College Care Packages

We all know someone in college, right? Even if it is not your own kid, we all remember how nice it was to get a little surprise from someone.  Periodically through the school year I will try to put together a few boxes and send them off to a kid or two or three.

Today I thought I would share with you my simple little boxes that will hopefully bring a smile to a college student.

Of course, right now I have a college kiddo so I put one together for her.....

She's kind of easy because I know she loves these fudge dipped oreo cookies and anything make-up related.  I also threw in a shower gel from the travel section and a card to remind her how much she's loved.

I am also sending a box to a sweet girl studying like crazy in Pharmacy school.  She deserves a treat.....

I also did a little shower gel for her, a face mask, a hand lotion and some of her favorite candy.  I had to go to Dollar General to find that huge Mr. Goodbar because that is her favorite.  If you are ever looking for candy that you just don't see in every store, try Dollar General.  They carry so many different candies.  I also wrote her a note of encouragement and included it.

Of course, I didn't want to forget my college guys.  Every now and then I will hear from this young man so I like to let him know that he is being prayed for and thought of......

He is a beef jerky fan.  I grabbed him a Duke Cannon soap.  This men's line is great and I hope he will like it.

I am putting together another one for a sweet freshman girl getting her college legs under her.  It is very similar to the ones above.

I try to keep the boxes fairly small because college mailboxes can be tiny.  I found several of the items at Sweet Pineapple on Airport Road.  I also like to check the travel section in the grocery store and of course the snack aisle.  Truthfully, I was hoping it was going to be a little cooler before I put all this chocolate in the mail.  I may wait and mail toward the end of the week if it looks like the temps may drop a tad.......or I may take my chances.

Gift giving is one of my favorite things.......Surprise, out of the blue gifts are even better.

Maybe there is someone who could use a little surprise in the mail from you.  Go for it!!!! Trust me, you will get as much joy from sending it as they will from receiving it.

Make someone's Monday!

I hope you have a wonderful week.

Happy Friday

Welcome to Friday, my friends! Who is ready for a weekend?

I hear you! I am totally ready.  I have some organizing plans in store for the weekend and I gotta tell you........ I am so excited about it.  I can purge like nobody's business.  We had a big yard sale last weekend so I got rid of quite a bit of stuff which means now I can do a final purge and organize.  It is really one of my favorite things to do.  I cannot tell you how well I sleep on the night I tidy up the garage or straighten out the kitchen "junk drawer" or color code a closet. So I am really looking forward to the weekend.

I hope to share some of these organizing projects soon, but one is pretty major and it is just taking me awhile.......but I feel like it is going to be worth it.

In the meantime don't miss out on a few of these deals this weekend

Nordstrom is having a bonus point event


If you need something, now is a good time to grab it.

Also, the skincare line I use is also having a good sale




There is often a 20% off sale but this is like 33% off......so I am definitely stocking up on the products I use daily

Sheer Renewal Cream

Radiant Cleansing Balm

If you have not tried the line, definitely pick up the Discovery Kit

Discovery Kit

This is a great way to try out some of her best products or get yourself some great sizes to travel with.

I have had a skin struggle for years....like 35 years.  I have been using these products for a little over a year now and my skin is truly the best I ever remember it being.  I am going to grab my basics and try out a few products for the first time.

I wish you a wonderful weekend and hope you are doing something that makes you sleep well too.

See you on Monday!

Fall Trunk Club Reveal

Remember how I signed up for Nordstrom's Trunk Club? I selected to get a trunk every 3 months so the beginning of every season I would get a little wardrobe boost.  If you want to see the first trunk reveal click here.  September brought me another trunk

Let's see what we received this month.

The first piece I tried on was this sweater knit dress

I liked it.  I actually could have loved it, but it was just a little more form fitting than I normally wear.  I could probably have worn it to a wedding or function, but I don't think I could have made it all day at  work simply because I could not suck in all day long......and I felt like I needed to be on constant inhale in this.  

Here's the black booties they sent me. 

