summer lovin' in MARCH

oh how the last two days have just filled our spirits!

yesterday's high was 62 and today is 70! such an unexpected surprise that we were SOOO wiling to welcome. our typical this time of year is in the 50s mixed with some rain and some sun here and there. such a tease into summer that we were so happy to have!

with real estate, brandon almost always takes sundays off. it's our time as a family. not always an easy thing to do with the demands of being a realtor, but that's our day. where we can fit in going to church, spending quality time as a family, as well as some rest + relaxation.
so that being said, i was SO happy when this gorgeous day fell on a SUNDAY!

brandon had to work some today (monday) in the am and the afternoon, but was able to squeeze some time where he could be with the kids and I again. it was the best!
we filled both these 'summer-like' days down at point ruston on the waterfront. we brought the wagon along, walked, played on the playground, grabbed some lunch from the jewel box cafe to eat outside on the bench in the sun, ice cream, and followed up with long naps!

 we're anxious for you, summer!

Xoxo

-Brittney

follow along on instagram @brittneyhjelseth

life lately | hello march

well it was january. for like 75 days. 

and then it was february for about 12.

and now HELLO march!

this post brought on by both kids napping and me feeling like I'm catching my breath from the rampage i've been on trying to kill every little flu bug that may be contaminating my house.

I've never been so worried about a bug/virus as i have been this last week.

brandon came home from work last friday night and it hit him out of no where. we weren't positive if it were the flu or not, well by day 3, he went in and got the official diagnosis.

...my worst fears...

sounds silly, but everyone has been saying how this bug is just SO BAD. and we did not need the kids and I catching it as well.

quarantined him to the bonus room upstairs, while wearing a mask. 

since then i've been disinfecting like a mad woman. all while washing our hands til they're raw. loading up on extra vitamins + fluids + essential oils. and we have for the most part (with exceptions of quick runs for prescriptions and a few groceries) been homebound since.

monday evening harper came down with a fever. it came and went for the next couple of days, never really going higher, and no other symptoms really sticking around long enough to matter too much. and now today she is acting nearly her normal self and NO FEVER all day long.

hesitating to not jump the gun, but i am jumping with joy inside!

tanner and i have yet to show any signs of sickness... so we shall see!

fingers crossed & prayers being said.

MARCH 1ST today and the sun is shinning. although it really won't 'heat up' here in washington for a bit still, i'm eager for some more comfortable temps where we can head outside to play in the afternoons. and i know the kids are too! multiple times a week harper is saying to me "when is summertime coming? it's taking so long!"

into the third month of 2018 and it has felt like a whirlwind. various life things going on, then adding in sickness. i've taken a bit of a 'break' here and there from social media + blogging. and really it has felt nice. and refreshing for my mind too. sometimes it just feels good, right?! and can be so needed. but then again it is so fun too and i get to where i miss my blogging 'hobby' :)

it isn't uncommon for me to request of these two to stop and take a picture quick before we load into the car from leaving the house. well lately both have been running up to the side of the house without a single request from me and standing there for their picture haha!

i turned 29 on february 14th (valentine's day!) and brandon surprised me with a getaway!
lots of time spent at the spay + relaxing + eating.

these little hams. love 'em to death.

SNOW! this was the first of two!

i've still been wanting to share a couple pictures (i'll get there) ;)  probably on insta stories. but we painted a few rooms in our house as well as changed out a handful of light fixtures. things we've wanted to do for quite sometime. it is amazing what paint and fixtures can do to a place!

P H O T O  D U M P:

Xoxo

-Brittney
follow along on instagram @brittneyhjelseth

hjelseth family menu | week 2

k here it is again!

week two :)
(though I meant to post this much sooner - - LIFE hasn't allowed for that to happen) :)

before beginning all this, I always look through our fridge, freezer, and dry foods to get an idea of what groceries we already have. i like to make a list of main food items we have and that need used up and try to work off of that when choosing dinner items. 

this week my list included: broccoli, potatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, frozen spaghetti, chicken breast

:: MONDAY ::

spaghetti + broccoli + garlic bread

:: my favorite spaghetti recipe is HERE. and it makes a TON!!
when I make this, we can actually get F O U R meals out of it! butttt we don't prefer to eat the same spaghetti four nights in a row... so I throw half of it in a freezer ziploc to pull out another week :) which is exactly what happened this week. spaghetti leftovers from two weeks prior X2!
#winning
:: broccoli I steam in the microwave with a little butter + salt
:: garlic bread - i buy the parmesan garlic break from costco,  slice it, put a little butter, garlic powder, parsley, and parmesan cheese on top & broil in the oven for 2 minutes. SO YUM!

:: TUESDAY ::

leftovers!

:: WEDNESDAY ::

out for dinner!

(brandon's dad's birthday)

:: THURSDAY ::

crockpot corn chowder

another favorite I found on pinterest long, long ago!
:: recipe HERE!
so good. especially on these cold winter nights.

:: FRIDAY ::

leftovers!

always counting on leftovers in our house ;)

:: SATURDAY ::

mac + cheese w/ crunchy salad

:: here's my homemade mac + cheese recipe (which is also under the OUR TABLE tab on the blog)

Homemade Mac+Cheese:
ingredients:
 1/2 box of elbow macaroni noodles
1 egg
couple tbsp butter
couple splashes of milk
couple handfuls shredded cheese
1/2 cup bread crumbs
couple tbsp olive oil

directions:
:: cook noodles as directed on package + drain + return to pot on stovetop
:: stir in one whisked egg, the butter, and milk
:: add in shredded cheese. add in what you need to get the amount of cheesy-ness you desire! :)
:: combine + stir until all your cheese is melted (I sometimes will turn the burner on low as I'm doing this)
:: we like ours topped with breadcrumbs, so I combine those with olive oil, and then sprinkle on top after pouring the mac + cheese mixture into a baking dish. crumbled bacon on top would also be sooo good!
:: to brown the top up a little, I put the pan in the oven under broil for just a couple minutes

:: and then the crunchy salad we're repeating again from last week cause it was soooo yummy!

aunt carol's crunchy salad:

SALAD:

2 tbps butter

1 pkg ramen noodles

1/2 cup chopped almonds

handful sunflower seeds

4-6 cups romaine lettuce

2 cups chopped broccoli

some chopped green onions

:: melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. add the uncooked ramen noodles (break them all up), almonds, and sunflower seeds, and saute until toasted light brown (3-4 minutes). let cool.

pour dressing (recipe below) into the bottom of your salad bowl.

add the lettuce, broccoli, green onions, and toasted crunch mix. toss when ready to serve.

VINAIGRETTE:

4 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp salt

6 tbsp rice wine vinegar

2-3 drops tabasco sauce

1/2 cup olive oil

:: mix all the vinaigrette ingredients with a wire wisk (or just shake all together in a mason jar).

:: SUNDAY ::

leftovers!

enjoy friends!!
hjelseth family menu | week 1

Xoxo
-Brittney

follow along on instagram @brittneyhjelseth