Our hydrangeas are officially blooming… which means back-to-school season is just around the corner (we always bring big bunches of hydrangeas to our teachers at the start of each school year).
We have a gigantic breed of Limelight Hydrangeas (they grow to be about 10 feet tall) and the size of the blooms matches the size of the plants — they are HUGE!
Truthfully, I would prefer smaller plants, but due to their massive size, and the fact that we have dozens of them lining our driveway and throughout our landscape, we’re often referred to as the “hydrangea house” by neighbors or people who regularly walk or drive past.
I suppose I could think of worse things to be known for!
Hydrangeas have always been one of my favorite flowers (I had them in my wedding) so I love that for the next several months, I can look out any of our windows and see hundreds of hydrangea blooms.
Keep reading for more of my August favorites!
Favorite Moment = Class Lists
Class lists and school schedules came out this week!
I’m honestly not thinking too much about back-to-school yet, but it’s always exciting to know who the teachers are, which friends are in our classes, and what our schedules will be for the year.
Everyone is very happy with their teachers, and has at least a couple good friends in each class.
NOTE: I print our class lists (which have parents names, addresses, and phone numbers) and tape them to the inside of our pantry cabinet door. These lists come in handy almost weekly — if the kids forget the name of someone in their class, if they want me to text a parent to have a friend over, or whatever. I also use the insides of these cabinet doors to hide our school schedules, hot lunch schedules, sports and church schedules. These lists are out of sight but always accessible!
Favorite Cookbook = Home Ground Flour
The Essential Home-Ground Flour Book has been a constant companion of mine these last 7+ years, as I’ve immersed myself into the world of freshly milled whole-grain flours.
If you’re new the world of freshly milled grains, or if you’re interested in starting, read Sue’s book (most libraries have it).
Be warned though… Sue will hook you with all the health benefits, and once you start using freshly milled flour, you’ll have a hard time going back to white flour. 😉
I’m also happy to answer any questions if you want to shoot me an email or leave them in the comments below!
RELATED READING: How to Substitute Freshly Milled Flour in Almost Any Recipe
Favorite Routine = Loose Routines
Normally, I love a good routine… but I have also learned to love our very loose routines in the summer.
Some days are more structured than others, but most days start when we want them to start, end when we’re tired enough to go to bed, and are filled with rough time-frames and to-do lists that could happen today or could wait until tomorrow (or next week!)
We’ll all have to adjust again when the school routines start back up again, but I think we all enjoy a little less structure — especially now, with older kids who can easily entertain themselves and run off with friends or neighbors.
RELATED READING: Why I Don’t Stress about Back-to-School Routines
Favorite Clothing = Athletic Shorts with Pockets
I’ve shared my favorite shorts before — but they are on sale right now with some new color options, so I want to share them again.
I’ve basically lived in these athletic shorts for the last 2 years — wearing them all day in the summer, around the house, and to the gym.
They are so comfortable, easy to wash, fully lined, AND equipped with large zipper pockets!
I wear a size medium, but could probably wear a small too — the waist band is very stretchy.
Favorite Book = The Reunion
I’ve got another great wartime novel for you — but this one is from the Vietnam War (one I don’t often find books about).
The Reunion, by Dan Walsh, was a fantastic read with many intertwining story plots. I’ve read a few Dan Walsh books and like his writing style.
Definitley a quick and easy read if you’re looking for some light summer reading.
READ THE BOOK: The Reunion
Favorite Movie = Sing (1&2)
Almost weekly, I’m asked for a list of the movies we watch for movie night — and unfortunately, I never created one. But, for the last 7+ years, we’ve watched a movie or documentary or show together every week… and 98% of the movies we’ve watched have been really great.
Maybe I’ll compile a list someday… but in the meantime, I’ll share Sing 1 & 2.
Our family all loved both Sing movies as they are fun for kids and adults (our favorite types of movies). Very entertaining with great songs and fun plot lines!
Favorite Membership = Costco
I first purchased a Costco membership back in 2015… not sure if I’d actually use it enough to make it worth it, but figured I’d give their promotional pricing a try (that’s how they get you)!
Honestly, I love Costco. Their prices are super competitive, their products are high quality, and I appreciate being able to buy larger quantities now that our kids are eating so much.
Also, any time we travel, we use Costco to book our rental vehicles. It’s always cheaper than any other option.
I have a fairly routine list of items I always buy at Costco — you can dive deeper into that list by clicking the link below!
RELATED READING: What I Buy At Costco
Favorite Recipe = Grilled Meats
For many years, I made lots of casseroles and slow cooker meals because they were frugal and felt easier to eat with little kids (everything was already cut up for them).
Over the last few years, I’ve transitioned to making more grilled or roasted meats with potatoes, rice, or pasta and either veggies or a salad.
Overall, it’s probably a little more expensive, but less time-consuming than making a casserole. Now that all our kids can use knives, Dave and I don’t need to cut up each piece of meat for them. 😜
We’ve been doing grilled or roasted chicken, steaks, pork chops, and salmon fairly regularly throughout the summer — along with grilled burgers and brats, and beef roasts in the slow cooker.
Everyone seems to like these “meat and potato” meals, and I like making them (win-win!)
