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Friday Favorites

It is

friday yes GIF by Denyse®

and it is time for my Friday Favorites!

 

Favorite # ONE

A Little Goat

On my way home from work, I drive past a house with a little goat standing in the front yard.  Once or twice he has managed to wander out onto the sidewalk.  Each time I drive past, I look for the little goat hoping he hasn’t managed to find his way out of the yard again.  It makes me happy to see him safe in his yard.

Why is a little goat being listed as one of my Friday favorites?

Because anything that brings a smile to my face when

I’m IN TRAFFIC!

reveals don orsillo GIF

is worthy of recognition!

 

Favorite # TWO

Last Minute Plans

It was hurricane Irma that interfered with the Shrimp and Grits Festival last year, causing it to be cancelled and rescheduled as Shrimpmas in December.

This year the festival wasn’t cancelled, but LB had to cancel our reservations and plans to spend the weekend in Jekyll Island, GA, due to hurricane Florence, because he was needed for hurricane restoration at work.

HOWEVER

It turned out that there was nothing that could be done on Saturday, so we took off!

We grabbed the chairs and headed to the Wild Georgia Shrimp & Grits Festival, stopping only for a diet lemonade from Chick-fil-A.

I’m okay with that.

 

Favorite # THREE

The End of Summer

Although I am not happy to see summer go, I like to think that the rain is going to stop, which makes me happy.  Many can’t bear the end of summer, but I want to share that according to the Huffington Post, there are

Worse Things Than the End of Summer

…one of them being “when the drawstring on your sweatshirt gets lost in the hood”.

“The tans will fade, but the memories will last forever.”

~Anonymous

Speaking of memories…

 

Favorite # FOUR

Memories of a Fun Summer

Favorite # FIVE

Fall

I have said it before:

Fall is my favorite season!

Though temperatures will likely remain in the nineties until January, the rain seems to have ceased, and the sky is beautiful.

I’m looking forward to what is ahead!

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

It is finally Friday

[and not a minute too soon]

which means it is time for my

Friday Favorites!

After two sleepless nights, courtesy of my new psychology class, I finally got a good night’s sleep!

    It is amazing how seven hours of uninterrupted sleep can change your day!

 

The right amount of sleep will also aid in making the right choices.

Which brings me to my

Favorite # ONE

Vega Plant Protein and Greens

 I recently bought the book:

The All-Day Fat Burning Diet calls for a smoothie for breakfast on most days.

The Vega Protein and Greens is a product I purchased prior to this book and it works nicely in the smoothie recipes in this book.  The Coco-Berry Blast smoothie is especially tasty.  It includes coconut milk, mixed berries, spinach, chia seed, and this Vega protein powder.

Speaking of Greens…

Favorite # TWO

My new book has a recipe for a

Creamy Kale Salad!

Sadly, I can’t show you a photo because the Creamy Kale Salad has been consumed.

However KALE looks like this:And my version of the recipe looks like this:

 

Creamy Kale Salad

  • Servings: 3-4
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

½ cup tahini

¼ cup water

Juice of 1 lemon

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

Sea salt and ground black pepper

Kale, stemmed and chopped

Cucumber, peeled and chopped

Avocado, chopped

Tomato, chopped

1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained

Directions

1. In a blender, mix together the tahini, water, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and sea salt and pepper to taste.

2. Add the kale, cucumber, avocado, tomato, and chickpeas. Toss with the dressing until combined and serve.

I have had this for lunch every day that I’ve had lunch this week.

Favorite # THREE

Covergirl Outlast All-Day Lipcolor

My new favorite is #542 Brazen Raisin.

Even though I am affiliated with Mary Kay, I haven’t found a better lipstick product than this one.

The truth is the truth!

Favorite # FOUR

Shopping at Tanger Outletsin Daytona Beach.

LB and I made a stop on the way home from our Labor Day Weekend Mini-Vacation that you can read about here.

We did a lot of shopping.Believe it or not, LB found more deals than I did!

 

Favorite # FIVE

EXPRESS

It’s always been a favorite.

There are typically great deals to be found.

And for fit, the jeans cannot be beat.

However, the CLEARANCE RACK is the best!

I found a Cold Shoulder Black & White Gingham Top!

$12 Final Sale.

I got the last one!

 

 

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

Why is today the BEST FRIDAY EVER???

 

Because I have today OFF!

I slept late, woke up without an alarm, held my cat in my lap while enjoying my coffee and

DID NOT GO TO WORK!

 

 

dance dancing GIF

I could stop right there, but the Friday Favorites post compels me to continue.

 

 

Favorite # ONE

Jesús in Texas finally gave back my top!Just Kidding… Old Navy sent me a new one!

 

 

Favorite # TWO

Spending the afternoon on the beach with LB!

Just LB and Me on the sand with the cool ocean breeze blowing.

Relaxation defined.

 

 

Favorite # THREE

A photo of Lydia and Thea having lunch at their Mema’s house.This photo is sure to be a classic!

Cousins are a special treat…

Especially when they get to be together at Mema’s house!

 

Favorite # FOUR

My cute checkered pants!

