Lifestyle
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I Didn’t Write Last Month.
I didn’t write last month. At least not enough to merit a pat on the back or the chocolates I keep as a reward for every 1000 words written. (I’ve set the bar low here, people.) The irony of the situation is that the month of November was National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo as it’s referred to in the writing community. If things has gone as planned, I’d be sitting back, as I did last November, celebrating at least 50,000 words of utter crap. I can work with a pile of utter crap. Instead, I have barely 5,000 words of nonsensical crap and a half-eaten (an unearned) bag of…
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Driver Survival Gift Basket
I’m bringing back an older post because I love this one so much – this “driver survival” gift basket kit combines practical with thoughtful and always goes over well, particularly with new drivers! “What do you want for Christmas?” I inquired. “Uh, I dunno – sweatpants?” he responded. I was the third person who had received this response, too. sighs I’m sure everyone has THAT person. The one who is impossible to shop for. And sure, I could purchase another gift card but I can hear my dad grousing that “It’s better anyway because they can pick out what they want” is the lazy way out (because they could just…
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Easy DIY Holiday Wreath
I’m bringing back an old post because, like me, you might need to update your Christmas or holiday wreath this year! Christmas is probably my favorite time of year, and I go a little overboard. Our Christmas lights are hung on the house already. We put up two trees, and I’m sure there would be a third upstairs if I had any help whatsoever taking it all down. I won’t even tell you how many bins of Christmas decorations are cluttering up my garage, or that I will probably have to add another one this year. My mom even found a vintage sled and ice skates to decorate my front doorway…
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Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole
If you’re looking for a guilt-free way to enjoy the yummy taste of buffalo chicken, this spaghetti squash casserole will hit the spot! Some links in this article are affiliate links that earn me a commission if you purchase through them. Just want to print the recipe and go? Click here to jump to the printable recipe! This casserole comes together quickly. It’s such a family favorite that even my picky 14yo requests this in her lunchbox thermos for school! It’s a great use for leftover roast chicken. My favorite grocery store also sells pulled roast chicken in the deli section in 1-pound containers, and that’s more than plenty for…
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Shepherd’s Pie Is My Favorite Comfort Food
This Shepherd’s Pie reminds both kids of the time we lived in Wales. When I cooked the minced lamb (that’s ground lamb to you and me), the dog would sit outside, salivating and staring at the exhaust vent where it exited the kitchen over the patio. We ALL loved it. I think you will too, and if you aren’t a fan of lamb, sub out lean ground beef. If there’s a story with a recipe here, it’s because I’m a storyteller, and that’s how it fits my “brand”. Or whatever that’s what they tell me. If you’re thinking “Enough with the story, get to the damn recipe”, click here and…
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How To Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Instant Pot
We love spaghetti squash here. I am also very disorganized and am typically rushing to get dinner on the table. (Probably because I’ve got my nose in a book OR because I was actually writing. Or because I’m disorganized. I’ll be honest about it.) Preparing spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot is one of my favorite shortcuts. (I LOVE shortcuts.) It’s quick and easy – let me show you how I do it! In a hurry? Ahem. You can jump to the printable recipe by clicking here. Here’s how I cook spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot! Rinse off a 2-3 pound spaghetti squash, then cut in half lengthwise. The…
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Hay Festival (Goes) Digital May 22-31 2020
If you know me (virtually or in-person) you know I love books. Probably my absolute favorite festival, ever, is Hay Festival. Hay Festival is held at the end of each May in gorgeous Hay-on-Wye, Wales. I should have been at Hay Festival this year, but things arose in late January personally that meant an end to those plans, and then with the pandemic, the Festival was forced to change its plans. Thankfully, their change of plans means I can attend, albeit virtually (and in my jammies on the sofa, or in the back garden.) It also means YOU can attend. So what is Hay Festival? First and foremost, it’s a…
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DIY: Easy Christmas Countdown Chain
Kids love to count down the days until Christmas! There are many ways to do it, too. Perhaps you have an advent calendar (for which I JUST bought goodies to fill ours – a few hours after it should have been opened, but hey, no judgment, right?). I needed something the kids can keep up with – one that reflects the passage of time and got the kids excited to see the days getting closer – and one that they would do themselves because I have enough on my plate – so I made a Christmas countdown chain, and it is so easy, it’s almost ridiculous. Each evening, your kids tear one…
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Cheese-stuffed Spiced Bacon Tots, Oh My!
This was originally a sponsored post for Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, but all opinions are mine alone. This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a commission if you purchase through them. Confession time: I really love cheese. LOVE. IT. It’s one of my favorite snack foods and it goes with everything. (Or very nearly.) Sliced with apples, alone on crackers, melted over anything – it’s an easy snack and a perfect appetizer. No time for the whole post? You can jump straight to the recipe by clicking here!!! I used to cringe when I had to bring appetizers to a party – give me a dessert and I…
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Aunt Jeanne’s Pumpkin Cake
It’s fall, and certainly, that means all-you-can pumpkin. I love pumpkin so much that when fall comes around, I question why I don’t ever bake anything pumpkin the rest of the year! And while this whole pumpkin spice business is getting a bit out of hand (and by the taste of it, “pumpkin spice” refers more to the spice than the squash) – I’ve seen pumpkin spice tortilla chips, PopTarts, pudding, cookies, non-dairy creamer, ice cream, English muffins – you name it, they’ve pumpkined it! But forget about all that. You NEED to taste THIS pumpkin cake. It’s one of my go-to recipes when I want pumpkin cake but I’m…
