Category: Uncategorized (Page 3 of 3)

Freshen Up Your Home!

April 1, 2021 / Shelly Latinovich / 2 Comments

Do you have a specific decor style? I don’t! That’s part of my problem….I love so many different styles! I change my mind often because there are SO many beautiful things out there to decorate with. Do you have the same problem? Or are you content with your style but looking for some new piece(s) to freshen up your home?
I am LOVING this new website I recently discovered…Antique Farm House. Not only do I love their products, but their website is so user friendly. You can shop by room, sale event, department or style. How’s that for helping you narrow things down quickly! If you are thinking, “This post isn’t for me…I’m not an antique farm house girl,” think again!
Their style and shipping is similar to Decor Steals, which I posted about last year. I have added several of their awesome pieces to my home and am in love with their products. Be sure to look back at my earlier blog on home decor by clicking right here!!! You need to pay attention to their shipping notes, which they clearly post…and remember…good things come to those who wait. It is not an overnight shipping but it does come in a timely manner!

Mixing Decor Styles ~

I am not an interior designer, but I do love decorating! Because of this, I read many articles (I also love reading 😉). While I am sure some will disagree, there are many articles out there that state that some of the most beautiful and inviting homes actually mix different home decor styles. There you have it….don’t be afraid to try new things!
If you are mixing design styles though, be sure to create unity between the different styles with things such as color or linking the two with various pieces of each. You can also use a beautiful piece of wall art to help combine your interests. Make your home cohesive and beautiful while still showing off your own individual personality.
When my daughters and I are shopping, we many times will state, “Oh, this piece looks like so and so,” (filling in the so and so with whoever comes to mind). Have you ever found yourself doing this? Does it make you wonder what people say when they slide your name into that slot? Do you fall into any of the decorating styles listed below?

Rustic Decor ~

This has to currently be one of my favorite decorating styles. Judging from what is out in stores, I believe there are many others who feel the same way. Check out some of these fun ideas for new additions to your cozy home!
Create interest and depth in your decor by staggering heights. These beautiful round display pedestals by Antique Farm House are made of metal & composite wood! They are perfect for creating different heights! The versatility is amazing as well. They can be used to display your delicious foods or for fun decor as shown in the picture.

This wall canvas full of a variety of pots and vases in soft, natural colors coordinates effortlessly with many styles!

The next one is one of my current favorites….the ideas for this are endless. What would you use this repurposed brick mold display rack for? What room could it add some extra charm to?

***I would love to hear back from all of you on fun ideas you have to use for this beautiful piece? Flowers, Jars, Office Supplies, Candles??? Share them in the comments below…please!

Bedding ~

We CAN’T forget bedding!! From Classic Ticking Stripe…

To French Country Toile….

To Bohemian Strip Quilting…and everything in between!

Whether you are preparing to redecorate an entire room, just add a couple of fun new pieces, or buy a unique gift, you need to check out Antique Farm House to help freshen up your home!
Happy Shopping!
P.S. ~ *Don’t forget to share your fun ideas for the repurposed brick mold display rack! Can’t wait to see everyone’s thoughts!
Mimi

Velvety Potato Leek Soup

March 15, 2021 / Shelly Latinovich / 1 Comment

What a tantalizing soup to serve with salad and a sandwich or just a crusty piece of bread!!! Make it lunch or dinner….just MAKE it! Blend the sweet delicate flavor of leeks with potatoes to create this creamy soup. Velvety potato leek soup will quickly become a family favorite!
Have you cooked with leeks before? They are a member of the onion family and look like a very large green onion. Leeks add a mild yet sweet flavor to any dish. You will, however, need to take time to clean them as dirt and grit get caught in the layers easily. It is best to clean them by cutting off the end and then slice in half length-wise from root to top. Pull the layers of the onions apart and run each under the water to clean thoroughly.

Velvety Potato Leek Soup Ingredients ~

1 Stick Butter
2 Medium Leeks (sliced)
1 Medium Onion (diced)
3 Green Onions (diced)
5 Russet Potatoes (peeled & sliced or cubed)
32 Ounce Chicken or Vegetable Broth
1 1/2 tsp. Thyme
3 Cloves Fresh Garlic (minced)
2 Cups Heavy Cream
Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions ~

Melt stick of butter in stock pan. Add sliced leeks, green onions, garlic and onion to pan. Saute over medium heat until vegetables are translucent (be careful not to brown).

Add potatoes, thyme and broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until potatoes are softened (about 20-25 minutes depending on thickness of potatoes).
Using a food processor or immersion blender, blend about 3/4 of the soup until it is pureed. *You can puree the whole batch, but I prefer to leave a small portion of it a bit chunky. If you are using a food processor, ladel portions at a time to the processor depending upon the size of your processor bowl.
Return puree to pot and add heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook over low heat until heated through. Your house should be smelling really yummy right about now!

