thursday thoughts

It's Thursday so you know what that means, it's time for some random Thursday Thoughts!  Excited to be linking up again with Meagan at beautiful things!  

I think

* working a whole week is for the birds.  We had a good thing going with snow days and delays.  Why stop now!

* having your mom come visit mid week is a beautiful thing, especially when that means she makes you a crock pot of soup and texts you that she just cleaned your bathroom!  Yep, she is a keeper friends.

* the Creme Brulee at Ruth's Chris is amazing...like I could bathe in it amazing!  And the Coconut Ginger Martini, so good.  The whole meal was amazing, but I just can't get those two things out of my mind.

* learning about the fires near Table Mountain in Capetown South Africa made me a little home sick for Africa.

* speaking at the Time of your Life event gave me life!  I am thinking it might be time to start pursuing that little dream.  What a blessing!

* you might judge me for this one, but I am in love with the show Empire.  Oh Cookie, she is one more bad A.

* Mid week wine shop dates are good for the soul.

* even though people are messy they are totally worth it.  Thankful that I have some pretty amazing people who love me in my mess!

Have a great Thursday friends and see you tomorrow for some Friday Favorites!

five friday favorites: etsy edition

Happy Friday Friends!  It's been a snow day filled week!  We went to school 2 days this week and as mentioned in yesterday's post, I am hoping that doesn't mean we are saying goodbye to spring break.  

Linking up today with lots of fabulous gals for some Friday Favorites!  Check out April and Christina  for 5 on Friday.  Head over to Erika and Andrea for Friday Favorites.  And for oh hey Friday check out September Farm and the Farmer's Wife. 

Since we have had so many snow days this week, I have been able to spend some quality time on the couch and have found myself browsing on Etsy.  Today I am going to share some of my Etsy favorites!  I would love to hear yours too so include them in the comments!  

{one}

No question, I love NC and I am kinda obsessed with this North Carolina trucker hat on Etsy.  Wish I had it to wear today for my teacher workday.  

{two}

One of my loves is dishes.  Yep, dishes.  Plates, platters, bowls.  This might stem from the fact that my grandparents have a jewelry store that also does bridal registry so I have been surrounded with beautiful china patterns all my life.  I especially love vintage things and love this vintage pyrex bowl I found on Etsy.  And friends, it is affordable at only $16.  This might need to find it's way to my house sooner than later!

{three}

All these snow days have me wishing for summer and warmer weather!  These croakies would make a perfect addition to a summer outfit!  

{four}

I have been looking for a simple necklace to be able to throw on with a tshirt or dress.  I love this rose gold bar necklace.  And love it's price as well!

{five}

This.  Trying to remember this each and everyday and think this printable would look great in my living room. 

What are you loving on Etsy these days?  

Have a great weekend friends!  

thursday thoughts

Excited to link up again with Meagan over at Beautiful Things for Thursday Thoughts!  Would love for those of you who are new to leave a comment and let me know you have been here!

I think...

* snowdays used to look like getting bundled up, making snowmen, throwing snowballs and sledding and these days they look more like coffee with caramel vodka, Amazing Race marathons on Hulu and my couch.  Does this mean I am getting old?

* spring break might be a distant memory after all these snow/ice days we have had.  Fingers crossed they don't take all our days.

* weekly friend dates with one of my besties for tacos and talk is one of my favorite things!  If you find a friend who gets you and brings you caramel vodka to add to your snowday coffee you have found a keeper!  Thankful for mine!

* I am excited for a little weekend getaway to Asheville this weekend and dinner at Ruth's Chris on Saturday night!

* I love watching my friends dreams come true!  So excited to be a small part of the Time of your Life event this weekend with She Dreams ministry!

* it's time for some makeovers in my house.  I went to Target yesterday and fell in love with some of the new rugs and pillows.

* Jonathan Knight makes the Amazing Race so much better!  Loved that when he and his partner landed on the mat with Phil they played The Right Stuff!  And it makes me even more excited to see NKOTB in concert in June!  #yesIgoseeNKOTBwhenIam36

See you guys tomorrow for Friday Favorites! :)

Thursday thoughts

Excited to be linking up with Maegan again at Beautiful Things for some Thursday thoughts...

I think....

* snow days are so much sweeter as a teacher. We have been in a winter wonderland in NC and this week I have only worked one full day! Can't complain! 

* since my town is covered in ice, it was a perfect time for a girls getaway to sunny Florida. Exited to be here with a sweet friend for some Disney fun, a Luke Bryan show and some sunshine! 

* Easter candy is the the best candy season of the year.  Bring on the starburst jelly beans, Reese eggs, Cadbury eggs....maybe I should give up candy for lent! 

* targets in other towns are always so much better than mine! 

* Lent is such a great time to really press into The Lord and spend some time refocusing and reflecting. My heart is in desperate need of that! 

