Thank you so much for the recipes you shared yesterday! My “to-try” folder is full, we will let you know if we acquire any new family favorites!

We’re picking out flooring this month! I cannot believe the choices out there, it’s can be very overwhelming. Our builder’s standard is engineered hardwood, so that is what we are going with. Real wood in Utah can be tricky with the extreme temperatures here and how dry it is, so we’re okay with the engineered hardwood, and it will help us stay in budget.

I want a classic, medium, not too shiny, not too light, not too dark floor that won’t show how dirty they really are, that are strong enough to withstand 5 rowdy kids, and clean up like a dream. Is that too much to ask? Here are some of my inspiration pics:

#1 this is my favorite: love the warm, wide planks. Love that butcher block island too!via Taylor Lombardo Architects

#2 warm wood with white kitchenvia BHG

via Houzz

via Houzz

from Pinterest

I got one of the best meal planning tips from this old book my Mom gave me that she had when she was a young mom.

It is to know what’s for dinner by 10.

10 p.m. the night before if you are working outside the home, and 10 a.m. if you are at home. It gives enough time to turn on the crock pot, take meat out to thaw, start the rice cooker, or know what you need to grab at the store. It’s amazing what a simple thing like knowing what’s for dinner can make in the day! I try to make a general meal plan for the week on Sunday, but it’s flexible because sometimes you don’t feel like spaghetti on Wednesday, but everyone is always in the mood for pizza on Friday. Tonight it’s Yoshida chicken: we just get the Yoshida sauce in big bottles at Costco (or look for it at Sam’s or the grocery store, it’s really expensive on Amazon!), cover chicken in the crock pot with the sauce and let it cook on low all day. Serve it over rice with vegetables on the side.

I feel like I’ve been in a bit of a recipe rut lately~have you come across any good family-friendly recipes lately? We would love to hear them, or leave a link in the comments or on Facebook!

Happy Wednesday~