Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.

May your Thanksgiving be filled with Family, Friends, Love, and Laughter.

Be Blessed and know that our Lord is with you on this Thanksgiving and each day throughout the year!

Channeling Popeye

Since it is the day after Thanksgiving and I am sure most of you are still feeling like you just stepped away from the table and that 3rd piece of pecan pie, I thought this would be the perfect day to post about my new obsession.

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I have a confession to make. I am an extremely picker eater have very sensitive taste buds! Yes, Yes I know this is hard for my family and close friends to believe. *So laughing here* I admit I have always been picky. I am pretty sure I was born that way otherwise how would I just all of a sudden be picky? I guess you could call me D.W. :)

The ONE thing that seems to make people look at me funny when eating out is that I do not eat lettuce or anything leafy for that matter. I can't really tell you why but I do not like it AT ALL! My Mom always says "There is no taste to it." Hmm helloo yes there is and it is g.r.o.s.s!

How does all this relate to Popeye as the title says you may be asking yourself? Well last month I made a vow to get healthy. I have been very unhealthy for way too long and now that I am closing in on the big 40 I knew I had to do something about it.

Since I not the best eater I decided there had to be some way to get the good stuff without actually having to bite into it. I know I could simply smother the lettuce and other green stuff with salad dressing but since I really only like Ranch and Bleu Cheese I know that would not be helpful in my quest to healthiness.
I started looking around online and I have found the solution to my problem --- I now DRINK my greens!!

Whhaatttt??? Yep you are reading that correctly. I am drinking the good stuff now and it is in the form of a smoothie! What's not to L~O~V~E about getting the vitamins and nutrients you need via a freaking Smoothie? I say it is a win-win situation!

Here is the original recipe I found on Pinterest: Green Smoothie for Weight Loss.

Yes it is bright green but it is ohh soo yummmy and I am in love with it!

I changed up the original recipe slightly after a few taste tests to find what works best for my uber sensitive taste buds(snort) and here is what I have most mornings now.

• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup strawberries
• 1/2 cup pineapples
• 2 handfuls spinach
• ice and water 

Mine is not as green because of the strawberries but it is so good! I still will not eat spinach in a salad but I will drink one of these babies each and every morning!

Notes:
~ There are many variations you can do with the fruits as long as you have the spinach and the banana as a base.
~ You can use two bananas if you want but I am not a huge banana fan so I only use one.
~ I use fresh bananas but frozen strawberries and pineapple.
~ The color will not always be bright green as you can see in my photo above. The color depends on the fruits you use.

I dare you to try your own version! You may be surprised at how much you like it and your body will thank you!

Fun at the Fair

One of my favorite things about the Fall is going to the Cumming Country Fair & Festival. This is a good old-fashioned fair that is in my hometown so it gives me a good reason to visit and have extra fun at the same time.

Here are some of my favorite moments from our trip.

The girl that's "flying" makes me SMILE!

Eli watching from safety while Emma and Andrea rode the Cyclone.

Round and Round we are going to gooooooo!

UpSide Down and loving it!

Eli and Andi on the Sky Buckets

I so love my beautiful sidekick!

Em and Oscar the Robot doing a little dance.

No Fair is complete without a visit to the Barn!

This little guy was like a statue -- soo cute.

We even ran into Wilbur while we were there ~~ LOVE!!

Eli and Andi with her fish, prizes, and a snack. All in all it was a fabulously fun time for her first trip to the Fair!!

It was the perfect day to enjoy the fair and believe a great time was had by all!

If you have never been to a real country fair then you totally need to find one near you. Trust me it is a great way to spend an afternoon!

I hope everyone is having a great Fall!

Scott Antique Market -- Visit #2

This past Sunday The HandyMan and I took a drive down to The Scott Antique Market.
We were able to wander around between the two buildings and while there were more than a few vendors who left earlier in the day we still had lots of awesome items to check out. I wish I had had some extra cash on me as I found some pieces I would have LOVED to have brought home with us.

