Tuesday Talk

Welcome back for another round of Tuesday Talk!

Can you believe Thanksgiving is this Thursday?

 This Thursday!?

Me neither.

We're on the road to visit family for the holiday today.

So I'm just popping in today say hello
 and wish you the very best during your Thanksgiving preparations and celebrations.

I cannot wait to read your posts during our travels.

Prayers for a blessed holiday week for you and yours!

 

 

 

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Check out the Tuesday Talk guidelines here.

Your blog is being shared on our 13 blogs and we would love it if you would return the favor and link back to us (you can grab the button above). By linking back you'll have the opportunity to be featured in our feature posts and pinterest board here! 

Beth - Our Pretty Little Girls ~ Michelle - Grammie Time

Keri - Living In This Season  ~ Christina - Waltzing In Beauty

Lauren - Simply Free ~  Becky - BYBMG

Jess and Katie - Sweet Little Ones ~ Whitney - Polka Dotty Place

Laura - Life Is Beautiful ~ Elizabeth - All Kinds Of Things

Sarah - Abiding In Grace ~ Stephanie - Wife Mommy Me

Emily - Morning Motivated Mom

We'd love to connect with you! Please follow us in some way! 

An InLinkz Link-up

Tuesday Talk: Host Features Part Three

Meet the ladies behind the link-up!

Part One - Part Two


Keri at Living in this Season

Learning how to be content in the season of your life, putting some things on hold and letting others take their place with joy, is such a hard task. Keri tackles those tough topics with authenticity and grace. Her 31 days of Building a Strong Family series this past October was fantastic. I know she put a ton of work into it and I highly recommend taking the time to read each post. It's a perfect introduction to Keri and her blog, and offers a great opportunity for a month's worth of daily reflections.


Whitney at Polka-Dotty Place

I love polka dots, so I was instantly drawn to Whitney's blog simply by the title.
And the rest of her space did not disappoint. She's a fellow Midwestern gal documenting the joys of her every day with her hubby, little girl, and baby on the way. She is just the cutest.
Her birthday was yesterday, so go wish her the best, and check out her 7 Birthday Challenges.


Stephanie at Wife Mommy Me

Stephanie is one of our two new additions to the link up.
She is a go-getter and offers a bright insight into marriage, motherhood, and making the most of her blogging and local community. I loved the Chemo Care bags she and some friends put together for breast cancer awareness month. Check out the link up she's co-hosting in December, 2015 Blogger Year in Review, which is all about celebrating your accomplishments for the year. They even have writing prompts! 
I hope you consider joining. I know I am.


Have a happy Tuesday!
 

Your blog is being shared on our 13 blogs and we would love it if you would return the favor and link back to us (you can grab the button below)! Thanks so much!

 

 

 

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Check out the Tuesday Talk guidelines here, 

and check out the features from every week here! 

  We'd love to connect with you! Please follow us in some way!

 

 

Beth - Our Pretty Little Girls ~ Michelle - Grammie Time

Keri - Living In This Season  ~ Christina - Waltzing In Beauty

Lauren - Simply Free ~  Becky - BYBMG

Jess and Katie - Sweet Little Ones ~ Whitney - Polka Dotty Place

Laura - Life Is Beautiful ~ Elizabeth - All Kinds Of Things

Sarah - Abiding In Grace ~ Stephanie - Wife Mommy Me

Emily - Morning Motivated Mom

 

An InLinkz Link-up

Crock Pot Stuffed Peppers - Mexican or Italian Style

When my grandma served stuffed peppers for the first time, I was fascinated by them. I think the idea of eating food out of an edible bowl seemed undeniably fancy. And yet, the contents of that fancy meal were ordinary and called for all the goodness that makes up comfort food. Fancy comfort food - the paradox excited me...

 

It's maternity leave guest post week here!

I'm filling in for my dear friend, Emily over at Raising Barnes while she takes a break to soak up all the snuggles of tiny lil George.

 

I love her guest post series, A Blogger Family Cookbook, and am thrilled to share what is quickly becoming a family staple in my home: Crock Pot Stuffed Peppers - Mexican or Italian Style.

