So, I have a bit of an issue with my iPhone and the whole storage thing these days. Basically, at least every other day I wind up going to take a photo, only to get an error message saying that I cannot take a picture because there is no more space available. The. Worst.
I mean, it’s my own fault though. For whatever reason, I just can’t bring myself to delete the hundreds of photos that date back to when Lucas was just a little guy. Despite the fact that, mind you, I still have them saved on an external hard drive.
Go figure. I guess I just want access to my baby photos all day, every day?
But since I am down to about my last .5GB of space or something like that in my whole iCloud thing, I figured I’d take some time to go through and delete some of the old stuff that I really don’t need. Like when I have about 10 photos of the same thing and they’re all blurry because Lucas is a non-stop moving tornado.
In going through my 800 photos, I found quite a few to get rid of, and I also found a few that I haven’t gotten the chance to share yet. So I thought today would be the perfect opportunity for a little photo dump. Shall we? From oldest to most recent…
Lucas loves to pretend that he’s “hiding” under things, like the kitchen table. This was on a Wednesday when I was working from home with him and we played a bit of hide and seek.
He was, obviously, hating it.
This was an item I got from Stitch Fix a few months ago. It did not make the cut…
This was Lucas striking a pose, I believe, shortly after his first birthday. That’s my guess because that’s when he got those sunglasses and they were totally a thing for a few days.
Not quite sure where they are now…
This was a random lunch I threw together one day that wound up tasting delicious. Cooked wheatberries, chopped deli turkey, a wedge of The Laughing Cow cheese, chopped tomatoes, broccoli, and a drizzle of balsamic dressing.
It may have been a couple of months ago, but I still remember it. It was gooood.
Here’s another random Lucas meal.
On this particular night he had some chopped hamburger with ketchup (which he was not a fan of), some pasta with a little butter, and veggies. I try to get different food groups when I can…doesn’t always pan out the way I hope. Ahh well, what can ya do, right?
Here’s an after-dinner snack of cereal with almond milk and a little bit of vanilla almond butter on top.
Seriously. A life without cereal is one I don’t wanna live.
Have you guys tried out the Chobani yogurts with steel-cut oats?
I did…wasn’t a huge fan. I’d rather make overnight oats with yogurt on my own.
Here’s an example of a random photo I really should just delete.
Yet, it’s still in my phone.
Ahhh, okay, now HERE is a photo I need some feedback from you guys on. Back when Jay and I were making the BLT’s from our Blue Apron dinners, we got into a bit of a discussion on how you make grilled cheese (or, in our case, grilled BLT’s).
So I need to know…when you guys make a grilled cheese, do you butter and grill BOTH sides of the bread (i.e., butter and grill one side of each, assemble sandwich with grilled sides inside, then butter/grill outside), or do you assemble the sandwich and then just butter and grill ONE side of the bread.
I’m not going to tell you which camp I fall in because I told Jay I’d be fair. But please, fill me in, because my mind was boggled when I found out how Jay makes his.
This was a random snack plate I made one day while working from home.
Toast + mashed avocado = amazing.
And last, here’s a random photo of my pasta-loving little man.
He knows where it’s at.
********
So in addition to sharing my random mix of iPhone photos today, I’m hoping that you guys will be able to help me out a bit…
I’ve noticed lately that a few of my fellow blog pals decided to conduct surveys for their blog readers. At first I was like, meh, why bother. But the more I read their questions and started thinking about how helpful the results could be, I decided that I wanted to do one for STSL, too.
These days, I really just don’t have a ton of extra time to blog, and it stinks, because I have so many ideas that I just don’t know will ever make it to being published. I blog because I love chatting with all of you and sharing (bits and pieces) of my life. Blogging is not my full time job, but it is a hobby that has afforded me some incredible opportunities, and that is something that I never take for granted here.
I have all of you to thank for so much, and because of that, I would really love some feedback straight from you guys. If you’re going to continue to visit (which I hope you will!) I want to make sure that I’m giving you what you guys are interested in. I know many of you don’t often comment, which is cool (I’m a silent reader most of the time, too!) but the only feedback I really have to go on most of the time is blog comments or emails.
