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A Beanbag Your Family Will LOVE!

In our home I’m not much for clutter, knick-knacks, or items that do not have a specific purpose (or dual purpose). If it’s something that will just take up space, it’s likely that item will find another home quickly.

More recently something was introduced into our home, and while it takes up a little more space, it has become so very well loved – dare I even say, coveted. Every time I turn around, it has moved because one of the kids has claimed it for the day or week. 

We have been thrilled to have a CordaRoy’s convertible bean bag in our house the last two months. Not only has it provided much comfort all over (it’s been dragged from the basement to the schoolroom and everywhere in between), but it serves a dual purpose – a queen-sized guest bed! It may also hold a special place in my heart since it is the perfect place for a certain 10 year old and me to curl up and read together. 

You all – the people who put this beanbag together are genius. It has been such a wonderful addition to our house and I have been telling everyone how much I love it, especially because you can use it in multiple ways. 

Before we received our CordaRoy’s bean bag, we had purchased a trundle bed to slide under our boys bed when friends came over. Let’s just say, the next morning I found the kiddo sleeping on the floor because the trundle was so uncomfortable. To be fair, we invited this same boy over again to test out our convertible bean bag – he was thrilled to test it out and LOVED it. :) 

Needless to say, that trundle bed is now considered taking up unneeded space and is leaving the house. We have a much better alternative with our bean bag! 

Here’s Why We Love Our CordaRoy’s

It can be used multiple ways – beanbag or bed. I mentioned that I’m not one for clutter. The fact that the bean bag is easy to move around the house and be used as a bean bag some days or opened up to make into a bed, makes it so worth it to us. Our kids are getting bigger, so having the queen-sized option is great, especially for visiting guests. We were able to use a standard set of queen sheets without any issue (bed side is 60 x 80 x 10”). Check out their size comparison chart for a visual: youth, full, queen, and king.

Additionally, there are multiple cover options. We have the charcoal chenille queen sleeper and the color blends in all over the house and is also a soft, plush fabric. Corduroy, velour, faux cowhide and other cover choices are also available. 

It is super comfortable.  Our kids don’t quite fight over the bean bag (other than they each want it in their own room), but this is a bean bag you just sink into and don’t want to get out of. Don’t worry adults – I promise you will be able to get up. Trust me. I’ve done it.

Packed full of memory foam, it envelops you and you will love it. We’ve recently switched to memory foam pillows and the comfort of both together is fabulous. There’s also another member of our house who loves it and won’t stay out – our pup, Addie. She’s rather hilarious in it, curling up whenever she has the chance.

It will LAST. We’ve had other beanbags in the past and hands-down this one feels different and doesn’t compact after a lot of sitting, jumping, or sleeping. Besides that, it has a LIFETIME Guarantee. This may seem insignificant, but after many a flat bean bag, this is a big deal for us. 

Setup is super-easy. When you want to convert the beanbag to a bed or vice versa, it will take only a few minutes (we may have timed ourselves at just over two minutes). One of the kids and I were easily able to do it together (their demo on folding it like a taco is very helpful). Take a quick 30 second peek at the video below to see how easy it is. 

A Special Discount for You!!

CordaRoy’s has offered my readers a 10% discount on any purchase they make. Use the code PXQU during checkout and you’ll save. 

Right now bean bags start at just $99 (youth size), so it’s the perfect time to shop. Additionally, any order over $250 receives free shipping – so double savings for you!

Truly you all – this is something your family (and friends) will use and enjoy for years and something our entire family recommends to yours. I am beyond thrilled with this beanbag and know you will be as well! 

Click HERE to learn more. 

After Five Years…

One thing we have been wanting to do for many years is have a family picture updated. It’s been five years since the last time, but something always seems to get in the way and take up our time. A few weeks back we FINALLY nailed down a date and got it done. 

You all – FIVE YEARS!!

Mind you, the last time we had them taken turned into a hilarious comedy of errors with us taking a trip to the ER and pushing off pictures because one child split open his head literally minutes before the photographer arrived. And then it took me two more years to get the pictures framed and hung once we finally had them printed. 

Because perfection and getting things just right get in my way every single time

But they are done and I am determined not to wait as long for the next set because – wow.FIVE YEARS!! The years have flown by – literally. (Look how much they have grown!!)

Here’s to not waiting so long the next round. Especially since the older two will be heading to (or in) college if we wait another five years. (I cannot even go there in my mind right now). 

Deep breaths. 

Savoring every moment in the “now” – one day at a time. 

