Life / Family Days

 We had a great trip to TX to see family. We celebrated our little guy's first birthday early. We also celebrated my grandparents 70th wedding anniversary. Yes, that is right. At their church and saw a lot of cousins, aunts, and uncles. It was a great time. 

We also shop a lot in the Dallas area because we don't have a ton of stores where we live.

Back home life is blessed. We have been unpacking and cleaning a lot and I made some squash and ground turkey tacos, and homemade squash soup for dinner. Super easy blending roasted squash, sautéed onions, spices, and milk. (I am trying to eat less meat and have been substituting beans a lot in our diets). We still eat some meat. I am definitely making a lot of veggies around the house and am prompted to bake a bit more. I can grow in baking though. :) 

I decided I am giving homestead animals a try. We don't have an HOA and can keep animals. I read a lot about animals (though you have to keep things clean) strengthening immune systems and helping emotional and even physical health. So, soon, I am incubating and hatching quail. Thats right. :) 16 eggs for 16 dollars. I'll give some chicks away. I won't keep them all. I still have to research more. Everything you need costs around 180 on amazon. Food, housing, etc. A different cage will be more in the future. If we don't do well with quail eggs, we will let the quail go free once grown.

They are way easier than chickens, don't get the diseases chickens do, and they stay in a cage mostly. We will walk around with them in the yard, but they will sleep in the garage and stay there to keep predators away. They are also very quiet. So, one day soon, I'll document my adventures. First, I am re-decorating our loft a bit and am spending extra money to paint another bathroom. I am doing a deep blue grey color with some rustic, old fashioned canvases featuring mountain country. I'll add in some vases and wheat straw. Can't wait. The entire project should be less than $200. 

We are also trying to budget groceries better, so I'll be making more homemade pizza crusts and goodies. Rice and beans are great, Also, roasted veggie soups.  We do consume a lot of milk and eggs in our family, and so this is why I'm excited about the quail. 

In the summer, I'll be planting more flowers and we will be doing more outdoor learning type projects. 

I love the slow type of life. Dishes, cleaning, though not fun, are still joyful. Resting at home, letting little ones play, homeschooling prek, and just taking joy in my household is what I look forward to daily. 

Anyways, here is our recent pictures. We took all our kids to the Big Texan and Cracker Barrel- two great restaurants, and had fun at the mall. Jeremy and I went on a date night in DFW and ate at a great restaurant and walked around downtown at night. We also have a Colorado Springs getaway planned soon, just the two of us. 

Blessings to you. 

Briana 

A part of our date, Crumble Cookie...

Boy time...