#AskAwayFriday #13!

Even though I've completed my month of October co-hosting with #AskAwayFriday, I still get to participate each and every Friday!  How awesome is that, to share with my peeps!?!

I have the honor of partnering with the beautiful gym-rat, sports fanatic, runner, crazy-funny and lovely, Lanaya.  She's the OCD blogger, over at Raising Reagan.  If you haven't been to her blog yet, please go hang out a while.  She's awesome, and you have to see her responses to my questions!

Here, are Lanaya's questions for me:

1. You eat RAW .. have you always been a raw food eater or do you sneak in
the occasional cheeseburger and side of fried onion rings? No I wasn't always RAW, but most of my life vegetarian.  Love being RAW 98% of the time, but I will fall off the RAW Wagon for french fries.  Ain't nobody perfect :)

2. Last week during your AAF you mentioned you wanted to be an airline
stewardess. If you could pick the First Class cabin to Paris or the First
Class cabin to Tahiti which would you choose and why? I would say Paris over and over, but since I've been there over and over and never Tahiti, I would pick Tahiti.  It look beautiful and I hear wonderful things. 

3. Currently who is your favorite blog to stalk? Well, hello!  Raising-Reagan.  Who else. 

4. Like you I am a flip flopaholic! Pretty sure if they had a Flip Flops
anonymous I would definitely be a member. Show me a picture of your favorite
pair. Wore these most of the summer.  Nothing spectacular, aside from comfort and PINK! 

5. As an esthetician what is your favorite beauty product? Or ... should I
say if you could put ONE thing on your skin every day what would it be? If only one thing, Beyond Complex C, by Hylunia. My daily habit, twice a day.  I'll be posting about this, and other products next week I think.  Great antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, etc.  Love my skin since I started using in 2010. I do sell it too, if anyone is interested. (Tootin' my horn.)

6. I know we are still getting to know each other but in your Effie Girl
store you have some very eclectic pieces of jewelry. Which piece would you
pick out for me to wear? This isn't showing in the store yet, (procrastinator) but I think this studded snakeskin-leather, with snap closures is all about you!  

7. I know you and your hubby got married in the Caymans. What is your
favorite beach in the world? Hawaii beaches.  Nothing beats the beauty from every angle and driving along the ocean.  Breathtaking! 

8. I know you're a big fan of Nashville {the TV series.} Who's the better
looking guy; Eric Close {Teddy Conrad} or Charles Eston {Deacon Calybourne}? Hahah, oh this is funny.  Deacon, of course.  Teddy is too pretty, and he looks tiny.  Haha, can't have a man smaller than me :)

9. Like you I'm a fitness junkie ... What is your favorite exercise to do? Well, I had a love/hate relationship with running.  While I like to do that here and there nowadays, I guess strength training on my new toy is my most fave-crave now.  

This is so awesome! 

10. Tamara asked you a few weeks ago if you had a bucket list and you said
you were going to "get on that." Well, have you? Uhmmmm, nope.  (I know, I know.)  

So there you have 'em!  Awesome questions.  Now don't forget, hop over to Lanaya RIGHT NOW, to see my questions, and her answers!  

HAPPY FRIDAY!

BOOooOOOoooOOooo!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Since I've been preparing for my sister to visit with her beautiful babes, I haven't been at my computer much.  Plus you know, those 'other things' side-tracked me.  I just spent many hours today, washing new bed linens/comforters, cleaning up the spare room we had taken apart and bought new furniture for, putting things together and organizing.  I should have taken a before and after.  Still have to do DIY wall art/photos, so I will show a post of it.   Today, this evening we will be going to a cool place to trick-and-treat.  Lambertville. Can NOT wait!  So excited to see the little babes of mine hers, and dress up with them, taking them to the coolest place ever at Halloween! Be safe, have fun, and watch for our photos this weekend on my blog! We'll be dressing up as Batman characters.  Ex-cite-ting!! 

Watch out for the boogie-man around the corner! Don't look behind youuuuuu…..

Putting the Pretty on Life Struggles

It's been a crazy past 5-days or longer. I've struggled to get anything done, so I apologize to anyone that I'm holding up. I've been late with my posts, and neglected to schedule ahead.  The next few weeks will be very busy, so I'm trying to get a lot done, too much at once.