Garnishments ~

crumbled bacon, bacon and more bacon!!!
shredded gruyere, parmesan or cheese of your choice
sprinkle of cayenne pepper
chives
cracked black pepper

Notes ~

You can omit the heavy cream or substitute half and half for a more low-fat version of velvety potato leek soup. The soup will still have a creamy texture to it as the pureeing process creates a creamy a nice cream consistency.
Slice or dice the potatoes to your preference. Whichever method you choose, you will not want them to be real thick or it will take longer for the potatoes to soften while cooking. The picture belows shows slices, but I actually prefer dicing the potatoes. Small chunks of potatoes give a nice texture for that 1/4 of the soup I do not puree.

Don’t let the idea of pureeing turn you away. This soup is super easy to make and is well worth that extra step. I love my Ninja. Of course, this Ninja has so many other functions it can do as well! Have you used one?
DISCLOSURE: This site contains product affiliate links for Amazon and other companies. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links. Thank you for supporting my small business!

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As mentioned earlier, you can also use an immersion blender instead. These are good for so many actions in the kitchen: blending soups (of course), mixing batters, making sauces, creating dressings and more!

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Both of these gadgets have numerous benefits, you only need to decide which one works best for you! In fact, maybe you already have one of these. MAYBE, you have it tucked away and haven’t used it in a while. Do me a favor, get it out and use it for this amazing recipe! I use mine so much that it has a permanent place on my countertop….now that means it is getting used!
Serve this luscious soup with a leafy green salad or a side of pasta salad. Add some crusty bread that is great for dipping for a hearty and cozy dinner. You can even make this delicious Pita Bread Stuffed Grilled Cheese Sandwich to go along side it! It is perfect with an accompaniment. Enjoy!
Happy Cooking ~
Mimi (Shelly)

Pulled Pork Table Nachos

March 7, 2021 / Shelly Latinovich / 24 Comments

Do you want to WOW your guests? This recipe is just the ticket for you! Eli got creative in the kitchen using leftover smoked pork. The end result was this fun dish of pulled pork table nachos that were simply out of this world! Who knew leftovers could be so exciting???
What are table nachos? Spread foil across the kitchen island or table and start creating. There are so many options when serving these….from simple to more elaborate. See for yourself…
The chef at work building delicious pulled pork bbq table nachos!

Smoked Pork Shoulder/Butt ~

The first step to this awesome recipe is the smoked pork shoulder/butt. Pappy smoked this the day before and we used the leftovers for the nachos.
Ingredients:

12 to 15 pound pork shoulder butt
Tony Cachere’s creole seasoning
Stick of butter
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

Melt butter and mix with 2 tablespoons creole seasoning.
Inject butter mixture all over the pork shoulder/butt.
Let marinate several hours or overnight.
Cut diagonal lines through the fat cap on top of pork shoulder/butt. Next, season liberally with salt, pepper and more creole seasoning, being sure to get seasoning down in the cuts.

Smoke at 275 degrees until internal temperature of 195 degrees (about 12-14 hours) if your pork is 12 to 15 pounds. Mix cherry and apple wood chips for a subtle fruit taste.
Remove meat from grill with about 2 hours left to cook and wrap entirely in foil.
When meat has reached desired doneness, remove foil and let sit 15 to 20 minutes before shredding.

Now Back to the Pulled Pork Table Nachos ~

Directions & Tips:

You can, of course, make these delicious nachos without having made your own smoked pork shoulder/butt on the grill. Other options of shredded pork is purchasing already prepared pork or you can also make your own in the oven or crock pot. Substituting chicken or beef on your nachos would be great as well!

Spread foil across the table or kitchen island…covering a large area.
Layer the chips across the foil. ***Pro Tip***- Eli used several types of chips which added a fun variation of flavors. You can be creative and use your family favorites, but I do think a variation is key. The chips we used were:

El Sabroso brand of Guacachips. These are a recent discovery and definitely a favorite in the family. Guacachips – if you haven’t tried them, you need to do so SOON!

(I have included the link above for you to check them out, but if you have an off-price retailer near you such as Marshall’s, you can find them there for much cheaper!)

