My Family

I am so blessed! I truly have the best family ever and I want to share them with you!

At the head of our family is my dad, Tom.

He is the epitome of a good dad. Everything you can think of that a good dad does, he is. Because my dad grew up with animals (he had a pet fox!), we always had animals around whether it be dogs, stray cats that used to climb the screen porch, hamsters, fish and horses. My dad loves jokes. At Christmas, us kids would usually get one big gift that we could all enjoy. He loved to wrap it or present it in a way that threw us all for a loop. One year we got a four wheeler. He wrapped up the helmet and told us it was for us to use on our trampoline. (Can you imagine kids jumping on trampolines with helmets?) We all knew that didn't make sense and we finally put it together and ran outside to see the four wheeler with a bow on it! On other occasions, I've gotten random messages on my phone. One time he called to let me know that the rapper Gucci Mane got arrested. (I've never even heard of Gucci Mane.)

Right beside dad is my mom, Cheryl.

Mom extraordiannaire. She was always an active part of our lives. I look back now that I'm an adult and can't believe all the events, practices, camps, games, festivals, shows, that she drove us to...and I never once heard her complain about it. And one thing I can say is that our house was always clean. Always. We were to make our beds every day. No exceptions. Even Christmas morning couldn't happen until our beds were made and our hair was brushed. She also taught me that to properly clean the kitchen counters, you had to bend down and get eye level with the crumbs. Then and only then could you really tell if you had gotten them all.

Second child born into the family (I was the first!) is my sister, Mandi.

We were your typical sisters who had our fair share of fights and arguments. I remember one time after a fight (don't really remember what it was about!) mom made us hug and apologize and then told us that one day we'd appreciate each other. There was lots of eye rollings going on, but oh how right she was. Mandi is my younger sister, but only in age. She got married first, graduated college first, and had the first grandchild. I look up to her so much. And, just like my mom said would happen, we are good friends now. Out of all my friends, she's the one I'd rather hang out with. One of my favorite things is when she gets laughing, she laughs so hard she squeaks and can't get a word out.

Rounding out us kids are my twin brothers, Matt and Clint.

I always thought it was fun being able to say "I have twin brothers". And it was fun growing up with them. We always had enough kids for games and could easily split into teams. At times they drove me crazy and in fact I believe it was Clint who drove me to say my first curse word. (Yes, I still vividly remember it) Matt is the prankster and always has us laughing at his latest venture. There was the time he tried to sell some old tires out in our front yard and just looped a chain through them and placed it around the fire hydrant in our yard. Mind you, the chain wasn't attached to anything...just laid over the hydrant. Or his most recent endeavor...raising goats. Yep, he's got about 15 goats. Clint, on the other hand, is infectious. His charm, smile and deep laugh are contagious to anyone he comes in contact with. He makes me laugh so much!

Those are the people that I grew up with. Our house was never dull. You could always count on an occasional flood in the basement, game of touch football in the yard, slamming of doors, smell of steak dinners on Saturday nights, hustle of trying to get all 6 of us out the door and on time to church, and a host of other things.

And I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Since then, our family has grown.

My sister's husband Pepper and their two kids, Megan and Evan.

My brother Matt, his wife Tera and their 3 kids, Blake, Brooke, and Bo.

Here's some extended family.  My aunt Jean and cousins Raechel, Hannah and her fiancee Ryan.  Also pictured is my brother Clint's girlfriend, Keri. (Psst...she will probably be more than his girlfriend!)

Then there's my grandparents, Mama-Lou and Ca-Ca.  Yes, those are their legal names.  No?  Don't believe me?  Ok, well, since I was the first grandchild, that's what came out and it has stuck for almost 35 years.

So that's where I come from.

My family.

 .

.

.

and I love them!

This post is linked to Show Us Your Life.

Saturday Stumbles

Welcome to another edition of Saturday Stumbles.  Hopefully you have plans to relax and do something fun this weekend.  I have exciting plans of baking 6 dozen cupcakes and grading 100 lab report papers.  I know...it's really unfair that one person can have so much fun.

