not a trophy wife

Inspire Me Monday Link Party #196

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INSPIRE ME MONDAY #196

inspire_me_monday_link_party

Welcome to Inspire Me Monday 196

Did you have a great weekend? I shared the details for the fall television lineup here if you like to binge watch after homework and dishes.

Before linking & leaving we would love for you to visit at least one other link and comment. Comments make everyone’s day. For last week’s party, the most popular link last week was  104. You can check it out here.

best natural makeup brands

I had a few favorites too.

Inspire Me Monday 196 Favorites

I am obsessed with peel & stick backsplash tile so I loved this one.

Transform your kitchen with a $35 subway tile backsplash using wallpaper! This peel and stick wallpaper is inexpensive and easy to work with! 

And then I want to try these apple pie cookies.

4-Bite Apple Pies Image

IF YOU WERE FEATURED ON THIS WEEK’S INSPIRE ME MONDAY, PLEASE GRAB A BUTTON & SHARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
WE LOVE TO GROW THE INSPIRE ME MONDAY PARTY. 

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Here are your hosts for the Inspire Me Monday Link Party: 

Laura from Not A Trophy Wife
Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram
BonBon from Farmhouse 40 
Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram 
 
Emily at Life On Oak Hill
Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram
 
Janice from Mostly Blogging
Facebook | Facebook Business | Google Plus | Twitter | Pinterest

Nicole from Mama Of Many Blessings
Facebook | Google Plus – | Pinterest  | Twitter  | Instagram

A FEW QUICK REMINDERS!

      • FAMILY FRIENDLY POSTS PLEASE.  LINK DIRECTLY TO THE POST NOT YOUR HOMEPAGE

Weekend with the Television

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It’s the weekend! We spent the last two weekends at tennis tournaments around the state so we are looking forward to a weekend at home with the television. Denver has cooler weather moving in for a few days which is the perfect excuse to watch television while adding pumpkins to every corner of my house.

And, if the temps drop maybe light some candles.  Nothing says fall than candles.  Yes, it’s going to be a party at our house with me, the television and pumpkins!

week-ending-with-the-television

One of my guilty television shows is the RHOC. I know. I know. Is anyone else watching this television series?

This is the only Real Housewife series I watch. At one point I watched the Atlanta, NYC and the Jersey girls. And after a few screaming matches and table flips, I decided there was too much ugliness between these women.

week-ending-with-the-television

But, the OC girls?  I just can’t quit this Bravo television series.

And, then there is Jeff Lewis. A few summers ago my sister introduced me to this LA-based, snarky home flipper and designer. My sister and I binged the entire seven seasons (at that time) while painting her house. I love his no filter attitude but I would never want to be on the receiving end of his biting comments.

What’s on your list if you had a weekend with the television? While doing a weekend television binge I love to scroll thru my Bloglovin feed for inspiration.

Heather shared a fun personality test here.

And, then Leslie made this for $15.00 and I am in love.

Looking for a fun table runner that your kids or grandkids will love to make? Check out this one.

I am stalking Julie and her front porch!

The Hallmark Christmas movie schedule is here.

Who is not looking for pillows? Check out this collection of pillow finds.

Country Living put together this pumpkin farm list.

Giveaway

Here is a giveaway going on right now.

 

 

 

Vintage Autumn Giveaway

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Are you ready for a giveaway? I’m joining Katherine, her giveaway sponsor La Bella Vita Cucina and some of Katherine’s blogger friends to bring you the Vintage Autumn Giveaway!

One winner will receive beautiful vintage autumn home decor valued at $150 and a $75 Amazon gift card too!

The prize is provided by La Bella Vita Cucina, Katherines Corner, Katherines Corner Shop, and ALL of the lovely giveaway Hostesses.

Please remember to follow Katherine, Roz and ALL of the giveaway hostesses so you can get all of your entry opportunities.

Katherine-Katherines Corner

Roz- La Bella Vita Cucina

Lisa-Casa Bouquet

Bev-Eclectic Red Barn

Shea- The Fogue Abode

Laura- Not a Trophy Wife

Tamaki-Bubbling with Elegance and Grace

Nina-Vintage Mamas Cottage

Disclaimer from Katherines Corner-Some of Katherine’s giveaways have sponsors, Katherines Corner may receive compensation for reviews and advertising provided through a sponsored giveaway. However, no compensation will influence the outcome of any review or giveaway win. Katherines Corner provides reviews to readers in order to provide an informed decision before purchase. Katherines Corner and its affiliate Bobskatie Enterprises reserves the right to not publish a review of a product or products that do not meet the specified instructions provided to product submission companies or individuals. Reviews are posted in the appropriate section at Katherines Corner and also at Amazon.com ( subject to products availability) This in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

To Enter please log into the entry form using your Email Address or Facebook login

Amazon is not endorsing or in any way responsible for this giveaway.

Good Luck in the Giveaway!


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Week-Ending Fall Television Season

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It’s the weekend! Thoughts and prayers are with residents and first responders in North and South Carolina. We were in Charleston last spring for a college tour. It is a beautiful part of the country.