Corn tortilla chips of your choice
Fritos Scoops

3. Top the chips with the pulled pork. Be sure to layer this heavily over the entirety of the chip spread.

4. Squirt the desired amount of barbecue sauce over the pulled pork. Our family favorite is Blue’s Hog BBQ Sauce.

Blues Hog Original BBQ Sauce comes in jars or squeeze bottle. We are a huge fan of the squeeze bottle. We have been searching for the perfect sauce for years and have finally found it! It truly is the perfect blend of sweet with just the right amount of heat! It is the sauce that 90% of competition bbq teams use nationwide.

5. Layer 1 can each of black beans and whole kernel corn.
6. Top with melted cheese. We love to make our own nacho cheese sauce with Veleeta, Rotel and diced green chiles. It’s a crowd pleasing dip that you can cook over the stove or make in a crockpot. ***See that recipe below.
7. Finish off your nachos with garnishments for everyone to choose as they desire. You can put in small bowls placed around the chips or layer directly on the foil around the nachos. Garnishment ideas:

jalapeno peppers
tomatoes
sour cream
salsa
avocado slices
diced onions
black olives

Ring the dinner bell and let everyone graze!

Ingredients for Nacho Cheese Sauce ~

One 32-ounce package Original, Mexican, or Quesos Blanco Velveeta Cheese

Velveeta Original Cheese

Velveeta Mexican Cheese

Velveeta Queso Blanco Cheese

Two 10-ounce cans of Rotel or One 14.5-ounce can of petite diced tomatoes with green chilies
One 4-ounce can green chiles

Cook over low heat while stirring often or add all ingredients to crock pot and cook on low until melted.

Serving Options ~

It is always so much more fun to add festive tableware to any gathering. I recently discovered Antique Farm House. Their products are BEAUTIFUL! I am loving these ideas…
Separate your condiment choices in this beautiful sectioned ceramic bowl by Antique Farm House

Use 2 or 3 long wood cutting boards from Antique Farm House to display your condiments and sauces!

This patterned stoneware spoon set is the perfect accompaniment for your serving bowls!

While having great recipes is always key to any gathering, the finishing touches bring it all together for a memorable night. Whether you are planning ahead for Cinco De Mayo or just doing Taco Tuesday, be sure to add these pulled pork table nachos to your next entertaining night!
Come back and tell me how your’s turned out!
Mimi (Shelly)

Tooth Fairy Fun

February 23, 2021 / Shelly Latinovich / 0 Comments

So your baby lost their first tooth? (or getting ready to?) This is a bittersweet moment for sure!!! Usually there is a lot of hype leading up to the big event once the tooth gives it’s first wiggle. Feelings of excitement and fear for the child. Feelings of nostalgia for the parents. Regardless of all the different emotions, it is time to dig in and decide on how your family will spread tooth fairy fun!
Of course, the first thought is to go with the traditional route of how the tooth fairy visited you when you were a child. This is a perfect way to hand down family traditions. Or maybe you have decided to switch it up a bit. You’ve seen some fun new ideas you would like to try. Whatever you decide to do, just remember that you have 19 more teeth to go!
This doesn’t mean you have to do exactly the same thing with each tooth. I’m only suggesting that you remember that the tooth fairy fun you have with the first tooth will set the stage for the following ones. Honestly, my biggest memory of those days was trying to make sure I had enough cash on hand for when it finally happened.

The Going Rate for the Tooth Fairy ~

Have you found yourself wondering, “What exactly is the going rate for teeth these days?” You are not alone. There are so many articles at your fingertips of what the popular price is for that little gem. In fact, a new findings were just released by Delta Dental for 2020. Read the Delta Dental current report here regarding the all time high giving for the tooth fairy! The beauty of tooth fairy fun is that in the end, you get to decide how you want to move forward…You are the Boss!

Fun Tooth Fairy Ideas ~

With Addi recently losing her first tooth (actually first 2 teeth in the same day!), I had fun looking at some current trends. As you are deciding what your family is going to do, check out these great ideas:

Fairy Antics ~

This AMAZING post by BuzzFeed is one of the best I have seen! Here are some of the ideas they share:

A tooth fairy door so that the fairy can get in…seriously, how cute is that?
Making fairy dusted glitter money…easy and very special idea!
The fairy “accidentally” leaving her special wand behind…kids will absolutely treasure this!
Read here about all of the insanely great tooth fairy ideas from BuzzFeed!

You can also choose to put something other than money under their pillow as well. These specialty pressed fairy pennies are something that all children will cherish for years to come. Adorable Tooth Fairy Pressed Pennies…check them out!