Life struggles can take us to places we don't like to go.  I'm stuck in a confusing place in my head right now, I'll need a breather for today.  So I'm posting some lovely photos I took, during a lovely walk, in my home town of Lambertvile, NJ this past Sunday.  This is where I'll put my mind for today, as I move on and accomplish…

Enjoy!

The back roads

Lunch, one of my fave places

The Roman Catholic Church

The First Baptist Church
I hear it may end up being a restaurant now
Sad..

Side street stores

I wanted to take this sad beauty and run and hide him.
I don't like them dragging people in buggies along the streets.
So unfair to them. 

This photo I took with my iPhone.
The past post was a photo I found on line. 

The Lambertville NJ - New Hope PA Bridge 

Enjoy your hump day :)

Coconut Curry Cauliflower Soup !

Yum, double-YUM!  This was really good soup.  I try to make large batches so I can freeze extra to bring out on a cold winter afternoon.  Isn't soup great?  It's a great filler, I love that it makes me feel so warm and relaxed.

This was a Coconut Curry Cauliflower Soup, yes it had a little zing, but it was soooo good!

I can't even give you exact measurements, because when I cook from scratch, I just throw stuff in that sound good and try to give it a flavor.  I don't mind bland if I can't get the spices right at times, but I do see the family laying on the salt and hot sauce, etc.  That's fine, I don't get offended as long as they at least taste it first.   No need to hate and not appreciate :)

Ingredients  (here are my guesstimated measurements, forgive me)
Huge head of cauliflower, cut into florets (yes, use heads and stems)
Medium white onion, chopped
2-cups veggie broth (or you can use any broth, or even spring water)
1-2 cups coconut water (I opted for this, rather than spring water)
2 TBL grated fresh ginger
1 TBL or 1-large clove of garlic
2 scallions, chopped in slices to top
2-3 TBL fresh cilantro (optional)                                                                                                            
2 TBL curry powder (I used a Spices of India that I had)

Instructions
Saute the onions in water until clear, keep adding water as needed so they don't dry out.  I like to brown them for the flavor.  Add the curry spice, ginger and garlic and saute another 10 minutes or so.  Finally, add the broth/water and cauliflower.  Cook until the cauliflower is be soft when pronged with a fork, like making mashed potatoes.  Easy peasy.  I have one of those emirseable  blenders you can put into the pot.  Rather than scooping or pouring little by little into a blender.  I added the coconut water last, just so it wasn't too watery, but I definitely wanted coconut flavor.  I probably could have put more, it ended up being a nice thick texture.  It's all to personal taste.  Play with it!

This is a newer version of my older, white version.
It's a great do-all gadget, if you are ever looking for one that chops, whisks, purees. 

This soup, it's like an old recipe in my head, that I can't remember all the ingredients and how-to's - so I make one up of my own, knowing what needs to go in and adding more of what I think would give added flavor I like. Get it? Just make it your way, play with your spices.  Enjoy!

________________________________ TOPIC: How would I define happiness? Well, this could take all night!  Define happiness.  A bright sunny day. Listening to the birds chirping. Watching the fur-babies laying in the sun. Seeing  my 8-month old niece smile & giggle.  Hearing my 7 1/2-year old nephew laugh with excitement. Eating a juicy pear. My hubster holding my hand, tightly. Taking a walk.  Seeing the beauty in Fall foliage. Thinking of my dad. Snuggling with my fur-babies. Watching a sunset. Sitting on the beach after everyone is gone for the day, listening to the waves. Riding my bike. Eating good food. Chocolate mousse. Smelling the Spring air. Sitting outside in the evening with a glass of wine and good company.   Just being. 

Blog Stalking Sundays, #21!

The joys of Sunday blog stalking!  Shouting it out!

Sandy, blogger of Mother of Imperfection.  Aren't we all imperfect?  I know I definitely am, although I am always trying to improve :) I can't say enough about Sandy.  We connected through this blogging world and I instantly adored her.  I can feel her vivacious and sweet personality. I wish I was her neighbor to do coffee chats with each morning! What fun.  Checkout her NixHeart store and her DIY projects.

