blog - Simply Happenstance

{Yoga with Kids >><< Parents.com}

Are you ready to get your {om} on?

Here are eight yoga poses to do with your kids

that are both playful & fun!

Mini yoga routines can be started with your kids when they reach the age of 18 months.

These poses help kids release extra energy, handle their frustration & even relax before bed!

Not-to-mention,

you’ll be teaching & modeling an exercise routine from a young age,

which has enormous physical & emotional benefits!

…Namaste…

T H A T ‘ S a W R A P !

>> February, 2013 <<

:: nicole ::

:: sara ::

Some February posts you may have missed…

>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<

A Book Review {Guest Post}

Thriving in Motherhood >> Baby/Mommy Classes {Guest Post}

Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe

Current Fashion Trends we LOVE

Homemade Marshmallow Recipe Featured on Mamawolfe Blog

Baked French Toast Recipe {adapted from the Pioneer Woman}

Our Very First Magazine Feature!

Favorite Top Ten Baby Essentials

From Bellies to Babies – Maternity Photos

Some Nursery Design Inspiration

Yummy Cheese & Vegetable Quiche Recipe

A Quest for a Simple Life >> Family Plans for the Future

Upcoming events in the Dana Point Harbor!

&

Our favorite picks of the web >> {weekend} lovelies 1, 2, 3 & 4

>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<

“You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep

because reality is finally better than your dreams.”

I may be biased as I heart Dana Point

BIG TIME….

The City is full of history,

from the days of its discovery by Richard Henry Dana Jr.

to the “Killer Dana” surf break,The Beach Boys and Doheny…….

It is a beautiful harbor with wonderful hiking trails and

beaches as I noted in my 5 favorite walking trails post.

I have been lucky enough to have worked

along side with clients and the City on various

community events in the past.

Shane grew up going to the Ocean Institute as a kid.

As a family we have enjoyed playing in the

tide pools and various children’s programs at the

Ocean Institute, splashing in the water

at baby beach and Strands, as well as

Camping in the summer at Doheny State Beach.

*******************************************************

This weekend is the kick off to numerous family fun

events that take place in Dana Point Harbor.

March 2 and 3rd will be the first weekend

Dana Point serves as a landmark for Whales

migrating from Mexico to Alaska during

peak season December to April.

The Harbor’s design and open parking allows for

easy access for visitors to view the open ocean views

as well as hiking to the top of the Headland’s to

see the whales migration in the distance.

This year’s events include:

Movie in the Park, Magical Migration Parade,

Ocean Awareness Day, Rubber Ducky Race and lots more!!

These community events make this town a great place

to vacation with family.

The Festival of Whales continues March 9-10.

If you can’t make it to this event with your family,

I do highly recommend making and researching a trip

to Dana Point, California.

With reasonable rates and a beautiful location

as “the only hotel in the harbor”

Dana Point Marina Inn is steps away from

various restaurants and shops in the harbor.

The city is drivable to San Diego, Los Angeles,

and of course Disneyland.

Future upcoming events are:

Doheny Blues Festival, Concerts in the Park,

Toshiba Tallships Festival, Doheny Days, and

Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade.

Come down and make a few family memories

of your own……..

nicole signature via simply happenstance

The Quest for a Simple Life

February 25, 2013

>>>THE QUEST FOR A SIMPLE LIFE<<<

You know when something is on your mind

or heavy on your heart and you start noticing signs of it all around you,

{honestly}…

everywhere you look?

That’s what has been happening to Husby and I lately.

I know I have mentioned throughout various posts my desire for a simpler life…

but recently, it’s really been beckoning.

We are fortunate to live in a beautiful area

and are surrounded by cherished friends and family…

but we know that God is leading us somewhere else.

It’s a feeling we both have had laid on our hearts for some time now…

and it just isn’t going away…

if anything, it’s only getting stronger.

>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<

I guess I should give you some insight as to why I constantly crave this

“simple life.”

{At some point I will write a more thorough post on this…

(and in time, I dream of writing a book, or two)…

but for now I will give you a glimpse into a few years of my childhood}…

>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<

When I was eleven years old,

and my younger brother was four,

our parents sold most of what we owned,

quit their demanding careers,

bought a sailboat…

and we traveled for two years

with the intentions of circumnavigating the world.

During these two years,

we sailed over 14,000 miles.

