Yummy Cucumber Dill Salad

I love this yummy cucumber dill salad from Wholesome Yum! I actually get a lot of recipes from this awesome site. They’re all low carb, gluten free and use 10 ingredients or less! I went to a salad luncheon today and had to bring a salad to share so I chose this cucumber dill salad. It was light, refreshing and delish. I love dill but I feel like it’s one of those spices you either love or you hate, like cilantro (which I love too).

I doubled the recipe since we were serving a large crowd, but I only used one red onion and I felt like it was plenty. The ingredients (minus the cucumber and onion) mixed together would actually make a really amazing dressing for a lettuce salad too, yum! I peeled the cucumbers because it just felt like the right thing to do, but it’s not necessary. I might try it next time with mini cucumbers. I think this yummy cucumber dill salad would be a great addition to a summer cook-out too.

BEST CREAMY CUCUMBER SALAD RECIPE WITH SOUR CREAM AND DILL by Wholesome Yum

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Sour cream

• 2 tbsp Fresh dill (chopped)

• 1 tbsp Olive oil

• 1 tbsp Lemon juice

• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp Sea salt

• 1/4 tsp Black pepper

• 6 cups Cucumber (chopped)

• 1 small Red onion (thinly sliced)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, dill, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic powder. Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste.

2. Stir in the chopped cucumbers and red onions.

Calories: 86 | Fat: 6g | Total Carbs: 7g | Net Carbs: 6g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Protein: 2g

Outfit of the Day - Plaid Top & Jeans

Remember my Wal-Mart shopping trip yesterday? I wore one of the new tops today! It’s so comfy and casual and cute! I paired it with jeans and some of my fave Stella & Dot accessories for the perfect Friday look. Scroll all the way down for links to all the pieces! Have a GREAT weekend!

Top | Jeans (similar) | Earrings | Bracelet | Necklace

Cute Wal-Mart Clothes for Under $25

I had to run to Wal-Mart today for a few household items and as I walked by the apparel section I thought, “Hmm this stuff is pretty cute!” I tried on a bunch and ended up with a few of these cute pieces. I added some more to the collage that I found when I was browsing Wal-Mart’s website. So take a look at these cute Wal-Mart clothes for under $25!

I wouldn’t really think to myself, “Hey let’s go clothes shopping at Wal-Mart,” but their brands are improving and their styles are pretty on trend! I’m a casual Florida girl so picking stuff up at Wal-Mart from time-to-time fits in with my wardrobe AND is nice for my wallet!

Which pieces are your favorite?

Delish Broccoli Cheddar Soup

I’ve been really good about cooking since school started. And by really good I mean I actually cook four nights a week. Wednesdays are tough because Amelia has a tennis lesson at 6pm which is usually when we eat dinner. If we wait to eat until after, it’s 7:30 and that just doesn’t work for her blood sugar. She needs a full two hours for the insulin to bring her back down to normal before she eats her 10 carb bedtime snack. So I have been trying to make crock pot meals or things that are easy to eat quickly before tennis. I found the recipe for this delish broccoli cheddar soup on Averie Cooks who claims this soup is better than Panera’s! I have to admit, it was delish and both the kids ate it up!

So I know it’s not weird, but it feels weird to not eat any meat or protein with a meal, so at the last minute I rolled up some salami with cream cheese. They ended up being a nice little side to the broccoli cheddar soup! I used a bag of frozen broccoli that was already cooked so I didn’t have to simmer the soup as long as the recipe says below.

The Best Broccoli Cheese Soup

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon + 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

• 1 small/medium sweet yellow onion, diced small

• 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced finely

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 2 cups low-sodium vegetable stock (chicken stock may be substituted)

• 2 cups fat-free half-and-half (regular half-and-half may be substituted; whole milk or 2% milk will work but soup won’t be as creamy)

• 2 to 3 cups broccoli florets, diced into bite-size pieces + 1 cups stems, optional (I used 3 cups florets and 1 cup stems as not to waste them)

• 2 large carrots, trimmed, peeled, and sliced into very thin rounds, about 1/16th-inch

• 3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste

• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika or regular paprika, optional and to taste

• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder, optional and to taste

• pinch cayenne pepper, optional and to taste (doesn’t make soup spicy and serves to enhance flavor)

• 8 ounces grated high quality extra-sharp cheddar cheese, with a small amount reserved for garnishing bowls

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, add 1 tablespoon butter, the diced onion, and sauté   over medium heat until the onion is translucent and barely browned, about 4 minutes. Stir intermittently.

