November 2012 | Page 3 of 4 | Midwestern At Heart

Exciting Link Up News!!!

So some exciting news!!! Sometime last year I was introduced to Emmy Mom’s blog. I really don’t know how or when it happened, the exciting news it, that it did. Well, at the end of the year she plus a whole bunch of other bloggers (6 total to be exact) host a lovely link up for the month of December.

Well it’s back- bigger and better than ever, with a few new faces and several familiar, and get this… I’m honored to be one of the lovely Hostesses.

For those who may be new, this is your chance to look back and recap the year. There will be a new linky opened every Friday in December- the first Friday you will recap January, February and March. The second Friday April, May and June, etc.

It doesn’t matter if you are new to blogging this year and maybe didn’t blog yet then- as well you were definitely alive and living then. Here is a link to one of my recaps from last year to give you an idea of one way to approach it. There is no right or wrong way though!!

All of the rules and more details of how to participate will be coming right after Thanksgiving.

Today– I am reaching out to those of you with etsy shops, those who sell a product you love for an amazing advertising opportunity. For those who recap with us, there is one lucky winner chosen who last year won a prize from each of us, but this year we are making it even bigger and better and looking for sponsors who would like to donate a gift.

Your gift and site will be featured (with a picture, a few sentences and link to your website) in two separate posts (one before and one after) on SIX different blogs! Also you will receive one weekly entry on the Rafflecopter form (such as liking your page, visiting your page, following you on FB, etc) as a bonus entry for those who are participating.

Don’t miss out on this chance– to participate or find out more information, please email me at lifesabeachtheblog (at) gmail (dot) com or EmmyMom at emmy (at) emmymom2 (dot) com

And for all of my blogging friends new and old – I cannot wait to see your recaps! Participating last year was such a fun experience and a good way to reminisce on all the wonderful things that happened throughout the year. One of my favorite comments was from Jill:

It just goes to show that we all really do read each other and remember! Great friendships are made to last a lifetime through this wonderful world of blogging! So start thinking about your posts and making sure you link up because there will be some GREAT prizes to be had!!

More info coming soon.

Thanksgiving – The Stuffing {Last Years}

So when I was a little kid, my Grandma S (mom’s side of the family) always did Thanksgiving, that is until she and grandpa “retired” and moved to the city. {They made their living with a Stud (horse) operation.} When that happened my aunt and mom split up Thanksgiving & Christmas hosting.

As I stated the other day, there was a falling out with my family over some very stupid issues, but none the less we weren’t allowed to my aunt’s house for any holiday. End of story. And again, that didn’t stop us from celebrating plus I got the chance to make my Turkey!

Well what’s Thanksgiving dinner with out stuffing?!?!

My Grandma passed away in 2007 and unfortunately, her recipes she used for Thanksgiving dinner were “misplaced,” until this last Spring when I think I found them in her notebook, but that was after Thanksgiving 2011.

Hubby and I talked about it and neither of us really knew what we wanted to make stuffing wise. I couldn’t find Grandma S’s recipe, I never thought to ask Grandma J for hers, Hubby didn’t have one that was important to his family so we were at a loss. Then we thought, well heck, if we’re making PW’s turkey, why not make her stuffing from the throw down as well! So that’s just what we did. And we really like it… just sayin :)!

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Guest Post – Kenzie

A Guest Post I wrote for Life & Lemons Make Lemonade blog
So lovely readers of Life & Lemons make Lemonade, how many of you know me? {crickets} Really? Sad… I think.

But it’s your lucky day because Kenzie asked me to introduce myself and my blog to you. And I thought fabulous… then I got the worst case of writers block imaginable.

I kind of wanted to set myself apart from the other This is me, This is my blog posts and…. Nothing. There’s the obvious, my names Nicole, I blog at Life’s a Beach.

I have a husband, a {step}daughter, 3 dogs and some horses.. but how fun is that?

So first off, let me start by saying I love Kenzie and I’m so glad she found my blog… not sure how but I won’t question it. I’m just glad she did. We’re friends now, even if she doesn’t claim me :).

Then Writer Block hit again. Which you would think for as much as I like to talk, I wouldn’t get that… so I sat here and hummed and heed and yawned and drew and thought and slept and ok I really didn’t do all of that but I thought and thought and thought… And this is what you get…

The Five Reasons Not to check out my blog.

Wait… did she really just type that?
Sure did…

1. I’m married and crazy about my husband. Our life isn’t always perfect but it’s A-Ok for us and I’m not afraid to share the weird every day adventures we’ve had.

2. My dogs are weird. I’m not afraid to share that either; like the night I was woke up at 4am with them running across the roof of my house. The next morning I’m sure the neighbors thought I was crazy when I was chasing them while throwing shoes in a dress while trying to leave for work… btw, shingles and bare feet are NOT a good combination!

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The AQHA World Show

Truthfully the last time I attended the adult AQHA World Show my dad said I was 5. I don’t think that counts, at all! So Tbug, Hubby and I got to experience this together. We headed down there Friday night after work so that we could be there first thing Saturday morning.

