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Many, many years ago-- before I was a mom and my mom was a Nana, I grew up in a house right down the street from the city park.  In the warm-weather months, there were swings and slides, tennis courts and basketball.  These days, there is a stage, shelter house, bench swings, hiking trails and a bike path.   In the winter months though, watch out...

The city park boasted one of the biggest hills in town.  It was where all the "cool kids" hung out to sled on…

It's Wednesday again!  Time for Wednesday Hodgepodge.  Grab some coffee, pull up a chair and check out my answers-- and make sure you visit the link below and read some others'.  Above all, have fun!

1. Lake Superior University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen's English...here's the list for 2013-

fiscal cliff, kick the can down the road, double down, job creators/creation,…

This is a quick and easy recipe for black bean salsa.  Super delicious with homemade pita chips.  It is also good as a topping for chicken or fish.  Just be patient and give it time to "cook" in the fridge, or it won't be as yummy!

I am so excited for this week's Monday Listicles.  I have a few movies that I love and know a lot of the lines from... quotes that I try to work into my every day life on a daily basis.  Some of the times, people get the reference, and other times not... but, it makes me chuckle to myself and that makes it worth it... so, here it goes...

10.  Cars

Lightning McQueen:  Holy Porsche!

9.  Blues…

The Girl in the Glass by Susan Meissner is possible one of the best books I have ever read. Definitely, in my top ten!

Meg is an editor at a travel book publishing house.  She as always dreamed of going to Italy with her father and her grandma after seeing a painting her grandpa painted.  After her grandma passes away, life, finances, and her unreliable dad keep getting in the way of…

Firmoo.com is one of the most popular online glasses stores!  The provide high quality glasses and lenses at very competitive prices.  Firmoo.com offers Men's and Women's eye glasses, prescription sunglasses, and…

It's that time of the week!  Five Question Friday!  It's the weekend... or at least, in five hours...  so, come check out my answers.  Click on the button below and check out everyone else's answers and then join in on the fun!  We'd love to have you!

Welcome to Five Question Friday!! You've come to the right place if you want a fun, easy post or if you've suddenly discovered your muses are gearing up for a busy weekend.

Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the…

Every night, right before bed, we all snuggle on the couch under a blanket-- me, the Hubs, Mo and Bo.  We sit and watch either Wonder Pets or Max and Ruby and then the kids go to bed.  Usually, Bo sits with the Hubs and Mo sits with me.  She always has to sit on the right side of me, covered with her blankie and whatever doll or stuffed animal she is sleeping with that night.  She usually lies back and snuggles up to watch the show.

A few weeks ago, she climbed up and…

Have you ever wanted to learn a second language?  Have you wanted to teach your children a new language?  Did you think it would be too difficult or impossible?  Then, check this book out!

I was recently given the opportunity to review one of Carolyn Woods' language books.  I chose…

Its that time again... another Wednesday Hodgepodge.  I'm still fighting the creepy-crud, so I am sorry the blog hasn't been has hopping as usual.  I haven't even had a chance to visit anyone on the memes.  I hope one day, I will feel better.  I will, right?

1.  What is ONE thing or area in your home or life you hope to report is completely organized when 2013 draws to a close?  Do you  have a plan to make it happen? 

OMG.  My scrapbook stuff. …

This is my new recipe for country fried steak.  Oh so yummy.  Total comfort food.

Alright, this week's Listicles idea came from Stasha over at The Good Life... also our host for the hop.  So, read on and find out what I have no intention of changing... next week's topic is 10 Favorite Movie Quotes... I bet you know where THAT is going!

1. My chocolate addiction.  I think Stasha posted this one too, but I have no plans on…

I recently had the opportunity to review a pair of glasses from GlassesUSA.com.  I was intrigued-- I had never ordered glasses online before.  I was very impressed with the entire experience and with the glasses I chose.

GlassesUSA.com contacted me with the offer of a gift card code, to review their website and a pair of glasses.  Before I accept any sort of blogging committment, I always go check out the company online.  I logged onto GlassesUSA.com and started checking out…

Our house is still fighting the creepy crud.  It has now hit me full-bore.  Cough, chest congestion, ear ache... not fun.  The hubs is just getting over it, Mo is getting over it, and Bo is just getting it.  I am going back to bed... so, I instead of posting a new post-- because I just don't have the energy-- I thought I would share one of my favorite posts from the past.  This story always makes me laugh.

The Haunting:  Originally posted August 3rd, 2012

Nana…

This get well card is a creation using fabric and dabbling in quilling.  Super easy to make.  So, grab your supplies... and get card making!

Supplies:

• White card stock , (1)  6" x 11", (1)  5" x 2", (1) 3" x 2"
• Black card stock, (1) 5.75" 5.25", (1) 5.25" x 2.25", (1) 3.25" x 2.25"
• Black ribbon
• White…

The first edition of Five Question Friday for 2013!  Check it out and then click the blog hop link at the bottom to read more and join in on the fun!

Questions for Friday, January 4th: (Special thanks to Stephanie (@stephanielex) fromOn My Mind, Pam (@trooppetrie) from Troop Petrie, and…

The first edition of Five Question Friday for 2013!  Check it out and then click the blog hop link at the bottom to read more and join in on the fun!

Questions for Friday, January 4th: (Special thanks to Stephanie (@stephanielex) fromOn My Mind, Pam (@trooppetrie) from Troop Petrie, and…

1.  How did you ring in the new year?

At home with the hubby. Everyone is sick at our house, so we were lucky we made it to midnight.

2.  What is one thing you are looking forward to in 2013?

Hopefully, getting healthier and losing weight.

3.  Steven Spielberg is quoted as saying, "All of us every single year, we're a different person.  I don't think we're the same person all our lives."  What say…

Santa brought me a brand new camera for Christmas.  A Canon DSLR Rebel T3.  I have always wanted a digital SLR ever since I knew what they were.  I bit the bullet and purchased a brand new one from a photography store in New York on eBay.  Best.  Purchase.  Ever.

Bo's face when he walked into the living room.

Mo taking a break from opening gifts.

Just for the record, Nana didn't look this good…