What's Up Wednesday

What we're eating this week:

See Tasty Tuesday's post :)

What I'm reminiscing about:

Not a thing!  I'm just living in the moment and enjoying and learning all I can.

What I'm loving:

The fact the pool is back in commission!  My mother has a pool and that's the best deal ever!  Last week the pool was closed due to an algae issue.  Luckily, she got it all cleared and cleaned up so we're back to being in the pool this week.  Trust me on how awesome that is....90's all week + wicked humidity = necessary water time!
Lots of river time too.  We really love playing in the river...yes, we are water people!

What we've been up to:

Trying to adjust to the husband's work schedule (still)...a little impromptu camping trip....lots of weekend river time...baking zucchini bread once a week....watching movies (only kid movies, my mind is mush lol)....yep that's it!

What I'm dreading:

This made me laugh so hard.

The fact that the end of summer will be smeared all over everything for the next 8 weeks.  We have 8 weeks (at least) to go, chill out Mr. Retailers and Pumpkin Spice Everything people (though I do love a good pumpkin spice anything...)
Also dreading an upcoming physical.  That's for a whole other post though!

What I'm working on:



Getting back in gear physically/health wise.  I kind of um...threw all healthy eating and exercise to the wind in June and now I'm hating myself for it.  So I'm working on getting back into the routine of eating cleaner again, burning more calories (and I'm succeeding), and just making better choices.  
I'm also working on my parenting skills.  My daughter is a tough cookie and I need more assistance in handling her better.  On Monday I posted a goal for the week to help....hope it is a great resource.
I'm also working on my Alzheimer's Awareness & Advocacy Walk Team!  Please consider joining Ruth's Hope (Winston-Salem area) by walking or donating.  I will have more posts up in the coming weeks.  

What I'm excited about:

The fact it is still summer :)

What I'm Watching/Reading:



Watching:  Real Housewives of OC & Odd Mom Out....you should check out Odd Mom Out!  It is hilarious.  The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix) I am totally in love with that show.  Tina Fey's brain child, need I say more?
Reading:  I wasted a lot of time reading Mermaids in Paradise - terrible book, but that is my own opinion.  Moving on to Making Nice.

What I'm listening to:

Mainly country right now.  I like that recently released Kenny Chesney song - and for me that's odd because I'm not a KC fan.  I also like the new Jana Kramer song, I Got The Boy.  

What I'm wearing:

Haha well tank tops and random shorts....high fashion I tell you!  I do enjoy putting on "real clothes" for date nights and sometimes random Chic Fil A trips (bahahahahhahahaha).

What I'm doing this weekend:



Right now it looks like a date night with my hubby!  It could be a double date night but I'm not sure yet.  I'm hoping for a trip to eat on LKN at our favorite spot.  Also, admitting we haven't been to church since summer began and that is terrible.  We've spent our weekends on the go.  So maybe we'll get back to worship this weekend.  That would be great!

What I'm looking forward to next month:

Vacation :)
And maybe the return to a routine only the school year can bring....shhhh don't tell.

What else is new:

Not much, pretty boring, but I'll take it!

Tasty Tuesday

I thought I would share this week's menu.  I really enjoy blog posts that give me a good bit of recipes I can use for the week.  Also, I think its awesome when there is a shopping list connected to the meals for the week.  So guess what....yep, I put a shopping list at the bottom.

This week I am making 2 crock pot meals and 2 traditional, non crock pot meals.



FYI:  Thursday is HOT DOG DAY at Sonic.  We'll be eating $1 hot dogs in lieu of that party.




Slow Cooker Chicken Black Bean Tacos

Via Skinnytaste

This is a recipe from Skinnytaste.com and I just adore that site.  This recipe reminds me of a dish I fix on the stove top but, of course, tweaked.  My family loves taco night and this will just take it up a step (or twelve) from the Old El Paso Kit!  Click the link under the photo for the recipe.

French Dip 

Via Six Sisters Stuff

Another favorite site to get great recipes from is Six Sisters' Stuff.  My husband's favorite sandwich is the French Dip.  I also like a good French Dip!  This one can be made in the crock pot with three ingredients.  I kid you not friends!  The recipe can be collected by clicking the link under the picture.

Baked Spaghetti

Noodles, sauce, mushrooms, pepperoni, onion, cheese....bake it all up and yummy!

Creamy Bruschetta Chicken



Recipe from Knorr's that I have shared before.  I'm not a rice fan but since the family likes it I'll deal with it!

What are you eating this week?

Are you interested in the shopping list for these meals?  If so let me know in the comments and I will be glad to send you the shopping list for the week.

Happy cooking!

Monday, May I?

