How I’m making this year the best one yet!

January 4, 2016 in Coffee Table

It’s Monday morning, and after weeks of not normal, being out of our routine, and having minimal responsibilities, we’re back to real life. The kids are all at school, the house is still, Christmas music is wafting in from the other room {and I’m not sorry}, and I have time to think – think about this new year and all of its possibility. How exciting!

Fresh starts – new beginnings – are my favorite! I even love Monday mornings because it’s like a fresh start every single week! {And let’s be real here – parents don’t really get a weekend break. Amiright?} But a brand new year is the best. So many goals and ideas of what this year can become if only I make it so.

Are you ready 2016? We’re going to be amazing!

2016

See how I tossed a little Christmas in there? I’m just not quite ready to let it go. As I sit here in my post-Christmas break reverie, I am mostly thinking about three ways I’m going to make this new year the best one yet.

• one •
FOCUS

My focus for 2016, my one word, is PRIORITY.

priority-defined
I have a habit of trying to do too much and not doing any of it as well as I would like because I’m stretching myself too thin. {That’s the only time you’ll hear me say I’m too thin.} Too often my time isn’t spent on the things I claim as priorities. But if they were really my priorities, wouldn’t that be where I actually dedicate the most of my time and energy? This year I will focus on spending the most time on the things that matter most.

spend-time

• two •
GOALS MY WAY

I’m a huge fan of setting goals and make resolutions. I do it a little differently than most people. I tend to make my own rules. My rules are what most experts would tell you NOT to do. But I whole heartedly believe in finding your own way, doing what works for you. I won’t let the experts decide what I should do. I will be my own expert on what works for me.
keep-resolutions

• three •
IN MY FACE

resolutions-pinWhile I was searching through old posts for my version of making resolutions, I found my resolutions from 2015. I love them. They are exactly what I needed to focus on last year. They made me smile, but reading through that list of perfect goals for my year also made me a little sad. Because how many of them did I actually do? Not one. And do you know why? Because I never looked at them again after January!

I need a lot of reminders in my day-to-day life, and for big, year-long goals I need even more. So this year I will keep my focus and my goals in plain sight, in my face, so I am constantly reminded of these ways I want to improve my life and keep myself on track.

What are you looking forward to in 2016? Here’s to a fabulous year!

Get Away Today Giveaway

April 21, 2015 in Out the Door

I am counting down the days to my next Disneyland vacation. 6 days away. SIX!

Which means I’m dreaming while doing laundry — mountains of laundry. But hey, the clothes have to be clean before we can pack them, right?

60 diamond

Have you heard about Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration? You can click on the image for a little sneak peek. It starts on May 22, and sounds amazing! New fireworks, new World of Color, new parade. There’s even an awesome giveaway where guests in the park can win amazing prizes like a stay in the dream suite or a universal fastpass. I want it!!!

We already have our trip booked in June, and I have my fingers crossed for an awesome prize. In the meantime, Get Away Today is celebrating their 25th Anniversary with a $50 Gift Card for 5 lucky winners!

All you have to do is watch a short video that will get you even more excited about your Disneyland vacation. That’s it! Enter and win $50 to book your dream vacation at Get Away Today. Enter NOW.

25years

Even if you’re not one of the lucky 5, you will find the best deal on your Disneyland vacation at Get Away Today with a free night at your hotel and even a free day on your ticket. Seriously, the best deals I’ve found – and believe me, I’ve looked.

Remember to use this code: FORTYE for an extra $10 off when you book your Get Away Today vacation!

What part of the Diamond Celebration are you most excited for?

P.S. Don’t forget to enter to win the $50 Gift Card right now!

Tax Day 2015 Freebies and Discounts

April 15, 2015 in Out the Door

tax-day-freebies

What’s the best way to turn a day people fear into a day people love? Free stuff!

You probably don’t usually think of celebrating tax day, but I love ANY excuse to celebrate – especially when freebies are involved. This is a list of freebies and “cheapies” you can snag today. Happy Tax Day!

