It's that time of year...

So...yes...it's Monday.  But it's a Monday in Spring and that's all the better!  I'm catching up with my fav's, Jess & Kel!  Won't you join us for...

 

Today's questions are:

What is your favorite thing about spring?  Favorite color?  Favorite flower?  Favorite place to enjoy?  Favorite thing to do outdoors?


For me...

I love spring because of the fresh and new beginnings.  I love the smells, sounds, and scenery of this vibrant time of year!

fresh cut grass

Source: thundafunda.com via Lillian on Pinterest

babies


My favorite colors include all that is spring.
I'm into yellows and teals, with some grey intertwined!

Source: kikicreates.blogspot.com via Jo on Pinterest

My favorite flowers include everything in bloom.  Although I especially love lilies and my clematis (see below)!

My favorite place IS the outdoors!
Everything feels so free and blissful...

Make Me...

It's definitely just another one of those, ummm...Monday's.  I want to "make it" with Kel & Jess!  Won't you join?!

To kick off yet another crazy busy week, I'm going to pause and take heed of the following questions...

Where is a place you go for ME time?  How do you deal with a bad day, tragedy, or disaster?  Who's the person you go to the most when down?

Queenie as a yearling (2008)

My ME time is spent in different ways, depending on the season.  In Spring and Fall, I'll go for drive with the windows open (weather dependent) and music blaring (typically country or christian), walk through the fields with my horses, or go out and sit on a blanket and bask in the sounds of birds chirping and smells of fresh cut grass, at the park or my Daddy's graveside.  Sometimes, a nice jog will even follow. 

Come Summertime though, my ME time is basking in the sunlight on pool, lake, or beach.







Engagement session fun with MIL (2008)



Since I get an extended vacation (being a teacher and all) and my MIL has an in-ground, I'll typically spend my days reading (typing grad school papers this go-round) and basking in the sun's delight.  I'm getting very antsy as I type this!

Winters lead ME time to the bathtub for a nice warm, relaxing epsom soak.  I'm thinking I have an addiction to water.  I don't suppose that's a bad thing though.

Question numero dos...

My bad days, tragedies, or disasters are taken up with a consistent "Go-Go-Go" mentality.  When tragedy strikes, I don't stop.  If anything, I'll add more to my plate to keep my strength building.  I'm not saying that I avoid confronting it, I just mourn by keeping my life moving and reflecting as I go.

In light of this response, I'll continue on to

numero tres!

My GO-TO person actually consists of more than one.  First and foremost, my sweet M catches the brunt of all my ups and downs.  Of course, that may just be part of why I married him.  He deals so swiftly!  I'm so very blessed with this man!!





M and ME





The rest of my GO-TO list involves my sisters and momma, along with my "Kel-bel", Lauren, and my school girls. 

About once a month, my Daddy Jim catches a mouthful from me too.  He's always ready with open and listening ears.  Talk about another great man in my life!  (I'll save that for another day.)

Either way... yes, I'm a talker and expresser.  I have to release my joys and concerns.  Even if that's through inner convos with myself.

This talking thing... I really do get it honestly!

(Again, another day altogether)

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world, you will have tribulation.  But take heart, I have overcome the world."  ~John 16:33

Making it mine...

Guess what time it is AGAIN!

Yep, that's right...

This week's BIG Q...

What's your style best summed up as?

(Classic, trendy, modern, etc.  What is your typical go to outfit?  What beauty product can you not live without?)

My style is best summed up as

FEMININE

(according to Real Simple).

And I couldn't agree more with these results. 

Because I was short on style "names," I went the Real Simple route to identify a name.  From there, I found my ME!

Let me introduce you to ME and my femininity!

I'm not a fashion-forward female.  There are modern bits and pieces I like, but the true greats for me are pearls, ruffles, LaCe, d.o.t.s, and bows!  I'm digging stripes lately too!  My Anthropologie, Ann Taylor, and Kate Spade inspirations come from icons of the past, like Grace Kelly and Ava Gardner and currents, like Reese Witherspoon and Carrie Underwood (I WANT her hair!!!).

I hit up my inspirations at my favorite locations...

TJ Maxx and Forever 21.

 

               

To give you a better idea, here are a few inspirations from my pinterest board, "Style Stuff"...

Source: polyvore.com via Lauralee on Pinterest

Source: prepaganda.tumblr.com via Lauralee on Pinterest

Source: threepinkdots.com via Lauralee on Pinterest

Source: tarahlowry.blogspot.com via Lauralee on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Lauralee on Pinterest

Source: forever21.com via Lauralee on Pinterest

Source: stylemepretty.com via Lauralee on Pinterest

My go to's...

