Five Favorites on Friday

ONE // Scentsy Peony Petals

Oh my word.  If you have a Scentsy warmer & you want the smell of Spring in your house to get the winter blahs out of your head, then get this.  I just ordered some scents for a warmer I forgot I had to bring to my office.  I opened this up & its an instant favorite. I ordered another one for my home but now I think I need to order a case.  Plus, its Hot Pink wax... an extra bonus of happiness.


TWO // Writing Fonts

I really love doing a journal every day with my Bible Study, but my handwriting just isn't all that great... especially when you see all the cute faith journaling things out there.  So I'm on a mission to find some ways to make it more fancy.  If you need me today, I'll be on Pinterest looking up things (like I'm not on Pinterest all day every day) ... anyone have any tips, hints, sites or ideas about this, send them my way.


THREE // May Designs

I have so many May Designs journals, I don't even know what to do with them all.  I have a stack in my drawer ready to go whenever I need one.  It's so addicting to go on their site & just create fun designs.  But when I saw the one pictured above - I HAD to get it... & now I think I want to order like 5 more to get me through the year.  With my 2015 word of the year being "Confident" ... well, can you blame me?  Tell me you all have my back when Ricky asks me why I have 5 of the same journals....

FOUR // Princess Mug

I think I pretty much need this mug... in every color.  Especially in yellow #IamBelle


FIVE // Taylor Swift Mash Up

My blog buddy Meg sent me this video after we got talking about some of our favorite songs off of the new Taylor Swift CD.  I just love the song "Style" ... so when she sent this to me - I instantly fell in love with it.  I just love when people do creative Mash-ups anyways... enjoy this today...

Happy Friday everyone!!!

 

Five on Friday

Oh goodness... we made it... the countdown to the weekend is here...

Joining up with the ladies for Friday Five

ONE // Emeals

I'm so excited about this.  I used to use Emeals years ago & then just sort of fizzed out on it.  Last year, I did a year's subscription to the Happy Herbivore & that was nice having meal plans all laid out.  That plan was all vegan & sometimes made things complicated for me, though I did get some great recipes throughout the year from it.  But I wasn't going to pay the fee (wow... her fee is expensive compared to others) for something that I used only sometimes.  So I checked out Emeals & thought, why not try it again.  I also found out this time around, they have an app that holds the past 2 weeks recipes as well as a check list for the grocery that you can take with you!  Love that!
Just in the first week, I'm in love.  I really want to cook more this year & this is the sort of thing that helps me.  Walks me through.  My first meal was a Lentil, walnut & olive dish... here I am using onion, carrots, green peppers... I felt so 'chef like'!  If you never tried it, give it a gander.  They have all sorts of options for your menu.  I, obviously, use the Vegetarian plan. But they have plans for all sorts of food restrictions - even one that is based on Budget Friendly.  If you have any questions about it, let me know.  (totally not a sponsored thing ... just real life user)

TWO // Glee

 

Anyone else a Gleek still?  I know I'm a grown woman & shouldn't care about shows like this, but I live by the philosophy that life should be a musical, so anything where people randomly break out in song & dance & everyone knows all the words to music & all the choreography from dancing?  Yes... I want that in my life...
It just started last week for its last season & it looks like its back to the basics of what the show is about... being back in high school & show choir competitions.  I'm glad that whole "New York" thing is over & they are back in McKinnely... with Sue Sylvester back to her wonderful wicked ways.  It's now on Friday nights if anyone is bored tonight.  The fact that I'll be home watching it, knitting while on my couch, I'm not sure what that says about my life... let's not overthink it.

THREE // Smoothies

I used to make smoothies every day & have gotten out of the habit of doing it.  I really want to get it back in my system... literally.  It was a good way for me to get like 2 fruits & 2 veggies in my body before the sun even rose.  So I'm back on the hunt for some good easy smoothie recipes.  I used PB2 for the first time in my smoothie yesterday & it was delish with banana.  Time for me to start buying spinach in bulk again.  The greener the smoothie, the better.

