What would we do with out wine in this world!?

     Ugh, it's another Seattle-type-of-day here! Well I'm not sure it's so COLD there! It's been like this all day... and the forecast is saying it's going to be this way for awhile. What happened to April showers!? It's not April here fellas! 
      Wine. Wine is such a refreshing invigorating  beverage! Definitely my drink of choice! Has been for years. I love how you can add to it and make it just what you are feeling for that day! This past weekend I definitely needed some fruity, smooth but strong wine! Sangria was the first thing that came to my mind! This is the easiest sangria to make and it's just too good!
      I made a mental list and off to the store I was! 


    Here is what you will need: (this makes 2 pitchers (Mr. Coffee Tea maker size pitchers)


1Orange
1Pear
1 Tangerine 
1 small container of Blackberries
About 5 Strawberries
1 Mango
2 Kiwi's 
1 small cluster of grapes
1 sweet but crispy apple
1 Large gallon of Chablis wine
1 bottle of peach schnapps
2 Pitchers 
1 Bowl


Directions: 


1. Cut up all the fruit and put it in a bowl. 
2. Once all the fruit is cut up in the bowl, pour the wine and the schnapps in the bowl and let it soak over night. 

This is the wine I used

For best results let the fruit soak over night in the wine and schnapps, then add remaining the next day! 

The next day I was definitely enjoying myself! 

Once it's soaked, enjoy a glass! Add a garnish!

Make it yourself!

      Ugh, it's Monday morning and it's pretty blah looking here in IL. I get a little confused if I live in Seattle or IL at times, it's always muggy and raining here lately! But as a friend reminded me today, It may be Monday and blah, but take it as a "fresh start". It's a new beginning! So on that note, here's to a new beginning Monday! 
      So I wanted to make some changes in my life and see how much money I can save in a set amount of time.... I'm debating on the time frame? 6 months? A year? I started searching through all the things that you buy on a regular basis and how you could save money on those items! One thing I thought of that I HATE buying is laundry soap! So let the searching begin how to make your own and save! 
     I'm stoked, not only is it cheaper but it last forever! Well based off doing about 10 loads a week, it lasts about 11 months! It's very strong and it only takes a tablespoon per load! 


      Here is the recipe I found:
       
1. 1 x 4lb box of Borax (sold at Walmart)
2. 1 x 4lb box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
3. 1 x 4lb box of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
4. 3 x bars of Fels-naptha soap (or 1-2 large bars of Zote soap!)
5. 2 x small containers of oxyclean (sold at the dollar store!)

      Directions:
1. Use a cheese grater and grate your soap just like you would cheese. You can use a food processor if you don't have a grater. 


2. Toss all of the ingredients into a 5 gallon bucket or box lined with a plastic garbage bag (this makes your house smell good too!)


*Once your laundry detergent is all mixed, store it however you like! I made this container and bought a measuring spoon from the dollar store! 

Super easy and money saving!

Puppies!

     So it's been a crazy week! Not only did I find out we have to move again soon, our dog also had puppies! They were born Monday evening starting at about 5pm until about 3am. She delivered 9 puppies. The runt didn't make it =( I think he was just too little and was too weak. I set my alarm every hour for the duration of the night last night to try everything I had to make it a survivor. It just wasn't enough. Maybe he's better off; Not in pain or living a less than great life b/c his organs didn't develop correctly. Sad. 
     But we have 8 healthy very energetic <already> pups! They were born on Oct 31st-Nov 1st so they will be due to be let go to their new homes on Christmas Eve! How perfect! I hope that we can get a cute Christmas picture with all of them before we send them on their ways to their new homes! 
     Today, November 3rd, I am taking them in to get their dew claws extracted and their tails docked. They say the sooner you can get them in to get them done, the better, since they are so young they don't have feeling yet so the procedures won't hurt them. That's good to know! 
     I am searching for a way to color coat them so the new owners will  be able to view our puppy cam and watch their puppy as it grows! I wish I had that option when I got my boxer!
     My dog is the male/the father. We got him a little over a year ago (Oct 15th to be exact) for my 29th birthday. We drove near Springfield IL to pick him out. I was first interested in the reverse brindle. I really wanted an all black boxer, I wanted a rarity! Sure enough, I ended up with a rarity! An all white boxer! Who ended up being the perfect fit! 
     Just a few months ago the two (Gabi (the mother) and Wynsten (the father)) began to show interest in each other.... and what do you know, 9 weeks later the puppies are here! They are in great health and will  be taken the best care of by us! Guaranteed! 

                                   I will blog as the days come and post more pics! 

The Healthy Life!

     Whew! Life is crazy hu? You never know what is going to change, when or how? Or how you are going to adjust for that matter! 
     SO many changes have been happening lately! Some good, some stressful, some life changing! One of the good changes that has happened is, I found a coffee I love, that makes you feel better and it's not 1,000! I just recently discovered it, but have already felt a difference. Everyone should try it! It has so many health benefits! It has over 150 antioxidants in it and it's all natural! It's originated out of Malaysia.
    The first day I drank it, even though it has the equivalent of a normal cup of coffee's caffeine, I got a buzz! The second I noticed I slept a little better that night. The third day I was feeling all over pretty good. The days went on and I felt more energetic with out the crash or "hang over" I would get when drinking normal coffee. I was hooked!
     I haven't had Starbucks in weeks!! And I don't miss it! I'm feeling so much better. Sometimes you don't really realize how "bad" you feel until you feel that much better! 
     I am going to Chicago this weekend and plan on sharing it with friends! Until then....

Moment of realization.....

      I don't know what it is lately... I've been so inspired! I've had an overwhelming feeling of happiness and passion and the drive to live out my dreams. It's such a great feeling to dwell in. Yesterday I just couldn't get my mind off of all the things that I want to do in and with my life. 
     I had a moment of realization... You can make this/your life ANYTHING you want it to be! You CAN do ANYTHING you WANT to do. It was almost a sigh of relief. I have been surrounded by people and attitudes of regret or just a "blah" about life. How do these people miss it? How can they not see that if they are not happy, they CAN change it! They don't have to live a mediocre life! You don't have to settle for "whatever life brings you". Get up, shake that attitude/mind set and LIVE! 
     I know it's not easy... I have been depressed.... really depressed... devastated in fact. The hardest part of recovery is the mind set. Get with yourself, have a little meeting, get your mind right and pull yourself up with your boot straps. Look for those who know you and believe in you for inspiration. 
     My life has been anything but a piece of cake! However through all the things I have realized; I can either 1. dwell on the things that hurt/upset and almost destroyed me or I can 2. let the past fade! Let the past be the past. Live for the future! Make your "Bucket List"!! MOVE ON!! 

     This is a song by One Republic (which I have a new found love and respect for!) and I think it should be a theme song!! Live so you can love life!