sixteen sunbuckles is getting a fresh look

{rockstar mom} my friend, Carrie Dilley

Pleased to introduce to you my good friend Carrie.  Carrie and I have been friends since high school.  I'm not sure when exactly we met but it was probably in the middle of jazz hands and musical make up.  Her husband and I competitively sang and danced for our school show choir (yep, I'm a Glee nerd).  And her best friend, Susan is my sister in law.  Needless to say, Carrie and I are involved in a friendship from many different ways.  She is quirky and loveable and a bundle of joy to be around.  She recently started blogging and higlighting the great things and places of their small town of Franklin, Indiana // Franklin Family Four .  

Thank you Carrie for sharing ...

“How do you do it all?”

Oh, gosh I hate that question.  I never really know how to answer it.  Should I give the person, usually female, often of the stay-at-home variety, a run-down of what I’ve done since I woke up that morning?  Should I shrug it off and pretend like what I accomplish is super easy for me?  Should I confess about the piles of laundry, mountains of dirty dishes and stack of ungraded papers I have waiting for me?  Usually I just ask my daughter, Bay if she has to pee.  Bay ALWAYS has to pee and by the time I return to the conversation how I “do it all” long forgotten.

Let me back up a bit.  Hi, I’m Carrie.  I’ve been married for 8 years to my husband, Matt who works as a Worship & Creative Arts minister.  We have two kids, Jay will be 6 in June and Bay just turned four.  I work full time as an elementary school teacher and I just earned my master’s degree (Masters of Education, Focus on Technology in case you were wondering.  You probably weren’t wondering, though).  As a family we’re serious bikers, pedal bikes, that is, of both the road and mountain variety.  With my husband being on staff, we’re obviously very involved at our church.  I serve in the “visual arts” department one out of every two to three Sundays, which requires me to serve one evening that week, too.  Both kids play tee-ball on the same team, mercifully.  Matt’s their coach.  They also attend the same preschool.  I like to sew and alter a lot of mine and the kids clothes.  Matt and I are both Twittics for Broadway Indy, which means we see and promote via Twitter all of their shows.  Matt enjoys acting and just finished his yearly community theater show and he’s also going to be a co-director of a week of camp this summer.  I also speak at conferences when I get a chance.  I have three speaking engagements in the next two months.

I’m also guilty of competing in competitive birthday partying.

Needless to say, we’re busy--hence the “How do you do it all??” question that I frequently get asked.  There’s really no way to explain how exactly we as a family manage to accomplish everything that we do.  We just sort of do it.  I read somewhere once that you can’t “do it all, you just have to do the next thing.”  That’s what we do everyday.  We just do the next thing, whatever it may be--and when you’re a Dilley, there’s ALWAYS a “next thing!!”

I do have a couple of tricks I’d like to share with you that make all that we do possible.  These are by no means recommendations, they’re simply things that work for us at this stage of our family’s life.  

Really Short Hair

• I have really, really short hair.  I don’t have time for long hair--I don’t have time to wash it, dry it, fix it, anything.  My hair needs to be able to look “fine” with a minimal amount of effort each and every day.  Between washing, drying and fixing, it gets maybe 6 minutes per day.  My daughter also has really short hair, which is also helpful.  I actually don’t “buzz” my son for a lot of reasons, one of which is that he can go 6 weeks between haircuts like I can.  Matt’s hair is his own problem.

We have a lot of underwear

• I can probably go three full weeks without doing any laundry at all--and I have.  Frequently.  I know, I know.  You’re supposed to wash, dry and put away one load every day.  Some people do this per person--plus towels!  Not us.  The way I figure things, to wash, dry and put away a load every day would probably take at least 20 minutes.  20 x 7 = 140 minutes weekly.  That’s over 2 hours.  I spend about 2 hours doing a TON of laundry every two or three weeks.  

We eat the same things over & over again

• We eat really simple meals that don’t have a lot of ingredients and don’t take a long time to make/clean up.  One of our favorites is to dump a bunch of boneless/skinless chicken breasts in a crockpot and cover them with salsa.  You just let it cook all day, shred the chicken, and serve with tortilla chips & cheese.  Surprisingly, we don’t eat any prepackaged meals--this is due mostly to a food sensitivity one of my kiddos has, and also due to the fact that we find them to lack nutritional value.  We eat as many whole foods as possible, but we’re not 100% organic.  I try to subscribe to the idea of the “dirty dozen & the clean 15.”  Eating the same things over & over again also makes grocery shopping easier and less time consuming, too.