 

So let’s lighten the mood with a few thoughts and finds around the internet. This week-ending is all about the fall television season. Yes, I am taking a short break from pumpkins to talk about the fall television season- the fifth season in the year.

Here’s the list of all the new television shows debuting this fall.

CBS shared their fall preview here.

I have my eye on this NBC show by Amy Poehler.

Here is an interview with one of the cast members. You may recognize him from other shows. Fun fact: at one point he was married to Rory Gilmore’s best friend, Paris.

Another Gilmore Girls’ alum has his show renewed for a second season. Here is the fall television schedule for ABC.

Speaking of the Gilmore Girls…is there talk of another season? My daughter and I binged watched the most recent one over Thanksgiving two years ago. I loved Lorelai’s coat in the winter season.

Oh, and then I found this fun article of filming mistakes that may want you to rewatch it one more time.

for gilmore girls a year in the life

Source: Dayton.com

 

First, what new shows do you have your eye on this fall? Please share in the comments so we can all binge on the fall television shows.

ps. What do we all get with the new television season? Commercials! Here’s a fun Subaru commercial series my sister texted me about earlier this week.

 

 

 

Make SomeONE Smile

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Today I am volunteering at a local food bank. When I scheduled my volunteer time and a tour of a food bank I didn’t realize the week from Tuesday was on September 11th until I physically wrote the commitment in my calendar. And, when I realized the significance of the date, on a Tuesday this year, I could not think of a better way to find the good in the day. And, how one sentence can make someone smile; a complete stranger.

Adding a little goodness to my community sounded like the best way to honor the lives from September 11th, 2001.

Here’s the email exchange between the director and myself following her invitation t to tour the food bank on Tuesday, September 11th, 2018:

One Sentence Can Make SomeONE Smile

HI Marion,

September 11th at 1pm is on my calendar! I can’t think of a better place to be on this day. 

When I went through my emails at the end of the day I read her response:

Thanks for putting a smile on my face! See you on September 11th!

And, that email exchange reminded me how one sentence has the power to make someone smile.  It also made me feel so good that a sentence filled with reverence could make someone else smile. It was an email exchange; a sentence.

Here’s what I found for you to share with someone and make someONE smile.

Did you see the newest exhibit titled the Comeback Season at the 9/11 Memorial in NYC?  My son and I toured this amazing Memorial last fall on our first annual mother-son trip and plan a second visit this fall.

Find the Good

And, then I watched the newest 9/11  Wind Chime Memorial in  Shanksville, Pennsylvania. What a beautiful memorial to the heroic passengers on a flight that decided to fight back.

Find the Good

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspire Me Monday #193

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INSPIRE ME MONDAY #193

inspire_me_monday_link_party

Welcome to Inspire Me Monday # 193.

Hope you enjoyed your Labor Day Weekend!

How was your week? Are you ready for the school year and pumpkins? I shared a few fun links over the weekend here.

I love finding new projections on Inspire Me Monday. This party inspires me too! Before linking & leaving I would love for you to visit at least one other link and comment. Comments inspire me too!

The most popular link was # 81 right here.

Here is one of my favorites from last week. It’s a twist on a pumpkin.
Hanging pumpkin planter on a fall porch

IF YOU WERE FEATURED Don’t FORGET TO GRAB YOUR BUTTON:

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Here are your hosts: 

BonBon from Farmhouse 40 
Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram 
 
Emily at Life On Oak Hill
Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram
 
Janice from Mostly Blogging
Facebook | Facebook Business | Google Plus | Twitter | Pinterest

Nicole from Mama Of Many Blessings
Facebook | Google Plus – | Pinterest  | Twitter  | Instagram
Laura from Not A Trophy Wife
Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram
 

A FEW QUICK REMINDERS!

      • FAMILY FRIENDLY POSTS PLEASE.  LINK DIRECTLY TO THE POST NOT YOUR HOMEPAGE.

Weekending in September

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Happy Labor Day! Do you have big plans for the weekend?  My weekending on the first weekend in September will include time to haul out the pumpkins and gourds. Anyone bingeing on Netflix this weekend. We are excited for Better Call Saul and Ozarks to return.

Does anyone listen to Hoda Kotb on her Sirius radio show?

She has a Southern girl on her show. She has a two syllable last name and she loves to entertain. Does anyone know who I am talking about?

Weekending in September

In other news, I found this list of the best pumpkin patch farms around the country. Do you have pumpkins in September? It’s a little early here in Colorado.

If you want to take your snickerdoodle cookies up a notch check out this recipe.

Need some help getting your house ready for fall? Try these suggestions.

 

Here’s a fun twist on a quesadilla.

Craving apples check out this roundup of apple recipes!

I found a cute pumpkin printable here. 

 

Here are a few of my favorite fall projects. My favorite is my son’s Halloween costume made from one box.

And, I snapped this photo on my mother-son trip to NYC last fall.

