Makin' Memories

Last week the kids and I headed to Green bluff to pick cherries and raspberries. We also go each fall  to get pumpkins and apples. We feel so fortunate to live so close to this amazing farming community and love the tradition of going out to support or local growers as well as some fabulous family time.

Scott got stuck at work so the kids and I were alone on this adventure. Would you believe there was no fighting!! ;) It was a fabulous day!

First up was Walter's fruit ranch. The kids came here for field trips to get pumpkins in preschool so it is usually one of our stops. My back window says "wash me please" My daughter writes that on there often. I live down a dirt road so she almost always has the canvas. We did wash the car on the way home! ;)

A tractor ride to the cherry trees is always fun. A spot to sit and cool off with a cup of cool water is a nice touch! :)

Makin' memories!

Next up was Hidden Acres for raspberries. This place is beautiful... I need an afternoon alone for their gift shop and an event to hold in their event space!

I love taking picture of my people walking ahead of me. Yes, my sweet thing is sticking her tongue out in one... she is being silly. It was a perfect day with my kids. I am so thankful  for days like these to connect and enjoy my kiddos!

These are the days

Happy Friday!! I am linking up with Life Rearranged for Instafriday and My Favorite Find for Fun Photo Friday!

  I'm shelbyjojo7 on Instagram,  follow along! 

Huge taco salad with all the trimmings for dinner... one of my favorite meals!

I hit 33 miles in my 45 miles in July challenge. I didn't start till the 9th so I wasn't sure I was going to make it but... I think I can do it! I am  going to do this again! Great motivator. I know that exercise helps my disposition. ;)

This cutie pie bought herself new bright yellow shades. I adore looking back while I'm driving at this cuteness. She is so much fun... I'm a blessed Momma!

This boy made himself a smoothie and took it out to stick in his cup holder to mow the lawn. Best part was he did it with out me asking or reminding. He is growing up into such a neat young man. He makes me smile and I'm so proud of him... Yep! I'm a blessed Momma! :)

I got my hair done! Geeze I neded it! Those grays won't give me a break! Thank goodness for my sweet husband and my amazing hair dresser to make me look like new again! I snapped a picture of this recipe while under the dryer, if I make it, and it's good, maybe I will share! ;). I love sitting under the dryer at the hair dressers... I love that i just get to sit and read People and I love the heat!!!

Yesterday a girlfriend and I went to a few thrift stores. I got a scrabble game for $4 for a project 

... 

and this fabulous $1.49 bracelet. 

My husband has a box like this in a rectangle shape, I found one just like it only with different inlay at a garage sale a few months back.. I got this cute little square on at a thrift store yesterday. So... I guess we collect them now!

 That is it folks! I have truly enjoyed this past week. I feel calmer and more content and I am so thankful.

What I Wore Wednesday

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy today for WIWW. Lots of swim suits and cover ups this week... but I got real outfits!

#1

Black top~ TJ Maxx, Pink tank~ Vi Vue, Bracelet~ Grandmas, Ring~ Made by me. Shoes~ TJ Maxx



#2

Black top~ Target, bracelet and necklace ~ Jewels by Park Lane, Flats~ Target


Sorry for the weird spacing... I know it's my pictures but I don't have the time to fix it! Headed out to get my hair done! Happy Wednesday! ~Shelby

Just a Thought...

Words I'm needing this week..

 Happy Tuesday!

Hello Monday!

Happy Monday! I'm linking up with Lisa Leonard for Hello Monday!

Hello date night!

Scott and I went to date night at the shooting range. It is one of my favorite dates! It's fun to get out and do something you don't always do. We have a list of new, fun a different dates.. I will share them someday!

 It was all fun and games until I got a shell casing stuck in my protective eye wear, it burned me! I got one down my shirt too. I told Scott I'm wearing a turtleneck next time! ;)

Dinner and a walk along the river then home to watch America's Got Talent (on DVR) with the kiddos.

French onion soup in an onion!       Saw this on our walk, apparently love is ahead. I'm a believer! ;)

Scott joined Doyle and I on our walk Saturday morning... It is so hot Doyle is dragging towards the end. He heads straight for the water dish and then his crate for a nap!

Our good friend were out of town and let us use their pool...

Scott and I watch Contagion Saturday night.. It was good. 

Sunday morning I did my affermation, coffee on the patio. Momma Gets Real recomended the book and I am so thankful! I started at the beginning.. because well, it's a very good place to start. It is fabulous, helps keep me grounded and content. Thanks Nicky! ;)

Scott took Conner and a friend to the movies and Maddie was at a friends so I went back to the pool..
a l o n e!

It was peaceful and calm and gave me some alone time which I have missed having the kids home all day. I have been feeling a little exhausted lately.. the questions, the arguing. This morning I read this post from 
Fried Okra and it brought tears to my eyes. After her reminder, I am feeling more like the mom I want to be and am thankful for happy, healthy, normal summer days. Thankful for the busyness, the noise, the messes and the constant of the household. I urge you to read it!!


Have a fabulous week!! 

These are the days

Happy Friday!! 

I'm linking up with Life Rearranged for instafriday  and My favorite Find for Fun Photo Friday .  

  This cutie showed off her muscles...                          this cutie wakes me up in the morning... not too early

                            Maddie gave us both a mani pedi. Sally Hansen instadry is amazing!

 Thrifting with my mom and the kids, with ice cream to end the afternoon. I love me some Goodwill.




Maddie baked a cake... deliciously not good for my waistline!

Weeded the garden and got my first little harvest! 5 green beans, a jalapeno, and onion and some tiny potatoes. Seriously, the backs of my thighs are sore from weeding! Gardening is hard work!

