds of fascinating people. Besides local families who have lived here for generations, and the seasonal surfers who come and go, we also have a good number of incredibly talented people: Artists, photographers, and entrepreneurs, who have found creative ways to survive--even thrive, while enjoying life in paradise.Jim Russi is one such talent. Though he is originally from California, Jim has lived on
Basil Almond Pesto.
I love pesto. I have always loved pesto, but somehow the idea of making my own has always intimidated me. Is that weird? I figure we all have those things that we just assume are too hard, or too fancy, or like somehow we'd just never get them right. That's me with pie crust. Double boilers. Shell fish. And pesto. Until recently. The basil in my Tower Garden really began to take off, and I just had to do something. And suddenly I felt like this might be my time. Time to face some fears, and
Abdominal Exercises: The Mistake Most People Make, & How to Get the Results You Want.
Most of you know by now that my workout routine has become rather minimalistic. I look forward to the day that I might get back to five workouts a week, classes at a gym, training for races, and so on, but for now I just get in what I can. And these days, that is usually a 3-4 mile run, and some quick resistance work, about three times a week. It's enough to make me sweat, and clear my head.In this post I talked about why "spot reduction" doesn't work, (so make sure you read that!) but I
The Three Word Rule That Can Transform Communication.
Recently, in a moment of minor marital stress, I stumbled upon something. These three words just came out of my mouth...and then I stopped in my tracks, forgot all about whatever I had been saying, and said "Oh my gosh. I just struck gold."Dave stared at me, mind racing to remember what I just said that I found to be so epic.Then I said, "I might be a genius."I repeated the three words. (Dave still unsure...) I told him that after all of these years (this Sunday is our 19th
Weeknight Ricotta Pasta Bake
There is one little thing about kids and food that I am 99% sure of. But first, I should ask your opinion. WHAT IS THE ONE DINNER FOOD THAT ALL KIDS LOVE? Did you say spaghetti? Yes! I knew it! If you said hot dogs or hamburgers you might be right too, but I think spaghetti is the true Universal food of kids. And love. And all of the warm and cozy feelings. (amiright?) But this isn't a post about spaghetti, so what am I even talking about? One day I will post a spaghetti recipe, but first