More Craziness...

So, things are going to be a bit crazy on here for a little itty bitty bit- I'm in the process of that whole '.com' thing I think I might have mentioned once or twice, so it might look as if I've gone MIA, but the truth is, I'm making a sparkly shiny place for all you to visit. 

Once I've got a new address, I'll post it and invite you to come hang out!

In the interim, I'll post a few things here and there- you know, so you don't wander around confused.  But if you're feeling lost, just remember what you're mama used to say- just stay in one place.  I'll come find YOU.

Talk to you soon!

Go see my guest post! Now!

Ok, so I already wrote a 'Wordless Wednesday' post for today, but if you'd like to read actual WORDS by me, then you need to hop, skip and then jump (or tap, tap tap the letters on your keyboard) to Insignificant at Best!  (Or, you can jut click on that there link to take you to the post.)

Yes, that's the same gal I had guest post here.  What can I say?  She's got good taste, lol.

So, go on- go head over there for my brand new, shiny and sparkly, never before posted entry!  I'll be here when you get back so you can shower me with compliments, lol.

Wordless Wednesday

(Ok, so this is NOT so wordless, because I just have to brag about my AWESOME photographer friend, Victoria Karalun, who took this photo (among MANY others!).

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Tasty Tuesdays #1

Ok, so its really kind of sad that in my profile description, I talk about how much a love to cook and bake to save my sanity (and when THAT doesn't work, THAT'S when I write), but YET- I haven't posted any of my favorite recipes.

I know- I'm in awe, too.

But, never fear, I'm changing that now. I'm combining my love for sanity, cooking, baking, and writing and I'm turning it into

I know- there are a million Blog Hops out there by that name (one of which is found on one of my FAVORITE sites to visit: Voiceboks), but this isn't a blog hop. I HAVE hops that I do- including my Thankful Thursday hop- but I wanted to write a post JUST about food.

Recipes I love.

Recipes I'm trying for the first time.

Recipes passed down from generation to generation.

You know- food. And who doesn't LOVE food?


 So, for my first 'Tasty Tuesday', I wanted to post one of my husband's favorite cookies I've made.

Its really nothing special- its actually one of the easiest things I've done.  It was out of shear desperation for a different kind of cookie that I decided to try this one.  But sometimes, the best things in life are the simplest things.

Occasionally I'll sell batches of cookies to my husband's co-workers- like when they don't want to bake during that hectic time of the year, they'll ask me to do it for them, and I happily oblige.

Why?

Because cooking and baking help to keep me sane.

Have you read nothing so far?

Anyways, one of them- or maybe it WAS my husband- had asked if I made any lemon cookies.  I hadn't, but I had lemon cake mix... and would you looky here?  There was a recipe for Lemon Crisps using the cake mix!  Awesome!

Now, given, I'm not the type to see a recipe and follow it verbatim.  I've even *gasp* tweaked a 100 year old recipe for Spanish Rice (I'll post that recipe later) because, well, I can.  But, for the most part, this recipe is the one I found.  I just wanted to share it.  If you try it and you like it, I'd love your feedback.  If you don't, well, that's not gonna happen unless you hate lemon... in which case, you won't try it anyways unless you're tryin' to spite me.

Lemon Crisps

1 pkg. lemon cake mix

1/3 cup oil

2 eggs

1 2 tsp lemon zest

1/4 cup sugar

(frosting)

1 cup powdered sugar

2-3 tbsp. lemon juice

Heat oven to 375*.

In a large bowl, combine the first 4 ingredients; stir until thoroughly moistened.  shape dough into 1 in. balls.  

Dip the bottom of a cup in sugar to flatten the balls (I usually have a damp folded paper towel nearby to help the sugar stick to the glass a little better).

Bake for 5-7 minutes- until the edges are a light golden brown.

Cool 1 minute on the baking sheet and then move to a cooling rack.

Combine powdered sugar and lemon juice.  Drizzle over the cooled cookies.

Enjoy!  And, remember, if you have a recipe you'd like the rest of the blog-o-verse to  know about, email me and I'll post it here!

Guest Post Monday- Insignificant at Best!

As I told someone else, my husband is seriously thinking that I'm doing "other things" on the internet because I'm on here so often, so I decided that the easiest way to keep him from divorcing me...

...oh, who am I kidding- he'd never divorce me.  Who would cook his meals?

Anyways, though, I thought I would start doing Guest Posts on Mondays... or at least on the Mondays I have someone to do it. *hint, hint*

This week's guest is awesome- seriously.  The first time I read an entry by her, I questioned if we had been separated at birth because we had such similar tastes and humor.  Her blog has a little bit of everything because, as she's said, her mind doesn't stick to just one subject so why should her blog, and that makes perfect sense to me.  She claims that she's no one special, but I think she's pretty fabulous, and I'm sure you will, too. And once you've discovered her awesomeness, go to her blog and check out more from her!

So, without further ado- Lisa from Insignificant at Best!

Distracted Driving- Are we going overboard?

