What's Up Wednesday

Hey, friends!  How about a little What's Up Wednesday fun?!

What We're Eating This Week ...

Macaroni and Cheese + Bacon & Peas // Four strips of cooked and crumbled bacon and one cup of steamed peas added to a prepared box of Kraft macaroni and cheese.  Easy, peasy, and cheesy!

Breakfast for Dinner // Oven Scrambled Eggs & Loaded Potato Casserole

Instant Pot Chipotle-Honey Chicken Tenders (using chicken breasts that Jason smoked and we froze for future dinners) 
+ Leftover Loaded Potato Casserole

BBQ Chicken Tostadas (using IP chipotle-honey chicken // originally smoked it pairs perfectly with BBQ)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz No-Bake Cookies

Over five years ago I clicked through a link to this recipe in a blogging link party.  I told the blogger how my husband's grandma made these each Christmas and they were a family favorite.  Her post and that simple comment was the beginning of a beautiful friendship!  

The day Chrissy and I met in person, taken from the post:

 A Day of Disney History in Los Angeles

On her birthday I made these "cookies" to celebrate her from afar.  They were so enjoyed my family that the treat was on repeat this week.  Have you made these?  If not check out Chrissy's recipe here.  

What's I'm Reminiscing About ...

Our Disney vacations!  My husband, Jason, has been working on editing video from our most recent trip for our YouTube channel, Eat, Sleep, Dis, Repeat!  We're both anticipating sharing the magic in upcoming Trip Report Tuesday blog posts and in vids on ESDR!  Seventeen days of fresh Disney magic coming your way soon!

What I'm Loving ...

I am loving the sunshine, lovely breeze, and sweet birds' songs entering our home through wide open windows!  Spring is such a glorious season!  This gorgeous weather was absolutely worth the wait!

What We've Been Up To ...

We are working hard on a strong finish to our homeschooling year.  Summer break is quickly approaching and we can hardly wait for oodles of family fun in the sun!

What I'm Dreading ...

I can't think of a single thing, and that my friends, is a beautiful thing!

What I'm Working On ...

As previously mentioned, I'm currently at work on a new installment of my Trip Report Tuesday blogging series.  I can hardly wait to share recaps of our recent 17-day vacation at Walt Disney World!  We stayed at some new (dream) resorts including 5 nights at Disney's Polynesian Village resort and 6 evenings in Disney Vacation Club's newest addition, the Villas at Wilderness Lodge!  There are so many new restaurants to review and memories to preserve!  

What I'm Excited About ...

All the spring and summer goodness to come!  Family walk and talks, picnics, bike rides, swimming and lounging poolside, zoo trips, and so much more await us and I couldn't be more excited about all of it!

What I'm Watching/Reading ...  

Television // Bringing Up Bates

Watching this precious family living life, honoring God with the gifts He's blessed them with, and loving each other does my heart good!  This show regularly makes me laugh and cry happy tears.  We rarely finish an episode that doesn't conclude with me commenting, "That was so good!"  This airs on the UP Faith and Family network.  Their website says the channel is available through Cox, Dish, Directv, and more.  We watch it through a $5/month channel addition to our Amazon Prime Video account.  If this channel is available to you and you're looking for a television show with good, clean family fun to enjoy with your own family, I highly recommend Bringing Up Bates!  

YouTube  //  Wretched

This video was so encouraging to me.  If you're a Christian obeying the great commission in sharing the Gospel and you've found yourself ever discouraged by not seeing the results of your efforts, please listen to this.  

Now, out of sincere care for YOU, precious reader, let me ask you that same eternally important question that that man faithfully asked passersby there on George Street.:  

If you were to die today, where would you spend eternity?  The Bible says it will either be Heaven or Hell.  Would you think about that, please?  Thank you.

Can I follow that up with this:

What is your answer to this question based upon?

