Thinking Out Loud Thursday - January 14, 2016

Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  Glad you joined me and Vanessa from X-tremely V for this fun little linkup and to see what we’re thinking out loud about today.

Here I am on Wednesday evening writing this post and I'm really thinking about that ginormous lottery jackpot.  Are you thinking about it too?!?  I have to admit, my mind wondered to what I would do if I matched all six numbers more than a few times today.  I wish I had been in the Ellen Show's audience today -- she gave each of them a free lottery ticket.  But for me, being in her audience would have been like winning a lottery!

Talk around the water cooler this week has tended to gravitate to the question what would you do if you won the lottery.  I began thinking about how I would take my friend Linda to a U2 concert in an extravagant city, plan an outlandish 50th birthday party with Justin Timberlake as the entertainer for my friend Tracy and cart my entire family to Disney World for a week of pure bliss.  (Don't get excited guys, we didn't match a single number so none of these things will be happening.)

Then I started thinking about how different the answer would be if you asked various people what they would do with the money.  I saw the below message pop up on my Facebook feed and it really stopped me in my tracks.  To some people, it would be like winning the lottery if they just had a meal to feed their children.

So many of us have already won the lottery in our lives just by being so blessed with what we have!  Today I'm going to try being thankful for what is in my life and also try very hard to find ways to make other feel blessed too!  It doesn't take a billion dollars to have the things that are truly important in life.

Now it's your turn - tell us what you're thinking out loud about today!  Feel free to link your favorite post(s) and share what you're up to.  We'd love to hear from you!

             

Enjoy more Thoughts for Thursday at

Home of Malones

East Coast Chic

Hodges Podges
Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop
While I'm Waiting

The Deliberate Mom
This is How We Roll
Brushing Our Way Through Life
Love the Everyday
This post contained affiliate links.  I may receive a small commission if you click on the link and purchase.  Thanks!

Win Some Cash!

Happy Hump Day!  I'm joining the fun with some of my blog friends to give away some cold, hard cash.  If you're interested in winning $250 Paypal Cash, just enter below.  I know it's not quite as big of jackpot as the lottery drawing tonight, but I can guarantee your odds for winning this giveaway are a whole heck of a lot better!  Here's what my friend Karli from September Farm has to say about our giveaway ~

when it comes to new year resolutions i'm pretty much garbage at it. except for one year when i vowed to have better posture...and it actually worked. i now have pretty fantastic posture. it was all because i saw on oprah that it could make you look 10 pounds lighter...i digress...

i'm pretty bad at resolutions because i feel like i'm making resolutions all day, errrrrrr day. like...

i resolve to keep a cleaner home.
i resolve to not watch so much tv this.
i resolve to work out.
i resolve to only eat healthy.
i resolve to not eat popcorn.

(seriously...i eat popcorn every day.)

what i'm saying is this - i imagine there are quite a few of you in my shoes. it's like...so many goals all the time! it can get a little overwhelming.

so for january's group giveaway i thought it would be great to encourage entrants to think about what they would use the mula for to help reach their resolution(s).

obviously, i would spend my money on a complete new workout get up + new running shoes!

or i would buy an updated fitbit!

ooooo...what i've really been wanting is the fitbit scale! i know it's probably not super accurate, but it's definitely pretty.

or maybe i would use the money to buy a ticket to see my sister. (and we would work out together...gotta stay true to the resolution!)

or maybe the money could go towards stocking my kitchen with wonderfully healthy foods! hello grocery bill. eating right is sooooo not cheap.

another option - how about some new kitchen gadgets? like one of those things that makes zucchini into noodles! or a mandolin!

or...what about throwing some dough into your blog - like a new design or sponsoring your favorite blogger...cough - sept. farm - cough cough.

options, people. with $250 bones...you have options.

you know the drill.

1 | check out all the WONDERFUL women below who brought you this great giveaway! you'll find some new great reads // pinterest boards // instagram accounts // etsy shops...lots of goodies.

2 | get yourself entered below via rafflecopter.

3 | cross your fingers and toes!

jessica | katie
sarah | krista | vicki | hannah | liz
samantha | karli | michelle | danielle | libby
alexis | penny | tawnya | shelly | mae
lauren | jenn | beth | lindsay | jess

a Rafflecopter giveaway

and lastly...if it strikes your fancy and you're thinking you want to get in on february's group giveaway...check out your options HERE! question? send me an e-mail!