Here's what caught my eye this week:

Mysterious Strawberry Thread by Oh Amanda
It really baffles me that she has not written a book yet.  She is a master of words and this post is just beautifully written...about some Strawberry Shortcake dolls.

photo by oh amanda

Oscar Party by Tip Junkie
Tip Junkie scores again with an Oscar party!  Oh, how I would love to host this kind of party if for no other reason than those cute little hot dogs!  And I don't really even care for hot dogs!!!  But those are just too much!

photo by tip junkie

Veggie Rainbow Wraps by Healthy, Happy Life

I take my lunch to work everyday and am always looking for new, creative food ideas.  This has my name all over it!!

photo by healthy, happy life

So now it's your turn!  What did you find stumble worthy this week?  Link up below.

Top Ten Tuesday - 31 products

I've started a new business venture!  Which, if you know me, is so weird because I am the complete opposite of a business woman. 

I'm selling 31 products.  THE cutest bags and organizational products and I wanted to share with you my ten favorite.

About Town Blanket $39

Great for picnics or for days at the ball field.

Key Fob $5

Large Utility Tote  $30

This is great to leave in your trunk to put your groceries in to keep them from sliding around everywhere.

All in One Organizer $18

This has a TON of uses: holds files, diapers & wipes, cleaning supplies...and more!

Picnic Thermal Tote $28

This is one of their most popular items. It's a lined tote that could carry everything you need for a picnic.

Small thermal tote $12

A great little lined lunch tote.

Thermal tote $14

A lunch tote for grown ups!  I've also heard of nursing moms that keep their bottles in it.

Organizing Tote $22

This is the one I use the most.  I use it as my traveling file case.  It holds all my 31 paperwork.

Wristlet Wallet $22

What a practical item!  I carried this to the Blissdom conference a few weeks ago and was able to put my lipstick, camera, and phone in it.  Love it!

XXL Tote $60

This tote is small enough to store a small child! (NOT that it was attempted)  But it would be a great overnight bag!

See something you like?  Leave me a comment and we'll get it for you!

For more TTT, visit Oh Amanda.
All photos taken from 31 Gifts Online.  I am a consultant for 31 but all opinions are mine.

Saturday Stumbles

Whew....I don't know about you but I'm beyond glad it's Friday!  It's been a crazy week at work.  But in spite of the madness I was able to stumble a few good posts.

Bake It In a Cake
   This is the cutest thing!  I tried it for Valentines Day but didn't have quite the same results.  Just make sure you pay attention to the direction you put it in the cupcake and remember what that direction is once you pull it out of the oven.  I didn't and instead of a heart, it was a line.  Fail.

Photo by Bake It In a Cake

Glass Tile Pendant designs
   What a cute and simply gift to make?!  So versatile that the possibilities would be endless!

Photo by Mandy from Sugar Bee

Peanut Butter S'mores

   It really doesn't get any better.  There are no words that could do this justice.  

Photo by Recipe Girl

Now it's your turn!  Link up below with what you stumbled this week.  For all the rules, read here.

Saturday Stumbles

There's nothing more than I love than a good, lazy Saturday!  And that's just what had on tap...until I started reading Kelly's Show Us Your Life about beauty tips.  Now I have to run out to Ulta to try some of the tips and tricks below!

Here are some of my favorite:

Eye Brightener

 Photo from Mommy 911

This is supposed to brighten your eyes.  I've seen several bloggers recommend these and am dying to try!

Baking Soda...huh?
Yep, that's what I thought.  But Mandy from Mommy Musings recommends using it every once in a while as a teeth whitener.  Genius.  And so much cheaper than those whitening strips!

Flat Iron Curls
 Curling your hair with a straightener? I love how you can use ONE tool for different purposes.  Granted I'm sure this would take some practice, but I think my long hair would love for me to try something new with it other than just straightening it!

...and because what girl couldn't use another super cute bag?

The jealously cute Gussy is giving away two $50 gift cards! 
This is what I want:

Photo from Gussy

So let the sharing begin!  For all the details, read here.  Otherwise, link up below!!

Mascara Tip

One of my go to pieces of make up is mascara. It's like the cherry on the top for me. It just sets my look. But it can't be just any mascara...you gotta have the right brush!