Tooth Storage ~

Make or purchase a tooth pillow. This is not only cute, but makes losing that tooth almost impossible. If you have ever lost a tooth under the pillow you will understand this! It’s VERY hard to not wake the child when you are frantically routing around under the pillow to find that small little tooth. (Did I mention how SMALL those teeth are? 😬)

Whimsical Tooth Pillow: You HAVE to see this super cute PERSONALIZED tooth pillow by FeltErAA…you will love it!
Superhero Tooth Pillow: Check out this SUPER cute superhero tooth fairy pillow by MadeforMaddie!
Tooth Fairy Box ~ A personalized tooth fairy box is another way of creating a special keepsake!

Tooth Fairy Books ~

As mentioned earlier, this event brings on many emotions. Having some great books on hand is essential to helping your little one feel more of the excitement and less of the anxiety.
The Night Before the Tooth Fairy

Fancy Nancy and the Too-Loose Tooth

How to Catch the Tooth Fairy

The options are endless! What is important is that you find a way to make this time-honored tradition a fun experience. I will leave you with this funny youtube video by 3sAnimals.com of some very clever ideas in helping to get that little rascal out! You will definitely find yourself laughing! Let me know if you have any fun ideas or pictures to share!
Very clever tooth pulling videos on YouTube!
With Love ~
Mimi

Sampling Book Clubs for Kids – Round 2

February 17, 2021 / Shelly Latinovich / 0 Comments

The jury is still out on which book club subscription is The Best for kids. In fact, what I am quickly learning is that there are many different positives to what each company has to offer. My hope is that by detailing each one as my grandkids and I personally try them out, that you can then choose which one is the perfect one for YOUR family. Basically, what is perfect for one family may not be perfect for the other. However, I am positive there IS a perfect one for each and every one of you. With all of that being said, please read on about our thoughts on sampling book clubs for kids – round 2!

Bookroo ~

This is the subscription we are currently subscribed to. I chose the Picture Book Club for ages 3 to 6 as this choice perfectly fit the ages of my grandchildren. We recently received our first shipment and were very excited to explore what books we had been sent.

WINNIE~

Bookroo includes a leaflet with the featured book for each month. Winnie ~ The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-The-Pooh was this month’s selection. I had NO clue there was a real bear who inspired this furry little guy that has been a part of almost every child’s life at some point. Sally M. Walker is the author of this delightful story set during the time of WWII.
Addi and Max eagerly climbed up to listen to this tale of a bear named Winnie whose journey began through adoption by a vet on his way to WWII. It is a wonderful story that I believe will become a favorite over time. I shortened some of the paragraphs while reading to them as some were a bit long for their comprehension. Even though we skimmed some pages, the kids were engrossed with the adventures of this cute little bear.

SPOILER ALERTS ~

A couple of fun facts about Winnie the Pooh that you may or may not have already known:

Winnie the Pooh is a GIRL
Christopher Robin really did exist
Winnie the Pooh was an American black bear
Christopher Robin’s father, A. A. Milne, was the original author of Winnie the Pooh

OLD MACDONALD HAD A TRUCK ~

What a fun twist to an old favorite!!! Old MacDonald is on his farm….with an excavator, a front loader, a bulldozer….and more! Lots of fun construction equipment in this story!
With a puuush push here, and a puuush push there, here a push, there a push, everywhere a puuuush push! The kids love singing along to the new lyrics this story introduces.

Bookroo recommendation ~

We LOVED the selection of books so much that we are going to keep this subscription for another month before sampling another book club subscription. The quality of books are fantastic and the selection was well rounded. I think a key component to a great book for kids (next to the story itself) is the illustrations. Both of these books were filled with fun pictures that made the book more enticing to read.
I am very happy to add these to Mimi’s book basket and later to the bookshelf. Yes, I keep a basket of current books in a basket in the living room for easy access. It is amazing how quickly the kids run to that basket to select which book they want to read. When it gets full or a new holiday comes along, the older books go to the bookshelf and the basket gets filled with a new fun selection.

Sampling Book Clubs for Kids ~

The first subscription book club we had was Owl Posts for Kids. It was also a great book club that the kids looked forward to. Read about Owl Post Books and other kid’s book subscription boxes we are going to sample here!!! We received books from them for about 6 months. There are several posts that I shared on the various books and crafts we received. You can check out the fun we had with them below!
Check out the books and crafts received by Owl Post Books here!
We are looking forward to trying to help your family choose the perfect book club for you. Reading is such an integral part of learning and family time. Book club subscriptions make that family time much easier. Please share your experiences in the comments at the bottom of this post or your thoughts on Sampling Book Clubs for Kids ~ Part 2!

Mother-Daughter Bucket List

January 21, 2021 / Shelly Latinovich / 2 Comments

Give me a show of hands for those who LOVE spending time with their daughter(s)! 🙋‍♀️ Whether we are sitting with a cup of warm coffee or a glass of chilled wine, my heart soars every time I get time with my girls to just chat. However, we also go on a lot of fun escapades as well. We are continuously looking for new adventures. This led me to create a mother-daughter bucket list.

