Be The Change | Till Then Smile Often

January 2, 2015

Friday Favorites | New Year

Well I am coming off of a 9 day vacation and working for one day before the weekend, this should be fun. Waking up to an alarm again was not fun. It is casual Friday though so there is that at least. So let’s do it, to it so this day passes quick, shall we? M’Kay.

Favorite Haircut: I am getting the bug to get my haircut. I haven’t cut it since August so probably a good idea. After watching Friday Night Lights all week Minka Kelly has been inspiring me with her hair.

Favorite Quote: Seamus is my family.

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Favorite Recipe: Broccoli and Bacon bake? Yes, please.

Favorite DIY: This would be a fun one to learn to make.

carrier wine bottle glasses diy, diy, woodworking projects

Favorite Funnies:

Oh those minions.

Minions haha! @O.B. Wellness Amanda & @Stefanie W W W W W W W W W W W Parker

This was just too cute!

Yeah that only lasted the first day!

" Ruff" Promises" "I Promise to Never do It when You are Home!" "Sincerely, Chew Do!"

Let’s get this weekend started!

Linking up with Amanda

Also linking up with Natasha for 5 on Friday.

January 1, 2015

Losing Focus | Setting Goals

I haven’t posted for a few days because I just couldn’t focus enough to get it together. I have been feeling really broken. Normally I like looking back at the year and seeing all I have done but this was a tough year. It didn’t help that I read this amazing book that I didn’t read but FELT. I don’t know if it was because I was emotional or if it was just the journey the main character went through trying to find her happy, that spoke to me. When I look back at the year I see myself just “getting through” life and just trying to get through the day. Don’t get me wrong there have been some great times but for the most part I was working for the weekends, and constantly feeling overwhelmed and needing to get caught up.

So my word for this next year is FOCUS! I don’t want the weeks to just go by, I want to really enjoy them and to be working towards short and long term goals.

* Work towards becoming debt free – at least 50% aside from my mortgage by the end of the year.

* Travel to at least 2 places this year – maybe to meet some bloggers 😉

* Continue to look into starting my own business

* Get back to working out 4-6 times a week

* Finish the renovations on my house

* Spend 5 minutes every morning writing out a to-do list incorporating steps for long term goals

* Stay in a Bed and Breakfast for a day or weekend

* Take a woodworking class at the local college

* Open my heart to opportunities and people I otherwise wouldn’t have before

I am sure this list will grow and change throughout the year but I want to be more open and present in shaking some things up.

What are some of your goals?

Do you re-evaluate your goals daily, weekly or monthly?

December 29, 2014

Christmas Weekend

So I ignored this blog for awhile but it was all in the name of spending time with family, and enjoying my vacation. I still have four more days and I still have to get my decorations put away and clean my house. Hopefully I will still spend a lot of the time reading and just relaxing. I got a new laptop for Christmas and since it is Windows 8, I am still trying to figure out how it works.

I went to my brother’s for Christmas Eve after dropping Seamus off at my Dad’s house. We had dinner before the girls headed to bed to wait for Santa. I couldn’t really sleep so I read most of the night, thanks to their dog wanting to cuddle.

Being able to see the girls reaction on Christmas morning was so much fun. Every year is the best Christmas ever for them, and it’s just adorable.

* Getting ready to make sugar cookies for Santa

* Double-fisting cheese sandwiches

* Excited for their stockings

* Barbie remote control car – total score

* Just my brother and his cat. I swear that cat doesn’t like anyone else

* The Chocolate Cherry trifle I made for dessert

* The reason I didn’t sleep. Yes, she chose the middle of the couch to sleep.

After opening up gifts on Christmas Day I headed over to my Dad’s to see Seamus and to relax for a bit. I then walked next door to my best friends house to celebrate with them for a bit. After, I had dinner with my Dad before finally heading home for the night.

* They got a new puppy and he is adorable

* Her cousin helping with the loom I got her

If you recall from last week I was working on a DIY project that was a gift for Christmas. I gave it to my brother and SIL so I was free to post about it. I put it on Instagram so I apologize for the repost but this is the finished project.

I didn’t take many pictures this weekend but I had over 30 of Seamus, go figure.

