If you know me, then you know that I enjoy taking photographs.
However, I find it cumbersome to always have my Nikon with me.
I do have to say that I love my smartphone for that reason.
Small and mobile, it allows me to catch the improptu

Here is a one of those sessions:

The Eat-In Challenge

My husband and I are foodies.
We love to eat.
Not only that, but we rarely ever bat an eye at spending upwards of $80 on a single meal.
That, however, can put a huge dent in our disposable income if we eat out several times a month.
Currently, we spend approximately $400 (Sometimes more) on eating out.
That's on top of our monthly grocery bill.
Taking all of that in consideration, we are currently spending about $1000 a month on food.

Amazing isn't it?
While we love food and the experience of dining out, we've decided to cut back.
We would much rather spend that money on vacations or weekend trips with our children.

This led us to the eat-in challenge.
We are challenging ourselves to only eat out twice a month.
These dining out experiences mean everything.
So if we go out to Brio's twice a month fine.
That also means, if we go to Taco Bell twice a month fine, but we're done.

We are now on Day 9 of the challenge, and have successfully played by the rules.
We have already ate out for the month, so that is why we are only on Day 9 when today is the 10th.
For the new year we took our children to Buca di Beppo, and it was delicious!

Anyway, here are a few of the meals we have made so far during our challenge:

Rosemary-dijon crusted pork loin with roasted veggies and a mixed green salad.




Getting the kids involved. We made french loaf pizza and of course the bread was homemade!


mmmm, Curry!






The most amazing veggie Lasagna ever!

A few days ago, I mentioned that we went to COSI.
What is COSI?
Well, it stands for Center of Science and Industry.
It is a hands on museum, of sorts, focused on educating children about science, technology, and the natural world.
COSI is located in downtown Columbus.
Here is their website
Check it out!

Anyway here are some of my favorite shots from the day:

It's official, the holiday season is over.
That means we can finally return to our routine.
I have to admit that I am kind of relieved.
However, I will miss the days of playing and movie watching.

We decided that we needed to do one last fun thing before heading back to school and work.
That was to head to COSI.
Almost a year ago we bought a family pass to COSI, and sadly this was our first time back.
I believe we will renew it, but I am determined to actually use it in the upcoming year.
Using the COSI pass, as well as the Zoo pass, will be a good way to keep us out of shopping centers.
Also the kids will have more of a chance to explore the natural world.
I guess that's kind of my resolution.
As a family, we will do more enriching activities.