SO, if you have 5 quick minutes (or probably less!) I would really love it if you’d take the time to check out my survey. And as an extra big thank you for taking the time for reading and helping me out, I’m going to randomly select an entry to win a $75 Amazon Gift Card.*
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE SURVEY
survey will be open until 11:59pm on Thursday, 9/26.
*To be entered for the giveaway, you’ll need to include your email address at the end of the survey. If you’d prefer to remain anonymous with the survey, that’s totally fine, but you won’t be entered in the giveaway.
Thank you so much, guys. Have a fabulous day! And if nothing else…help me out with that grilled cheese question up there!!
Brynn says
You assemble the grilled cheese and then grill.
I think editing out photos is so difficult and keep photos that aren’t all that great.
Janice- The Fitness Cheerleader says
Cute photos!! Lucas is adorable and growing up SO FAST! I installed drop box on my phone and my photo library automatically backs up there. The extra storage is a bit pricey, but I have heard so many stories of families losing ALL of their pics that it scared me!
Courtney says
Thanks so much, Janice! And, oh man, that’s a really good idea! I may have to look in to that…thanks for the tip!
Annie says
That cereal snack looks amazing! I’m drooling just looking at it!
Re grilled cheese: I suck at making them as if I butter the bread (always one side) it sticks to the pan and I’ve had to resort to olive oil with the buttered bread on the inside. I’m sure there’s a better method but it still works!
Also, I meant to ask you, looking at your photos of the stitch fix page it seems you’ve lost weight?! I just want to say you look absolutely amazing and was wondering how you did it since I know you’ve been disordered in the past (not judging here, just trying to understand as I’m pretty messed up myself!). I’m pretty sure you’re not counting calories (correct me if I’m wrong!) so are you *just* eating when hungry/stopping when full and having whatever it is you want at the time?
Courtney says
Hey Annie! I’ve maybe lost a couple pounds in the past couple of months but besides that, I actually haven’t really had too big of a change in my weight (but thank you for the kind compliments!). I definitely do not count calories…no, no, no! All of this stuff is actually a blog post that I would love to be able to put together, but I still haven’t quite wrapped my head around how to write it. I’m getting there! But I have found that I’ve been eating much more intuitively, and for the most part, I do eat whatever I’m in the mood for at the time (of course, with some willpower to refrain from going all out too often).
I’ll also say that I feel better now than I have in a LONG time. Both physically and mentally. I’m definitely just in a really good place! (feel free to email me if you have any other questions!) :)
Annie says
Thank you for your reply! I asked because I’ve been reading your blog for a LONG time and have seen the different changes in your eating habits :) you seem so much more relaxed than you used to be around food and I’m wondering if I’ll ever be able to get to that point myself. I need to try and give up calorie counting/restricting and take the plunge with intuitive eating but it’s so hard to get rid of the thoughts that are telling me I’ll gain a stone! Thank you for listening Courtney :)
Kathryn says
In our house, we butter only one side of each piece of bread, assemble, then cook.
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Lots of randomness :) Avocado on toast…obsessed…even better with a fried egg on top! Butter the insides only here in Ireland…have you had a Croque-monsieur? Cheese on the outside too!
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
Ugh, I have the same problem with my iPhone. I just want to be able to take unlimited amounts of pictures without having to delete anything. Is that too much to ask of Apple?
Courtney says
Hahaha, you wouldn’t think so, right?!? :)
anne says
We butter just one side!
Krystan says
Assemble the sandwich, then butter and grill the outside. I’ve never tried the other way../I’m kind of curious now how that tastes!
Carrie says
Butter one side of one piece, put on pan, put on cheese, put on other piece of bread and butter top side of that piece. Voila! Deliciousness.
Stacey M. says
I agree with you Carrie … I do the same when making grilled cheese sandwiches. However, if I were to make a BLT, I would probably just toast the bread in the toaster and assemble the sandwich with the toasted bread rather than toasting the bread in a pan.