It really makes all the difference. Most mascara brushes are designed like this:

Photo by Unplggd

The brush make the mascara very clumpy on the brush which in turn ends up clumpy on your lashes.

THIS is the brush I'm in love with.

Photo by Make Up and Beauty Blog

Instead of a brush, it's almost like plastic bristles. There's less clumping on the brush which means less clumping on your lashes.

This brush is by Cover Girl.  I've used the Lash Blast and Lash Exact.  I like them both!  Seriously, if you're in the market for some new mascara, you need to try these.  Very reasonably priced too at about $7.

This post is just my personal opinion.  I was not paid or provided product to say this...I just love it!

Linked to Kelly's Korner "Show Us Your Life".

Saturday Stumbles

Apparently there's some big football game this weekend.  I really couldn't name one player on either team.  Heck, I could barely name the teams (ok, I'm not THAT bad).  Honestly, though I could care less about it.

In my opinion, it's a great excuse to eat high fat, lots of calories, processed food!  So in honor of that, here some recipes I stumbled for your Superbowl Party!

Sausage Dip from Brown Eyed Baker

Super Bowl Chili from Once a Month Mom

Super Bowl Party Ideas from Susieqtpies Scraps of Life

Superbowl Eats from Picky Palate

Photo courtesy of Picky Palate

And then of course, there's the all important question...WHAT TO WEAR?!

Chamred Valerie's got you hooked up! You have GOT to go check out these outfits!!

Just leave your blog name in the link up below. Please be sure to link to your actual post – not your blog. Here are some guidelines if you like to read things like that! Feel free to tweet with the hashtag #SatStumbles so we can find each other and others can find us!

Blissdom Recap

You always want to develop and hone your craft.  And I got to do that this weekend by going to Blissdom, a blogging conference.

I love how going to conferences charges you up and rejuvenates your passion...and that's what happened to me.  I've got ideas swirling around in my head and trying to harness them into something manageable is going to be the challenge.

Here are some of my top moments of Blissdom:

Flashmob!

Please tell me you've heard of this...where people jump up in the middle of a crowd of people and break out in choreographed dance.  Have you ever heard of anything more glorious?  I got to be a part of that!  There were about 600 people at the conference and about 90 or so of us in this flashmob.  You can't really see me in the video, but trust me...I was there. The video quality isn't the greatest and in some parts the dancing doesn't match with the words. Oh well...it was fun!

 Watson!

 How cute is this little guy (and the little girl isn't bad either!)?  What's even better is that he is interactive.  I won him from Hallmark.  As you read the story, he responds to your voice and comments on the story.  Well, let me just say that we had some fun times with Winston at about 12:30 at night.  It's amazing how much fun grown women can have with a toy raccoon.

Roadtrip

I love me a good roadtrip with friends.  And believe me, my friends and I know how to rock a roadtrip with some old school road trip games.  Once again the Can O' Bliss made an appearance.  In the can were all different games.  Each girl pulled one out and we'd play it.  One of those was a mad libs.  It was a mad libs of the 12 Days of Christmas (Hey, I got it on the clearance rack at Target after Christmas).  

Fun surprises!

Some of my really sweet bloggy friends surprised me with treats!  All bloggy related of course!

Business card holder from Mary (made by Half Pint House)

Bag Tag from Hillary

Necklace from The Rusted Chain

Meeting & Connecting with Bloggy Friends

One of the best parts of Blissdom is meeting face to face the people you've been tweeting with or reading their blogs.  They are actually people!

I feel like I've known Mary (far left) for years.  In the middle is my real life long friend Amanda.

As sweet as honey, pretty as a magnolia, and as southern as high hair and hoop dresses!  Hillary is a gem.  She's also super funny (I just couldn't think of a southern way to explain it!)

Probably one of the only people at the whole conference who knows what it feels like to NOT fit into the "mommy blogger" category.  My single friend Leigh!  We've been reading each other's blogs for a while now and she was one of the first people I wanted to find at Blissdom.

I didn't get a picture with her, but meeting Lori Mahon was a complete surprise!  But turns out we have a lot in common.  Probably one of the best things we had in common was that we were both in the Sandi Patty Friendship Company pen pals club!!  Any other fellow members?