If your mind heads straight to your own good deeds, how often you attend church, or your accolades in this life, that's an indication that your hope is resting on your own shoulders.  What a impossibly heavy burden to needlessly (and worthlessly) bare!  The good news is Jesus said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)  There is a way to ensure your salvation.  Your own personal strivings with the unreachable goal of earning your own way to Heaven can cease today when you take that misplaced hope in yourself and instead place it in the victorious Savior.  Note:  Our hope cannot be in ourselves and in Jesus Christ.  We are not made worthy by our own actions as Isaiah 64:4 says, "For all of us have become like one who is unclean,  And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away."   When we turn to Him in repentance (asking for forgiveness for the ways we have sinned against Him throughout our life) and place our trust in Him alone we can find true rest, lasting hope, meaningful peace - all of which the world attempts to offer in fleeting ways, but that our Creator can and delights in giving freely to His own.

Approximately 150,000 people die each day.  Many of those people begin that day as any other, with to do lists and dinner plans, unsuspecting that the day will be their last.  Just the thought of that causes me to ask, with great sincerity and love, that you ponder this today.  This life, whether brief or long lived, is but a vapor in comparison to all of eternity.  Nothing could be more important than making certain where you will spend it.

YouTube // Alex Chacon

Alex Chacon is a former medical student who sold everything he had back in 2012 to travel the world.  My husband and I have been watching his adventures via YouTube for about five years now.  We're currently watching his recent motorcycle trip through Bolivia.  I appreciate his content so much as it's a means of traveling to far away places I'll never physically visit.  If you enjoy travel vlogs, incredible scenery, and a peek into how other people live across the world, his channel is well worth checking out!

What I'm Listening To ...

I've been loving the {free} Grace to You Sermon app!  I typically press play, tuck my iPhone in my pocket, and do dishes, tidy the house, etc..  It makes housework such a pleasant time (which is definitely a win)!  This week I finished the Anxiety-Free Living series and began listening to The Fulfilled Family series.

What I'm Wearing ...

I spotted this hat in a Kohl's ad and knew I needed it.  It's so feminine.  I absolutely adore it!  I need a new pair of sunglasses, so this cute piece has done the trick in covering my eyes in the sunshine when out on our evening family walk and talks!

What I'm Doing This Weekend ...

My parents invited the girls to come stay with them on Friday night which means DATE NIGHT for my hubby and I!  Can't wait!!!  We have no plans between then and church on Sunday morning which is such a great thing in my book!  Looking forward to a wonderfully refreshing weekend ahead!

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month ...

Celebrating my sister & her daughter's birthdays

Mother's Day

Last Mother's Day weekends was one of my all-time favorites!  The sweet deets were captured in this post.

Memorial Day

My favorite way to spend Memorial Day weekend is grilling and then chilling at a free outdoor symphony performance followed by fireworks!

What Else is New ...

That pretty much sums up life at the moment!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  It is such a treat to have you here!  Hope you'll take a moment to say "Hello!" in the comment section below!

Join me in the adventures to come!

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What's Hap-"Pinning"? A Virtual Party and YOU are Invited!!

Welcome to my pintastic {virtual} party, friends!  Please help yourself to {the recipes for} some sensational sips, awesome appetizers, grilled goodness, and summer sweets! ;)

*Links in this post will direct you to my pin of each recipe.  Please click through to repin or continue through to its original source to pin.  You are welcome to pin this post in its entirety using the image above.  Thanks!

Care for a beautiful beverage?

Fruit Infused Water // Raspberry Sherbet Party Punch // Skinny Pineapple Orange Slush

An appetizer, anyone?

Ladybug Appetizers // Pineapple Cream Cheese Spread // BLT Bites Appetizer

Goodness from the grill, coming right up!

Grilled Chinese Chicken // Grilled Corn with Chipotle Butter and Lime Salt // Greek Honey-Lemon Pork Chops //  Grilled Teriyaki Burger

Sweets for the Sweet!

