LADDventure

Jeep Journal - Leaf Hunt

We were supposed to go camping this past weekend, but a cold front came through, and it got crazy cold up in the mountains at night.  The highest peaks even got snow, and we are not very seasoned campers, so we opted to just go Jeeping for the day on Saturday instead.  Our main goal was to get into some cooler temperatures and to see some fall color.  Mr. Ladd was convinced from his research that the Rim Road along the Mogollon Rim would be a great spot for some fall color.   I was less than convinced, because there are mostly pines from my experience, but I didn't argue (much).

At first, I was biting my tongue and holding back disappointment and "I told you so's" as we drove into the mountains.   Only an occasional little shrub along the side of the road was trying to change color.  But as we climbed, the 50 degree mountain air filled the Jeep, and we left the windows all the way down, soaking up the cold and savoring the goosebumps.  It was so nice to be chilly and to reach for sweatshirts and flannel in the backseat even if the leaves were not delivering.  Just then, we spotted a clump of blazing orange, pink, and gold through the pines.



We turned down the road to get closer, and after a hike down into a ravine, making sure to talk loudly to scare away the bears (still a little traumatized from this experience), we found what we'd been looking for!

The quiet was almost eerie as we stood in this hidden cove.  It felt like we shouldn't stay long, disturbing its perfection with our leaf crunching and camera clicking. 

Climbing back in the Jeep and continuing down the road, I was satisfied and could have left happy.   We stopped and ate our lunch on the rim with a spectacular view and then carried on.

We were hungry for more, and now carefully searching, eyes trained in every direction.  That's when the real show began.  First, shimmering gold aspens popped up nestled in the pines.

Then we turned down a few roads with the sole purpose of finding more leaves, and found all these deciduous beauties sheltering fabulous camp spots.  It made us wish we would have braved the cold and could just set up a tent right there and then!

Since moving here, we've known there is fall color to be had up in the mountains, and finally we  intentionally went looking for it.  It's not the lavish, mile after mile of blazing trees that you see in the Midwest.  I sadly took that for granted, mumbling about raking them as a kid, and not even stopping to look up when I walked out of my door at the canopy of color.  Here, it's more like fireworks - a single bright tree here, a hidden clump there, and you have to watch or you'll miss it.  You have to go carefully looking for it, which makes it all the more exciting when you find it.

I think a leaf hunt will be an annual tradition around here.  My autumn loving heart is happy!

Thankful Thursday

 

I've been a bit whiny and more than a bit cranky about missing fall weather lately.  I am grumbling around the house about the absence of orange leaves and scarves.  When I'm being a brat, I know it's time for a Thankful Thursday post; a chance to take an honest look at everything, big and small, that I have to be grateful for:

• Diet Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash - There is only one left in my fridge currently, and they are always sold out at the store.  I've been rationing.
• Anne Lamott - I'm reading her book, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life currently, and everything she writes is something I need to read.
• New experiences - I'm realizing I've had a lot of them this year, including my first spin class last night rendering me only able to sit in soft chairs today.
• Mico - He grabs a toy every time it looks like you may have a minute.  He is always at the ready, which teaches me a lot about being prepared and willing to play.
• Buddy - This dude snuggles like it's his job.
• Apple cinnamon Glade plug-ins - Fall is present in my outlets.
• Getting to spend so much time with the hubs - Although we get in each other's way occasionally, it is really nice to be able to eat lunch together and have little mini conversations throughout the day.  
• A full weekend coming up - dinner with friends, a craft date, football, and a baby shower

Wordless Wednesday

Wanting some of this up in the much cooler and colorful mountains right now...

Fast Food Friday - Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumpling Soup

Lately I have more time on my hands, but I completely understand having no time or energy to cook anything by the time you get home from work.  We would end up eating sandwiches, cereal, or questionable leftovers from the fridge many a night.  Even with the time and energy, sometimes there are just better uses of that time than slaving over a meal, like playing with your kids or zoning out in front of the T.V. working out.

