Where can I return my gift of Hay Fever?

We spent the weekend outside, working in the yard. The warm weather (and plentiful rain) has resulted in substantial growth. (I wonder if that's what is happening to my hips...could it be?)

The garden, the flower beds, the lawn...they were all screaming for mercy, much like my allergies!

Have you experienced the wrath of Hay Fever? I'm uncertain, along the way, when I first received this gift but do you know where I can return it (without a receipt)?

My son, poor baby, also has the same snotty affliction (I blame his Father). The Pediatrician said with both parents experiencing the joys of excess sneezing, Little Man had an 80% chance of doing the same. She should've said he'd have 80% more snot than other children, that would be accurate!

Any who...ah choo...severe Hay Fever can take you down like an African dart gun hunting an oversized elephant. It's not pretty! Your entire body itches, even your scalp. Eyes, nose, mouth, they all leak...drip...and the sneezing never stops...NEVER!

I can go on and on about the misery but if you've never sneezed until you peed, you just don't understand. So here's a visual...this is Hay Fever, in a funny little nutshell.

Aside from the public humiliation, I would absolutely wear this! It might prevent comments from Super Hunk like "Is that snot on your shirt?" (It's a good thing he's handsome and I'm crazy about him or I would punch him.)

My pre-sneeze face is serious...seriously freaky. I'm performing a public service by staying home when engaging in a sneezing fit!

Little Man performs this trick on a daily basis, who needs real bubbles when you have snot?

Super Hunk has a three sneeze rule. If you exceed three sneezes, his "bless you" still applies without needing to repeat. I appreciate it because let's face it, after ten sneezes it's slightly annoying.

Yes, my pre-sneeze face is freaky (as stated above) but it's usually the toilet paper stuck to my face that qualifies me as an idiot.

This has nothing to do with my allergies but it made me giggle! Let's be honest, Mondays need all the help they can get.

Hope your day is amazing and you get through it, snot free (literally and figuratively)!

(Photos from Pinterest)

Chevron Kitchen GIVEAWAY ~ Winner!

********** WINNER **********
Janelle Jessee!
Yay, yippee, hip-hip-hooray!
Email me your mailing address and your pretty new kitchen goodies will arrive soon!
Thank you to all who participated!
*****************************

I have a small confession, I've resisted joining the Chevron Fan Club! (In fact, the word "chevron" reminds me of gasoline not fashion.) Maybe it's my age or maybe it's my unwillingness to participate in passing fashion trends (I had a traumatic skinny jean experience and I'm still waiting for that trend to pass).

Regardless, chevron (in small doses) is starting to grow on me. I know, I'm a little late to the party! Better yet, I'm "fashionably late"!

I don't usually embrace horizontal stripes on my backside...or large patterns...or advertisements ("pink" or "juicy" will never be found on this hind end). However, I stumbled upon the most charming dress for Easter and couldn't resist (seen below, don't judge my closet).

Today, since it's Friday, and since I have a new slight affection for chevron, I'm giving away a few adorable cooking accessories! Life's too short not to coordinate, even in the kitchen!

(Chevron embroidered linen dish towel, oven mitt, and silicon spoon.)

To enter, comment below with your answer to the following question. "Skinny jeans, yes or no?" Am I the only one pleading for the straight leg trouser to make a comeback?

Winner will be selected on Sunday evening. Caring is sharing, so tell your friends. Spread a little chevron love!

Cake Mix Cookie Recipes

The cookie jar is empty, it's time for a batch of Cricket Cookies (be still my heart)! I'm ashamed to admit it's been a few weeks since I've made them, I need to reevaluate my priorities.

Here it is, 15 minutes later and cookies are ready. Likewise, Super Hunk and Little Man are perched like baby birds with their beaks open. At this moment, faced with feeding my crew, I'm thankful (as are they) there's no regurgitation required! Sorry about the visual.

The simplicity of this recipe has inspired me to share a few of my other favorite Cake Mix Cookie recipes from my fellow Bloggers. Yes, I'm humble enough to admit not ALL my ideas are original! Shocking, I know!

Disclaimer, my Mom's Cricket Cookies are still the best (but I'm a little biased).

Strawberry Lemonade Cookies
- See recipe here!

Sprinkle Cookies
- See recipe here!

German Chocolate Cookies
- See recipe here!
(You can also visit my Toast Your Coconut post for tips.)

Nutty Chocolate Cookies
- See recipe here!

Now go...bake away! Make a batch of each, followed by your own taste test!

Have a great weekend, friends!

(Photos from Pinterest)

Fancy Nancy

Today is Thank You Thursday and it only seems appropriate to dedicate it to my Mom! Hey, Mom...you're the cat's pajamas!

