❤️ Happy Valentine's Day! ❤️

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY LOVELIES!!! 

❤️

Valentine's Day is a sweet little holiday that I have always adored. It's a fun, sweet little holiday! Plus, the actual sweets!!!

I love chocolate covered berries, so when I saw the Herbalife shake versions- I HAD to try it!

If you don't like chocolate covered strawberries, try the chocolate covered raspberry version! 

I used a frozen berry medley, which consisted of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries! Using frozen berries is perfect because they also replace the ice!

Whip cream and sprinkles made my Herbalife chocolate covered berry smoothie even more decadent!

Sooooo delicious!! Who doesn't want the chocolate without the guilt and extra bad stuff?!?

Here's a little survey I took in the spirit of Valentine's Day!

❤️ How long have you been together? 12 years this June 

❤️ Who asked who out? He asked me

❤️ Do you have any children together? Our child has four paws 🐾 🐾

❤️ What about pets? Our furbaby, Riley 😻

❤️ Who said I love you first? I did

❤️ Who is the most sensitive? Me

❤️ Where do you eat out most as a couple? We mostly eat in, but maybe O'Charley's?

❤️ Who's older? He's older 

❤️ Who has the worst temper? Equal?

❤️ Who is more social? Hmm...him

❤️ Who is the neat freak? ME!

❤️ Who is the most stubborn? He is

❤️ Who wakes earliest? I'm the morning person ☀️ He's the night owl 🌙

❤️ Who's the funniest? Him

❤️ Where was your first date? To the movies "Cars" and dinner

❤️ Who has the biggest family? Him

❤️ Do you get flowers often? Not often, but always at the perfect time! 💐

❤️ How long did it take to get serious? It was instant!! 

❤️ Who was interested in who first? He was interested in me before we met!

❤️ Who picks where you go out to eat? We compromise.

❤️ Who is the first one to admit when they're wrong? Me

❤️ Who wears the pants in the family? He does

❤️ Who eats more sweets!? Him 🍫

❤️ Who’s more sarcastic? Him 😂

❤️ Who makes the most messes? He does

❤️ Hogs the remote? Me

❤️ Spends the most? Me 💸

❤️ Who is the smartest? He is

❤️ Did you go to the same school? Nope

❤️ Where is the furthest you two have traveled? Cayman Islands

❤️ Who hogs the bed? Him

QUESTIONS

* Do you celebrate Valentine's Day?

* What is your favorite love song 🎵 ?

* Chocolates 🍫 or flowers 💐 ?

Valentine's Day Recap

Happy Wednesday! I hope y'all have been having a good week so far! Who all is ready for the weekend?

So, as you know, this past Sunday was Valentine's Day! Nathan and I had the day off together, but since I haven't been feeling too well here lately, we took it easy and went for a cruise up toward Big South Fork/Pickett State Park! We both love going exploring, even if it is just driving around. Tennessee truly is such an incredible, beautiful state!

First, we stopped and grabbed some Starbucks!
They had some cute cut-outs to take pictures with! We couldn't resist!

For a late morning snack, I had an almond coconut cashew chai KIND bar. I will definitely buy this again, it was SO GOOD!!

On our way to Pickett State Park, we spotted a random train caboose in the middle of nowhere! We drove up to it, and it had a sign stating that coming soon there will be a unique way to stay overnight - how cool would it be to sleep in a renovated train caboose?
I know there is a train hotel in Chattanooga, called the "Chattanooga Choo Choo," where you can sleep in train cars as well! That would be so much fun!

Pickett State Park was actually the first area in the southeast to be listed as a certified dark sky area. Naturally, we wanted to check it out because Nathan is big into astronomy/astrophotography. He will be going back to the park later on this year for a star party!


When we finally arrived at Pickett State Park, there were a couple of pull offs that lured us in, especially since they were close by and easy walks.
We stopped to take a look at one of the two natural bridges in the park, then we explored the Hazard Cave!