Either way, it feels good to sit down to an actual meal that you've actually prepared.  As the weather gets cooler (which in my case means 90 degrees instead of 100) there's nothing like coming home to a nice cozy dinner. So, occasionally on Fridays, I will be sharing one of my favorite homemade-ish recipes with easy ingredients and very little prep time for quick weeknight dinners that feel much fancier.  Most of them are basically just thrown in the slow cooker.  If you don't have a slow cooker, go get one now, that's an order.  They are very inexpensive, and a busy schedule's best friend.

Ingredients:
4 frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 C vegetable broth
2 C chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 C carrots chopped
1 C celery chopped
1 C onion chopped
1 T dried sage
1 T dried thyme
1 T garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 C baking mix (Bisquick)
1/2 C milk

Directions:  

1. For the very least amount of prep work, put the still frozen chicken breasts with 1/2 C water in the  slow cooker the night before on low for 8 hours .  (Bonus = no handling raw meat)
2.  In the morning, shred up the chicken and return to the juices in the crockpot.  
3. Add all other ingredients except baking mix and milk and simmer on low in the crockpot for 8 hours.
4. To make dumpling dough:  30 minutes before serving, mix the baking mix and milk in a separate bowl just until well combined.  Don't overmix.
5. Plop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the slow cooker and let cook for about 30 minutes or until fluffy and a toothpick inserted into the center of one comes out clean.  
6. Serve immediately and enjoy!

• You could also use leftover chicken, shredded store-bought rotisserie chicken, or cut up fresh chicken breasts and add to the rest of it in the morning.   
• I wouldn't recommend using low sodium broth.  I did the first time, and found it needed more salt for my tastes.  
• The dumplings will get mushy the longer it sits, so serve right away for best taste and texture.

Pumpkin Therapy

This past week or so, I have been in a major husband-is-in-San-Fransisco-for-work, hate-that-it's-still-105-degrees-here, can't-get-motivated-to-do-anything kind of funk.  It stuck around Friday night even after my husband was home, with its short answers and general crankiness.  It reared its head Saturday morning as the first words out of my mouth were my expressed displeasure at the fact that Mr. Ladd had the windows open when I woke up, declaring, "It is NOT nice out!  It will be 105 degrees today,  that's NOT nice!" before road raging my way to the farmer's market.  It was still lingering yesterday while the plastic bins of fall decorations sat waiting to deck the halls with all kinds of orange merriment.  I didn't want to.  I didn't feel like it.  I was blah.

So, yesterday I did what any self respecting Midwesterner would do to make the most of a doesn't feel like September afternoon.  I got up off my ass and baked something pumpkiny!  I made a big batch of this pumpkin bread recipe into 2 loaves to freeze for later and cranberry, pecan pumpkin muffins for now, and it helped.  Sometimes you just need to get moving, take a step, and do something, and it will get the juices flowing again.

Since I stopped teaching, I think the wonder of all this free time to myself is wearing off a smidge, and I'm faced with the reality that I'm not quite sure where to start sometimes to make the most of each day. I feel like they're being wasted as of late. My routine the last couple weeks has been filled with a lot more blank stares, Nutella right out of the jar, and Real Housewives of New York than I care to admit.  There has been very little makeup, or for that matter pants without elastic in my daily look, and it's definitely contributing to the blah-ness of my attitude.

Don't get me wrong.  I love every second of being home, sleeping a little later, and setting my own schedule.  But, I am reminded again that I am not a very self-disciplined person and am going to need to do some regimenting of myself to keep me in my chair writing for significant chunks of the day, and then getting some other things accomplished the rest of the day. 
Getting up early-ish, maybe trying to go for a run (gasp) on these cooler mornings, and then coming home and actually getting ready for the day might set the tone for productivity.  I'll let you know how that goes this week.

Hope you're having a productive, fulfilling Monday.

Here are a few more pumpkin goodies because I'm obsessed:

A recipe for pumpkin cookies that I have not tried yet, but cannot wait.  My friend Lisa pointed me in the direction of these delicious beauties, and I am both grateful to her and missing her lots while I covet her east coast weather.