This beautiful day of gratitude also happens to be her birthday! Coincidence? I think not. Hey, Mom...thanks for never letting me leave the house looking like a boob...even in my Jellies and mall bangs phase.

There are so many things I can say "Thank You" for but her words of wisdom are what I value the most.  It's slightly annoying how right she always is but it makes me love her even more.

Here are a few of my favorite bits of Mom advice.

1) It's not WHAT you say, it's HOW you say it.
2) No matter how old your children get, you never stop being a Mother.
3) Always keep your heels exfoliated and your toes painted, you never know what the day will bring.
4) When faced with an overwhelming situation, never look at the big picture...take it one step at a time.
5) It's not what you have, it's how you carry it (my bargain mantra)!
6) Hate the sin, love the sinner (she stole this one from Jesus).
7) The older you get the more you realize, quality is always better than quantity.
Finally, my favorite...
8) You always reap what you sow.

People say we inevitably become our Mothers. I say, if that's true, the bar is set pretty high! Happy birthday to the woman who gave me wings and roots! (I love you, Fancy Nancy.)

I'm curious, what are some of your favorite bits of Mom wisdom? Comment below, I'd love to hear them.

Peanut Butter Toast Balls

Prepare yourself for pure goodness! Oats...coconut...peanut butter...honey...all the things I need in life.

There was a time when Little Man was not having any part of meat. If meat went in, meat came out. Since we're a cattle family, it was a hard pill for Super Hunk to swallow. Much to his relief, it was more about the chewy texture and not because his toddler was opting for a life of vegetarianism. Have you ever seen a grown man cry? Juusstt kidddiinngg!

Having said that, I found creative ways to add protein to his little diet. Hence, the peanut butter toast balls. Have you ever had peanut butter and honey toast? It's one of my favorites...and now I can have it in "pop it in your mouth" morsels. Life is so good...literally!

Here's the fun and oh so simple recipe.

Peanut Butter Toast Balls
1/2 cup toasted coconut
(For my easy instructions on how to toast coconut, click here)
1/2 cup peanut butter (you can also use almond or cashew butter)
1/2 cup honey
1 1/2 cup oats (ground in food processor)

Pour toasted coconut in shallow dish (this green pie plate makes me giddy).

In medium mixing bowl, stir together ground oats, peanut butter, and honey. This is also fun for the kiddos and it uses some of their infinite energy!

When combined, roll small balls and place in coconut (I use a teaspoon to scoop mixture). Toss until covered to your preference. It's like a game of Where's Waldo!

Place on baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour (if they last that long).

******* UPDATE *******
I made these this morning and here it is 8:15 pm and 7 balls are left! Yep, you heard me...7! Word of advice, double the recipe...they disappear in a hurry!

****** UPDATE #2 *****
Scratch that, the lonely 7 became Super Hunk's bedtime snack! "Gone, gone" as Little Man says!

Toast Your Coconut

I've decided to start posting a few Kitchen 101 tips. I know they may seem elementary but I'm certain there's a gal out there Googling "how to boil an egg". Was I the only one?

Seriously, there are techniques used daily in our kitchens we take for granted. Things we do so often, they become second nature to us. My reality check, I once used Google (and YouTube) for everything. How long do I bake a potato and what temp? Why is my minute rice still crunchy? I'm telling you, I was a culinary infant...look how far I've come!

So, here goes...Toast Your Coconut 101.

You can use sweetened or unsweetened but keep in mind that sweetened toasts faster.

There are two methods, stovetop or oven. Either way is fine but I prefer stovetop. The frequent stirring creates a more evenly toasted batch. Here are a few easy steps.

Place coconut in skillet over medium heat.

Stir, stir, and stir to prevent burning. When the coconut is browned to your satisfaction, I like mine just barely golden (about 7-10 minutes), remove from heat. Let cool and try not to eat the whole bowl with a spoon!

Stay tuned for more Kitchen 101 tips! Feel free to message me here with questions.

It's a Chair Affair!

Friends, I need your help! You, my lovely readers, are wicked creative and I respect your feedback.

The Chair Affair is a new local fundraiser for our Chamber of Commerce, coming up in June. I purchased these two misfits to donate to the Silent Auction.

They have so much character but need MAJOR face lifts. What do you think? Super Hunk said the round back chair looks like an old Saloon chair but I was hoping for something more feminine. The little chair is pretty contemporary. I would like to donate it on behalf of Saucepans & Superheroes and have a vision of something playful (a reflection of the blog).

Okay, let 'er rip! Hit me with your best shot (name that tune)! I'm open to your suggestions, your likes, your dislikes...comment below.

I'll keep you updated on their progress and will absolutely post before and after pics. 

If you'd like more information and about The Chair Affair, click here.

I can't wait to hear your ideas!