Intentional business

• Yes, we are super, super busy.  There are more weeks than I care for that have every night filled with something, however, each activity is carefully chosen.  We save what little time we have for the thing that matter the most.  We try to make sure all of the activities are worthwhile things that we want to do and we try to spend as much time with the people we love as possible.

Really supportive spouse

• Matt and I got married really young and I got really lucky.  I look at most 22 year olds now and think “I cannot believe I woke up one morning and MARRIED at 22 year old.”  22 year olds don’t know anything yet.  I had no way of knowing Matt would be so good with the kids or that he’d be able to pack lunches, get kids ready for preschool, give baths, unload a dishwasher, wash dishes, make “salsa chicken” or do any of the other things he does that most guys don’t.  Seriously.  Back off, ladies.  He’s taken.  

Simple Faith

• I cannot stress enough how our faith in God enables our very breath.  Without Him we are nothing, incapable of even the slightest movement forward, let alone the never-ending task list that awaits each day.  

In closing, I don’t do it all by any means.  No one does because it’s not possible.  Focus on the things that matter, be intentional with your time and you’ll be just fine.  

{stationery} simply chic and charmingly sweet paperie // custom wedding thank you

I met Kara a few weeks ago on Etsy and I finished a custom template save the date for her.  She is a bride on a budget and decided to do her own printing.  It is always great to receive an email like this,

Thanks! They turned out great!! I love them!

We decided to do some custom wedding thank yous. If you've been a bride you know how many thank yous you write!  All those bridal showers, bachelorette parties, and the very very long list of gifts after the wedding.  You might as well hire an extra hand to help you write!

{mommy mondays} clap your hands // Target commercial

This brings a smile to my face everytime I see it.  Thank you Target.

{shanks household} on vacation in Vegas

I'll be taking the long weekend off in Vegas with my girlfriends.  My husband is gracious enough to let me go and hold down the fort here at home.  A full weekend away from Anna will be difficult but I'm looking forward to a fun weekend relaxing by the pool, shopping. We booked tickets to Cirque Soleil! We are celebrating my friend Emily's "final fling before the ring" and I'm looking forward to meeting the other bridesmaids. Let me know if anyone has any suggestions on what we should do in Vegas!

{stationary} minimal elegance and simply chic // monogrammed notes

Les grandes pensées viennent du coeur.                       
                    The greatest thoughts come from the heart.
- Vauvenargues

These lovely stationary cards are perfect for a thank you, hello to a friend, or just slipping into your child's backpack on their way to school.  They are one sided printed but a printed pattern on the back would give this a fun twist!  I can print them on a variety of colors with coordinating envelopes so the possibilities are endless.  Check out my shop for more detail. 

{recipe of the week} Gwyneth Paltrow's Turkey Meatballs

As I flipped through her book, It's all Good I noticed these little babies call for a whole handful of argula.  What? some greens?  Ok, sounds good to me!  I'm on a "greens" kick ever since my dietician at my physical told me I needed to eat more of them (oh yuck I told her).  So If I can squeeze in a few good things for me while I'm eating a meatlball so be it!

Turkey Meatballs
{the goods}
1 small onion, roughly chopped (I just used onion salt)
2 garlic cloves roughly chopped
8 fresh sage leaves
8 large fresh basil leaves
Leaves from 4 sprigs of thyme
Leaves from a 5-inch sprig of rosemary
1/4 cup of Italian parsley
1 large handful of arugula roughly chopped
1 pound of ground turkey
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
4 cups Tomato Sauce
3 Tbl extra virgin olive oil

** I didn't have any fresh herbs on hand so I used dry.  Whenever you use dry you always use far less in quantity than you would fresh.  Its a 3 to 1 ratio normally.  I used one heaping Tbl of each.  I'm not much for exact measurements.

Combine the onion, garlic, herbs, and arugula in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until very finely chopped. 

Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl along with the turkey, salt, and pepper.  (I also added a little zucchini and spaghetti squash puree here.  Bonus for extra veggies you can't taste!) Use your hands to thoroughly combine all the ingredients, then roll the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs (mine were a bit larger)

Place the tomato sauce in a large pot set over low heat and let it get warm.

