Friday Favorites for Fall

What?  How the heck is it the end of October already!  Time Flies!!  And now that it's really beginning to feel like Fall around here, I'm loving it.  It's been forever since I've shared a Friday Faves, but I thought today's as good a day as any to get back into it.  Here are some things I've been loving lately.

My homeroom class and teaching Religion 

If you've read any of my super periodic blog posts lately (THANK YOU!!!), you know I've been busy this school year, not only teaching library and tech but also 6th grade Religion to my first crop of homeroom kids in 6 YEARS!!  And I am having a blast with them!  They are a great group of kids and we're learning a lot together!  HA!  When I'm not blogging, I'm with them or working on things for us to do together in class.  I forgot how much a homeroom entails but I'm happy I get to have one this year!!

Clean Week

Last week I dipped my toe in the Beachbody/Shakeology Pool by participating in Clean Week!  It was seven days of working out, eating healthy and cutting out alcohol and coffee from my diet!  Did I cheat...YES!  With the alcohol...but on those days I saved up calories!  On the food front I did well, and with the working out I did good too!  With my CP there were some exercises I skipped or modified but for the most part I did ok.  As the week progressed I noticed my pants fitting better so that's a plus!!  And I really, really enjoyed the Shakeology!! I've been keeping up with my water intake, and healthy eating this week too...and guess what?!?  I went back to coffee on Monday morning and didn't really enjoy it!!!  So I'm drinking less of that as well.  I'm calling Clean Week a win!

The New Will and Grace

I really liked Will and Grace when it was on years ago and was excited to see that it was coming back.  I thought the first episode was just ok but I'm so glad I stuck with it and am still watching because every episode after that has been hysterical.  And it feels like the old show I remember!  Who couldn't use a few laughs on at Thursday night?  Highly recommend!!

NBC.com/willandgrace

General Hospital

I know!  I know!!  Another TV show!  But....
After giving up GH a year or so ago, I starting watching it again this week!  Because one of my favorite characters (and hottest men!) Jason Morgan is back!  I'm really enjoying the way the show is handling this storyline.  And DVRing it everyday, I can fast forward all the storylines I don't need to see!  HA!

Terra's Kitchen

After using and really liking Hello Fresh for so long, I recently tried a new meal delivery kit, Terra's Kitchen.  I am getting another delivery today and I can't wait to spend the weekend cooking!  Try Terra's Kitchen!

Thanks for stopping by the blog today!  Hope your weekend is fabulous!

Linking up today:
The Blended Blog
Friday Favorites
H54F

Come on in!

Happy Fall Ya'll!!  Even though the temps still don't feel like it here in my neck of the woods, Fall is indeed upon us.  I'm a summer girl through and through, but there really is just something about Fall!  I like when it comes around!!

Today I'm linking up with The Blended Blog for a tour of my home at Fall.  Looking around, my home's color scheme is really fally in itself.  But I've added a few touches for the season!  So come on in and take a peek...

This wreath is new this year!  I have a good friend who raises funds every year for cancer in honor of her mom and she gives the money to local families who are also suffering from cancer.  It's called Crochet for a Cure.  Each year her array of stuff gets bigger and bigger!  I've always loved Sarah's burlap wreaths, so when I saw this I had to have it!

She's also got her husband in the DIY crafting game!  How cute is this scarecrow!  And it's a two for one- on the other side it's a snowman!!  (Come on back for the Christmas home tour to see it!)

This is my fall table!

My TV's been up on the wall for awhile now, but I still need the stand for my cable box.  I think it's the perfect display table.  The things in the frame and the Cherised Teddies change with the seasons.

I like my pumpkin sign because I put it up on the first day of Fall and leave it up through Thanksgiving!


The Kitchen has small fall touches too...

This you can't really see but it makes my house smell divine, so I wanted to include it for anyone who's like me and into essential oils!!  My favorite fall blend for my diffuser is called Thanksgiving.  It's a mix of Christmas Spirit, Lemon and Clove oils!  It fills up the house with Fall for sure!!

Hope you enjoyed the small Fall touches around my little home!! Do you decorate for Fall?  If so, I'd love to hear all about it!  And if you do, be sure to head on over to TBB and link up with us!