Some other new friends that I didn't get pictures with were Sarah from A Wife Loved Like the Church and Alicia from Alicia's Homemaking. Such sweet and fun girls!!  I really enjoyed spending time with them!

Famous People

If my friends know one thing about me, it's that I'm a huge fan of celebrities.  It borders on stalker-ish...in a healthy way of course.  

First up was Mat Kearney. (Well, there was actually someone else, but do they really count as a celebrity if you've NEVER heard of them?  Yeah,  I didn't think so).

Crystal Bowersox

And a blurry, backside picture of George Duran.

So maybe not A-listers, but celebrities in their own right (ahem).

My SISTERCHICKS!

Words cannot express my love for these girls!  They are friends through and through.

Fancified

Each night we got dolled up for cocktail parties.  I don't get to dress up that much anymore, so when I get a chance to wear heels, I'll take it!  I also like being the Official Jewelry Provider of room 4377.

Speakers

Only a few speakers (ok, well a couple) stood out to me.  Ryan Marshall from Pacing the Panic Room was one.  I always love hearing dads talk about their love for their family.  He was really interesting.

Scott Stratten from Unmarketing was the other. (Hmmmm....is it weird that both of them are men?!).  He was so engaging and practical.  One of those guys that make you sick, he's SO creative.

(What did I miss?)

Those of you that went, please fill in with your favorite part.  (Can you tell I'm one short and too tired to think of something?) 

This post is linked to the fabulous Oh Amanda.

Saturday Stumbles

It's that time of the week again! Time to link up what you've stumbled this week.

True to form, most of mine tend to be food. Go figure.

Butter Mints by Bake it Pretty
I am absolutely dying to make these!

Photo by Bake it Pretty

Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies by Celebrations at Home
I did actually make these. YUM!  My roommates at Blissdom have appreciated them.

And finally, the stumble that you've been waiting on...a real live flash mob! I got to be a part of this here at Blissdom.

So, you know the drill..

Just leave your blog name in the link up below. Please be sure to link to your actual post – not your blog. Here are some guidelines if you like to read things like that! Feel free to tweet with the hashtag #SatStumbles so we can find each other and others can find us!

Saturday Stumbles

Welcome to Saturday Stumbles!  I've been given the reins to host this weekly link up carnival and I'm so excited to have it!  Mandi has really built a great time here where we can all learn from each other.  She also set the bar really high so I'm going to try my hardest to keep up with what she set!  Please be patient as I learn my way around all the ins and outs!

Mandi was so good at having her Saturday Stumbles themed, but one thing you'll learn quickly learn is that I am random.

So here we go...

T-Shirt Yarn Braided Coasters by Homework
FINALLY!  A practical use to those old t-shirts I just can't part with!

Frugal Car Care Tips for the Winter by Deal Seeking Mom
Such great tips especially after the huge snow storm we had last week that had us trapped!


Marriage Unwrapped by Diaper Diaries
You have to check out Jill's series on marriage!  I've stumbled them so that when I get married (one day...), I'll have some some great advice to build on.

Respect for Time by Amy's Finer Things
I so resonated with this post!  One of my goals this year is to become more intentional.  This includes making better use of my time.  I make procrastination an art form.  Not proud of it.

So, you know the drill..

Just leave your blog name in the link up below. Please be sure to link to your actual post – not your blog. Here are some guidelines if you like to read things like that! Feel free to tweet with the hashtag #SatStumbles so we can find each other and others can find us!

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...

5 Minute Cake

If you have a sweet tooth like me, then this is the recipe for you. Not only is it quick, but you probably already have the ingredients in your kitchen. I got this in an email from my dad, so I don't really know the source. I tried it when I was snowed in last week and it was surprisingly good. It would've been better with a couple scoops of ice cream!

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa

1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)

A small splash of vanilla extract

1 large coffee mug (Micro Safe)

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

EAT! (This can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

I don't really know why it's called a "5 Minute Cake" because as you can see in the directions, it says to cook it for 3 minutes. Weird. I cooked it for 3 and it was enough. Granted it's no culinary masterpiece, but it will satisfy your sweet tooth!

