March Favorites in Food, Fashion, Entertainment, & Memorable Moments!

Happy final Friday of March, friends!  I hope this month has gone well for you.  If not, good news - you can soak up the weekend ahead and then welcome a fresh new month with open arms! :)  Today's post will be a peek at some of my favorite finds in food, fashion, and entertainment, along with memorable moments from the month March.  Let's jump right in!

Salty & Sour Fun Food Finds

I love sweet corn, so when I spotted these during a home improvement shopping trip to Menards I was so intrigued!  Jason and I each tried our first bite at the same moment.  We were both shocked at how much they taste like actual sweet corn!  So crazy!  While they weren't his favorite, I was instantly hooked!  I think they are so fun and completely different than any other salty snack.  They paired perfectly with BLTs I made earlier this week.

My recent candy obsession is "xtreme"ly sour.  If you're a fan of sour goodies, definitely give these a try! 

Favorite March Purchase

I picked these blush beauties up at Walmart last week and am in love!  They are so comfy and cute!  They're different and possibly not everyone's cup of tea, but I say wear what you love and embrace the style you enjoy!  For me, it's these!

Here's what I've been listening to, watching, and enjoying this month ...

I'm All Ears // This Month's Listening List:

Earlier this month I enjoyed The Gospel According to Jesus in audiobook form while tackling some (minor) flooding cleanup in our basement.  It was an excellent distraction from the otherwise less than pleasant task at hand.

A fellow Disney lover recommended this album and said I'd love it.  She was right!  It's absolutely beautiful!

I've also been listening to Chris Rice's Peace Like a River:  The Hymns Project on a loop.  Good stuff!

Best Thing I've Watched This Month 

A word on this film from AmericanGospelFilm.com:

AMERICAN GOSPEL:  CHRIST ALONE

Is Christianity Christ + the American dream?  American Gospel examines how the prosperity gospel (the Word of Faith movement) has distorted the gospel message, and how this theology is being exported abroad.  This feature-length film is the first in a series.

American Gospel:  Christ Alone is an excellent documentary!  It sheds light on the true biblical gospel in contrast to a false gospel that's embraced by many today.  Years ago I spent over decade heavily into this movement - buying it all hook, line, and sinker.  I've been on both sides of this story, so please know that my heart toward anyone who is in the place where I once stood is not one of judgment, but rather of compassion and sincere care.  If you watch this film you may see pastors/speakers in question who you currently esteem.  There is one featured in particular whose books I use to give out regularly as gifts.  Their "gospel" was easy to proclaim.  It doesn't offend.  It indulges man's greatest and most selfish desires.  It promises the gifts of God without fully surrendering to the Giver of all good gifts.  Many who claim the title of "Christian" teach things that are far from aligning with Jesus Christ.  Dear friends, it is absolutely crucial that we understand the gospel as God Himself has presented it to us in the Bible.  Our eternity depends on it.  

Info on where to find the documentary:  You can watch the trailer here.  The first 40 minutes of the film, followed by testimony from viewers is available to watch on Youtube here.  The full 2 hour and 20 minute film is available for rental from Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Vimeo, and Google Play.  

I may write a future post dedicated solely to this, sharing more on my background, beliefs, and the glorious gospel that has given me (an unworthy sinner) eternal hope, rest, and assurance of heaven through finished work of my Savior, Jesus Christ.  If you're interested in such a post, please let me know in the comment section below.

Memorable Moments of March

The girls and I were able to join Jason on a business trip to Minnesota this month.  After a couple days of business there, Jason took vacation days the remainder of the week to allow for family fun in the area.  We enjoyed time at Mall of America and seeing the frozen fabulousness of Minnehaha Falls!  You can read more on that trip here.

This month we also enjoyed our first (in-car) picnic at the lake in celebration of the temps getting above freezing!  Yay! We saw these sweeties while there!  

Mid-month we gathered with family to celebrate my aunt's 70th birthday.  She has been a special part of my life and the lives of my children from the beginning.  We loved seeing her well celebrated on her milestone birthday!

Last week some dear family friends we hadn't seen since January of 2018 drove over an hour to spend the day with us!  It was such a sweet reunion!  Even though it'd been over a year since we'd last seen each other we didn't skip a beat.  It was a wonderful day worth savoring!

Isn't that the truth! ;)

Sprinkled throughout the rest of month were several sweet mother/daughter moments with each of my girls and a really wonderful date night with my hubby split between a delicious dinner, binge watching fun, and hours of chatting about subjects near and dear to us.  My heart is full thinking on each of these moments!  

