Till Then Smile Often

Snowy Tears

Another weekend gone, another snow storm begins. My work is open so I will be making the drive into work. Hopefully it starts to melt soon, I’m getting cabin fever. 

 

My brother texted me late Friday asking me to take my nieces to dance class due to an emergency so most of Saturday was spent with them. As Winter continues I am feeling lazier and lazier. I spent most of the weekend reading and cleaning. Boring, I know. 

I Did

 

 nieces

 

~ Took my nieces to dance class. I had to entertain the little one while the older one was in class. Then it was the little ones turn. We’ll have to work on her Selfie skills. 

~ Did my Federal taxes 

~ Read two books 

~ Shoveled more snow

~ Watched White Collar on Netflix while writing my posts for the week 

 

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 Seamus Sightings

 

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Linking up with Biana from B Loved Boston.

Weekending
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Friday Favorites | Snow Round A Million

Is it really Friday? It is. I want to be more excited about it but we are expecting snow on Saturday all the way into Tuesday so I am going a little stir crazy. I have trash piling up but I can’t get to my trash barrel because it is buried under 3 FEET of snow. Waaaaahhhhh. Okay, now that I got that out of the way I am a little excited because I want to finish that wood project I was working on a few weeks ago. I also get to do my taxes. I know, hold your excitement.

Bring on the puppy snuggles, hot chocolate and books to read. Until the snow comes, I bring you my favorites for this week. Enjoy!  

 

Favorite Recipe: This looks so good, and much less processed than other desserts. 

 

 

Favorite Quote: We are all damaged, but that means we survived. 

 

 

Favorite DIY: I would probably paint it a black color though, and use it as a front door console table. 

FREE and Easy DIY Furniture Project Plan from Shanty2Chic: Learn How to Build a Buffet Table // Shanty-2-Chic.com
Favorite Valentine Printable: It’s a free Printable too. 

Love Subway Art Printable - Love is Patient, Love is Kind 1 Corinthians 13 #valentinesday
Favorite Funnies: 

 

 

 

 

Funny Ecards 2014 1
Linking up with Amanda

Meet At The Barre

 Also linking up with Natasha for 5 on Friday.

 

THE GOOD LIFE BLOG

 

 

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My Dream Is…

A few weeks ago I shared my goals for the category Career and Finance as outlined in The Power of 100! book. In the book it references 7 categories in which you should put your 100 goals for the optimum life balance. The categories being Generosity, Health & Fitness, Career & Finance, Spirit & Emotion, Travel, Friends & Family, Accomplishment & Experience. I am going to break down my Travel group, to show how it should sort of look. Also know that not all 100 goals will necessarily be done when you are brainstorming your goals, they may fill in down the road once you complete another goal.  

 

23 Fragen an Hallo Welt - It's on my list!
 

I am going to breakdown the category Travel. I have to admit this one is a little easy as I want to go to a lot of different places. 

 

TO COMPLETE WITHIN 2 MONTHS – TWO GOALS

Save $100 per month towards travel expenses 

Research two trips to happen this year 

TO COMPLETE IN A YEAR OR LESS – THREE GOALS

Stay in a Bed and Breakfast 

Travel to Michigan – My Ohio State heart is breaking a little at admitting this one. 😉 

Travel to Texas 

TO COMPLETE WITHIN 5 YEARS – FIVE GOALS 

Travel to Canada 

Travel to Italy 

Visit 5 out of state friends

Travel to another state to help with relief aid

Travel to Minnesota to visit family

Bonus: Go to Niagria Falls 

TO COMPLETE IN 5 YEARS OR MORE – TWO GOALS

Travel to Ireland

Travel to Australia

 

 

Some of these goals may change as time goes on and that is okay.  The point is to move forward towards them and revise as needed. 

 

What places are on your list? 