Super duper cute......dare I say a little on the smokin' side.

I feel like so many of you could rock this next look.

The jeans are so soft and made to be that flare above the ankle.  The sweater is a pretty dark Burgundy and has dolman sleeves.  And click here for the Madewell shooties that I am wearing which I really loved.

Next up, was a cute little ivory shirt and a navy/ivory pencil skirt (it is by Boden but I can't find a link to it)

I really liked these but I have a top very similar already.  I am sure a fashion forward stylish girl could figure out how to wear this skirt in the fall, but I couldn't mentally get there.  But the fabric and fit were really nice.

Now this next sweater........is cashmere.

and I wanted to crawl up in it and take a nap.  It is luxuriously soft.  It is a pretty gray color and I LOVED it.  I paired it with the Nic and Zoe pull on pant they sent me and those same Madewell shooties.  This is my kind of outfit.

I also received this ruched sleeve blazer.

It is a rust color and I really liked it.  I thought it would be great with a cool pair of jeans and also with a dressier pant for work.  

This next blouse is a really pretty black based floral print

I had to grab a black cami that I already owned because it is super sheer.  But I loved the print and the fit.  It also has really fun sleeves.

Lastly, are these high waisted checked pants

Y'all, these are very high waisted and they have pleats.  I am 100% sure I had a pair of pants very similar to these about 25 years ago.  I paired these with a simple black tee and belt from my own closet.  I LOVED theses pants and I knew I would be keeping them for sure.

Oh I also received a 3 pack of my favorite undies......

Bliss 3-pack

I knew they were a keeper from first glance.  I have them linked here.........I will spare you the modeling.......you are very welcome, my friend, very welcome.

I love getting these trunks.  My next one will come in December and should be very wintery.

Try out this service if you like.  You just have to answer a few questions about your preferences.  You will receive an email with all the items they plan to send you.  You can decline any that you are not interested in.  I don't decline much because I think the whole point is trying out items that someone else selected for me.  You simply return those items that don't work for you and they charge  you for what you decide to keep.  

Here is a referral link if you decide to give it a try.

I am already excited for the next trunk.

See you back on Friday!

The First Day of Fall - Recipe

Welcome to Fall.....woo hoo.....I am so happy to see it finally get here.  I don't care what the temps say.  The calendar says it is fall now and I am a rule follower so.....welcome in Fall, my friend....welcome in!

To celebrate the first day of fall I am sharing one of my favorite soup recipes with you. I shared this with you over a year ago, but I figure you guys don't commit too much of what I say to memory so it will be like the first time all over again :)

This in one of my FAVORITE recipes, primarily because my Grandma Gracie gave it to me when I was in college.  I love that it reminds me of her.  I love that my family has grown up with it.  And we love how it tastes.


Italian Vegetable Soup
Ingredients:
2 cans Italian Style Stewed Tomatoes
1 large can Veg-All drained
2 cans Beef Broth
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup egg noodles
1/2 tsp. oregano

Brown ground beef with onion and drain.  Dump everything (except egg noodles) into a pot or a crockpot.  If cooking stovetop, allow all ingredients to come to a boil, add egg noodles and then simmer 10 minutes.  If cooking in crockpot, allow all ingredients (except egg noodles) to cook on low 6 hours, add egg noodles 30 minutes prior to serving.

This freezes well.  Also, there are several variations you can do
1) If you occasionally want a vegetarian meal, just leave out the ground beef
2) If you don't like Veg-All, just add canned veggies of your choice
3) If you don't like using canned veggies, frozen ones work just as well

Over the course of time, I have used all of these variations and never been disappointed.

Because of the oregano this soup smells so good cooking when you come home from work.  That is why I like and use the crock pot method most of the time.

I hope you and your crew enjoy a good bowl of Grandma Gracie's soup.  She'd absolutely be thrilled to know we are all still enjoying it.  She left us a legacy of good food and lots of love.

Have the best week!

