a germy covered kind of thankful ;)

 

First and foremost, it HAS to be said, if you are Cyber Monday shopping today, and you’re not using Ebates, you are LOSING money!

You simply click on the store you want to shop at through Ebates website and it redirects you straight to their page and you shop as normal and earn cash back while doing it. It’s amazing! I get a check quarterly and have been doing it for years and kick myself whenever I online shop and FORGET to go through Ebates!! I couldn’t NOT share with you :)

 

 

I have been MIA for 2 weeks now with one very yucky reason:

a nasty case of the stomach virus has spread through out our family – INCLUDING the dog!

 

and guess who was patient zero???

 

ME :(

Sorry, beloved family members!

 

Technically, the dog was first but his wasn’t truly our stomach virus, of course. It was, however, most definitely our fault… 2 weekends ago, we had a baby boy with terrible wheezing, chest congestion and a low grade fever. When we ran out of dog food but had leftover chicken from that week’s chicken and dumplings, it seemed like the PERFECT substitute while we were worrying over and taking care of our sick little boy and having little time for a Petsmart run.

Hendrix happily chowed down on the chicken for a couple days… then it began. Our poor pup was sick from BOTH ends. SICK happened on our beige couch, all over our living room rug, and on our white bedding. This sweet pup NEVER has in door accidents, he is perfectly potty trained and to know he was so sick he couldn’t hold it breaks my heart. In addition, every time our furry white dog actually made it outside, I had to put him in the bathtub and wash his little derriere since the not-so-solid was all caught up in his fur.

DOUBLE-TRIPLE YUCK!

 

Out of all of us who were sick, he is the only one who made it to the doctor. After days of sickness and not eating, we were deeply concerned. A $252 vet bill later, lots of antibiotics he wouldn’t even take and our little pup is all better on his own.

 

Just about the time our babe’s chest congestion cleared up and our dog was all better, this momma started my own middle of the night hug-the-toilet marathon and Nick followed with the virus the next day. THANKFULLY my parents were already here visiting because I have no clue how we would have taken care of Houston between the two of us.

NOT SO THANKFULLY, my parents were actually visiting for my dad’s BIG 60th birthday on Saturday and by Sunday, the birthday boy had caught the virus.

 

We went to church with my sister and brother-in-law in Richmond on Sunday, after dinner we changed and hung out at her house trying to celebrate one very sick Poppy the day after his birthday.

 

Guess who was blessed by the stomach virus next? It looks like when we left my sister’s house, my dad left a present behind for my sister. Victim #4!

 

Thanksgiving came and *thankfully* no one was sick for the holiday! We spent Thursday with my side of the family in Prestonsburg, then were lucky enough to have a second day of Thanksgiving back at our house with Nick’s side of the family on Friday.

 

All of our little turkeys on Thanksgiving morning:

 

 

 

 

 

I even got to experience my very FIRST black Friday shopping experience.

At 10 am, if you just enter the large appliance section of Sears, do your business and get out, it’s quite pleasant actually ;)

A new fridge and stove at a GREAT price? Black Friday SUCCESS!

 

 

Our house had been clear of illness for at least 5 days when my brother-in-law came to stay with us on Friday. He even worked hard along side his brother to clean out our garage and get our 12 foot Christmas tree put up while I was at work on Saturday. He is the best!

Sunday morning came and BAM!, victim #5 was confirmed.

He ended up staying an extra day than he planned and left this morning… I feel like I brought the plague to America and killed off a bunch of the pilgrims right before Thanksgiving.

 

So today, several days late, I am thankful for a *presently* healthy household. That we are normally very healthy and that our little boy never caught the virus nor has ever had one sick visit to the doctor. I feel so blessed that he hasn’t had a single antibiotic yet when I fill them all day long for lots of other sick little ones in the pharmacy.

All of this I say while knocking on wood of course…

 

 

I am thankful for my beyond supportive, tolerate, handsome, funny, LOVING husband and father to my most precious gift, our little boy. I am thankful for our wonderful families who are also extremely supportive and a barrel of monkeys to hang out with. We have been so lucky in this economy and depression to not feel the sting and though I complain about it too often, I am thankful for my job and my husband’s as well!

 

Most of all I am thankful for forgiveness. Our families and my sweet husband are always so forgiving and I am relieved for that because I am most definitely a screw-up. But most of all, I am thankful for Christ who died for our sins so that we may receive a forgiveness we could never deserve. His love for us is amazing and beyond understanding!

 

Here’s to hoping you and yours are avoiding the dreaded stomach bug and your Thanksgiving was just as wonderful!

 

XOXO,

Stephanie

Planning a Playroom & Smocking Beauty Giveaway Winner

 

 

If you follow me on Pinterest, you may or may not have noticed I’ve been pinning like crazy on my {Playroom} board. Art, storage, reading corners and of course – toys, toys, toys!