While the sauce is warming, heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Cook the meatballs, in batches if necessary, until they're browned all over 2-3 minutes on a side.  (If they start to stick turn your heat down) 

Transfer the browned meatballs to a simmering tomato sauce and partially cover the pot.  let the meatballs cook gently for 1/2 hour, carefully stirring every now and then to make sure they're cooking evenly.  Serve hot with your favorite pasta, a pot of polenta, or even on their own alongside some broccoli rabe.  (We used pasta)

{mommy mondays} cancer and the ongoing battle we face

Angelina Jolie recently made news for  "a preventive double mastectomy after learning she carries a mutation of the BRCA1 gene, which sharply increases her risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer." (CNN)  She doesn't have cancer yet but her risk is so high she is taking preventative measures in hopes she'll be able to stop cancer before it starts.  I'm sure she has her babies in mind.

This got me thinking about my own baby. After you become a mother your own health is so much more important to you.  You want to live long enough to see your grandbabies and great grandbabies.  I'd also like to be able to run around with them and play on the floor when I'm 85.



Heather emailed last week and shared with me her beautiful video and story. She is a mesothlioma survivor.

I am 44 and a mother to a quirky little 7 year old, Lily. She is my only child, and my whole world. When Lily was just 3 1/2 months old, I was diagnosed with mesothelioma; a type of cancer that kills most people within 2 years. As I’m sure you can imagine, the first thing that came to mind when I was diagnosed was my baby girl and how I wasn’t going to be able to watch her grow up. After intense treatment and recovery, I’m still here 7 years later and cancer free! My journey with cancer was a terrifying one and I'd like to turn my pain into purpose and become someone that other people can look to for guidance, inspiration, and hope in situations like my own. My husband and I recently participated in a short video about my experience with cancer and I contacted you because I feel that your blog would be an excellent place to share. I’m hoping to use this video as a tool to raise awareness of this horrible little known cancer that is such a deadly killer (and sadly, 100% preventable). 

mesothelioma . Heather Von St. James

Continue your prayers for everyone battling cancer, those who have fought and won, and for the families of those who have lost their fight to this horrible illness.

{Shanks Household} Day 37 of the Proverb 31 Challenge

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.  She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 

I hope you are all learning a lot about yourself on this 40 day challenge.  Anyone doing it with me?  While I haven't made giant leaps toward becoming Ms. Proverbs 31 I have made tiny steps.  I am definitely more aware.  My good friend shared with me this passage from her devotional, Jesus Calling.  (I am going to check out this book for sure.)  This particular excerpt from the book really hits home with me today. I read it while I was folding laundry, making breakfast, and watching the TODAY show.  I wasn't exactly channeling Prbs31 at that exact moment, now was I!? I do believe the lady in Proverbs 31 follows the wisdom in this book.  One of the  many things I am working on throughout this challenge is finishing the task in front of me.  Finishing ONE task. Don't start the next task until I can finish this one!  Otherwise nothing will be done and the house will be a mess.  And of course I'm running around frazzled and wondering how things got so out of hand.  And no, I didn't get to drink the coffee I made while folding laundry because I never got back to it -- I was too busy doing too many things.

What we ultimately need to do is trust in Him.  Above all things always go back to Him throughout the day.  Let Jesus be your center, your rock, the guidepost to get you through your day.  Because with out him -- how would we ever manage our day?  How much better would our day be if we invited him to join us!

{picture by Cassia Lynn - thank you for sharing with me!}

{save the date} templates on Etsy

I'm starting to get a little collection of templates at my shop.  For the DIY Bride out there on a budget and able to do her own printing then these are for you.  Less than $20/template and I can customize colors, names, dates, etc to make it personal and your own.  I can print these on photo magnets, cardstock or send you the digital file for your own printing at home. 

I like doing these and LOVE helping a bride on a small budget!

{recipe of the week} Gwyneth Paltrow's Sweet Potato + Five-Spice Muffins

As you can see I'm cooking my way through Gwyneth Paltrow's new cookbook, Its All Good.  I mean what is the point of buying a new cookbook if you don't try a few of the recipes?  If I don't try them right away then it'll go sitting on my shelf for months.  Best to try and make sure it was a good purchase, don't you think?

Sweet Potato + Five-Spice Muffins
{the goods}
1 large sweet potato
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
3/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 Tbl chinese five-spice powder **
1/2 tsp sea salt
(I also added a little lemon zest left over from Gwyneth's Green Juice I've been making all this week)

** Chinese five-spice powder is a blend ground ginger, cloves, black pepper, cinnamon, and fennel.  If you don't have it preblended you can just use a tsp or so of each ingredient in this recipe.

Preheat the oven to 400degF.  Prick the sweet potato a few times with a paring knife or a fork.  Bake until soft (when a pairing knife can cut through with zero resistance), about 1 hour.  (Mine always seep juice so I put a cooking sheet on the rack below the sweet potato to catch anything.  It helps keep the oven cleaner) Set the sweet potato aside until it's completely cool.