Last week's list looked like this:
1.  Keep 1-3 from last week.
2.  Get my bike fixed so I can ride with my daughter.
3.  Plan an IKEA trip (this week would rock)
4.  Keep my laundry room in order ALL WEEK LONG.

Here's how it panned out:

1.  Keep 1-3 from last week.  1-3 translated to more exercise, more water, and devotion time.  My water stayed about the same, my exercise was upped a smidgen, and my devotion....well I read it twice a day every day.  Boo yow!

2.  Get my bike fixed so I can ride with my daughter.  Failed to occur.

3.  Plan an IKEA trip (this week would rock)  Plan it, I did.  We actually went Tuesday.  The 2 year old, myself, my mother, and her friend Kathy.  I'm done with IKEA.  Just letting you know. I didn't find anything except some bowls I wanted.  That's the second trip that has been a crap trip. 

4.  Keep my laundry room in order ALL WEEK LONG.  Did it.

Since it is a new week let's set some new weekly goals.

1.  Back on the shakes (protein shakes twice a day and healthy snacks)

2.  Purchase (unless any of you want to lend me) a copy of James Dobson's Strong Willed Child

3.  Get the babysitter twice this week.  (That means once so I can do something with my mom and once so the husband and I can have a date night...which leads to...)

4.  Plan a date night!

5. Dare I do five?  I dare!  Start on the tagging for fall consignment sales.  Shut up!  I hate tagging.

Do you have goals this week?  Share them!

Trees, sweaters, elves....in July

I normally do a Christmas in July post.  This morning I was looking at the calendar and realized July is on the halfway finished mark and I didn't have any pictures *on the phone or camera* from the week to share.  Honestly, I was like, no blogging today, but for a me a day with no blogging is a day that I am sad. No sadness allowed today, folks.

Christmas in July

What inspired this was the fact some idiot posted on the FB timeline that we have 20 more Fridays until Christmas.  I saw that and was like, "Ummm,"  then I was like, "I hate winter," then it turned into, "UNFREAKIN' COOL!"

Instead of fighting it I'm just posting on it.  I mean it is Christmas and Christmas is happy and lovely and warms your heart (unless you are Jewish and its just another day on the calendar when you can actually go anywhere in the country and not have to wait....like at all.)

Here are five Christmas things that I have found that I would be in love with if it were late November.

Via

Now that's a wreath I can make!  Hello Dollar Tree :)



A gift basket of PERFECTION!  I can think of a few people who would love to get this in the fall or winter!



I do love the smells of Christmas time. Now I can make it on the stove and enjoy some coffee and a Hallmark movie in December :)

Vintage

I just thought this was cute as can be.

OK--- that's enough Christmas crap for me....off to enjoy JULY!

What's Going on in North Carolina....This weekend!

This weekend in my little state of prettiness (and agriculture)....

Apparently where I live you can get pickles, eggs, chickens, and cows.....at first I thought it said poison for pickles. LOL

Winston-Salem - Happy birthday to our local gem, Krispy Kreme!  Bailey Park, 9a-12noon on Saturday is the birthday party and you are invited.  Tons of fun and donuts.  We went last year, its crowded but fun!



Salisbury - Time to shop in Historic Downtown Salisbury.  Krazy Klearance Sidewalk Sale and Karnival (yes I know those are C words but this is Salisbury we're talking about, just kidding!)  Come out on Saturday from 1p-9p for great deals in the Downtown Shops and fun for the family.

Spruce Pine Bluegrass & BBQ Festival - Beginning on Friday Spruce Pine is hosting a BBQ contest and bluegrass festival.  Entry to the festival is free but there are some charges for the music areas.  This project is sponsored by the local Rotary Club and money raised will go to their various charities.  You may want to head to Mitchell County to cool off if the 90 degree temps don't suit you.

King's Mountain - History buffs this is for you!  Liberty Mountain is a powerful war drama that is focused around a battle that changed the shape of the Revolutionary War.  The production will be presented this weekend.  Tickets are $15.   After you enjoy that then head to the Beach Blast for beach music bands, water fun, watermelon contests, vendors, and fun.  It's Myrtle Beach a couple hundred miles inland!



China Grove -  Oooohhhh ohhhh China Grove....sing a long.  Saturday in China Grove (see you can go to Salisbury and then go to China Grove because they are close together, two for one, score!) is the 33rd Annual Farmer's Day.  It may just be worth the drive for the Little Mr. & Mrs. Farmer Contest.



Benson - You don't have to look for Copperhead Road just go to Johnston County and check out one of North Carolina's premier Moonshine Distilleries.  Broadslab Distillery offers $12 tours that include the history and science of moonshine making and you get some freebies in return.  Restrictions apply.


What else is happening fellow NC'ers?  Share it in comments.  Or put it on the Facebook page!

Click here

I Think Thursday

On Thursdays we think....

