WHW

Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Hey ya'll and welcome to another What's Hap-'pinning' Wednesday! Join in and link up below with us to let us know what's going on your way! This week has been so much fun and the lower temps have really got me feeling the Fall spirit. We have the windows open at night and by the time we get up in the morning, I basically need socks on! I'm loving it! Last night the Hubs and I took Andi to the Five County Fair for the first time and she was over the moon. I've been going since I was about 12 years old and although it is super small, it is so much fun for the kiddos. They have a petting zoo, livestock entries, baking competitions, pageants and tons of rides and food. Andi ran around, charming any and everyone, in her new cowgirl boots. The petting zoo was definitely her favorite but next year I'm thinking she'll get in on the rides too! There's nothing like a small town and after the fair we drove around seeing all the preparations our little town is making for the big vice presidential debate that is being held here next week - pretty exciting huh?







 Also, I want to share another quick and easy week night dinner time recipe we tried earlier in the week that ended up being a HUGE hit with Miss Andi as well! I made a chicken and broccoli quinoa dish with cheddar cheese (you could always do a raw goats milk cheese if you need to health it up more). Anyway, below is the recipe I followed basically word for word and it turned out to be a super yummy hit in my household. Let me know if ya'll have any other good quinoa recipes that I need to try because I'm open to anything!

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1-inch cubes
  • 3/4 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can low sodium-chicken broth (1 3/4 cup)
  • 1 cup dry quinoa
  • 1/4 tsp dry thyme
  • 2 1/2 cups chopped fresh broccoli florets
  • 4 oz shredded sharp cheddar (1 cup)
Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add onion and saute 2 minutes, then add chicken and cook 2 1/2 minutes stirring occasionally. Add garlic and saute 1 minute longer (chicken should be cooked on outsides but inside doesn't need to be fully cooked through at this point because it will boil and simmer). Add in broth, quinoa and thyme and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a full boil then cover, reduce heat to a simmer and cook 12 minutes. Then quickly lift lid, sprinkle broccoli over top, recover and simmer about 8 minutes longer or until quinoa and broccoli have cooked through (it may have a little broth in the bottom still at this point and you can carefully drain it off if desired, just don't pour everything down the drain!). Sprinkle cheese over top, cover and heat 1 - 2 minute until cheese has melted.

The only photo I snapped before it was devoured



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Weekending

Monday, September 26, 2016
Hey ya'll and happy Monday! Can ya'll believe we're in the last week of September? I mean, the holidays are so close that I can just smell them! We had a relaxing weekend at home for the first time in awhile and it was simply perfect. Friday we just stayed around the house but Saturday my Mama worked 3-11 so Andi and I snagged Grandfather and took him out on the town. We grabbed dinner, ran some errands and took Andi to her first Sweet Frogs. She was so impressed with all of the options and getting to pick everything out! It was absolutely adorable as she thanked and waved at the staff as she left. On Sunday, we went to church with my MIL and then had lunch over there before hubby went in to work. We headed to Target, snagged my first pumpkin spice and then later night hubby and I finished season 3 of Friday Night Lights and started season 4 (yes its my 3rd time watching this show and I still adore it) Needless to say it was a perfectly relaxing kind of weekend. We all need those am I right? This week we have our local fair starting and the temps are going down to the 50s at night so bring it on!

Also, if you need a quick make-ahead breakfast for the week, try my egg white breakfast cups! Ya'll it is so simple and so delicious. The combo is endless too because you can add almost anything. For this batch, I used egg whites, chopped spinach, roma tomatoes and salt and pepper. I usually will do mushrooms too but I didn't have any fresh ones. Lightly grease muffin tin with olive oil spray, preheat to 350 and bake for about 15 minutes - yum!

Linking up with Biana & Meghan for Weekending












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WHW

Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Welcome to What's Hap-'Pinning' Wednesday ya'll! It's a place where any and everything goes so grab our button and link up with me or Jenn below! I've been browsing Pinterest a lot lately and I feel like I always do around this time of year. When Fall hits I'm all about new recipes, the new Fall fashion and everything leading up to the upcoming holidays. Here are some of the pins I've been saving like crazy lately. I hope ya'll have a fabulous rest of the week! 