I'm looking forward to kicking off a fresh new month on Monday!  I anticipating celebrating our risen Savior on Easter, the weather getting even more beautiful, and days filled with things yet unimagined.  What are you most looking forward to in the month to come?  I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below!

Thanks so much for visiting today!  It was a treat to have you here!  Wishing you a wonderful weekend to come!

LINKING UP WITH:

Tif, Della, Becky, Whitney P., and Whitney J. 

for High Five for Friday

&

Andrea, Erika, and Narci 

for Friday Favorites

Join me in the adventures to come!

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Five Loves on Friday // Highlights of the Past Month | 20th Wedding Anniversary, Birthday, Holidays, and More!

Happy first Friday of December, friends!  So many wonderful things have been going on around here lately that have kept me (happily) away from my computer, leaving my little nook of the blogosphere a quiet space.  I thought I'd remedy that on this fine Friday morning by chatting with you all about the highlights of this past month I've been away, good old fashioned Five Loves style!

One  //  20th Wedding Anniversary
"Second Honeymoon"

Jason and I were able to get away just the two of us for a wonderfully refreshing celebratory vacation over the week of our twentieth wedding anniversary.  We spent 9 fantastic days hand in hand right back where our marriage began, Walt Disney World.  We took it a bit slower than we do when our thrill ride loving teens are with us.  We soaked up the atmosphere of each park, enjoyed eating our way around the world at Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival, and savored some of the best meals I've had ever at WDW, two of which were at new-to-us signature restaurants.  We spent many afternoons relaxing on the private balcony of our beautiful savanna view villa at our Disney Vacation Club home resort, Animal Kingdom Lodge, watching the giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, antelopes, and more.  The sweetest part about this trip was simply spending a little over a week of uninterrupted quality time with my favorite man on the planet.  I keep saying it felt like our second honeymoon, so we began calling it that.  We returned refreshed and our marriage is even richer for having taken this getaway to celebrate our life as husband and wife.

Here are some snapshots from our anniversary evening.  

Anniversary dinner at California Grill on the 15th floor of Disney's Contemporary Resort

Our appetizer - braised beef short rib wontons

My entree - grilled Colorado bison loin with gouda macaroni and cheese

Castle view from our table

Jason's dessert - pear crème brûlée 

My dessert - chocolate cake, of course!

I am so looking forward to recapping the entire trip here in the coming year!

Two  //  Princess' Birthday

I'm still not sure how this is possible, but my firstborn turned 17 at the end of last month!  Once again, I'm picking my jaw up off of the floor just saying that.  I have no idea how these years have passed by so quickly, but every single day of the past seventeen years has been sweeter because of the precious gift she truly is to our family and all who have the pleasure of knowing her well. She's so thoughtful, kind, caring, helpful, talented, smart, and lovely - inside and out!  I couldn't be more grateful to God for blessing me with the privilege of being her mom!

Three  //  Celebrating Thanksgiving with Extended Family

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  I have such fond memories from childhood of going to my aunt and uncle's every "Turkey Day" to feast and enjoy the company of my entire family.  Three things remain unchanged no matter how much time passes - each year my aunt and cousin put together beautiful tablescapes that are absolutely a feast for the eyes, we enjoy a truly scrumptious spread at those lovingly prepared tables, and the conversations had there are so delightful I wish they never had to end.  I definitely don't take for granted the fact that I come from a family that I genuinely love gathering with and for that I'm incredibly thankful at Thanksgiving and always!

Four  //  Thanksgiving Day with my Loves

My in-laws hosted a lovely Thanksgiving with my husband's side of the family a month early to accommodate travel schedules and we feasted with my family the Sunday before the holiday.  This meant that we had the entire day of Thanksgiving free to enjoy as a family of four which is always so much fun! 

We kicked off the day with our favorite tradition - a feast of a breakfast cozied up in pajamas under a pile of blankets, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade followed by the National Dog Show.  We ate, laughed, snuggled up with the ones we're most thankful for, and created new memories that fill this mama's heart with joy!  

Thanksgiving afternoon we headed to the movies to see Ralph Wrecks the Internet.  I won't give any spoilers, but will say the parts that included the Disney princesses were my favorite (literally laugh out loud hilarious)!  If you catch the flick be sure to stay all the way to the very end following the credits. ;)  

We came home to an untraditional Thanksgiving dinner of pork chops, potatoes, and carrots in the slow cooker.  I whipped up some mac and cheese, a few other yummy veggie sides, rolls - all of which we feasted on for days.  Start to finish it was a fabulous day with my favorites!