How was your Christmas?

Linking up with Biana from B Loved Boston.

December 23, 2014

Muddy Buddies | Co-Worker Gifts

Every year I give out food gifts to my co-workers. This year I decided to do a muddy buddy recipe. This recipe came from The Recipe Critic and was the perfect recipe for my co-worker gifts. I ended up doubling the recipe because the original recipe only serves 8 people. Since this will most likely be my last post this week I want to wish you all a very Marry Christmas. Enjoy the time with family and friends.

Ingredients: 5 Cups Rice Chex Cereal ~ 23 ounce bag milk chocolate chips ~ 1 cup caramel bits ~ 2 TBSP Heavy Cream ~ 12 Shortbread Cookies (Sandies or Lorna Doones) ~ 1-1/2 cup powdered sugar ~ 3 packages of Twix Bars, chopped (6 sticks)

Directions:

In a big bowl place 5 cups chex cereal. In a microwave safe dish, melt the chocolate chips for 30 seconds at a time until smooth. Be sure and stir after each 30 seconds. Pour the melted chocolate over the cereal and stir until all the cereal is covered.

Melt the caramel and heavy cream in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time. Pour over the chocolate covered cereal mix. Lightly fold everything together so that it all mixes together.

Using a food processor pulse the cookies until fine. If you don’t have a food processor just place in a ziploc bag and roll over it with a can or rolling pin.

Add the powdered sugar to the bag and dump in the chex mix and shake until all the cereal is covered. I did about a half at a time. Add the twix to the mix and then serve. I placed them in festive individual sized bags.

Do you give baked goods as gifts?

5.0 from 3 reviews

Muddy Buddies

Ingredients

5 Cups Rice Chex Cereal ~ 23 ounce bag milk chocolate chips ~ 1 cup caramel bits ~ 2 TBSP Heavy Cream ~ 12 Shortbread Cookies (Sandies or Lorna Doones) ~ 1-1/2 cup powdered sugar ~ 3 packages of Twix Bars, chopped (6 sticks)

Instructions

In a big bowl place 5 cups chex cereal.
In a microwave safe dish, melt the chocolate chips for 30 seconds at a time until smooth. Be sure and stir after each 30 seconds.
Pour the melted chocolate over the cereal and stir until all the cereal is covered.
Melt the caramel and heavy cream in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time.
Pour over the chocolate covered cereal mix.
Lightly fold everything together so that it all mixes together.
Using a food processor pulse the cookies until fine. If you don't have a food processor just place in a ziploc bag and roll over it with a can or rolling pin.
Add the powdered sugar to the bag and dump in the chex mix and shake until all the cereal is covered. I did about a half at a time.
Add the twix to the mix and then serve. I placed them in festive individual sized bags.

December 22, 2014

Weekend Review | New Format

So it begins, the countdown to Christmas. I only have one more working day and then I am on a 9 day vacation. I am looking forward to doing nothing but reading, watching TV, and maybe cleaning up my emails. I am trying out a new format this week so I would love to hear your feedback on how you like it in the comments.

I was really bad and didn’t take pictures but I went down to my hometown to celebrate my best friends Mom’s birthday. I ended up at the bottom of their driveway in my pajamas (they lived one house down from our house) when I was two and they made me an honorary member of their family ever since. She is my second Mom, she has lead by example and in turn made me a better person. Their Dad (Pop T) also helped me fix my Dad’s storm door that was broken.

I scored these awesome deer statues from Walgreens, to continue my deer theme for Christmas they were 60% off too. I got my cute deer pillow cover that I got from Jane. While headed back from the birthday party, I stopped at Michael’s and I saw this really cute magnetic bumper sticker. Of course I had to get it.

I worked on a DIY project which is actually a Christmas gift so I can’t share much but I promise to after the holiday. So here is just a sneak peak.

Seamus was such a snuggly pup this weekend. He really just wanted to be near me, on me, or my blanket. When he looks at me with that face how can I resist? I can’t!!

How was your weekend?

Linking up with Leeann from Join the Gossip and Biana from B Loved Boston.

