Mark your calendar! The NC State Fair is coming Oct 16-26, 2025
September 16, 2025 • Travel
Mark your calendar!
The NC State Fair will take place Oct 16-26, 2025
at the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.
The NC State Fair has been held since 1853.
The State Fair was one of the first things I put on my calendar at the start of the new year.
I am looking most forward to eating all the fair foods, I mean that is top of everyone's list.
Also, the rides and attractions are going to be fun too.
I'm excited for it all!
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| Photo Credit to jkase |
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| Photo Credit to jkase |
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| Photo Credit to jkase |
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| Photo Credit to jkase |
and info to plan your trip.
Buy your tickets in advance here
I'll be back soon, with a post of my weekend at the NC State Fair.
Cheers,
Dana
How to Fall in Love with your Gym!
June 22, 2025 • Lifestyle
I know, no one really wants to talk about going to the gym.
Dreading the gym is a real thing, or at least in my world it is. We really need to retrain our brain to think positive. Being one of those people that hated the gym, I am here for this info too.
I love food, all kinds of food but, at some point I needed to get a handle on my weight.
So, I joined our local Planet Fitness. At first, I was going every now and then, watching them charge me every single month, and getting nothing for it. I finally decided, that I need to get off my ass and workout. I also needed to stop wasting money, and get what I was paying for.
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| The 30 minute workout at Planet Fitness |
If I was going to commit, I need something to keep me coming back. I took the effort to find out why I failed, in all my other attempts at consistently coming to the gym.
My WHY??
Finding my Why took some reflection on my part, but it was a step that needs to be made to not repeat the cycle.
#1 be honest with yourself. You don't have to look far for a reason not to do something, remove all those negatives and picture a happier, healthier you.
How To Fall In Love With Your Gym
Don't commit to a grand workout. Just commit to habit of attendance.
Find a routine that you like. You can find me in the 30 minute circuit, treadmill and massage chairs
Put on some music or a podcast to motivate you or keep you moving
Work out with friends. Everything is more fun with friends.
Start Small- Do what you can and increase the time each visit
Commit to consistency-Every day is a lofty goal, don't do that to yourself. You know your schedule, and just like anything, this time needs to be a priority.
Have a back up plan- if you know you just can't make it to the gym, work in a 30 minute walk after dinner. I think adding in an outdoor activity is huge for me, it gives me a change of scenery, and the fresh air is so good for you.
Get yourself some new gym clothes, I know that doesn't sound like much, but really it makes a big difference. Here are some of my favorite Amazon finds for the gym.
Be patient and kind to yourself! It may take time to develop a love for exercise, so be patient with yourself and don't be afraid to make adjustments, as needed.
Celebrate your progress and your accomplishments, no matter how small. This can help you stay motivated and reinforce the positive aspects of your fitness journey.
To keep you on track and motivated, that's right, I made you a free printable
Good Luck in your journey and remember, you are worth the work you put in.
And now, over to you!
Do you prefer a membership to a gym, or just walking around your neighborhood?? Leave a comment below and lets chat.
Cheers,
Dana
Garlic Butter Mushroom Shrimp Pasta
June 4, 2025 • Cooking
This Quick and Easy Dinner is full of flavor and ready in 15 mins.
15 oz medium shrimp peeled, deveined and tails removed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 tablespoons butter
7 mushrooms sliced
1/2 cup chopped white onion
3 cloves shopped garlic
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock
8 oz spaghetti or pasta of your choice
Instructions
Cook pasta according to package instructions
While the pasta cooks,
Take a medium pan and add the olive oil, butter and onion cook cook for about 3 minutes, until the butter is melted and the onions are soft
Add the shrimp into the pan and cook on medium heat until almost pink.
Remove only the shrimp from the pan, leave the buttery sauce in the pan. Set shrimp aside.
Add mushrooms to the buttery sauce and cook until tender. You may need to add more butter at this point, I always do.
Add the shrimp back into the pan
Add salt & pepper
Add stock
Pour the shrimp and mushroom mixture over the pasta and enjoy!
This is an amazingly easy dish and so quick.
Make it your own, add more butter, add more onions, just enjoy a good home cooked meal.
Cheers!
Dana
Why You Need a Summer Bucket List & Free Printable
May 12, 2025 • Lifestyle
Summer is one of the sweetest times of the year. It has long days, warm temperatures and a kind of playing feeling about it!