I slipped and fell shortly after that last picture....ouch! I was actually pretty sore not too long after falling down, so we ended up cancelling our reservations for dinner.  :(
Luckily, I have been using my Panaway essential oil to rub on my back, etc. to help keep the pain and soreness away! Again, I love these oils!!

However, we still had a nice, intimate, relaxing Valentine's Day! I just love when we are able to spend quality time together!

You can't have Valentine's Day without chocolate!  <3


Since we were basically stuck at home the rest of the day, the decision to make guacamole was made!

Who doesn't love guacamole?! I buy it all the time, but have never tried making my own before.

Ingredients:

3 avocados

2 cloves garlic

1 tomato

1 lime

1/4 red onion

salt

First, I split open the avocados in half and spooned them into a bowl. The next step was spritzing the avocados with lime juice and mashing them up. Separately, the tomatoes, garlic, and red onion were cut into small pieces. Lastly those ingredients were added to the mashed avocado and all mixed together!

My advice would be to mix up the avocado into a food processor or blender. Mashing them by hand left the guacamole a little too chunky. Next time, I would add some Cilantro essential oil to the guacamole for a little bit of extra flavor.

It still tasted awesome! Nathan and I devoured it quickly! 

The past couple of mornings have literally been icy! Yikes! The bad weather makes it even more perfect to be inside and have a cup of hot coffee from my lovely friends at Real Good Coffee Co.! 

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!    :)

Question Time!

* What did you do for Valentine's Day?

* Do you like to go exploring and/or hiking?

* Do you like guacamole? Which ingredients do you prefer in your guacamole?

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Him

Valentine's Day will be here in 5 days! This cute little holiday is fun to celebrate, whether you are celebrating your admiration and love with your partner, family, or friends.

Sometimes it can be difficult finding that perfect gift to give to someone you love. As much as I enjoy the usual sentiments, something a tad bit personal means much more. Valentine's Day gifts don't have to be expensive or elaborate, as long as they are from the heart, it truly is the thought that counts.

Nathan knows that I get a kick out of Valentine's Day, and he always makes an effort to celebrate the holiday with me! (Just one of the million amazing things I adore about my hubby). This year, he made plans way ahead of time, and a dinner reservation at one of the best (in our opinion) restaurants here in Knoxville! I cannot wait!

Of course, I have a funny card to give to him but I want something else to give to him as well! So, I have been contemplating different gift ideas for him! Listed below are some gift ideas that I think would work well for any guy!

Valentine's Day gift ideas for him:

* Lottery tickets - with a card that says "I won the lottery when I fell in love with you!" (a little cheesy, but effective! Plus, it's a win-win if he actually wins the lottery)!  ;p

* A new board game, or a game for his console

* His favorite beer (or liquor) & a pack of nice cigars

* A few tools that he could always use

* Gift card to a local gun range

* Personalized chess set or poker set


Nathan loves when I make my pumpkin spice muffins, so I thought it would be cute to make some heart shaped muffins in this silicone muffin mold that I found at Wal-Mart! I figured it would be sweet to make him a delicious treat!  :)

The only ingredients you need are:

1 box Duncan Hines spice cake mix

 4 oz. Unsweetened applesauce

15 oz. Libby's canned pumpkin

Fisher chopped walnuts

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the cake mix, applesauce, and pumpkin into a mixing bowl - (I used my KitchenAid mixer instead of mixing by hand).

Mix for about 3 minutes until the mixture is fluffy and smooth.

Pour mixture into molds (or cupcake pan), top with chopped walnuts, and bake for about 30 minutes! Do the toothpick test to make sure they are done!

These muffins always turn out perfectly!

Ta Da!!  <3  Enjoy!

Questions:

* Do you celebrate Valentine's Day?

* What gifts would you suggest to give to your partner?

* Think back, what was the most meaningful Valentine's Day gift you received?