A Mom's Year

Creating a comfortable life one moment at a time

Yoga

Have you ever tried yoga? Tim and I started doing—I mean practicing yoga—two years ago after our friend Toyna told us about a DVD she was loving called The Biggest Loser Weight Loss Yoga. I’d always wanted to try yoga but was too intimidated. All that balancing and bending into strange angles. But we took Toyna’s advice and gave the Biggest Loser DVD a try. And loved it. I won’t lie to you—it was very challenging, but we loved it. Simple and straight-forward, with minimal contortions. Is it a little McYoga? Perhaps. But very effective. Plus I find Bob’s drawl charming. By the way, if you do the entire video it will take about an hour. I only do the 5-minute warm-up and the first 20-minute segment. Good enough!

Tim says yoga is the only exercise he’s ever done that truly makes him feel invigorated afterward. I love that I feel much less mushy when I add some yoga into my week. When I have a little more time I like to do Mandy Ingber’s Yogalosophy DVD. Mandy is Jennifer Aniston’s personal guru. So, yes, she’s all celebified. But also very likable and down-to-earth. She works you hard, but in a strangely relaxing way.

After a year or so of wearing a workable pair of yoga pants from Target, I splurged and bought Hatha yoga pants from Lucy. They are so comfortable and I like how they’re sleek through the leg but then fall open nicely over the foot. The only downside is they’re not cheap. But when I was ready to buy a pair, I found a 25 percent off coupon online and that helped. Maybe my next splurge will be one of these.

  • It’s Day 12 of the Push-Up Challenge. Have you joined in yet?

Organizing Idea: Address Cards

My old address book is literally falling apart, so I’m in the market for a new one. Have you gone digital? Maybe I will one day, but for now I still like an old-fashioned address book I can get my hands on. Isn’t this a great idea for keeping your family and friends organized? There’s room for all the usual information, plus a place to write down each contact’s birthday, anniversary, and favorite color. If someone moves, just replace her card with a new one. Find it here.

  • These cupcake poppers would brighten one of our gray winter days.
  • Here’s a free printable teacher form letter.
  • Check out this cute DIY ruffle tee.
  • Is it too early to start thinking about Valentine’s Day? My girls would love making these.
  • Day 11 of the Push-Up Challenge.

Our Daily Bread

My friend Christina makes this amazing bread, or boule (French for “ball”), nearly every day. It’s perfectly crusty on the outside and perfectly soft and delicious on the inside. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to make. No kneading! The trickiest part is getting the timing right because it’s about a 20-hour process. But don’t let that intimidate you. Mostly the bread just sits on the counter while you go about your business. You can read about why the no-knead method works here. You do need a heavy covered pot of some kind (cast iron, enamel, Pyrex, or ceramic) that can fit in your oven. I use this Martha Stewart cast-iron pot, which I bought on sale with a coupon at Macy’s. Target has lots of options, too.

The recipe is from Jim Lahey, courtesy of The New York Times. Give it a try and let us know how it turned out! One last thing: if you have leftover bread, you don’t need to wrap it. Just put it cut side down on a wooden cutting board, if you have one. Your counter would work, too.

  • AmberLee at The Giver’s Log has cute printable thank-you notes. She also has some thoughts on finding balance. I like the one about life being tricky when you’re a capable person.
  • Day 8 of the Push-Up Challenge. Things are getting serious.
  • Need some help sticking with your resolutions this year? Read this article about how to accomplish your goals in life. You’ll be glad you did.

Form vs. Function

Grandpa Jeff was kind enough to help us finish the built-in bookcase in the loft recently. It is sitting there, in all its pristine whiteness, just waiting to be filled. I love the styling on this bookcase by Gabrielle of Design Mom (made even better by her baby daughter). But as much as I admire how Gabrielle groups the books by color, I don’t think I have it in me to do the same. I’m firmly in the sort-by-genre group. Alphabetized, even. What about you?

I also have to figure out a way to hide the speaker switch box on the bottom shelf. Tim, more of a function than form kind of guy, informed me that it can’t be moved because the speaker wires from the bedrooms all terminate there. Well, it could be moved but it would be a big project. I’m going to think of this as a creative challenge. Ideas are welcome.

  • If I don’t write it down, I’ll forget it. Luckily, there’s a plethora of cute notepads out there. I like this free download from design.wash.rinse.repeat.
  • Spotted this on Dream Everyday.
  • This custom-made board game might make a great present. Will tuck it away in the Idea File.
  • These customized paperdolls from Lily and Thistle are on my wish list. I especially like the Fairy Tale package. What a lovely way to while away a wintry afternoon.
  • Day 7 of the Push-Up Challenge. Keep going!

Have a great weekend! We’ll be visiting the Science Museum and maybe doing a little skiing if we can pull Andrew away from his beloved Green Bay Packers.