#5Faves: My New Day Planner

You guys!!!!  I got a new day planner.

Yes, I know they have apps for that now. Yes, we use Cozi (family calendar, shopping lists) for the great pop-up reminders.

And I'll tell you what...even though Ver.izon gave me major side-eye for threatening to switch to T-Mo.bile because, blah, blah, blah, "their network coverage isn't as good", blah, blah, blah, "you get what you pay for"...I never can get on Ver.izon's fancy-schmancy network when I am out and about anyhow. Seriously, standing in the doctor's or dentist's office trying to make my next appointment saying, "sorry, my phone is going so slow. Ummm, sure just book it and I'll call to change it if it doesn't work when my calendar finally loads." I should've followed through on that threat and made the switch.

Nothing beats a paper planner in my world.

So I thought I'd share my new planner with you and tell you my #5Faves about it.

I got a My Faithful Planner and you guys - SWOON!!!

(This is not a sponsored post. I bought this planner on my own, paid for it with my own money, then after I fell in love with it, asked if they'd mind if I told you all about it.)

#1

Changeable Covers

They have over 100 cover designs and you can even upload your own photos for the cover (outside, inside, front or back). I selected a beautiful painting of Our Lady holding Jesus as an infant. On the inside covers I put pictures of my family along with my name and phone number (in case I lose my planner). You can change your cover because the disc binding allows you to just pop it off and pop a new one on. My next cover is probably going to be this one...or this one...I can't decide.

#2

Month View Layout

There are two different month-at-a-glance views included in the planners that have lots of space for writing in important events, birthdays, holidays, whatever. But I use my month-at-a-glance layout for menu planning. I write in events that have us away from the house at meal-times (or events that keep me away from the house during my usual meal prep times) so I can plan our menus around them. Then I just write in our menu plan right there.

#3

Weekly View Layout

First of all, I love the pretty colors - it just makes me cheerful, which if you know me is not an easy feat (pessimist that I am). They offer their layouts in black & white too, in case you are one of those naturally cheerful people who needs to hold it back a bit lest the rest of us slap hug you.

They have 5 layouts to choose from; I requested to have my weekly layout customized just a bit from the Student Layout. I needed the space below each day so I could assign tasks for myself to specific days, but I also needed the weekly To Do list space so I could keep a running list of things that need to get done, but don't necessarily have to be done on a specific day.

I also asked to have my days broken into Morning, Day & Night instead of the hour running along the side. Having the time there just stresses me out because I know I'll always be running behind and with little kids underfoot strict schedules fall apart quickly leaving me feeling like a failure. Feeling like a failure because I didn't make a phone call at 9:30am like I scheduled, leads to me, overwhelmed, in my pajamas, eating chocolate chips on the couch while my kids tear the house apart. So, no hours for me, just general times of the day.

#4

Liturgical Calendar and Pope, Saint, & Bible Quotes 

My Faithful Planner has a Liturgical calendar for each month already done! All the feast days are marked, all the days of abstinence are marked, the liturgical colors are all there - for Ordinary Form or Extraordinary Form or both. How cool is that? Hint: Très chic!

Additionally, sprinkled on each page are quotes from our beloved Popes, our favorite Saints, and our Holy Scriptures. What a great way to get some more good, holy reading and meditations in! I really love trying to memorize the quotes on the pages - especially the bible verses, because isn't it wonderful when the Holy Spirit just brings a scripture to your remembrance when you need it? I enjoy immersing myself in the Word of God and I've found it to be a great way to bring a smile to my face, usually when I need it most, at random moments in my day.

#5

Add ons

I added a few dividers onto my planner to make it easier to get to the current week and other frequently used features (there is a place for important phone numbers, website logins, etc. in the back). I also got some folder pockets so I can place papers I will need inside without them getting lost. They have pen holders and elastics for holding it all closed. It's just so fun to configure your planner exactly how you want it to make the best possible solution for you and your life.

I have to say that Yesenia at My Faithful Planner was a pleasure to work with; she was very attentive, prompt and efficient answering my questions and accommodating my requests. She and her lovely family have put so much time and effort into creating these beautiful and useful products. Their customer service was fantastic - my planner arrived much sooner than I expected especially considering I had requested some customization.

This planner has been a blessing to me and my family already, helping me organize my projects and our family's days and weeks.

I hope you check out My Faithful Planner and you are as inspired by them as I have been and that you consider purchasing one for yourself or as a gift to bless someone special.