Recipes

1. White Bean Chicken Chili
1. Banana Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
3. Toddler meal ideas
4. Sweet Potato Fries


Reese killin' it style wise

Fall printables via



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OBX '16 (again)

Monday, September 19, 2016
There's no doubt that we are OBX people over here but when Mom and I decided to book at September (end of summer) trip back in January, I was over the moon! Husbands had other obligations so it was an official girls trip that consisted of just Mama, me and Miss Andi and ya'll it was absolutely fabulous! The weather was perfect EVERY day and we didn't have any clouds or rain. We ate local seafood every night (except pizza on night one of course) and enjoyed the cute little oceanfront house, pool and beach.

We even witnessed something I have never experienced in my 29 years of going to the OBX. Have ya'll seen the neon breakers at night when the whitecaps actually turn a neon green/blue? Oh my goodness it was the most breath-taking sight I had ever seen! We looked it up and apparently it is when algae/phytoplankton get stressed out or something or another (worth a google haha) but it was incredible to see. (here: A recent report by Discovery News has provided an answer. According to marine biologist Jorge Ribas, the glowing is caused by a massive red tide, or algae bloom, of bioluminescent phytoplankton called Lingulodinium polyedrum. The microorganisms emit light in response to stress, such as when a wave crashes into the shore, a surfboard slashes through the surf, or a kayaker's paddle splashes the water. The result is a wickedly cool glowing ocean.)

My phone also decided to no longer work during vacation and while at first I was devastated, it was actually pretty liberating not having a phone for 3 days! After extensive research and 3 hours in the Verizon store, I decided to try my first ever iPhone and made the switch to the iPhone 7 - so far so good but I still have SO much to learn! Long story short, we've decided to keep this new annual trip alive and make it a September tradition to cheers to many more! I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend and check back tomorrow to link up with us for What's Hap-'Pinning' Wednesday.















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WHW: Fall TV

Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Hey ya'll and happy what's hap-pinning Wednesday! If you're new here, this link-up is made for you + anything under the sun (or moon) that's currently going on in your life! Grab our button below and join in on the fun. Today I'm bringing ya'll my tv favs headed into Fall. It sounds lazy but nothing beats some good Fall tv and a big glass of Cabernet am I right? I really and truly love everything about Fall (even though we are currently at the beach for the week, it's still getting a tad cooler at night)

Along with my usual favorites, there's also some new shows I'm looking forward to as well. What are your favorites and what should I be watching? Also, I'm always down for a good Netflix binge so ya'll give me your recommendations! I just finished Stranger Things (thanks to Brittany at Life as the Mrs. for recommending this one) and although it wasn't my usual go-to, I absolutely loved it! I even cried in the season finale so I'm pumped they just got renewed for season 2. Anyway, I'm going to get back to the beach so Happy Wednesday ya'll and let me know what ya'll are currently watching!


1. Secrets & Lies season 2
2. Shades of Blue season 2
3. DCC Making the team season 11
4. ABC's Wednesday night comedy line up

1. Bring on the football ya'll!
2. Nashville got picked up by CMT!
3. Looking forward to seeing the new ones: This is Us & Designated Survivor
AHS is starting season 6 this month as well! So pumped!

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WHW: Cheers to 3 Years!

Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Hey ya'll and happy What's Hap-'Pinning' Wednesday! Today I want to give a little shout-out to the hubs and the fact that we've made it 3 years today! Some days it feels like longer but its crazy to look back and see everything we've accomplished together so far. From our new but historic, complete renovation to the birth of our most precious blessing Miss A, we've been keeping busy! This time three years ago, we were about to start our new lives together. I love you to the moon and back and appreciate each and every one of the sacrifices you make for your girls (myself, Andi and Emma Jo) Happy anniversary to us! Oh, and just think ya'll, if we make it to next month...then we've surpassed the marriage of my favorite celebrity couple. Those who know me best know exactly what I'm going to say: Nick & Jess, newlyweds for-ever! We're on the right track I'd say (rip nick & jess' vows) Here are some of my favorite photos from the 'Best Day Ever' 9.7.2013









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