FOUR // The Library & free downloads

I haven't used my library card in so long, I lost it... but I have a new one.  I mentioned this yesterday, that I got some audio books & it has just made me so happy.  So you could imagine how much more my happy level rose when my blog friend Cathy linked up yesterday for  Thankful Thursday & mentioned free audio books you could download from the library. .... WHAT IS THIS MAGIC? ... I immediately went to my local library's web site & found out I too could download audio books on my computer or phone or tablet...  I spent all day yesterday literally laughing at loud listening to Bossypants by Tina Fey.  Knowing I have all these books I can listen to now just made my work day so much better.

FIVE // One warm day.... I'll take it

Tomorrow, its going to be in the 50's... the 50's!!!!  I feel like its going to be the best day of the year.  I want to sit out in the sun & just soak up something other then freezing temperatures.  Breath in fresh air.  Maybe even clean my car out... the good Lord knows my car looks like a science experiment is happening down on the carpet & probably in between the seats.  Not to mention, I've had a dead bee sitting on my dashboard for the past 2 months.  I think the cold comes back next week, but its all about appreciating life a day at a time... I'll really be appreciating it tomorrow.

What are your weekend plans?

 

Do you watch Glee?

 

What's your favorite smoothie recipe?

Five on Friday

ONE // A 5 Year old

Our middle Grand Dude just turned five yesterday.  I can't believe it... I remember Julie calling from Texas telling us he was born just like yesterday.  Luke has always been the one who can get in trouble & ease his way out of it with that grin of his.  You can't tell me that grin doesn't just make you smile.  You'd let him out of trouble too.  His big thing he wanted was rainbow cupcakes.  Julie pulled it off & you can tell he's one happy Birthday boy.  We call him "Little Ricky" because he reminds me so much of his Pappy... in looks & personality.  Ricky's mom wishes Julie the best of luck when Luke becomes a teenager :)

TWO // PicMonkey

Yes, I have a computer that has photo editing software on it that helps me with all my photography sessions.  But I just made the jump of purchasing the Royale feature on PicMonkey... why?  Because when I'm bored & don't want to pull up my computer or I'm sitting at work & have an idea, I like to create things on that site.  I was tired of hitting that little crown & it saying its a Royale feature only.  I know I'll use it enough to get my money out of the fee.  Anyone else use PicMonkey a lot?  Anything secret about it I should know?

 

THREE // Cutest Little Belle

Look at this dress!  I posted it on Chasity's FB wall & told her we HAVE to get Emerson this dress when she grows up.  Chasity said it would be perfect for Halloween so her daddy could be Gaston.  How cute is that idea?  ... whoever this little girl is, her mother must be a seamstress because there's a whole role of pictures of her in different Disney costumes in the park with each character.  Jasmine, Cruella DeVil, Wendy... all so precious.  I need this lady to make me some Belle dresses... the pink one, the green one, this blue one... & a fresh ballroom gown.  Every girl needs a fresh new ballroom gown.

Speaking of Belle... look at this outfit for sale on Zulilly this week... my question?  My can't they make it for GROWN UPS?!?!?... I seriously would wear this.  Look at the shirt!  I love the "B" on the arm too.  I need to find a shirt company that you can design your own shirt so I can get this made.

FOUR //   Great resolutions

I know we're in the first full week of the new year & people have their resolutions already made.  But I saw this & thought, what a great simple idea for the new year...

FIVE // Funny for the day

Happy Friday everyone!!!!

________________

Just a reminder - Tuesday is the next edition of the Winter Reading Challenge - so get those posts ready for books you've read the past few weeks!!

Joining the ladies

Five on Friday

ONE // Never eat licorice ... EVER

Last night, I got my Influenster box in & was excited to see a bag of Red Vines licorice in it. I haven't had licorice forever... & now I remember why.  I ate a couple of pieces.  Yummy.  Grabbed another piece & ate it & then... what's that?  That doesn't feel right.
Yeah... my cap on my tooth came off.  Are you freaking kidding me?    Yeah, that's why I don't eat licorice.
Luckily - its on a root canal tooth so I don't have pain.  But you know when you have something wrong with your teeth how your whole mouth feels 'off'?  I literally just took a shower & went to bed so I didn't have to deal with anything the rest of the night.