Distracted driving. It’s all the media and everyone else seems to talk about these days. All we hear about is how we shouldn’t “text and drive”, “eat while driving” or how we should “pull over before talking on the cell phone”. I don’t know about you, but here in Michigan we have some cities that have laws stating that we can’t talk on our cell phones while driving and there is even one city that says you can’t do anything, while driving. I mean talk on the phone, eat, drink, etc. when you’re driving. I mean how’s a girl supposed to eat breakfast in the morning?!? 

Anyways, I’m finding that it’s so “in your face” that I’m starting to get annoyed. The reasons are countless. First of all with “hands free” technology, now-a-days talking on your cell phone is like talking to a passenger in the car. I know that on more than one occasion I was so into talking to the person in the passenger seat that I missed my exit on the expressway. Does this mean we’re going to have to stop talking altogether when the vehicle is in motion? How about the crying infant in the back seat? Should I pull over and give them Benadryl so they fall asleep and shut up? I’m going to go with a big fat “no” on that one.

The next thing that drives me insane is all of these digital signs we have everywhere. You know the ones that say catchy little sayings like “Construction workers – give ‘em a break!” or “Stay alive, don’t drink and drive!”, when they are supposed to be warning us of upcoming traffic jams, road closures, construction, etc. I’m sorry, but I have to look up and read these ever changing signs with their life altering tips, which means I’m…DISTRACTED.

Let me just share with you some pictures of the gems in the Detroit Metro Area (Oh and let’s just pretend I didn’t take these with my cell phone while driving. What can I say? I’m a rebel like that.):

“Drunk driving, over the limit, under arrest.” Really?!? I had no clue that drunk driving could lead to an arrest. Next thing you’re going to tell me is that I’m putting my life and other people’s lives at risk when I drive drunk.

 

“Construction and traffic info www.mi.gov/drive.” Hmmm…should I grab a pen to write the website address down or just pull out my Smart Phone and go directly to the website right then and there?

“Avoid cell phone use while driving.” Ironic that I took a picture of this sign with my cell phone, don’t ya think? Also, ironic that a sign that’s warning me not to distract myself while using my cell phone is causing me to be distracted.

Not to mention all of the other billboards that line the roads, especially the new-fangled electronic ones that change between 2 or 3 advertisements. Ever catch yourself staring at those while they change? It just seems to me that this has all gotten a little out of control and frankly, I’m tired of it.

How about you? Do you agree? Disagree? Have funny electronic sign messages to share? Please do so in the comments below!

(***If you'd like to be a guest blogger, be sure to let me know!***)

Saturday Shout Out: I'm staying home with my mom!

I wanted to use my Saturday posts to highlight some great bloggers out there. This week's feature blogger is wonderful and I hope you love her as much as I do. If you'd like me to highlight you, just send me an email:

Saturday Shout-Out

"I'm staying home with my mom!"

~Your name:  Nicole Searfoss


~Your blog's name w/ link:

"I'm staying home with my mom!"  (link is http://www.indulgentaromas.com)

~Type of blog it is

I'd say that I'm a mommy blogger.....sort of....lol

~Tell us a little something about yourself:  

I am a Christian, 'challenged' homemaker, wife, and mom to 4 beautiful girls. I am working on not being a 'challenged' homemaker....I have recently started menu planning, baking, etc....and actually sort of enjoy it. Sort of.... I enjoy spending time with family, reading, and hunting. I also own a business, which I run from the comforts of my home. I work around my family's schedule and am available to them when I need to be. I love to laugh, act silly, have fun, and enjoy the simple things in life! Life is too short to sweat the small stuff.....You can either 'Survive the storm or dance in the rain'. I hope you dance!!!

~If you had only 1 wish, what would it be and why?

  If I had one wish, I'm not sure what I'd wish for.  I'd love to say money, because money takes away so much stress and gives you so many opportunities.  On the other hand, I'd wish that all my family would be safe, happy, and healthy.  There are so many things that I could wish for that would make my life, or life in general, better....but none seem deserving of my one and only wish.  So, I guess I really don't have an answer for that.  

~What's your favorite thing about where you live and why?

I live in a fairly small town.  It has 3 stoplights (they just put the 3rd one in a few years ago).  I love that we can let our children play outside without fear of them being taken.  I love that we all pretty much know each other and can 'catch up' at the grocery store.  I love that we can sit and watch the sunset or watch the snow fall over a quiet field.  I love October 1st and November 15 are holidays here.  I love all the 'country' things that happen here.......mud trucks, hunting, bonfires, lifelong friends, family togetherness, etc.  Come to think of it, there's not much that I don't love about my town.  It's where I was born and raised and now it's where I am raising my children.  Alongside nature and far away from skyscrapers that rob our view of God's amazing creation!

~What's #1 on your 'Bucket List'?   

We have hound dogs and I would absolutely LOVE to hunt a mountain lion with them.  I'm not much of a thrill seeker, but that is a dream of mine.  