Courtney says
We used to typically just toast the bread for BLT’s, but then we realized that grilling it doesn’t wind up cutting the roof of our mouths like toasting does…I don’t know if we’ll ever go back! ;)
Sue says
I do grilled sandwiches the same way you do Carrie. I have never done it any other way.
Sue
Alexa says
Same! never even knew there was another way
Jennifer says
Regarding blt we toast the bread and then assemble, no butter. We like them crispy. I just had to delete a ton of pics too, even though saved I wanted to cry. Missing my photos of Avery when he was tinny…darn Apple!!
Courtney says
Awww, that cutie pie Avery! :)
Becky @ Olives n Wine says
That error seriously drives me mad as well! I wish my phone had unlimited storage ;) I’ve been contemplating doing a survey for my blog too – They must work if everyone does them! :)
Monica says
I’ve never even heard of grilling both sides of the bread pre-assembly. Huh. Nope, definitely sticking to assemble then grill.
Alex @ Get Big, Go To Work says
Took the survey! Thanks for hosting this giveaway. Your pictures of Lucas are too cute!
Courtney says
Thank you!! :)
Amanda says
In my house we assemble the grilled cheese, butter the outside then grill….but grilling both sides of the bread sounds like an awesome idea, I might have to try that!
Beks says
When making grilled cheese, I usually get my pan hot, butter one side of a slice of bread, drop it into the pan, quickly add cheese and whatever fillings I’m going to have inside my sandwich, and then add the second slice of buttered bread (only one side buttered, that is). It’s worked out well for me. :-)
There’s really no right way to make a grilled cheese, though. Do it however you feel suits you.
Caitlyn @ City and the Cubicle says
You’ve probably said this before, but I forget (sorry!) – what balsamic dressing do you use? Taking the survey now!
Courtney says
One of our favorites is the Ken’s light balsamic!
Mary says
I do not put butter on the bread and, instead, add butter to the pan. Once the butter has melted, I place the bread and cheese in the melted frying pan and place a small plate on top of the sandwich to add pressure, making it cook a little faster (helps to avoid unmelted cheese and burned bread). Once the first side is golden, I flip over and repeat.
Courtney says
Ohhhh, that sounds sooooooo good.
Katherine says
I use this method as well. Learned from the best! (my mom)
Annie says
That sounds awesome!! Will definitely try it next time!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
Those pics are so darn cute of Lucas I do not blame you for not deleting! I battle the iPhone storage dilmena myself.
Very cool that you are doing a survey!
Erin @ She's a big star says
Definitely just grill the outsides of the bread w/ grilled cheese… never even heard of it being done the other way!
My phone was full earlier this year too… kiiiiiilled me to delete my 2,500 photos but I did it… after putting them all on a flash drive and then on my computer, of course.
Britt@MyOwnBalance says
I feel you on the iPhone storage issue. The camera thing happens to me every.single.day! So annoying! Just bought the 64GB new iPhone so hopefully that will help!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
I have never thought to put almond butter on my cereal, but I love you for giving me that idea. That sounds amazing!
Koryn @ High Heels & Healthy Alternatives says
For the grilled cheese, I assemble, butter and grill – one side! Granted, I may be a bit biased because I’m really not a fan of butter – blech! I’m that girl who’d rather eat the complimentary bread at a restaurant bone dry (or not at all) rather than put butter on it. I just don’t like the taste for whatever reason. #Shrug So, I keep the butter use at a minimum. ;-) Love the randomness of this post btw and the pics of Lucas! Too cute!! I can totally understand why you don’t want to get rid of them!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
Question: Does Lucas actually eat the steamed veggies you give him just like that? If so, teach me your ways! Hunter literally doesn’t even TRY them. He picks them up, looks at them, and chucks them on the ground. Stinker.
As for the grilled cheese question, I butter the outer sides (so just one side of each slice of bread), assemble, and place on the George Foreman (or skillet).
Jacquelyn @justjacq says
I love grilled cheese! I assemble then grill only on one side. And I butter the bread. I know some people just butter the pan or, like my butter loving Grandma, buttered both the bread and the pan.