Three Bean Casserole

Over the weekend a cold, like a VERY cold, front blew in and all I could think about cooking was comfort food.  Nothing warms the soul like a good, hearty casserole on blustery days.  As I headed to my recipe cabinet to try to find something to make, this Three Bean Casserole immediately came to mind.  It's one of Eric's favorite things!  He got this recipe years ago from a lady that comes in the grocery store where he works and we've been making it ever since.  

Here's What You Need

1 can pork & beans

1 can kidney beans

1 can butter beans

1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained

12 oz. diced bacon, fried & drained

1 onion, chopped

1/2 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup white sugar

2 Tbsp. prepared mustard

2 Tbsp. Karo Syrup

1/4 cup catsup

1/4 cup BBQ sauce

Here's What You Do

1.  Cook the bacon.  Let it cool a bit, then dice it up.

2.  Brown the hamburger.  

I like to use my Pampered Chef Mix 'N Chop to crumble the hamburger.  This little gadget to FAB!  If you'd like to purchase one, click HERE.

3.  Dice the onion.  Love to use the Pampered Chef Food Chopper for jobs like this.

4.  Mix all ingredients together.  

5.  Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 1 hour.  

Want to hear something great about this recipe besides the taste - you can mix ahead of time and refrigerated until baking time.  As an entree, it serves 4-6.  You could also serve it as a side at a summer bar-b-que.  Enjoy!

Linking up with:
Pint Sized Baker
Mandy's Recipe Box

Handmade Tuesday's with Kristen

Let's Be Friends Blog Hop with The Dwelling Tree

Green Fashionista and Martinis & Bikinis: Recipe Swap Eat Drink & Be Mary: Delicious Dish Tuesday Love From The Kitchen: Tuesday's Table The Diary of a Real Housewife My Own Home Caleigh's Kitchen Tuesday Talk Pennies into Pearls Momfessionals Simply Sweet Home While I'm Waiting This post contained affiliate links.  I may receive a small commission if you click on the link and purchase.  Thanks!

Weekending - January 11, 2016

Wait - is it really Monday already?!?  I swear it was just Friday night like a blink of an eye ago!  So I don’t really have a ton of great pictures from the weekend, but I’ll give you a rundown of what was happening in my life. 

Friday night was a whole lot of laziness.  I ended up working late and when I walked in the door I completely crashed.  Luckily Eric had dinner taken care of.  He whipped up one of our favorite salmon recipes I blogged about HERE.  Love, love, love that recipe!  It’s quick, easy and oh so good. 

Saturday morning we woke to pouring rain.  They were calling for snow later in the day and the cold temperatures were moving in later too.  When I checked my email the book club girls had already called off us getting together on Sunday.  Everyone was anticipating waking up Sunday morning to ice and snow.  I was going to Girls Night Out Saturday night and luckily we didn’t call that off because when the rain stopped and all was said and done, no snow and no ice.  We did get the freezing cold temps, but it is January so we can live with that. 

Girls Night Out was a blast as always!  Sherri, Carol and I gathered at Tracy’s house for a wonderful home cooked meal and drinks.  She had a new type of beer – Oculto.  Yes, please.

And dessert!  Tracy had picked up Clementine’s Maple Bourbon with Candied Pecans ice cream.  I just might have to sneak in Tracy’s house and eat the rest of it when she’s not home – it was that good!

After filling up on all the wonderful cuisine, we exchanged Christmas gifts with each other.  I have so much new stuff to add to my Five on Friday favorites!  Love the presents these girls give.  They are always so heartfelt and personal.  You’ll definitely be hearing more about what I received in future posts!

We tried really hard to get a picture using my selfie stick, but it’s harder than it looks guys!  Eventually after we stopped rolling on the floor laughing, we just did the hold the phone out and click method.

I had high hopes that Sunday would be a productive day.  Ended up – not so much.  After church I came home and started taking the Christmas decorations off the tree in the family room (yes, my tree was still up) and thought I’d flip on the Making A Murderer documentary on Netflix that I’d read so much chatter about.  Oh my goodness – OH MY GOODNESS!  Let me just summarize the rest of the day by saying this.  The tree is still standing and I’ve watched all 10 episodes.  I could not stop watching!  Have you seen it?  What did you think? The Golden Globes is safely recorded on my DVR and I'll be seeing it tonight.

Hey – I do want to share something fun with you.  Over the Christmas break I decided to become a Pampered Chef consultant.  I love Pampered Chef!!  I’m not thinking I’m going to be hosting a lot of parties, but I am going to have virtual parties from time to time.  Like right now!  If you have some Pampered Chef items you need and don’t know a consultant to order from, now you do!  Me!!  I currently have a party open so if you need something, click HERE to order.  I’ll be sharing some of my favorite Pampered Chef items that I use when I post recipes (which is typically on Tuesdays).  The party will close this Friday, January 15.