Five  //  Christmastime!

One simple joy of this season was driving beside snow-covered branches while seeing my husband's delight over taking our new 4-wheel drive out on wintry roads for the first time.   I'm thankful for the beauty of a Midwestern winter, for these wonderful wheels we got this year, and my talented driver who gets us safely around even on icy roads (and actually enjoys driving in winter weather)!

That brings us to the most wonderful time of the year, Christmastime!  My family and I have been soaking up every fantastic bit of this festive season!  At any given moment of the day my home is filled with the sound of either a Christmas song or movie playing and is lit with the glorious glow of Christmas lights shining on our sparkly and sentimental decor.  

Best of all, Christmastime is a season to reflect on the reason I celebrate this holiday.  My heart overflows with gratitude to God for sending the Savior and Redeemer who has brought me hope and promise of eternal life!  Oh, what an amazing gift God freely offers to all who place their trust in the finished work of Christ.   

"For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is a gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."  (Ephesians 2:8-9)  

Jesus said, 

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  (Matthew 11:28, 30)  

To anyone out there trying to make it on a "good" list, the burden of striving to save yourself through your own works can end today.  If we could save ourselves through our own efforts God would not have sent Jesus to be born of human flesh to live the sinless life He alone could being fully God, yet fully man.  God's plan of redemption was fulfilled when Jesus, altogether pure and holy without sin, died upon the cross as the only perfect sacrifice to bear the complete punishment for all the sins you and I have committed against God throughout our lifetime.  Through this perfect plan God's righteous justice was completely satisfied, and the debt of every sin we've ever committed against God could be paid in full through the finished work of His Son, Jesus Christ.  When we repent (ask God to forgive us and turn away from sin) and place our trust in Him (rather than striving to earn forgiveness and righteousness ourselves) the gift of salvation is freely given to us!  His payment for our sins is essentially credited to our account and we are made right with God, now and for all eternity.  He gets all the glory and we receive the free gift of salvation and eternal life!  What a reason to rejoice!  (To learn more visit:  NeedGod.com)

I hope this season is filled with family fun, deliciousness, and time with those dearest to your heart.  Above all else, I pray that you'll receive the gift that Jesus was born and died to give.  Here's one of my favorite (untraditional) Christmas songs.  The lyrics put the meaning of the season into perspective.  I couldn't love it more!

For anyone reading this blog post via email subscription, you can view the video here.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Wishing you an extra marshmallows kind of weekend ahead, sweet friends!

Join me in the adventures to come!

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I appreciate each comment, & "like"! They let me know that you enjoyed what you read, which makes it worth sharing! ;)  

Fantastic Adventures on Friday! {Celebratory Getaway Recap}

Happy Friday, friends!  I received multiple sweet "I can't wait to hear about your trip!" messages after sharing a bit of our family fun in my Instagram stories last week.  So, rather than my typical 5 Loves on Friday, I'm using today's post to recap our recent getaway!  

Each summer we take a road trip to Iowa's Great Lakes.  Many years we've camped there and have also stayed in hotels in the area.  Last year we discovered the top resort in the area continues to offer  50% "off season" discount until the second week of June.  Which meant we could go on my husband's birthday, save a pretty penny, and enjoy a great getaway!  After loving our stay at Fillenwarth Beach last summer, we deemed this our newest family tradition!  We were all so excited for our second annual stay at this resort that provides numerous complimentary amenities!  Now I'm looking forward to sharing snapshots of our stay and the memories we made there in today's post!


Okoboji, Iowa
June 1, 2017

We rarely grab fast food breakfast which means McGriddles taste like vacation to me!  One of the things I love about road trips are the interesting things you see along the way, like this GIANT bike for sale at a roadside gas station!  Wait til you see what I captured on our way back at this end of this post!

"We're here!"

We arrived a bit before our room was ready so we headed down for our favorite eats near the beach!

Godfathers's Pizza on the lake is the BEST!  I was raised on Godfather's, but I'm telling you, this location makes the absolute best pizza!  Perhaps the view of the lake helps, but whatever it is - YUM!

Time to check in to our resort, Fillenwarth Beach!

Here's a tour of our room...

The kitchen included a full size fridge, oven, dishwasher, microwave, and the cupboards were full stocked with dishes, cookware, utensils, and more.

The room sleeps six as it has a bed in this main space (and includes a curtain to close off this space if you'd like), has a fold out sofa, as well as a private bedroom.  Each of the rooms have sliding glass doors giving guests lovely lake views and easy access to the beauty outdoors!

lake view from our bedroom

I love that the toiletries here are all from Bath & Body Works!  It's the little things. :)

One of the best parts of the room is the large private balcony with a gorgeous lookout of the lake, seating for dining, and a grill for prepping a tasty dinner!