Keeping scrolling to see some of the things I want ;)

1. I could totally use this as shoe storage.
2. I think this would be AWESOME painted and hanging over a bed!
3. I want one of these to use as wood storage in the winter.

1. I am in luuv with this huge storage piece.
2. These chairs were only $25 and I hope they are there next month cause I will have some cashola with me!
3. This sign was so cool - would love it in the yard.

1. This E would be perfect in the rooms of both kids.
2. I just liked these industrial lamps :)
3. But this lamp rocked my world -- at $450 it was a few lightyears out of my range.

1.I want to put my bed inside this green house -- seriously!!
2. This bed actually scares me for some reason - I think it would make me claustrophobic.

1. This Brady Bunch sofa was TDF plus it had one that matched it to make a corner unit :)
2. I have no use for these cars but I thought they were adorable.

And for the final Pièce de résistance 

Look who I ran into -- Beyonce's brother  John Paul McClucken!! He was all "buy me and take me home Woman. I will so fit in the back of your truck!!" but I was all "I err left my wallet at home today but maybe I will see you again next trip ~~ SORRY!" He forgave me but was still kinda pouty about as I walked away. :/

Overall it was a great trip and I will Never go again without having some extra cash in my pocket!!

Happy Saturday :) :)

PS: If you did not click on Beyonce above then you need to click right --> here -- trust me on this!!

Saturday Share -- Flower Tree

I came across something that totally made my day the other evening. I was driving along and noticed some dainty orange flowers growing in the crook of a tree. They looked so pretty and out of the ordinary that I simply had to snap a few photos to share one with you today.

What have you seen that it out of the ordinary lately?

On another note: I am taking TheHandyMan down to The Scott Antique Market tomorrow and I am soooo excited!! I can't wait to see what goodies and oddities are there this month.

I hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday.

Inside S'Mores

Do you like S'mores but not the mess or the bugs that generally go with camping outside this time of year?
If so I have just the thing for you -- Inside S'Mores. Oh My Heavens are these babies delicious and sooo simple it is crazy!

What you need:

Milk Chocolate Chips

Mini Marshmallows

Crescent Rolls in a Tube

Roll Marshmallows and Chocolate Chips inside Crescent Rolls

*Tip put as MUCH as you can. Don't skimp on the goodies -- trust me on this.

Bake according to directions.

- About 11 mins at 395 degrees

ENJOY!!

It doesn't get much easier than this for a fun quick snack.
Makes me want to go camping..once it is cooler that is :)

Anyone else is ready for fall?

A Brand New World

Last Sunday while I was out TheHandyMan did a total overhaul on Ms.Em's room. If I was brave I would show you the before photos but I will go ahead let you know that I would have to become a hermit if I showed those so just imagine a pre-teens room with lots of STUFF everywhere. TheHandyMan took it all out, Em sorted through the mountains and only kept what she would actually wear and fit(this was an issue for some reason *eye roll*)

Once everything was cleaned out he surprised her with a new bed!! I admit I was as happy as she was. Why would this be a such a surprise you may be thinking??  Last year we upgraded to a king bed so Em changed her twin to our queen and since then it has been on the box-springs without an actual bed, just the mattress and box-springs. Also, If you have ever heard the story of the cobbler's kids not having new shoes then let me tell you that this happens with all kinds of crafters including furniture builders.

Here is an example photo of her new bed(this is not her room) 

She is loving it but says that she needs some steps because it is so high.

Now I am on the lookout for some great decor pieces and bedding. Since we live in a cabin with wood walls, floors and ceilings I want to add some fab colors to her room. Here are some ideas I have come across on my fave site Pinterest lately.

Loving these colors!

Something similar will be somewhere in her room for sure!

Not sure about yellow but I definitely want to paint her dresser a bright color.

Yes I think even a teen will like this haah maybe over her desk?

Love a vintage dress form!!

Yes please for great necklace and scarf storage!

 So there are a few ideas Em and I have talked about. Of course it may end up being something totally different knowing her. I will keep you posted!