Friday Favorites

Hello Ladies!

I am so glad it is September 1....and yet I can't believe it is September already!

It is still HOT where we live, but in mind September 1 is fall...so all things fall will be happening here today....and yes I will be at Starbucks first thing today to get my first PSL of the season....#basic

YES!!!

Today I am linking up with Andrea , Erika , and Narci and sharing my Friday Favorites...you should too!

ONE

My mom will be here today for a visit and we are all so excited to see her!  The hardest part about being so far away is missing my family like crazy!

TWO

I just got these candles this week from Anthro....and if you love pumpkin scented candles, you probably are going to want to grab this candle!  I burn one in the kitchen and one in our living room an our house smells like fall!  I was able to snag them for 20% off and free shipping....because I don't know about you...but Anthro shipping is crazy high in my opinion!

Pumpkin candle and pumpkin spice coffee!

THREE

Olivia is all about slime...so easy and fun to make!

FOUR

It has been a while, but seeing my boy back in a uniform is a favorite!  Our first game was cancelled last weekend due to rain, so we were all pretty excited to watch him play Tuesday night.  Unfortunately they lost their game, but seeing AJ out there playing hard, doing his best, and most importantly having fun....it was perfect!  We all want to win, but it is true what they, it's not whether you win or lose, it is how you play the game!  Of course I want AJ to win, but more importunely I want him to learn win or lose, to always be a good sport, and I am so thankful he is!

FIVE

Give her a box and her iPad and that is all she needs to be happy!

SIX

Our weather is NOTHING like Texas is getting but we had our fair share of rain last weekend...and we made the best of being housebound!  Sometimes a rainy, housebound weekend is just what you need.  It was so nice to see our kids put down their electronics and get outside and have some good, old-fashioned fun playing in the rain!

We are looking forward to a long weekend and enjoying time with my mom!  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  See you guys back here next week!

xoxo,

Kimm

Thursday Thoughts

Hello Ladies

Today I am just going to share some of my thoughts with y'all and what has been on my mind and in my heart these days.

There has been so much ugly going on in the world lately, and if you have read here for a while, you know that I just will never understand a world with so much hate in it.  I have always been a believer in speaking your mind, but I fully believe there is a way to do that without being disrespectful and hurtful to others.  My mom always told me growing up, and I tell my kids the same thing, if you don't have anything nice to say, keep your damn mouth shut!  I understand with all the events going on in this world people have strong opinions, and while there is NOTHING wrong with being passionate about something, in my mind, there is something very wrong with people who just chose to be disrespectful and mean to others who have different views. 

 As I sat and watched, as I am sure many of you did, the events in Charlottesville unfold, I just found myself feeling so sick and scared.  It is crazy to me to see people walking around filled with so much hate towards others.  This isn't the kind of world I want to raise my children in...there is just no need, no room for hate.

None of us are better than anyone else...and those who think they are need a reality check.  I know nothing is simple, but I truly believe it all starts with us...its up to us to be good people, be respectful of others, while still standing up for what we believe in.  It is our job to raise our children to treat everyone the same, no matter their race, religion, economic status, at the end of the day we really are all the same.  

Women need to support other women, rather than tearing each other down.  We are all different, we all parent different, we all do life and marriage different, and we need to respect that just because others do things differently than us, it doesn't mean it is the wrong way.  What works for one, doesn't always work for another, and that is OK!  Over the last few years between blogging and social media, I have gotten ridiculous, sometimes hurtful messages from other women giving their two cents...and I am all for advice and constructive criticism, but some people truly do cross the line...and that must stop.  

Texas...I have been glued to my TV all week watching all the coverage of the hurricane...and it is absolutely heartbreaking to see the devastation.  I cannot even begin to try and know what it must feel like for all those affected, but we are praying hard for all of the people affected by this.  It is truly such a devastating situation, but it is incredibly heartwarming to see all the people coming together to just help...strangers helping strangers. It is so refreshing to see that even with so much division in our country right now, there is still so much unity an so much good in our country.  There are so many ways to help all those in need right now, and I urge you all to give what you can...even $1...every little bit helps!   

