April Flowers

Happy Monday and last day of April!  I missed my usual "Four on Friday" post last week due to coming down with a bad cold and getting ready for Miss H.S.'s second (and last) prom.  I'm feeling better today but the weekend was a blur.  The weather is finally warming up and we're seeing things come to life in the garden.

 This is the lawn but I don't mind the purple adjuga that sometimes pops up.

 Every year I see a few more daffodils. I like them paired up with the tiny grape hyacinth.

 The centers on these dafs are so frilly.

 I never know what's going to pop up.

 This tree only holds onto it's blooms for a week or so. I'm glad it was blooming for prom photos two weeks ago.

 I planted a few hardy flowers in our pots early this year. I usually wait and plant around Mother's Day but these have really brightened up the front porch.

 Azalaes in bloom. Yay!

 These tulips have such a pretty frayed edge.

These were some roses that we got for Miss HS's final high school musical performance. When they opened up, they had the pretties shape and color!  What spring flowers are you enjoying?

Linking up:

Creative Mondays
Cooking and Crafting with J & J

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Thoughtful Thursday

I'm still loving my Happy Planner (it was an awesome Costco deal at $9.97 for 24 months).  It's fun to turn the page and see a cute, colorful new greeting each month!

{Happy Planner}

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From The "Youngins"

Here are a couple of things that my daughters have told me about that I had no clue existed.  Maybe some of these are new to you too? Let me know in the comments!

Micellar cleansing water

1) Micellar cleansing water for taking off makeup and cleaning your face. You can use it on your whole face to gently cleanse without water.  It contains little cleansing molecules that are suspended in the liquid.   I shake up the bottle first and gently wipe with a cotton pad. I don't rinse it off with water but sometimes I do take a clean cotton pad and wipe again before applying moisturizer.  Here's a great article about micellar water if you want to know more about it.

highlighter eyeliner

2) Using highlighter eyeliner on your 'water line' on your lower eyelid can really brighten up your eyes and make you look more awake and alert.  Add a little to the corner of your eyes to really make them pop.

Spotify

3) Spotify has really changed how we listen to music.  Both of my daughters have been singing the praises of Spotify forever and we finally see why. I can play any album or song that I want whenever I want. I like the daily mix that spotify curates for me. I find a lot of new music that way. They have podcasts too!

4) ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response). Ok, this one is a little weird but when my daughter casually mentioned it in a conversation like I should know what it is (and I didn't!) I had to go investigate.  You can watch/listen to these videos and see what you think. I've never been able to sit through a longer video but it is interesting to see what triggers the responses --some people don't feel anything.  It's best to listen with headphones on for the full effect.

Linking up:

Wordless Wednesday

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{Recipe}Chick Pea Avocado Sandwich

Chick peas and avocados are a match made in heaven!  Where had this combo been all of my life?

Ingredients:

1 can cooked chick peas, rinsed and drained

1 avocado

juice of 1/2 lemon (about 2 TBS)

salt & pepper

1/4 cup dried cranberries (optional)

To make:

• Pour chick peas into a bowl and mash with fork.

• Cut open the avocado and make slices into the fruit without cutting through skin, scoop out and add slices to the  bowl.

• Mash with fork and mix together.

• Add lemon juice and stir to combine.  If it seems a little dry, add more juice.

• Season with salt and pepper to taste.

• Optional: Add 1/4 cup dried cranberries.  Stir to combine.

• Serve as is or in a sandwich.

• Optional toppings: shredded carrots & green onions.

I served mine on an everything bagel thin with my Effortless Oil-Free Baked Fries.

Linking up:

Wordless Wednesday

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Four On Friday

Cheers to Friday!
Here's what I've been....

1. Enjoying...a much needed pedicure.

 2. Listening to...hubby's band(and hanging out with some great ladies!).

 3. Eating...the Impossible Vegan Burger. Yum!

 4. Working on...cast head shots and display for Miss High School's show.

Linking up:

Friday Loves
Welcome To The Weekend

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Scenes from Prom 2018

Tonight is opening night for Miss H.S.'s final high school show so while I try and keep my emotions in check, I'll share some pretty prom photos.

Linking up:

Little Things Thursday
Welcome To the Weekend

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{Shopping} More Trader Joe's Finds - Faves & Staples Edition

I know I just did a TJ's post last month full of new finds but I decided I should share my favorites and staples too.  These are things I try and pick up every visit (or items that are staples in our house).

If you like the warm crusty bread you get at restaurants, this is for you.   The Half-Baked Idea Ficelle bread is exactly that, half baked and you finish the rest of the baking at home. One loaf is good for 3-4 of us at dinner.  I keep it in the freezer and if I forget to defrost one, I pop it in the microwave for about 45 seconds, then bake according to the directions.

Last time I shopped I tried the Savory Thin Rice Crackers.  This time I saw the mini version Multiseed with Tamari Soy Sauce version.  They have a lot of flavor!

I love checking out the baking aisle at TJ's. I always buy their Unsweetened Cocoa Powder.   I love the packaging!

Speaking of the baking aisle, here are two other staples that I buy there.  I like that the TJ's Baking Soda comes in a can like Baking Powder. It stays fresher than the box that way.

I've been trying out all of the beauty products and picked this Enrich Moisturizing Face Lotion up the last time I was there.  I'm waiting until my other moisturizer runs out but I'll keep you posted once I try it.

 I always throw a bag of each of the Trader Joe's frozen meatballs in my cart. The Meatless Meatballs are our favorite veggie meatballs and the turkey meatballs are Mr. Click's favorite.

I found a brand new tin of the Head To Toe Moisturizing Balm under my kitchen sink and it felt like Christmas. This stuff is so GOOD for dry skin. I'm not sure if they still make it, I will look next time I'm there.

I had a hard time getting/finding the Organic Red Lentil Sedanini (pasta) but when I finally spotted it, I picked it right up.  It's really good for gluten free pasta. I like the extra protein we get with the lentil flour it's made from!

What's your favorite TJ product?

Linking up:

Wordless Wednesday

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Upcycled Tray 2.0: Marble-ous!

 The last time I upcycled this tray was in 2014. It was a thrift store find that got a  chalk paint and map-scrap makeover.  Miss High School claimed it for her room and there it stayed.

{Upcycled Map Tray}

Until she decided to let it go but I just couldn't.  It languished by my letter board for awhile.

 I knew I wanted to add more marble accents to the basement and I had some leftover marble contact paper from this project so my plan came together.

{Marble Contact Paper Console Table Top}

 Once again I used chalk paint to paint the sides and edges of the tray.

Since I was covering a dark color with a lighter one, I needed about 3-4 coats.  I didn't worry about taping off the center because I would be covering it.

 Then I added the marble contact paper and smoothed it out the best I could.   I had just enough with only a little excess to cut off.

 There are a few bubbles but they don't bother me.

I'm happy with the freshened up look!  Since I already had the paint and contact paper it was a zero cost makeover!

Linking up:

Wordless Wednesday

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