Now, I must admit that I am the boring one of the group as I don’t particularly care to travel far. I wish I did, but it just gives me anxiety. While I am being so open, I will tell you that most of my anxiety comes from packing a suitcase. Yes, I am that silly! Luckily, I have amazing daughters that realize this and are just fine with more locally based activities…or ones that are within driving distance.

Bucket List ~

Most people are aware that a bucket list is a list of things you wish to do or accomplish during their lifetime. I would venture to guess that it became more popular after the wonderful movie The Bucket List. You have seen this great movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, right? Of course, in the movie both characters were terminally ill and went on very big adventures before passing.
When you research, you see so many extravagant titles such as 50 Amazing things to do before you die, or 100 Unique bucket list ideas that will change your life. Those tend to be the ones I read first…and you probably do too. They are filled with great ideas…some that I have truly never heard of but am still fascinated by. However, my bucket list isn’t quite that extravagant.

Fun Activities Close to Home ~

Haunted Indianapolis Ghost Walk ~ Those of you who know me are not surprised that this is on the top of my list. Of course, my daughters share the love of everything scary as well! Going on a chilly October evening to hear of local haunts while also catching up on local history sounds fabulous! I would love to hear your reviews if you have done this. If you have not yet, check it out here … Check out the Haunted Indianapolis Ghost Walk here!
Walk the Entire Monon Trail ~ We have walked portions of it, but have never in its entirety. It has been improved upon over the years with so many fun stops along the way. Exercising, Dining and Shopping….sign me up!
Drive on Gravity Hill ~ Another fun thing to do with my girls in Mooresville, Indiana. Rumor has it that if you put your car in neutral at the “bottom” of the hill, the hill will start to pull it up – in the wrong direction. Have you heard of it?
Wine & Canvas ~ Surprisingly, we have not yet done this…but we will! There are so many different options out there now and they all look great. Does anyone have a favorite they want to recommend?
Go to a Drive-In Movie ~ This was one of my favorite memories as a child and I would love to share the experience with my children and grandchildren!
Go on a Wine Tour ~ Need I say more about this…doesn’t everyone love wine tours?
Ride on a Brew Bus ~ My kids have done this, but I haven’t gotten to experience it yet!
Newfields Winter Lights ~ The pictures I see look amazing and I can’t wait to experience it with my family.
See the Mind Tripping Show ~ A comedy with a psychological twist!
Weekend at Brown County AND Story Inn ~ Hiking, shopping and an overnight in the legendary Blue Room at Story Inn…😨👻
Murder Mystery Dinner ~ We have participated in a murder mystery dinner at a restaurant and it was fun but not quite what I was expecting. Since then I have always said I would host one at home. I have looked at many over the last couple of years and have finally decided on this Mardi Gras Mystery. I think it will be fun to dress up and play this one out. You can check it out here ➡Murder at Mardi Gras – Host Your Own Murder Mystery Dinner Party

Fun Activities With a Light Drive ~

Salem, Massachcusetts ~ Ok, Ok….so this one will need a flight instead of a drive…the girls and I want to go here so bad that I will give in and fly for this one! We are going to need several days to explore all of the “witchy” areas!
Indiana Dunes ~ a fun weekend of hiking, biking, dining and exploring will be in store for this fun trip!
Midwest Antiquing ~ There are several fun day/weekend trip plans available to hit all of the local antique shops.
Run, Scream, Run ~ We love 5K’s but so far we have only done local runs. A 5K/10K run in Michigan with yes, you guessed it, some scary fun added in!

As you see, the non-local mother-daughter bucket list is smaller, but hey, I am very open to suggestions. Basically, I just want to do more fun things with the family. Many times these events are done more with the girls because we have a hard time pulling the guys away from their sports. Of course, finding activities with the grandkids is just an extra bonus.
Over the last several years, the girls and I have done many fun things together…at home and away from home. The times we don’t feel like getting out we still enjoy family game nights, cooking together, and watching movies or binge watching the latest drama series, working on puzzles and walking. So, as stated earlier, the bucket list doesn’t always have to be extravagant. I just feel very blessed to get every moment I do with these two beautiful girls that I am lucky enough to call my daughters…and my best friends!

