Cheers to 100! (wine, anyone?)

Well, I did it! (or more like YOU did it...I guess WE did it!) We officially made it to 100 followers on Google Friend Connect! I know, I know... GFC is not nearly as important as Facebook or Pinterest in terms of followers, and 100 is not really a number to brag about... but in my book, it's cause for celebration!

And, since no celebration is complete without wine, I've decided to compile a list of 10 great wines for under $10. That way, we can all share in the celebration together! Sound good?

Pie in a Jar

I pretty much have the best mom in the world. Really. Have you ever noticed how the first comment on every one of my posts is from the same person? Yep, that's my mom. She is my biggest fan and supporter, not just in blogging, but in life. She is an ever-available listening ear and the one person I can always count on to have my back. My friends adore her, my kids adore her, my husband adores her, and I adore her.

Love Kindling

 
I have always believed in love at first sight. And not because I'm a hopeless romantic....but because for me, it has always worked. I met my now husband of 8 years at a cocktail party after our senior year of college, and I'm not exaggerating when I say that the moment I laid eyes on him, I knew.

Want to hear the story??

A Love Wish

.....A simple love wish.....shared by hearts everywhere   :)

xoxoxoxo

Linking up to these great parties this week!

Thanks for taking a peek inside my Lemon Tree Dwelling!

I hope you feel right at home :)

-Cathy

Fire-Roasted Tomato-Red Pepper Soup

When it comes to making delicious meals for my family, I go in waves. There are times when we have real, home-cooked meals every night of the week...and then there are times when I want nothing to do with menu planning, shopping, cooking, or even thinking about dinner! I'm sure I speak for many women when I say it's hard to be the one in charge of feeding a family.

Spiced Cran-Peary Compote

It's been about 3 months since I started blogging, and I'll never forget the terror I felt when I published my first post. It was an anniversary post, a "real life" post, comparing houses to husbands. And I loved it! But, to be honest, I didn't want anyone else to read it!

Little Sweethots

Greta and I have this thing where we talk to one other in funny voices. It usually starts with me being a little goofy and singing "Max & Ruby" or saying something like, "Try again, Sweetheart..." in a silly voice that I know will get her attention. The great thing about Greta is she doesn't miss a beat - she takes on the same silly voice and picks up the same ridiculous facial expressions - and we sometimes end up talking or singing that way for the rest of the afternoon!

XOXO Candles

This week I'm participating in my first giveaway...which, I must admit, is a little overwhelming for a new (extremely computer-illiterate) blogger like myself! I am doing my best to figure it out as I go, and I'm relying on lots of help from friends. But after a few days of feeling incompetent, I'm ready for something that's a little more up my alley!

Sweet Kindle Fire Giveaway!

A while back, my brother Joe started telling anyone and everyone about this bank that was giving away a Kindle Fire to anyone who opened a new account. (That's just how my brother is - he seems to somehow find out about all the awesome deals, and he's always happy to share the insider details....although I must admit I'm always a little suspicious that he might be getting paid on the side... :) Crazy, I thought! A free Kindle Fire, just for opening a bank account?

Well....you want to hear something that's even more crazy?? My good friend Lisa from Wine & Glue has put together an awesome GIVEAWAY and has invited me to be part of it! The winner will receive a KINDLE FIRE & $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD!!  CRAZY!!!
   

5-Minute Chocolate Mocha Mug Cake

Let me just start by saying the mocha is optional...for those of you (crazy) people who don't like coffee... :) What's not optional is falling for these gooey, delicious, single-serving triple chocolate cakes - made in a mug, and ready in just 5 minutes! Let me tell you all about it.

Pretty Simple Garland

I never used to think much of Valentine's Day. I never used to decorate much for it or celebrate it much more than a romantic dinner out with Jorden. But now that's all changed. And not just because of blogging, but also because, as my kids get older, it's more and more fun to get ready for holidays! They are interested in how I decorate and how they can help me, how we celebrate and who we invite. They care about eating fun foods and having fun parties and, maybe most importantly, they love having something to look forward to.

Friday's Find: Little White Shelf

One of my (informal) resolutions for the New Year is to set foot in fewer stores. Not necessarily because I spend too much money (I'm a Goodwill/Target clearance fanatic!) but because I am beginning to think our house really can't handle any more stuff!!

Lemon-Glazed Gingerbread Scones

So I have this wonderful friend Erin. We've known one another since our sophomore year of college, and our friendship has seen its way through 2 marriages, 3 homes, 5 children, countless jobs (mostly hers), a decent amount of coffee (and wine...), and an absolutely insane amount of cell phone minutes. We have had our ups and downs, as all good friendships do, but through it all we have become like sisters. I don't think either one of us could imagine our life without the other one in it.

1000 Words {#2}

We all know the saying "A picture is worth a thousand words".... and when you have kids, it sometimes feels more like two thousand! I've been wanting to find a way of incorporating more of my "real" life into my blog, and what better way to do it than with pictures?!

This week's pictures are a reminder to me to not take myself so seriously........

Valentine Heart Tree

 
It's funny how blogging influences what your kids pay attention to. Like when Greta said to me the other morning, "Mom....I can't wait to see what new decorations you put up while we were sleeping...!" I have to say - since starting my blog, my kids have become much more attuned to the changing of seasons.

Valentine's Day Vignette

It still seems a little early to be decorating for Valentine's Day...(Christmas didn't even get a full month)...but I have a house full of sick people and was forced to cancel all our weekend plans! So, in an attempt to not let myself wallow in self-pity (do I really have to take care of all these sickies...?) I decided to see what I could come up with for Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Vase Sleeve

I did the deed. I took down my Christmas decorations. (Why is it always so much more fun putting them up...??) It took me an entire night, and I am still finding bits and pieces of Christmas around the house, but it is mostly done. And suddenly it looks so bare around here! Time for Valentine's Day decor..........

Basil Orange Mimosa

Happy New Year! I hope yours is off to a great start. And if not...I've got a delicious cure for you! I'm kind of a sucker for a delicious beverage...especially if that beverage contains alcohol, and especially if it's socially acceptable to drink it for breakfast!  (You too?)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year From Our Home to Yours...