This coming weekend, while my parents take the little man on a day trip to see my his great-grandparents in Louisville, we will be working diligently to move Nick’s office to a new basement location, the old office will become the new playroom(!), and the family room will look more like a family room again instead of a very messy FAO Schwarz…

 

There is SO much to do, but I am SO excited for Houston. Christmas is coming early this year for one little boy!!

 

Some of my favorite Playroom Pins:

{Sorry, time is short - check my Playroom board for sources!}

 

 

Christmas came early for another little boy today too!:

Comment #82

Meredith’s little boy from the blog, The Life of Riley, won the Smocking Beauty giveaway.

 

Meredith, email me at robertslove {at} live {dot} com and I’ll hook you up with your prize!

 

Now from one job to another… at home mom/wife/blogger has to go spend some time in the pharmacy ;) Be back soon, friends!

 

XOXO,

Stephanie

Foodie Friday and Disney DVD Giveaway Winner

 

Love chicken salad but not all those crazy extra calories and fat after you’ve demolished a delicious extra large bowl of it? The secret is replacing mayonnaise with yogurt! Trust me, you won’t even notice and you’ll be thanking me later when you still fit in those jeans ;)

 

My ingredients are simple to list but as for portions, I’ve never truly measured, just usually eyeball it and make it to my own tastes... so if you like less celery, more grapes, prefer chopped pecans instead of walnuts, by all means alter it! I usually try to make a little more than what I’ve listed below so we have leftovers for a couple more lunches. We LOVE this chicken salad!

 

{as for the yogurt instead of lots of fatty mayonnaise – I’ve never missed the latter and like I said, even the hubby loves this healthy version of chicken salad!}

 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked & shredded/chopped skinless chicken breast
• 3 stalks chopped celery
• 1 cup red seedless grapes, halved
• 1 cup chopped apple
• 1/2 cup plain fat-free yogurt
• 2 TBS fat-free mayonnaise
• 2 packets Splenda (or a no-calorie sweetener of your choice)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• dash of salt and pepper
• lemon juice

*Makes about 4 servings.

 

Directions:
*Boil the chicken, let cool, then **shred or chop. Mix together the yogurt, mayonnaise, sweetener, lemon pepper seasoning, and salt. Coat the chicken with this mixture, and then stir in the chopped celery, grape halves, and chopped apple. Sprinkle with your desired amount of chopped walnuts then let the salad chill in the fridge for at least a 1/2 – 1 hour. Then TRY to remember to SHARE once you start inhaling this wildly delicious chicken salad!

 

Celery chopped and grapes halved:

 

I was so proud of peeling my apple in one long continuous peel… it’s the little things ;)

 

Don’t have a handy dandy peeler or apple corer thingy? You gotta get one! I love mine, especially when it comes time to make a big ol’ batch of baby food, life is made easier – especially the peeler for not just apples, but sweet potatoes, white potatoes, parsnips, whole carrots, etc.

 

 

 

 

*As for boiling the chicken, I use skinless, boneless chicken breast halves and usually bring to a boil then turn down to medium heat, covering the pot and letting it simmer for about 15-20 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink.

 

**Now here’s the COOL part I learned for easily shredding the chicken for ANY recipe that calls for it:

Once the chicken is finished cooking,drain and toss it in your Kitchen Aid mixer with beater attachment {and put your bowl shield on} then turn it up and watch in awe as your chicken is shredded to perfection!

 

 

 

Ahhhhhhhhh-mazing!

 

 

Can you believe I forgot to take a final picture of the scrumptious finished product?!

Blogger FAIL.

 

So either use your imagination or trust me when I say it looks something like this one:

 

{Source}

 

 

Now are you ready for the Disney DVD winner?

 

 

It’s comment #87 - Stevy from The Rest is Still Unwritten. I love this girl and was so excited when she {honestly} was randomly selected!!

    Stevy, please email me you mailing address as soon as possible so Disney can get your package to you and your precious little girl who is just going to LOVE it :)

 

Have a great weekend! It’s supposed to be 70 degrees here in Lexington tomorrow – I can’t wait♥

 

XOXO,

Stephanie

Ultimate Collector’s Edition Disney DVD Giveaway!

 

 

 

I was so excited when Disney sent me a copy of Brave to review before it’s release is even out next Tuesday! I had been loving the previews with the red-headed lead role – who I found out once I watched IS actually a princess in the movie. A brave, go against the traditional, tough, kick-butt princess.

Did I mention red-headed?

Totally my favorite since Disney gal since Ariel hit the scene ;)

 

 

 

I love the whole movie’s cast of Scottish accents!

Did I even mention my heritage is Scottish? Or that I have red-hair? Did Disney know this when they contacted me?????

 

 

This movie had such a great story based mostly on two great story lines:

• A girl doing what “a girl isn’t suppose to” in a man’s world
• a tumultuous loving relationship between a mother and a growing young lady

 

Perfect for your daughters AND your son’s – teach ‘em while they’re young…

 

I was blown away by how much was in the DVD case when it arrived too!

