five finds friday: “as long as we’ve got each other”

First week back at school.

It went pretty well actually. Pleasant mornings at the table. Decent attitudes accomplishing work.

But – I am afraid that a portion of the ease came from the fact that our math curriculum has not arrived yet so we have been doing simple review games this week for that subject.

Sigh.

funny

I mentioned we were looking for a new TV show to watch together as a family. While I like hour length dramas – we kind of wanted a sit com. Something short enough to watch just one episode during lunch or after school some days.

What we’ve started watching has been hilarious. 

Growing Pains.

Remember that show? I faithfully watched all the episodes as a kid. I was pretty much obsessed with Kirk Cameron and those deep dimples of his. I imagined that I might get to meet him one day. You know, just causally cross paths and then of course that would lead to romance and love and marriage.  I used to spend actual time in my life thinking over whether I should become Lacey Cameron or stay Lacey Eibert once we wed. (Please roll your eyes at me. I deserve it.)

flavorful

This week I made the best mac & cheese I have ever made.

I used the Instant Pot.

Here’s the basic recipe.

1 box of shells
4 cups of water
3 TBPS of butter

Put in instant pot. Manually set to 4 minutes.
Quick release.

Then add:
2.5 cups of cheese. (Mixing cheese types creates the best flavor. Gouda. Colby Jack. Sharp Cheddar. etc.)
16 oz. heavy whipping cream
Salt, pepper, a dash of garlic, a dash of onion salt

It’s so creamy and delicious.

fashionable

I have an anchor bracelet from the folks behind Maritime Supply Co.

(They are a local couple – real people that I know.)

They have another necklace that I am loving lately – maybe it’s because we have been studying Latin at school now and maybe because I love words. Probably both.

It’s probably a necklace intended for a guy but I don’t care.

It means “deeds not words” and I think it’s so great.

There are several Latin phrases the kids and I have been talking about – we think it would be fun to each own one of these with the phrase of our choice.  Berg likes “semper paratus”. (It means “always ready”.) And of course, there’s always my old faithful high school motto – Carpe Diem. (Any kid growing up watching Dead Poet’s Society fell in love with that one.)

faithful

It’s been almost a year since we moved into our new house.

That seems crazy. Like all other numbers seem to me. Crazy. Too fast.

And we love it still.

One year of our own space. 
One year of decorating and rearranging at will.
One year of paying my mortgage on time. Thank you Jesus.
One year of great neighbors.

feels

Apparently Otto had an idea for my birthday gift months before my actual birth day arrived.

And he was adorably thrilled to have me open his present.

He was so sure that I would love it.

And he was right – I did.

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