I was homeschooled during this time,

but the most valuable learning

didn’t come from the books we brought with us…

but rather the life experiences

of traveling to other countries and remote islands,

interacting with the locals,

attempting to speak their languages,

and surrounding ourselves with their beautiful cultures.

My happiest childhood memories are all of this time.

I cherish the experiences,

but also the together time we spent as a family.

This two-year snippet had the most profound impact on my life,

shaping my interests…

values…

and desires as an adult.

We left most material items behind,

{the luxuries of living on land}…

and just sailed.

We were together 24 hours a day.

Life was simple…

fishing for our dinner,

stargazing,

listening to Jimmy Buffet,

reading endless amounts of novels,

swimming and bathing in the ocean,

exploring cities and quaint little villages,

chatting with the locals and other cruisers {as we were called}….

It was a beautiful life…

My courageous parents took an incredible risk…

I can’t imagine the person I would be today, had they not…

>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<

Having had that sort of childhood…

I have always known that I wanted to give our four children a feel of that “simple life”…

hopefully carrying on my parents’ adventurous spirits and instilling it in our kids.

Husby and I both feel strongly that the time is quickly approaching to make a big change.

The kids are growing up so fast,

and we only have one shot at raising them up right…

the way we’ve envisioned in our dreams.

{Image Via: Fancy Hands, Tumblr}

Although I would love to sell everything

{and literally},

set sail to far off places…

it isn’t realistic for us.

My parents were avid sailors,

and my brother and I were raised sailing from a very young age,

{not to mention},

Husby has a secure job as a firefighter working for a department that he loves.

I often joke that we just need to move to Costa Rica and live in a little beach bungalow,

but in all seriousness…

Husby and I know that we need to take a risk, and leave our area of comfort…

s e t t i n g s a i l i n o u r o w n w a y.

We aren’t one-hundred percent certain of the details

{like the when, where, and how — perhaps important!},

but we do feel like our family needs more open air…

more room to breathe,

more space to play and explore the outdoors.

A life that is closer to nature and more in tune with God…

where we have more time to focus on our family.

A life that is less demanding,

…less empty…

and less pressured to just “keep up.”

We are praying for God’s guidance,

and His will to be done.

So…

in the meantime,

I will keep you updated with our plans…

as we hopefully carryout some much needed changes in our family…

in the quest for a simple life.

>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<

P.S. Remember how I told you I am seeing signs everywhere?

This was one of them…

a beautiful post

{that I know you’ll enjoy},

eloquently written by fellow blogger & friend,

Jennifer Wolfe {mamawolfe}….

{On the Corner of Dream Ave. and Believe St.: Stepping Out Of Our Comfort Zone}

{Image Via: Designspiration}

Click here for an update on this post!

Quiche Recipe

{Adapted by The Pioneer Woman Cooks}

quiche recipe adapted by the pioneer woman cooks

My quiche recipe is not a manly recipe.

It’s girly through and through.

Light, fluffy, veggie, and cheesy…….

I have cut a few corners and made some of the

steps a bit more skinny so that on a special girl’s day,

all can enjoy without feeling too much guilt.

That being said, it was the perfect recipe to prepare

for my Mother’s birthday.

Ingredients

********************************************************

*16 ounces white mushrooms (washed and sliced)

*2 leeks

*Petite heirloom tomatoes (1 cup sliced)

* 4 mini bell peppers (yellow and red)

*2 tablespoons butter

*8 eggs (I used 5 whole eggs and 3 egg whites)

*1 1/2 cups heavy cream

*2 cups sharp white and yellow cheddar

*salt and pepper to taste

*Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust

Preparation

********************************************************

Preheat Oven to 400 F

{cook time approximately 55 minutes}

1. Place the mushrooms on a large baking sheet and

roast them in the oven for 15-20 minutes until golden.

mushrooms

2. Cut and soak the leeks in cold water

to remove dirt and grit

3. Slice petite tomatoes and bell peppers in half and set aside.

tomatoes and bellpeppers

4. In a large skillet over medium heat,

saute leeks tomatoes, & bell peppers in the butter for 8-10 minutes.

5. In a separate bowl for the quiche base combine the

eggs and egg whites with the cream and whisk together.

6. Stir in the leeks, mushrooms, tomatoes,

bell peppers, grated cheese, and salt and pepper.

this mixture should be very thick, then set aside.