When we got to the hotel, we were greeted by this sign. Very cool!

The show started at 8am with the Amateur Go-rounds (non-professional!). They take back 15+ ties to the finals. You have 5 judges, the top and the bottom score are thrown out and the middle three give you the total. 180 is the lowest, 230 is the highest.

Sadly we ran out of time on Sunday to see the Amateur finals. We did however get to watch the Junior Go-rounds along with some of the Senior Go-rounds before we had to head back.

All the countries that are represented at the AQHA World Show.

It’s seriously the judges trailer. They enter the trailer, go up the stairs and then they have their seats. The judges have the second best seat in the house. The showman has the first!

Tbug has a horse charging her… lol.

During the breaks we ran across the way to the trade show buildings. They actually had 2 trade show buildings set up. All types of vendors from hat makers to boot companies to exercise equipment were set up.

Hey yo, we’re here :). LOL.

And here’s my sexy cowboy!

I think Tbug had an extremely good time, or at least I hope she did!

Saturday night we went and watched the Reining Finals.

Holy cow, the horse that won, he should have won hands down. He marked a 229. Their scores are the same way as cutting. The second place definitely gave the first a run for their money but didn’t quite get there.

So don’t you think every little girl needs to go to a horse show and get her make-up done? I told you, there were tons of different vendors at the trade shows.

Random things I saw walking around the trade show. Oh and my Coke. Yup, I drank a large coke. I don’t drink pop anymore really if you’re new around here, but I didn’t pass it up. I was thirsty. Anyway this gal had her rabbit on a leash. Said it was her pet and said it weighed 28lbs.

Tbug “conned” grandpa out of a halter for her Aloha. It was custom made, she picked all the colors and they made the halter right there. Then they had a silent auction for “Reining Out Cancer”. This was one of the hats that was up for grabs. We’ll see if I win… And hubby, he has like a Hoss Hat on (Hoss off of Bonanza). Don’t worry, they shape them good!!! or should it really be well. Well anyway, they shaped this hat, don’t worry.

Ah, Oklahoma City. I’m sure going to miss you. Maybe next time I come I can actually leave the fair grounds and go explore you. Out of all the times I’ve ever been to OKC, I’ve always been to the fairgrounds (sheep & horses) and never been out to explore the city.

And one of those gorgeous Oklahoma sunsets.

Oh hey, you should check out my guest blog on Kenzie’s blog today! I’m telling people reasons not to follow me. yup, you read that correctly 🙂

Tbug’s Favorite place – JL’s BBQ – Pryor, OK

Holy Cow this was a whirlwind of a weekend. I’m here but I’m not sure I’m fully here!

A little over a month ago probably my dad sent an email with the AQHA World show schedule on it. When I compared that with a calendar I noticed that it would be a Tbug weekend. Plans were made and set and this last weekend, Mom, Dad, Tbug, hubby and I all set forth headed toward OKC for the AQHA World show.

Now back in April when we took Tbug with us down to Texas to pick Squirty back up from the breeders we went down 69 hwy through Oklahoma which puts you right through Pryor and Tbug got to experience JL’s BBQ. From then on, the kid has been hooked. That’s all it seems she talks about. You say Pryor and she says JL’s. She compares all other BBQ, especially ribs to JL’s. I tell you, the kid is hooked!

Now, Pryor is by no means on the way from home to OKC, but who cares. It wasn’t that far out of the road.

I seriously need Go Go Gadget Arms for photos like these!

The closer we got, the more excited she got. I’m not kidding either. In fact, her mom told me that she had mentioned JL’s quite a few times, especially this last week.

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Thanksgiving – The Turkey {Last Year}

Do you watch Food Network? I sure do! I got started watching it when I was in college. No, I wasn’t privileged to have it while I actually went to school, I was actually home on Christmas break. I was at my parents house bored off my butt and somehow stumbled across Rachael Ray making Mexican Lasagna.

I have been an on again off again want to be chef/cook. My Grandma J started on my cousin & me when we were younger to try and develop a love for cooking. I’ve had a love-hate relationship with it. I love to eat but at times I’m way to impatient to actually cook. Around the time I went to college I was starting to develop a love for it again. Then I ran across Rachael Ray. Her method made cooking seem so easy! Now she lives in New York and even though she says you can get everything in her recipes at the local grocery store, she hasn’t lived in SW MO obviously, but she helped fuel my passion for cooking.

So move forward a bit. On my mom’s side of the family, starting about high school when my grandparents moved from the country to the city, my aunt who lives in Southern OK started hosting Thanksgiving and my mom started hosting Christmas dinners.

Since my passion for cooking really started to thrive, I have wanted to make a Turkey. We don’t eat Turkey’s for Christmas dinner, so I never got my chance to make one until last year. My parents and my family decided we were going to have Thanksgiving here and I jumped at the chance to host it!

I got to make a turkey! My mom thought I was nuts for wanting to and being excited but I didn’t care.

In 2010, Pioneer Woman had a throw down with Bobby Flay. I saw her turkey recipe and knew that if I ever made a turkey, by golly I was using hers!