PS - if y'all can lift a prayer about this.  I have the crown so I'm hoping they can just glue it back on & all be well & done.  I'm afraid they'll want to make a new one (hello Mr. No Cash with the holidays anyways) or I'm afraid there is a problem because this is the 3rd time this crown has come off.  My biggest fear is needing a tooth pulled.  & with the little tiny crown piece left, that would mean they would have to cut it out. ... I just got woozy... so just pray that they glue it on & I'm on my merry way this afternoon.


TWO // Clorax Disinfecting Wipes

The thing is, I don't carry the travel 9 pack
I carry the full on 34 pack :)

 

Cold & Flu season... I have taken my germaphobe to a new level.  I am carrying these in my purse now.  When we go out to a restaurant, I pull one out, wipe down the table & especially wipe down the salt & pepper shakers.  Do you know that's one of the germiest places in a restaurant?  Think how many hands are on that? ... Ricky & I laugh because when I use it, our table smells so fresh & clean.  The only problem is now, I'll never be able to go back to a small purse.  Next thing you know, I'll be carrying a back pack with all the round containers of wipes... (don't give me ideas)...


THREE // The Sisterhood

Did anyone else watch that show on Lifetime?  It was about 5 girls who were discerning about becoming nuns.  It was quite interesting to me.  I don't quite understand the Catholic lifestyle & why they do some of the things they do, but I just loved every Sister that was on the show.  The one in the picture above was by far my favorite.  You could totally tell which one of these girls were going to stick with the idea of becoming a nun from the first episode too... but this show had me coming back every week.  I loved that they went to a convent in Kentucky & all the girls were like, "Kentucky?  Nothing is in Kentucky..." & they were scared to death.  Ends up, one of them loved it so much, they are starting the process of joining that convent.  I think there is going to be another season next year on this... I'll be setting my DVR.


FOUR // The Interview

Man, this whole movie has turned into a big deal...
All I can think is, is it really that big of a loss that this movie didn't make it in the theaters? ... I think we're all better off for it :)
I will say, when I heard threats of theaters that were showing it, I told my husband, "We're not going to the movies to see anything"... people are crazy anymore.  Turn on the news.  See the crazy.  I wasn't taking chances.  So I kind of respect Sony for pulling the movie.  What if something DID happen?
... but I also get the uproar about it.  I think it hit me even more when Jimmy Kimmel said, "Don't people in our country die for the right of our freedom to watch what we want?"... ouch.  That's truth right there.
I think this is more attention then Seth Rogen & James Franco would have ever gotten if this movie just came out with no big hubbub...


FIVE // Survivor

STICK WITH THE PLAN!!!!

 

I still love this stinkin' show!!!  Hasn't it been on for like 50 years now?  ....I love when people are sneaking & make big moves.  I was so rooting for Keith this year & he was one stupid immunity away from making it to the finals.  He would have won too if he made it.  Poor guy. When they talked to him at the reunion & he got teary eyed, it made me teary eyed!  I wasn't thrilled with the winner this year, but she did deserve it.  I can't wait for next year!  They are putting Blue Collar vs White Collar vs No Collar people.  Business men against hard workers against free spirits.  I still am trying to figure what category I would fit in.  Is there a Pink Collar? 

 

Hope you all have a great Friday!!!

Friday Five Favorites

Like that title?  It takes care of 2 birds with one stone... doing a Five on Friday but still incorporating my favorite things.  This is how to blend two things into one magical post.


1. Favorite Post:  The Florkens "Why we aren't buying gifts this Christmas"

Find the post right HERE

I hate sometimes how out of hand Christmas can get with gift buying.  People think we're joking when we say we spend thousands on Christmas.  THOUSANDS. Do you know how many different ways that could be used in a more helpful way instead of gifts that I'm sure next year, no one will even remember?  It aggravates me so bad sometimes... so I love these two for this post. 

2. Favorite Recipe: Pumpkin Pie

 

Recipe is right HERE
This is the pie I made for Thanksgiving that didn't involve sugar.  It is so yummy.  I love that she gives you options too with your spice & your thickness of the pie. I wanted a thicker pie so I used less evaporated milk as well.  I seriously want to make another one of these this weekend just because.  Well, I do have cool whip left over so it needs SOMETHING to be eaten with it...

3. Favorite Christmas Craft Gift

Aren't these the cutest!?!?!  & who doesn't love candy?  These would be great to make a few extras just to hand out to people for a quick gift... or leave for like the mailman or to give to a cashier on a busy day.