So those are my thoughts for today!  I just hope we can all start being a little kinder, giving a little more grace to others.  None of us know what the other is going through or may be battling, and none of us are in a position to sit back and judge others and be mean.  We all stress to our children to not bully others...we as adults must lead by example!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Be sure to check back tomorrow for some Friday Favorites!

xoxo,

Kimm

Hey Guys!

Hello Ladies!

I can't believe it has been over 2 months since my last blog post!  I have definitely missed this little space, but I must admit I really enjoyed the last couple months not blogging and just enjoying life and doing the things I needed to do.  I didn't plan to just not blog all summer long, but we have had so much going on in our lives, and my priority is always my family, and it was nice to be connected with them, not the internet!

We had a low key summer, but it was a good one....lots of sleeping in and swimming. We all love schedule and routine, but I am not going to lie, it is so nice to just have a break from it all for a few months and just do what we want, when we want!

We had some unexpected changes happen over the last six months, which I will talk about another day, but we did not take a vacation this summer, and though it was a little disappointing, we truly made the best of our time at home.  As much as I like to go, go, go....it was nice to be a bit more low key and appreciate the little things!

My kids have been back in school for about 3 weeks now, and so far they are all loving it.  Jack is a sophomore , AJ is in 8th grade (I still cannot believe he will be in high school next year) and Olivia started 4th grade!  Jack gets the bus crazy early...like 5:30 am early...so I am still getting used to waking up in the middle of the night to start my day!

Jack - 10th grade

AJ - 8th grade

Olivia - 4th grade

I always get a bit emotional at back to school time each year, but I really do love the newness of a new year.  Time goes by so quickly, and somedays I just get sad that I have blinked my eyes and my babies just aren't babies anymore, but watching my babies grow up to be good kids, young adults, adults, is truly the most rewarding and wonderful thing there is!

Well that is all for today!  I am definitely going to try and be more consistent with blogging!  Thank you to those of you who sent me emails and messages just checking in on me...I appreciate and am so thankful for all the friendships I have made through this little space!  

Hope y'all have a GREAT day!

xoxo,

Kimm

Trader Joe's Favorites

Hello Ladies!

Hope you all had a great weekend, and your week is off to a fantastic start!

Today I am sharing with you guys some of our favorites from....

Trader Joe's is one of my favorite places to shop!  When we lived in N.C., it was about a 5 minute drive from my house...and I sure miss that!  We are a good hour away from one now, but I go once or twice a month, because it is just worth it!  Below are some of our favorites from Trader Joe's...be sure to leave in the comments your favorites and what we need to try!

MOSCATO

Our favorite wine to drink is Moscato...I grabbed this one to try the last time I was there and we LOVED it!  We just picked up a few more bottles this weekend....and it is only $7.99!  For all you Moscato drinkers out there....give this a try!

ORGANIC TORTILLA CHIPS & PINEAPPLE SALSA

We love chips and salsa...it is one of Jack's favorite things to eat!  These tortilla chips are good, and I really like this salsa...a little heat, but enough sweetness to balance it out!

PIRATE BOOTY

My kids have been loving this snack for YEARS...it is a BIG bag and for only $1.99 you just can't go wrong!

VEGGIE STICKS

This is another one of Jack's favorites!  These are delicious!  

CINNAMON APPLE STICKS

I just tried these for the first time this past weekend, and I really like them!  As soon as I opened the bag it smelled just like apple pie!  These are "airy" and have just the right amount of apple and cinnamon flavor!  I had a hard time closing the bag and not eating the whole thing in one sitting!

HONEY WHEAT PRETZEL STICKS

AJ could eat these all day, everyday!  I prefer these over regular pretzels!  So good.

COWBOY BARK

I saw Andrea post about this little snack on IG a few weeks ago and decided to grab a couple bags!  I am not a huge fan of dark chocolate, but this was pretty good!  I found it to be pretty rich, but having just a small piece after dinner definitely satisfies my sweet tooth at night!

ROASTED PLANTAIN CHIPS

I tried these also for the first time, and I love them!  These will definitely be on my "regular" list!

BRUSCHETTA SAUCE & BRIOCHE TOASTS

You guys...this Bruschetta was AMAZING...and served on these little toasts...HEAVENLY!!!!  