To welcome in this glorious season, lets make a summer bucket list.
Yes, I am a list maker nerd!
I've included a free Summer Bucket List printable to get you started.
Studies show that if you write things on a list, you have a higher chance of putting in more effort to completion.
The summer list helps you achieve all the fun you want to have.
I promise you making a summer bucket list will give you no regrets when you arrive in September.
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WHY YOU NEED A SUMMER BUCKET LIST
-To Make Memories
-You only get 13 Weekends from Memorial Day & Labor Day
-Improve your Mental Health
-Strengthens Relationships
-Summer Refreshes your Spirit
-Group Effort, every family member participates and gets a say in what goes on the list
-Put it on a poster board and display it in your house for all to see, this not only gets you excited but, it may encourage others to make a Summer Bucket List too!
To have more fun!
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2025 SUMMER BUCKET LIST
Go Tubing-My #1 Goal every summer.Water calms the soul and I really need to be in it as much as possible this summer
Have a Picnic-pack the fancy dishes
Road Trip-close your eyes and pick a place on the map and venture off to somewhere new. Roll the windows down and feel the wind as you drive and yes, sing out loud to the radio!
Visit a Local Farmers Market and cook a meal with the fresh ingredients
Take a hike! With so many beautiful places to see you should never be inside.
Host a BBQ. Have friends over and eat outside
Take in an outdoor movie or have one in your yard. So many fun options here. Be whimsical.
Watch the Sunset as often as possible
Go Camping, if you can only make it to your front yard, it will still be memorable.
Go to outdoor concerts
Visit a rooftop bar and enjoy the views
Take some time to rest, hang your hammock in a tree and chill
Forget your phone, whatever is going on will be fine until you get back.
I hope you feel inspired to make a summer bucket list and to live your life intentionally, and not on auto pilot.
Now, Over to you,
Let me know what's going on your summer bucket list??
What have you been dreaming of doing with your kids, friends or just by yourself in the summer?
Cheers,
Dana
Shopping the Grocery Store Outer Edge and Beyond
January 16, 2025 • weight loss
Years ago someone told me the best way to eat healthy is to only shop the outer edge of the grocery store. You know, the veggies, meats, milk, cheese & dairy. Well yes, I agree to a point. Eating healthy is a discipline, so I think I'm disciplined enough to go into the center of the store and pick out some rice or dry beans.
Most stores have the Fruit & Veggies first as you come in the door. You can't have too many of the things from here. I am going for a 2 per meal.
If you do venture to the middle of the grocery store it is ok to get cookies, maybe look for ones that are sugar free and take them in moderation. Look at me dispensing advice, like I know what I am doing. I do not! The cookies with the M & M's in them are my fav. I normally have 3 a night with a big glass of milk. That has to stop!
.png "Make the Change!")
This quote right here says so much!
When it comes to the deli it can be a little tricky.
Most of the meat in the deli has preservatives to prolong the shelf life.
But, you can go for the turkey breast, a lean ham or roast beef.
Once again here you are going to pass some beautiful cookies and cakes, are you picking up or passing by?
Next up, we keep pushing our buggy with the wobbly wheel to
The Meat Department.
.jpeg "Meat Department")
Here is where you can kinda do your thing!
What do you have on your menu plan?I am a chicken girl, I love red meat but, rarely make it. I think it is because chicken is so versatile. Try to avoid any meats that come in a box. These are refined and can be a lower quality than fresh meat. Don't forget about seafood too. Fresh salmon or a cod makes a great dinner.
Now on to my favorite part of the store
Insert Angels signing here
"The Cheese Department"
.jpeg "Cheese Department")
As you can see this is my favorite place in the store.
And some grocery stores have made the cheese section a gorgeous space, and displayed all the cheeses like a giant charcuterie board.
These are the stores I go in and drop half my take home pay on some cheese. Once again discipline! I'm trying!
Try to fill 3/4 of your cart up with items from
these outer perimeter areas. Eat all that you want from these outer edge sections. I mean unless your store is laid out different than mine, but you get the picture.
Never go to the grocery store without a plan. Put together a menu that includes all the meals, plus snacks!
What's that saying,"Failing to plan, is planning to fail"
Love,
Dana
Take a look at the new furniture collection from The Pioneer Woman. It gives vintage looks without the price.