4. Favorite Funnies

My reaction when my managers try to tell me how awesome the new office is:

How I feel when I think of all the Christmas wrapping I have to do:

5. Favorite Video: All is Well

My goodness, Carrie Underwood is just all things adorable with that baby bump. & that bump doesn't affect her voice one bit. It's angelic.  Add in one of the all time fav Christian recording artist/writers, Michael W. Smith (who still is a notch behind my Steven Curtis Chapman) ... this just gives me goose bumps.

What are some of your favorite things this week?

Five on Friday... vacation edition

Today at 4:00, I am going to tear up post it notes & make homemade confetti & I'm going to celebrate..

 

Vacation time!!!!

& yes, I am bummed that we're supposed to be packing up tonight & heading on the road for a wonderful trip to Gatlinburg... & that got kicked in the shins... or in Ricky's knee if I'm being totally accurate...

& I'm bummed that Ricky actually has to work part of our vacation.

Our anniversary is on Tuesday. 19 years.  For the past 18 years, Ricky & I have been off... this will be the first time he has to work on our anniversary.  Yeah... I'm a little sad at the turn of events this year...

BUT... like they say....

So my Five on Friday is going to be some of the things I'm planning on doing while I'm off...

1. Clothes

I want to shop. I am in desperate need of fall & winter clothes. Summer & Spring, I'm good to go. I have so many maxi skirts & flip flops that I could switch every day & be good for a month.  Winter? I have like 3 pairs of pants that I like... I'm on a mission.  I want to find some good boots too. Complete the winter look.  And with all of this, it means I am switching over my closet. Ugh. I hate that... but I'm determined to get rid of at least half of my closet. Because believe me, I don't wear half of it. I need the room.  Get ready Goodwill... I'm heading to you with a load.



2. Sewing Machine

This is probably my biggest goal for my vacation. I want to learn to sew more then anything.  & Ricky got me a sewing machine... like 5 years ago.... I know.  Embarassing.  But I have no where to put it & so it just has sat on the floor under my printer desk in my back room.  Well, on vacation week, I'm doing something with it. Even if that means leaving it on the kitchen table for awhile. Heck, I don't cook anyways.  I want to learn the basics & learn how to even thread the stupid thing.  Watch out - I tend to get obsessed with new crafts so if this takes hold of me, my Instagram will be exploding with sewing things as well as knitting things.



3. Whole Foods / Trader Joes

Its not often I get to go out to these stores with them being so far away from us.  I get so excited to go in there & see all the latest things I want to try.  & since I am rarely out that way, I know my check book may shed a tear because 1. this place ain't cheap & 2. I want everything in it.  I just saw on a friends blog a iced coffee concentrate thing that you add with ice & almond milk... how many bottles can I fit in my back seat?  What else should I know about before I head out there?



4.  Car Care

This isn't exciting but something I need to do.  Something I never want to take the time during my work week.  But I need to clean out my car.  I basically live in my car ... & it shows. I need to clean out the whole vehicle & get in the nooks & crannies of it with a tooth brush.  I need to get the carpets clean (who thought black carpet in a car was a good idea should be shot) & I need to take my car & get my oiled changed.  Gotta take care of Miley Cyrus.  I still have 4 more years of payments on her :)

Note: I named my car Miley Cyrus before she went nuts... I got my car right when she died her hair that light color - which is the same color of my car... & I said, she looks so "edgy" with the hair cut... & my car is an Edge... so thus, became the car name of Miley Cyrus... I may just change it to Blondie.

5. Sleep

The best part of vacation.  I want to take my alarm & tell it to shove off .... See ya!  Stop bugging me with your loud beeping at 5 in the morning!
I know how I am though - I'll still be up by 6 or 7... guaranteed... the dogs still have their schedule & they know when its time for treats.  But I'm going to try & relax as much as I can

... because a week goes by fast & I'm back to it in a measly 7 days...

So if I'm kinda in & out next week, y'all know I'm sleeping, or cleaning my car... or hopefully finding some awesome fashions...

What do you like to do for a Stay-cation?

 

What do I need to get at Whole Foods?

 

What's a good name for a crème-brulle color car?