• Life

    Best of Summer 2017

    August 31, 2017 - By 

    I can’t believe tomorrow is SEPTEMBER!! Can you? Summer always flies by, so I’m not sure why I’m always surprised. In this best of summer post, I’m sharing the highlights of the last 3 months. As I gathered up pictures, I realized this summer has been so busy. We’ve covered a lot of ground among the 4 of us. So here goes… June I started the summer by finding a penpal. You can read about that here. Our friend Julia invited us to the lake for some food and relaxation and the celebration of her birthday. Always such fun with…

  • Grilled Asian Wings
    Chicken - Dinner - Recipes

    Asian Chicken Wings

    August 17, 2017 - By 

    My family always enjoys the boneless wings that I make, but this summer I decided to try something a little different. I checked out a great grill book from the library and found lots of great recipes in in it. These Asian Chicken Wings are so delicious. They are good served with your favorite rice and snap peas or even baked beans depending on your mood. Servings: 4 Prep Time: 10 minutes plus time to marinade Cooking Time: 20 minutes Ingredients: 10 chicken wings (about 2 ½ lbs) – I used the full chicken wings because I couldn’t find regular…

  • Auburn Alabama Bucket List - Here's a list of THE things to do while visiting this great college town!
    Travel

    Auburn Alabama Bucket List

    August 14, 2017 - By 

    If you’re planning to come to Auburn, Alabama, there are some really cool things to do without even leaving the area. Here’s my Auburn Alabama Bucket List of a few of the best things to do while you’re on the Plains. Roll Toomer’s Corner after an Auburn University win. Yes, we toilet paper 2 trees on the corner of campus after out Tigers win a sporting event. Now if you’re here during football season that of course is when you’ll see the biggest rollings, but folks often head to downtown for other sports when our Tigers put a W on…

  • Life

    August To Do List

    August 9, 2017 - By 

    July To Do Recap –Get more comfortable with my Fujifilm INSTAX Mini 8 Instant Camera. – I didn’t do as much as I would have liked. One day after work, I pulled it out and walked around outside and in the house trying different things. Honestly, I’m super frustrated with it. –Start exercising 3 times a week before the end of the month. Nothing like waiting till the last minute, but the last week in July we worked out at AU Rec & Wellness 4 times that week. This past week we made it twice, but that averages out to…

  • Lunch - Pork - Recipes

    Spicy Barbeque Sliders

    August 7, 2017 - By 

    This Spicy BBQ recipe is so amazing and easy. I love throwing a pork shoulder in the oven with just a few other ingredients. This time I made the BBQ and made them into Spicy Barbeque Sliders to switch it up a little. My guys love to put down some sliders and how can they help it when they are so good! Give them a try and see if you don’t agree. Servings: 18+ depending on size Prep Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 6 hours depending on size Ingredients: 1 large onion 1 7-10 lbs. pork shoulder 1 can (11…

  • Travel

    Reasons to Love Downtown Boulder, CO

    August 4, 2017 - By 

    When Rob and I were in Colorado earlier this year we had planned to meet up with my brother and his girlfriend for dinner. We decided to meet up in Boulder, because Rob and I wanted to check it out and the place he recommended there was a brewery. We wanted to make sure we got beer from a brewery in Colorado. I mean, come on! So after enjoying a chili, windy afternoon at Coors field watching the Rockies lose to the Dodgers, we headed up to Boulder. We made a stop at the University of Colorado. Stopping at local…

  • Life

    Penpal Survey for Adults

    July 24, 2017 - By 

    Since I recently started penpalling (is that a word?), I had been on the lookout for a fun survey to send out. I couldn’t really find one that didn’t have silly stuff that kids would ask, so I decided to make an Adult Penpal Survey. I’ve enjoyed including this in my 1st or 2nd correspondence. I print 2 copies, one for me to fill out and send and another one that’s blank for my penpal to fill out and send back. Download it here: PDF Word (docx) If you would like to use the airmail border that I made click…

  • 4th of July in Gulf Shores
    Travel

    4th of July in Gulf Shores

    July 20, 2017 - By 

    This year the weekend before 4th of July we were in Baton Rouge for Rob’s cousin’s wedding reception. When we were planning it, we were trying to figure out how we could combine that trip with a short getaway for the 4th. We decided the most logical thing to do would be to stop in Gulf Shores for a few days. Rob and I aren’t really beach people so a couple days at the beach is plenty. We enjoyed just relaxing at the condo that was just a short walk to the beach. We stayed at Gulf Shores Plantation. We…

  • Visit to the New Braves Stadium SunTrust Park
    Travel

    Visit to the New Braves Stadium SunTrust Park

    July 15, 2017 - By 

    Father’s Day weekend, Rob decided that he wanted to go the new SunTrust Park for Father’s Day, so he ordered tickets online and we headed to Atlanta after church. Never having been there, we weren’t sure what to expect, so that’s why we went ahead and paid for a parking space online on our way up there. After we got off the interstate we were kind of wishing we wouldn’t have paid for parking since we found places where you can just pay cash and all of these places seemed closer than where I had paid to park online for…

  • Pine Hill Cemetery Auburn, AL
    Travel

    Pine Hill Cemetery

    July 9, 2017 - By 

    Oh how proud my Grandmother would be! My Grandmother (Wells) who raised me along with my Granddad was a genealogy junkie. She’s supposedly traced our family back to Adam and Eve. Researching our family was her main hobby and anytime we traveled she usually had to stop at a library or a cemetery to do some research. Several years ago, I decided to check out a local cemetery here in Auburn that is the resting place for many important Auburn folks. Among those include: George Petrie – Author of “Auburn Creed” as well as the father of Auburn Football who…

