What's Up Wednesday

Happy Wednesday. I can't believe that it is the last day of January already. 



I'm linking up today with Shay, Sheaffer, and Mel for the first What's Up Wednesday of 2018 and sharing whats been going on so far this year.
What We're Eating This Week...

Monday- Cobb Salad was planned switched it to a Cobb wrap



Tuesday- Ground Turkey Taco's w/ corn tortillas and a side of cucumber (I already ate before I took the picture)



Wednesday- Leftover homemade chicken cauliflower rice soup



Thursday- turkey sausage, brussel spouts, and sweet potato

Friday- Ella reward for reading everyday in December at Pizza Hut.

Saturday- Chicken, peppers, onion ,mushroom tortilla wrap

Sunday- wings, brussel sprouts, sweet potato fries. (Super Bowl)

What I'm Reminiscing About...



This time last year we had quite a bit of snow and it wasn't freezing out. My kids were able to go outside and make a snowman and Brian made them a snow slide. This year when we have snow it has been to cold with the wind chill to go outside and play.

What I'm Loving...
I can honestly say I am loving the age of my kids right now, 2.5 and 6. Everyday at some point they are playing with each other. Austin misses Ella when she is at school or her fathers. For the most part they get along, minus Austin not sharing very well which is expected by his age. 

What We've Been Up To...

Girl Scouts cookie sales are just coming to an end. Ella is loving Girl Scouts and wishes we have meetings everyday week.


We signed Ella up for gymnastics again. She is loving it. Her favorite is the bar. Each week you see a progression on her skills. 

What I'm Dreading...

I try not to dread too much. Next week is Ella's conferences, it was recommended that she needed a conference. I am worried about what we will be told. 
I am so over winter. i am ready for warmer weather and lots of sunshine.

What I'm Excited About...
Brian and I have an adults only vacation coming up in April someplace warm. I can't wait.

I also love watching the Olympics. I am excited for them to start.

What I'm Watching/Reading...



This season is the first time in probably 10 years that I have been watching the Bachelor. I am hooked. 


Who doesn't love This Is Us. I have to admit I didn't watch the last episode, I dont want to be left hanging. I will watch that one and the one after the Super Bowl at the same time.



I am still addicted to all things Hallmark Movies. There is always at least 10 movies on my DVR.



I am still working on reading my January Book Club 50 Shades Freed. I have to have to finished by Feb. 24th for girls day date to see the movie. 



I picked up The Bikini Body Motivation & Habits Guide by Kayla Itsines from the library. It has some great motivation and habit tips for working out and sticking to it. 

What I'm Listening To...


I can't tell you the last time I turned on the radio to actually listen to music. I really love podcasts. My favorite right now is The Mom Hour.


What I'm Wearing...
I need a new wardrobe. I wear the same thing pretty much everyday. Being home means I get to be comfy in yoga pants, workout tops, and sweatshirts.

What I'm Doing This Weekend...

Friday night we are taking Ella out to Pizza Hut as her reward for reading for the month of December. (she gets a certificate from school) Saturday Ella is having a Memaw Ella day, Austin is spending time with his other Grandma, and Brian and I are going to the Home and Garden Show where he sponsored  

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month...
Valentines Day. I know so cliche. I'm excited to take Ella to the store and pick out Valentine Day cards to pass out at school. 
Playdates for the kids. I am working on setting up a few to get us out of the house.

Bonus Question:  What’s your favorite soup recipe?


Thank you for stopping by!!!!! If you are new here,
Feel free to follow along.
You can find me on Bloglovin, Facebook, and Instagram

XOXO


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Coffee Chat

Happy Monday. Hope you had a great weekend. We had a very uneventful low key weekend. I got caught up on things around the house, got organized for the week ahead, watched some movies, and played with cars and Duplo Lego's a lot. I wouldn't have it any other way. It was Ella's weekend with her dad, we missed her lots and glad she is home and back to our routine today.


Today I am just sharing a bunch of random thoughts. Normally Monday's I share our weekend wrap-up but since we didn't do too much, there is nothing to share. 

- I have currently given up my Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts love maybe more of an obsession to hot lattes.There is so much added sugar that I don't need. Today I am however craving one, but I am not going to cave. I am doing really good. It is only until the middle of April. I can do it. (then it will still be limited not a few times a week like it was in December)

- January is almost over and I still have like 65% of 50 Shades Freed to read for Book Club. (it won't happen)

- I'm joining in another book club starting Feb 5th we are reading Love Unending by Becky Thompson.



- Who doesn't love photo challenges, I know I do when I remember to actually take the pictures. I am joining in on the 14 Day of Love Photo Challenge for February.

- I signed up for a daily devotional e-mail from Proverbs 31. I have to admit I am really enjoying them. This is something totally new for me. 

- I know I say I love winter. Snow is beautiful. But I am over it. give me spring. 

Not much on our schedule for this week. Girl Scout cookies sales in coming to an end, gymnastics on Thursday, planning/preparing for a new month, Ella has a memaw day on Saturday and Brian and I have a day date. 