Linking up with Jenna for this week's edition of #5Faves. Check out what other bloggers are finding useful, inspirational, fun or yummy these days!

#5Faves: Things Inspiring Me This Week

I've been in need of some inspiration lately in a few different areas of my life. So here is my short list of things that are inspiring me lately:

#1

Capsule Wardrobe

I'm not as late to this party as I usually am. I have started creating a capsule wardrobe for me and my kids. I started this approach in the Spring when I had to shop for the kids' and my summer clothes and I have to say, it has made my life much easier.

For me, I went with approximately 10 shirts (8 black t-shirts, 1 navy blue t-shirt, and 1 multi-colored loose tank style top), 5 skirts (4 maxi-skirts, 1 knee-length skirt), 5 shorts/capris (2 beige capri pants, 2 jean capri pants, 1 pair plaid shorts), and 4 pair of shoes (1 pair beige flip-flops, 1 pair white flip-flops, 1 pair tennis shoes, 1 pair camouflage ballet flats). This is plenty for me as a stay-at-home mom even though it is way below her recommended number of items. I do also have about 10 tank tops/camisoles that I interchange beneath all the shirts for a pop of color, since you can see that most of my wardrobe is black or beige.

For our son: 10 pair of shorts (4 plaid, 6 solid), 15 shirts (polo style, t-shirts, character shirts), 3 pair of shoes (2 pair of tennis shoes, 1 pair flip-flops).

For the girls: They each have approximately 5 pair of shorts (jeans & cotton), 5 casual play dresses, 3 church dresses, 10 shirts, and 4 pair of shoes (2 sandals, 1 paid of tennis shoes, 1 pair dressy shoes).

This system has really cut down on my laundry, overflowing dresser drawers and general mess in the house. I also find we have less arguing about what they will wear since they can pick almost anything and it still matches. 

The big exception to this is my son's character shirts. Relatives send him character shirts with busy patterns (spider-man mostly) and he loves them so wants to wear them all the time. With plaid shorts. Ummm, no.

#2

This Decluttering Method

What? You too? I thought I was the only one (who needs to declutter their abode). This system seems so doable to me. I actually feel like I could declutter one thing a day from my household. And I feel like I can put a plan in place to get them out of my house, whether by selling, donating or just trashing them. It's just one thing a day.

#3

Blessed Is She

This site has been putting out some fantastic and challenging devotionals lately. They've stung a bit, but I know that they are pruning me to help me grow. Really, you should check it out and sign up for the daily devotionals.

#4

Weekday Vegetarianism

I have been wanting to change up my own eating habits to get more healthy, fresh food. I saw this TED talk about Weekday Vegetarianism and have been thinking about it for about 2 months. I don't know that I am ready to completely commit to a Monday-Friday veggie diet, but I am slowly moving that direction. I have worked up to 3 days a week vegetarian diet for myself (my kids & husband...well, they are a different story entirely). I am still working on it and I started by eating salads at lunch every day. I vacillate between a hearty coleslaw and more traditional salads.

I'll keep you apprised of how this change pans out. It would be awesome if I dropped a few lbs during this transformation, but I'm not banking on it. Funny how all the changes your body goes through at mid-life make the vain benefits of this type of lifestyle change disappear.

#5

French Kids Eat Everything

My kids were such good eaters until they stopped being good eaters. Junior gobbled everything we put in front of him until the age of 3 when he started refusing everything but noodles, bread and breadsticks. Alice has decided over the past few months that she will no longer eat anything that is not a hot dog, chocolate or cookie. Thankfully, my sweet LizzieBeth is still eating whatever is offered.

This phase d'opposition is supposed to be short-lived, but Junior, at almost 7yo, is still struggling to eat a more varied diet. 

And this mom is tired of the dinner-time drama.

I read this book recently and found a wealth of great tips for introducing new foods to my family and for getting them to try them and like them. We are working on it. Of course, the French methods and rules are not going to work 100% for my family for a variety of reasons, but all the "rules" are adoptable and adaptable. I am planning a more in depth post about this book and what its implementation looks like at our house soon, so stay tuned for that.

So that's it. #5Faves that are inspiring me lately. I hope you'll click over to visit Jenna today and see what others are sharing for their #5Faves today too!

None of these are affiliate links. Just some sites I've found useful, helpful or inspiring. I receive nothing for passing along their info or from you clicking through to them.