Friday Fashions - Downton Abbey Edition

Well today is the day the Downton Abbey Film will debut in theaters.  If you have never watched the show, I suggest you go by the grocery store, stock up on good snacks and spend your weekend watching all 52 episodes.  Listen, it is totally worth it.

Then you can get yourself ready to go to theater and watch the movie.

When the series ended I may have grieved a bit.  I am so excited to get one more dose of some of my favorite characters and story lines.

I hear several people are going in Downton Abbey Fashion to see the movie.  If you are so inclined, here's a few items you might pick up..

Vintage 1920s dress

It is vintage 1920's but I also think it would be just a pretty dress....and the color is gorgeous.

Flapper dress

This one also comes in grey, black and navy.  So, yes, your whole group could go in different colors of the same dress......tempting isn't it?

Or maybe you'd like to just jazz up something you already own.....

Fascinator

There are over 36 colors and variations to choose from and they are under $10.

Now if you want to go full speed

Gatsby Dress

All of these finds are under $50....so a slight investment but, hey, maybe you need something snazzy to hand out candy in or to wear to a Halloween party.  Two for one!

Now don't forget.....head to Sweet Pineapple and grab yourself some Ronaldo.  I may have picked up a few things on Thursday

Sorry, I can't show you what's in the boxes because some are gifts.  And I may have abandoned my "one for you, one for me" approach and gone with more of a "two for me, one for you" plan.

Have a great weekend, I will meet you back here on Monday.

Do you have a Ronaldo Stack?

First let me show you my Ronald Stack

Ronaldo is a beautiful line of jewelry but with meaning.  The bracelets have meaningful names like The Trinity, The Power of Prayer, Serenity, etc.

Plus they are made in the USA.

I also have this pair of black onyx earrings

They are super lightweight and I love them.

Now I am gushing about Ronaldo today because one of my favorite stores Sweet Pineapple is having a big event on this Thursday and Friday

You know how I like a good "one for you, one for me" opportunity.  Stop by and grab something for you and earn a little something for someone else.  It is the perfect opportunity to start or add to your collection plus get a gift for someone else.

I also really like buying a standard gift for someone.  If you have a daughter, daughter in law, friend, sister in law.....you get the idea.....wouldn't it be nice to know you are going to pick up a Ronaldo piece for them each year.  

I love the bracelets and may end up buying another, but I am definitely checking out the rings and earrings too.

Hope to see you at Sweet Pineapple tomorrow or Friday........

Favorite Cookbooks

It may come as no surprise to you that I love to read cookbooks.  Yes, I can literally curl up on the sofa and read through an entire cookbook.   Sometimes it is what I carry with me if I know I am going to have some wait time some place.  My absolute favorite cookbooks are those where just regular old people have compiled their recipes.

These books tend to be some really tried and true recipes.  The kind of recipes that have been passed on from generation to generation.  The kind of recipes that people always cook and carry to function after function.  Those are the absolute best to me.

Here is the cookbook I probably cook out of the most



Calling All Cooks two -  It is often affectionately referred to as the "red version".  It is a collection of recipes from the BellSouth telephone pioneers.  Listen, there are some great recipes in this one.  It covers everything........main dishes, soups, desserts.....you name it.  If you have ever had the Five Flavor Pound cake I often bake and carry to functions, it is from this book.  If you have never had it, invite me over and I will make it for us.  This is a great book for new and experienced cooks.  I have had it as long as I have been married and refer to it often.

Now the reason the one above is often referred to as the " red version" is because there is also a "yellow version"



It came out in 1994 and is by the same collection of telephone pioneers.  I have them both and they are both dog eared and highlighted and perhaps a bit spotted and splashed.  After all, that is the marking of a good used cookbook, right?  If it has some kitchen scars, you know you are using it.

Sticking with this same theme


2017 Church Suppers

The Paella on page 107 is worth the purchase of this cookbook alone.  But I have made several things from this book and we have been pleased with them all.  I will caution you to pay attention to how many servings is in each recipe.  Some of them make really big quantities because they are designed to take to Church suppers.  So occasionally I have to cut the recipe in half.

