Sunday Song: Sometimes He Calms the Storm

In Love With Birchbox

So I got my first Birchbox in the mail yesterday and I am in love! Birchbox is a monthly subscription that ships to you four or five beauty/hair samples each month. The subscription rate is $10 a month. Not bad if you like to try new and discover new products.

This month's box contained favorites from Cynthia Rowley.

The box contained:

AHAVA Mineral Hand Cream

Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser

Redken Shine Flash 02

Zoya Touch Collection Nail Polish in Shay (*I've already used it and LOVE it.)

Extra Kid Almond and Apricot Bar

If you haven't checked out Birchbox, head over there now and sign-up to begin receiving your own box or gift to a friend. Have a great weekend!

Five Question Friday

Linking up today with Five Crooked Halos for Five Question Friday!

1. If you knew your best friend's spouse was cheating on her or him, would you tell her (him)?

Yes. I've always been honest with my friends even if the truth hurt and would hope they would do the same for me.

2. Soda in a can or bottle?

Soda in a bottle.

3. What do you wash first, hair or body?

I wash my hair first. I follow the same routine every morning - hair, face, body and shave (if needed).

4. What advice would you give to any new mama?

I am not a mama, but my sister has two boys. I think the biggest thing she learned was to let people help you those first few weeks you are home. You are not expected to be "super-mom" with a newborn.

5. What is your best hangover remedy?

Large, greasy cheeseburger with fries and a large Coke.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday Tidbits

I took two days of vacation this week and had a really long to-do list ready for these two days. However, after chaperoning our youth lock-in last night from 6PM to 6AM that list is still as long as it was yesterday afternoon. Guess I will start on it in the morning and try to cross some things off by tomorrow night!

I was excited today when the doorbell rang and it was the UPS man with my new Nike running/walking shoes. I am now walking 3.0 - 3.5 miles per day and I was in need of a new pair. So excited to put these on tomorrow and hit the track!

I won a giveaway for a $50 shop credit from Gussy Sews. Love, love this shop and all the cool fabrics and items Gussy creates. I chose a Round Damask Make-Up Bag for myself and it is already full and in my purse. I am so in love with my new make-up bag and it fits great in my purse. I also chose a Houndstooth Small Pouch with a Pink Ruffle to give as a gift. Go over and visit Gussy and tell her I sent you to share some blog love. : )

I got to chaperone a trip to Auburn University this week with a group of our upcoming juniors and seniors to visit the campus and meet with the dean of Business and Engineering. I am a HUGE fan of the Crimson Tide, but love visiting Auburn because of the yummy lemonade at Toomer's Drugs. We treated the students to lemonade before heading out in the heat on campus to tour. So good!

Not sure if I will get to post much this weekend with my long to-do list. Hope you all have a great weekend and thanks for coming by to visit!

Sunday Song: Blessings

I just can't get enough of this song. Hope it is a blessing to you as well!

The story behind the song "Blessings" from Laura Story.

Saturday Snippets

• Looking forward to a couple of vacation days this week, but that means I have to put in a little time on the weekend to get everything done before I leave the office on Wednesday. I worked a couple of hours this morning and will work a few tomorrow. Mostly sending emails and pulling a few reports so it is not too bad!

• Today was a day to clean, clean, clean and organize! I deep cleaned my kitchen, den, guest bedroom, half bath and full bath. Tomorrow I will finish in my master bedroom. This little townhouse had a lot of "stuff" in it! It feels good to get organized and be able to donate lots of things I don't need or use anymore.

• I won some super fun giveaways this week and can't wait to get my goodies from Gussy Sews and Pitter Patter Press. If you haven't visited their shops, please do! They have the cutest things.

• Head over to my cooking blog and check out the recipe for Pumpkin Bread with Pecan Streusel Topping I posted today. I also posted an Easy Summer Salad earlier this week.

• I am looking forward to dinner tonight with an old friend from college. It's been about five years since we've seen each other and I can't wait to catch up with her.

Happy weekend to you all!

WILW

So what am I loving this Wednesday?

That I love my job and co-workers. Seems like every time I get on Facebook, Twitter or my blog I come across people who are being critical of their current job and co-workers. I am blessed to have the job I do!