Inner Tubes // S'mores Ice Cream Cupcakes // Easy Fruit Trifle // S'more Pops

Tickled pink that you could pop by my "virtual party" today!  Wishing you a lovely day!

Linking up:

...If you're visiting from the link up, be sure to say, "Hello!"  I'd love to come check out your post too!

Join me in the adventures to come!

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Five Loves on Friday // 1st Blogiversary Edition!

Five Loves from my 1st Year of Blogging

{A post to celebrate and gather the highlights of this first year!}

1 // Magical Moments Captured & Shared 

Trip Report Tuesday

{Link to my most recent Trip Report, Day 8 of 17.  Includes links to previous posts.  Check back each Tuesday for more!}

Peter Pan Family Movie Party

Six Loves on Saturday {Turkeys & Birthday & Black Friday, Oh My!}

Happy 9th Birthday, Little One!

Virtual Disney Surprise Birthday Party!

This was one of my absolute favorite posts to put together!  It was such fun to surprise and celebrate one of my favorite people {& fellow Disney addict enthusiast} on her special day!

2 // Recipe Box Love

I had the pleasure of sharing these scrumptious meals featured on my table this year.  Feel free to click through and pin these simple & satisfying routes to yum!

Most-Requested Crockpot Macaroni & Cheese {5 Ingredients to YUM!}  //  Saucilicious Slow Cooker Pork Chops  //  Spoonfuls of Love: Mom's Comforting Crockpot Potato Soup  //  Enchiladas Cancun {Easy Cheesy Seafood Fiesta!}  //  Potsticker Cheddar Skewers  //  Cheesy Eggilicious BACON-Y GOODNESS! {Simple Quiche}  //  Crockpot Beefy Queso Party Dip  

... & of course, sweets for the sweet!

Ooey Gooey MINTerrific Brownies  //  Cherry Chocolate Delight  //  Mickey Mouse Cookies & Cream Oreo Brownie  //  Mickey Mouse Inspired Healthy Snacktime Fun  //  Cadbury Spring S'more Mix  //  Peter Pan Pudding  //  Tigger Tails  //  Mickey Mouse Munch  

3 //  Reflecting on God's Goodness in All Things

The Story of my Husband's Accident // Thanksgiving to God  

10 Things that the Flu Caused Me to Appreciate

OPERATION: CHEER {Extraordinary Care Package Inspiration!} 

Thank God for Dirty Dishes

4  //  Giddy Moments of Blogging!

For years before I began blogging {even before Pinterest existed!}, I looked forward to visiting certain blogs on the days they held link parties.  I loved checking out all of the wealth of creativity!  I'll never forget linking up for the first time at one of my favorites, Kitchen Fun with My Three Sons. It was a party I anticipated visiting each week, and now I was able to join in on the fun!  I shared my Tigger Tails ...

...and much to my surprise they were featured the following week!  It was such a completely unexpected thrill!  

A BIG THANKS again to the bloggers who have featured my posts this year!  It's been such a joy to have the opportunity to share my recipes, crafts, thoughts, and tips!  To those who have taken the time to read, pin, and comment on my posts, it has made my day to know that you've enjoyed what you found in this lit'l corner of the blogosphere!

The height of blogging excitement for me was when Walt Disney World's official Pinterest page pinned a post that I had written as a guest post for My Favorite Finds, {later shared on Chatting Over Chocolate}.  In the description of the pin they added, "very helpful selection of tips!"  ... I seriously felt like throwing a party!  While ultimately it's not important in the grand scheme of things, it was such an exciting honor to have WDW pin something I wrote and add that they found it helpful, exclamation point and all! ;)

WDW later pinned another post I wrote, Choosing the Perfect Disney Character Meal for Your Family.  I was every bit as tickled pink about that too!  So much fun!!

5  // The Icing on the Cake 

I began this blog on a whim one day, as a simple creative outlet.  I've always loved reading blogs.  I appreciate all of the great information, inspiration, motivation, encouragement, and creativity I have found over the years through what other bloggers have shared.  I didn't really think I had much to offer, but thought why not give it a shot?  