Hope you enjoy!
 

 

Good Eats Features

Thanks for all the goodies shared last week in our Cookie Swap Blog Hop. 
Now that we've covered dessert, let's talk dinner!

Some days for dinner you want something new, 
but also something you know is tried, true, and not overly complicated. 
Over the past month I've been scouring our Tuesday Talk link-up for recipes just like these.
I cannot wait to try each of these this Fall and Winter!

Soups

I sometimes think I could eat chili every day and not get tired of it. I'm excited to employ Nan of Granny Fabulosa's three secrets for perfect chili sometimes soon. 

My allergy to clams has always taken chowder off the menu for me. When Lynda at Reviews, Chews & How To's shared her Salmon Chowder recipe, I knew I had to add it to my list to try.

When we were first dating, B told me about the hamburger soup his mother used to make when he was little. I had never heard of it before and forgot about it until I saw Anastasia at Anawins' Thick and Creamy Cheeseburger Soup. I'm excited to see what the hubby thinks.

Meats

Pork tenderloin is a family favorite. Ashley at Mommy Wants Coffee's Pork Tenderloin marinade will be a great way to mix it up for us.

Pasta

My Italian grandma spoiled me so much that anyone else's recipe never seems to match up, that's why when I go out for Italian I usually order something with an Alfredo sauce (a sauce she never made, so I have no comparison!). I've never attempted a recipe with it at home and Shannon at Of the Hearth's Penne Festival caught my eye as a great place to start.

Ethnic/Specialty

Mexican food has always been my go to meal. It can be as simple as opening a can and a bag of chips, but even the more involved recipes are just as simple. A Bountiful Love's Low Calorie Huevos Rancheros had me drooling right away.

A good friend of mine married a man of Lebanese descent and the Lebanese food we were able to sample was spectacular. A Little Bit of Emily's Beef Fasolia looks like it is something that could quickly become a staple in our home. 

Who wouldn't want to eat Dinner-in-a-Pumpkin? Monica at A Beautiful Mess' hearty recipe is festive and adorable. I'm sure you'll be able to find a spare pumpkin this time of year to try it out with me.




 
Sides

Cornbread really is the ultimate dinner bread, like Heaven is Smiling Above says.
Pairing cornbread with any soup or stew takes dinner from average to special.
I always forget how easy it is to make!

I have been craving salads and this Fall Spinach Salad from Cathy at Three Kids and a Fish has everything I love: spinach, fruit, nuts, and a flavorful cheese.

Thank you for all who shared their recipes this past month especially the ladies featured above!
Keep the recipes coming!

Your blog is being shared on our 13 blogs and we would love it if you would return the favor and link back to us (you can grab the button below)! Thanks so much!

 

 

 

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Check out the Tuesday Talk guidelines here, 

and check out the features from every week here! 

  We'd love to connect with you! Please follow us in some way!

 

 

Beth - Our Pretty Little Girls ~ Michelle - Grammie Time

Keri - Living In This Season  ~ Christina - Waltzing In Beauty

Lauren - Simply Free ~  Becky - BYBMG

Jess and Katie - Sweet Little Ones ~ Whitney - Polka Dotty Place

Laura - Life Is Beautiful ~ Elizabeth - All Kinds Of Things

Sarah - Abiding In Grace ~ Stephanie - Wife Mommy Me

Emily - Morning Motivated Mom

An InLinkz Link-up

What I Wish I Knew About Being an Aunt

"We're having a baby!"

As those words fell joyfully from my sister's lips, 

I began a journey that has been one of my most treasured aspects of my life.

I gained a title before my name and it changed my world...

You can read the rest of my reflection on aunt-hood over at 
Through Clouded Glass.
I am filling in for sweet Callie who is off celebrating the birth of her litte girl, Clarice.
 

Pumpkins

Have you ever had a secret that was so good you could barely keep it to yourself?

And when the time finally came that you could share, you had no clue how?

So you excitedly, awkwardly fumbled around until

you just spit it out in what seemed the least eloquent way possible,

but at the same time summed it up perfectly?

Well...