2. Add the garlic and cook about 30 seconds, stirring constantly so it doesn’t burn. Remove from heat and set pan aside.

3. In a large heavy-bottom pot add 4 tablespoons butter, flour, and cook over medium heat for about 3 to 5 minutes, whisking constantly, until flour is thickened. You are making a roux and it’s very important the mixture is thick or soup will never thicken properly later.

4. Slowly add the vegetable stock, whisking constantly.

5. Slowly add the half-and-half, whisking constantly.

6. Allow mixture to simmer over low heat for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until it has reduced and thickened some. Whisk intermittently to re-incorporate the ‘skin’ that inevitably forms, this is normal.

7. While mixture is simmering, chop the broccoli and carrots. After simmering 15 to 20 minutes, add the broccoli, carrots, and the onion and garlic you previously set aside.

8. Add the salt, pepper, optional paprika, optional dry mustard powder, and optional cayenne. If you don’t have these seasonings on hand, it’s okay, but they do add subtle depth of flavor. Stir to combine.

9. Allow soup to simmer over low heat for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until it has reduced and thickened some. Whisk intermittently to re-incorporate the ‘skin’ that inevitably forms, this is normal.

10. While soup simmers, grate the cheese. After simmering about 20 to 25 minutes, add most of the cheese, reserving a small amount for garnishing bowls. Stir in the cheese until melted and incorporated fully, less than 1 minute.

11. Transfer soup to bowls, garnish with reserved cheese, and serve immediately. Soup will keep airtight for 5 to 7 days in the fridge. Reheat gently in the microwave.

Calories: 567 | Fat: 46g | Total Carbs: 21g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Protein: 19g

Home Office Design

My office! Well I guess I can say “our office” since Steve does use the secretary as his desk. This was a catch-all space for awhile before Steve’s recording studio was finished. We had our desks, random furniture, musical instruments and more in here.  As soon as he was able to move all of his stuff out I got to work on the room!  So as you look past the dining room when you walk in the front door, you look directly at the wall with the sofa. I wanted it to be visually appealing of course, but I wanted to be unique too since it is such a focal point.  I thought wallpaper would be an amazing finish on this wall and when Walls Republic approached me about collaborating I was ALL IN.  I was able to pick out a bunch of samples and if you follow me on Instagram you probably saw me trying to select one!  I decided to go with this Ivory Zebra for a few reasons:

1) I’m all about keeping spaces light and bright! The walls are darker in this room than anywhere else and I didn’t want a heavy or contrasty pattern to suck any more light away!
2) In real life, it shimmers. Yeah, it’s almost like a slight glitter. Obsessed.
3) The texture! I love how subtle but how beautiful the paper is. I ended up hanging a painting I made above the sofa and I think it’s a really nice focal point for the room!

I like that we both have workspaces but it doesn’t feel like an “office” per se. It’s functional, but most importantly it’s pretty!

And because it’s fun to see a true before and after… here’s our office BEFORE we renovated, they used this space as a dining room!

Wallpaper: Walls Republic  |  Sofa & Coffee Table: Urban Outfitters – Sofa & Coffee Table | Desk: World Market  |  Desk Chairs & End Tables: Homegoods  |  Lamps: Lamps Plus  |  Pillows & Accessories: Homegoods & Bealls Outlet

Fall Fashion Faves

I admit, I have an online shopping addiction. I don’t always buy things, but my preferred method of wasting time is DEFINITELY browsing online. I have my go-to favorite stores so I decided to put together some of the cutest fall fashion faves I’ve seen in recent weeks!

About Type 1 Diabetes and the Warning Signs

TYPE 1 DIABETES (T1D) IS AN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE THAT OCCURS WHEN A PERSON’S PANCREAS STOPS PRODUCING INSULIN, THE HORMONE THAT CONTROLS BLOOD-SUGAR LEVELS.