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December 19, 2014

Friday Favorites

Welcome Friday! Yesterday was crazy busy due to our holiday luncheon but it made the time fly. Here’s to hoping that today goes by quickly too. I have a birthday party to go to on Saturday and a DIY project that I am working on for Sunday. Let’s get this party started then shall we..

Favorite Wrapping Idea: Such a cute idea for personalized gift tags.

Unique Wrapping Ideas for Christmas and other Holidays via @Jenna_Burger, sasinteriors.net

Favorite Quote: The hardest lesson, but so important.

Favorite Recipe: This would be a great recipe for Christmas Eve with the girls.

Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate

Favorite App: This has made it easy to track my packages and makes me so excited when it tells me a package has been delivered even if it isn’t for me. Great way to track any packages you’ve mailed. Just copy and paste the tracking number from a shipping confirmation email and it gives you status updates.

Favorite Funnies:

Funny Comebacks | Dump A Day funny come backs, quotes - Dump A Day

25 Puns So Terrible They Should Be Made Illegal

I mean really Bieber?

Marines singing Let It Go from Frozen. EPIC!!

There is still time to enter the Winter Pamper Package.

Linking up with Amanda

Also linking up with Natasha for 5 on Friday.

December 18, 2014

Best Songs of 2014

I can’t go a day without music, in the car, at the gym, while at work it doesn’t matter I just have to listen to it. I don’t really pay attention though to when it came out to the public. So to help I am outlining some of my favorites of 2014 in no particular order. I really took a liking to country this year but rock is still in there too.

Madison Rising – Soldiers of America ~ Not only are they a Patriotic rock band but they also give back to children who lost parents in military service. This song also kicks a$$. The lead singer Dave Bray, is a former Navy Corpsman so he rocks even more. For the red, white and blue…

Ed Sheeran – Sing ~ Did he come out of nowhere or am I just late to the party? So many good ones to choose from but this one is my favorite of his. He has that Justin Timberlake vibe.

Bastille – Pompeii ~ Very stylistically beautiful song.

Brothers Osborne – Rum ~ Such a god summer song, but also just a fun feel good song. Love the southern rock vibe.

Avicii – Hey Brother ~ So many different meanings to this song, and it just gets into you and doesn’t let go.

Jason Aldean – Just Getting Started ~ This is a song I always have to blare when it comes up on the radio.

Five Finger Death Punch -Wrong Side of Heaven ~ Not only a great song but the video brings a voice to soldiers who return home and struggle.

Lee Brice – Sirens ~ I Don’t Dance, Drinking Class and My Carolina are pretty good too. This one is the first song in my country playlist and gets a listen everyday.

Blake Shelton – Mine Would Be You ~ I didn’t even know him till the Voice and even then wasn’t into Country. This one has gotten over 80 plays according to my iTunes.

The Band Perry – Better Dig Two ~ Maybe a slightly morbid love song but so catchy.

What are some of your favorite songs of the year?

December 17, 2014

DIY Wooden Sign + Giveaway

I finished this project a few weeks ago, but I realized I never shared how I made it. I made this for above my bed and the idea came to me while hiking. I wanted the piece to be interchangeable to how I was feeling so that is where the chalkboard part of it came to be.

Supplies:

Wood in varying widths (I used a 2″ and (QTY 4) 1″ board about 96″ long) ~ 1″ board cut to 15″ long (qty 2) ~ 2″ board cut to 24″ long (qty 2) ~ 1″ Wood Screws (approximately 16) ~ White paint (sample size) ~ Brown Paint (or color of choice for text) ~ Water ~ Chalkboard paint or spray ~ chalk ~ ~ 1″ Corner Braces ~ Drill ~ D-Ring Picture Hangers

Directions: Cut your boards or have the hardware store (they cut any 2″ board for free) cut the boards to 30″ in length. Lay them out with the good side facing down, alternate different width boards to create the look you want.

Take your 2 15″ long boards and line them up horizontally about 6″ from the edges.

Using a pen or sharpie mark a spot for each board.

Use your drill to create a small pilot hole (this is important so you don’t strip the screws).