Peel the sweet potato, discard the skin, and mash the flesh in a mixing bowl with a fork.  Whisk the olive oil, almond milk, maple syrup, and vanilla into the sweet potato.  In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking sodea, five-spice powder, and salt.  Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.  (I didn't read this thoroughly and ended up dumping all my wet and dry in together at the same time, woops!  But everything still turned out ok)

Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners and eveninly distribute the muffin batter among the cups. (I ended up using 18 cups.)

Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean, burshing the tops with the extra maple syrup  during the last 5 minutes of baking. (I forgot this step and they still came out fine) Let the muffins cool before serving.

{all photos by sixteen sunbuckles}

{Mommy Mondays} for the days you may never come up for air

For the days we are running on empty. For the days we just don't think we have it in us to read one more story, play change one more poopy diaper, wash one more round of laundry. For the days when we think everyone else has it together. For the days we're sure anyone else would do this job better.  

For the days we just cannot live up to lady in Proverbs 31.

For those days. You know the ones.

Repeat after me:

1. I shall not judge my house, my kid's summer activities or my crafting skills by Pinterest's standards.

2. I shall not measure what I've accomplished today by the loads of unfolded laundry but by the assurance of deep love I've tickled into my kids.

3. I shall say yes to blanket forts and see past the chaos to the memories we're building.

4. I shall surprise my kids with trips to get ice cream when they're already in their pajamas.

5. I shall not compare myself to other mothers but find my identity in the God who trusted me with these kids in the first place.

6. I shall remember that a messy house at peace is better than an immaculate house tied up in knots.

7. I shall play music loudly and teach my kids the joy of wildly uncoordinated dance.

8. I shall remind myself that perfect is simply a street sign at the intersection of impossible and frustration in Never Never land.

9. I shall embrace the fact that in becoming a mom I traded perfect for a house full of real.

10. I shall promise to love this body that bore these three children out loud, especially in front of my daughter.

11. I shall give my other mother friends the gift of guilt-free friendship.

12. I shall do my best to admit to my people my unfine moments.

13. I shall say sorry when sorry is necessary.

14. I pray God I shall never be too proud, angry or stubborn to ask for my children's forgiveness.

15. I shall make space in my grown-up world for goofball moments with my kids.

16. I shall love their father and make sure they know I love him.

17. I shall model kind words to kids and grown-ups alike.

18. I shall not be intimidated by the inside of my minivan this season of chip bags, goldfish crackers and discarded socks too shall pass.

19. I shall always make time to encourage new moms.

20. I shall not resent that last call for kisses and cups of water but remember instead that when I blink they'll all be in college.

... with love from one tired mother to another.


{written by Lisa-Jo Baker} 

{10 Favorite Things} First year of Mommyhood // in honor of Mother's Day

 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her^, “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Its my first Mother's Day.  Well, its my first REAL Mother's Day.  I did celebrate last year.  This close to the due date baby Anna was doing all kinds of squirming, kicking, and hiccupping... and I indeed was waddling.  So there was no way I could say I wasn't already a mother at this time last year.  We had the nursery finished, clothes washed and hung up, "what to expect" books read and bookmarked (and highlighted -- yes I'm that crazy).  

It has been a year of
ups and downs
joys and saddness
giggles and squeals
tears and cuddles
long sleepless nights and fussy days
breastfeeding challenges and acid reflux tribulations
full days of laughter and smiles
spit ups and food on the wall
mommy playdates and strollercise
new friends and new doctors
my list could go on and on....

What I've learned the most is how to give of myself.  Everyone told me before she arrived it was no longer "all about me".  Which I knew.  And I'm nearly 30 so its about time to figure that out.  However, living very very far away from my family and support I had to find new ways to draw strength.  I am continually grateful for my ever evolving support group of friends (around the world) and knowing someone is there to talk no matter what the hour. My husband has been wonderful through my post partum anxiety.  He has been the dad I knew he would be from the start.  Even through all my crazy he loves me for everything that I am. 

--

So Happy Mother's Day to all of my wonderful friends, to my mom, my mother in law, my grandmas, my aunt, and my sister n law.  Even through all the struggles of mommyhood I am thoroughly enjoying every minute of this new club.

Get Healthy/Get Fit // Implementing Springpad Notebooks into my Daily Life

I've been doing some more exploring on Springpad. I love the notebooks you can create with this program. I've also been on a clean eating, get fit, get organized kick this Spring. Which I hope is starting to be ingrained in my routine. If you'd love to join me on my quest to be healthy start following this notebook. I'll post all kinds of tips and tricks I'm noticing work for myself! *Here's to keeping New Year's Resolutions.