Have a great week!  I’ll leave you with this thought.

Check out what others were up to this weekend.

Champagne and Suburbs

B Loved Boston

More Pieces of Me

Bella and the City
A Cute Angle
The Quinntessential Mommy
How To Get Organized At Home
This post contained affiliate links.  I may receive a small commission if you click on the link and purchase.  Thanks!

Five on Friday - January 8, 2016

Hello everybody!  We've made it through the first week of 2016.  How did that go for you?  Oh my, was it hard to get up on Monday morning and head to work.  But we've made it to Friday!!  

With no further ado, here's my first Five on Friday for the year ~

1.  Smart Sheep 6-Pack XL Premium 100% Wool Dryer Balls, Reusable Natural Fabric Softener 

Is saving money on your New Year's resolution list?  Well, here's an easy thing for you to do to save some dough.  These were on my Christmas list and I was lucky enough to get them.  Tried them out and fell in love!  You use these in place of dryer sheets or liquid fabric softeners.  If you want to add a drop of essential oil for fragrance you can.  They also shorten your drying time.  So between not buying dryer sheets AND not running your dryer for as long, cha ching!  They last for a thousand-plus loads!  You can purchase yours by clicking HERE.

2.  Toms Leila Ankle Bootie

My friend Debbie wore these precious ankle booties to my Bachelor Ben party on Monday and I now have serious boot envy.  I really think I must own them!  The little tassel in the back is just too adorable.  It's okay for friends to have the same pair of shoes, isn't it?!?

  

Click HERE to purchase

3.  Golden Globe Awards

You know where I’ll be on Sunday night – planted on the couch watching the Golden Globe Awards!  I’m so excited that Ricky Gervais is hosting.  He is HILAROUS!  Did you happen to catch him on Ellen this week?  Too funny.  Have you seen all of the movies nominated?  I certainly haven’t!  Regardless, I’m pumped to watch the show and see who the winners are.

4.  National Bubble Bath Day

Bust out the bubble bath – today’s National Bubble Bath Day!  If you’re a bath person, celebrate today by soaking in a relaxing tub tonight.  The bubbles floating on top of the water actually serve a purpose – they insulate the bath water to keep it warmer for a longer period of time.  Who knew?!?  So pour yourself a glass of wine, dim the lights, light a candle and take yourself a nice long dip in the tub.

               

5.  Good job!

Enjoy the weekend everyone!  I have girls night out tomorrow and book club on Sunday.  It's going to be a fun one!  Stop back by on Monday to read all about it.  

Linking up with:

Rebecca at XOXO Rebecca

Jennie at The Diary of a Real Housewife

Hill Collection

Amy at The Farmer's Wife

Amanda at Meet At The Barre

Erika at Little Bit of Everything

Simply Sweet Home

High Five for Friday
5 on Friday 
The Jenny Evolution
The Evolution of Mom
Why Girls Are Weird
Ins and Outs
This post contained affiliate links.  I may receive a small commission if you click on the link and purchase.  Thanks!

Thinking Out Loud Thursday – January 7, 2016

Hey Hey everybody!  Welcome to the seventh day of the year and the first Thinking Out Loud Thursday for 2016!  Glad you joined me and Vanessa from X-tremely V for this fun little linkup and to see what we’re thinking out loud about today.

I’m pretty darn excited to be starting a new year!  I always have an abundance of things I’m hoping to accomplish, achieve and conquer.  Mostly I try to stay away from the word “resolutions” and instead classify my items as “goals”.  For whatever crazy reason, my mind just handles “goals” better than “resolutions”.  The word “resolution” feels heavy on my shoulders.  If I mess up and have a slip on a resolution, I feel like somewhat of a failure.  Whereas “goal” seems more positive and something I can keep reaching for if I stumble a bit.  Today, day 7, many “resolutions” have already been broken.  But a goal, aahhh – we still have all year to try to reach a goal!  Yes, goal is my word.

One of my goals is to add a devotional reading when I'm tucked in bed at the end of my day.  For years I’ve read a devotional in the morning before I climb out of bed.  I’m one of those slow risers.  I set my alarm for at least an hour before I know my feet have to be on the ground.  I love reaching over for my Kindle and reading a little something to get my day started on a positive note.  Last year I read Daily Wisdom for Women 2015 Devotional Collection and loved it!  This year I’m reading the same collection for 2016. 

If you would like to give it a try, you can get the January collection free on Amazon right now HERE.  If you want to jump right in and be set for the year, click HERE.  There's no better way to start the day than with a little inspiration!

