Celebrating a Milestone

I am unable to take part in today's "Five on Friday" because I am celebrating a milestone. I haven't shared much about my career on this little blog of mine but I am the Vice Controller of Accounting and Logistics for a family owned textiles recycling company. My grandmother has been with this company for 42 years, earning her the title of Executive Vice President and today she officially retires. I admire her drive and work ethic and am so excited to celebrate this day with her. Here is a little excerpt of the official notice our President is sending out to honor her:

"It is with regret but warm wishes that I officially announce the retirement of our Comptroller Ruth _, who after 42 years of working with my family has decided that it is time to take a step back in order to spend more time with her family, including her nine grandchildren. The number of years of this association speaks for itself and anyone who has worked with Ruth over the years can understand how difficult slowing down will be. She is the last person who would want a lot of pomp and ceremony around this milestone, and I want to be respectful of her wishes for a simple acknowledgement of this life change. We are sure you all can understand how special Ruth has been for us professionally and personally through the years...."

XoXo

XO Kerry

Good morning everyone! Today you can find me guest posting over at XO Kerry! I'm sharing a few fun facts about me as well as a yummy recipe while Kerry is enjoying her new bundle of joy. Congratulations Kerry and family!!!

  

XoXo

MissionCute February 2015

Another MissionCute post and if you ask me, they never get old! How could getting a surprise gift each month get old? It's something I look forward to. I also love learning about the different charities. This months non profit was RAINN. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization and was named one of "America's 100 Best Charities" by Worth magazine. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE and online.rainn.org) in partnership with more than 1,100 local rape crisis centers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims, and ensure that rapists are brought to justice.

Now moving onto all of the goodies (each from a small business!) in the box:

5x7 "You are so loved" print

Layered necklace

Sweet scented candle

Yummy gummies

Lip balm

If you are unfamiliar with MissionCute, it is a monthly subscription box starting at just $17. The best part is after you receive your fun goodies, MissionCute gives back 50% of net profits to a different charity each month!!! If you are interested in becoming a member, please follow my personal invite. You'll be glad you did ;)

XoXo

Recipe, Crockpot Buffalo Cauliflower

What you'll need:
1. 2 16 oz. bags of frozen cauliflower
2. 2 cans of cheddar cheese soup
3. 3/4 cup of Franks hot sauce
4. 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
5. Salt and pepper to taste

What to do:
1. Spray crockpot with nonstick cooking spray
2. Combine all ingredients
3. Cook on low 4-5 hours or high 2-3 hours
4. Serve!

We paired this with sandwiches but this would also be a good addition to any game day spread!

XoXo

Wine & Wish {Featuring Innocent Bystander}

Wine

On the nose, the Innocent Bystander has aromas of cotton candy, sherbet, pink grapefruit and mandarin with an undertone of toffee apple. On the palate, flavors of rose water, toffee apple and rhubarb crumble. The wine finishes with a spritzy fizz of fresh pear and raspberry characters. Perfect food pairings include a bowl of fresh fruit and clotted cream and it also makes amazing Turkish Delight and sorbet. A great partner to Sunday morning brunch and one of the few wines that goes with blue cheeses.

Innocent Bystander

Wish

Talk about an entryway!!! Gah-lee.

Source

XoXo

Anthropologie Gift Card Giveaway!!!

What better way to celebrate Friday than to bring ya'll a $300 Anthropologie gift card giveaway!!!??? Anthropologie just might be my favorite store in the whole wide world. In fact I am completely obsessed with their volcano candles that you'll never walk in my house without one burning (totally worth the $28 price tag by the way). 

I have been so anxious all week for this and I really hope one of my readers wins so they can go on a shopping spree and splurge on my favorite candle or maybe this gorgeous caftan (perfect for this Summer!). The giveaway starts today at 9am and ends March 13th. It is open worldwide and you can enter daily. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

XoXo

A Wedding Prayer, A Marriage Prayer

I receive daily devotional emails from Proverbs 31 Ministries which I make a point to read each day. Today's devotional included a beautiful prayer that I think is worth sharing. In fact, I forwarded this email to my husband immediately! I love you, Jon.

Father in Heaven, thank You for this husband, and wife, and their commitment to Christian marriage. As we look ahead, we pray that their future will never lack the convictions that make a marriage strong.

Bless this husband. Bless him as provider and protector. Sustain him in all the pressures that come with the task of stewarding a family. May he so live that his wife may find in him the haven for which the heart of a woman truly longs.

Bless this wife. Give her a tenderness that makes her great, a deep sense of understanding, and a strong faith in You. Give her that inner beauty of a soul that never fades, that eternal youth that is found in holding fast to the things that never age. May she so live that her husband may be pleased to reverence her in the shrine of his heart.

Teach them that marriage is not living for each other. It is two people uniting and joining hands to serve You. Give them a great spiritual purpose in life. May they seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, knowing that You will sustain them through all of life’s challenges.

May they minimize each other’s weaknesses and be swift to praise and magnify each other’s strengths. Bless them and develop their characters as they walk together with You. Give them enough hurts to keep them humane, enough failures to keep their hands clenched tightly in Yours, and enough of success to make them sure they walk with You throughout all of their life.

May they never take each other’s love for granted but always experience that breathless wonder that exclaims, "Out of all this world, you have chosen me." Then, when life is done and the sun is setting, may they be found then as now, still hand in hand, still very proud, still thanking You for each other.

May they travel together as friends and lovers, brother and sister, husband and wife, father and mother, and as servants of Christ until He shall return or until that day when one shall lay the other into the arms of God. This we ask through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, the Great Lover of our souls. Amen.

XoXo

Laundry Room Makeover Inspiration

I'm currently working on revamping my laundry room. And of course I'm doing it on a budget! Here's what I'm using as inspiration. I will hopefully have this project done within a week or two and will share the finished project when I do!

Curtain behind the washer and dryer to hide clutter

Trashcan in the middle for lint, etc.

Striped walls

Hanging laundry bags

Iron and ironing board organizer

For more ideas and inspiration, follow me on Pinterest

XoXo

Recipe, Cheesy mushroom and Rice Casserole

What you'll need:
1. 1 small onion
2. 1 package of sliced mushroom
3. 1 1/2 cups of brown rice
4. 1 can of vegetable broth
5. 1 can of french onion soup (or you can use cream of mushroom soup)
6. Shredded cheese
7. Pepper and garlic powder to taste

What to do:
1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Wash and chop mushrooms
3. Combine all ingredients

4. Cook for 45 minutes covered
5. Take out, stir, and sprinkle shredded cheese on top
6. Cook for 10 minutes uncovered

XoXo

Happy Valentines Day!

Jon and I celebrated our first married Valentines Day on Thursday at our favorite restaurant, Linwoods! We decided to celebrate early because we were late getting reservations... and the restaurant was already booked Friday and Saturday. I'm not complaining though because we get to celebrate again tonight. Jon is going to cook me dinner. I am a lucky girl.

When I got home from work Thursday evening, we started by enjoying a glass of beer. On a whim we decided to exchange presents right then.

I got Jon the fitbit Charge

... he loved it like I knew he would! He likes to track his steps at work so I figured this was the perfect gift.

Typical man opens the card last!



Jon's card to me... he's a man of a few words! (he's actually not)

 

Ya'll, I was stunned. Jon got me my second wedding band! I was sure I wouldn't be getting it for a while. Did I mention I'm a lucky girl? Ah I still can't believe it.

On cloud 9 about to head to dinner.

Jon went with a steak topped with a grilled onion which he thought was delicious.

While I went with the sea bass... one of the most popular dishes at the restaurant. You simply can't go wrong!

We had the best night celebrating our love for each other. Happy Valentines Day sweet friends!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.


XoXo 

Happy Friday My Valentines!

1. Last night Jon and I had an early Valentines Day dinner at our favorite restaurant, Linwoods. We had an amazing time. I'll share a full post on that tomorrow!



2. I am gushing over this pair of Dolce & Gabbana pumps I just snagged for myself. They are pre-owned but in excellent condition so you would never know! I bought them through The RealReal, an expert company who guarantees authenticity. The best part is, these babies were listed for just $155 plus I received a credit for being a first time shopper and 20% off by using a coupon code. Right now you can save $50 by using code SAVE50. Please follow my personal invite to become a member!

3. BONUS!!!! If you go through Ebates before shopping at The RealReal, you will earn cash back. I got paid $7 for buying those Dolce & Gabbana's. Yes, you read that correctly... Ebates PAID ME just for doing my normal shopping. If you're not a member of Ebates yet, I honestly don't know what you're doing. Who wouldn't want free money?

4. I am loving my new 3 tier stand inspired by Lindsay at Whimsy Girl Design! What do ya'll think?



5. And lastly, I hope you all have a lovely Valentines Day. I know I've said this before but I think it's worth saying again... remember, God loves YOU so much that he justified the death of his only son for YOU! You are loved. If that isn't worth celebrating, I don't know what is!

 

Joining these three link ups...

XoXo

Baltimore's Adoptable Dogs, February 2015

Reese adoptable through Baltimore Bully Crew

Located in Baltimore, MD. This is Reese. 1 year old female. Contact Baltimore Bully Crew to adopt Reese. 

baltimorebullycrew@gmail.com 
www.facebook.com/baltimorebullycrew 
www.baltimorebullycrew.com 

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/MD393.html

Freyja adoptable through Bella's Bully Buddies

Meet Freyja! Freyja is a happy and very lovable gal who wants to play or cuddle with you! She is very food motivated so she is easily trained with food and praise. She is currently on the skinny side but steadily gaining healthy weight. Along with the weight gain she has had an increase in energy but a good walk or play time with her people would have her ready for more cuddles in no time. Freyja absolutely loves her Kong frozen and stuffed with peanut butter and also loves her stuffed toys. More than anything she loves to cuddle with her people. You could almost say she's a super cuddler. Her foster parents say that she's extra cute when she tries to take her pup sweater off on her own! Who doesn't need a puppy snuggle partner in this cold weather?!? Frejya is ready for her forever snuggles with you!
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More Info About Me:
Basics: Weight - 33lbs, Age - 1 yrs 6 mths
Likes: Dogs - Unknown, Cats - Unknown, Kids - Unknown
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 TO ADOPT ME – FILL OUT AN APPLICATION TODAY!!  http://bellasbullybuddies.org/bbb-webapp/adoptionApplication/index
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BELLA’S AT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.BELLASBULLYBUDDIES.ORG
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BELLASBULLYBUDDIES
DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT OUR EVENTS AND COME OUT TO SAY HELLO!!

Dean adoptable at BARCS

Hi, I'm Dean! I'm a cute guy looking for my forever home! The volunteers rave that I am sweet, playful AND charming! Sounds like I am the full package! Come down to Barcs to meet me today!

XoXo

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

And most of all remember that God loves YOU so much that he justified the death of his only son for YOU!!! You are loved. Now go out and tackle the day because you'll never get it back.

XoXo