  • July To Do List
    Life

    July To Do List

    July 8, 2017 - By 

    June Goal Recap –Learn more about air plants and possibly get some I did some research online about air plants, but decided to wait on purchasing some for now. –Visit, photograph, and blog a local cemetery I didn’t visit a cemetery, because I remembered I have photos from several years ago when I visited Pine Hill Cemetery. I’m working on a blog post and should have that up soon, so this goal wasn’t totally all for not. –Go to the thrift store I did, but they were about to close. I didn’t realized they closed so early. Hoping to get…

  • Grilled corn with Jalapeno Lime Butter
    Recipes - Sides

    Grilled Corn with Jalapeno-Lime Butter

    July 3, 2017 - By 

    Corn is always a go to side dish for my family. So I’m always in search of ways to make it differently. This Grilled Corn with Jalapeno-Lime Butter is now one of my favorites! Servings: 6 Prep Time: 5 minutes + chill time for butter Cooking Time: 20 minutes Ingredients: ½ cup butter, softened 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced 1 tsp. fresh lime juice 6 ears fresh corn, husks removed 1 tbs. extra-virgin olive oil 2 tsp. kosher salt 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper Directions: 1. Combine softened butter, jalapeno peppers, lime juice and lime zest and shape…

  • How to Find a Penpal
    Life

    How to Find a Penpal

    June 26, 2017 - By 

    One of the things I used to do growing up was writing to a penpal from far, far away. I got to thinking earlier this year that over the summer, I wanted to try to do some penpalling again. So I began researching it. I came across several sites where those that are interested can find others interested in penpalling. Here’s a list of places you can find penpals. Penpal World – this is the one I found to be the best and easiest to use. Swap-bot Interpals Penpal Snow Global Pen Friends You can also go to instagram and…

  • Memorial Day Weekend at Lake Martin 2017
    Travel

    Memorial Day Weekend at Lake Martin 2017

    June 21, 2017 - By 

    This Memorial Day weekend was fun. We always appreciate the invitation from our good friends to camp out at their lake house and enjoy the sun. This year felt a little different for a couple reasons. We cooked most meals up at the house because we didn’t have all the normal gear that we borrow from the Cubscout Pack. It was also different because Drew’s friend Joe wasn’t able to get back from school, which we expected. Boys on the tube Gabe skiing Fun on the kneeboard These girls are always fun to watch while their tubing Got some great…

  • Life

    June To Do List

    June 9, 2017 - By 

    So lately, well really for a long long time, it seems I’ve been all about travel here on the blog. I love sharing our travels with you but those posts take so long. I take way too many pictures, which have to be edited. Then, I have to gather info and write. Ugh, I get exhausted just thinking about it. However, I really want to share more of me and more of what’s going on in my life and in my head. There’s been a few really inspiring posts lately of folks that shared their June Goals or To Do…

  • Garden of the Gods
    Travel

    Garden of the Gods

    May 10, 2017 - By 

    Garden of the Gods is a public park located in Colorado Springs, CO. It became a National Natural Landmark in 1971 and it is SO worth a visit next time you are in Colorado Springs. The beautiful red rock formations that tower above are quite mesmerizing. It is a rock climbers dream and you will see folks climbing, although we didn’t notice any while we were there. After taking a short drive from our hotel, we turned into one of the parking lots and to our surprise, a lady in the car next to us rolled her window down and…

  • Buffalo Chicken Meatballs - Crockpot These Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are so easy and can be made in the crockpot. You can also make them ahead of time and freeze and just double the crockpot time. Perfect for parties or potluck dinners.
    Appetizers & Snacks

    Buffalo Chicken Meatballs {Crockpot}

    May 3, 2017 - By 

    Last year for Drew’s homecoming dinner, a group of his friends were meeting up for pictures and dinner at a friend’s house. My responsibility for the meal was to bring an appetizer. Buffalo Chicken Meatballs in the crockpot is what I finally decided to try. They turned out great and were quite a hit with the entire group. I love that these Buffalo Chicken Meatballs can be prepared ahead of time and even frozen until you’re ready to throw them into the crockpot. Servings: 25 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 2 hours Ingredients: 1 lb. ground chicken 3/4 cup…

  • Travel

    West Coast Trip:Day 7

    March 30, 2017 - By 

    On our 7th day West Coast adventure, we got up and checked out of the cabin. We drove up to Crater Lake Lodge, which was built in 1915 and is listed as in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Beautiful log cabin feel with gorgeous views of Crater Lake. We enjoyed the view a little more, but since we saw most of what there was to see the day before at Crater Lake we ended up not staying as long as first planned. We continued on our journey north as we drove to Cottage Grove, but made several stops…

  • Travel

    West Coast Trip: Crater Lake

    March 25, 2017 - By 

    On our 6th day of adventures on the West Coast, we got up and left Eureka and continued north towards Crater Lake. We made a quick stop at Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center in Orick, CA. We used the bathroom and took a quick peek inside. They have an informational desk, exhibits, bookstore, etc. We enjoyed walking out back where there’s a boardwalk to the shore and some informative signs about Tsunamis among other things. There was a cool bird’s nest we observed as well. We later stopped in Cave Junction, Oregon for lunch at a Dairy Queen. Then, we…

  • Travel

    Spring Training Trip 2017

    March 22, 2017 - By 

    In recent years, my family has traveled down to Florida to stay with Rob’s Gramma and enjoy some baseball during Spring Training. This year was no exception. It’s always interesting to visit new spring training ballparks as they are all different for better or worse. Wednesday, we left after work and drove to Rob’s Gramma’s house in Spring Hill, Fl. We got there in the middle of the night and went straight to sleep. The next morning we visited a bit and then got on the road to Sarasota. We checked into the hotel (Ramanda). This hotel is located on…