 

__________________________

Alli is adroable, and I'm enjoying every stalking moment I can get of her!  I mean c'mon, this chick swims the Amazon and can smoke a cigar. Get. Over. There. NOW. She has lots to tell.

Stalk Alli now!

S I M P L Y  A L L I

__________________________

Kate, blogger of Another Clean Slate (hey, that rhymes!) is too cute.  She's a gatored-Bostonian! I'm liking her beliefs, happiness is when the sun is shining!  I'll drink to that, and that's exactly what Kate is doing with friends.  Wining and dining! Or maybe she's reading a book right now.  Possibly though, she could be watching mindless TV like I do.  Go Housewives!

Happy Monday peeps!

#AskAwayFriday#12, With a SPIN!

Welcome to Week 12 of #AskAwayFriday!! 

This week I'm putting a SPIN on #AAF!  I almost had to forego being a part of this weeks #AskAway.  It's been a busy week, and we were on the road all day today.  As we were driving I thought, how can I not be a part of the #AAF, when I am actually a Co-Host?  That wouldn't look good for my peeps!

Sooooo, since I didn't get a partner from the link-up, or find another blogger, I've relied on my hubster to be my question swapping partner.  I had him give me the 10-questions first, haha interesting ones at that.  Then, I SPUN it around, and asked him the same exact questions.  This could start a whole new link-up for me to start! Let me get on with this!

Please meet our wonderful co-hosts for the month of October!

Wendy from EffieGirl

Tiffany from Mrs. Tee - Love, Life and Laughter

Megan from The Patchwork Paisley

These ladies have been wonderful additions to #AskAwayFriday and always have great posts that everyone enjoys to read! 

Also, make sure you stop by and grab our brand new #AskAwayFriday button...

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Without further adieu let's kick off Week 12 of #AskAwayFriday!!!

From my husband to me:

1. What did you want to be when you grew?  Early on I wanted to be a model, or an Airline Stewardess. That sure did get put by the way side, ha! 

2. What is your favorite movie of all time? I have to say, Terms of Endearment.  Love it.   

3. In fashion, plaid, polka dot or paisley? Polka dot

4. If you could be reincarnated into an animal, which would you be? An Eagle. To soar in all of natures beauty!  

5. Spring or Fall? Spring.  I love the new flowering and morning warmth of the sun. 

6. If you were forced to lose a limb, hand or foot, which would it be, and why?  Oh brother! You can tell this is a guy asking these questions, right? Geezz, maybe a hand, I guess?  Left preferably  :( 

7. Favorite cereal as a kid? Captain Crunch! 

8. If you had to eat it, would you do cat or dog food?  Really? DRY small bites dog food.  Ugh. 

9. Celine or Cher, in concert? Can I have them do a duet?  I'll say Celine, she needs to catch up with how many times I've seen Cher!

10. You find $10 in an ATM.  Would you return it, or keep it? Definitely return!  I believe in karma! 

11. Give an example of you paying it forward. As a single mom for many years, it was tough.  My old boss would sell scrap parts on the side, and give me a few hundred each time.  Back in the late 80's, early 90's, that was a lot of money.  PAYING IT FORWARD: A neighbor of mine had a little boy.  He was a year or two younger than my son.  She was also a single mom. One Christmas we were talking about the boys and she casually said they had their tree, and they will be baking cookies for the holiday.  She didn't have the extra money to buy him any gifts, and had explained to her son that the holiday wasn't about giving presents.  I can still hear her saying, "It's okay Wendy, I'll make it up to him someday".  Well, I didn't think twice about it.  The next day, 2-days before Santa was to arrive, I played Santa and visited my friend.  We both had 'enough' of what we needed for our boys that Christmas.  We were both very grateful.    

Just so you know, I answered my questions first.  

Then I told him he had to answer the same questions.

The same questions, answered by the hubster:

1. What did you want to be when you grew up? A salesmen, as I am today. Always knew that when I was a kid, because I was always told I could sell. One experience was selling black-berry preserves door-to-door.  My mom would make, and I sold them. 

2. What is your favorite movie? Apocalypse Now

3. In fashion, plaid, polka dot or paisley?  Plaid

4. If you could be reincarnated into an animal, which would you be? A hawk.  I always thought that would be cool. To dive bomb. 