Views from our private balcony/deck...

I spy a Mickey! :)

After getting settled in to our room, Little One and I headed out for some shopping.  The resort is in such a great location!  Once we arrive and park there we literally walk everywhere!  There's a lovely path that leads to a boardwalk style shopping area along the lake.  We so enjoy the fun shops here!

Little One collects cute lit'l Ty Beanie plushes from one of the shops here.  She added an adorable fish to her collection this year.  Other finds were her adorable yellow sunglasses.  They were marked down 80%, bringing them to just $2 and some change! Deal!  I got myself the Okoboji hat I'm sporting in the photo above.  Little One spotted a couple things she requested to get for her big sister, a keychain that said "#1 Sister" and a hat like mine, both in Princess' favorite color, blue.  When one of my kiddos is thinking of the other requesting to get them gifts, my heart melts and I can't resist making a beeline for the checkout! ;)

Along our walk back to the resort, we popped into the Central Emporium, putting some quarters to good use and enjoying a sweet stop in a candy shop!

When we arrived back with gifts in tow, Little One asked Princess to close her eyes, put the hat on her head and lead her to the mirror.  As you can see, she loved the thoughtful gift her lit'l sis chose for her!

Time for a complimentary cruise on the resort's Sun Runner! 

Guests aboard this 45 minute cruise are given complimentary unlimited soft drinks, and those 21 and over can also request up to two free adult drinks.  (Their margaritas are delish!)  They also pass around trays of cheese and crackers and baskets of peanuts.  It makes for a really enjoyable trip around the lake!

A view of our resort from the boat

Here's a view of Arnold's Park.

Our room was the first deck there on the second level up from the beach.

My handsome grill master cooked us up some tasty cheeseburgers for dinner.  We followed up the yumminess with a birthday song and slices of the Birthday Boy's favorite, carrot cake!

After a delicious dinner Jason and the girls grabbed their fishing poles and headed down for some sunset fun!  (I lagged behind a bit to snap shots from above. ;))

Little One caught a yellow bass!

My favorite part of fishing is relaxing!

Goodnight from Lake Okoboji!

Friday, June 2, 2017

AKA:  Jason's Birthday!

Jason took Princess out for some one-on-one fishing fun first thing Friday morning.

The girls stayed up late the night before enjoying the free movie rentals the resort offers.  So, Little One slept in a bit while I packed up.  Then I couldn't resist heading out on our deck to snap pics of two of my loves fishing from afar.

It was such a beautiful morning!

Princess caught a largemouth bass!  So glad that Jason captured it in a pic so I could see that fantastic fish and the proud smile of our Princess after catching it!

Each morning at 9am the resort has a free craft time.  This is right up Little One's alley, so we headed down to take advantage of that!  The craft of the day was decorating wooden peg games.

She decorated hers with the logo for her favorite xbox game, Overwatch.

Guests of all ages are in there crafting it up, so I didn't hesitate to add some pretty polka dots and a bow adorned Disney darling to one!  I mean, why not? ;)

As soon as we finished crafting we walked down to the dock to see how fishing was going for Jason and Princess.

I absolutely love how clear the water is here!

Once they finished up fishing it was time for daddy and Little One to enjoy some one on one birthday fun! Fillenwarth offers a wide variety of things to do, all free to guests.  Last year they went out on paddle boats.  This year they decided to do some daddy/daughter canoeing!

While they were having fun on the lake, Princess and I enjoyed a good time chatting, rocking, and taking in the gorgeous views that surrounded us!

Once the other half of our family returned we all enjoyed rocking out in the sunshine before checkout.

She brought a great vacay read, the newest Kingdom Keepers book!  Fellow Disney fans, it's a fun book series to check out if you haven't yet!

The time had come to bid farewell to our state's most perfect place (in my opinion ;)) and check out.  For lunch, the scrumptiousness of Godfather's on the beach beckoned us back once more.

Along with the shops that line the street across from the pizza parlor, there's also a fun park for the young and young at heart to play in!

On the way home we made a pitstop in Radiator Springs!  Ok, not quite.  In a small town along our drive there just happens to be two familiar faces from Pixar!  So fun!

Hats off to a wonderful weekend celebrating my man's birthday and creating fabulous new memories as a family!

So glad you could pop by my nook of the web today!  Hope the weekend to come is a beautiful one for you and yours!