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Buffalo Spinach Hummus

I decided to make my own hummus after buying a Hummus pre-made from the grocery store and it was really not good. So bland, and a little weird tasting. It really lacked the flavor I wanted. Since I am eating it with veggies I really want the flavor to pop and make it taste good to eat veggies. I also wanted to incorporate a veggie to get some of my daily dose of veggies, spinach made the most sense since it would blend well. The hot sauce really kicks up the flavor. Don’t worry though it doesn’t overpower it. I added 1 tablespoon to start and ended at 2 but could have gone up to 3, depending on your taste. 

 

 

Hummus-2

Ingredients: 1 TBSP Minced Garlic ~ 1 (15oz) can of Garbanzo/Chick Peas ~ 3 TBSP Tahini ~ 2 TBSP EVOO ~ 3 TBSP Lemon Juice ~ 1/2 cup spinach ~ 1/2 TSP Salt ~ 2-3 TBSP Hot Sauce 

 

Directions: Pulse the first five ingredients in a food processor until smooth, approximately 2 minutes.

hummus

 

Season with the salt, and add in the hot sauce and spinach and pulse again until fully incorporated and smooth. 

 

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Serve with cucumber, peppers, celery or pita chips. 

 

Buffalo Spinach Hummus

 

Martinis & Bikinis
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5.0 from 3 reviews
Print
Buffalo Spinach Hummus
 
Ingredients
  • 1 TBSP Minced Garlic ~ 1 (15oz) can of Garbanzo/Chick Peas ~ 3 TBSP Tahini ~ 2 TBSP EVOO ~ 3 TBSP Lemon Juice ~ ½ cup spinach ~ ½ TSP Salt ~ 2-3 TBSP Hot Sauce
Instructions
  1. Pulse the first five ingredients in a food processor until smooth, approximately 2 minutes. Season with the salt, and add in the hot sauce and spinach and pulse again until fully incorporated and smooth.
  2. Serve with cucumber, peppers, celery or pita chips.

Football Is Over

Well another weekend over and in the books. It ended with a bang! The Patriots played a nail biting game and came out the winner! I then found out due to the snow we are getting today that work will be closed for the day. That makes it a pretty good weekend in my books. Here’s to a day of reading and working out. 

 

 As for the weekend… 

I Did

weekend

 

 

~ Ran some errands, including 2 trips to Old Navy, Marshall’s, Home Goods and The Paper Store. Got those cute pillows at Home Goods

 ~ I finished a book, not a great read so not much to report. On to the next one. 

~ I got a lot of workouts in. I wasn’t a fan of Piyo when I first got it since it I have balance and flexibility issues but really starting to like it. 

~ I got books in the mail from Heather. So excited to read them, I’m a fan of Maya Banks. 

~ Got lots of snuggle time in with Seamus, he was really clingy Sunday morning. 

 ~ Got lots of cleaning done, food prep and veggies galore. 

~ Ready or not snow is coming. I am not impressed!! 

 Seamus Sightings

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How was your weekend? 

 

Linking up with Biana from B Loved Boston.

Weekending
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Friday Favorites | Love Is In The Air

Happy Friday! After all the shoveling from Snowmageddon my body has been really sore so I am excited to rest and stretch this weekend. My body needs some rest to heal. I am also looking forward to watching the Super Bowl to cheer on the Patriots! Let’s hope they can pull off a win! Let’s bring on the favorites to make this day go by quick, shall we?! 

 

 

Favorite Mug: Just love this Shakespeare Mug. 

Shakespeare Mug - Quote Mug - Literary Gift - Literary Mug - Book Quotes - Inspirational Quote Mug - Geekery - Book Worm Gift - Under 20
 

Favorite Quote: So true! 

Good people are like candles; they burn themselves up to give others #light.
 

Favorite Valentine Decoration: How cute is this for the door?! 

Valentines Day Decor burlap wreath XOXO by TheSeptemberTree, $78.00
Favorite Recipe: This sounds so good, minus the bread of course. 