That I have a brother-in-law who gardens and share his fresh tomatoes with me..

That I have had time this week to begin reading this book..

Arizona Diet Blueberry Green Tea..

What are you loving this week? Go link up over at This Kind of Love!

P.S. Go check out my Easy Summer Salad recipe I posted in my cooking blog!

Happy 60th Anniversary!

I feel extremely blessed that I still have my paternal grandparents in my life. On Thursday, June 30, 2011, they celebrated 60 years of marriage together. What a milestone! They have set an example of love and partnership that is not witnessed very often in today's society. I am thankful for their example of love and commitment to each other, God and their family.

Grandma and Papa

Yummy cake!

Grandparents with their children - Oliver and Cindi - and their spouses Suzan and Mike standing behind them

Grandparents with their great-grandchildren - Jackson (13), Cooper (2), Annleigh (8 months) and Connor (5)

Grandparents with my Aunt Cindi and her family

Grandparents with my dad and our family

Grandmother and her sister, Aunt Carleen (they are the only two remaining siblings out of eight)

Two youngest great-grands - Annleigh and Cooper

And because it was Fourth of July weekend, we made firecracker cookies with the nephews! They didn't quite turn out like Martha's but they were yummy and the kids loved them.

P.S. Head over to Gussy Sews, wish her a Happy Birthday and enter to win one of four prize packages! You will love her shop.

2nd Annual Commenting Challenge

I came across Jenna's Journey blog and she is hosting something I thought would be fun to participate in and share with my readers.

This is her second year to host an Annual Commenting Challenge for bloggers. It started today so you are not too late to join in on the fun! Here is how it works:

• Go to Jenna's Journey and link up your blog to this post.
• For the next seven days, visit up to 10 blogs that are also linked to this post and leave them a comment.
• If you find a blog you love, become a follower or add them to your blog roll.

I visit a lot of blogs and don't comment all the time so this is a fun way to encourage fellow bloggers and make some new friends.

If this is the first time to visit my blog, WELCOME! I have not been the best at blogging these past few months, but I am trying to get back into the swing of things this summer and get in a better routine. Here are some fun facts about me:

• I was born and raised in the state of Alabama. I am a G.R.I.T.S. girl and can't imagine living anywhere else.
• I am single. Any of you have a single brother?!? I'm kidding!
• I have one sister, Morgan, who is married with to precious boys - Connor (5) and Cooper (2).
• I am a Christian.
• I work at an independent private school in our area and am in charge of the development, marketing and alumni for the school. I LOVE my job and can't imagine being anywhere else.
• I love all sports, especially Alabama football. ROLL TIDE!
• I love lists and have lots of notepads that contain these lists!
• I love to read.
• I love the beach and lake, and am destined to live on the water one day.
• I love to cook (when my schedule permits) and enjoy trying new recipes!

So what are you waiting for? Go link up with Jenna, start visiting blogs and leave some comment love!

Happy Fourth of July!

‎"And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me."

Happy Fourth of July to you and yours! I am headed out for a day at the lake with grilling, yummy desserts and fireworks. Enjoy your time with your families and remember those who are serving stateside and abroad to protect our freedom.

Sunday Song: I Was Here

SUYL: Favorite Breakfast Recipes

I am linking up today over at Kelly's Korner with her "Show Us Your LIfe: Favorite Breakfast Recipes" post.

Sausage and Cheese Muffins

These are my favorite take to Sunday School or make on Christmas morning with the family muffins.

1 lb. sausage, cooked and drained

1 1/2 c. sharp shredded cheddar cheese

1 can cheddar cheese soup

3 c. Bisquick

1/2 c. water

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease a mini-muffin pan. Cook sausage and drain. Mix sausage with Bisquick and set aside. Combine shredded cheese, soup and water together. Add cheese mixture to bowl with sausage and Bisquick, and mix until dough is formed. Spoon into mini-muffin pan and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until tops are brown. Enjoy!

Do you have a favorite breakfast recipe? Head over and link up with Kelly.

Also, go over and say "hello" to Leah at Happily Herring, who is hosting a summer giveaway for reaching 200 followers. It's easy to enter and her blog is so cute!