Do you have a mother-daughter bucket list? Let me know what is on yours!
Hope to hear from you soon…..with love, Shelly (Mimi)

Social Media Fasting

January 15, 2021 / Shelly Latinovich / 0 Comments

I’m sitting here literally laughing at myself as I just typed the title of this post. I have been diligently working and learning all about blogging….and I LOVE it! As you all know, blogging is all about writing about what you love and sharing it with others. In order to share, you have to make yourself known…and this of course mostly happens through social media. So WHY am I writing an article about Social Media Fasting???
As much as I truly love technology and everything social media, I also love everything family! I have had many debates with others over the years about the positives vs. the negatives of social media. Both sides have very valid points, but for me it’s a good thing. I have reconnected with so many people I had lost touch with…followed family fun of others…enjoyed seeing pictures…celebrated milestones with my children’s friends that have grown up and started work and now have families of their own. This list goes on and on.

WHY???

However, I do think taking a break from social media…short, intermittent breaks….can bring many positives into your world. Try this for 24 hours. Then try it once a week or once a month. I’m betting you will be very surprised. I just finished a 24-hour fast from social media and game apps. I surrounded myself with blank paper and books. Every time I went to pick up my phone to check the latest updates, I set it down and picked up a book or paper instead. Those books were about prayer and positive writings. I then prayed after I read each time.
I have been following a local family that has gone through a great tragedy with their children. I tried this fasting upon the request from a large following that asked everyone to give up something and pray in return for the family. I am a strong believer in the power of prayer, but I have gained more from this than what I expected. You, too, can follow this family on Facebook ~ Light for Levi and Lainey.

What I Gained From Social Media Fasting ~

More time in prayer, not only for this very precious family, but for my own!
Relaxation – my brain relaxed!
Sleep – Ahhhh, this was amazing and I’m assuming it was because of the above bullet point!
Time to read – something I love but tend to put off to play “just one more game!”
More time to communicate with my family….talking and LISTENING! I have been working on listening lately. Really listening. My mind is so often moving on to the next thing that I have realized I do listen, but I’m not always fully “hearing”…or my head is buried in my phone too much to listen intently.

What I Expect to Gain Long Term ~

I am setting a date on my calendar to do a 24-hour fast each month. Eventually it may be each week, but I want to take it slow so I can make it stick. I have no intention of giving up social media…I love it too much! Just taking time once a month to make myself enjoy the other things in life I have put on the back burner. Once you start letting those other important elements back into your life, you may find how much you miss them.

What to Do While Fasting ~

Read! Read passages in the Bible, self help books or that novel you have been wanting to dig in to! Did you know that you can do a quick search on Amazon of New York Times current best sellers….it doesn’t get any easier than that!!! I’ve put a quick link in for you here to check it out: New York Times Best Sellers
Write! Jot down what is in your head, write poetry, write a letter (remember snail mail???), write a story…just write! I love to have loads of different pens and paper available for this. I have recently become an affiliate of a couple of really cool stationery companies..I hope you will check them out!
- - I have only recently discovered Stampington & Company and I adore their stationery supplies. They have amazing products in their Coloring Studio and tons of unique magazines for every niche possible. Stampington & Company has BEAUTIFUL options of crafting supplies & magazines!
  - Another new love of mine is Paper House. Their motto is: Where Imagination Takes Shape. They have loads of fun products for adults and kids alike. Paper House products can be checked out here!!!!
Yoga! Whether you have done yoga before or not, it is something everyone should look into. So take that social media break and spend some time stretching and destressing! I wrote about this in an earlier blog post. You can do yoga as a family too!
Get Outdoors! There is nothing like fresh air…whether it’s hot or cold! Take a walk, do some yard work or just sit and get some natural vitamin D. Leave the phone inside for a bit!
Cook! Ok…you can use your phone but ONLY if it is to look up a recipe…don’t cheat….no social media or games!
Pray and Meditate! It’s just good for your soul! Mark 10:27 ~ All things are possible with God!
Call Someone! Reach out and catch up with a friend or family member.

Whether it is something from the list above or another favorite hobby, try a little social media fasting and see what a mere 24 hours can do. Seriously, 24 hours doesn’t seem like a long time but I know I sure was amazed by it! I slept better and woke up with a fantastic start to my day feeling good about what I had read the night before!

It’s Time for A Challenge!

Are you up for it? Subscribe to my page and work along with me! Let’s do a 24 hour challenge once a week for the next 4 weeks. #SMFChallengewithMimi. Respond in the comments or click on the subscribe button (at the right on desktop or at the bottom of the blog on phone) so we can support each other. What are you waiting for????
Loving Life ~ Shelly (Mimi)

Valentine’s Day Family Fun

January 12, 2021 / Shelly Latinovich / 2 Comments

Valentine’s Day ~ The celebration of romance and love! My dad always said it was another Hallmark holiday…😂! As a child, it is such a fun day to share Valentine’s cards and specialty candies with your friends. But it can be so much more than that. Being the hopeless romantic that I am, I have always loved this holiday and I still do. For us it evolved into a special time to have some Valentine’s Day family fun!
If your children are of school age, you are probably already working ahead with them to create their decorated box or bag to collect their precious valentines in. IF, due to Covid this year, you don’t get to do this at school, take the time to still make one for home. Ask family members to send valentines to fill their goody box! While in the planning process, why not make a special breakfast to start their day out right?