 

FREEBIES

• Free cookie from Great American Cookie

• Free shaved ice and Hawaiian leis at Kona Ice

• Free Jalapeno Hushpuppies or Value Curly Fries at Arby’s (not all locations)

• Free entree at Hard Rock Cafe… but be warned, this one requires some singing

• Free massage at HydroMassage

• Free shredding at Staples and Office Max/Office Depot

 

CHEAPIES

• Fill your cup full of frozen yogurt and toppings for $4.15 at Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt

• Buy one individual meal and get one free at Boston Market

• Every cheeseburger is half off at Sonic

• Free red velvet cake at KFC with the purchase of a 10-piece (or larger) family meal

• Get a free The Original small sandwich at Schlotzsky’s when you buy chips and a 32 oz drink

• Get free chips and queso with any entree purchase at California Tortilla when you whisper the secret password “Taxes Shmaxes”

• Free appetizer or dessert with purchase of adult entree at Chili’s and this coupon

• Large pizza with 5 toppings for $10.40 at Papa Johns with this code “T414TAX”

• Get half off a rib dinner at Sonny’s BBQ

• Get 15% off your entire bill at Beef O’Brady’s

• Get $10 off your bill at Bonefish Grill with this coupon through April 20th.

• Get $10 off dinner tonight if you mention this offer to your server at Texas de Brazil

 Get a free side with an entree purchase at Smashburger

• Buy one Big Mac or Quarter Pounder with cheese and get a second for a penny at McDonalds (not all locations)

• Get a short stack of pancakes for $1 at IHOP

• Get a Big Bagel Bundle for $10.40 with this coupon at Bruegger’s Bagels

• Buy one Whopper, get one free at Burger King with this coupon

• Get 15% off your dinner check at Outback Steakhouse with this coupon

• Save up to 60% on online purchases at the Cabela’s Cyberwalk Sale

• Save 40$ on your entire purchase at Justice with this coupon

Royal Caribbean will pay for your fees, taxes, and port expenses when you book a cruise today, and even more discounts (like cut your deposit in half and 50% off additional guests)

• Get a $10.40 gift card when you donate three clothing items to Fashion Project

• Dine in with one dinner entree, take a second home for free at Macaroni Grill

• Complete your P-2 Pizza tax form at pizzareturn.com to quality for a chance to win Pizza Hut gift cards

• 25% off best weekend rate for Marriott hotels in Washington, DC and Arlington when you book today

• Eat at Tony Roma’s today and get a coupon for a free dessert on your next visit

• 10% off your order at the Warner Music store with the code “TAXBREAK”

• The Entertainment Book is on sale for $10.40 + $1.99 shipping

 

Do you know of any more Tax Day deals? Which deal are you celebrating with today?

Grandma’s Fruit Dip

April 14, 2015 in Kitchen

If you’re here from Love to Be in the Kitchen, welcome to Forty Eighteen and thanks for visiting!

gmas-fruit-dip


My grandma was the most amazing woman. She had this way of making every grandkid feel like her favorite. She loved adventures and made everything fun. And she was the greatest cook in the world. Seriously, no matter what she cooked for you, it was the best thing you’d ever eaten.

My grandma passed away a few years ago, and I miss her. Every day. But she passed on her legacy with a family full of great cooks and even some of her amazing recipes.

Of course, getting her recipes was always a trick because she didn’t actually use recipes. She just knew how to make things taste amazing. But sometimes someone in the family would sit and watch exactly what she did and write it down as she did it. And now we can recreate some of her genius.

Grandma’s fruit dip is one of those recipes that someone wrote down, and I am so glad. It takes a typical whipped cream and marshmallow dip and kicks it up a notch or two. I love it on strawberries and bananas! It’s great on melon, too, and apples. Try it on your favorite fruit and tell me how much you love it!

Also, it’s super quick and easy to whip together – which is always a bonus. We serve it at family gatherings – large and small.

Grandma’s Fruit Dip

  • 8 oz Cool Whip
  • 1 jar marshmallow creme (1 pint)
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4 tsp lemon extract
  • 1/2 tsp ginger
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg

Mix it all together. Eat with fruit.