• There is nothing anyone can do to prevent T1D. Presently, there is no known cure.

• Type 1 diabetes affects children and adults, though people can be diagnosed at any age. With a typically quick onset, T1D must be managed with the use of insulin.

• Type 1 diabetes is a 24/7 disease that requires constant management. People with T1D continuously and carefully balance insulin intake with eating, exercise and other activities. They also measure blood-sugar levels through finger pricks before each meal and at bedtime.

• Only 5% of people with diabetes have Type 1 Diabetes.

• Some 1.25 million Americans are living with T1D, including about 200,000 youth (less than 20 years old) and more than 1 million adults (20 years old and older).

• 40,000 people are diagnosed with T1D each year in the U.S.

• While limiting sugar intake can be a part of a healthy diet, people with T1D can work sugars and sweets into their diets just like a person without T1D. Sometimes sugar is necessary. If a person’s blood-sugar level drops too much, sugar, often in the form of juice or glucose tables, is required to raise it and correct hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

TYPE 1 DIABETES WARNING SIGNS

Amelia had all of the symptoms listed below.  If you suspect you or your child has diabetes, see your doctor immediately.  Uncontrolled blood sugar can lead to Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), a life threatening condition that can lead to coma and death. Luckily we caught Amelia's T1D early and avoided this scary situation.

• Increased thirst

• Frequent urination

• Bed-wetting in children who previously didn't wet the bed during the night

• Extreme hunger

• Unintended weight loss

• Irritability and other mood changes

• Fatigue and weakness

• Blurred vision

Follow along with our Type 1 Diabetes Journey

Neutral Master Bedroom

Well one by one I’m getting these rooms photographed for the “afters.”  Here are a few of our bedroom! I must say I’m pretty addicted to surrounding myself with neutrals, love these greys and creams together with a little black and gold.  I’m still undecided whether or not I’m going to add draperies to the windows behind the nightstands.  I bought the rods and panels but I really like how “clean” it looks right now… so I’m letting it simmer.  What do you think? (After seeing the first pic, all I can think is that I need a new bedskirt!)

And we can’t forget to mention the beautiful before design to full appreciate the after right?!  Pink & parquet tile and that weird tall height window!  We also made the room a little bigger, just a couple feet made a huge difference!

Headboard | Drapery Rods | Flooring

Back to School After Type 1 Diagnosis

It's official, my child is not normal. 😂 We left the hospital this morning and she BEGGED to go to school. Literally begged lol. I got to talk to the amazing Nurse Tammy and I definitely feel confident about her care while at school. At first I told myself I’d go to lunch with her every single day until they got the hang of it until I talked to Tammy and realized, “Hey, she’s a nurse, already treats one Type 1 at school and knows way more than I do.” I felt better about her being at school than I did at home ha! The only feeling I can equate it to is when you first come home from the hospital with your first baby. You’re constantly nervous. Am I doing it right? Are they gonna survive my inexperience? And dropping her off at school that day was like the first time you left your baby after you gave birth. It felt weird. This new sense of responsibility for her life was overwhelming to say the least.

Looking through the cards Amelia's classmates and friends made her and they're all so freaking sweet. 😍😭 Every single one of these cards touched our hearts. ❤️ Mrs. Weragoda is an amazing teacher and an amazing human being, that's for sure. 😇 It was also such a fun surprise when she got off the bus today. Thank you to whoever left cute balloons tied to our driveway gate...they put a HUGE smile on Miss Amelia’s face.

How Your Diet Changes with Type 1 Diabetes

Getting set up over here. 😌 I'm not downplaying it but it's really not as bad as it looks lol. People have been asking what exactly this whole thing means for meals... not much is really changing except we have to keep track of what Amelia eats and cover the carbs with insulin. Our goal is 30g carbs per meal which is about what she eats anyway. Snacks are where we are changing things up, those are switching to 0 carb things, meat & cheese, sugar free jello etc. My first question was, "What about birthday parties?" to which Dr. Duncan said, "Let her do whatever the other kids are doing [within reason] and figure it out after. She's still a normal kid and should behave like a normal kid." That honestly made me feel SO much better. ❤️Amelia said to me, "What if no one wants to be my friend anymore?" I had to majorly hold back tears to tell her that of course her friends will still love her, she's still the same Amelia but she just has to take some medicine every now and then, and that there are other kids who take different kinds of medicine all the time. Whew. My sweet sweet girl. What a whirlwind of a few days. Going to bed early tonight! 😴