Oh yay time for random spillage on the keyboard.

I think....


I went to Walmart and became massively depressed.  First off - all the back to school stuff.  Mind you the school that starts first here will begin in three weeks!  And they are semi college kids so they can be prepared without Minion/Taylor Swift/Minecraft notebooks and pencils and cases and markers being thrown in my face.  Second off - no good deals.  I promise I didn't look at the school stuff.  I just perused the store since I was childless.  Not one great, amazing, Always, Roll Back, prices dropping deal in the store.  What did I do?  I bought my chiabatta rolls and sinus medicine and peeled.  With more money left to my name than to the Almighty Walmart.

Go me!

I'm not excited about the beach.  We have a little while before we go for our regular family trip but this year I'm just not excited.  Perhaps it is because of North Carolina's own Sharknado or maybe because the condo we rent will have new owners and it will end up costing us more in the long run.  I don't know, but I'm not a happy camper about it.

I am a happy camper about Happy Camper Cabernet though!

That pepper steak recipe from Tuesday is legit.  Right now I'm enjoying the smells of the caesar chicken salad in the crock pot.  I hope it tastes as good as it smells.  Using the crock pot this week has been fabulous.

I may need more sleep.  Or a vitamin tweak.  I cannot seem to get awake today.

I hate my friend J lost her job in the massive lay offs at a local hospital (same one that I got to join in lay off fun three years ago).  Everything does indeed happen for a reason (just ask me about it) and I think this is going to lead her to where she needs to be.

Classes....for me....I think I may register for a few continuing ed classes.  Just to make myself better at stuff I feel like I'm rolling old school on.  Kinda excited about it....dork yes, coolest dork you'll meet.

 You're so terrific.

Around the Home (Yes, its been a while!)

Realizing I haven't done a post like this in over a month!  Oops!

What can I say?

Well we sowed the yard in April.

We had beautiful grass.

It failed to rain the month of June.

And now we have....

Death.

Inside the house I am over the tile floor.

I could very much have a big hissy fit about the person who did our tile work but I've decided to just say this....

If you are local and entertaining any work please email me a list of possible handy men you are interested in enlisting.  If that fool's name is on your list I will be sure to tell you.

I can give you the initials KF.  <wink>

Our tile will have to be done all over again...

This is sad because our cabinets are on top of the tile.  Yes, that means we would be without a kitchen.  Yes, that means I could not mentally or emotionally or any -ally handle it.  So hopefully the tile will not kill us before the kids are oh I don't know....17?

Remember our Family Room?

Well a few months back I donated the furniture to Goodwill.  The room is now an area rug, Lego's, and other assorted toys and books.  The kids used it for Netflix viewing (currently of any Disney Christmas movie).  I'm itching to get some furniture in there.

The other day on Zulily I spotted some adorable futons that would work in that room.  I'm thinking a futon is perfect for a room the kids hang out in.  They could have movie nights and fall asleep on the futon and not worry about going to their beds.  

Via zulily.com

Of course this one is sold out.  Yes, I'm aware white fabric and small children are a major no-no.  We shall continue on on our search!

I love our living room.  I have no reports on it other than I have yet to find a window treatment I like.  The struggle is real in the curtain world.  I also need to think about purchasing another lamp for that room.  Are you guys like me?  Do you prefer lamp light over ceiling light at night?  

I will share that I love to buy lamps at Dollar General?  Not kidding.  They have some adorable lighting solutions for $12.  I like that price tag.

The kitchen, despite the floor, is one of my favorite rooms of the house. I can tell you this is because I spend 90% of my time in this room.  It seems to be the place for all my activities; cooking, cleaning, blogging, reading, etc.

A few months ago my husband and I purchased this adorable little produce rack....I love it.  The porcelain egg containers came from A.B. Seed in Colfax, NC.

The room that I fight with is the laundry room.  I can organize that bad boy and two weeks later it looks like a war was waged in it.  I have found that since I consign my children's clothing in the seasons sales; I am unable to throw away any clothing hanger.  I feel like it is my duty to hoard them so I have enough for the next go around.  Am I alone?

The master bedroom is still a work in progress.  I'm not happy with some colors in there.  Mainly the colors I speak of is my bedspread.  I love thin quilts and have had two of the same type from Stein Mart.  Right now I hate the way my bedspread just blends into the wall color.  I would like to go pick up a creme, gold, or silver toned quilt for the bed.  

Via

What can I say about the children's rooms?  Nothing.  I really just refer to them as "those rooms upstairs" --- my daughter's is a Barbie nightmare and my son's is bland because he just wants to hang out with us.  I have a feeling in a few years I'll be all about decorating those little rooms but until then I'm not too worried over them!

Are you working on any decorating or other projects in and around your home?  If so, share!