Right place, right time.

I had to have been.



In the right place, right time to snag this up for one dollar.

Yes, one dollar.
Score!

This author always makes me laugh, smile and after I'm done with his books, my life is enriched. That's how wonderful his books are, I swear.

And to pick one up for a buck? Right place. Right time.

I told hubby that I grabbed it so fast I didn't even see if there were any others left (for a blog giveaway!). Hindsight's always 20/20 isn't it?

I'm halfway through the book and I LOVE it! Enriched, I tell ya.
Enriched. =)

I'm going back this afternoon to see if I can snag anymore for a giveaway(s). {crossing fingers} I know there are a few of you would truly enjoy this book as much as I am.

Happy Wednesday!

Aloha Friday!

Yay- It's Aloha Friday! My Aloha Friday question is:

I'm sitting down today to make out my meal plan for the week and I'm wondering, whatcha cooking for dinner?

I think we're having:



Pizza! =)

I'd love to hear what's cookin' tonight in your neck of the woods?

Head on over to An Island Life for more Aloha Friday questions and to play.

Have a wonderful weekend!
-Jen

WFMW no.9

The best anti-frizz, non-greasy spray. ever.

I have hair that is half wavy/half curly and dries something like this:



I'm exaggerating.

Only just a bit.

'Cause it dries huge, and curly/wavy/frizzy.

When I need to tame it and I don't feel like using the straight iron I use my best bud.

Meet Cyclomethicone.





I put this stuff in a spray bottle and while my hair is damp, I spritz away without a care that it'll leave my hair greasy or feeling heavy. It stops the frizz and gives my hair a bit of shine as well.

{Many moons ago, back when my mom & I had our own handmade bath & body company-- we'd add fragrance and use this as a dry body oil. This stuff is fabulous!}

You can't find this on the store shelves, though. It has to be purchased from a bath and body products supply business. {The above link is where I've purchase mine from for years.}

It's worth the trouble to order, though. Especially if your hair dries something like mine.


Works for me. =)



Visit We are that family for more Works-for-me Wednesday ideas, tips and inspiration.

Happy Wednesday!
-Jen

Blueberry Cream Muffins

I've used my last pint of blueberries in the fridge.
We've been residing on blueberry lane for the past month or so.

But, it's time.
Time for what, you ask?

Time to put away the blueberry recipes.

Time to start pulling out the apple recipes here in the black-shuttered house.
Time to inhale the sweet scent of cinnamon.

Okay, okay. I know it's still summer.
I'm just getting a bit of fall fever, that's all.

Here's what's sitting pretty in my glass cake stand...



Blueberry Cream Muffins
recipe courtesy of KK3 @ allrecipes.

Makes 24.

* 4 eggs
* 2 cups white sugar
* 1 cup vegetable oil
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 4 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 2 cups sour cream
* 2 cups blueberries- fresh or frozen

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease 24 muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
2. In large bowl beat eggs, gradually add sugar while beating. Continue beating while slowly pouring in oil. Stir in vanilla. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, salt and baking soda.
3. Stir dry ingredients into egg mixture alternately with sour cream. Gently fold in blueberries. Scoop batter into prepared muffin cups.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Enjoy!

...spent hanging with my little guy making egg carton bugs.







Life's good.

Aloha Friday!

Yay- It's Aloha Friday! My Aloha Friday question is:

What is the one kind of food that you know you will never even try once?

Me?

One word.

Seven letters.




Octopus.

You know that saying... you couldn't pay me.

That would apply here. =)

What about you? What couldn't we pay you to eat?

Head on over to An Island Life for more Aloha Friday questions and to play.

Have a wonderful weekend!
-Jen

WFMW

F.F.D.F.




What's this you ask?

It's our family fun day fund.

This favorite jar of mine sits out collecting extra change and dollars thrown in here and there, which gets added up for a family fun day/night once a month.

Sometimes, it funds a night of bowling.

Sometimes, it funds a day of picnicking with friends or cousins we bring along.

Sometimes, it funds movie tickets or dinner.

Or sometimes, when the funds are a wee-bit on the small side, we'll buy all the goodies to make banana splits & sundaes.

Now, I realize that there are a lot of families that do this kind of stuff all the time, but when you're on a budget {like we are}-- trips to dairy queen, eating out at restaurants or a trip to the movie theater for a family of four can really put a kink in the budget, know what I mean?

So this little set-up we have...

It works for us!


Visit We are that family for more Works-for-me Wednesday ideas, tips and inspiration.

Happy Wednesday!
-Jen

no. 15

Woo-hoo: Hubby had 17 days of furlow and we were able to get sooo many small home projects done! Back to work for both us tomorrow, though. Wahh!

Whimsical: moss terrarium No. 118 {I have a jar just like this (on a pedestal, though)-- I need to make myself one!}
Do you think these are cool as I do?

Wisdom: Forget injuries. Never forget kindnesses. -Confucius

Weakness: Blueberry Oatmeal Bars!




Wistful: about cool, crisp autumn mornings...



{soon enough, though right?!}

Web: No time for flash cards. A fabulous craft/preschool resource!

Wish: I would have planted more perennials in the garden this year.

What's your w's?

Have a wonderful week blog friends!
-Jen

Aloha Friday: Superstitious?

Yay- It's Aloha Friday! My Aloha Friday question is:

Are you superstitious?



Have you ever thrown spilled salt over your shoulder? (I think I've seen Rachael Ray do that.) Have you ever avoided opening an umbrella in the house? Or any of these...

Here's the Top 10 Superstitions:

1. Breaking a mirror
2. Walking under a ladder
3. Friday 13th
4. Opening an umbrella indoors
5. A black cat crossing your path
6. The sight of a single magpie
7. Spilling salt
8. Placing shoes on the table or on the bed
9. Treading on cracks in the pavement
10. Walking over three drains


Me? No. I'm not superstitious. Never have been.

I just don't believe in luck. Good or bad. Do you?

Head on over to An Island Life for more Aloha Friday questions and to play.

Have a wonderful weekend!
-Jen

Happy 14th Birthday to my beautiful daughter.















Words cannot express how much joy you have brought to my life and how much love my heart holds for you, baby girl.


Happy Birthday!!

Love,
Mom

WW: Say Cheese!

Haley snapped this today- notice Nick's 'say cheese' face. Cracked me up when I seen it.

If you participate in WW, don't forget to add your blog @ 5 Minutes for Mom!

Happy WW!
-Jen

If you'd have told me 15 years ago that I'd love nothing more than to have spent a sunny, summer afternoon making...

Blueberry preserves


and

Strawberry preserves


I'd have called you crazy.



I'm amazed myself at how much enjoyment I get from hulling, crushing, cooking and canning berries. I'm really enjoying my toast & jam in the mornings, too. =)