Type 1 Diabetes Signs & Symptoms

Update time!  Amelia had a great day today!  When Dr. Duncan came in at 7:30 this morning he said she was healthy enough to go home… HOWEVER, he said we had to stay a bit longer so we could 100% familiarize ourselves with all of our new responsibilities.  We’re getting there!  It’s a lot! 😅

I’ve gotten quite a few messages asking how we knew something was up with her so I’ll go ahead and share.  Amelia has never had a single health issue.  We rarely go to the doctor except for well visits.  About a week ago she started asking for lots to drink.  On Friday night I saw her get into the fridge and come back with apple juice like three times and told her to slow down and have some water.  On Saturday night we went to a friend’s house and she had a great time playing… that night she came into our room and asked if she could take a shower because she thought she was sweating a lot.  Turns out she had an accident (which she hasn’t had since she was 2) and it was like, the entire bed. I thought it was weird but was like well maybe she was hitting the capri suns hard at our friend’s house and I didn’t notice.  The next night came and another accident happened… so I started googling.  Usually this is bad for me to do, hello hypochondria lol, but I saw some of the symptoms and thought hmm she kinda has some of those. When the 3rd night came and she was up once an hour to go to the bathroom and came out begging for water, I decided to take her to the doctor first thing.

Other symptoms are hunger, fatigue and weight loss.  She would get off the bus every day saying, "I’m sooo tired," and then come in the house and say, "I’m sooo hungry.” I didn’t think much of those comments because that’s just kids right? I did notice last week that I thought she looked slimmer but another thing I also considered “normal” since she could have had a growth spurt or could have seen effects from the healthy lunches I’ve been packing for her all this year. When Dr. Google included these symptoms as well I knew something was up. 🤔

Steve really wanted to stay the night with her and as much as I hated leaving there tonight, I was glad that Steve would be able to spend special time with her and keep learning the ropes with her. Juliet is fast asleep at home and will go to school again tomorrow. She misses her sister but knows she is at the doctor to get all better!

We should be heading home tomorrow sometime, yay, and if all goes well she will go to school on Friday. Doc said he wants her to resume her normal routine as soon as she can!

Thanks again for all of the messages and prayers, we have been feeling the love!!! And thanks to special visitors today Christa & Samantha as well as Leanne and Emme! You ladies truly brightened Amelia’s day! <3

Amelia's Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis

Well. Today has been interesting to say the least. Amelia was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. She is fine, it was caught super early, but we will definitely be experiencing a new normal. Big thanks go out to my friend Kristi who called me late last night when I expressed concerns about Amelia, she helped me feel at ease and told me to take her in to the doc this morning. Also THANK YOU to Dr. Marc who was awesome as always this morning and who just called to check on our little patient. We loved meeting Dr. Duncan, our pediatric endocrinologist and feel great about being under his care.

We checked into Holmes earlier today and will be here for awhile to learn how to care for our sweet Amelia. She has been the best patient, barely any tears through all her pricks and pokes, she was even excited that she has her very own TV in her room that SHE gets to control lol. Everyone at Holmes has been great, we loved our first nurse Shanna who answered our endless questions and broke down our blood sugar and insulin formulas 25 times.

No one knows what causes Type 1, it's not diet related, her pancreas has stopped making insulin which processes sugar, so we have to make sure we give her enough insulin to process the foods that she eats. Amelia is amazing student and rule follower, so although it obviously is not something we would have ever hoped for, I know it is something that she will be able to handle with grace.

Thanks to those who reached out, feeling love and support from others is emotionally overwhelming (in a good way) in times like these. We are so thankful we caught this early, and before Halloween candy, as it could have been way way worse. Love you guys, we will check in soon!

Noah Is Here - Vero Beach Newborn Photography

My nephew is here! I’m so excited that my brother and sister-in-law are now a family of three. The day after they came home from the hospital I hurried over to snap some lifestyle newborn photos of this cutie.