 

 

Ultimate collector’s edition 5 Disk Combo includes:

• 3-D Blu-ray Disc
• Original Blu-ray Disc
• Blu-ray Bonus Features
• NON Blu-ray Disc
• The digital copy DVD for download to your iPad/computer/phone etc so you’re not pulling your hair out trying to convert it for your kiddo’s viewing pleasure away from home!!

 

 

 

Jealous? Don’t be! Enter my FLASH giveaway {winner announced TOMORROW!} and win a collector’s pack for yourself!

As usual, you must be a follower of this blog to enter the giveaway. Leave a comment to enter and a separate additional comment for each of the following for extra chances to win:

 

“Like” A Blue-Eyed Boy Met a Brown-Eyed Girl’s Facebook Page

Follow me on Pinterest

Share the link to the giveaway on your Facebook or Twitter

 

 

 

May the odds be ever in your favor!

 

XOXO,

Stephanie

 

P.S. Winners will be announced this Monday for the Smocked Clothing giveaway… don’t miss your chance for that picture perfect precious get-up for your little one’s Christmas photos!

 

{I was not compensated for this review and all opinions expressed in this post are my own.}

The Homestead 1766

 

 

I am SO very lucky to be married to an incredibly talented, handsome husband who just so happens to work for an amazing company that treated us and a group of others to a long 4 day weekend at The Homestead Resort a few weeks ago♥

 

We took a route there that was just a tad bit out of the way so I could see my old stomping ground from pharmacy school. It’s been 3 1/2 years since I graduated, which feels more like AT LEAST a decade since I was there.

This is just one of the gorgeous buildings nestled in the hills of Virginia – while I waxed nostalgic that day, I never EVER wish to be back in pharmacy school, only for a reunion with the great friends I made there!

 

 

We even drove by my old apartment… this is where Nick proposed to me!

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh the memories♥

 

…and we got to witness America’s first two story Walmart, built after I graduated… BIG stuff in this extremely small town.

 

OK, onto the trip I was telling you about.

If you haven’t heard about the The Homestead, I truly suggest visiting their website. It is AMAZING and steeped with history. It opened in 1766 and many U.S. presidents have vacationed here, most famously Thomas Jefferson frequented the resort.

 

 

The lobby had me imaging all the “greats” that have walked through those grand halls!

 

Our room:

 

Our little balcony – so quaint:

 

The colors of the fall surrounded us on the entire drive as well as every activity we took part in that weekend – fall, as you MAY know, is MY FAVORITE so I was  in heaven!

 

 

 

We had no agenda while we were there, just ENJOY and take part in whatever we pleased. We were just plain excited about the over abundance of uninterrupted sleep we were going to get on this trip, but the excursions turned out to be true adventures!

 

The first morning there, Nick went golfing on their beautiful, pro course while I went horse back riding with friends:

 

My horse Roanie… good times old friend, good times.

 

Then we shot a little skeet :)

 

 

Christine and I at the top of a mountain overlook. I really wish you could take in the whole scenic view in the picture, it was breathtaking.

 

I’m loving the panoramic picture option on the new iPhone…

 

Night time fun hanging out – got a little goofy…

 

On Saturday morning the company held an awards banquet… the president of the company borrowed this picture from my Facebook for Nick’s award slide – we laughed HARD when this showed up in the Powerpoint. Sneaky, sneaky, Tony!

 

SO proud of my baby!

 

We couldn’t travel all the way to Hot Springs, Virginia without visiting the Jefferson Pools. What a wild experience!

 

These “pools” are natural warm springs with the buildings set around them built in 1761. Thomas Jefferson and his wife frequented them often for their “healing” powers. There is a “ladies” and “gentlemen” pool, but they are both co-ed these days with the exception of a few hours during the day.

 

Our “changing” room to get in our swimsuits… it was COLD outside and those cracks in the boards you see are pouring in the outside air. We could only laugh!

 

We swam in the “gentlemen’s” pool which is deeper than the ladies. They provide pool noodles for your floating enjoyment ;)

 

Our friends, Christine and Nick in the year round 97 degree water. It was really comfortable once you were in. The floor of the pools are only smooth rocks, the water bubbles up NATURALLY from the ground… so weirdly wonderful!

It also smells like sulpher – yummmmmmm.

 

The ceiling of the pool here - it seemed like a strong wind could blow this rickety old building down on us at any time. But we didn’t let that scare us away from the experience ;)

 

Clean and “healed” after our sulpher baths:

 

What else is there to do after you’ve been magically invigorated by the springs than a swanky dinner back at the resort?!

 

 

 

Christine and I wanted just ONE last shot in the ballroom where we had breakfast every morning… I ask you, is this real life???

 

We went home with mixed emotions. Sad to leave but so excited to see our boy again!

It didn’t hurt that the views on the road trip kept me very content to be such a lucky, lucky girl.

 

Thanks to Christine and Nick, we also got to enjoy AWESOME cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes on the trip home, better known as “D.C. Cupcakes” for their TLC hit show with the same title. Great end to a great trip!

 

We shall be back, Homestead!

 

XOXO,

Stephanie

 

P.S. – Don’t miss our smocked clothing giveaway going on right now!