Bonjour

 Idaho to Michigan to Quebec City....2,735 miles

We are back in Canada for our final 3 1/2 months. I found the cutest place right in the city.  

It's super small, but perfect for the short period of time that we will be here. 

It has internet, a parking spot and we are seconds from lots of amazing restaurants, stores and historical sites. This is going to be a great adventure. I can't wait to share it with you

(I'm back in action with a new computer and high speed internet.)

Interstate I 80

1912 miles...31 hours....

That is a lot of "us" time in the truck. Don't tell my husband... I enjoy every minute.

Along the way:
~ Twinkling Christmas lights  provide hours of entertainment
~ Take time to thank the employees at gas stations with clean bathrooms
~ Eating in instead of driving through is a great way to meet locals
~ Black ice is so scary!
~ Stopping at every Cabela's and Bass Pro...is not my favorite, but provides great people watching and puts my husband in a good mood
~ Nebraska has a lot of cows! Moo

Ho..Ho..Ho... $25.00 Sam's Club-Chex Party Mix Giveaway

While some things are changing there will always be some things that stay the same. I know, change is good, but if you ask me there will never be anything better than the original Chex Party Mix creation. In my life this once a year treat has become a 365 day tasty treat that leads me to over indulge each and every time I get my hands on a bag of it. Hands down Chex Party Mix will beat out any form of chocolate or cookie.


That being said, there are some pretty fabulous and delicious new savory Chex Party Mix recipes out there. People are now swapping a traditional cookie party for a Chex Mix Party. I say... mix it up.

It's not too late for you to get a few friends together. Me and some of my closest friends at Sam's Club, General Mills and My Blog Spark want to make your party the easies, funnest and yummiest party this holiday season.... (that's a lot of superlatives)

How to throw the ultimate Sam´s Club Chex Party Mix-Change:
•Set the date and spread the word. Announce your Chex Party Mix-Change using some of these festive invites
•Mix it up. Use these mouth-watering Chex recipe cards including Chex Pumpkin Pie Crunch and Hot Buttered Yum Chex Mix and this shopping list to make party prep a snap.
•Share the fun. Use some of these easy tips & tricks to add some extra flare to your party and check out some of the packaging ideas.
Visit ChexPartyMixChange.com for even more party-planning tips and be sure to also check out Sam´s Club, your one stop Chex spot that has everything you need to throw a Chex Party Mix-Change!

Tis the season...one lucky person will win a $25.00 gift card to Sam's Club and a box of Chex cereal to get your party started. (I got one too!)
 Here's how:
- Tell me what recipe sounds the best to you. 1 entry
- Follow my blog. 1 entry
- Post this on your blog or a giveaway blog(tell me where). 8 entries

That opens it up for a total of 10 opportunities to win. This giveaway is not going to last long! It will only be open from today until the morning of Friday, December 16th. I will send the name of the winner into My Blog Spark that afternoon. Please remember to provide your email address with your comment.

Good luck...

The next morning.....

It's that time of year when your social calendar lights up... your husbands-cousins-in laws, the neighbor and some of your closest friends open their doors to celebrate the holidays. I can't help you with your outfits, but I can help you with a host gift.  

Put yourself in their shoes... they cleaned the house, planned the perfect menu, kept your glass full throughout the night...how about making them breakfast.  There are countless recipes for homemade bread and so many fun ways to package them. It's an affordable....thoughtful gift that any host would be happy to receive.

Are you having a party this year?  What are some additional gift ideas you have?
Feel free to share one of your recipes...
or check out this recipe from My Blog Spark and Better Crocker

Another cute idea.

Home again...home again jiggity jig

The meaning of "home" varies from person to person. When I was in Michigan a couple weeks ago people greeted  me by saying "welcome home". When I returned to Idaho I was greeted with "welcome home". In an email I received from a friend in Quebec City they asked when I was coming home.... 

Where we love is home, Home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.

~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., Homesick in Heaven

For several years Idaho has been our home away from home. It 's a place that is always hard to leave and a place I always look forward to returning. Within the next few weeks my husband will be finishing his field work and our time here in Idaho will come to an end. I'm sure our final days will be hard and saying good-bye to friends that we have made throughout the years will end in tears, but what an experience it has been.... an experience that I am so grateful for.  Just hearing the word Idaho will always warm my heart.
 

Home is not where you live but where they understand you. ~Christian Morgenstern

 



$40.00....Sam's Club- Yoplait Giveaway

It's the eve of Thanksgiving. Are you heading out the door to do some last minute grocery shopping? Are you wondering if you have enough food? Do you have something for everyone? If you have overnight guest now you have to think about breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner and late night snack. By the second day you are questioning who's bright idea was it to invite everyone to stay at your house...(I know you love them, but man can those kids eat...)

Now you're wondering why you even stopped by here today when all I've done is stress you out more, but I do have a solution for you....Yogurt. To be more specific, Yoplait yogurt at Sam's Club.

Breakfast...yogurt. For some people lunch...yogurt. Snacks...definitely...yogurt.

Whether you start your day with a yogurt or enjoy it as an afternoon snack, Sam´s Club can help you stock up on your family´s favorite Yoplait® yogurts at great, everyday low prices. With their extended yogurt selections, featuring new Yoplait Light® with Granola and Trix yogurt, finding the flavors, and prices, you love just became even easier.

And, do I have a treat for you. Because of MyBlogSpark, Yoplait and Sam's Club I am going to give one person a $40.00 gift card to Sam's Club to fill up your fridge with Yoplait.(I got the same thing and you should see my refrigerator.)


This giveaway starts today, November 23 and ends in one week. On Wednesday, Nov. 30th I will pick one name. Here is how you can win:
Follow my blog- 1 entry
Check out Yoplait.com and tell me your favorite yogurt- 2 entries
Check out Sam's Club.com and tell me something you found to put on your Christmas list- 2 entries

That's not it.... if you link this giveaway or share it on your blog you get an additional 5 entries.  10 possible points.

Good luck and happy shopping... I'll be thinking about you as I drive to Detroit (in a rental car) to catch a plane heading to Lexington.  Final destination...in the arms of my husband!

Nurse Ann, Annie the Nanny, Aunt Annie......

Just when my seat was starting to get warm in Idaho I was asked to fly to Michigan to help out a friend. My one piece of luggage was just big enough for me to pack all of my hats: nurse, aunt, nanny, cleaning lady, dog groomer, chauffeur, counselor, friend, in-law, daughter......

Speaking of hats, my hat goes off to all of you parents. My goodness there is a lot to remember and too much to manage. Now, going days without a shower because it's hard to find the time or wearing whatever is within sight makes sense to me. Not to mention just how unimportant it all is when you have the chance to hold a child in your arms, listen to them sound out new words for their spelling test or hear them laugh so hard they may burst open with happiness. So many emotions, so many new experiences, so lucky you are....

Since my sister and parents live within 45 minutes of where I am staying I've had the opportunity to see them and to watch my nieces and nephew doing (nail biting) extracurricular activities. I feel alive when I hear "Aunt Annie......"

My friend is doing well enough that today we are going to make cupcakes. What are you doing?

Photos from WeHeartIt

Next post....is a giveaway! Hint $$$$$$$