7. Unroll one Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust and place in a greased

pie pan or quiche pan with a drop bottom.

8. Gently pour in the mixture and cover it loosely with a piece of

foil for 45 minutes so that the crust does not burn.

Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes so that the crust can bake to

a golden brown.

9. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.

My Mom was impressed.

This was the first time I used the pre-made crust

for a quiche recipe,

but this simple short cut made a world of difference.

I was able to focus more on the goodness of the recipe than

worrying about my crust crumbling away before reaching the oven.

I can’t wait to make this for my girlfriends.

It is an easy recipe and quite adaptable in changing the

ingredients to make it a lighter version of

the most delicious original.

The only thing left to add to this yummy

quiche is a little sparkling mimosa for

a brunch celebration.

{weekend} lovelies

February 23, 2013

We are finishing off our very first baby week with this edition of

{weekend} lovelies!

Dreaming of a time when you will become pregnant…

learning that you are expecting…

being in the midst of pregnancy…

birthing your baby…

and holding, feeding, cuddling & kissing your newborn

{for the very first time}

are some of the most amazing, memorable & joyous times

in our lives as women!

We hope you enjoyed our baby week

and that you find the following information & links helpful!

Have a …..lovely….. weekend!

xo

{Healthy Pregnancy Snacks // FitPregnancy}

From homemade granola bars to ice pops & veggie dips…

there’s lots of healthful variety here!

{Sleep Tips During Pregnancy // Dr. Oz for FitPregnancy}

Any woman who has experienced pregnancy

knows that there are almost always sleep issues involved…

especially in the final months when your tummy is big and your bladder seems small!

Supposedly it’s nature’s way of preparing you for the sleepless nights ahead once your baby is born.

Here are some tips from Dr. Oz on getting some much needed zzz’s!

{Printable Birth Plan // The Bump}

A great tool to stimulate conversation with your significant other

and to gather your own thoughts in regards to your wishes for the birthing process.

This is important to complete and then review with your doctor or midwife.

Note: this is pretty detailed, so all of these options may not be offered to you.

{A Simple Mantra // The Keep Calm-o-Matic}

Or… perhaps you’d rather keep things simple,

forget the comprehensive birth plan… and go with the flow?

This is pretty much how I handled my fourth delivery…

no drugs, no midwife….

just Husby, a couple nurses, my way too handsome doctor, and a hockey game in the background…

unforgettable…

{Shrink, Tighten, Control // Belly Bandit}

Looking for a post-partum compression wrap?

I whole-heartedly recommend the one made of Bamboo!

It is their softest material & is comfortable while still being supportive.

Make sure you read their sizing tips before purchasing!

{Timeline for the Breastfed Baby // The Alpha Parent}

This is my favorite link of the week!

A thorough timeline that every breastfeeding new mom should read & bookmark!

{DIY Modern Nursing Shawl // The Coterie Blog}

This darling shawl appears to be super easy to make

{this would also make a great gift}!

You need 1 yard of knit fabric, and it only requires you to sew one line!

It’s cute and functional!

It even covers your back, unlike most that you purchase!

{After Baby Workouts // Knocked-up Fitness}

Our friend, Erica Ziel, of Knocked-up Fitness recently released her new AFTER BABY Workouts!

You can also go on her site to view her YouTube fitness videos!

See our post of her Pilates-Infused Fitness for expectant mamas {here}!

{Postpartum Intimacy // Giving Birth with Confidence}

Experts from FitPregnancy give the real scoop on what’s really going on

“down there”

and answer questions about intimacy after baby!

{Tips for Photographing Your Baby // Click it up a Notch}

10 really helpful tips for photographing your baby!

These pointers are realistic and easy enough to do

for the average mom or dad behind the camera!

{Additional Reading Material we Recommend}

Difference Between Baby Blues & Depression

Helping Your Older Kids Adjust to the New Baby

Baby Milestones >> 10 Basic Developmental Skills & Timeline

Thriving in Motherhood {Guest Post}

February 22, 2013

We thought we would wrap-up our Baby Week with a special treat!

A guest post from our friend,

{Britton earned her Bachelors Degree in Social Science with an emphasis in Child Development from UC Irvine. She received her Childbirth Educator Certification and Postnatal Educator Certification through the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) and is a certified Kindersign Instructor. She has 12 years experience teaching Early Childhood, Kindergarten, Childbirth, Parenting and Postnatal classes.}