I recently discovered that trending in fall 2018 are patterns such as herringbone, glen plaid, and houndstooth.  Hopefully I’ll be able to uncover other trends for fall before fall arrives.  Whatever these trends may be, I’m going to try to make my checkered pants trend as well, even if they only trend for me.  I suppose I’ll have to buy into the white shoe movement to make it work though!

 

Favorite # FIVE

Monkeying Around

I couldn’t resist.

And speaking of Monkeying Around…

I’ve included a very cute video of Christopher Walken dancing to his version of King Louie’s I Wanna Be Like You from The Jungle Book.

Lighten up!

and

Enjoy…

He is pretty good!

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

Yeah I’ve used that one before.

But it’s a GOOD ONE!

 

Friday Favorites

 

Favorite # ONE

My Belated Birthday Gift from my sister.It’s true… my best friend has four paws.

 

 

Favorite # TWO

I was SO looking forward to finding my Old Navy order sitting by my front door when I came home from work yesterday.

  Imagine my disappointment when finding, instead of a

Waist-Defined Tiered-Sleeve Romper for Women Black Floral

and a

Floral Tie-Neck Bell-Sleeve Blouse for Women

there was an item I never considered.

A pair of size 38 men’s shorts. These were meant for Jesús in Texas.

Jesús in Texas was probably far more disappointed with my order than I with his.

Luckily my romper came today!

Still waiting for the yellow top.

 

 

Favorite # THREE

It may not be new on the market, but it is new to me!

Halo Top Oatmeal Cookie

If you have a sweet tooth and like ice cream, but try to watch your calorie intake… this is what you need to look for in the freezer section of your grocery store!

SOOOO Yummy!

 

 

Favorite # FOUR

Wendy’s online SUDOKU

or as she calls it

SeDUCKo

 

 

Favorite # FIVE

The Little Squirrel who Could

When LB walked outside Sunday evening he took a moment to stop and watch a little squirrel work to move a pine cone from one side of our yard to another.  It made my day when LB showed me the pictures and a short video while telling me his account of the little squirrel.

As I listened to the story, I was reminded of a classic children’s story.

But with a different twist.

What a HEAVY pinecone for a small squirrel to carry such a long way! “I-think-I-can I-think-I-can I-think-I-can I-think-I-can I-think-I-can I-think-I-can!” And he did!

Although he made several stops to catch his breath, the little squirrel kept the course.

Very soon he had crossed the long sidewalk and was heading up the tree.Safely at home in the tree, while he chipped away at the pinecone, he could be heard singing:

“I-thought-I-could I-thought-I-could I-thought-I-could I-thought-I-could I-thought-I-could  I-thought-I-could!”

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

My work week has left me

work working GIF

with just enough brain function to compose a list of

Friday Favorites

Favorite # ONE

Juenic

(her name rhymes with UNIQUE)

Which she is!

Beloved agent advocate and everyone’s friend, Juenic always makes time to talk to anyone who needs her.  She is a sweet friend and has fabulous fashion sense!

Yesterday she was walking around with a Saks Fifth Avenue shoe box and my curiosity got the better of me.

She opened the box to reveal a pair of Tory Burch platform slides that I instantly loved.

Juenic’s tiny little size 7 foot would not support those size 8 beauties, so she was looking to sell.

Hook.

Line.

Sinker.

Favorite # TWO

My new

Tory Burch Miller Platform Wedge Slides

My plan was to wear them to work today, but I had such difficulty keeping them on my feet that I decided to research for a product that would resolve this issue.

 Juenic recommended:

I’m going to give this a try and hope for the best.

Favorite # THREE

  This month marked #SIX for little Rory!

My second Glambaby girl is getting cuter every day.

And she poses!

Check out the hand on the hip!

As I commented previously (in a Facebook comment), she couldn’t be any cuter if she tried!TOES!

There is more cuteness in this photo than I can stand!

Favorite # FOUR

The team indulged in yet another potluck today.

My contribution…

Caramel Pecan Bars

The recipe can be found here.

But if the interminable loading of the site becomes bothersome, my rewritten version can be found below:

Pecan Caramel Bars

  • Servings: 28
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Pecan Caramel Bars

Yield: 28 bars

Prep Time:n15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • 60 Keebler club crackers
  • 2 11 oz bags Kraft caramels
  • 10 oz  chopped pecans
  • 1 11.5 oz bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

  1. Line a 9×13 pan with foil.
  2. Butter foil lined pan.
  3. Layer 30 club crackers in the bottom of the buttered pan.
  4. Melt one-third of the caramels and pour over crackers.  Spread into an even layer.
  5. Sprinkle half of pecans on top of caramel.
  6. Top pecans with one-third more of the caramel and spread into an even layer.
  7. Top caramel layer with the remaining crackers.
  8. Pour remaining caramel on top of crackers and spread caramel into an even layer.
  9. In medium sized microwave safe bowl, microwave chocolate chips uncovered for 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth.
  10. Pour over caramel and spread evenly.
  11. Top with remaining pecans.
  12. Let cool until chocolate has hardened, about 1 hour in the fridge.
  13. Cut into bars and serve.