Have a fabulous Monday. 

Linking up with Lindsay from Lindsay's Sweet World for Hello...Monday!!!

Thank you for stopping by!!!!! If you are new here,
Feel free to follow along.
You can find me on Bloglovin, Facebook, and Instagram

XOXO



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Progress In A Week- Week 2

Another week is in the books. I notice I am getting stronger everyday and pushing myself harder. This week I switched it up with my workout timing. Instead of getting up at 5am and working out at 6am, I have been sleeping in and working out some days at like 930-10am after I have taken Ella to school. Other days have been a little rough and I haven't gotten my workout in until after 8pm. I am enjoying the mid-morning workouts and having the extra help and motivation from my kids but I am messing on my nutrition and not getting the right amount of food in everyday. Next week I am going back to my 5am workouts. It is an adjustment to waking up at 5am again, but so worth it. I feel accomplished that by 7am I have achieved my workout, devotional, personal development and usually at least 25 oz of water all before the kids wake up. 


Lets take a look back at this past week.

Monday (1-22-18)


Monday was the first day of working out during the day with both kids home. I decided to workout in the living room, grabbed extra weights and bands for the kids to join in also. The 60 minute workout took 90 minutes with pauses but well worth it with extra help.

Tuesday (1-23-18)


Tuesday I kicked it up a notch. I want to see results and not skimp out. The whole workout I used the blue band and pushed a little harder. Ella was home from school but decided she didn't want to workout with me (even thought she asked the night before if she could) Dinner I modified from original plan. We had chicken tacos with beans planned. I got lazy and didn't want to make the beans so I exchanged it for one tortilla.

Wednesday (1-24-18)

Wednesday started off great. Workout area was set up, pre-workout was kicking it. I go to log onto my BOD on my Amazon Firestick and it wouldn't load. I tried on my laptop, it wouldn't work. I ended up restarting my laptop and it finally worked.

Thursday (1-25-18)

I was able to get my workout done during nap time. Austin was cranky and cuddly. 

Friday (1-26-18)

Workout done a lot later than expected. Austin was moody again and didn't take a nap until it was time for me to get Ella from school. Done late is better than not done at all.

Saturday (1-27-18)

Cardio day done. No excuses today, got it done an hour after breakfast while Austin overtook my area little by little with toys. 

Sunday (1-28-18)

Today is rest day. Later today I will be doing a foam roller stretch to help my sore muscles and some self care. 

Last weeks dinner in pictures
Monday- Ground Turkey with Quinoa Stuffed Peppers



Wednesday- Perfect Chicken with tomatoes and Air Fried Brussel Sprouts



 Thursday- Black Bean Pasta with a little red sauce, cucumbers, and chicken.


Friday- pizza (not plan approved)



Saturday- meatloaf (not 100% planned approved) with 1/2 sweet potato and a salad with Dijon dressing



Week 3 Dinner Plans
Monday- Cobb Salad
Tuesday- Ground Turkey Taco's w/ corn tortillas side of cucumber
Wednesday- leftover soup
Thursday- turkey sausage, brussel spouts, and sweet potato
Friday- Ella reward Pizza and salad
Saturday- Chicken, peppers,onion,mushroom tortilla
Sunday- wings, brussel sprouts, sweet potato fries. 

Thank you for stopping by!!!!! If you are new here,
Feel free to follow along.
You can find me on Bloglovin, Facebook, and Instagram

XOXO


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Friday Favorites

Happy Friday. The weekend is finally here. It has been a crazy week. Ella only had school 3 days this week. I have had issues with my blog platform and my phone. Austin is fighting something, he goes back and forth of running a low grade fever. Today we are also having a weird January heat up in Northern Ohio again of 53 degrees. I wish it would just stay warm, I'm so over winter.

I am linking up with these three lovely ladies, Erika, Narci, and Andrea for some of my favorites from this past week for Friday Favorites. 


Friday night Brian and I have a planned date night. He had his awards banquet for Auxiliary Police. Afterwards we planned on going to the bar with some of his buddies. My sister came to our house and watched the kids and we enjoyed ourselves. 


Saturday morning started with Aubriella having a dentist appointment. She needs some intensive work and has to see a specialist. 


After being at the dentist for an hour and a half (and all they did was look at her teeth it was a lot of waiting) I treated her to McDonald's. 


Ella is keeping brother amused while we were at Lowes getting some new lights for the basement. 


I am loving their ages right now. (6 and 2 and a half) They play, most of the time share, and make lots of memories. 


Got my workout done on Monday with some little helpers. They used my extra bands and 2 and 3 pound weights.


Little Mr. Trouble and his love of fish. Now only if he would stay out of the fish tank. I wish he would also windex the glass when he was done too. There was lots of fish kissing going on.


These two, so much love for each other. They were being cute and loving for a good 10 minutes before bed. Then he wanted to go to bed with her, but I knew that wasn't going to happen.


Austin loves "woof woof". Now only if Brian wasn't highly allergic. 