Our Homeschool Happenings (via vlog)

Above you’ll find a little update on what we’ve been up to in both our homeschool and home. Truthfully, a vlog was the easiest thing for me to do today (and besides, it makes me feel like I’m sitting down and actually chatting with you all). Feed readers can click here to see the video

The quick sum-up: 

  • All is well in the homeschool realm and I’ll be sharing a few tweaks/add-ins to our curriculum soon.
  • I’m VERY MUCH looking forward to this book by Sally Clarkson.
  • Starting any type of home project is a downward spiral into finding a billion other projects, like a chain reaction. Doing said projects around the holidays is d.u.m.b. But for some reason, we’re doing one, or five. 
  • We’ve been dealing with some health issues with one of the kids. Watching your kids hurting is hard. Very hard.
  • Taking a long break in December is essential for my sanity. Not sure where my brain was in planning at the start of the year. 
  • My idea of quick is apparently keeping it under 12 minutes. There are no prizes for watching through to the end, other than – well, nothing. :) 

Hope you all are having a great day, and I look forward to hearing how you are doing as well. I’d love for you to leave a comment and chime in with how things are going for your family. 

Gluten Free Salmon Cake Recipe

gluten free salmon cake recipe

Maybe fish isn’t your thing. I get that – our kids weren’t huge fans of it either. But in the last year or so, salmon has become one of my favorite dishes because my body tends to be happier the more protein it ingests, and I happily oblige. When I wanted to make salmon cakes using a recipe a friend had given me, I realized one of the key ingredients (bread crumbs) would cause a problem with my gluten-free friends. Rather than buying gluten-free bread crumbs, I decided to play around with teh recipe – and the results were delicious, especially since the added ingredient included more protein! 

Now granted, the above picture may not be the most appetizing or appealing, but really – I have no time to make it look pretty, because a) it would get cold and b) it smells good and our family wants to eat them. So frying pan picture it is! 

 

Gluten Free Salmon Cakes
Yields 8
a high-protein salmon-cake recipe (that even our kids love)
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Prep Time
20 min
Total Time
30 min
Prep Time
20 min
Total Time
30 min
For Salmon Cakes
  1. 2 6oz. cans pink salmon
  2. 3 Tbsp. mayonaise
  3. 1 egg (or 2 egg whites)
  4. 1/2 red onion, finely diced
  5. 2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
  6. 1 tsp dill
  7. 1 tsp pepper
  8. 2 tsp minced garlic
  9. 1/2 cup cooked quinoa (or 2 slices of bread made into crumbs)
  10. 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
For Frying
  1. Olive oil
Instructions
  1. Drain salmon and place in a mixing bowl. Add in all remaining ingredients and mix together.
  2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
  3. Once well mixed, form salmon mixture into 4" wide patties with hands and place in frying pan. Fry over medium-high heat for approximately 4 minutes per side or until desires crispness.
  4. Serve with tartar sauce or enjoy plain. Makes approximately 8-10 salmon cakes.
Homeschool Creations https://www.homeschoolcreations.net/

 We’ve also tried the above recipe with lump meat crab and had wonderful results as well, but typically I make up a batch and store them in the fridge to grab for a lunch at the pool or a quick snack during the week. 

Enjoy!

Here a Chick, There a Chick, Everywhere a Pet Chick

Last week we took a trip into town and returned with six little fuzzballs. After last year’s rooster fiasco {remember we had FIVE out of eight chicks turn out to be roosters}, we opted to skip our local chicken swap and work with a company that sexes their chicks. Math is one area that we can figure out easily enough and know that 8 – 5 = not enough eggs.

Pet Chicken

Although we didn’t plan on getting quite so many, apparently there is a state law that requires a minimum purchase of six. A few chickens may need to find a new home in the coming months.

Pet Chicken

Apparently our bunny wasn’t even distraction and now the kids are playing with chicks as often as they can. Cuddling. Making them pets as much as possible.

Pet Chicken

Inside they stay until the weather allows them to join their chicken friends in the coop outdoors. For now the chicks’ home is a giant Rubbermaid tub and a nice warming lamp. There they sleep, peeping away and keeping four children occupied in the afternoons. 

If you need some tips on chicks, my post introducing our chicks last year generated some great suggestions. :) We also decided that names are important and picked names that could not be shortened to any form of a boy’s name {just in case} ~ like Henrietta. All of our chicks with those names last year were the roosters {no kidding}.

Any new animals in your life lately?

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