To change it up from the ever popular pumpkin spice latte, try this next time you're at Starbucks.  It's just an iced chai latte with 3 pumps of pumpkin spice (for a grande, I would actually recommend 4) and a shot of espresso.  You're welcome.

Wordless Wednesday

On Being Happy

I read this post on A Cup of Jo this morning, which got me thinking about what would be on my list of things that make me happy.  Then I felt I had a dilemma.  Should I focus on the big things that make me happy, like my family, health, freedom? Or is it really appreciation for the little things, like the return of the pumpkin spice latte?

Then I came to the realization that it doesn't have to be one or the other and in fact, it is a mix of both- the combination of Sunday afternoon football and spending time with my husband that leads to happiness. I am happiest when I take time to notice and be thankful for the little things in my everyday life that I take for granted, while keeping perspective about the bigger picture.

So at this moment, here is my list of the top 10 things that make me happy, from the miniscule to the universal:

1.  Fall and Christmas decorating - creating magic
2.  My dogs following me around the house because they just want to be where I am
3.  Comments on my blog - I am addicted to the feedback at this stage in the game.  Comment away!
4.  My husband and our imperfect, ever-growing love story
5.  Mountains in a Jeep
6.  Entertaining - I love my house full of a party, a small gathering, or weekend guests
7.  Pajamas - preferably until noon
8.  Laughing 'til I pee with my siblings
9.  Arizona weather from October - June
10.  My faith in a God who is concerned with the big and the small

So what makes you happy?

Papa and Packers

My dad's birthday was Saturday, and between him coaching soccer, a wedding that day, and travel, his birthday flew by.  But I still wanted to take a minute to celebrate my daddy!  We are very close, and as you can see, I have inherited his eyes, his nose, and his love of football. 

It only seems appropriate that his birthday is always around the start of football season.  The NFL season officially started this week, and I couldn't be happier.  My dad is a Packer fanatic, so growing up to Green Bay games on T.V. every Sunday after church, the Packers eventually became a mutual passion.  We try to make it to at least one game a year and watch games together when possible.  A condition when moving to Arizona, was that we would be purchasing Sunday Ticket every season so I wouldn't miss a Packer game.  Even though I have moved across the country, I text my dad while watching every game with frequent messages of "That was crap!" or "Woot Woot" and we still watch every game together in spirit.  Technology is a beautiful thing.  I don't think I could live this far away from family without it.

My dad is the reason I have such an incredible family to miss.  He takes his role as father very seriously.  He didn't grow up with his own father, and has made it his mission to define what family looks like in his own.  His definition of family is loving God, spending time together, respecting your parents, loving and showing up for your siblings.  He intentionalized family.  He knew that family bonds do not happen by accident but by working at it, just like in any loving relationship.  We had dinner together and went to each other's soccer games and piano recitals, whether we liked it or not.   The whole family came for open house and school plays, and holiday traditions and family vacations were sacred.  We sat in the 2nd row of church together every Sunday, and although there were times that rules and expectations were rigid, and he was fiercely protective, the intent was always clear.  He taught me that family is a priority, and that you have to love each other on purpose.

That started with loving my mom and creating an example of a strong marriage.  There was never a question growing up that my mom came first to my dad.  They put their marriage at the top of the list.  They had weekend getaways, and their own Christmas Eve celebration late at night before the early morning tradition with us kids.  He brought her chocolate from the grocery store, and flowers just because.  They kissed and said sorry in front of us.  Their marriage was not and is not perfect, but that's the beauty of it.  It's still important to them, and now that all of us are grown and married ourselves, they get to keep working on it and decide what it looks like in this next chapter. 

My dad taught me important ways of life, like not sweating the small stuff but fighting ferociously for the big stuff.  While we don't always necessarily agree on what is small stuff and what is big stuff, I definitely have internalized that approach.  My dad is an extremely laid back person until he believes intensely about something, and then watch out.  He has a stubborn tenacity that will outlast anyone.  My husband would argue I have also inherited that, and he'd probably be right.  I sharpened those debate skills at an early age.

So again, Happy Birthday Dad.  Thank you for teaching me how to be a Packer fan, how to argue, and how to love like it's my job.