Thanksgiving 2011, my dream came true! I got to make a turkey and I used PW’s recipe!

The turkey was brining away

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Thoughts on NOT being his Army Wife

If you’re a regular around here, you know that my husband and I went to high school together. That our paths went different directions; I headed off to college and he joined the military.

I absolutely LOVE when we go places and they have all the veterans in the room stand up to be honored. It’s because of them that we have that freedom to go about our business and do the things we love, and let’s not forget about those men & women who are currently serving to protect those freedoms for us!

I cheer and applaud with the best of them for those men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms. In fact, one night I had to go to the bathroom and I missed that whole part to praise those who risk their lives for my freedom. I was so mad and I know it isn’t about me, but I still missed it and that upset me.

But here’s where I have a really hard time…

When those few people see my husband stand up and they want to thank me for being his wife.

I wasn’t there for that portion of his life and that in and of itself bothers me.

The women who stand behind their man while he’s serving or the men that stand behind their women, I commend you. I couldn’t even begin to think what it would be like to have them gone for that extended period of time. And a part of me might even be jealous that I couldn’t be there at the gate when he arrived home from serving.

My husband was out of the military long before he came back into my life; an honorable medical discharge kept me from ever having to fret at night what his life was like across the big blue pond, over in the danger zone. So when someone wants to commend me for standing behind him, I don’t know how to respond, because I didn’t have that chance, that opportunity, that responsibility. Nope, I was off enjoying my life living carefree and worry free.

Today is Veteran’s Day. This is a day to honor those who have served our great country. You can bet that I’ll sure be honoring my veteran!

P.F. Changs – Fayetteville, AR

If you’ve never been to a PF Chang’s, you don’t know what you’re missing! I’m used to Chinese food around SW MO and I always get the same thing – Cashew Chicken. I have learned when I go other places, this doesn’t have the same meaning. It looks different anyway so I’ve always been leery of trying it. I know, me, the person who thinks we should all try new things.

The only reason for my reservations, what if you order it and don’t like it. Then you have to pay for it and something different… so I always find something else I know will be just as good. Don’t worry I don’t completely snob it and this also causes me to try new foods! :).

Ok anyway back to my story.

My mom introduced me to a PF Chang’s when I went to Las Vegas. You talk about good food now! Holy cow! So any time we’re out and about and there is one around, it definitely makes our decision list.

This particular PF Chang’s in Fayetteville, AR holds a near and dear place in my heart. I know, a food restaurant really? But the reason why you may ask? So glad you asked….

This was the first meal, the first location, my husband and I had as husband and wife. (besides our reception food) 2 years ago we drove down to Fayetteville to stay the night so we could get up at the crack of dawn the next morning and fly to Chicago.

This particular one is located at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade, which just so happens to be the location of the Best Buy where I bought my laptop 3 years ago. The laptop that was responsible for bringing my husband and me back together via friends internet and facebook.

See I told you this place was near and dear to my heart! :).

Anyway, this particular day was just a normal Saturday when my parents, hubby and I decided to drive to Fayetteville to go shopping. We wandered around the Pinnacle Hills Promenade for a bit and then decided we were hungry. PF Chang’s was the answer!

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Add Instagram Photos to your Sidebar

So does it seem like to anyone else this year is just FLYING by? Holy cow where has it gone, Seriously. We’re already in November. Before you know it Santa will have come and gone and then we’ll be left with cold dreary January. I’m sorry Poor January, but you’re not my favorite month, AT ALL.

So anyway let’s not focus on that and let’s do focus on the topic at hand. Seems like more and more I’ve started finding blogs that have their Instagram photos displayed on the side bar. I thought that could be interesting and thought maybe, just maybe someone else might enjoy learning how to do it just as I have.

From what I can tell, if you’re on wordpress there are many options, however this is the way I found it works for blogger. It’s simple, so here’s the few steps to accomplish it.

First you’ll want to go to Snap Widget. Once there it will ask you a few details about your blog.

Your Instagram user name
if you want to just display specific hastags, otherwise just make it blank.
Grid, slideshow, or map options
The thumb nail size (my blog is set up for 150 pixels)
Photo border, yes or no.
background color (you have to know your html color code)
Hover effect (dunno what this is, I left it to default)

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Route 66 Cafe – Avilla, MO

My Sister-in-law is always talking about loving the fact she can go into a place and say give me the usual and they know what she’s talking about. I’ll have to admit, I used to have that at a restaurant a few years back but not anymore, it is kind of a cool feeling!

Well Liss finally found a place she could do that and has been talking about it for months. A few months ago in fact my BIL took Tbug to eat breakfast from there and that’s all she’d talk about is how good of a place it was.

So one morning we woke up wanting breakfast and not having a thing in the house so what did we do? We decided to go check out Route 66 Cafe. I’m always up for an adventure on a Saturday morning, aren’t you? Especially when there is breakfast involved!

My words of advice… make sure you have cash or a checkbook though, they don’t take debit cards or credit cards.

Here is the breakfast menu: