Cranberry Vanilla 7UP Holiday Drink

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Dr Pepper Snapple Group. All opinions are 100% mine.


I love the holidays.  This is the time to get together with family and friends and just enjoy each other’s company.  Now that I am older, having nights in is what I call a good time.  I am an avid board game junkie and love having friends and family over for food, games and drinks.  

No Bake Peppermint Cheesecake and Marie Callender's Pot Pies

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #EasyAsPotPie #CollectiveBias

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas holiday.  If you don't celebrate, I hope it was a good few days for you! Ours was wonderful but whoo, it's exhausting.  I have been in recuperation mode the last few days and that means, I don't wanna cook.  That's right. I don't wanna cook! I just want to eat no bake peppermint cheesecake, Marie Callender's pot pies, and watch movies with my daughter.  That's all.  I don't ask for much, do I? Hee hee.  I didn't think so.

Marie Callender's pot pies have always been my favorite.  Their cornbread, too but we aren't talking about that today.  Today, it's all about the homemade gravy, mixed vegetables and all white meat chicken within a golden flaky crust.  Each bite warms my soul.  I have never been able to make a good pie crust at home and popping a Marie Callender's pot pie in the oven or microwave is just as good as making one from scratch.  I have always loved comfort food and a pot pie is the ultimate comfort food.  Yum.

Staying Connected Through the Holidays with the Lowest Priced Unlimited Plans

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HolidaysAreCalling #CollectiveBias

The last time I  saw most of my siblings was in June 2013 for our dad's funeral.  I hadn't seen most of them since 2006, when I was back home for our mom's funeral.  When my mom's cancer became terminal, my daughter's brain injury was fresh.  It was extremely difficult to travel with her.  We tried to talk as much as possible but at that time, we had cell phones with limited minutes and if you went over, it was expensive.  Since then, mobile plans have come a long way and Walmart offers the lowest priced unlimited plans that make it really easy to stay connected.

 

2006.  My dad with some of his grandkids at my mother's funeral.

Freedom to Be Spontaneous: 5 Must Haves for Women Returning to the Dating Game

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #TheMoodStrikes #CollectiveBias

 I have been single for a very long time.  I have shied away from the dating game for a few reasons but the biggest reason has been that I haven't been ready.  I've said a few times that I want to date again but in reality, I just haven't been ready.  I have had so much on my plate that I just never felt I could give enough of myself to any relationship.  However... I am ready mentally and emotionally.  My daughter is older and I have more freedom to be spontaneous in my life! 

As I am getting in "single woman" mode, these are the five MUST HAVES for women returning to the dating game.  Especially us lovely foxes in our 30s and have motherhood under our belts! 

Mini No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake in a Jar

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #TasteTheSeason #CollectiveBias

I have been seriously craving cheesecake.  Not plain cheesecake but pumpkin cheesecake and peppermint cheesecake.  What can I say- 'tis the season! I was also thinking how cute it would be to make mini cheesecakes in mason jars and give as gifts to my neighbors. 

However, I have a wee bit of a problem.  I melted the lid of a Pyrex baking dish all over the inside of my oven.  ALL OVER IT.  

Food Blogger's Wishlist: Canon at Best Buy

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free

When I first began blogging, I used an old Canon Point and Shoot.  The camera did what it was supposed to do- take photos.  In the years since then, I started taking blogging much more seriously and a few years ago, I decided to take the leap and bought a Canon Rebel T2i (DSLR).  With a DSLR, you have greater control over the quality of your images.  You manually set the shutter speed, the aperture and with investing in lenses, your photography goes to a different level.  Quality photography is an important part of photography and with readers being visual, it's worth it to invest in a quality camera.  

Welcome 2015! Wait... what?

This past week I have been knocked down sick with bronchitis.  I haven't had bronchitis in years! Boooo! The worst part? This was supposed to be my last week at my job (well, Wednesday was to be my last day and have a four day weekend to play catch up at home) and then start my new job on Monday.  I had a ton of plans but none happened. Oh well, I guess if I am to get sick, this was the time but woe-is-me. 

I am really excited to start my new job on Monday! Everybody seems amazing.  I also will only work four days a week and that leaves me extra time to focus on my personal, professional and business goals.  I was so exhausted mentally, physically and emotionally to get done what I wanted to get done.  My intentions where there but my energy wasn't.

Life changes and better choices with V8 Protein

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LoveV8Protein #CollectiveBias

I have some pretty exciting things in my life right now.  I start a new job on Monday that I am over the moon excited about.  I have been making some headway in regards to exercising, eating better, incorporating new V8 protein in my routine, my home and just my overall life.  I am really pleased where things are going personally and professionally. 

All I want for Christmas is Guardians of the Galaxy

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #OwnTheGalaxy #CollectiveBias

I am such a huge Sci-Fi geek and Guardians of the Galaxy is on my must own list.  It has it all- laughter, action and tears.  However, the laughter is top notch.  Oh and the wicked awesome dance off and soundtrack? Top notch.  The movie drops in stores tomorrow on Blu-Ray and DVD and how awesome would it be to have the ultimate Guardians of the Galaxy gift for the Star-Lords, Rockets, Gamoras and Groots in your life?

I have a 9 year old nephew who is a bundle of energy and loves action.  Wait.  Let me correct myself- he's not my nephew, technically he's my GREAT nephew.  Apparently, I just want to age myself a bit.  Ha.  Really, my niece (his mom) and I are only three years apart.  When Guardians of the Galaxy came out, it was something I knew he would love.  the action figures are out of control awesome.  

Give Extra Thanks to a Teacher!

This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser #ExtraGumMoments. All opinions are mine alone.

Do you have any VIPs in your life? People who do the little, thankless things that you really appreciate? I have a few that I love to be able to give extra thanks to show how much they are appreciated!

I love my daughter.  She's absolutely loving and wonderful and sweet and... a tween.  A tween with a brain injury.  A brain injury that has caused her executive functions to be... um... well, they're struggle.  She can be quite a handful in her very hard headed, shenaniganizing way. Did I also mention she's very sweet and loving? She is.  All her teachers, bus driver and after school program staff are totally VIPs in our life! They have so much patience and truly want her to succeed.  Even when she says ugly things to them (a minute later she's saying I love you!).

Silent Sunday: Maya Angelou Free Printable.

Would you like to print this? I created this printable here.

































 

December Bloggy Moms Blog Hop is live!

Don't forget Duracell this Christmas! (or you'll be facepalming!)

This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Duracell

Last Christmas, I bought Em a Baby Alive doll.  She's been a bit baby crazy the last two years.  I've cringed because she's said the whole brother/sister craziness to me and I don't know how to explain to her that I can not have more and besides... I kinda sorta need a partner.  Also, I'm getting up there in age.  Frankly, this is not a conversation I am ready to have.  She ADORES babies.  ADORES them.  Her face lights up when she seems them but when she gets to HOLD a baby? Pure jubilation.  

Christmas Reindeer Cookies

Are you ready for Christmas? I'm almost! I am mostly done with Christmas gift shopping.  I don't do Black Friday and I do most of my shopping online.  Emma's soooo excited because we finally put up our Christmas tree.  We're not done decorating it but I'm loving how it has turned out.

A photo posted by JaimeLovesStuff (@jaimelovesstuff) on Nov 11, 2014 at 2:34pm PST