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I'm thankful for right this minute while I'm back in Wisconsin for a bit...





A safe, half empty flight to Milwaukee that got in early and was only half full.  We had a seat between us and lots of room to stretch out, and it felt like an absolute miracle compared to the last time I was on a plane.

The pilot announcing that the current temperature in Milwaukee was 72 degrees.  (Happy smile with eyes closed)

Sleeping in our first cute house in our old bedroom, since my sister and her beautiful family now rent from us.  Lots of memories in this little bungalow, and I love that it's still in the family.

All 4 of us walking Anahi to school this morning, seeing her kindergarten classroom, at the elementary school I went to.

A Harvest Latte at Wilson's and an apple fritter at Larsen's for breakfast.  West Racine Bliss.

Snuggles and bedtime stories

What Your Child's Kindergarten Teacher Wants You To Know

6 years ago, the string of nieces began.  We were blessed with 3 nieces within a year between my brother Ben, my sister Kelli, and Jeremiah's brother Job, which means they all started talking around the same time, got potty trained around the same time, and they all started kindergarten this year.  It's been so fun watching them all go through big milestones together, and I can't even believe that they are all in school now.  So grown up! (Warning:  triple adorable first day of school pictures coming right up)

Paige on her first day - look at that grin! (photo by Brooke Mikutowicz)

Emma on her first day - uniform! squeal!  (photo by Jess Blascoe)

Anahi on her first day - with such a big girl smile and boots! (photo by Kelli Luis)

As a former kindergarten teacher I am so excited for them, knowing how much they will grow this coming year.  Kindergarten was by far my favorite age to teach.  There is absolute magic when they start to make the connection between those ABC's they've been singing since they were 2 and the written word.  They start to read stories and write their own as confidence grows.  There is nothing like watching that whole world open up to a little one, and it is such a privilege to be a part of that!

I've always been the one on the other side of the classroom door, but talking to my sister and sister-in-law these last couple weeks about what it's like from their perspective to hand over their babies has got me thinking.  It is back to school season everywhere.  Reading online and talking to my family,  I know there is uncertainty and tears, more from the mamas than the kids probably.  I can't really know what that feels like, but I have decided to help you out with what I do know.  So, to all the moms and dads that dropped off their pride and joy at those classroom doors for the first time, and then went home and ugly cried, these are the things your child's kindergarten teacher is too tired to tell you at the end of their first day or even week. But I think they would like you to know...

     You have done so much to prepare them that you didn't even know was preparing them. They are
      ready. Every time you colored with them, sang songs, said no, and followed through on a
      consequence, you helped them with essential skills to be successful in school.

      If they cried a little, or even if they screamed and clung to you and had to be peeled away by the
      teacher, they were much better after you left.  They always are, and it gets easier as they become
      more familiar.  The unknown is scary for all of us, but it should feel good that you are their safe
      place.

     They are going to be completely exhausted for a while (as is their teacher).  That's a long day for
     little bodies (and big ones).  Be patient and allow time for everyone to get in a rhythm.

     Keep a clean change of clothes in their backpack.  Trust me on this one.

     They found friends even if they told you they didn't.  Kids at that age are amazingly accepting and
     inclusive.

     They learned something even if they told you they didn't.  They are starting to develop their
     school self and often want that separate from their home self .  It's their first attempt at creating
     their own identity away from home and sometimes they don't like mingling their two worlds.

     Along those lines, they may have a tough time with some rules at first.  The structure of school is
     much different than home.  Some kids have a hard time understanding at first that what works at
     home with just them and their siblings, does not work in a classroom full of 20-30 children.
     They'll get it.

     They can do so much more than you might think.  They are going through their day with all kinds
     of independence and responsibility, following directions, cleaning up after themselves, and
     solving problems.  You'd be amazed at what they are capable of! So, don't let them fool you that
     they don't know how to do their homework, or clean up their own room, and for the love of God,
     please don't carry their backpacks for them.  (Sorry, that last one is a personal pet peeve of mine.)

Overall, just remember that you are still your child's first and most important teacher.  Don't ever forget that or underestimate the impact you have on their everyday life.