10 Year Blogaversary!

First of all, I CANNOT BELIEVE that I have been blogging for 10 years- 10 years!

I needed to celebrate this blessed occasion and decided to do a look back AND a little giveaway!  I appreciate all of my followers and readers and have been able to connect with so many other wonderful ladies across the country because of this little blog.

It has been such a fun outlet and often times, such a source of support.  I am so so grateful! 

So...I have aged...plain and simple

Me...10 years ago...THEN

and me NOW

 But as I always say...Age is a State of Mind!

I blog now, 4-5 times/week, and it is really a great way to start my day...as I sip my coffee of course!

My first post was on June 21, 2007

I posted about Kayla's (Stepdaughter #1) graduation from high school and Ally's (Stepdaughter #2) graduation from middle school.  

Check out the post  HERE

(and I apologize for the blurry pics from back then- I got better with photo editing as the years went on!)

As the years went on, some of my posts ended up being the most read and favorites of my readers as well.  Those posts include.....

We Are Expecting!  

Check it out HERE 

We announced that we were pregnant with Diana.

You can see the big kids' reaction on Christmas morning- I will never forget it!

The Arrival of Eva Teresa!  

Check it out HERE 

You guys are always such fans of the recipes I share too.  Your favorites however?

Dr. Pepper Crockpot Ribs- so many hits on my post AND on Pinterest- I love it!  Check the recipe out HERE 

and Jimmy Fallon's Crockpot Chili.  Check the recipe out HERE 

The most hits, I have received however, have been on the fun linkup parties which makes sense.  The most hits I have received were on my Show and Tell Tuesday, Friday Favorites and What's Up Wednesday posts.  You can find them all in the timeline on the right.  I have been participating in these linkups for the past few years and they are the reason why my blog has grown and I have connected with so many amazing people!

This one had the most hits ever.

It is Show and Tell Tuesday "Home Tour Edition!"

Check out my post HERE 

 I was excited that you all wanted to see my home- I am so happy here so I love to share!


Ok SO NOW....I want to reward one of my loyal readers with a fun little giveaway!
a $25 Nordstrom Gift Card- Sound the trumpets!  

Who couldn't use a few dollars for a pair of flip flops or summer essentials...am I right?

Also, right now, Nordstrom is offering my lucky readers an extra little something!  You can receive 16% off of some women's apparel and accessories if you visit Nordstrom HERE
Have fun shopping!

All you have to do is leave a comment telling me your favorite part of blogging and visit and LIKE me on Facebook HERE! Good luck friends!

a Rafflecopter giveaway








PS - This post contained affiliate links - thank you so much for supporting my blog!

Weekly Gratitude

I am grateful for....


The green grass


The flowers


The memories of firsts


"Large Unsweetened Iced Tea" QT


 A new client


 Family QT


Friends Like Family


 

Weekend Recap (June 6, 2017)

This was a jam-packed, super fun, spring weekend BUT I was not very good about snapping pics!  Seriously, friends, I was not on my pic game for sure.

Regardless, you will get the picture!

Friday Night

Mimi and Papa came over for a visit.  The girls were thrilled and Pidge quickly stole Mimi's phone. I snapped a pic as Mimi was discovering that Pidge sent a friend request on FB from Mimi's account- hysterical! (Note she also stole Mimi's reading glasses)

I made a fun dinner for all of us.

Zesty Lime Shrimp and Avocado Salad- Find the Recipe HERE

I served this with Lime Tostitoes- great combo!

I also made Chicken Salad from scratch- well two kinds actually because I know Zach doesn't like the fancier version.

One version was plain and one version had green grapes and glazed almonds in it.  I served the salads with mini croissants.

For our cocktail, I made fresh and frozen Peach Margaritas.  I know my mom loves margaritas and neither of us order them much because we hate when restaurants use mix.  I believe in all fresh ingredients and mine were just that!  I used Cabo Wabo tequila, frozen peaches, ice, Triple Sec and Honey with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and a garnish of mint- delish!

  

My mom made these INSANE s'mores cookies.  I tried one but friends seriously, they were gone by Saturday between Zach, the kids and Matt and Gina.  That good- seriously!

 

Saturday

It was the day of our annual Strawberry Festival in town.  Rob and I took turns volunteering at the grills and then Rob, because he is on the school board and it is a right of passage, volunteered to be in the dunk tank again.  Diana always gets a kick out of that.  At first, Pidge thought he was getting hurt but she came around and started having fun watching him too.

