Getting to Know You Blog Hop!!

I'm so excited about this fun Blog Hop hosted by Mariel at "Or so she says..."!  It's a fun way to get know a little bit more about me and the other contributors on her fantastic blog! Mariel is someone I have grown to love, admire and respect a great deal. I love her blog. Mainly because she tries so hard to have something for everyone. If you have not followed her yet, you are missing out. You can follow her here on Facebook also.

To get to know us all better, Mariel asked us to answer these few questions.

What inspired you to start your blog (or shop?) I started my blog as a type of journal, but also a way to keep my family out west connected to my crazy bunch. 

What's your favorite and least favorite thing about blogging? My favorite thing about blogging is just sitting down and putting thoughts, memories and emotions into a post. My least favorite thing is not having enough time to do it all!

Tell me with only 20 words, 20 things you love. God, hubby, kiddos, snuggling, helping, thunderstorms, tickles, flowers, hope, laughter, hugs, chocolate, family, memories, friends, creating, reading, Sunday's, photography, piano.

What is the one recipe you are most often asked to share?  Please share it with us! 
My homemade caramels. But, I've been sworn to secrecy. The second most requested one would be my buttermilk bread. It's so yummy and easy. You throw it all into the bread machine and go!

BUTTERMILK BREAD
For a TWO pound bread machine

1 1/2 c. + 2 TBL Cultured Buttermilk, 80 degrees F/27 degrees C (the buttermilk should be warm enough where it's almost uncomfortable to leave your finger in there)

1/4 c. oil

1/4 c. sugar

2 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. baking soda

4 c. flour

2 1/4 tsp. Active Dry Yeast OR 1 1/2 tsp. Quick Rise Yeast

Put all the ingredients in your bread machine in the order of the recipe. After you put the flour in, make a small hole in the flour and put your yeast in it. 

Select your normal White Bread Cycle. I choose light crust, because anything else is too done. At least for my cute little bread machine.

For a 1 1/2 pound bread machine:

1 c. + 2 TBL Cultured Buttermilk, 80 degrees F/27 degrees C

3 TBL oil

3 TBL sugar

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

3 c. flour

2 tsp. Active Dry Yeast OR 1 1/2 tsp. Quick Rise Yeast

For a 1 pound bread machine:

3/4 c. + 2 TBL Cultured Buttermilk, 80 degrees F/27 degrees C

2 TBL oil

2 TBL sugar

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking soda

2 c. flour

1 1/2 tsp. Active Dry Yeast OR 1 tsp. Quick Rise Yeast

5 favorite beauty products, right now... what are they? EOS lip balm, Maybelline The Volume Rocket Express mascara (BEST mascara...especially if you have thin eyelashes.), Revlon ColorBurst Balm Stain, Pantene Expert AgeDefy hair products (mama's got lots of unruly grays!), and Bath & Body Works Orange Ginger body cream.

What's your personal mantra(s)?  Something you tell yourself on a regular basis? All is Well. Or at least it will be soon. :)

What movie made you laugh more than any other? The Proposal! Oh my goodness...I was recently reminded that this movie makes me laugh!! ...and laugh, and laugh, and laugh!

If you could recommend one family vacation, what would it be? I think mine would be Yellowstone, state parks, or anywhere else we can explore. No long lines, no expensive hotels, lots of exploring to do. We have so many kids, so these are the ones we've always gravitated towards. 

What goals are you currently working on? There are always SO MANY! Right now, to be happy in the moment, to come up with a rock solid meal plan for the next 2 weeks, find time to read a good book, love on my family like crazy, and get my desk organized.

Please share links to 3 blog posts (or items from your shop) that are special to you (or favorites of yours), and explain why.

My Friend "K"  Ahhh...this is one of my favorites mainly because it just gives me major gut giggles.  My friend "K" truly is one of my greatest joys.

I See You  I love rereading this post, because it was such a POWERFUL reminder for me to stop and enjoy my kids. It's always amazing to me the things you can learn from your children.

The Dentist...Gone Horribly Wrong  Why this post? I think it's so important to be able to laugh at ourselves. ...so very important!  

My Etsy Shop  This fun little shop on the side makes me so happy. It creates a bit of stress when orders are crazy, but I love it. I love that I can sit in my home and make something that people want to buy. I can take "love on my kiddos" breaks and then get back to work.

Take a minute to hop on over to the other contributor's of "Or so she says...". They are SO GREAT!

Participating Blogs: Cooking with Ruthie Blissful Roots Lemon Tree Dwelling Tips for Family Trips Five Heart Home Double the Deliciousness Nine a Plenty Creative Carmella So Festive! Family Volley Bits of Everything Kiki & Company Additional Contributors (not in blog hop): Packed with Fun Darling Darleen Prepared Housewives Kleinworth & Co. Blahnik Baker Shopgirl The Connection We Share