5. Spring or Fall?  Spring. I like the rebirth of leaves and everything anew. 

6. If you were forced to lose a limb, hand or foot, which would it be? Hand. I need both feet to run. 

7. Favorite cereal as a kid? Captain Crunch. 

8. If you had to eat it, would you do cat or dog food? Dog 

9. Celine or Cher, in concert?  Celine

10. You find $10 in an ATM.  Would you return it, or keep it? Return it. Karma. 

11. Give an example of you paying it forward.  Can't say I have, but I am inspired to do so when the right situation presents itself. 

There you have 'em!

TOPIC: Tell us about the place where you grew up.  Don't forget to include a couple of photos!

 I grew up in a small town named, Lambertville. A town in NJ, just across a bridge from PA.  A town of close neighbors, where everyone knew everyone.  A play ground, that almost everyone in town went to when there was an event going on.  Parades on holidays.  Santa in the fire truck. Halloween parade and contest, when I actually won a prize, a free hair-do.  That didn't turn out good! The Treat soda truck delivering a case of my dad's favorites, cream, orange, root-beer. Charles Chips delivery of large tins of potato chips.  (A woman named "Effie" actually started this in Lancaster PA, back in 1942.) A town with a 5 & Dime store, still there, but nothing for 5 or 10-cents.  So many warm memories.  Running down the street in the warm rain.  Playing 1-2-3 Red light, with the neighbors.  Riding bikes with all your friends. Jumping rope with boys and girls.  It still is a small town.  With a big personality.  Many of the buildings are stores, antiques and arts.  Many tourists flock the town on warm weekends, staying at bed & breakfasts.  The coffee shops, BYOB restaurants on the small side streets, or tucked away on old stone streets.  Small wooden bridges, old rail road station as a restaurant.  A canal to walk, run or ride bikes that goes for miles into the next 3-4 towns. 

I love going to Lambertville, even today.  The warm memories in my heart, come alive as I walk the streets. Pass by my old family home, my grandmothers home, friends old homes. Reliving the happy memories for me. Sometimes I drive slowly through the town, revisiting happy moments, places I sat with my father, walked with my grandmother. At times seeing old neighbors, or seeing familiar faces.  

This is a great topic for me today. We sometimes forget what we have in our home towns. Forget what we have to be grateful for. This topic has rekindled my love for Lambertville. It's beautiful in the Fall months. So thank you Mary, for adding this topic, special for me, I will be visiting Lambertville this weekend. Visiting again for Halloween, the amazing town as everyone comes together with superb decorating, to take my nephew with his little sissy, trick-or-treating again this year.  

Lambertville, NJ

The many cross bridges, view from New Hope PA to Lambertville NJ
The City Hall

The bridge between NJ and PA

Antiques Stores, Friday night fireworks, every Friday from Memorial Day to Labor Day,
Baptist Church where I grew up!

Stop in for a spell!

Halloween is a real treat!  Get it? Okayyyyy.  Well, Halloween is a real treat in my house, because we buy treats that only we eat!  I don't really eat it much of it, anymore though. Who can resist at least one piece? We sadly have no trick-or-treaters. I guess that's what you get for living in the 'country' type areas.  Blah!  Or, BOOooOOOooOO! 

Yeah, okay...I decorate anyway!  I love to decorate on holidays. Plus this year is special, I have my nephew that comes each year, for the past 3 or 4, and his little sissy, and my sister!  I am so thrilled to have them coming for a fun night!  Bonus, they are sleeping over.  Yay!

So here are some things I worked on this year.  

It's a spider with jewels, (I didn't make this but it was too cute to not buy) sitting on a candy jar!
Too cute to spook!

The white pumpkin was an old orange one I've had.  I painted it white, added some bling and voila!  

The smaller pumpkins are real.  I painted a little on them and added bling as well.  

A table cloth of spider webbing, I made into a runner.  The green wasn't working it.

The small black pumpkin, I blinged out, of course. 

My front door is ready for my niece and nephew to arrive! 

Even the dog statue, which is always there, has a little bling on the a bow-tie!

I'll have more photos from Halloween, next week!  

Have a boooootiful Halloween!