For the past 8 years, we have been having fun at the Windham Strawberry Festival.  We always get to meet up with friends and the kids have fun on the bouncy house and at the various tents making sand art, guessing the numbers on the lollipop tree and such.  One of our favorite town events every year!

These two besties have been enjoying the festival together for the last 5 years- I LOVE them :)  

PTA ladies

Saturday night, Uncle Matt and Gina came over.  We enjoyed cooking on the grill and playing Scattegories- wish I had snapped some more pics.  At least I got Pidge and her watermelon ;)

and more of Pidge in her glory!

Sunday

We went to mass, got the groceries done and then it was time for Recital #1 at CNDC.  The girls did so well....we cried...we laughed....we SO ENJOYED!

That's a wrap!  Our crazy spring continues this week...doing the countdown....two more weeks of craziness!

Friday Favorites (June 2, 2017)

FRI YAY...Praise the Lord....can I get a what what?

Now I'm getting silly.

As always, linking up with Andrea, Erika and Narci HERE

Here are my faves from this week.....

Shay's Patriotic Pops

I am a sucker for anything Red, White and Blue ALL SUMMER LONG....so I gave popsicles a try for the first time.  I used Shay's recipe for Patriotic Pops and they came out GREAT!  Check out the recipe HERE 

If you love coconut, you will LOVE these!  Rob and I grabbed a pop when the kids were in bed over the weekend- we got silly about it :)

Name Signs

My neighbor organized a party for our entire neighborhood to go and paint name signs at a local Art Studio next week- I cannot wait!  I have been seeing other groups' signs on Facebook and I love them.  I know exactly where we are going to put ours- in our kitchen!  Here is a sample below....

Favorite Inspirations Of The Week

My Little Dancers

We had our dress rehearsal at CNDC last night and of course I cried.  Pidge would not go out for her first number.  We knew this might happen...BUT....after watching some other numbers and getting pep talks from Rob and me, she rocked her tap routine!  Diana rocked her numbers too.  I don't know what is about these dance recitals but I am in tears the entire time!

 

58 Years Married!

My In-Laws just celebrated 58 years married this week- so inspirational- they have been through so much together- marriage is always a fave of mine 

Impromtu Sushi Date

Such fun girl time for Diana and ME...and after we finished our little dinner...some of our besties joined in on the fun...so grateful for my village XO

 

Luke The Lobster

Cass got Luke for her birthday SO......Carl The Crab now has a friend....hysterical!  Love it!!

Well played Tory Burch ;)

Fave MEME of the Week

Kayla made this one....flippin' hysterical...this picture will stay with us forever....oh Pidge ;)

Wine Club Planning

I am hosting our Wine Club in June and I am so excited to be able to share the wines I got in Niagara with my Gal Pals.  I met with Alison to map out the night and I got even more excited!

This was one of my favorite vineyards I visited and this picture says it all...warms my heart!

and that's a wrap!  Hope you all have an amazing weekend...we have a busy but very fun one planned!

Try It Thursday: The Pioneer Woman's Watermelon Pico de Gallo

It is time for Allie's Linkup over at A Gal Named Al

It is her "Try It Thursday" Series and today I am sharing a tried and true summer recipe.  Linking up with Allie HERE

Check out my original post HERE 

Are you a fan of The Pioneer Woman?

I think she is so different and some of her recipes really jump out at me.

Her Chicken Salad with Feta and Blueberries is UNREAL.  Check out that recipe HERE

I also love her Bruschetta. Check out that recipe HERE

Today, though, I feel like sharing one of my go-to Summer Apps as Summer is right around the corner and I have the fever for sure!  I am going to share her...

Watermelon Pico de Gallo

What you will need.....

 

• 1/2 whole Small Seedless Watermelon, Diced
• 1/2 whole Red Onion, Diced
• 1 whole Red Bell Pepper, Seeded And Diced
• 1 whole Green Bell Pepper, Seeded And Finely Diced
• 1 whole Yellow Bell Pepper, Seeded And Finely Diced
• 2 whole Jalapeños, Seeded And Finely Diced
• 1 whole Bunch Cilantro, Chopped
• 2 whole Juice Of 1 To 2 Limes 
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt

• Preparation Instructions

  Throw all the ingredients into a large bowl and toss it together. Taste with a chip and adjust ingredients as needed.
  Serve with chips or on top of grilled chicken or fish...or as a side salad!