#5Faves: Slow Cooker Meals

We've been having some non-NFP related Peak Days up here in Michigan lately. DTE, our electricity provider, designates "Peak Enegy Use Days" for energy usage and encourages us to conserve energy on those days during certain hours. For example, last Friday was a "Peak Day" and we were one of their top 100 customers for conserving energy during the Peak Day's Peak Hours. Pope Francis would be proud.

We had another "Peak Day" yesterday, so I tweaked the A/C so it wouldn't run as much, put on the ceiling fan during Lizzie's naptime, and kept the kids outside in the pool during that time so they wouldn't watch TV or turn on lights. I also prepped our dinner in the morning, so I would only have to re-heat it instead of cook it entirely during peak energy usage time.

I think if I know about DTE's Peak Days with enough notice, I can modify our weekly meal plan to use the crock-pot instead of an oven meal (or better yet - use the grill!). The slow cooker doesn't heat up the house like the oven does (causing the A/C to run more in addition to all that gas & electric use by the stove/oven).

#1

French Dip

I can't even express how delicious this meat is. It is so tender and perfectly seasoned and I could eat the whole thing by myself. I love to make my own buns to go with them too.

#2

Angel Chicken

This one is straight-up comfort food. I've packaged this one up as a freezer meal for my SIL when she had a baby...I just combined all the ingredients (except the pasta, cornstarch, and water) in a gallon sized baggie, placed that sealed baggie into a freezer bag. Gave her the cornstarch in a small baggie and the pasta in another gallon sized baggie, put both of those in the freezer bag too! Then I wrote out quick instructions for her. Her family loved it - including all 4 of the big kids!

#3

Spinach Chicken Noodle Soup

This is another easy one that is a crowd pleaser. My kids love it, my husband loves it, my parents love it. It's miam-miam-miammy. This is another one you can prepare ahead and stick it in the freezer (without the pasta) and pull it out to throw in the slow cooker on a busy day. It is very hearty and really fills up the belly.

#4

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

I LOVE this pulled pork. And this from a girl who does not like pork other than bacon. Extra crispy. Please and thank you.

When I find a pork roast on clearance or on sale, I grab it up and stick it in the freezer so I can put this on the menu plan. It is so easy and delicious and there is a million ways to eat it. I like to make tostadas & quesadillas; Mr. Amen likes to make soft tacos; I eat it straight out of the slow cooker; I make homemade buns to enjoy it on.

#5

Slow Cooker Potato & Sausage Soup

This soup is also another stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal. Crazy filling and delicious. You can use 1/2 the meat without the recipe suffering at all (and saving money!) or eliminate it all together in favor of adding some bacon as a garnishment.

Linking up with both Jenna of Call Her Happy for this week's #5Faves and Dwija for her Easy Slow Cooker & One Pot Round Up.

#5Faves: NFP Memes

For NFP Awareness Week, I thought you might enjoy some memes. Because everyone enjoys memes.

I've made a bunch this week - here's my favorites :

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

Bonus memes for your viewing pleasure

Now head over to Jenna's for more #5Faves fun!

#5Faves: Books to Read with My Kids

I am a reader. I hope my kids love reading when they grow up as much as I do.

While only one of my kids is a reader at the moment, we still do lots and lots of reading around these parts. The best way to pass on my love of reading is by reading to my kids often. I don't do it nearly enough, but we try to sneak in some reading as often as we can. I'll usually suggest we read a book before we allow TV or videos to come on at our house.

While I'm not against TV, and I don't necessarily limit screentime, I simply insist on doing some reading before the TV lights up (after I'm up for the day, of course. Before I'm up, they can watch all the TV they want provided they don't make a bunch of screaming + crying = racket.)

Here are five of our favorite books that we read to the kids:

(1)

Snuggle Up, Sleepy Ones by Claire Freedman

We got this book more than 5 years ago for our son when he was about 1 year old. Reading this book just before he was tucked into bed became a tradition. It is a rhyming book, but the rhymes are so sweet and simple that rather than riling up my kids, they calm them right down. My children all eagerly point out all the animals, moths and bugs which helps develop their speech and helps them learn new animals. The illustrations are delightful, with the nighttime colors lulling the kids to sleep.