And, here’s a very easy idea for Halloween donuts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Runner’s View of Colorado

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What happened to summer? My son just left for college and my house is quiet with one less child at home. Which brings me back to how I de-stress. I run, break a sweat or eat chocolate. One of these things is not like the others…

This is the hill that leads out of our neighborhood. It’s steep and it’s a bear (and yes it’s not uncommon to see a mama bear and her cubs in the early morning. It’s the hill when you see a neighbor chugging up the hill you roll down your window and yell a few encouraging words. But look at that sky! Colorado has over 300 days of sunshine a year! Oh, and no humidity. It’s the perfect weather for outdoor enthusiasts.

a run with a view

The trouble with hills was over time my hamstrings and core said, “no more.” It’s been a rough year and a half figuring out the injury (need to treat the source, not the symptom). Blah blah blah. I do more physical therapy now than in the previous 20 years.

So my “team” suggested mixing up my runs with dirt (and tracks). I fought this suggestion for a while because certain types of critters also like the dirt and the sunshine. And, I will do more harm to my ankles, shins, knees and if I as much as see one of these guys. I shared my annual summer yard fear.

On a particularly warm morning, I decided to try my knee (hamstring) on the dirt roads. I found a few snapshots of Colorado life along the way.  5280 is a reference to the number of feet (mile) above sea level. In our part of the city, we are well above 5280. Because I have lived in Colorado for so long, I do not notice the difference in altitude. But, when my son was home from college in Minneapolis it took him a few days to adjust to the altitude.

Along this route, there are usually buffalo roaming in the distance behind the fence. This is a 2 lane dirt road and although most drivers give a friendly wave to acknowledge the runners; it’s not a guarantee. It gets a little precarious around the bends and turns.

Some of you may have seen this on my Instagram feed over the weekend. This greeted me when I finished my run. It puts all of the struggles, pains, complaints in perspective. What are your favorite runs in your city?

 

Weekending | Last Days of August

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Weekending in the last days of August means earlier sunsets creep over the horizon and cooler temps in the early mornings. I am fighting the force to pull out my fall decor until September 1st. One of my favorite things to do is rediscover purchases I bought on sale the end of last year’s season. You know those great buys that we stash in the closet and forget about it until the following year.

last -days-of-august

We are in the early weeks of high school tennis. My son is a senior so there are so many “lasts” this year and I just want to hold onto every week of school, matches, dinners and his school packed lunches. And, Calculus.

So here are a few things on my mind and favorite finds in the last days of August.

What are you watching on Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Showtime? We are waiting for Ozarks to return the end of this month. My husband and I went and saw Crazy Rich Asians last weekend. After a difficult week, I needed a laugh. Did you see it?

On my list to do is to clean up my Pinterest boards. Any suggestions. Here’s a few fun August finds to get ready for fall.

 

Here is a fun fall craft.

Want to find the best pumpkin patches, check out this list.

I love the Bath & Body candles and daily emails mean 1/2 price candles every week. And, soaps!

I am obsessed with fonts. Here is a list of free fonts to download.

Fall is all about leaves. Check out these decor and craft ideas with leaves. Love it!

Donna shared a DIY apple crate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Path Less Traveled Because of a Snake

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For all you homeowners out there can we talk about the often ignored side yard. At our house, it’s the path less traveled to the backyard. I avoid the flagstone path from April until Halloween because I am terrified of snakes. And, on unforgettable afternoon last summer and a series of unfortunate events I saw a garden snake slither across the pave stone path. I screamed! Followed by a full on sprint for the 3 1/2 feet to the back door that leads into the kitchen. I locked the door and did not use that side gate entrance until November all because of snake.

No joke.

path-less-traveled

Yes, I know garden snake means no harm. I get it. I just want him or her to relocate to another zip code.  My son nicknamed her Charlotte thinking it might help my phobia if she had a  name. I don’t even like to see images of snakes.

Suggestions

This spring I took a chance and Googled something like “how not to have snakes in the yard.”  And, the suggestions were common;

  1. Keep the home’s exterior free from clutter to avoid mice
  2. And something about hawks or birds make great deterrents

Armed with these two suggestions I opted to tackle the clutter around the side of the house. Hmmm…

On an unseasonably cool day, I got to work on the side yard by removing the empty flower pots, garden tools, potting soil, and that garden bench my husband made for me. But not before arming myself with a garden hose and push broom.

 

 

 

The second suggestion was to encourage birds to relocate to our backyard. So I bribed (encouraged) the birds with a hearty buffet of birdseed.

Most people add birdseed to their bird feeders, but I needed a more aggressive sales pitch. I sprinkled (threw) birdseed along the stone wall adjacent to the path less traveled. That stone wall is like a high rise apartment for all types of critters.

With a clean, empty side space along the path to the backyard, I found a few ideas of what I wanted the side yard and path to look like.


Oh, and guess what we saw circling above our back yard a few weeks ago?

Share your comments and um … snake deterrent strategies!

 

 

 

 

founder & contributor | not a trophy wife

founder & contributor | not a trophy wife

Home & Life Style Blogger. I talk & type about houses. I am a licensed Realtor. Every Home Deserves to Feel Special. About Me: Coffee. Sharpies. Contracts. Break a Sweat Every Day. Family. Just like our homes I am a work in progress!

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