Fall Favorites: Food and Drink

Happy Monday!  Back to blogging today to link up with The Blended Blog!  On tap for today is Favorite  Fall Food and Drinks.  Mine??????

Pumpkin Ale....THE END!

Pretty much in all seriousness, pumpkin ale is it for me.  I've never been a pumpkin spice latte girl!  When the air turns crisp and it's time for Fall, there's nothing better than a Pumpkin Ale, on Sunday Funday watching the game, or any day in between really.  And even though I have my faves,  my quest to try every pumpkin ale is ON!!

Another fun drink I love but don't indulge in nearly as much is a Pumpkin Martini.  I have these with my mom on Thanksgiving...and maybe while she's putting up my Christmas tree for me we drink them together.


Being the "drinks" girl of The Blended Blog....not to be confused for the "drunk" girl of TBB, I actually posted some of my favorite fall drink recipes over there this time last year!!  You can find them here!

Oh wait...I got carried away with the drinks!  I forgot I was supposed to talk about food too!! 

Hmmmm....Favorite Fall Foods!
Once the cold weather hits, I really like to make chili in the crockpot. That really screams Fall to me.  The crockpot is a staple in my  kitchen in the fall!

And for dessert, it's gotta be pumpkin pie!!

What are some of your favorite Fall treats?  Let me know in the comments below!  And head on over to The Blended Blog to link up with us today!


And get set to link up with us next week...when we give a sneak peek inside our homes to see how they're decked out for the Fall!

TBB Asks: Fall Edition!

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a die hard summer girl.  But once I'm back in my routine and back to work...I'm all "Bring on Fall!"  I'm really excited that it's finally starting to feel like Fall in my neck of the woods.  I am so ready for skinny jeans,  riding boots, and scarves.

That's why I'm really excited for today's edition of TBB Asks!  It's really helping me get Fall ready!  YAY October!!

1- Favorite Fall Sweet Treat: Does A Pumpkin Martini count??

Get the recipe here!

2- I like apples!  But I honestly don't think I've ever eaten a yellow apple!  Red and green though?  YUM!!

3- Favorite Fall Sport to Play?  Hahahahaha  I don't play sports but I Love watching football on TV!

4- Best drink for Fall: Pumpkin Ale hands down!!

5- Favorite Fall Activity My town's Chili and Chowder Festival!

6- Must Have Fall Purchase  Hmmm...I don't think I have one!!  Maybe a blanket scarf!?!?  or Military Jacket (but I have multiple of both of those!

7- Pumpkins-Pick your own or store bought?  One of these days I'll get back to the pumpkin farm!

8- Real or Fake Pumpkin?  Both!

9- Favorite Halloween Costume- My go-to is a Country Girl!  Easy Peasy!

10- College Football or NFL? Love Notre Dame and watching football on Sundays so I guess I'll say both!  But football is so stressful!!

11- Fall or Halloween Decor?  I definitely have more Fall decor!

12- No leaves to rake!  YAY!!  

13- Favorite Soup?  Love me some chili in the fall!!  (in the crockpot!)

14- Favorite Fall Candle Scent: Autumn Wreath by Yankee Candle.  Love putting Fall scents in my diffuser too!

15-  I'm a fan of Pumpkin Spice!

16- Booties or Boots?  Both!  But these days, I grab the booties more often!!  I like that they are fun and low and I can walk in them!!

17- Favorite Halloween Candy Definitely Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!!

18- PSL?  Believe it or not, I've never tried one!!

19- Hayride or Corn Maze?  Both are fun!

20- Favorite Fall TV Show Love when ALL my shows come back in the Fall!!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Wanna join in on all the Fall fun!  Head on over to The Blended Blog and link up your answers with us here!!

September Reads with the Ladies of The Blended Blog!

Back to Blogging today to talk...BOOKS!!  My favorite!  

I feel like I didn’t do much this Summer! But I read...so that’s something!

Lately The Blended Blog Book Club has been mixing it up!  For September, three of our contributors, Sheila, Deena and Alison shared their favorite authors and recommendations from each to read.  