November 29, 2024 • Lifestyle
We all know about The Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond for her best selling cookbooks, and her cooking show and, I am sure if you have been in a Wal Mart lately, you have seen her line of utensils, dishes and other kitchen items.
I own a few spatulas from her line, but that is about it.
But, recently she released a new line of furniture
and it really caught my eye.
My home is a mixture of collected items and new items, and I love the feel, because it gives me peace. I have my Grandma's writing desk, I also have a dresser of hers, and on the back it shows every payment my Grandpa made on the piece. These pieces of furniture mean the world to mean.
The Pioneer Woman Furniture collection give me this same feeling.
"It really is a blend of my own love of vintage-chic pieces and my husband's love of durable, rustic-ranch items," she recently told Southern Living. "I love for the furniture pieces in our home to look like they aren't necessarily brand new, so when I designed this collection, I made sure to incorporate great texture so they had an heirloom, passed down-down feel to them."
Here are just a few of my favorites.
You can see the full collection here.
Pioneer Woman Harper Queen Spindle Bed
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| Pioneer Woman Harper Leather Recliner Whiskey & Faux Cowhide |
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| Pioneer Woman Tufted Sofa Teal |
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| Pioneer Woman Callie Round Dining Table |
Thanks for stopping by!
Dana
Easy French Meringues
July 17, 2024 • Cooking
For years, I have adored these cute French Meringues, but never thought I could make them.
They look so delicate!
I used this recipe from Preppy Kitchen and, they turned out perfect!
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| I colored mine pink |
Tips for the perfect meringue
Eggs must be at room temperature-cold eggs tend to reduce merinque volume
Never let any yoke get into the whites
Don't over beat the eggs
And maybe the most important tip is to add the sugar slowly, very slowly!
Love,
Dana
Coffee & Conversation
July 12, 2024 • Coffee & Conversation
Happy Mid Summer!!
I am a tad behind but, here is the Readers Digest version of things!
Man it has been HOT here in the South, but really everywhere!
But even though it is hot, I am the weird one who still drinks hot coffee, no matter what the temp outside!
Are you team cold coffee or hot?
Around here it has been a busy summer so far, we are trying to pack as much as possible into the time we have before we all head in different directions in mid August.
Ella, Gary & I started playing weekly tennis.
At first we sucked, but now we suck less & less and really enjoy it!
In May, Ella and I took a fantastic girls trip to NYC and it was amazing.
This was the first time we had ever spend any time there and we loved every minute of it.
Here just a few of the hundreds of pictures I snapped.
I am a tad behind but, here is the Readers Digest version of things!
Man it has been HOT here in the South, but really everywhere!
But even though it is hot, I am the weird one who still drinks hot coffee, no matter what the temp outside!
Are you team cold coffee or hot?
Around here it has been a busy summer so far, we are trying to pack as much as possible into the time we have before we all head in different directions in mid August.
Ella, Gary & I started playing weekly tennis.
At first we sucked, but now we suck less & less and really enjoy it!
In May, Ella and I took a fantastic girls trip to NYC and it was amazing.
This was the first time we had ever spend any time there and we loved every minute of it.
Here just a few of the hundreds of pictures I snapped.
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| NYC view from The Hudson River Line |
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| OMG! I ran into Wallace Shawn while walking to dinner! |
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| We met a Rockette after touring Radio City Music Hall |
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| NYC Dana was loving it! |
In June, we took our yearly family cruise trip to the Bahamas.
Taking a cruise is one of our favorite ways to travel.
We cruised out of Tampa and it was so much fun.
Allure of the Seas was an amazing ship!
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| Central Park on Allure of the Seas |
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| Loving our Perfect Day at CoCo Cay! |
Here are some items I have been loving around our house!
Heads up, cafe curtains are coming back in style and I am loving them! I recently removed my blinds from my kitchen and put up cafe curtains. They are shear and allow light thru, but give privacy.
In my neck of the woods, the only thing that is outside of our windows are Deer.
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New River or kayaking on Lake Norman.
I have eaten my share of watermelon this summer and it is always a refreshing treat!
Do you salt your watermelon? I think it is a Southern thing!
We have also been cleaning our garage(ugh) and our attic. Whew! It is a dirty chore, but so needed. Having clean organized spaces is my love language. It is amazing the crap we keep!
I have used Bagster in the past because it is so easy, I throw all my junk in it, schedule pick up and done!
Sorry so short and sweet! See you next week!
Love,
Dana
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