(2)

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

A classic of epic proportions. My children have watched the movie and are entranced whenever I put it on. Even my 6yo boy will ask to watch Anne of Green Gables on a rainy afternoon...though he covers his eyes when she twists her ankle in the woods with Diana because he thinks it is too spooky (how cute is that?!?!). I started reading it while they are in the room playing and not necessarily making them sit and listen. Even though it is way above their reading, and truthfully, above their comprehension level, I still enjoy reading it to them. It helps to enhance and enrich their vocabulary to hear such lusciously descriptive narratives and words they have never heard before. My son will ask what new words mean and he picks up some more formal speech patterns every now and then. I love the wholesome nature of the books, the characters, the love of learning and the "each day is fresh with no mistakes in it yet" attitude.

(3)

If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen

 Such a fun and imaginative read. My 2yo screams, "MOM, WHAT *IS* DAT?!" on every single page while we work our way through the little boy's imagined car invention. My 1yo likes looking at the pictures and shouting incoherently while trying to tear the pages from their binding. My 6yo gets all sorts of inspired and immediately asks for paper, crayons and markers so he can start designing his own car. Then the 2yo sits and draws for awhile too while the 1yo eats crayons (but not the asbestos crayons, I think hope). It is just such a fun book to get the kids excited about science and inventing. I find their little imaginations to be stimulated and their creative juices flow for hours after listening to me read it to them.

(4)

Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner

 We received this book one year from some teacher friends along with a Snowman Decorating Kit. What a perfect gift for a small child! The book is adorably illustrated with hidden objects on many of the pages. The snowmen look like they have all kinds of fun at night and the book very cleverly "explains" why snowmen look so wonky and tired in the morning. My kids just love searching for the hidden objects and they have even more ideas about what other mischief snowmen get into at night.

(5)

Magnificat

This little gem has all the readings for each mass, the order of the mass, morning and evening prayers, reflections and devotionals. We get the adult version and use it to read Sunday's readings to the kids each evening all week long.

It's a lot of work to incorporate it into our evening routine, but we've found that the children get more out of Sunday mass if they have some idea of what to expect to hear each week. We spend the entire week doing the readings and taking to the kids about them. We ask what they remember about the various readings. We talk about what they mean, explain new vocabulary, and discuss liturgical seasons and feast days. Our kids are still young, but by starting this habit now hopefully they will carry it with them for many years.

And as a bonus for the adults...if we miss the readings due to the tiny tornadoes around our knees and ankles, we still know what is going on, what the priest is talking about and what we were supposed to have just heard.

Any books off the beaten path that you would recommend? We have quite a library going at home and would enjoy adding some of your faves to our collection.

Now it's time to go see Jenna, our hostess with the mostest, and check out some of the other bloggy favorites lists.

*NOTE:  These are NOT affiliate links. I was not asked to review these books, nor do I receive any compensation for recommending these books. I just happen to like these books. All opinions are my own.

#5Faves: At Home Date Night Activities (Summertime Edition)

We have been married 8 years and have 3 small children. We are a one-income family which limits our financial means for going out and our time as together as a family is limited due to my husband's work travel so we prefer to spend time as a family.

But what's a couple to do when we'd like some alone time? Some time to not be exclusively mom & dad? Some time to remember what fun, vibrant, non sleeping-on-the-couch people we used to be?

Mr. Amen and I don't like leaving the kids in the care of non-family babysitters (we have in the past and they were fine, we just prefer family to watch them). Our babysitter of choice is my mom (and dad), but she has her own life and I don't want to take advantage of her generosity in asking her to care for our kids too much...so at home date nights it is.

Creative at home date nights? Puh-leeeezzzzz! You've probably read about these before. AmIright? And you are kind of tired of the same ideas over and over?

Yup, me too.

So here's my top 5 ideas for an at home date night with your main squeeze:

(#1)

Coloring

Wow, starting off strong? No, really. Coloring.

If your kids have art supplies, you have art supplies. I bet even the most unartistic adult can do something decent with crayons, markers, water color paints or sidewalk chalk. I happen to enjoy coloring and do it to relax. My husband bought me a couple of adult coloring books (this one and this one) for Mother's Day this year and my dad let me borrow his professional colored pencils. So.Much.Fun.

But what if you don't have fancy adult coloring books? Well, grab your kids' coloring books and, together, color some pictures for them to surprise them in the morning. Get a big roll of art paper and start coloring your own wrapping paper to use for birthdays or Christmas (also a great project for the kids).