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
A survey is a great way to get to know your readers a little better and focus your efforts! And I have to delete photos off my phone all the time because it’s full!
Heather C says
You may already do something similiar; but I downloaded the Shutterfly app – upload all my photos (by the way they have an unlimited video program for REALLY reasonable!) – that way I can delete them, yet still have access to them via my phone to show off our daughter! And then when I need even more storage to do an upgrade, I delete the app, do the upgrade, re-add it!
Carrie (This Fit Chick) says
I wish I could help you with the grilled cheese, but I am nothing of a pro! Lucas is adorable- I love all those photos of him!
Claire @ Keeping Up With Claire says
I have the same exact problem with my phone – except mine is full of pictures of my dog that I can’t bring myself to delete, haha. One thing that I learned is to delete texts and voice mails to free up some storage space! I deleted about 70 voice mails the other day that have been on my phone for over a year and it really helped!
As for the grilled cheese, I butter both sides and flip it so each side is grilled and buttery! :)
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says
I assemble the grilled cheese first (buttering only the outside of the bread), then grill it.
Dena says
Good decision on that Stitch Fix necklace (accckkkk!). I make a grilled cheese like everyone else in the comments. Butter and grill only the outside of each piece of bread. I hope you won! ;)
Heather @ Housewife Glamour says
LOVE the pictures of Lucas, he’s just too cute!! To answer your question, I only butter one side, but I’m pretty sure Scott does both sides. Actually, no… he’s fancier than that. He usually makes some kind of buttered and herb (basil? oregano? who knows?) concoction and smears it on both sides of the bread to make grilled cheeses. It’s so good, I just never have that kind of patience! ;)
Court says
I didn’t get a chance to read all the comments, but am I the only one who is super lazy and just puts the butter in the pan?
Pat of butter in pan, melt, put assembled sandwich in pan, flip and swirl to get the other side buttered too.
PAPA B says
In Jamaica at a Sandals all inclusive food and alcohol resort they made grilled cheeses with 3 slices of bread which were really good. One side of the two outside pieces of bread were toasted and the middle piece was grilled on both sides. At least from what I remember. By the end of each day I was lucky to remember my own name.
:)
Courtney says
Dad, you are cracking me UP right now… :)
Kari S. says
LOL!!!!!!!
Becky says
If I am making grilled sandwiches I heat up the meat we are using first and set it to the side. Then I grill one side of each piece of bread, flip it to grill the second side, add my meat and cheese to each slice, cover with a lid to let the cheese melt, then I slap them together and eat! I think grilling both sides lends a super awesome flavor and crunch to the bread. I however think that there really is no wrong way to eat melted cheese and bread. :D
Tiff @ Love, Sweat, & Beers says
Great photos! Yes, even the blurry one of the two of you. Keep it. :)
Alysia @ Slim Sanity says
Assemble then grill one side of the bread…I’ve never heard of grilling both. Weird! ;)
Jen says
We just butter and grill one side. I read a comment you left up above about grilling it not scratching the top of your mouth. This is good to know–I’ll definitely have to try. My husband always complains about that….
Kristen says
Definitely butter one side of bread, assemble and then put in pan…… please let us know which side you’re on :)
Kari S. says
I just grill the outside of the bread. But I am TOTALLY going to try grilling both sides or the 3 pc. way that you Pops mentioned! ;) A more substantial sandwich for by boys, so I don’t have to make them 2 each.
Bree says
I usually only butter one side. I sometimes feel that both sides is too oily/greasy Almost all the boys I know put it on both sides so I am pretty confident in my guesstimation (is that a word? hmm) of what Jay does! haha :)
Karri says
Oh my goodness I was just doing the whole picture thing last week with my iPhone! Lol We are upgrading & I’m afraid to lose any pics during the transfer. A good friend of mine took me to the photo place in Walmart & had them put my pics on a CD. I have over a 1,000 pics! Yikes. Lol And thanks for your reply on my last comment & question. :-)
Karri says
Oh & how I was taught to make grilled cheese here in Ohio we butter the outer sides of the bread that touch the skillet when you flip them. My husband & I have discovered instead of a slice of cheese (that’s how we learned to make them) we use shredded cheese. It melts so much better & well just tastes better! This is the perfect time for grilled cheese & tomato soup & of course you have to put the goldfish crackers in your tomato soup! Lol That is how our kiddos like it!
