Five on Friday [2.24.17]

Whew!  What a week!  Happy Friday!!  Here are this week's Five on Friday:

ONE
My new favorite cardigan has all the comfort of your favorite cozy sweatshirt, while still looking a bit more pulled together.  I have a feeling it will be perfect for layering this spring when Mother Nature just can't decide what she wants to do.

TWO
Speaking of Mother Nature we have had the most spectacular weather this week!!  Sunny and in the 60s and 70s.  However, tomorrow's high is 32.  I'm not complaining though, we've been so lucky to have this little treat in the middle of February.

THREE
One of my sweet kiddos invited me to her Irish dance recital.  It was so very impressive.  I love dance of any form and seeing her darling smiling face made it all that much more terrific.

FOUR
Some of my other kiddos participated in Math Bowl last night and came in 2nd.  It was a riveting and exciting night of math problem.  I jest, but in all seriousness, I'm so proud of them!  They've worked hard and were so supportive of each other!



FIVE
We did end up keeping Little Pup for one more week.  Hubby was completely convinced that our Old Man Stan would come around.  He certainly didn't.  It's quiet and to be completely honest, I miss him, but Stan is so happy his life has gone back to normal.

Wishing y'all a wonderful weekend!  

Today I'm linking up with:

 Oh Hey Friday! / High Five for Friday / 5 on Friday

*Affiliate links included in this post.  Thank you for supporting

The Happy Little Hive!

 

The Best is Yet to Be....

With Valentine's Day approaching I'm again reminded of how grateful I am to be going through this journey with Hubby and especially happy that he's still here and doing so well.  We are truly lucky.

For our last anniversary I knew I wanted to incorporate the quote "grow old along with me, the best is yet to be."  What could possibly be more fitting after the year we had had together?  I searched Etsy and discovered ModifiedMetals who specializes in beautiful metal gifts and is based in nearby Crawfordsville.  The local connection convinced me it was perfect.  I must admit, after chatting with shop owner David a bit about my order, I knew the stars had aligned perfectly.  It was a true delight working with him.

Although they do custom work and will use your favorite saying or verse, I chose the "Grow Old Along with Me" sign measuring 22 x 22.  It fits perfectly over the gate leg table (a birthday gift from Hubby, who knew I've always wanted one) in our bedroom.  The quality is terrific and is a quiet little reminder about what truly is important in life.

There are a few other signs which caught my eye as well.  This Tree of Life is lovely.



How adorable would this moon be hanging in a nursery?  They have the same saying, in a couple different versions and fonts. 



There are many that would serve as the perfect wedding or shower gift or a too.  (Or even a last minute Valentine's Day gift...it wouldn't be the first time I wrapped a picture of the actual gift.)  Take a minute to pop over and see for yourself.  The craftsmanship really is beautiful.

Happy Love!

*Please note I was not compensated for this post....I merely just loved the shop and the product and wanted to share.  

Sip and Shop Sunday [All About the Lips]

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching!  What else would we focus on than champagne and kissable lips ;)?

Sipping....

How about a blood orange mimosa??  Instead of mixing the champs with the traditional orange juice use the juice of a few blood oranges.

Shopping....
I've recently rediscovered my favorite lip stick, Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey.   It's lightweight, glossy but not sticky, and the perfect shade (although it deceptively looks purple in the picture, trust me it's not).  It's the perfect balance between natural and color....your Valentine won't be able to resist.

Happy Valentine Sipping and Shopping!

*This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for supporting The Happy Little Hive!

Friday Five [2.10.17]

Happy Friday!!  This week has flown by so quickly!!  Here are this week's five:

ONE
Things are a little blue in our hive today.  Although I was terribly frustrated when Hubby brought home Little Pup, he has stolen my heart.  (I refused to name him in hopes of not becoming too attached.  Clearly, it didn't work.)  It is going to be terribly difficult to give him up today, but our Old Man Stan just isn't having it.  He's become so depressed he stopped eating (and he is never one to pass on a meal).  I've always toyed with the idea of fostering pups.  This definitively tells me I wouldn't be able to do it.  We'd end up keeping every pup!  (Just to be clear, Little Pup was a stray.  He was absolutely filthy, thin, and starving.  We immediately took him to be scanned for a chip (there wasn't one) and the vet to be checked.  We didn't adopt him with the intent of keeping him, although he's a sweetie and would make a great pet for anyone looking!)

TWO
I've discovered Bitmoji and I'm quite certain I'm driving everyone nuts with it.  I can't help it, I think it takes texting to another level.  Ha.

THREE
 Earlier this week I shared my new very favorite shoes.  They are so incredibly comfortable.  Insanely so. 
 