This is another Taste of Home Church Supper Book

2015 Church Suppers

I have cooked and cooked from it.  The recipes are short, simple to put together and turn out absolutely delicious. I probably cooked about 10 things from this one and stocked our freezer with all kinds of goodness to pull out and enjoy.  You cannot go wrong with this one.



Another favorite of mine is this



Jan Karon's Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader -  I probably love this one for a couple of reasons.  1) it has some good simple recipes, 2) I am reminded of sweet Mitford and its cast of characters.
Now if you haven't read the Mitford series of books, you should get on them right away, like now.  Those are still some of my favorite books of all time.  The recipes are mentioned throughout the whole book series.  This is a collection of them all in one place.

Most recently I acquired this one



Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines.  Oh Jo Jo.....of course the book is beautiful.  We have cooked so many things from this book and they have all been good.....ALL!!! Now fair warning if you make the chicken pot pie, I personally think the amount of chicken broth has to be a misprint.  Either that or I am just an idiot.....which is totally possible.  But we had to scale back the amount to almost a third of what it calls for.  But you can tell when you are putting together.  I would say just use your judgment.  The recipes are simple and so very good.  This is another one that I think is worth owning.

I know you can look up just about every recipe in the world on line....but there is just something about having a book on the counter, making notes in the margins and passing them on from generation to generation.  Grab yourself a good cookbook, cook lots of things from it and make some great memories for you and your family.

Have a great Monday!

Shopping.....made even better

I have talked several times about how I love grocery shopping.  I have a routine.....I get in the zone. One of the things I do to enjoy the experience to the max is I go straight to the deli area, make myself a coke and enjoy it as I peruse the aisles filling my list.

I ordered myself one of these from Amazon

Y'all, it is a drink holder designed to fit on the shopping cart.  Yes, please and thank you.  Before I was living like a caveman......just propping my drink in the basket and periodically balancing it with my hand.  Well not anymore.

You get two of these for $12.99 and they are on prime so you can get free shipping.  There is also a set of four for $19.99.

I took a quick picture of me with my soda holder in action.

And yes, that is my grocery list on the clipboard.  I am still doing emeals.  I am currently doing the low carb plan and we are loving it.  If you want to give emeals a try just cick here for a free two week trial or to sign up.

Now back to my cup holder.  Here it is up close........pay no attention to those pringles in the cart.  I don't know who put those there.

Now if a fountain drink is not your thing maybe you like to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while shopping.  I think this little drink holder may be just the thing you need to add to your shopping experience.  

Who knew shopping could get better????!!!!!

August Book Review

It is book review day. I know some of you are happy about this and some of you are not even going to finish reading this post.  It is ok, I get it.  We all have our thing.  I gotta tell you, books are  totally my thing. I have a feeling people in airports, poolside and at the beauty shop are all thinking...why does this girl keep staring at me.....I am JUST trying to see what you are reading, people.  That is all.  I am so curious about what people are reading and if they like it and if I should read it and if I should add it to the top of my list.

Well this month I read a thought provoking book, a drama filled book and a very light hearted fun story.  So hopefully you will find one that appeals to you.

So here's what I read this month.  First up, the thought provoking book

We Hope for Better Things by Erin Bartels. This book flips back and forth between time periods. It explores the state of race relations and the impact they have on families, decisions and even future generations.  It was well written, entertaining and enjoyable.  I did not feel transformed or forever changed by it.  However, it is quite interesting how decisions ripple through generations.

Next up, the drama filled read

The Golden Hour by Beatriz Williams. This story takes place in the Bahamas as the Duke and Dutchess of Windsor are residing there.  It also goes back and forth between generations.  I had a bit of a hard time with this one.  I did not connect with any of the characters.  I didn't really love them and pull for them.  I was slightly bored with their ongoing bad decisions.  If I were at someone's home and they left this in the guest room for me to read.  I would read it.  However, I would not want to spend my own money to purchase it.  It was just ok. I'd definitely check the library and just borrow this one.