Valentine’s Day Breakfast ~

Mornings are hectic, I know! But with just a little planning, it doesn’t take much to make breakfast special for this day! Over the years, we have added food coloring to different food dishes to match the theme of the holiday…some have been great…and some not so much! For example, I urge you to NOT make green oatmeal on St. Patrick’s Day…I promise…it does not go over well!
Last year, Lauren got pretty creative with her breakfast ideas for the kids. Suffice it to say that they LOVED it! It consisted of red, heart shaped pancakes with whipped cream and fresh strawberries.

They also had some festive strawberry milk. She made a batch of strawberry milk ahead of time and poured it into heart-shaped ice cube trays. When it was time for breakfast, they popped those ice cubes into a plain glass of milk….and voila!

There was a little planning ahead time. Not too time consuming but oh so fun! Next, let’s get to work on how we are going to present their Valentine goodies! Need those fun ice cube trays….Get this 24-cube silicone heart mold by Wilton! The trays can be used for ice cubes, gelatin, baking and candy molds!
Some other fun food ideas are:
Valentine Fruit Wands by afewshortcuts.com ~ This is an oh so easy yet festive snack recipe the kids will definitely love!
Valentine Grazing Board by ediblecrafts.craftgossip.com ~ Shove the diet aside for one day because you are going to love this Valentine’s Day grazing board! yum!

Valentine Candy Poster ~

For many years, I would make a valentine candy poster for the kids. It is such a fun way to give them their Valentine goodies. It warms my heart that Lauren has continued this tradition. They are so much fun to make and even more fun to receive.

I think it is easiest if you buy your candy first before making your Valentine poem. Of course, you will want to try to work in their favorites. This way you know what candy names you are working with to create the clever wording needed to make your poem work.

Types of Candy with Sample Sayings ~

Please don’t
You are special
I love you to
I wouldn’t trade you for
You are the best kid in the
Sending you hugs &
This Valentine’s Day is going to be a of a day!
To my
You are A--zing!
You’re no!
You an A!
These are just a few examples of how you can create your own personalized Valentine’s poem. There are so many clever sayings you can create with the names of the candy in it. In fact, it is not only fun to make one for the kids but have fun and make one for your honey too!

Valentine’s Day Family Fun Continues ~

Now you weren’t planning on just handing these works of art to the kiddos, were you???? Of course not! They need to work to get their special treats! After all, you put a lot of time into making that Valentine poster for them. So how do you suggest we do that? Glad you asked! Have you ever played the Yarn Scavenger Hunt game?

Items Needed for the Yarn Scavenger Hunt ~

1 color of yarn for each person playing
A room that has items to crawl under and over
Not too bad, right? You will start off by choosing one color for each child and tying one end of each ball of yarn to something in the room. This will be the starting point. You can start everyone off at the same point or in different areas. Weave the yarn over couches, under chairs, around tables. Safety is key, but you want them crawling over and under as much as possible….even over each other at times when their yarns cross each other.
They will collect the yarn as they go in an effort to get to the end and ultimately to their Valentine candy! For such a simple game, you will enjoy watching the children laugh hysterically as they race to get to the end.

Of course, once they get to the end of their yarn, they will be gifted with their candy poem poster.

You can also have fun decorating cookies in fun Valentine’s Day shapes. Although the cookie and icing recipe I shared in an earlier post was for Christmas, you can still refer back to it for the recipes. Click here to find the cookie recipe and icing for your Valentine’s Day cookies! Making cookies is always a fun festive idea!
Whatever you choose to do to make this day special….be sure to have a full day of Valentine’s Day Family Fun!!!!
Love ~ Shelly

Homemade Sausage with Fennel

January 5, 2021 / Shelly Latinovich / 0 Comments

Pappy on the Penarve is at it again….this time making homemade sausage with fennel….AH…MAZING!!!!! He has been perfecting this recipe for quite some time, and the end result is worth all of the work. Let me tell you, there are quite a few steps to the end result…but oh is it worth it!! That being said, it would be a great idea to purchase quite a bit of meat to work with so you can store some for later! By doing this, it makes the time spent making this delicious sausage even more worthwhile!
In our recipe a KitchenAid mixer with the meat grinder attachment is used. I absolutely love my KitchenAid and use it for so many different recipes. Check out the Black Storm KitchenAid Professional Series Mixer ~ it is a FANTASTIC addition to any kitchen!