FOUR
We served these apple nachos for the Super Bowl and, quite honestly, whipped some up a couple times this week for an after school snack.  Part of the fun is you're able to mix up the toppings.  It can be different every time.  



FIVE
If you haven't yet tried the new drink from Starbuck, it's delish!  The perfect amount of sweetness.

 

Wishing y'all a wonderful weekend!  

Today I'm linking up with:

 Oh Hey Friday! / High Five for Friday / 5 on Friday

*Affiliate links included in this post.  Thank you for supporting

The Happy Little Hive!

Apple Nachos

Since we were already having chicken wings, pepperoncini beef sliders, and other assorted goodies during the Super Bowl, these apple nachos were the perfect sweet little treat with a little less guilt.

 Really the sky is the limit with the toppings you choose.  These were a bit less daunting to eat than a traditional caramel apple, but with all the same yummy goodness.

Apple Nachos
Ingredients:

• Granny Smith Apples, sliced
• caramel sauce
• chocolate sauce
• white chocolate chips
• chocolate chips
• butterscotch chips
• pecans, chopped

Directions:

• Slice apples and layer on a plate.
• Top with your favorite toppings.

Notes:

• I used a different variety apple, but think the Granny Smith would hold up better.
• We preferred the mini chips - easier to manage.
• In hindsight, peanut butter chips would have been delicious.  
• I would make this the day of your event, not before. 

Happy "Cooking"!

Sip and Shop Sunday [Keen Shoes]

Happy Superbowl Sunday!  Our team didn't even make it to the play offs this year, but we will be rooting for the Falcons tonight.  We still claim Dwight Freeney as our own and are hoping to see him sack a certain (not well liked in this hive) Patriot quarterback.

Sipping...
Today is the perfect day to sip a Panache - one of my favorite things I sipped while in Paris, so light and refreshing.  It's a simple as mixing half(ish) part French sparkling lemonade, such as Lorina, with one part Lager.  I haven't tried it yet with Sparkling Ice Lemonade, but think it would probably work well.  Trader Joe's also has a French Market version.  Mix to your personal taste - I like it just a bit over 1/4 lemonade.  Just make sure to use a light beer, perfect the Superbowl tonight.

Shopping...

 

Brother #3 gifted me with the Keen Sienna Mary Jane for Christmas and I've worn them nearly every day since.  They are darker in person and are the most comfortable shoes!!  I go all day at school and my feet still feel good when I finally crawl into bed at night.  (Which is saying something for my picky, pain-prone feet.)

This isn't the first pair of Keens Brother #3 has given me...in fact, it's the third.  Knowing how much I have loved the first two pairs of sandals (the first of which are 10 years old and are still kicking) and being sick of seeing me in them in the dead of winter even, he decided it was finally time for me to have a winter version.  (I have a purple pair and a pair that are the color of the pink stripe.  Nordstrom carries other colors as well as different styles.)

I promise you...your feet won't be sorry!  Who will you be rooting for this evening??

Happy Sipping and Shopping!

*This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for supporting The Happy Little Hive!

Friday Five [2.3.17]

Oh my goodness, what a week!!  I had all sorts of posts planned for the week, but then....

ONE
Hubby brought home this cutie on Sunday.  According to Hubby, "he just jumped right in my car".  Sure, Honey.  Let's just say we've had many a conversations about the whole thing.  He's sweet as can be, and although he's stayed with us this week, he will not be staying permanently.  Our old man Stan just isn't having it.

TWO
In the madness that was our mornings with cute little pup I forgot my Yeti not just once, but twice this week.  I knew that I loved it, but was reminded just how much.  It really does work and it really is worth the money.  (I added a little vinyl monogram from Etsy to make it even better.)

THREE
Our punter for the Colts announced his retirement this week.  I realize for most teams this probably isn't that big of a deal, but McAfee is simply the best both on and off the field.  (And with our team he's certainly kicked A LOT of punts these last couple years.)  From making huge tackles to paying electric bills for those in need, we will miss him, but are thrilled he will be staying in Indy!



FOUR
One of my kiddos shares Bible verses from her lunchbox everyday.  If things in the lunchroom are particularly hectic and I don't have the opportunity to read them during duty she leaves them for me as a surprise for later.  Once I opened my Ipad cover and there it was.  This week she left it under my cup.  (Although she mentioned it was confusing because it wasn't my normal cup, but the IU made her think it was mine.  HA!) Such a little bright spot during the day.

FIVE
I know Hubby's real motive for bringing home a new friend (or trying to at least) is that our pup is aging quickly.  This quote came to mind.

Wishing y'all a wonderful weekend!  

Today I'm linking up with:

 Oh Hey Friday! / High Five for Friday / 5 on Friday

*Affiliate links included in this post.  Thank you for supporting

The Happy Little Hive!