{ How many ways can I say I love Goodwill? }

First let me begin by saying that I feel like I have to clean out the cobwebs around this blog.

I've been quite the neglectful blogger haven't I? Though I've tried to keep up with my blog reading, I just have found myself with no time on my hands to write a little post, or there were some days where nothing came to mind, and I can't stand those, I mean, I should have something, anything to blog about right?

I've spent the past few days dealing with:

Kids who got sunburned last weekend
Kids last day of school
Hubby's birthday

And so forth and so on. It may not seem like a lot but for some reason, it tended to take over my days and by the time I slowed down to take a breath it was time to hit the sack.

Today, I've managed to slow down.

Took things slow and did not much at all, other than an afternoon trip to my local Goodwill.

Oh Goodwill, I love you so!

Here's a few of my finds, I didn't take pictures of everything because it's late and I'm tired and if I don't get into bed within 30 minutes I will turn into a pumpkin.

I found some more rolling pins for my collection

I love this little potpourri jar with the fairy lights inside

These Buffet Genius Trays are perfect for the summer.

Don't know yet what I'm going to do with these, but since I love Americana decor, I couldn't leave them behind.

Nothing on my stove top cover is new, but I kind of switched things around a bit and just wanted to show you. You have no idea how many people have seen it and commented on how much they love this idea.

Love this primitive electric candle, I was lucky to find it for 99c.

Got another great jar for my bathroom, it now holds all the cotton balls.

Added some taper candles to my bathroom counter shelf.

I found this lamp and just had to bring it home. It's red, white and blue and has the United States symbol. It's just perfect for Curt's Military Display cases.

Here's a closer look.

Also found this cute Flag and Eagle which also went on the display clases

This one I actually bought for Curt for his birthday yesterday. I love it and I think it's a great gift for a Military Soldier.

This shelf is in my living room and I got the two Prim candles and little metal rake, for $1.

I also found this cute sign today and it now hangs above the shelf.

I almost passed this picture today but caught it out of the corner of my eye. I love it. It sits above my computer armoire.

Who can say no to old flags? I mean, I just love them, I think they have so much character and are beautiful in a metal vase. You can't really see it but I'll try to take better picture.

I also found that bigger metal tub to the right and that one is heading outside to my front yard. It will also be filled with flags.

Remember the postcards from the Postcard Exchange? I was going to put them in a frame but then realized that this little area of the wall needed something.

I strung some white ribbon through the postcards and now they all hang there, you can just walk by and flip through them. I love it and so do my kids, they love going through the postcards.

And lastly, this wooden basket sits on my kitchen counter. It's filled with crochet goodies and some pip berries.

So there you go, just a few more of my Goodwill finds that have found a cozy corner in my home.

Next time you drive by one, make sure to drop in and see what treasures you can round up.

{ Oops I did it again }

So not that long ago I got a hair cut, remember?

I even posted pics here and at the time I was so so with it, it wasn't my favorite cut, matter of fact as the days passed I grew to absolutely loathe it, just didn't like it, it didn't look right, it didn't feel right and it wasn't ME.
You know what I mean right?

Us women need a haircut that screams "HEY, this is totally me" and it wasn't doing that, it was more of a "Hey, 3 guesses who I am and what I like". Blech, boring.

So this morning I got up and said, that's it, I'm done, I want this impostor gone.
45 minutes later I walked out of the Hair Dresser with the biggest smile on my face, actually it was more of a grin....a naughty grin....because THIS is me, I had a friend say "that says Spunky Military wife and mommy and it completely fits your personality". BINGO!


Darn I'm dark...I tell you, you want to get a good tan going, just come and visit me for a day, that's it...ONE day.

I WUB it, yes totally WUB it. I mean, once you've gone short in the back, you can never go long again.

Yeah, this is me, this is totally me and I'm so happy.

Have you noticed that when you feel good about your hair you tend to convey a totally different vibe?

Nothing like a good haircut to make you smile.

Next on the list....coloring my hair. My grays are starting to jump out again, ugh, I can't stand them they drive me insane. So I'm going to color it, with my trusty $2 hair color...cause I'm cheap like that. HA!

So what do you think? Me? Not me? Or are you just sick of seeing my hair adventures and want me to never post a picture again? LOL

I want to know, give me one word that comes to your mind when you look at me and keep it nice, I don't want to have to unfollow anyone LOL

{ Clean your House like Target House Winners }

Thank you all for entering the contest.

I used Random.org to select two winners and the numbers that came out were:


#5 - mommaof3 at Simply Me

#11 - Anita


Congrats ladies, I'll be contacting you through email very shortly to get your info.

{ Cooking Thursday }

Won't you join me and share with us one of your new recipes, or an old family favorite, you can even throw in a recipe for homemade soaps or detergents (just remember to specify).

For the guidelines, you can go here.

********************************************

CRUNCHY ONION BARBECUE CHICKEN
Credit: Taste of Home

Ingredients

* 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
* 1-1/3 cups french-fried onions, crushed
* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1/2 teaspoon pepper
* 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (I cut mine into strips)

Directions

* Place barbecue sauce in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, combine the onions, cheese and pepper. Dip both sides of chicken in barbecue sauce, then one side in onion mixture.

* Place chicken, crumb side up, on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 22-27 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 170°

{ I am Hutterite - Review }

A Fascinating journey into the heart and culture of a reclusive religious community.

I Am Hutterite takes readers into the hidden heart of the little-known Hutterite colony in southern Manitoba where author Mary-Ann Kirkby spent her childhood. When she was ten years old her parents packed up their seven children and a handful of possessions and left the security of the colony to start a new life. Overnight they were thrust into a world they didn’t understand, a world that did not understand them.

Before she left the colony Mary-Ann had never tasted macaroni and cheese or ridden a bike. She had never heard of Walt Disney or rock-and-roll. She was forced to reinvent herself, denying her heritage to fit in with her peers. With great humor, Kirkby describes how she adapted to popular culture; and with raw honesty her family’s deep sense of loss for their community. More than a history lesson, I Am Hutterite is a powerful tale of retracing steps and understanding how our beginnings often define us.

Controversial and acclaimed by the Hutterite community, Kirkby’s book unveils the rich history and traditions of her people, giving us a rare and intimate portrait of an extraordinary way of life.

Well first things first, I have to admit that I had never heard of the Hutterites. I have for the most part always been fascinated with the Amish and the Menonites, but I had no idea that there were Hutterites. And while not exactly the same, they also live in communities and have similar beliefs.

You can read more about them here.

When the opportunity arose to reviews this book, I was excited, I love learning about different religions and cultures and ways of life and I was not prepared for how much I would enjoy this book.

It did start a little slow and it was a bit confusing at times because the author uses a lot of the German language throughout the book, but I quickly overcame that and just sat back and totally lost myself in these wonderful people. They live simply and though at the time the author lived in the community they weren't much into the modern technology, I have since then read about how nowadays they do enjoy the things that everyone else does. Matter of fact, I found a great blog by a Hutterite lady, it's called "Pebbles in My Pocket".

It was fun looking through her blog and seeing how the Hutterites live today and what has changed from the time the author's family and her as a child, lived as Hutterites.

The book was very well written and it left me wanting to know more and see more, which I kind of did when I visited the authors website and watched this wonderful video she has posted.




All in all I have to say that this was one of the most enjoyable books I have ever read.

I received this complimentary book from Thomas Nelson for review purposes.