That’s it! That’s all there is to it! It’s yummy and you will love it. Just be sure not to add too much ginger. Ew. You can add more than 1/2 tsp to taste, but I’ll just warn you if you get all the way up to a whole teaspoon, it’s not as awesome as it can be.

gmafruitdip

My favorite dessert is strawberries and cream, and this fruit dip is my “cream” of choice.

If you’re looking for fruit dip, you need to run – don’t walk – to check out the 20 Mind Blowing Fruit Dips I shared at Love to Be in the Kitchen.

Do you have a favorite fruit dip I need to try? Share! Please share!

91 things to do with your leftover Easter ham

April 4, 2015 in Kitchen

hamleftovers


I love Easter – everything about it. And like all fabulous holidays, an amazing feast is always part of the celebration. We always have a big ham and potato meal with carrots, green beans, rolls, jello salad, some dessert, and anything else we feel like tossing on the table. My favorite is the ham. yummmmm

After enjoying the feast together, we always end up with a bunch of leftovers. Cooking with those leftovers is another one of my favorite things about Easter. Check out these recipes that will make your leftover Easter ham shine like new.

hamleftovers1Monte Cristo • She Wears Many Hats

Creamy Ham Potato Corn Chowder • Cooking Classy

BBQ Ham & Pineapple Kabobs • Goodeness Gracious

Stovetop Cheesy Broccoli Rice with Ham • Buns In My Oven

hamleftovers2

Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches • Flying on Jess Fuel

Pasta Carbonara • Crunchy Creamy Sweet

Ham & Cheese Skillet • Goodeness Gracious

Ham Scallion and Cheddar Muffins • A Beautiful Bite

hamleftovers3

Easy Ham and Cheese Quiche • Women Living Well Ministries

Ham and Cheese Egg Muffins • Mommy’s Menu

Cheesy Ham and Potato Bacon Casserole • Oh, Sweet Basil

Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Bake • Lovely Little Kitchen

hamleftovers4

Breakfast Pizza with Hash Brown Crust • The Gunny Sack

Ham and Cheese Scones • A Beautiful Bite

{Overnight} Ham, Egg, and Cheese Monkey Bread • The Seasoned Mom

Better than Takeout Ham Fried Rice • The Recipe Critic

hamleftovers5

Ham and Pineapple Kabobs • Goodeness Gracious

Broccoli Cheddar Hashbrown Casserole with Ham • It’s Yummi

Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup • Six Sisters’ Stuff

One-Dish Skillet Peas, Ham, and Creamy Noodles • Kevin and Amanda

hamleftovers6

Hawaiian One Pan Pasta • Taste and Tell Blog

Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad • Family Fresh Meals

Family Favorite Breakfast Burritos • Natasha’s Kitchen

Twice Baked Potato Casserole • Mom On Time Out

hamleftovers7

Ham and Mac and Cheese Lunchbox Muffins • I Should Be Mopping the Floor

Ham and Cheese Cauliflower Fritters • All Day I Dream About Food

Ham, Swiss, and Jalapeno Stuffed Pretzels • Baker By Nature

Croque Monsieurs • Savury and Sweet

hamleftovers8

Spicy Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Ham • Flamingo Toes

Mini Ham and Bacon Cheddar Cups • Creative Savings

{Overnight} Ham and Cheese Breakfast Enchiladas • The Girl Who Ate Everything

Chicken Cordon Bleu Soup • Spend with Pennies

hamleftovers9

Loaded Baked Potato Casserole • Rachel Schultz

Cheesy Baked Penne • Recipe Girl

Ham, Broccoli, and Cheese Quiche • Cooking During Stolen  Moments

Hawaiian Grilled Cheese • House of Yumm

hamleftovers10

Ranch Pasta Salad • Mrs. Schwartz’s Kitchen

Herbed Crepes with Eggs, Swiss, Ham, and Browned Butter • Cooking Classy

Cheesy Ham and Broccoli Quinoa Bites • Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