Here are 3 of Our Favorite Meat Marinades
- Simple Steak Rub
- Easy Steak Marinade
- 2-Hour Meat Marinade (when you’re short on time!)
Favorite Quote
I saw this floating around the internet the other day, and it made me laugh.
I know I sound like an old lady, but I’m honestly so thankful we didn’t have social media or cell phones or really even much access to the internet when I was in middle school and high school.
I didn’t know what my friends were doing without me, and I honestly didn’t care.
We didn’t have Google or Amazon or any of the other numerous ways the internet makes my life easier as an adult… but we also didn’t have all the distractions and negative aspects of the internet.
I think I got the better end of the deal… and bragging rights to say I passed school without Google (and ChatGPT!)
Favorite Archived Post: Halfway
Every August, right before school starts up again, I re-read this post from 2017: Halfway, Encouragement for the Really Long Days.
I wrote it just before Dave headed back to school, just before Nora started 3-day kindergarten, and just before Clara was born. At that time we were essentially “halfway” through the baby/toddler stage (6 years in, 6 years to go).
It’s been another 8 years since that post, and we’re starting high school, driver’s training, and so many other “big kid” things.
Truthfully, I’m only looking forward and have zero desire to go back to those infant/toddler days. But it’s still fun to re-read that old post and enjoy a little perspective on how far we’ve come!
Read the full posts here: Halfway Encouragement for the Really Long Days.
That’s all for this month.
If you’re interested, you may scroll through all my Favorite Things posts HERE!
Marva H. says
Your property must be gorgeous with all the hydrangeas! I have several and they are my favorite by far. Keeping all that school and contact information inside your cupboard doors is genius!
Andrea says
Yes, the hydrangeas are pretty fantasti this time of year!
Trudy Sylling says
Thanks Andrea, I have enjoyed your posts over the years! Gleaned helpful information! Especially enjoy watching your children grow up over the years. Your pool reminds me of the years we had our above ground pool. Dave and family would come to swim. I found the more it was used the cleaner it stayed. Family and Friends were always welcome as long as they brought an adult to watch their children.
Andrea says
Yes, we like people using the pool as it “stirs things up” so the filter does more of the work. Our pool usually stays very clean with a once-a-week vacuum. Not too bad!
Suzanne says
My “kids” are your age and I now have grandkids that aren’t little anymore. Looking back, the little kid stage was hard in some ways but so much fun, as well. Your insights and frugality remind me of myself at your age. I took pride in doing a lot of cooking, sewing, baking and creating a happy home for my family. I think I was successful as they have their own happy homes now. Thank you for sharing your sweet family and all of your tips, tricks and inspiration. PS…I also didn’t have google, cell phones or the internet when I was a kid or young adult. My grandkids ask how I survived…lol. Libraries, pay phones, telephones with cords and lots of imagination. 😉
Andrea says
Love this Suzanne! Thanks for sharing a little of your life… and for following along with mine all these years 🙂
Nancy says
I love your comment! I remember making from scratch macaroni and cheese, laboring over the white sauce. And making so many loaves of whole wheat bread. Then, my kids wanted Kraft and Bunny Bread. But they’re back to good bread, now that they’re grown, and won’t touch mac n cheese. Too fattening. And yes, the library was our best friend.
Andrea says
yes, I think kids usually come around and realize all the healthier options we tried to get them to eat are actually better tasting and better for them 🙂
Chris says
We didn’t have much money growing up and my mom was a good baker and actually made things in our home and sold them at stores, hundreds of pies a week for example. Yes, that is hard to believe but true. I remember going to school and wishing I could have Tasty Kakes some times, like my friend !!! I will take homemade any day now. Neat fact: My mom still makes lots of Christmas cookies at 80 years old and she put some in the freezer for me when I visited in April!
Andrea says
Wow — that’s amazing! Hundreds of pies a week is crazy! Good for her 🙂
Jen says
Your hydrangeas are beautiful! We have several blue/purple bushes (not the limelight) that didn’t bloom at all this year. I need to do some investigating to find out why because they are my favorite, too! I did have GREAT luck with a large patch of zinnias, so I’ve still been able to give flowers to friends. I buy cheap vases at Goodwill, etc, and then I can gift the flowers in them and not have to worry about getting my vases back!
Also, we just recently watched a great WW2 movie entitled “Pressure”. It’s about the weathermen who consulted with Eisenhower as he planned the invasion of Normandy. It was clean–appropriate for kids–and so interesting. We really enjoyed learning about an aspect of D-Day I had never considered. We watched it on Peacock, but you may be able to find it elsewhere.
Happy new school year to the Dekkers!
Andrea says
The blooming has something to do with the acidity of the soil, so maybe look into that. I love zinnias too!
I use old pickle jars and pasta sauce jars to give as vases. This does mean I need to save them all year long (which I honestly hate doing) but they I feel great about giving them away in the fall!
Thanks for the movie recommendation — we’ll add it to our “list” that isn’t actually a list. HA!
Teena says
I laughed when I saw a meme that said, “Congratulations on getting through the easiest part of your life”. Not to minimize the trials and tribulations of school, but all the stuff seems easy once you are dealing with bills, jobs, moving out, etc.
Andrea says
yup, totally agree! It feels hard when you’re in the middle of school and college and job searching… and then “real life” hits!