Philly Cheesesteak Stew, And A Truly Inspired Start To The New Year post image
Favorite Funnies:

 

Why Salt Makes Things Taste Cheesier
 

 

ZingFu - Cardz, Free eCards, Funny Greeting Cards, Humor eCards, Birthday Cards for MySpace and Facebook
 

This strategy has worked for years
 

 

 

Linking up with Amanda

Meet At The Barre

 Also linking up with Natasha for 5 on Friday.

 

THE GOOD LIFE BLOG


 

 

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Spinach Butternut Squash Frittata

I am enjoying the day off due to Snowmageddon and this Frittata is going to help keep my energy up enough to shovel out all the snow. While it does have cheese it can easily be removed for Paleo diets. Hope all my other east coast people are staying warm! 

 

Spinach Butternut Squash Frittata
Ingredients: 12 oz butternut squash, peeled and cubed ~ 6 large eggs ~ 4 egg whites ~ 1 cup spinach ~ 1/2 cup feta ~ 1 cup mozzarella ~ Pinch of salt and pepper ~ 2 TBSP Coconut Oil ~ 1/4 cup diced yellow onion ~ 2 cloves garlic 

 

Directions: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Microwave squash and 1/4 cup water in covered dish for 5 minutes. In a bowl whisk eggs, egg whites salt and pepper and set aside. 

 Heat the coconut oil in a skillet over medium heat, add the onion and garlic saute’ for approximately 2 minutes. Add the spinach, increase heat and cook until the spinach reduces in moisture.

Frittata
 

Incorporate the squash and cook an additional two minutes.

Frittata-1
Pour the egg mixture on top, and sprinkle with the feta and mozzarella.

Frittata-2
Reduce heat to medium and cook approximately 2 minutes or until eggs become slightly firm. 

 

Place mixture into a metal or glass pie pan and bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until set. Let it cool for about 5-10 before cutting and serving. Recipe adapted from this recipe. 

Martinis & Bikinis
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5.0 from 3 reviews
Print
Spinach Butternut Squash Frittata
 
Ingredients
  • 12 oz butternut squash, peeled and cubed ~ 6 large eggs ~ 4 egg whites ~ 1 cup spinach ~ ½ cup feta ~ 1 cup mozzarella ~ Pinch of salt and pepper ~ 2 TBSP Coconut Oil ~ ¼ cup diced yellow onion ~ 2 cloves garlic
Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Microwave squash and ¼ cup water in covered dish for 5 minutes. In a bowl whisk eggs, egg whites salt and pepper and set aside.
  2. Heat the coconut oil in a skillet over medium heat, add the onion and garlic saute' for approximately 2 minutes. Add the spinach, increase heat and cook until the spinach reduces in moisture. Incorporate the squash and cook an additional two minutes. Pour the egg mixture on top, and sprinkle with the feta and mozzarella. Reduce heat to medium and cook approximately 2 minutes or until eggs become slightly firm.
  3. Place mixture into a metal or glass pie pan and bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until set. Let it cool for about 5-10 before cutting and serving.

Snowy Weekend

So I miscalculated when the snow was supposed to start and my 8am haircut appointment led to me sliding over the road at least five times and being 20 minutes late. Luckily she could still fit me in. The rest of the day was mostly spent reading, napping, and cleaning. I also snow plowed my driveway thanks to my brother’s old plow in a third of the time it used to take me. So nice. 

I Did

 snow

We ended up with about 5-6 inches, it snowed pretty much all day. 

 

 sunday

 Since my plans for Sunday were postponed I ended up binge watching the show Reckless, kinda bummed it wasn’t renewed for a second season. I also headed to Target and did a little retail therapy. Some candles, makeup and a new purse. Since the snow messed up my hair I had to take a picture on Sunday of my new haircut. Still long but much healthier. 

Seamus Sightings

 

 Seamus

 

 How was your weekend? 

Linking up with Biana from B Loved Boston.

Weekending
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Friday Favorites | Snow expected

Happy Friday!!! It has been quite the week. Lots going on at work that has been keeping it really busy yet going really slowly too. So my initial plans to watch my nieces was cancelled so instead I will be getting my hair cut. I’ll be sure to take pictures. I hear we are supposed to get a snow storm too. Hopefully it passes right on by. Well let’s get to it. 