Ham and Swiss Croissant Sliders with Poppy Seed Dressing • Homemade Cravings

hamleftovers11

Ham and Cheese Breakfast Pockets • Lemon Tree Dwelling

Mini Quiche Bites • Poet in the Pantry

Red Potato and Ham Casserole • Six Sisters’ Stuff

Cowboy Quiche • The Pioneer Woman

hamleftovers12

Chicken and Ham Wild Rice Soup • The Gunny Sack

Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup • Cupcake Diaries

Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese with Ham • Plain Chicken

Cordon Bleu Pizza • Recipes, Food, and Cooking

hamleftovers13

Ham, Egg, and Avocado Breakfast Burrito • Tone and Tighten

Cottage Cheese and Egg Breakfast Muffins • Kalyn’s Kitchen

Ham Pot Pie • Krista’s Kitchen

Easy Freezer Ham and Bean Soup • Living Well Spending Less

hamleftovers14

Ham and Cheese Bowties • Julie’s Eats and Treats

Ham and Cheese Waffles • Blue-Eyed Bakers

Queso Broccoli Potato Chowder • Southern Living

Potato, Ham, and Broccoli Cheese Soup • Lovebugs and Postcards

hamleftovers15

Cheesy Ham and Broccoli Rice Skillet • Hot Eats and Cool Reads

One-Skillet Ham and Cheese Gnocchi • Jo Cooks

Ham and Swiss Hash Brown Bake • Very Best Baking

Creamy Shells and Ham Casserole • Taste and Tell

hamleftovers16

French Toast Grilled Cheese Sandwich • Brown Sugar

Breakfast Spaghetti {for dinner} • The Makeshift Nest

Ribbons and Bows Pasta Salad • Will Cook for Smiles

Ham, Apple, and Brie Quesadillas • Vinobaby’s Voice

hamleftovers17

Ham and Cheese Mac and Cheese Bites • Virtually Homemade

Mashed Potato Pie with Ham, Peas, Cheese, and Chives • The English Kitchen

Ham and Egg Salad • Plain Chicken

Cheesy Hash Brown and Egg Breakfast Casserole • Natasha’s Kitchen

hamleftovers18

Chili and Cheese Ham Strata • The Girl Who Ate Everything

Mississippi Sin • Plain Chicken

Broccoli Scalloped Potatoes • Taste of Home

Ham Salad • A Family Feast

hamleftovers19

Slow Cooker Split Pea and Ham Soup • Destination Delish

Italian Ham Pasta Salad • Sarah Titus

Ham and Cheese Potato Pancakes • Buns In My Oven

Linguine Casserole • Julie’s Eats and Treats

hamleftovers20

Overnight Ham Casserole • Very Culinary

Creamy Spring Gnocchi • Dinner Dishes and Desserts

Ham Sliders with Sriracha Hoisin Mayo • The Lemon Bowl

Ham and Broccoli Pasta Bake • Taste and Tell

hamleftovers21

Hawaiian Scrambled Eggs • Cupcakes and Kale Chips

Ham and Cheese Crescent Bake • Taste and Tell

Brazilian Cheese Bread • Autumn Makes and Does

Potato, Ham, and Quiche Crescent Mini Quiches • Mom On Time Out

hamleftovers22

Ham Gouda and Potato Bake for the Crock Pot • Kitchen Meets Girl

Crock Pot Cream Cheese Ham and Potato Soup • Julie’s Eats and Treats

Chicken Cordon Bleu Crescent Rolls • Mom On Time Out

Breakfast for Dinner Hashbrown Casserole • Weary Chef

hamleftovers23

Ham and Cheese Lasagna • The Kitchen Is My Playground

Chicken Cordon Bleu Cups • High Heels and Grills

Ham and Cheese Breakfast Bars • Mom On Time Out

Are you drooling yet? Seriously, so much yummy ham goodness, how could I possibly decide? I have a great idea – let’s get together! We’ll all try our favorite recipe and bring it to share. Then we can try them all! Who’s in?

Or just tell me in the comments what you tried and how much you love it!

Need more leftover upgrades? Check out 76 ways to make your leftover turkey amazing!

turkey-pin

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