There are, of course, other great meat grinder options:

This electric meat grinder gets great reviews…check it out here!

This manual meat grinder has a suction base and gets great reviews…check it out here!

These grinders work for so much more than just making sausage. I grew up with my mom making homemade ham salad. We still put in requests for her secret recipe to this day! Yes, I said secret! And yes, that recipe will be coming soon so stay tuned!

Back to the Homemade Sausage with Fennel ~

As stated earlier, buy the pork shoulder butt in bulk. When we find it on sale, we go hog wild….yes, pun intended! 🤣 The savings you will notice will astound you!

What you will need ~

The fattest pork shoulder/butt you can find…seriously buy that fatty stuff!
Fennel seed – if you are like Brad (Pappy), you will want an abundance of this!
Salt
Pepper
Garlic Powder
Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
Red Wine or cooking wine (we used a nice Cab)

Step 1 ~

Cut the pork shoulder/butt into chunks for grinding and place in a disposable foil pan.

Step 2 ~

Cover the meat with foil and move to the freezer to get to a cold state. This helps the grinding process go much smoother. Brad kept it in the freezer for about 1 hour.

Step 3 ~

Grind the meat chunks.

Step 4 ~

Generously season the ground pork shoulder/butt.

Step 5 ~

*After completely blending, make 1 or 2 small patties. Fry these patties for tasting. This is an important step before moving on! This will enable you to decide if it is seasoned to your liking. If you are preparing meat to store for later use, you will want to be sure you are happy with the flavor.

Step 6 ~

Add additional seasoning if you prefer. Cover ground meat and place back in freezer for about an hour.

Step 7 ~

Remove from freezer and prepare your mixer for the final prep stage of your homemade sausage with fennel. *If you don’t have a mixer with sausage stuffer capabilities, you can make it into patties. We actually prefer to make different types of sausages for various serving options. When using the sausage stuffer, it is helpful to watch videos first to aid in the process. I have provided a link from KitchenAid.com right here ~ Use this handy link from KitchenAid to view how to use the sausage stuffer attachment!

If you are making into patties, there are many options on that process. I prefer rolling the sausage out and using a glass or biscuit cutter to be the best option for more uniform patties. However, sometimes we just form them with our hands as we did in the picture above. If you choose to roll out it, there are different methods, I like the method that HappyMoneySaver.com uses here ~ Happy Money Saver describes the rolling out and cutting process in detail here!

Freezing Homemade Sausage with Fennel ~

We love the Food Saver Vacuum Sealer for so many freezer foods. It does such a great job protecting food from air and freezer burn. It is also ideal for food prep. You can double so many of your recipes and save half of them for later, making busy nights or lunch time woes a cinch! Get your own Food Saver Vacuum Sealer here…you will love it!

Like so many kitchen gadgets, you may ask yourself, “Will I really use this?” From experience, this is one gadget we are very happy to have and we find ourselves using it often.

We will use this sausage for breakfast and dinner ideas. Our favorite is grilled sausage with peppers and onion served with a side of rice. However, we will definitely be looking for new fun ideas to use this yummy sausage as well.

Meal prep has become widely popular for busy families and lunch preparation. This homemade sausage with fennel is an ideal recipe for just that! Not to mention the savings you will see. For this recipe we bought almost 10 pounds of pork for $9. Seriously $9! The amount of sausage links it yields (depending on how big you choose to make each one) is phenomenal!
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do! Let us know in the comments below! Also, follow MimiBlog with the link and you can stay up to date with all the great recipes!
Have a great week!

Fun Facts Page

June 30, 2020 / Shelly Latinovich / 1 Comment

4th of July Fun Facts:

1. Thomas Jefferson & John Adams

2. James Monroe

3. Calvin Coolidge

Mixing Decor Styles ~

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Velvety Potato Leek Soup Ingredients ~

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Smoked Pork Shoulder/Butt ~

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It’s Time for A Challenge!

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Valentine’s Day Breakfast ~

Valentine Candy Poster ~

Types of Candy with Sample Sayings ~

Valentine’s Day Family Fun Continues ~

Items Needed for the Yarn Scavenger Hunt ~

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There are, of course, other great meat grinder options:

Back to the Homemade Sausage with Fennel ~

What you will need ~

Step 1 ~

Step 2 ~

Step 3 ~

Step 4 ~

Step 5 ~

Step 6 ~

Step 7 ~

Freezing Homemade Sausage with Fennel ~

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