How Often Do You Eat Out or Order In?

The results of the poll:

Once or less per week - 41%

Twice a week- 41%

Three times per week - 17%

I have to be honest, the results kind of surprised me - and I'm not really sure why! Our family usually eats out twice a week. Matt and I have both said that eating a meal out is a family activity we honestly enjoy - we love the event of eating out. We also feel that it is important for our children to learn how to behave in restaurants (staying seated, being patient, quiet voices, etc). That said, I totally understand the importance of eating at home too. For one thing, I don't want our children growing up on restaurant food - eating home is healthier and definitely saves money. I also want both of our children to eventually learn to cook and I feel the best way to do that is to model it and make it fun for them even at a very young age. I'm curious...what are your reasons for eating out or cooking at home?

How Often Do You Have Fresh Flowers?

This is the way the poll regarding how often you have fresh flowers in your house finished:

Never 15%

When Someone Gives Them to Me 15%

A Few Times a Year 46%

A Few Times a Month 23%

Always 0%

I rarely ever use to have fresh flowers in my house. Matt and I both felt like they were too pricey and they just died eventually anyway. If Matt DID send me flowers (which was very rare) he always sent them to me at unexpected times - just on a random day - and I liked that. I would much rather get them for no reason at all than for a holiday he felt like he SHOULD send them (Valentine's Day is the one that comes to mind and I think it's CRAZY the way florists jack up their prices during this holiday).

As I've gotten older my tastes have somewhat changed. Matt still doesn't send me flowers a lot - and I want to make it clear that I am PERFECTLY fine with that - I would rather have other signs of affection than flowers ANY day. On the same note, however, I do love the way fresh flowers look in my home - not a bouquet of them, just a few stems. I've found our supermarket has a beautiful supply of flowers at VERY reasonable prices - some even as low as $1.00. Soooo...yes, I often have fresh flowers in my home. They are flowers that I have picked up at the supermarket, and rarely do I buy more than 2 or 3 stems, thus costing only $2 or $3. I feel that a simple daisy in a jar is the perfect little bit of added sunshine in my home.

"Earth Laughs in Flowers"

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Cost of Groceries

After the poll closed on grocery shopping I felt much better. Our family is definitely in the $126 and up catergory when it comes to our weekly grocery bill and 33% of you are also in that range. Another 33% were spending $101 - $125 to feed your family. Part of the reason I feel we spend so much is that we have an infant that is still in diapers. Diapers are pricey and I've never found an "off " brand that works as well as Pampers. The other reason our grocery bill is so high is that we buy a lot of fresh fruits and veggies - many of them organic. I've read numerous times that you should try to do the majority of your grocery shopping on the outer edges of the supermarket (not down the aisles where pre-packaged food is sold) because the healthier items are on the outer ring. It makes sense. The outer ring of the grocery store holds all of the fresh fruits and veggies, fresh meats, and dairy products. I try hard to make healthy meals for my family - the old saying "you are what you eat" is true. This has become even more important to me after our scare with Jaden. It may sound odd, but when we thought he may be sick it made me feel so good to know that the only things that had gone into his little body since birth were wholesome foods - most organic. So, my fellow readers, I leave you with one of my favorite healthy recipes! Remember - healthy eating can be delicious AND nutritious!

Veggie Mix (great grilled or in the oven)

Cut the following into large pieces:
Red Potatoes
Roasted Red Peppers
Artichoke Hearts
Zucchini
(Add or delete and veggies your family likes)

Sprinkle with 3 T. olive oil, onion powder, garlic salt, paprika, and a little parmesan cheese.

Bake (or grill) covered at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes. This is GREAT with a burger or chicken.

Favorite Indulgent Activity

Well, my friends, after the results of the poll are in it looks as if many of you are spending your few precious hours of indulgence reading or watching the tube (54%). A few of you are sleeping (18%) and taking a bubble bath (18%), and one of you enjoys a little drink or two during your "me" time! Cheers!

As much as I love being a "happy housewife" and cherish every moment I spend with my husband and children, we all need alone time. It helps rejuvenate us and refresh our minds and souls. I have often found people say, "I just don't have time for it" but I've found that it's important to MAKE time for it. Even when Matt is on the road, I try to steal a few minutes while the children are napping, or after I have tucked them into bed at night. Yes, I often have piles of laundry to fold, bills to pay, and a kitchen that still needs a little picking up from dinner...but somewhere among all of it I carve a little time out for me. I personally enjoy updating my blog or curling up on the sofa or bed to read. I would love to tell you I read educational literature or deep intellectual novels, but the truth is that my favorite thing to read for myself is the latest gossip magazine or family magazine I picked up at the grocery store!! I also love driving alone- I find it relaxing to be on the road on a sunny day with the sunroof open and a good song on the radio. My mind becomes free and clear.

So all of you "happy housewives -and house husbands" out there...I challenge you to take even 5 minutes out of your day today to do one of your favorite indulgent activities. Whether it is reading, a bubble bath, or a bit of the bubbly...you will thank yourself later!

"Never be afraid to sit alone and think."

--Lorriane Hansberry