Heather T says
As a longtime lover of grilled cheese sandwiches, I always make them by just buttering and grilling the outsides of the bread. I’ve never tried grilling the inside. I might have to give it a try and see!
Courtney says
I am so so happy to see you respond to this question. I always think of you when grilled cheese is involved ;-) xoxo
Bri says
I’ve never tried buttering both sides of the bread on a grilled cheese–what a great idea!! Gotta try it. I bet Guy Fieri would be impressed with that :)
And OMG the most annoying thing ever when you’re all excited about taking a great photo, everyone is in place and looking awesome, then iPhone says “unable to take photo, not enough storage.” Grrrrr. I keep my photos on Dropbox, as Janice said above, and that seems to help a little bit. But I’m like you, I want all my memories with me all. the. time. so it’s hard to delete them even when they’re on the Dropbox cloud!
Kristen says
Totally depends! BLT bread is going into the toaster/toaster oven. Grilled cheese- butter the outside of both pieces and the cheese goes in the center- unbuttered.
Melissa says
Baha this prompted a fun exchange with my fiance! Both assemble then grill grilled cheese. Both had never heard of the toasting both sides idea. Maybe it’s a regional thing?! Both from the south. :) Love your blog!
carrie says
Just took the survey!
Add me to the butter one side only group. Never heard of doing both.
Nadine says
Grilled cheese………..I butter both slices of bread, grill till bread is browned on both sides and cheese is melted………Can’t wait to hear how Jay makes his !!!
Eliz says
There are a lot of other ways to free up space on your iPhone besides deleting photos. First you should check your usage (Settings -> General -> Usage). Try deleting old text messages, videos you’ve watched and deleting and reinstalling apps. These apps save copies of everything you do over time. I deleted and reinstalled Facebook and a bunch of other apps. This really helped. And of course deleting apps you don’t use.
Alycia says
Just did survey. I do grilled cheese both ways!
Erica says
Have you tried shutterfly? I download all if my pics there and then I feel ok about deleting them from my phone. They even have a phone app so you still can look at your pics whenever you want!
Oh and I butter both sides of my grilled cheese and flip to grill both sides. :-)
Tracey says
Can u explain how u store all your photos? How do u transfer them from ur phone to external hard drive? Luv ur blog.
Courtney says
I just plug both my phone and the hard drive into my laptop’s USB drives and copy and paste :)
Crystal D. says
I agree with Erica a few comments up. Try Shutterfly if you don’t use it already. besides being able to make some incredible gifts (I make photo books every 3 months of Michael as a keepsake, like a scrapbook, and a ton of other gifts) but I also store all of my pictures on there. It is free and endless amount of storage. And the app you can put on your iPhone is super easy to use and you can upload to the app right from your phone. Awesome. I have the same problem you do. I just can not delete pictures of Michael from my phone. So because of that I have over 4000 pictures of him (he is only 18 months old!) on my phone and last summer when I got a new iPhone I upgraded to the 64GB.
Ok the grilled cheese thing……I put the sammie together and butter the side of the bread that is on the outside and grill that (so I only grill one side of each piece of bread). I can’t wait to hear how Jay does his!! I have never heard of the other way but now I want to try it to see the difference!
Courtney says
Oh my gosh, that IS a lot of photos, haha! I’m sure I’d be up at that much too if I didn’t have to delete any…I’m definitely checking out the Shutterfly app, though. Thank you!!
Dana says
The Great Grilled Cheese Debate:
I butter one side of each slice of bread.
I first place one slice of bread (butter side down) on the skillet, then assemble (while the first side is cooking), and when desired doneness has been achieved on the first side, I flip. : )
Amanda L says
Assemble first, grill second
Emily Woods says
awwwwwwwwwwww I LOVE your pics!!!