Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Charm It Giveaway!

Welcome to the CHARM IT! Giveaway!!

One winner will receive a CHARM IT! Gift Set of Choice RV $29.99

Hosted By: Simply Southern Couponers

Co Hosted By: Tales From A Southern Mom & Sweet Southern Lovin

Sponsored By: CHARM IT!

Monday, December 30, 2013

$25 Home Depot GC Giveaway


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Sunday, December 29, 2013

Wishin' it was Snowin!

While I am stuck working, I thought I would share some old travel photos. These are from several trips we made to Tennessee over the years. I love Tennessee in the Winter and would give anything for a little snow here in Louisiana. 
Hubby
My Oldest Son





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Saturday, December 28, 2013

Favorite Blogs?



 I am curious..... I posted a few of my favorite blogs a couple of days ago. Since then, I have started Blog Surfing. Is that the correct term? I am always on the lookout for fun and different blogs. Don't get me wrong, I love my giveaway/review sites and the people that run them. No one knows how much work is put into some of the bigger giveaways. But when I'm just looking to relax, I read blogs of different topics. Travel blogs are my favorite of course. I use to read some work related blogs, but now I'm looking for blogs that are entertaining. I find myself watching less TV and reading more and have come across some fun blogs that I would love to share with you. 

1. Thrifty Decor Chick- A blog of home design ideas for the less-than wealthy. I really want to hire her to redo my entire house. Her ideas are what Pinterest is made of. 

2. Art In Nature- I am a Nature lover. The photos on this blog are just breathtaking. If you get a chance, stop by and just look at the first page, you will get hooked. 

3. The Planet D- I envy them! This couple is fun and living life to the fullest. Read about all of their adventures in traveling. I'm just wondering how they do it. 

Blogging is so much fun and is rewarding for the writer and the reader. Please share with me any blogs that you love to read. 


Friday, December 27, 2013

Great Travel Products I Want or Have

This blog post may contain affiliate links and/or products that were sent to me for review purposes. The opinion is mine alone and was not influenced by the company. As with any product, your opinion may differ from mine. 


I have been working a list in my mind of travel products that I really need. I hate traveling with a bunch of things that I don't need. In the spirit of that, I am focused on items that help keep travel packing simple. I have found several things that are on my wish list or that I already have.


1. Rothco Venturer Travel Portfolio Bag (Currently $9.49US)
Ok, there is no excuse why I haven't bought this yet. I have been looking at it for awhile. Sometimes when I'm traveling, I just need a small bag. I hate having to lug around my big bag of things that I have no use for. Standing in lines with a 25 pound purse is annoying. This looks like the perfect thing.

2. Freshette by Freshette (Currently $21.98US)
I already have a blog post about this, but this amazing little product has saved me many of times. Hubby and I often are in the woods or in rural areas. This works great! I don't think I need to go into further detail, do I? Every woman should keep one of these in her car or in a travel bag. 

I can't tell you how many times we have used our "Bamboozle Sticks" (our name for ours). These are almost identical to what we use. They don't sell our exact ones anymore. Use them for hiking, walking and if you are ever in the woods, it makes a great spider web killer! 

4. OTZ Shoes Unisex OTZ300GMS Linen Slip-On
(Price varies on size and color
$35-$90 US)
I reviewed Otz Linen Shoes in the past. Since that time I have to say these are the perfect travel shoes. They are light and pack into any suitcase easily. They come in so many colors that you can find a pair to match any outfit. Comfortable and washable make these my favorite travel shoes. 

5. OKO H2O Level-2 Advanced Filtration Water Bottle, 1-Liter, Air
I have been wanting to get one of these. I think it's time I finally break down and buy one. I never know where our adventures will take us. A good filtration bottle is something I need. 

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Vagabond at Heart



I want to run away! I want to travel. There is this deep need in me to go explore the world. While I'm not ready to give up my full time job, I find myself daydreaming constantly of other places. I soak up every word that I can read from other people's travel blog. I visit them constantly like some sort of a stalker. 
Mini getaways are nice, but my soul demands more. I am very lucky to have a supportive Husband. He sees the wanderlust in me and tries to indulge me whenever possible. In every aspect of my life I am completely stable: I own a home, I am a parent, and I have a very responsible job. However, that vagabond in me rears its somewhat ugly head at times and I long for the day that I can retire (seven years and counting). 

Here are a few of the travel blogs that I am addicted to:
Hither and Tither
Tales of Me and the Husband

Do you have a travel wish list?

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Yes, We Have a Farm!


A little over 22 years ago, my parents moved us from a city/suburb to the country. Over the years, they tried their hands in becoming farmers. At one time, they had horses, cows, chickens, goats, ducks, dogs and cats. Since Hurricane Katrina, the farm has fallen in somewhat disrepair. Hubby and my youngest son have recently started bringing it back to life. Things are looking good!

A new roof on the barn. The old one was ripped off during the Hurricane. Pretty soon, this 60 year old barn will have a whole new look!


This past spring, all of the hard work on the veggie garden went to waste. However, the deer that decided to eat all of my peas and snap beans, is now in my freezer :)
Sorry if this offends anyone, but this is life in Louisiana. 

Here is a barn cat that I rescued a few months ago. She was starving and decided to go home with me when she jumped into my police car. 

More pictures to come....



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Sponsored by: Molly McButter

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Italian Almond Macaroon Recipe

Italian Almond Macaroon Recipe



The first time I had the delicious cookies was at an outdoor concert. Hubby and I treated ourselves to a night out. It was a night concert in a vineyard surrounded by twinkling lights, wine and all sorts of sweets.
After trying Italian Macaroons, I knew I had to have the recipe. The lady was nice enough to indulge me. These are very sweet and have that almond aroma that fills the house. 

1 lb almond paste (I used 2- 8oz cans found on Amazon.com)
2 cups sugar
4 large egg whites (room temperature)
Bag of Toasted and Sliced Almonds

Method
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Break almond paste into small pieces. Using your fingers mix and mash the
almond paste and sugar together until it is throughly mixed. The texture will
be like small crumbles. 
3. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites to stiff peaks. Fold in the egg whites. 
It should be sticky.
4. Use a tablespoon and scoop out the mixture. Roll it into a ball about 1 inch.
5. Roll the ball onto the plate with the Almonds. You don't need to completely coat
the ball, just get some of the almonds on it.
6. Place on the baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Space them about 1 inch apart. 
7. Bake cookies until a light gold color. About 15 minutes, but check after 12 minutes
to adjust for your oven. 

8. Using a spatula, remove cookies to a wire rack to cool. 

Makes about 3 - 3 1/2  dozen cookies

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Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Holiday Hangover Giveaway


HOLIDAY HANGOVER GIVEAWAY




Did you spend much? Eat too much? Drink too much? 
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Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Bogue Chitto State Park

 Hubby and I took a nice little day trip to Bogue Chitto State Park. We needed a nature day and to get away from the Holiday Stress. Here are just a few pictures:











Monday, December 16, 2013