Archives for September 2015

California Dreaming.

September 13, 2015 / By Courtney / 17 Comments

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: nothing is more validating as a stay at home mom than prepping to… leave for a few days. Not only are you handing over your children, but all they entail. The schools and doctor and laundry and lists and schedules and carpools and friends and meals and vitamins and football equipment and lunch notes and homework and bedtime stories. The job is endless. 24/7/365. And wow, a few days ‘off‘ will be oh so appreciated. They could not be in better hands.

I’m always a mix of absolutely terrified to leave my boys and bursting with excitment to get there. M knows my limit – I’m a four day trip girl. And by that fourth day, I want nothing to do than to be home with them. Aren’t I fun?

Anyway, I guess a little routine has been established of heading to California in the fall. We fell in love two years ago and reminisnce about it often. I could go back to the same place every single year, but M forced us to change it up a bit. We will be heading to the Russian River Valley. I can’t wait to explore a new place!

In the meantime, here are a few things on my mind this Sunday.

This book is packed in my carry-on. My carry-on that does not have diapers in it – eek!

That whole area is so relaxed (but chic), so easy breezy is the way to do it. 90 and sunny? This dress will help me stay cool while sipping some delicious wine. And I can’t wait to wear this dress on a date night out!

Oh so excited to be working on a partnership with this darling etsy shop.

Food truck for L’s 9th (what?!?!) birthday party? Booked. Can’t wait.

Just about the only time of the year I update jammies.

Our favorite winery. Literally, a dream.

Get me to this restaurant.

Traveling with or without kids, this post has some good tips.

Totally wrote lunch notes for L ahead of time with these. Also, a count down is going on the chalkboard for them until we get home. T minus 4 days, boys!

Less than two months until Apartment Therapy will be making an appearance in our home. You know, no pressure. The big boy bunk room is well underway. Check out my Pinterest board, should you be interested, here!

And last but not least, should you want to make a great fall recipe this one totally rocks.

*The fine print: this post contains affiliate links which means that if you use these links to make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. Of course, you are not obligated to use these links to make your purchase but please know that when you do, it supports my blog and for that I thank you.

A breath of fresh air…

September 11, 2015 / By Courtney / 19 Comments

…Literally, that’s exactly what this room got.

Over mounds of paint samples, Starbucks, homemade coffee cake, and screeching toddlers, a color jumped out at me in my darling friend’s new home.

Was it the name? Was it the shade? Was it the room?

I think it was all those things. It was a pretty swift decision, that gorgeous dining room. And the oh so happy texts later once the painter got started confirmed it was the right one. Yippee.

What is this beautiful crisp color? Well, it’s Mountain Air by Sherwin Williams. It’s the kind of color that literally makes you want to take a deep breath when you see it, which is always a good thing to have in your home.

So, what do you think? Stunning, right? Can’t wait to see it all completed!

Dinner in a snap: Thai basil stir fry

September 9, 2015 / By Courtney / 6 Comments

Here’s another dinner in a snap post for you! Quick, healthy, fresh recipes made from minimal ingredients. Read: perfect for those busy school nights. If you missed my first two you can catch up here and here. Delicious. Alright, here’s how this Thai Basil Stir Fry recipe breaks down.

The timing:

Not bad at all! Especially for having to slice chicken, peppers, onion, and mince garlic. I do chop pretty fast though, as an FYI. You could always save time come dinner by slicing everything during the day. That would make this at least 5 minutes faster! Don’t skip the cornstarch – totally helps the chicken brown faster.

The verdict:

The flavor was awesome. It’s genius to add basil to a stir fry especially this time of year. Mike and I gobbled it up, the boys ate some chicken, and L had a few peppers.

Tips and tricks:

Again, slicing everything during the day would save a good chunk of time. Feel free to mix up the veggies with whatever looks fresh at the store. We served it over Trader Joe’s microwaved brown rice. I love those things.

Thai Basil Stir Fry

2015-09-08 21:30:46

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Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Coarse salt and ground pepper
6 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 small onion, halved and cut into 1/4-inch-thick wedges
2 bell peppers (a mix of colors), cut into 1/4-inch-wide strips
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 1/2 cups fresh thai basil leaves, larger leaves torn in half (regular basil works just as well)

Instructions

Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss chicken with cornstarch until coated; season generously with salt and pepper.
In a large wok or nonstick skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high. Cook half the chicken, turning once, until browned, but not completely cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes total. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with another 2 teaspoons oil and remaining chicken. Transfer chicken to plate.
Wipe out skillet with a paper towel. To skillet, add remaining 2 teaspoons oil, onion, and bell peppers; cook over medium-high heat, tossing often, until beginning to brown, 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook about 1 minute.
Add 1/4 cup water, vinegar, soy sauce, and chicken to pan; cook, tossing, until chicken is cooked through, about 1 more minute. Remove from heat. Stir in basil leaves. Serve immediately, over rice, if desired.

Adapted from Martha Stewart

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Home Sweet Home – giveaway!

September 8, 2015 / By Courtney / 28 Comments

It’s about time for another giveaway around here, don’t you think?

We’ve partnered with the darling Etsy shop, Daisy & Decor, to give ALFS readers a chance to win this real gold foil Home Sweet Home print. Lovely, isn’t it? Something that is needed in every home, I think.

I’m making it really easy to get entered to win. Just comment below letting me know where you’ll hang the in your home if you win. Speaking of which, I highly recommend these frames. They are all over my home.

Want to increase your chances of winning this gorgeous print? Sure you do! Just follow the simple steps in the Rafflecopter widget below. Remember, the more you enter, the better your chances of winning!

Just be sure to get entered by next Sunday night, September 13, at 11:58pm EST. The lucky winner will be announced on the A Life From Scratch Facebook page next Monday, so be sure you’re following us there so you don’t miss out! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The fine print: this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you use these links to make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Of course, you are not obligated to use these links to make your purchase but please know that when you do, it supports my blog and for that I thank you.

No purchase necessary. Giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only, except where prohibited by law. Giveaway will run from September 8 through September 13, 2015 at 11:59pm EST. One (1) winner will be randomly selected by Rafflecopter (powered by Random.org) and once verified, will be notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize; failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the prize. Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest do not sponsor, administer, or endorse this promotion. Participants must read and agree to Rafflecopter’s Privacy Policy before entering and participating in this promotion. By participating in this promotion, entrants give their permission for their email address to be added to the A Life From Scratch newsletter list.

C’s picks – week of September 6th.

September 6, 2015 / By Courtney / 2 Comments

B would like you to see the awesome fish he caught. 🙂

Ok, even on a looooong summer weekend, it’s good to take a break to work on the coming week’s menu plan, am I right? It just makes Monday so much easier. Well, Tuesday in this week’s case. Here’s our kitchen line up for the week! Hope it gives you a little inspiration for your own menu plan.

Sunday will be spent at our friends’ pool. Not entirely sure the food plan yet, but I do know these chocolate chip cookies will be in tow. I’m kind of not allowed there without them.

Monday is up in the air as well, which is so nice! Might leave it a family day, might bbq with friends. Either way, this Mediterranean platter sounds like an excellent idea.

That brings us to Tuesday and to a football night. T-ball tacos are complete in under 10 and are a family fav.

On Wednesday we finally get a break from the heat. This chipotle turkey chili with crisp apples sounds like a perfectly healthy dinner. Ready in under 30 minutes.

Sausage heroes work great on a busy Thursday! They come together in 15 minutes and 15 seconds, to be precise.

And that brings us to Friday. I’m hoping for a family night in, munching on this pizza.

What’s cooking in your kitchen this coming week? Let’s chat about it in comments below!