And then this little light hearted read

I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella. This story centers around a girl who can't help but fix things.  She inserts herself to take care of a stranger's computer and he hands her an IOU.  Well they end up passing it back and forth between each other a couple of times and well  you can guess how it goes.  This book has characters I pulled for, characters I rooted against and characters I wanted to thump off the page.  It was a cute entertaining story. Probably a PG13 type story with an occassional steamy scene thrown in.

Don't keep me in suspense.  Tell me what you are reading.  I am seriously dying to know.

Surrendering - September Prayer Focus

What a year this has been so far.  Can you even remember back to January when we started this year long prayer journey?  We are now rounding the corner and heading to the finish line.  I don't know about you, but I always find that God really shows me whatever my focus is for the year.  This year has not been an exception.  I have been reminded again and again this year about not only the need to surrender to Christ but also the benefit of surrendering to Christ.

If you need a refresher or perhaps you are just joining us, here is our prayer guide for this whole year

You can click here for a printable copy of the year long plan.

This month we will be focusing on the Right Now.  It is easy to get distracted about things from the past.  It is easy to get distracted by what we hope for or fear about the future.  But oh how powerful it is to stay in the Right Now.  

Here is our focus verse for this month.

Click here for a printable version of September's verse.

What a gift to pray together.  Thanks so much for joining in.

Fall????

Anyone else ready for fall?  I am SO ready.  I love so much about it.....crisp weather, apples, pumpkins....I even love the colors of fall.....the golds, bronzes, oranges.  But honestly, the seven day forecast is kind of ruining the whole fall mood.  There are still so many 90 degree days ahead.

It's ok.....regardless of the weather I am mentally moving toward fall.  I am currently changing out all the candles to fall scents.  Oh speaking of candles

Head over to Bath and Body and grab yourself two and get two free.

The stores are packed with all kinds of fall goodness.

How do they come up with new pumpkin styles every year? I mean they are pumpkins.....how can there be so many different shapes, colors, materials and features....they're pumpkins!!!!

Before I go into the stores, I am telling myself I don't need any pumpkins.  I have two bins in the attic.  I SHOULD not buy any more pumpkins.

But then I get in the store and

but no worries, I am holding firm.  I have practiced for this.  I can do this.

Now if you don't have two bins of pumpkins in the attic, might I suggest these sweater pumpkins

Sweater Pumpkins

or this one that lights up

LED Clear Pumpkin

Now here's something I don't have in the attic and therefore gave myself permission to purchase

White Halloween PJs

Black Halloween PJs

.....and Halloween is by far my least favorite holiday.  I can't help it.  I embrace themes and I do enjoy getting into the spirit of whatever is going on.

I hope you have a great weekend.  If you see me in the stores, just gently take my hand, speak in a soothing tone and lead me far, far away from the pumpkins.

My thanks in advance.

See you back here on Monday!

New Restaurant - Char

I was intrigued by the Instagram Post of the new Char Restaurant before they ever hit town.  The food they posted was lovely, the atmosphere seemed fancy.  I stalked their Instagram until they finally opened.

Then I made plans to go pay them a visit

We went Sunday after Church for brunch.  They have a little 3 man band.  They were great. There is just something about live music and white tablecloths that make a meal even better.

The band is set up right in the entry

I do love some good piano music.

The staff is well trained, very attentive and knowledgeable.

We had french toast with sausage

Chicken and Waffles.....truly some of the best chicken I have ever had.

I forgot exactly what this was called but is was a breakfast sandwich with a fried egg on top and cheese grits.

and this was the chicken salad BLT.

We all sampled each other's dishes and were pleased with them all.

I thought the brunch prices were very reasonable.  We didn't have anything over $14.

I understand their dinner prices might be a little.....or a lot higher. 

Anyway, it is going to be a great little special occasion place or a brunch spot.

Give them a try and let me know what you have and how you like it.

See you back on Friday.