This post is linked to What Works for Me Wednesday at We Are That Family.

Roomie Swag

In a couple of weeks, I'll be hanging with some of the coolest bloggers in the blogosphere at Blissdom. This will be my second year and I feel so much more prepared than I did last year. Being a newbie at a blogging conference can be overwhelming, especially reading all the posts leading up to it about what to wear and what to bring.

Are you kidding? I just scraped up enough money to pay for the room and registration! Now I've got to get new clothes, new business cards, and all these other trinkets??

NO!!!

You don't. Of course, it's a good excuse if you're wanting new clothes and such, but not necessary.

I found that it's all about connecting and making an impression. For this simply somewhat shy gal, I kind of found myself fading into the background and just observing. So this year is a little bit more exciting because I have a slight idea of what to expect.

Ok...on to the point of the post.

I love to give gifts! Small and large, I love surprising someone with the unexpected. So I'm combining that love with what I learned at Blissdom last year about making impressions to come up with "Roomie Swag".

One of the unexpected perks of Blissdom was all the swag from all the sponsors...I mean, it was unbelievable! In following the #blissdom stream I noticed a lot of the attendees are rooming with people they've never met or people they've known their entire life. Regardless of the relationship, what better way to make an impression than have a little "welcome" gift?!

I know...ONE more thing to spend money on, pack, etc. But I'm gonna share TEN super simple and cheap ideas for "Roomie Swag".

*These little button cards are cute!  Even though they're for Valentine's Day, you could easily change it to say "Welcome to Blissdom!"

Photo courtesy of Thirty Handmade Days

*Everyone loves a little snack!

Photo courtesy of Baked Bree

*Another simple little snack. Since there are so many colors and shapes, you could personalize it more based on your roomies' interests.

 Photo courtesy of Hostess With The Mostess

*Coordinate this before hand and have each roommate bring their favorite candy or a candy that describes yourself.  What a fun surprise and a great way to get to know your roomies if you don't know them!

*Cute pencil/pen - You are at a conference, after all, so who wouldn't need a cute, new pencil.

*Fruit - Weird, I know...but not with a little note that says one of these brilliantly clever quips:

             "ORANGE, ya glad we're roomies?!" 

             "I've gone BANANAS that we're roomies!"

             "You're a GRAPE friend and I'm excited we're roomies!"

             "You're such a BERRY sweet roomie!"

*Bottle of water with a cute bow tied to it.

*Check out Target's Dollar spot and make little goodie bags.

*Cute little mirror.  You know, to check your teeth after all those snacks and yummy meals!

Photo courtesy of Piping Hot Papers

*Charm.  You could choose a symbol that matches your roomie's blog.

Photo courtesy of Amy Jo's Creations.

What are your ideas?

This post is linked to Oh Amanda's Top Ten Tuesday and One2One Network.

Saturday Stumbles - Snowed In

I'm so honored to be hosting Saturday Stumbles this week! And boy do I have some stumbles. Mainly because I have been snowed in my house for 5 days. Here in Georgia, that is just absolutely unheard of. We get our dusting of snow every now and then, but this is something that hasn't happened in 20 years. Literally the whole northern part of the state has been immobilized for a week.

So I've had lots of time to explore the internet and all the posts I stumbled came back to food. I swear, I'm going to go back to work weighing an extra 200 pounds because apparently being snowed in is an excuse to eat everything in sight!

Here are some recipes that caught my eye:

Oven Baked Garlic Parm fries by Babble. I'm a fries girl through and through!

Chicken Cordon Bleu Bread Bowls by Mel's Kitchen Cafe.

Photo courtesy of Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Cuban Sandwich Quesadilla by Gina's Skinny Recipes.

And then for the sweet tooth in me...
Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookie Sandwich by Picky Palate. What a perfect couple :)

French Hot Chocolate by Make and Takes. I'm a hot chocolate girl so this is speakin' my language!

So, you know the drill..

Just leave your blog name in the link up below. Please be sure to link to your actual post – not your blog. Here are some guidelines if you like to read things like that! Feel free to tweet with the hashtag #SatStumbles so we can find each other and others can find us!