* my little blog needs a makeover

Have a great rest of the week friends! 

Easy as Pie: Key Lime Pie

As a special Valentine treat I decided to whip up a little homemade Key Lime Pie...and friends, it was delicious!  I am sure the sweetened condensed milk had nothing to do with that! :)

I made a trial run of the pie on Thursday and was a little disappointed in how it turned out, so I tweaked the recipe a little and the final result was a hit!  Top it off with a little fresh whipped cream and you have a dessert that anyone would be excited about!

Of course I did not take any great pictures of the final product, but here is a peek at this deliciousness!  It didn't come out of the pie pan all that easily so ignore the not perfect pieces!

Key Lime Pie

Ingredients:
Crust
1 1/2 cups of graham cracker crumbs
5 tbsp of melted butter
Sugar (throw in as much as you would like)

Pie
2 teaspoons (or more) of fresh lime zest
1/2 cup of lime juice (I used bottled lime juice, but might have been better with fresh lime juice)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 egg yolks

Whipped Cream
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons of sugar


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine graham cracker crumbs and sugar.  Add in melted butter and stir mixture with fork.  Mixture will be a little crumbly.

Press into pie pan and bake for 5 minutes to toast crust.

Throw lime juice and zest into the mixer.  Add egg yolks and beat immediately for 1 minute.  Turn off mixer and add can of sweetened condensed milk.  Mix on high until thick and smooth.

When it is all mixed, pour mixture into pie crust and bake for about 15 minutes.  Allow it to cool and then place in refrigerator

Then add one cup of cold heavy whipping cream to mixer. Then add sugar.  You can even add a little vanilla.  Beat on high.  Top pie with this heavenly mixture and enjoy!

Hope your Valentines' Weekend was full of only sweet things!  I know mine was!  Have a great week friends!

five favorites on friday

So excited to be linking up with lots of lovely ladies today!  Linking up with Five on Friday with April and Christina, Friday Favorites with Erika and Andrea and new this week with Oh, Hey Friday with The Farmers Wife and September Farm.  Can't wait to check out this links and find some new blogs to read!  And so excited to have some new readers as well!

Well it seems only appropriate to devote this edition of Friday goodness to Love!  So here are a few things I love and am loving this Valentine's season! 

{one}

Such truth friends, I can't love people on my own, I can only love because He loved me first!  So thankful for this unconditional love!  What a gift!

{two} 

This Valentine's Day will be a little different and I am so excited to be staying in and cooking a home cooked dinner!  This is the recipe that has been decided upon, let's just hope I don't screw this one up.  I love pasta and I love vodka sauce...so let's hope for a successful Valentine's dinner! :)

{three}

It's no secret this girl loves some fresh flowers.  I found a great bouquet at my local grocery store and added them to some mason jars around the house.  Nothing makes me happier than flowers in mason jars!  Of course I didn't take a picture of them, but they really do brighten up my little cottage!

{four}

A few years ago I was introduced to the handmade jewelry by The Vintage Pearl.  And it was love at first sight friends.  I have several of their pieces and love mixing it with some of my other pieces!  I even introduced my grandmother to the jewelry and they put in the line in their little jewelry store!  One of my very favorite pieces is this initial spoon necklace!  I am a sucker for a monogrammed piece of jewelry and this really is one of my faves!  Check out their website, I can't imagine you won't find something you will fall in love with!

{five}

Last night I was able to travel to my cousins' house to spend some time with my family.  And friends, as I was sitting around the table laughing and talking with my family, my heart was just filled up!  I have been so blessed with the greatest family.  We certainly aren't perfect, far from it, but we love each other.  It's such a great feeling to be loved and cared for and I know these people do just that!  So today I am just thankful!

Hope you all have a beautiful weekend full of love and all things sweet!  

thursday thoughts

I am excited to link up with Meagan over at Beautiful Things for some  random Thursday Thoughts.

I think...

* while I am super excited to celebrate Valentine's Day this year, I have always loved celebrating my half birthday on that day!  So it might have to become a dual holiday for me! :)

* Olivia Pope is no joke.  While I am fully aware she is a character on a television show, this gal is bad A.  Even with funky hair and the same outfit for multiple days, she is in charge!   I'm trying hard not to already be in mourning about the summer hiatus.  Might be time to rewatch the whole series.

* Picking out Valentine's Day cards is stressful!  That is all I am going to say!

* I am way excited about heading out on a little Girls Trip next weekend!  I love how those trips planned months ago are coming at just the perfect time!

* last year on this day we were having the Snowpocalypse of 2014 and I wish that could happen in 2015.  This tired teacher needs a legit snow day! 

* Frozen thin mint girl scout cookies are a little piece of heaven.  And because they are in the freezer, I don't eat as many.  Or at least that is what I am telling myself!

* Love is all you need!

Have a great Thursday friends!