If it isn't going to rain overnight, go out and use some sidewalk chalk to decorate the driveway, back patio or sidewalk. Draw some shapes for the kids to color the next day. Trace each other's body on the driveway next to each other (holding hands...duh!) then plan your future "unlimited funds" date by drawing on your spouse what they would wear on that date (keep it clean, folks, let's not scare the neighbors!). You might just get some fun ideas for out-of-the-house dates someday.

I know my DH would like to go scuba diving (not a chance in H-E-double-hockey-sticks!), and I'd love to go on a walking tour of France; so he'd draw me in flippers, goggles and a wet suit (what a sight!) and I'd draw him with a backpack, a walking stick, a baguette & bottle of wine!

Getting your creative juices flowing together can be a great way to share your dreams and hopes for the future.

(#2)

Camping

Thought you said "at home" date nights? Yes, at home. Have you never camped at home? My kids like to set up their tent in the family room, drag in all the pillows and sleeping bags and pretend they are camping.

Grown-ups can camp at home too! Grill some banana boats or make some s'mores over the BBQ grill or fire pit (if you have one) or over your gas stove. Or just make these or these, crack open a wine cooler (or beer) and sit on the porch and watch the traffic nature go by. What sort of activities would you enjoy after the kids go to bed if you were camping? Cards, games, music? Go sit outside (covered in bug spray) and make it happen.

Now I'm not an outdoorsy kind of gal, so my favorite camping activity would be high-tailing it to a hotel to sit in bed and watch a movie...but zip your sleeping bags together on the living room floor and cuddle up for a Great Outdoors viewing party - that's right up my woodsy alley.

(#3)

Pool Party

Do you have a kiddie pool for the kids? Fill 'er up (during the day so the water can warm up a bit), slip into your swimsuits and sit in the pool together. Make some homemade slurpees, grab a bag of snacks or popsicles and go sit in the pool. This may not sound all that exciting, but it is a nice way to relax at the end of a long day. No kids splashing you, no diapers needing changed or kids needing help with their wet swimsuits.

It would be fun to play cards, listen to music or a baseball game, or read each other an article or blog post you've found interesting.

(#4)

Ice Cream Station

A cherished summer tradition at our house is going out for ice cream or frozen custard as a family. And I know that tradition is fun, but it's also expensive and messy. Wait for the kids to go to bed then make your favorite ice cream shop treat at home! You'll have to plan ahead a bit to make sure you have the ingredients for your & your sweetie's choices, but this is such a nice treat.

Imagine eating an entire ice cream sundae without your kids begging for a taste, without stopping to wipe the sticky off another tiny person's mouth and hands (and elbows and knees) with a wet wipe, without someone crying because they licked their cone and it fell to the ground.

Seriously. Think about that for a second. Wipe that tear from your cheek...this could be reality.

You could make each other's sundae or put one of you in charge of the ice cream concoction and the other in charge of the beverages. Eat them by Citro.nella candlelight out on the porch or patio.

For a fun variation - use your old shot glasses from college to make several tiny ice cream sundaes - that way you get to enjoy a variety of flavors. And you finally get some use out of those shot glasses you've been meaning to donate.

(#5)

Foot washing

I know not every husband is into pedicures, but mine sure is. He just snuck out for a pedicure last weekend, in fact.

This is kind of like a spa night, but less intimidating.

We get a big tub of hot water with epsom salts and a drop or two of essential oil (like lavendar). Have your cuddle bunny soak his feet for a few minutes. Then break out your foot scrub. If you have some already, slather it on and massage away at his feet. If you don't have any - make your own For My Honey scrub. Sugar scrubs are easy to make and you probably have the stuff around the house anyhow.  After a nice foot massage, back in the basin for a rinse. Then with a nice, fluffy, towel, gently dry off your darling's feet, apply some lotion (if he'll let you) and switch spots!

Here are some other ideas for DIY at home foot soaks & scrubs.

This activity goes nicely with soft music, and a cold beverage to contrast the warm foot-soaking water. It's a very tactile way of getting connected with your lovey. Plus, because you are looking at their feet instead of their face, it can help get the person talking without all the visual pressure of so much eye contact.


Jenna is our lovely & vivacious host for #5Faves, so head over to her blog and check out everyone's #5Faves!

NOTE: These are NOT affiliate links. I receive no compensation or kickbacks for promoting these products, recipes or ideas. All opinions are my own. I just thought you might like to hear about them.