Yesterday we had my mom and dad over for dinner.  We were celebrating my mother's birthday and had our typical birthday dinner.  Boeuf bourgignon, with mashed potatoes, and a salad.  For dessert apple dumplings with a little ice cream.  Completely delicious if I do say so myself!

I love using this green tablecloth, especially with white dishes.  Speaking of these are my new white dishes.  I've looked for quite some time for the right dishes.  I had a square set, but they were very heavy.  Since then I've been looking for just the right thing.  I ended up settling with these Corelle dishes.  They are supposed to be durable, they are gorgeous, light, and pretty much go with anything.  The bonus is they are pretty affordable and I can buy extra sets to accommodate extra guests.

I have to be honest, I wish I set the table like this more often.  It's so pretty, and you know what they say...you eat first with your eyes.  Having visually appealing food and tablescape is very important!  It doesn't have to be over the top fancy, or expensive, but having a table cloth and treating it with care makes it so much more special.

Last but not least, look at the gorgeous new dutch oven I have!  We had planned to have this for Christmas, but I ended up burning it...very badly  So badly the dutch oven was too far to save.  In the month of time I didn't have one, I realized how much I use one.  Like...all...the...time.  I'm so happy to have one back in my life!

Did you guys have a good weekend?  What did you do?  Feel free to share in the comments!

I've finally come to realize that there are some aspects of life that work a season ahead.  We've barely been above freezing for the last couple of weeks, and there's been a little layer of snow making things magical.  While most people are staying warm, knitting, and enjoying winter, I'm already thinking about spring.  I know, I know, you gotta be wondering how, why I'd be thinking of spring!?

A part of it is most certainly because I am a very excited dreamer.  I love dreaming about the future and how I would like things to turn out.  The other reason is because, quite honestly, now is the time.  To start onion seeds indoors they need to be started by the end of this month.  If we want to get some chickens butchered by no later than the middle of April, we have to get chicks mid February.  From now until about April is when most farmers plan on their goats freshening and having their kids.  I wish I could pretend it was a pain, planning my garden and other adventures, but I can't.  I love it.

So that is how these first few days of 2013 have been spent.  Looking over heirloom seed catalogs, trying to figure out if I really will be able to manage goats, and if I really can find a better way to raise chickens.  Of course as spring approaches, I start thinking about the decorating I'd like to get done, and how to best get things spring cleaned around here.

I'm getting close to making final decisions on what I'm planting in the garden, along with some goat and poultry decisions.  I hope, hope, hope to share those with you soon, if I can just hurry up and decide!

So what about you?  Are you planning for spring yet, or are you just enjoying these magic winter days?  Share in the comments below!

Raise your hand if you have a lengthy goal and resolution list for this year?  I had formulated quite the list as well, with things on it like losing weight, growing a good garden, reading books, decorating my home, eating more wholesome foods to name a few.  I knew I had overdone it, and knew my list wasn't realistic, but what was wrong with it? What should I cut out?  I got distracted by a busy week and completely forgot to look back at my lists.  I woke up on the first day of 2013 with it being no different than any other day.  I have to admit I was a little disappointed  I hoped to have a list, to have a new plan written and ready to follow.  Then I realized it, I realized that I had a goal and resolution.  Just one, single thing.

Do better.

I want to do better in 2013 than I did in 2012.  I want to do better at blogging, at eating, at loving, at everything.  If I fail, I want to do better at accepting myself and the mistakes I've made.  I want to do better at working hard, and at putting myself out there.  I want to do better at being vulnerable, and do better at living life.

That's it, I just want to do better.

What are your new years resolutions and goals? Feel free to share in the comment section!

The ending of a year and a beginning of a new one is always so special to me.  The year 2012 is complete, and cataloged away in memories.  It was a year of unexpected adventures, a lot of moving vans, chickens, and more laughs than I can count.  My only hope and wish is that 2013 is a year even half as good as 2012.

I am determined for 2013 to be a special year.  A  year that is full of life, love, adventure and fun.  I am determined to be more fearless, vulnerable, and passionate.  I hope everyone who reads my blog notices these changes, starting with the most obvious one as you came and visited here today!  I wanted this new year to include a fresh start here on The Atypical Housewife.  As all my readers know I have struggled writing here the last year.  I've been unsure as to who I've been as a blogger and where I was going.  Thankfully I have finally figured it all out.  I've come to the conclusion that I am not a Christian homemaking blog.  I don't fit there.  I am, however, a lifestyle blogger.  Quite frankly, I'm recording my life here.  I hope what I write not only documents my life, my adventures, but can also teach and encourage other women.  I am determined to make my blog an expression of myself and my life.  So be prepared for posts that may be a little...atypical.