 

Favorite Quote: This one is a little sassy but I kinda love it. 

I LOVE it when people do this - it makes me go harder & stronger just to prove them wrong !

Favorite DIY: The link is for an Etsy shop to buy it, but it looks easy enough to make one too. This one is sold but she has others. 

My latest creation! These are so fun and unique! What a great Mother's Day gift or wedding gift! Hand Painted Wine Glass Rack with Matching by NorthEastReclaimed, $199.00

Favorite Winter Outfit: It has been getting really cold lately so layering up is a must! Love the plaid and the honeycomb sweater. 

 


Favorite Recipe: Rachel always has really great recipes and this soup recipe looks fabulous! 

Slow cooker bacon cheeseburger soup recipe - This easy and flavorful soup tastes just like your favorite bacon cheeseburger!
 

Favorite Funnies: 

 

 

 
 

Because sometimes you just have a craving for mayo????

 

This woman eating an entire jar of mayo. Like, not with anything. JUST the mayo:
 

I mean if you have to, might as well get paid for it. 

 

Watch out Friday sneaks up on you. 

 

 

17 Reasons Gym Class Was Actually The Worst
 

 What are you up to this weekend? 

 

Linking up with Amanda

Meet At The Barre

 Also linking up with Natasha for 5 on Friday.

 

 

THE GOOD LIFE BLOG


 
 

 

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My Dream Is….

 If you remember my post on Losing Focus I was feeling off balance and out of focus. Not that I didn’t accomplish a lot in the past year but more that I wasn’t working towards long term goals and just letting life dictate where I should be going. This made me feel like I was floating through life, rather than directing the train where I wanted it to go.

I had then started a book called The Power of 100!  which is a workbook for organizing your dreams and building momentum. It really helps to organize your goals and move you towards achieving short term and long term goals. 

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In the book it references 7 categories in which you should put your 100 goals for the optimum life balance. The categories being Generosity, Health & Fitness, Career & Finance, Spirit & Emotion, Travel, Friends & Family, Accomplishment & Experience. 

I am going to break one of my groups down to show how it should sort of look. Also know that not all 100 goals will necessary be done when you are brainstorming your goals, they may fill in down the road once you complete another goal. 

 

I am going to breakdown the category Career and Finance. 

 

To Complete within 2 Months – Two Goals

Find a Woodworking class to take 

Finish watching the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Videos

To Complete in a Year or Less – Three Goals

Take the Woodworking class 

Pay off 50% of my debt not including my house

Open up an Etsy Shop 

To Complete Within 5 Years – Five Goals 

Pay for my next car in cash

Buy or build my dream home 

Save up to 6 months of finances in savings

Sell up to $100,000.00 in goods in my Etsy shop

Be featured in a magazine with one of my Woodworking projects

To Complete in 5 Years or More – Two Goals

Be completely debt free including my house

TBD

 

Some of these goals may change as time goes on and that is okay.  The point is to move forward towards them and revise as needed. 

 

In talking with Lauren and Kate via text we were talking about multi-tasking. I know I wouldn’t be able to get nearly half the things I get done, if it wasn’t for my to-do lists. I have lists for everything including things I have to do everyday, through the week, and some longer term goals. I have lists for personal items, blog items, house items, drawings for woodworking projects, and recipe ideas I want to make. 

I pull from all the lists some things I want to accomplish or get done for the day. For example last night I was reading my book while on the treadmill, then I cooked some dinner. While my dinner was cooking I put coconut oil in my hair for a hair mask, removed a piece of wall art and replaced it with a new piece, filled my humidifier, and hand washed some dishes. Being able to do a few of those chores everyday may or may not seem like a lot but it prevents them from all spilling into the weekend. We know how busy those are already! 

 

Do you use to-do lists? Electronic or Paper? 

How do you keep track of your long term goals? 

 

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