FIG & OLIVE CRISPS

Mark was not a fan of these crackers...but they are my FAVE!  I picked up some Brie and it was delicious !

EVERYTHING CRACKERS

Another favorite of mine and Jack's!  We are big fans of everything bagels, so these crackers fit the bill perfectly for us!

CHOCOLATE CHIPS

If you guys read here or follow me on IG, then you know we go through A LOT of chocolate chip cookies over here!  I probably make them 2-3 times a week and my family (mainly my boys) gobble them up faster than I can make them!  These chips are great, awesome price, and I keep BAGS of them in my pantry at all times!  

CORNBREAD MIX

Me and the boys love cornbread...and this is the best I have tried!!

BANANA BREAD MIX

Banana bread is a favorite of everyone's here!  This mix doesn't disappoint!

CHOCOLATE CHIP DUNKERS

These are hands down my favorite cookie to eat!  I love having one with my cup of coffee each day!  So good!

PIZZA DOUGH & SAUCE

Trader Joe's has the BEST pizza dough...the BEST!  We love making homemade pizza and their dough and pizza sauce is our FAVORITE!   the dough is only $1.99 a bag and it freezes GREAT!

CHICKEN SALAD

This is DELICIOUS!!!!  I toast up some bread, and this makes the most delicious sandwich I have ever had!  It has pecans and cranberries in it and it is DIVINE!

BALSAMIC GLAZE

Because everyone loves a good Balsamic glaze, and this one for the price is AMAZING!

FRENCH ONION SOUP

This soup is good!  I'm a fan of soup year round..even in the dead heat of summer!  This is super easy...just place the frozen soup in a crock, and cook it in the oven!  

MAC & CHEESE

If you have not tried this Mac & Cheese, you need to...it is the best I have ever had!  Do yourself a favor and just got some!

SHITAKE MUSHROOM CHICKEN

We love this with TJ fried rice!

MANDARIN ORANGE CHICKEN

You guys...this stuff is AMAZING.  My family prefers this over Chinese take out any day!  This has been a staple for us for YEARS...it is so good!  We also love the Teriyaki Chicken!  Serve it with some TJ fried rice and you have a great meal...and it is just $4.99 a bag.  We are a family of 7 and I usually make two bags and it is plenty for us!

VEGETABLE FRIED RICE

We love this!  Super quick and easy to make and the rice comes out perfect every single time!

COCONUT SHRIMP

Mark LOVES coconut shrimp.  I think this was like $4.99 a box and it is pretty good.  He just cooks it up in the deep fryer and its a yummy little snack!

HASHBROWNS

My boys love has browns and these are great to keep in our freezer and just heat them up for the kiddos for breakfast!

MUSHROOM MEDLEY

Mark and I love mushrooms.  This little bag is great to heat up and serve as a side with steak!  So good.

MUSHROOM RAVIOLI

If it has mushrooms 9 times out of 10 we are going to love it...and we love this ravioli.

MINI TACOS

Jack and Mark really like these...Jack peters the beef an Mark prefers the chicken.  They are inexpensive, and great to have on hand for an after school snack or for lunches in the summer!  This has become a freezer staple for us!

MOZZARELLA STICKS

Olivia is a a big fan of a cheese stick....she loves this.  I just throw them in the deep fryer and she will eat these for lunch or a snack!  

BURRATO, PROSCIUTTO & ARUGULA FLATBREAD

DELICIOUS!  I love this for lunch...and I use some of the balsamic glaze drizzled on top and it is amazing!

EVERYTHING BUT THE BAGEL SEASONING& PINK SALT

This everything bagel seasoning is freaking awesome!  I have been using it pretty much every day...I will use it on toast with butter, or sometimes cream cheese, and just sprinkle this on it and it just like an everything bagel...it is so good!  And the pink salt...another one of our staples!

HONEY MANGO SHAVE CREAM

I had heard good things about this shave cream, so I decided to grab some when we were there over the weekend...this will be on my "regular" list!  It smells great and leaves my skin so soft!  I definitely recommend this!

So there are SOME of our favorites from Trader Joe's...if you guys shop there and love something...be sure and let me know!

Thanks for stopping by today...see you guys back here soon!

xoxo,

Kimm