Free As a Bird

Follow Us On Instagram

We've been busy at work and play lately. Check out our "play" and follow us on Instagram at freeasabirdshop. 

 

Currently NOT

A monthly update about what's not happening in our lives...

Stacia

Not Listening/Watching: country music (Thank the Lord!). I had my fill this weekend hanging out with my roommate and her friends. I may live in Nashville (Music City), but I do not have a taste for country music. YeeNever!

Not Eating/Drinking: healthy. :( I have been "bad" and not really caring what I eat/drink. I need to get on the healthy wagon and really start making better choices. Veggie up!

Not Feeling: connected. I have been in my new town (and state) for four months now. Currently, I haven't found a church or really made new friends outside of those I work with and even at that I'm not sure if we are really friends or just friendly co-workers. Wa wa! I may (and most likely) play a major part in this present state of my life. Starting over and change is hard, but I'm hoping for many sweet payoffs to come...pretty, pretty please!

Not Wanting: my weekend/day off to end. I start back at work tomorrow at 7am. Here's to another week.

Not Needing: to eat for a while. This weekend was filled with quite a bit of eating and I am stuffed. See my earlier comments under not eating/drinking. 

Not Thinking: or at least not trying to think about the stress that may be coming my way when trying to make it through the holiday rush (on a personal level and also occupational) and then moving directly after the new year. And...also not yet having a place lined up for this upcoming move. Jesus, take the wheel! 

Not Enjoying: the winter weather coming in. Time to put the flip flops away! Burrr!

Jess

Not Listening/Watching: Mumford and Sons new CD Bable. I'm so behind! I do want it but music purchase is so far down the list right now. Maybe Santa will put it in my stocking.

Not Eating/Drinking: soda. About 3 years ago I had a super strong Diet Coke addiction. 2-3 a day. I really felt I needed to cut back and I kicked the habit - I was soda free! Then this summer when we moved to Tennessee and drove 2000 miles across the country, I started hitting the juice again on our drive. But this weekend, I had my last Diet Coke. I'm really trying to get back into the good habits I had in California, I want to feel good again and Pepcid gets pricey when you have to take it everyday.

Not Feeling: like I made the biggest mistake of my life! The last 2 months have been hard, filled with doubt and the blues. Really wondering what the heck we are doing in Nashville. But, today, right this second, I know we did the right thing. Not sure all the questions we have are going to be answered anytime soon but, today, right this second, that is okay.

Not Wanting: the weather to change. I love fall! I fear the coming winter. This So Cal girl and her family are stocking up on gloves and winter hats like squirrels. We are anxious for winter.

Not Needing: anything else added to my schedule. I just started back to working in the outside world, a part-time night job in retail. Between that, my mom/wife duties, and homeschooling, I am full to the brim.

Not Thinking: about going on a long relaxing vacation with my family. (That's a lie, it is a constant daydream right now)

Not Enjoying: my cold coffee this morning. Makes me re-think this whole no microwave thing. Do they make a microwave just big enough for a cup of coffee? That would be awesome.

 

Vote!

It's super important to me (Jess). I started caring about politics my sophomore year of high school and worked on the Clinton/Gore campaign, making phone calls, handing out buttons, etc. It was before I could even vote. Some of my politics have changed over the years but I still think it SUPER important that we all vote. Educate yourself, pray, and vote the way you are being directed.

*stepping off my soap box now.*

-Jess

Meatless Monday's - Greek Quinoa Salad

My family loves Quinoa and we eat it quite often as a replacement for brown rice or add it to recipes to get protein with our vegetarian meals. The link has lots of good nutritial information on Quinoa. Here is one of our favorites that is pretty regular on our meal rotation.

Greek Quinoa Salad

It it really simple to make and a dinner I can easily throw together on a busy family night. Here's what you do:

• 1 box of Quinoa (we get it at Trader Joe's - any color is fine, but my kids only eat the grain colored one, I think the black and red was one step too far)
• 1 box of CousCous (Trader Joe's)
• 1 diced cucumber
• black olives or kalamata olives
• 1/4 of a red onion - diced
• cherry tomatoes cut in half
• a tub of crumbled goat cheese or feta (vegan you can omit the cheese)
• Dressing

Make the Quinoa and CousCous according the package directions and let cool. After it is cooked, I mix them together in a bowl to cool and drizzle with a little olive oil so it doesn't turn into a big clump. While cooling, chop up all your veggies and then add to the Quinoa and CousCous. Add dressing (see below) and mix together. If you have time, stick it in the fridge and let it all marinate together for an hour or two. If you don't have time, put your cheese on it and serve it up! I always add the cheese right before I serve. 

This is great to serve with cut up fruit and flat bread!

Same recipe, just added some left-over chicken from a roasted chicken, I have also added grilled tofu and fake chicken, but usually we eat it just as I posted above, no chicken or tofu.

Dressing:

I usually make my own. It's easier than you think if haven't done it before. 

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Vinegar (white wine, coconut, or red wine all work great for this)
• salt and pepper
• fresh and dried herbs
• garlic

The classic ratio for dressing is 3:1, oil:vinegar. I have a little canning jar and pour my oil and vinegar into the jar, add a pinch of salt, a little pepper and some herbs, pick your favorite (oregano, basil, thyme, etc) and a little crushed garlic or garlic powder. Shake it up really good and pour it over the salad.

Thanksgiving Planning

This year I am hosting Thanksgiving for my family and a few friends so, I am already planning the most important part, table decorations! It's our first Thanksgiving far away from family and friends and I want it to be a special day for all of us.

Some ideas (click pictures for links)

burlap table runner - I know! burlap is overdone but I love the dots

eek! no source, can't find one, the link is broken. Anyway... thinking this with cranberries in the bottom and no raffia. OK, be honest is this 2010 - burlap and mason jars? May need to keep lookings for inspiration!!

 and some fabric pumpkins by *cough* ME!