~3 words to describe yourself would be...?   

best friend, mommy, problem solver.....guess that's 5, huh?  How about 3 phrases?  LOL

~1 little known fact about you is...? 

I am very self conscious....I come across as a confident leader, but it's all show.  I am getting better at believing in myself, but people wouldn't believe how much I really would rather be a wallflower.

~1 vice of yours is...?  

diet pop, currently Diet Mt. Dew....terrible habit but not something I am wanting to give up yet.....

~Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging for my newly launched home business.  I was given advice that I should have a blog for people to get to know me.  My goal was to 'network' through my blog and mentor others into my business.  I am still in that business (which is awesome, by the way), but blogging has become more to me than a 'business network'.  I began to change and grow in God.  I began to realize that I was relating to other mommy bloggers and they were relating to me.  We were forming a bond.  I have started to write about things that are important to me or things that I feel may help someone else out.  Maybe they are in my situation and feel alone.  Maybe they are looking to make money from home and see that I am doing it with 4 kids and running a home, so they figure they can do it too.  Maybe I had an experience that they can relate to, or find humor in.  I am 'meeting' and connecting with like minded, amazing women.  I am helping them and they are helping me.  It's amazing that a blog can be that inspiring to me and to my readers.  I write when I have issues and it makes me be accountable to others.  I can't  write about something then slide into old habits.  It has become very soothing to me to know that there are others out there experiencing the same things in life I am and we can take encouragement from each other.

~What's your favorite thing about blogging?

I love hearing from readers.  I love knowing that I am helping in some way or that others agree with me, and we can support each other.  Being a Christian isn't always easy, being a wife isn't always easy, being a mommy isn't always easy.   It's nice to be able to offer advice when you have it and take it from others when you need it.

~What do you think makes for a successful blog?

I think readers need to relate to you.  You have to be real without being a 'downer'.  Turn the challenges in your life into teaching experiences or a learning experience.  Don't be negative.  If my readers can learn from me or encourage me or laugh with me as we travel this road of life, then it has been successful.

~3 words to describe your blog would be...?   

opinionated, motivating, real

~What's 1 blog (besides yours) that you think everyone should check out?  

Oh, there are sooooo many great blogs out there!  I LOVE womenlivingwell.org, but that is only one of many that I love.  You can see my other favorites on the sidebar of my blog.  They are all AWESOME!!!!

Thankful Thursday Blog Hop

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I have a LOT to be thankful for, so I decided to start just making a list of 10 things every Thursday. That way, on days like today that make me want to scream and shout- and NOT in a good way- I can force myself to calm down and relax and think of at least 10 reasons why I'm actually NOT cursed by God to live in a miserable existence.

I'm kidding! I don't think that.

Usually.

So, here are the rules- well, not RULES, persay. They're more like GUIDELINES:

1. Don't follow me unless you really want to. I don't want this to be purely about getting new followers- I'd really like to see people flooding the internet with "Thankful" posts. If you'd like me to follow YOU, though, let me know.

2. I'd love it if you posted the button. It would give me warm fuzzies.

3. You can link up blogs, facebook and twitter accounts - just be sure to specify what each link is.

4. Hop around and find blogs that you enjoy. Be sure to tell them you are following them from Thankful Thursdays Blog Hop so they can follow you back!

And #5 and most importantly, HAVE FUN.

And now, once again, here it goes- my list of 10.

1. I'm thankful for an 11 year old that -I was told by his teachers last night- isn't working up to his potential. At least they KNOW he's not working up to his potential and they aren't accepting that he's a dolt that enjoys doing the bare minimum to get by. That means there's hope, right? I mean, at least he hasn't hit the maximum amount of intelligence that God allowed him.

2. I'm thankful that Nicholas is screaming. It means he has lungs, and I've read that those are important. I'd say that I heard that was important, but I can't really hear anything other than blaring screams.

3. I'm thankful for an inquisitive 5 year old that wondered what would happen if he threw his tacos on the ground- would they bounce or would they stick? You HAVE to be thankful for a child who loves science.

4. I'm thankful for clean carpets. The fact that those clean carpets are in dirty rooms make the rooms, well, ok, I'm just thankful I don't have to clean carpets along with everything else.

5. I'm thankful I don't have a second car and I have to walk to pick up Jacob from kindergarten- it gives me time to myself and I can listen to music that doesn't make me want to scratch my ears off.

6. I'm thankful I didn't die of heat stroke picking up Jacob from kindergarten today.

7. Have mentioned yet how thankful I am for coffee? Yeah- because I am.

8. I'm thankful that my basil plant has survived as long as it has. If you've read anything about me, you know that I PROBABLY shouldn't be given the permission to care for anything living... well, plants at least. My thumb is black and my plants USUALLY attempt herbicide long before now. Maybe this is a turning point?

9. I'm thankful I have a sense of humor.

10. I'm thankful my husband is thankful for ME, because that means that he hasn't run away and THAT means, in a few hours, I'll have a partner... so I can escape and go to Alli's.