Now as for the new goal of reading a devotional at the end of my day, I’ve chosen Savor:  Living Abundantly Where you Are, As You Are by Shauna Niequist. 

Click HERE to purchase

Let me share a quote from the book:

“Nothing good comes easily. You have to lose things you thought you loved, give up things you thought you needed. You have to get over yourself, beyond your past, out from under the weight of your future. The good stuff never comes when things are easy. It comes just when you think it never will.” 
― Shauna Niequist, Savor: Living Abundantly Where You Are, As You Are

Shauna's writing style is one I can embrace and be inspired by.  I’m hoping this will be a reflective way to end my day and send me to sleep motivated to start the next one with enthusiasm. 

Watch out 2016 -- I'm headed your way with a lot of tools in my toolbox to take you by storm!  

Now it's your turn!  What are you thinking out loud about today?  Do you read a daily devotional?  I'd love to hear which one(s) inspire you.  Whatever the topic that's on your mind, link up with me and Vanessa and let us know what you're thinking out loud about today.  

Enjoy more Thoughts for Thursday at

Home of Malones

East Coast Chic

Hodges Podges
Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop
While I'm Waiting

The Deliberate Mom
This is How We Roll
Brushing Our Way Through Life
This post contained affiliate links.  I may receive a small commission if you click on the link and purchase.  Thanks!

Weekending - The First One of the Year

The first weekend of 2016 is in the books...and the first work week is here.  I have to admit, I'm not ready!  Every year I take off between Christmas and New Year's and each year it seems to go by faster than the year before.  I'm already looking forward to Christmas of 2016 and being off work!

But with each new year, there's also an exciting feeling.  I'm looking forward to 2016 and seeing what it holds.  Eric and I had a fantastic start to the new year.  We, along with Kayla and Ian, visited our friend, Linda, in Kansas City.  She hosts a party at her house every New Year's eve full of family and friends.  We play lots of games and have tons of laughs!

We actually traveled to KC on Wednesday.  That evening we ventured to the Plaza to take in the lights and also dine at Gram & Dun.  This Plaza gastropub was well worth the trip.  Everyone enjoyed their food, but Eric's burnt end mac and cheese was voted the winning dish.  Yum!  Gram & Dun is one of the establishments participating in Kansas City's restaurant week going on January 15-24, 2016.  If you're in the area, you might to add a stop at Gram & Dun to your itinerary.

Thursday morning we prepped for the evening.  Everyone brings food and we always have a feast large enough for the entire state.  This year was no different - food everywhere!  

The new game this year was Puerto Rico.  Here's the description from Amazon:  "The most critically acclaimed board game of the last twenty years, Puerto Rico continues to wow people with its brilliant mechanics. Each player utilizes different roles -mayor, captain, settler, trader, prospector, craftsman, or builder to score the most victory points with their colony. Players can act on every turn of the game, allowing them to choose between shipping goods for points or building an impressive city. Players must manage their colonists, erect a variety of buildings, build up their plantation, and sell or ship goods. With dozens of options, Puerto Rico is a streamlined game that can be played in about an hour and handles up to five players."  

Click HERE to purchase

                 

While 5 people were battling it out playing Puerto Rico, the rest of us were enjoying the card game Hand and Foot.  We had an excellent person playing bartender and kept bringing out signature cocktails.  Thanks Jodie!!

By the end of the evening, the Cards Against Humanity came out.  So fun!

At some point during the night, the selfie stick came out.  I'm loving my selfie stick!  We missed a few peeps in the group shot because of parents helping the kids get tucked in.

Friday was more of the same.  We started the year off right with some mimosas.  It was wonderful that New Year's fell on a Thursday because we had the whole weekend ahead of us. 

 Eric and I stayed over in Kansas City Friday night and headed home bright and early on Saturday.  I quickly tried to get some stuff done so it appeared like I actually got something accomplished during this break.  

Sunday I worked on fixing some snacks for the Bachelor Ben party I hosted on Monday.  Oh - I'm sure this is going to be the most dramatic season yet!  

Hope you had a wonderful holiday season and are off to a great start this year.  Do you still have your decorations up?  I'm planning on taking ours down this week.  Just want to stretch it out for a little bit longer.  

Check out what others were up to this weekend.

Champagne and Suburbs

B Loved Boston

More Pieces of Me

Bella and the City
A Cute Angle
The Quinntessential Mommy
How To Get Organized At Home
This post contained affiliate links.  I may receive a small commission if you click on the link and purchase.  Thanks!