As I read the post, I realized that the book Deena talked about, Open House by her favorite author, Elizabeth Berg, as being a book she picked up long ago, for Oprah’s book club was a title I had gotten too, for that very same reason!  But I had never read it (or maybe it’s been so long, I never even remembered reading it).  Seeing that it was almost 20 years ago!!  

So I grabbed the book from my shelf, dusted it off, and started reading!

I really enjoyed the novel and wondered why I it took me so long to read it.  The main character, Sam divorces and finds herself opening her home to strangers to make extra money.  It’s her interactions with the people she meets during this “Open House”, that make the story funny, interesting and really great.  I also enjoyed some of the characters she met while working different jobs as a temp, too.    I liked and could relate to Samantha’s evolution and insight during this difficult time, even as someone who has never been married and laughed through the interactions with her friend, King, as someone who is navigating life as a single girl now.  

This was my first Elizabeth Berg title and I look forward to reading more from her!

Join us for October Reads and reviews on October 28th!

Is there anything worth watching these days??

Two weeks ago I posted about how I was taking a little blog break!  And while I've taken a break, I've missed the blog and interacting with my blog friends.  I'm just taking things a bit slower these days.  Over the last couple of weeks back at work, I've already been collecting lots of funny material and taking some pics for future fashion posts!  I will say though, that I miss my days lounging in swimsuits!  Especially since were having a sorta of Indian Summer this week!  Fall just get here already! I'm busy and tired but I'm getting back to normal...or maybe just getting used to my new normal.

 I'm returning to the blog today for some fun!  This week is usually my most favorite time of year: Fall TV Premiere Week!  But I'll be honest...there is not one new show that really jumping out at me!

I'm angry that Kevin Can Wait, one of my most anticipated new shows of last year, was way underwhelming and then now has killed off the wife to make room for Leah Remini.  So needless to say, I won't be watching anymore.

And I really enjoyed Chicago Justice for the few episodes it was on last season.  But feel like it wasn't given a chance and kicked to the curb to make room for the Law and Order True Crime Series about the Menedez Brothers.  Booooo...

So my TV viewing score card has dwindled this year...

I am sticking with This is Us...because I watch every week with my neighbor!

I've never missed an episode of Blue Bloods...even though now most Friday it get DVR'd!

And last wee, after not watching for a bunch of seasons, my excitement for Dancing with the Stars was reignited!  So I am going to stick with it!

But other than that nothing new is really drawing me in!  Except maybe SEAL Team...and maybe just because David Boreanez is bloody damn hotttt....

This is where you come in!!  I need your help!  Please let me know what new shows you're most excited to see this season or let me know of one I may be missing out on!


Thanks and Happy Premiere Week!!

Something's Gotta Give...

And I think it's the BLOG!

For NOW!

You may have noticed that I haven't been blogging!  I recently went back to school after a fabulous summer off basking in the sun and spending time with family and friends.  I thought when I was back and work, I'd have a better routine down and would be blogging more!

But then I got back to work and discovered that I have a new role (or roles).  In addition to my duties as my school's librarian and technology teacher for everyone is grades Pre-K through 8, I now also have my own homeroom and teach them Religion for a period a day.

After I found out that a new Science teacher would be hired for strictly Science, as opposed to having a homeroom like everyone else, the principal offered me the job!  I took it because they are a small class who I have known and loved for years. I wanted them to have stability and familiarity with someone like me.

But with the added classes, more homeroom duties, less preps, and more planning to be done (I've never taught this religion curriculum before and am kind of learning it myself!) it doesn't leave me a lot of time on my preps at work to do other things I used to do.  So now rather than blogging nights, I'll be taking lots of school work home.

While I get settled and try to get myself into a new groove, I think it's my blogging that gonna have to take a back seat.  I'll never give up blogging totally because I love it, and I'll still be posting from time to time on The Blended Blog!  But if you see me go silent for weeks at a time, you'll know why!

I appreciate you reading the blog and I appreciate your patience during this time! Blogging really is a highlight for me and brings me great joy, but right now I am putting my kids first...they're my first homeroom class in five years!  And I'm really excited about it!

Until next time...