Also linking up with:

Meet at the Barre
The Blended Blog

Thank you for stopping by!!!!! If you are new here,
Feel free to follow along.
You can find me on Bloglovin, Facebook, and Instagram

XOXO







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Lots of Cookies

I am going to apologize in advance. I have been meaning to post all these cookie recipes for the past few weeks, ok maybe 2 months. Time got the best of me and I never got around to it. These are the cookies I made this past year for Christmas that were a success. (There were other cookies that were a fail) I am becoming better at baking, learning as I go, and enjoying it. For Christmas this year I got a Kitchenaid mixer. I am so excited to eventually use it to bake with. I can't wait to come up with an excuse to use it.

 Here are the cookies that you will find below. 
Chocolate Chip Bar
Mint Ande's Chocolate Cookies
Oreo Cheesecake Cookies
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies 
Grinch Crinkle Cookies
Peanut Butter Cookies and Blossoms

Chocolate Chip Bar
Ingredients:
2 sticks butter, at room temperature
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
 
2 eggs
3 cups flour
 
 
1 bag chocolate chips (14oz)

Directions:

 

4- Slowly stir in flour, salt and baking soda.
5- Gently fold in chocolate chips.
 
8- Let cool before slicing.
9- Enjoy!

Mint Ande's Chocolate Cookies
Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups Sugar
2 sticks Butter, room temperature
2 Eggs
2 tsp Vanilla extract
2 cups Flour
2/3 cup Cocoa powder
1/4 tsp Salt
3/4 tsp Baking soda
1 bag Andes mint pieces
Directions:

1- Preheat oven to 350 degress
2- Add sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla to a large bowl. Beat until fluffy
3- In a separate bowl whisk together flour, cocoa, salt, and baking soda. 
4- Slowly combine both mixes.
5- Fold in Andes min pieces.
6- Roll dough into balls. Place on baking sheet.
7- Bake for 8-10 minutes.
8- Cool on pan for 5 minutes. Cook rest of the way on cooling racks.
9- Enjoy!!!

Oreo Cheesecake Cookies
Ingredients:

1 stick butter, room temperature
3 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup flour
10 crushed Oreo's
Directions:

1- Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2- In a large bowl mix together the butter and cream cheese until smooth.
3- Add the sugar and vanilla.
4- Gently mix in the flour.
5- Using a medium size scoop, scoop the dough and roll it into a ball. 
6- Roll the ball in the Oreo crumbs
7- Place on cookie sheet and bake for 12-17 minutes 
8- Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to cool completely on a wire rack.
9. Enjoy!!

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies 
Ingredients:

4 eggs
½ cup vegetable oil
zest of 1 lemon
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
½ cup powdered sugar
Directions:

1- In a large bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and eggs
2- Add vanilla extract, vegetable oil and lemon zest. 
3- Cover the dough and keep it the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours.
4- Pre-heat the oven to 350F.
5- Pour the powder sugar in a bowl.
6- Take the dough out of the refrigerator.
7- Using an small scoop, roll the dough into 1-inch balls and drop in the powder sugar.
8- Roll it in the sugar and place on cookie sheet.
9- Bake for 10 -12 minutes.
10- Cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet then cool rest of the way on cooling rack.
11- Enjoy!!!!

Grinch Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients:
1  Box Vanilla Cake Mix
1 Stick Butter, softened
1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
2 Eggs, Room Temperature
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
1 Cup Corn Starch
Green Gel Food Coloring
Directions:
1- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2- Mix powdered sugar and corn starch together in a small bowl
3- In a large bowl, mix the butter, cake mix, oil and eggs.
4- Stir green food coloring to get the Grinch green, about 5-10 drops.
5- Using a small scoop, scoop dough then roll it into the powdered sugar/corn starch mixture.
6- Pick up the dough and roll into a ball and place on cookie sheet.
7- Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until they puff up.
8- Cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes. Cool rest of the way on cooling rack.
9- Enjoy!!
Peanut Butter Cookies and Blossoms
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 stick butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar, divided (1/2 cup set aside)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
24 chocolate kiss candies, unwrapped (need only if doing blossoms) 
 Directions:

 1- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2- Combine flour, baking soda and salt, set aside.
3- In a large bowl blend butter until creamy. 
4- Gradually add in sugar until smooth.
5- Beat in egg, peanut butter and vanilla making sure you are scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl.
6- Add dry ingredients.
7- Using a small scoop, scoop dough into 1 inch balls. Roll ball in sugar. Place on baking sheet.
for blossoms cook at balls
for cookies, press fork on top for criss-cross design.
8- Bake for 10 - 12 minutes. 
9- Allow to cool for 5 minutes. Move to cooling rack. 
for blossoms allow to cool for 5 more minutes than press a Hersey Kiss into each cookie.
for cookies cool completely on cooling rack.
10- Enjoy!!!



Linking up with: 

Grace at Home
Full Plate Thursday

Thank you for stopping by!!!!! If you are new here,
Feel free to follow along.
You can find me on Bloglovin, Facebook, and Instagram

XOXO


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