Home Away from Home

Mom and I went down to Starkville for a quick, last trip to see Jenny before she heads home for summer break. I love Starkville and after going down there a ton this year and learning about all the local fun I feel like it is my home away from home. Jenny introduced us to Oby's a southern taste of New Orleans kinda place. It was covered inside and out with antiques. Majority of it is dressed in my mother in laws favorite: coca-cola! So Jenny and I had to have a mini photo shoot to send to her! This place was so yummy! You know when they give you sweet tea in a to go cup it is gonna be good! I cannot believe Jenny is almost through with her freshman year of college, and I am almost through with my first year of teaching.

Lara Bars

I have recently fell in love with Lara Bars! They are amazing, healthy, Whole30 approved snack bars. They are primarily made up of dates with other nuts, and other simple pertaining to whatever the bars theme is. My favorite so far is the Coconut Creme Pie! Try it!

31 in 31: Week 7

This week I read It Starts with Food. It is about a 30 day healthy eating program called Whole30. It is about eating things that are natural and fresh, no processed foods, preservatives, etc. I kept seeing these pins on Pinterest about Whole30 and a co-worker was doing it! So I wanted to check it out and read the book. The book was eye opening about a few things and I recommend this habit to everyone!

I love the recipes especially the sweet potato breakfast hash (shown below) and the avocado salad dressing.

There are many benefits to this eating program:
Detox your body of all the harmful toxics, chemicals that are in our everyday food, more energy, clear skin, sleep better, no more headaches, asthma, allergies, lower cholesterol, and so on and so on.

I found this recipe and I am a huge fish lover, so I decided to try! It is Whole 30 approved and amazing! I added shrimp, grilled rosemary and lemon carrots, and squash! I used wild caught fish, shrimp and organic veggies! Props to the hubby who loves to grill!

Motivational Monday

I read this scripture this morning, from Jesus Calling, and thought it was perfect for Monday! I am a control freak, and I like to know how my day is going to pan out. I read here that the unknown is a way to draw closer to God. Have a great Monday and awesome week!

Sunbeams and Magic

I was browsing on Pinterest early this morning and these two quotes from Roald Dahl popped up. I thought they were too sweet not to share. Happy Winds-day as Winnie the Pooh would say!

31 in 31: Week 6

This week was very busy. I finished my second graduate class for my master's degree in curriculum and instruction. Whooo! I had two papers and a huge project to finish, so I ended up reading Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach over the weekend. It was one of my extension readings for my class, so I decided to read it. (You may wonder why I read so many children's chapter book, graduate school is why) I never read it as a child, and wish I would have. I need to start a list of books to read to my children one day. It will defiantly be on the list! It is a very cute story about a miserable, lonely, little boy, James, who lives with his two mean aunts. One day he loses some magic beans and a giant peach grows. I definantly recommend reading it. It is a very vivid, quick read, and a great children's classic.

I have never seen the movie. I look forward to renting it soon. ***I never watch the movie before reading. When I read, I like to have my own characters from my imagination, haha!

Sunless Tanning

So, I used to love the tanning bed, but I have skin cancer survivors on both sides of my family and have decided I am no longer an indoor tanning addict. Also, I don't want to get wrinkles later on due to the tanning bed. Now, let me say I am not opposed to it, and will still go periodically.

I have not had much a positive experience with sunless tanning products until I found this one. Dun dun naduh...Kiehls Sunless Tanning! I just started using it this week and have already seen a difference. It is natural looking, doesn't streak, turn you orange, or smell bad. It is a white lotion that contains good carotene products such as apricot and so on. I looked on Pinterest and learned that the best way to achieve that sun kissed look is to exfoliate in the shower, apply a moisturizer, then apply the tanner. This product slowly tans you as you use it. Here are two pictures, one taken exactly 7 days ago, and one from today. I am going for a slow, natural look.

You can find the product at Kiehls at Dillard's in the Mall, the Kiehls website, Amazon, and so on.

Currently- April

Listening/Watching: I am actually getting to watch more tv now that I am on a break until my summer grad classes start up! I am watching The Voice, Law and Order: SVU, Duck Dynasty, March Madness Basketball. I have been listening to A few pandora stations: Mandisa, Franchescas Battistelli, Maroon 5, Nora Jones, and Frank Sinatra.

Loving: Pinterest Projects. Seth and I have already completed 2 that I will be posting about soon! They have been cheap, easy, and fun for us to do together.

Wanting: My hydrangeas to bloom. I am love browsing on Pinterest and in BHG magazine and seeing all these cute house that have fresh flowers around the house. I cannot wait for my hydrangea to bloom so I can have fresh flowers!

Needing: An unspoken prayer. Life is great, I just know a few people out there that are in need of some love and support.

Reading: I am still working on my goal of 31 books in 31 weeks. I have started a lengthier book called Gone Girl. I also read a daily devotional every morning from Jesus Calling and The Message. I started Jesus Calling January 1 and love it. I read it in the morning while drinking coffee, and it is amazing how that scripture speaks to me throughout the day.

Spring Fever

I am getting Spring Fever! After a beautiful day like today I am ready to start working in the yard, going to the farmer's market, reading on the patio, and of course using bug spray. I wish Mother Nature would make up her mind and let us know that spring is here to stay!

We are already making our list for the patio container gardens. Last year we grew all kinds of peppers, rose merry, cilantro, and cherry tomatoes. This year we are going to branch out a grow a few news things.

Happy Friday- go enjoy some spring rays!

31 in 31: Week 5

This week was/is a busy one. It is my final week of my spring graduate class. My huge project I've been working on the whole semester is. due. next. Monday. Dun dun dunnn. So most of my time has been devoted to reading articles, my last two papers, and my project. It's also texting week at school, so I have had to depretty/defun my room for testing purposes. The OCD in me cannot stand it.

Anyways, I read Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks. I am a huge Sparks fan. Prolly because they all tug at my heart strings, or maybe because they are about sweet, southern love, or perhaps because they are a short read. Well, this one was amazing. I was hesitant at reading it at first because it was about two high school sweet hearts. I am very glad I read it and I know it would be a wonderful movie.

I have read almost all of his books and my two other favorites are The Choice and The Last Song. The book Last Song was way better than the movie. Even tough I enjoyed the movie I recommend reading the book, they left out and changed a lot.

Autism Awareness

April is the month for Autism Awareness. It is started to spread through Facebook Home Pages, which is amazing because the word and awareness are getting out. As an educator, I get to experience, support, and change the lives of all types of students. Every student is unique in their own way, especially those with Autism. I am posting about this so readers will know a way to support the action.

Recently, my hubby and I were out and about shopping for supplies to complete a project in the kitchen. Of course we go to out favorite place, The Home Depot. While walking down the main aisle, Seth stopped and slammed the breaks on the cart. He said whoa!! We gotta get one of those. I thought he was kidding but he was totally serious. It was a blue light for Autism Awareness. Part of the proceeds (I think half, but don't take my word for it) go to an organization support Autism. I was honestly shocked that my husband wanted to spend $2.00 on a light bulb we might never use, but he was avid about getting it. Inside it made me so happy to know that he cares about my kids and kids around the world that have been and will be diagnosed. You can purchase a light bulb at Home Depot yourself. Here is the website that started the whole blue light bulb idea: www.lightitupblue.com