Source: Uploaded by user via Lauralee on Pinterest

...pearls

Source: target.com via Lauralee on Pinterest

...leopard flats

Source: maryelizabethinspire.tumblr.com via Lauralee on Pinterest

...cardigans

And THAT, my friends, is ME and my femininity!

Coocoo for cooking...

Is it really Monday again? 

I was having a case of them for sure...until I awoke to a message..."SC schools CLOSED" (due to overnight snow accumulations)!!! 

The greatest part is...

Make My Monday is here again!!

Jess & Kelly

Being as how I have built a passion for cooking, I'm excited about this week's challenge...

"What's your favorite recipe for entertaining?"

MY favorite recipe for entertaining, and especially lately (I've made it 3 times in the past month!)...

Ultimate Super Bowl Dip

Now, since I've fallen in love with this concoction, I believe I'd better create a new name, being as how the Super Bowl has come and gone and my recipe is here to stay. 

So, you, my friends, are now being introduced to my favorite recipe...

Fiesta Scoops Dip

Now, I mentioned that I've made this 3 times so far.  I must also mention that each of those times has been very similar, yet very different, in the yummies that I include in my list of ingredients.

I'll go with a mix that I believe to be the tastiest.  It really is very simple and has yet to have any leftovers.

Enjoy!

Source: betterrecipes.com via Lauralee on Pinterest

ingredients:

1 8oz. package of cream cheese

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup mayo (or horseradish sauce)

1 lb package of sausage

1/2 cup chopped onions

1/4 cup red bell peppers

garlic powder to taste (and extra taste)

1/2 package frozen spinach

1/4 cup Velveeta cheese cubed

directions:

Preheat oven to 350.

Brown sausage with onions and peppers in skillet.  This is where you add the extra taste of garlic powder.

Mix the cream cheese, sour cream, milk, and mayo (or horsey) in a medium sized bowl.

Add in sausage mixture then thawed spinach.

Pour mixture in baking dish.

Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Serve with Tostito scoops.

I won't say, "I told ya so!"

Rad fad from the 90's...



One fashion fad from my past that makes me cringe now...

boys basketball shoes.

Yuck!

Happily and sadly, I have no digital photos.  I'm not particularly sure where the photos are.  So, I've researched and found a photo to share...

The 3rd one down, on the right!

Yep, I did that!  I was wrapped up in my oldest sister's relationship.  She and her star athlete boyfriend got matching pairs, so I HAD to join the party!! 

I also played basketball that year (5th grade).  Anyone who knows me knows how unlike ME this would be now.  It's so funny how times change because I was SO a little tomboy.  I had actually moved away from that in 5th grade, but like sister's boyfriend, like sister's little sister.

Too funny!

This has definitely made my Monday!

Thanks Kel and Jess!

Enjoy YOUR Monday!

Make My Monday...

 


The case of the Monday's has arrived.  It's here, like it or not.  However, THIS Monday is a wee bit different.  Different in two ways for me!


The first and greatest of all...Make My Monday linky party with Jess and Kelly!!!  Second, it's a day off for me!
SO, I have the time to sip my coffee v e r y  s l o w  l y, write a post, and enjoy all my bloggy friends that make my days a good bit better.  I'm LOVING this Monday!


To fulfill our first link-up, I've chosen my one word answers.  I have to admit, it wasn't simple.  I'm thinking it's not simple for anyone who blogs.  We blog for many reasons, but one great reason is the fact that we're wordy.  (imagine that?!)  Therefore, one word responses to questions...not. so. simple.  However, I DID IT!  Can you?!  Join us and find out!


Here goes...


What is one word that describes you?  hearty
one word to describe your life... blessed
one word to describe your love... BIG
one word to describe your body... work-in-progress
one word to describe your cooking... tasteful
one word to describe your career... teacher
one word to describe your hobby... volunteer
one word to describe your style... fun
one word to describe your blog... open
one word to describe your home... comfy


To sum it all up and take you back to my one word that describes ME...

Source: sayingimages.com via Danielle on Pinterest

Make me...

It's a day that's simply dreaded by many.  We place blame on it when we're feeling down, overwhelmed, behind, and off guard.  We can't get around it, over it, or under it.  It simply is what it is and we have to give it our best shot.  We have no choice.  

To motivate us through this day, we can keep in mind it's creator.  HE creates great things!  He created each of us, right?!

Even still, we seem to always have a bad case of it and it's going to continue to smack us right in the face once a week!

Have you guessed yet?

It's THE MONDAY'S!!

 

Since we have no choice but to face it head on with great joy, why not make the best of it?!  We can even motivate others to share those bests of our horrible cases!

SO, I'm joining!  Won't you?

For more info, check out mi amiga KELLY and her friend (my NEW friend) JESS!