If you want your boards to be super straight use some Gorilla Glue on your support beams to keep them in place while drilling and keep those edges straight. I was going for rustic driftwood look so I purposely kept them off kilter.

Screw the support beam in place on both sides. Using the 1″ corner braces attach the 24″ creating a shelf. Paint the second 24″ shelf with the chalkboard spray paint. Attach your D-Ring picture hangers on the support beams. (not shown)

Mix equal parts water and white paint and paint the sign. You can use a rag to wipe it down or add a second coat depending on your preference. I wanted some of the wood grain to show through. Using the brown paint add your saying, I used “If I’m Not Here I’m ….

Yes, I am a lefty, and my handwriting is horrible. Feel free to use a stencil, vinyl lettering, or other method for the writing. I added some dashes of the brown paint using a q-tip to the remaining areas and wiped off with a paper towel to create that “dirty” and “aged” look. Let everything dry and then hang.

After working on so many wood projects my hands have been a mess. It is also getting into the Winter months where my hands take a beating. I received a tub of Working Hands lotion to try out and have been using it for the past month and it has really made a difference. *NOTE: I received a free tub of working hands to try, all opinions are my own. The fabulous people over at O’Keeffe’s have been gracious enough to giveaway a nice package of goodies. Two winners will receive a tub of Healing Hands and a tub of healing feet with an O’Keeffe’s t-shirt.

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December 15, 2014

Gifts Be Gone

Well another weekend gone and other week begins. Only one and a half weeks till Christmas, can you believe it?! My goals for this weekend was to deal with Comcast, I made the switch to save money. I also wanted to get all the gifts I needed to mail wrapped and sent. This was a success and I couldn’t be more relieved.

Highlights from the weekend:

~ Both Saturday and Sunday morning was spent making cookies for gifts

~ The boxes all put together and ready to go.

~ While out getting a few more ingredients I listened to my coffee mug and gave to the local pantry at the grocery store

~ Saturday night Kate and Joe had a housewarming party. Their place is so cute and she even has a reading nook. Jealous.

~ This is batch 2 of my trips to the post office. Saturday it was packed but Sunday the line was really short. I didn’t know they were open on Sundays but they are through the holidays.

~ This book is due in 2 days so I am trying to finish it up. So far I am really liking it, though it has mixed reviews on Goodreads.

Odds and Ends: They’ve got some good deals right now at Old Navy, but do NOT go in if you are trying to save money!! The stores around my town are INSANELY busy!! I am hopefully all done shopping and can stay away from them until after Christmas, the lines have been so long.

Seamus: You wanted more Seamus, so you got it.

How was your weekend?

Are you done Christmas Shopping?

Linking up with Leeann from Join the Gossip and Biana from B Loved Boston.

December 12, 2014

Friday Favorites

I spent last night playing with my new iPhone 6 and trying to restore the backup. Needless to say I am excited for the weekend. I have a housewarming party on Saturday and some Christmas gifts to wrap and mail but other than that it is pretty wide open. I am hoping Sunday includes my pajamas and not moving all day. We can hope, right?

Well let’s get to it, I missed last Friday due to being in Maine so I am excited to join in again. Here are some favorites from the week.

Favorite DIY: An easy wreath for under $20, love it.

Favorite Recipe: This is a very cute idea for holiday cookie swaps. I’ll be working on an idea for one this weekend.

Favorite Quote: You are enough!

Favorite Good Deeds: Being able to help others is a gift. Here are a few ideas for ways you can help. Jana also posted some ideas for ways to give back.

21 ways you can help others. Great ideas on different ways to serve others year round. Lots of things your kids can do, too!

Favorite Funnies: Farts make me laugh, can’t help it they do.

This is me with switching subjects, annoying I know. My memory problems play a factor too.

I Don't Mean To Interrupt | T-shirt | Front

Seriously sometimes you just have to shake your head and laugh. Bubbles! Click on the pictures for more text conversations from that couple. Too cute.

8. Sometimes I think he messes things up on purpose so I won't ask him to do them again. It's actually pretty genius. That's why I kept running the golf cart into bushes the last time he invited me to play 18.

What are you up to this Weekend?

Linking up with Amanda

Also linking up with Natasha for 5 on Friday.

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