While on Christmas break last year, my husband was sick, my girls were busy playing, and I found myself looking for something to do.  I decided to start up a blog.  The first thing I wrote was, "My first post on this fresh, new blog! Will anyone read it? Well, I guess you are! Fancy that, my words are now being narrated your voice. ;)"  ...& now you are reading this post a year later!  I want you to know, my sweet readers and cherished friends, you are the icing on the cake of this whole blog experience.  THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to stop by and visit me!  Each of your comments bless me so!  

To all of my precious blogging friends, you rock!  I had no idea what a fabulous blogging community there was until I began Chatting Over Chocolate.  The friendships formed this year are such a treasured gift!  I have learned, laughed, been challenged, and grown in so many ways in this past year ....& I'm looking forward to seeing what year number two shall bring!!

Hope you'll join me in the adventures of this new year!

Follow on Facebook, Bloglovin', Pinterest, Polyvore, Google Friend Connect, or have each new post delivered directly to your inbox!  *To join via GFC or subscribe via email see left sidebar of blog ;)

  

Linking up with:

Lauren Elizabeth | H54F

The Diary of a Real Housewife | Friday Favorites

Hello! Happiness, The Good Life, A. Liz Adventures, & Carolina Charm| Five on Friday

& a few other fab link parties!

...If you're visiting from one of these link ups, be sure to say, "Hello!"  

I'd love to come check out your Friday 5 too! ;)

35 by 35! #10 + Skinny Banana Bliss Bites!

It's Thursday!  Time to check in with my scale and my friends! ;)  Excited to also share my new FAVORITE post-workout snack, and hopefully a dash of encouragement too! 

Progress:

I've dropped 3 more pounds since last week!  I'm currently only one pound shy of waving 10% of my total (starting) body weight goodbye!  It's a wonderfully exciting feeling!

Delicious Way to Shrink:

This is my new favorite post-workout pick me up!

Ingredients (per serving):

1/2 Banana

1 teaspoon Peanut Butter 

7 Almonds

Steps to Yum:

1.  Cut half a banana into 7 slices.

2.  Place a dab of peanut butter on each banana slice.

3.  Top each with an almond.

4.  ENJOY!

One serving (everything shown in the photo above) is just 138 calories!     

Remember that every food choice you make can either help or hinder you in your journey towards gaining/maintaining a healthful lifestyle!  This satisfying snack will sure make you feel a whole lot better than 11 Doritos chips at 140 calories would! 

Tip of the Week:

Are you drinking enough water?  Try filling a 2-Liter bottle with water and storing it in your refrigerator.  This will help you keep track of exactly how much you're getting and you'll always have some cold and ready for you!  I started doing this last week and didn't allow myself to drink any lemonade or my fave diet soda until after I've drank the amount of water my body needs for the day.  I have never been a big water drinker and have found this to be really helpful! If you struggle with drinking enough H2O you may want to give this a try too. You'll feel so much better when you're hydrated.  I know I do!

REMINDER: My comments section is officially a CHEERING SECTION on Thursdays!  Let's cheer each other on, friends!  I'd love to hear how you're doing too!  Struggles, triumphs, things you've found helpful...feel free to share!  The interactions I've had with each of you who've  sent me comments/messages have served as an incredible inspiration and encouragement! THANK YOU!!!

Need some new light and delicious recipes?  

Check out my Pinboard:  Delicious Ways to Shrink.  

You may also be interested in previous posts from this blog series:

35 by 35!: Introduction to Challenge + Light Recipe!

35 by 35! #2

35 by 35! #3

35 by 35! #4

35 by 35! #5

35 by 35! #6

Celebrating Independence Day with a Skinny Recipe Roundup!

35 by 35! #7

35 by 35! #9

Don't miss a bit of the Summer Fun at 

Chatting Over Chocolate!:

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Google Friend Connect, or have each new post delivered directly to your inbox!

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