We're having a baby!

 

 

 

B and I are excited to share that we are expecting our first little pumpkin

in March 2016!

We are thrilled and cannot wait.

The first trimester into the beginning of the second was a little (a lot) rough, but we made it through - thanks to Superman B: he cooks, he cleans,

and he can leap buildings in a single bound.

Now that I am no longer plagued with debilitating nausea and exhaustion, we have been able to do more around the house, with friends, and begin preparations for our growing family. Right now we're just enjoying the anticipation of seeing him or her again at our next ultrasound.

 

 

 

We are thrilled and cannot wait to meet our little one!

We appreciate all your prayers and support.

 

Hugs,

Christina

My Family Favorite No Bake Cookies

It is finally here!
The Cookie Swap Blog Hop is here!

Welcome, we are so excited to have you join us for our cookie swap!
Behind the scenes we have been talking about this day for what seems like forever.
I cannot wait to see what delectable goodies everyone shares today.

Michelle - Grammie Time // Beth - Our Pretty Little Girls // Elizabeth - All Kinds Of Things // Stephanie - Wife Mommy Me // Christina - Waltzing In Beauty // Becky - BYBMG //  Lauren - Simply Free // Sarah - Abiding In Grace // Keri - Living In This Season // Laura - Life Is Beautiful // Jess & Katie - Sweet Little Ones // Whitney - Polka Dotty Place

My older sister has always been a wiz at finding and creating yummy meals.

I remember spending hours pouring over cookbooks together

and the end result always pleasing the table.

These cookies are no exception.

They instantly became a family favorite upon her first attempt.
What isn't there to love about chocolate and peanut butter?

Since I'm all about quick and easy recipes now-a-days,
and the upcoming holidays make me sentimental for family traditions,
I knew I had to share these cookies with you.
Not going to lie, I enjoyed having an excuse to whip up a batch myself.
I haven't enjoyed exercising my will power to not eat them for breakfast.

My Family Favorite No Bake Cookies

1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (Hershey's is the best)
1/2 cup crunchy or smooth peanut butter (I prefer crunchy, but only had smooth on hand)
3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

First combine the sugar, milk, butter and cocoa in a medium-large saucepan. 

 
On medium-low heat bring the mixture to a boil and cook 1.5 minutes. This is the trickiest part of the recipe. Make sure you begin timing as soon as the mixture reaches a full rolling bowl. Boiling too much will make the cookies dry and fall apart. Boiling too little will make the cookies runny and unable to form.

Then remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter, oats and vanilla.

Drop by teaspoonful on wax paper and let cool.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies. 

 
Now on to the hop!

 First, link up your cookie post (or any other post) to Tuesday Talk below!
Make sure to link back up to one of the hosts for a chance to be featured!

Second, visit all the co-hosts and pin those recipes for a rainy day!

Third, visit your friends in the link up below for more great ideas!

And finally, go to the grocery and get baking! 

 

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<a href="http://www.waltzinginbeauty.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow" title="Waltzing In Beauty"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsrvnnEHIGmiRtK70b87sMXP5X3DTkR52XPEWR9S-mH6JbEXHiVud9y0gOzYmgbnAeaJeLC8jyQAg8jfUfm2lABYoFzdeuvLfFnTCcnkR8doLKvNbxafD3hhAzzguCtFXwjMORmCRqrER/s1600/TuesdayTalkButton.jpg" alt="Waltzing In Beauty" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

 

Check out the Tuesday Talk guidelines here, 

and check out the features from every week here! 

  We'd love to connect with you! Please follow us in some way!

Beth - Our Pretty Little Girls ~ Michelle - Grammie Time

Keri - Living In This Season  ~ Christina - Waltzing In Beauty

Lauren - Simply Free ~  Becky - BYBMG

Jess and Katie - Sweet Little Ones ~ Whitney - Polka Dotty Place

Laura - Life Is Beautiful ~ Elizabeth - All Kinds Of Things

Sarah - Abiding In Grace ~ Stephanie - Wife Mommy Me

Emily - Morning Motivated Mom

An InLinkz Link-up