Favorite # FIVE

Gina

Today is my little sister’s birthday

She is four years younger than I…

and I’m only slightly jealous.

Happy Birthday Gina!

In her honor, check out THIS POST.

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

 

Friday Favorites Workplace Edition

I haven’t had the energy or the creativity to post this week because we have been under an overtime mandate at work due to excessive call volume.  Happily, one of our production agents sits in a cubicle on the other side of mine and I get to listen to her all day long.

It’s Mary Ann

and she hopes “to ensure to provide you an excellent customer experience” if she happens to take your call.

With very clear and precise annunciation, Mary Ann adds cheerfulness to her calls and provides a bit of entertainment to those of us nearby.

This morning I heard her exclaim to a customer:

“I’m great, IT’S FRIDAY!  Who could not be great on a Friday?”

She is an exceptional agent and at times will say things that make me drop my jaw, but given the subject matter, that is understandable.

She will not hesitate to declare her competence by informing her customer that she has “been with the company for eleven years”.

Of course there is no one who can better help the customer because [as she puts it] “we are the last… call center left in the United States”

Mary Ann will even provide her customers with her contact email sweetly advising “if you don’t use it, it’s your own fault”… “Darlin’.”

Today she is my

Favorite # ONE

She brightened my day today!

For my Friday favorites I have decided to make proverbial lemonade out of our workplace lemons and accentuate the positive!

 

Here goes:

 

 

Favorite # TWO

Dunkin’ Donuts

from Derek.

The new guy on the block decided to treat the team this morning.

What a nice gesture!

 

According to MyFitnessPal this Boston Kreme Donut contains 445 calories and 67 grams of carbs.I don’t want to talk about it.

 

Favorite # THREE

As I mentioned in this post Wendy has lost a lot of weight.

Today marked

 A Pivotal Moment

as she walked into the office wearing a dress.

For the first time since 2002, Wendy donned a dress and ventured into the great outdoors… or at least to work.

Her dress is very cute and at $17.99 what a great deal!

AELSON Womens Summer Casual Sleeveless Mini Printed Vest Dresses

 

 

Favorite # FOUR

Wendy’s Electric Kettle

I use Wendy’s kettle most mornings to brew several (4) cups of green tea.

Green tea is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that have powerful effects on the body. These include improved brain function, fat loss, a lower risk of cancer and many other impressive benefits (source).

It keeps me out of the junk food!

Thanks Wendy!

 

 

Favorite # FIVE

Currently the company is encouraging that we participate in supporting

I couldn’t agree more!

Click on the picture to access the website for more information!

It is a precious story!

 

 

 

In addition to what I have mentioned, there are other workplace positives:

  • The BENEFITS.  I won’t divulge the name of the company I work for, but I can’t complain about the benefits.
  • The OPPORTUNITY to be part of a specialty team working Presidential Escalations and hard to resolve cases.
  • The BLESSING that several of my college courses have been paid in full.  And they haven’t seen the last of me.

 

 

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

It is incredible that this is the

Last Friday in July!

Happy No Problem GIF by Jonas Mosesson

We are prancing along through the summer and it will be autumn in no time!

 

 

And now:

Friday Favorites!

Favorite # ONE

Have you tried the Pasta alternative veggie products?

This one is my favoriteThere are several varieties by Birdseye and Green Giant.

I’ve wanted to try the new marinara sauce (that I mentioned in this post) so I made Rigatoni for LB.

Sadly, there are 220 calories in 1 cup of cooked Rigatoni.

Calorie breakdown: 5% fat, 80% carbs, 15% protein.

Since I’m not about to eat real pasta, I sampled my marinara sauce atop these carrot spirals.

Calorie breakdown: 0% fat, 3% carbs, 1 gram protein.

Not bad at all!

 

 

Favorite # TWO

Surprises on Back Order!

LB checked the mail this week and told me that I had a package.  My response: I didn’t order anything!

Apparently I had an item on back-order from a Venus order that I placed in JANUARY!

 Mini Jean Skirt in Indigo Blue

At least THEY remembered!

 

 

 

Favorite # THREE

Natalie Tuman

Health and Fitness Coach

This is a real life Wonder Woman and I follow her on Instagram.

This week I attempted to complete a workout she shared on Instagram.

 

 

Nope.

I couldn’t do it!

Her websites can be found here and here.

 

 

Favorite # FOUR

Good News!

I attended college at FCCJ (now FSCJ) off and on after high school and between babies.  Since achieving success earning an AA degree and an AS in Interior Design Technology several years ago, I have attempted to earn a Bachelor’s degree from Liberty University online.  This week I reached out to the admissions department for advice on wrapping this up!

I’m FINALLY seeing light at the end of the tunnel!  I’m so excited and looking forward to sharing news of a graduation sooner than later!

 

 

 

Favorite # FIVE

Kathy

She who took me under her wing and has looked out for me since I came to her team seven years ago!

Kathy is a dear friend and trusted colleague who is celebrating a milestone this week!

Happy Birthday Kathy!

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog!

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