This is my #1 favorite addition to taco night. I try to make it about an hour before dinner, chill it and then serve with chips and tacos. Kevin and I love it. I try to make it for Taco Tuesdays. It is also the perfect summer appetizer.
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Easy Summer Pico
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
14th Bloggy Birthday!
Happy 14th Birthday to Polka-Dotty Place! 14!!!! I can hardly believe it.
I have been writing for this space nearly every day for 14 years. It has been one of my favorite hobbies, favorite outlets, favorite way to document our lives and I'm so thankful you show up to read what I write. Some of you have been with me since we lived in Utah. Wow! I always said that I would stop blogging when it was no longer fun. I'm thrilled to say that I still love blogging and can't wait for another year in this space.
Back in 2011, Kevin and I were living in Utah and nearly everything about our life was different.
We lived and loved life in a tiny apartment. We had two cats - Oliver & Topher - who have both since passed. We traveled nearly every weekend to explore all the wild west had to offer. Jobs that took us to Utah for what we thought would be a five year process, ended up being a nine year adventure. We both started and finished graduate school together at The University of Utah. I was teaching 3rd grade in public schools. Kevin was teaching/working/learning all over Salt Lake City. Our circles of friends were different and we were much more well rested. We loved our time in Utah!
Throwback to Summer of 2011:
Fast forward to 2025 and it feels like almost everything about our life is different. We have 3 different cats. We have 3 kids. We have lived in 4 different houses and 4 different cities. We're back in the Midwest which I wasn't sure would ever happen. Kevin's is working his dream jobs and I love teaching kindergarten at a private school. It'll be my first time ever to teach with one of my own kids in my grade. We're about to enter junior high territory and the kids are making new friends and trying new things to find their own hobbies. We're making our house a home and even though everything has changed so much in 14 years, we still love the life we are building together.
Thanks for reading my blog.
Thanks for caring about my family.
Thanks for sticking around for all the adventures these last 14 years.
Cheers to a new year ahead filled with new adventures!
Love you lots!
Monday, June 30, 2025
Pancake Spaghetti
Pancake Spaghetti. I know it sounds weird, but hear me out.
We are enjoying trying some new recipe this Summer. I saw this idea for pancake spaghetti online and saved it to do with the kids on a slow morning. I mixed up our usual Hungry Jack extra light and fluffy pancake mix. Grabbed a squirt bottle and then carefully poured the mix into the bottle. It was really easy.
This would be so fun to make with your kids, grandkids, friends or family. The kids loved making their own spaghetti and just needed a little help flipping.
I hope you give this pancake spaghetti a try!
Friday, June 27, 2025
Friday Faves
Happy Friday, friends! We had a great, hot week in the Midwest. I'm having trouble remembering what day it is and we're all staying up way too late. Sounds like Summer!
The best parts of our week were:
1. First Watch. If you find yourself on the South side of Nashville in the Smyrna area, you must go here for breakfast/brunch! Kevin found it for us on Father's Day and we loved it! Everything was homemade and we all agreed that it was the best breakfast spot. We got everything from pancakes, to omelets, watermelon refresher drinks, granola, homemade strawberry jam and waffles. Everything we ate was amazing. There is also some fun shopping all around.
8. Hardy is getting bigger. The boys love playing with him. Leo told my mom, I'm going to kidnap that dog :) So if he ever goes missing, check with Leo.
Have a great weekend! I'll see you back here on Monday :)
Linking up with Momfessionals
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Princess Cays Island
We woke up anchored down next to Princess Cays private island. It is such a small island that it doesn't have a port. You anchor down nearby and then ferry boats take you to and from the island. It was so cool! On our side of the ship it looked like we were in the middle of the ocean and then the other side had a great view of the island. The ferries were running back and forth all day and the quick trip to the island was gorgeous. It's so fast that you don't have time to feel motion sick at all.
We got off our ship early and had no trouble getting on the first ferry.
I mentioned before that Kevin did all the planning so everything on the island was a surprise to us! We hopped off our ferry and took a family photo. I took one for the family in front of us and then they took ours. Then we headed to check in for our cabana. The island was beautiful.
Another great excursion, Kev! He planned all the details perfectly. Take us back anytime!