{wedding invitation} Navy Blue, Twine, Mason Jars, and Austin, Texas // Dan + Emily

Emily and I finally got all of our invitations sent out for their destination wedding in Austin, Texas.  I am fairly certain she put more work into these than I did.  Designing and printing is only 25% of the work.  Cutting, addressing, stamping, and mailing is the other 75%.  I love the finished product though.  Its very Emily.  Its tastefully minimalistic but very country chic.  Emily went with a pocket fold style but to save costs she decided on a panel pocket.  One side housed the invitation and the other side we stuffed with the enclosure cards. 

The countdown has officially started for this bridesmaid.  I am really looking forward to getting out of Alberta for a weekend, float the river in Austin and break out my cowboy boots.

Please check out Emily and Dan's Save the Date photo magnets.  And for all other designs visit my shop!

{recipe of the week} Gwyneth Paltrow's Green Juice

I finally bought Gwyneth Paltrow's It's All Good Cookbook which I've been eyeing since January.  It went 30% off at Safeway so I snatched it up and added it to the cart.

Its a beautiful cookbook.  I wrote down a few things to try and the my first was her green Juice.  I'm trying to appreciate green juice.  Its mind over matter for me.  I hate big leafy greens, but they are good for me and my doctor told me I need to eat more of them.  So, here we go.  Glasses up.

The Best Green Juice
{the goods}
5 large leaves of kale, ribs discarded, leaves roughly chopped (I only used 3)
1 lemon, zest and pith removed
1 large apple, roughly chopped (I used a fuji)
1 1-inch piece of fresh ginger (I used 1/8 tsp of dried ginger)
1 sprig of fresh mint

Push all ingredients through your juicer. 

-Or- if you don't have a juicer (like me) you can use your trusty old blender.

^ Pull of the leaves from the ribs.  If you have little ones they can help with this. Then chop or tear apart leaves ^

^ Zest your lemon, cut out the pitch (and seeds), cut into chunks ^

^ Core and cut your apple into chunks ^

^ Pull off your mint leaves from the stem ^

^ Throw everything in your blender with 1/4 cup of water.  You might need to blend and stir, blend and stir. ^

^ When blended add a few ice cubes so its a cold drink.  Then blend in the cubes. ^

^ Its going to be thick. Pour the contents into a wire mesh strainer over a bowl (or measuring cup) and let drip.  You may need to stir the paste a little to keep the liquid flowing. ^

^ While that drains put your little one down for her morning nap. ^

^ Now enjoy your quiet house and green juice.^

{all pictures by Sixteen Sunbuckles}

Friday -- can't believe you are here already at the {shanks household}

Woops! Missed yesterday's blog post.  I've been very busy lately with some good things around here.  A few highlighted thoughts for Friday.

one
In honor of 40 Days to Proverbs 31 I've taken some time for myself this week.  I went to hot yoga with friends, shopping, and spent time reading.  I'm still in need of a good pedicure but that will just have to wait.  Any nail color recommendations? This post will be short because I'm actually going to put away the computer and spend some quality time with my husband.

two
If anyone is in need of some weekend reading you can join me with this book.  Pursuit of Proverbs 31

three
Oh and did I mention I've dropped an entire pant size?  Hello there size 6!  Thank you 40 Days for keeping me motivated.  Anyone else have any success stories yet?  My husband and I both bought JAWBONE UP wristbands.  I've only worn mine for about six hours.  I'll make sure and post a review next week.  It records everything, even sleep patterns.  I'm looking forward to seeing my results.  Does that make me a nerd?

four
On a different note. I'm thrilled to be receiving new potential clients each and every week.  Word of mouth is traveling and its a good one.  I'm working on all kinds of things - weddings, births, thank yous, even custom monogram drink stirrers.  I can't wait to post everything.  Stay tuned.  You can view my latest at my shop.

five
Leaving you with a smile.  My little helper pulling things out of the fridge for dinner. Follow me on instagram to see all my photos.

{shanks household} and morning sunshine

"you are my sunshine my only sunshine"

^ We woke up to this, ^

^ but I was greeted with this in the morning. 

Who minds the snow when this little sunshine is so happy to see you? ^

^ check out the rest of Anna's nursery if you missed the first post ^

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{all pictures by sixteen sunbuckles / Anna at 10 months / Anna's favorite blankie by Tiddliwinks for Target / Sleepsack by Halo }