Conner rearranged his room to be by the window one night... and apparently found every blanket in the house to make his "nest"... there is actually a very large, little boy in that bed.

Hung out at friends pool yesterday instead of laundry... or vacuuming up dog hair or buying peanut butter... or doing the dishes in the sink. It was fabulous and I loved every minute of it!


Finished mile 22 of 45! #45milesinjuly challenge. 
I am user name  shelbyjojo7 on instagram... follow me!


Off to do chores I slacked on yesterday! Have a fabulous weekend!! TGIF!!!!!

For the love of bacon

Good Morning All! I am linking up with Silly Happy Sweet today for Favorite Things Thursday! Here is one of my favorite tips. It is actually from my husband... the bacon lover! ;)

When you fry something (like bacon) you almost always end up with a bunch of messy grease.  I never knew what to do with it,  the garbage was always a mess, and the sink is bad for your pipes. So.. here is how we handle that messy grease from our beloved bacon.

We keep a jar in the freezer, a spaghetti or salsa jar with a lid. After the grease cools a bit we pour the grease in and pop it back in the freezer. When it is full we toss it in the trash. No mess!

WIWW

I'm baaaack!! And it feels good! ;) Getting dressed in something cute does make you feel better ladies!!  No matter your size, put the effort in! It can be done cheap, and it is amazing what some accessories can do for your old clothes!!! I'm linking with Pleated Poppy  for What I Wore Wednesday and Two Thirty Five Designs for Casual Friday. 

#1

Dress~ Fringe local shop, Necklace~ Lisa Leonard, Flip flops~ Old Navy

#2

Skirt ~ Target, Tank~ Old Navy, Necklace~ Lisa Leonard, Bracelet ~ Vegas Jewelry show

#3

Shirt~ Target, Jeans~LA Idol, Bracelet ~was my Grandmas, Necklace~ Vi Vue, Ring~ Made by me, Shoes~TJ Maxx

Happy Wednesday!

Easy and Delicious Ribs

Easy and Delicious Ribs
2-3 pound slab of pork ribs
Barbecue seasoning (McCormick makes a great one or see rub recipe below)
Your favorite Barbecue sauce 

Generously rub pork ribs with barbecue seasoning, really working the seasoning into the meat.
Wrap in foil and refrigerate a few hours or overnight.
Heat oven to 400*. Place ribs still in the foil to a lipped baking sheet (they will leak juices so make sure there is a lip on your baking sheet. Bake ribs 2 hours.
Remove  from oven, remove ribs from foil and place on a medium high grill. 
Brush generously with barbecue sauce and grill about 20 minutes. 
Slice and serve! Super easy, flavorful, fall off the bone ribs!

Rib Rub

2 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon pepper
1 teaspoon seasoning salt 
1 teaspoon cayenne
2 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon Coleman's dry mustard
2 teaspoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons lime juice
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce


Mix all together in small bowl and use as directed above.

These are the days...

Linking up with Life Rearranged for Instafriday and My Favorite Finds... here's a glimpse of what's been going on around here....

Conner has been his goofy little big self... asked him to help me take a mattress down the stairs and he took it for a joy ride,  Doyle chasing after him... boys!! :)

I made delicious ribs for dinner... one of our favorite meals!

Miss Maddie has swimmers ear... so we are taking a few days off from the pool.

I am 11.5 miles in on my 45 miles in July challenge... started taking my iPod instead of listening to Pandora on my phone. Around here I hit dead zones and can't stand listening to myself breathe if I am running jogging. I think I'm dying.

We all loaded up in the car, Doyle included and went to Manito park for a walk after dinner. Manito is one of the prettiest parks around. Someday I will have to go take a bunch of photos to share. Cuz sharing and caring are cool.... a Care bear told me that once years ago.

From the park we walked to The Scoop for ice cream. Cutest most yummiest ice cream shop ever...

I have been working on getting our master done. Painting will come next... I know it seems weird to hang then paint.. but I'm crazy like that. So many holes in the wall from previous owner I have to fill... I want to be sure where I want stuff before I fill holes. Plus I'm famous for making 3 holes to hang something because I don't like where it ended up.

I love how it is turning out!! More to come later!!

Have a fabulous weekend!! ~Shelby

Winning the fight with dog hair...

Good morning all!


Today I am linking up with Silly Happy Sweet for Favorite Things Thursday.




Let me formally introduce you all to Doyle Brunson Johnson. He is named after our favorite poker player. 

He is the sweetest, most well behaved Golden Retriever around. He just so happens to be one the hairiest. I have always said that if you have a dog that you allow to live in your house as part of your family you must lower your standards. And I have believe me,  I vacuum the carpet a couple times a week and get an insaine amount of hair every time. Recently I have been feeling like I couldn't keep up with all the hair pooling under the table and in corners on the hard woods... so gross!!! My lifesaver... and maybe his too....... ;)


 The Swiffer SweeperVac.  My new BFF...

I love all swiffers products but this is by far my favorite! It picks up dog hair, crumbs and what ever other kind of chunks are laying around on your floor... instead of just pushing it into a pile. It is only $25-$30 bucks at Target, and worth every penny. It uses the swiffer dry cloths, that I think work great for dust and dirt. They sell replacement filters but I have just cleaned mine really well after each use and it has held up well so far.

 It works like a charm, saves my sanity and makes me love my lovable pup even more!

Swiffer didn't pay me to say this... I wish they did, but... I endorse them free of charge!

 I am feeling better today... sometimes just letting it out there and finding you are not alone helps! Thanks for the kind words! Love you all! ~Shelby