Three On Thursday

The highs here are still in the 80s & 90s here most days but I am so ready for fall.  It's my absolute favorite.  And while it may not feel like fall outside, that doesn't mean I can't start pretending like it is inside with soups, hot dishes (or casseroles if you must...), & fall scents.  Here are 3 of my favorites from Glade.

Nutcracker Delight

Cashmere Woods

Warm Flannel Embrace

Three On Thursday

It's Thursday!  Which on a normal week would make me super excited because that would mean that the work week is almost over & the weekend is upon us.  While both are still technically true, it's also my first official day back at work.  So it's both my Monday & my Thursday.  Freedom is over people!

It's been awhile since I've done a Three on Thursday.  These are all things that were suggested by other bloggers at one time or another that I then fell in love with.

1. Toasted Marshmallow Mocha Coffee Creamer - Suggested by Teh Megan

2. Elizabeth & James Nirvana Bourbon Perfume - Suggested by Steph

3. Crest Pro-Health HD Toothpaste - Suggested by Andrea

Three On Thursday

Following Steph's lead & bringing you another edition of Three on Thursday.

As I mentioned on Friday, I jumped back on the Audible train.  Until I can get time to make it to the library, as suggested by Teh Megan, I'm currently just looking at the Daily Deal for new books until I get my next monthly credit.

Here are three books that I recently listened to, and loved.

1. Girl Logic: The Genius and the Absurdity - Iliza Shlesinger

2. You Are A Badass: How To Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life - Jen Sincero

3. Unfu*k Yourself - Gary John Bishop

Apparently I was on a little bit of a pep talk kick there.  I'm debating on whether or not to just keep that streak going or not because I also really want to read "Girl Wash Your Face."  On the other hand I'm still kicking myself for not picking up "The Unremembered Girl" the other day when it was a daily deal & also my brother will be flying down in a couple of weeks & we'll be taking a multi-day road trip back to MN together so I should probably also get some type of common ground book we'd both enjoy.

Any book suggestions??

Three On Thursday

It's been awhile since I've done a Three On Thursday.  Because yesterday was not only Nash's 1st birthday, but also National Pet Day, here are three things I love for Nash.

1. CRAVE Grain Free High Protein Dog Food - It comes in multiple flavors (chicken, beef, lamb & venison, and salmon & ocean fish.)  I always buy Nash the lamb & venison though.  It's pretty much the only thing he's eaten since day 1.  I always buy the 12 lb bag on Amazon for $28.99.  I meant to mark down when I opened my last bag so I could see how long it lasts him.  It usually lasts around a month though.  (If you're more of a cat person they also have cat food.)

2. Himalayan Dog Chews - After seeing them recommended by Steph & Steph forever ago I finally bought a 5 pack for Nash & he loved them! 

3. Cloud Star Crunchy Trick Trainers - I don't remember where I first got these, but I got the liver flavor.  I then saw that I could get a three pack on Amazon which came with salmon, liver, & cheddar.  They are perfect for what I like to call my life saver...

**Bonus** Busy Buddy Squeak N Treat Booya Dog Toy - Seriously.  If you have a dog buy this thing.  It comes in different sizes but I got Nash a medium.  He loves this thing & it's like a bottle/pacifier for him.  It is the one toy he's ever had that he has not been able to destroy.

Three On Thursday

1. Red 55 Coffee - Back in December I drove to Lindale to visit the Pink Pistol to get some Red 55 wine for gifts.  While I was there though I also picked up a couple of bags of Red 55 coffee.  I knew Miranda Lambert had a wine line but I didn't know she had a coffee line.  I got a couple of different flavors to try & I really like them both.  I also like that each coffee purchase helps the Mutt Nation Foundation.

2. Natural Bliss Honey Pecan creamer - I used to be a black coffee drinker, I still can be if it's great coffee.  However, over the years I've become a coffee with cream drinker.  I think I'm doing that backwards??  I like trying out new creamers from time to time & so when I saw that Natural Bliss had a new flavor I had to try it.  I'm a sucker for pretty much anything pecan.  I really like this one because it adds some flavor but isn't sickeningly sweet.

3. Statement coffee mugs - I have multiple statement mugs.  Most of them come from either Amazon, like my "Oh For Fox Sake" mug or Target like my "But First Coffee" mug.  This above mug though I got for Christmas from a shop on Etsy called Minnesota Nice Enough.

Three On Thursday

It's been a hot minute since I last did Three On Thursday.  It was November actually.  Apparently at the time of that post it had been 3 months before that since I had done the previous one.  Clearly I don't do this often.  I was actually planning on doing one last week on 3 books I got for Christmas but then I didn't get anything ready & so I just didn't post at all.  I haven't started reading the books anyway so it's not like I can really recommend them.

Today however I'm bringing you three Whole30 approved crockpot recipes I have made & enjoyed.

1. Salsa Verde Shredded Pork

Ingredients

2 lb boneless pork roast

16 oz jar salsa verde

1 small yellow onion diced

3 cloves minced garlic

1 tablespoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon red pepper

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Put all ingredients in the crock pot & cook on low for 6-8 hours

2. Banana Pepper Shredded Beef

Ingredients

2 lb beef chuck shoulder roast

4 banana peppers

1 medium yellow onion

1 cup beef broth

Directions

Slice onion & peppers

Put all ingredients in the crock pot & cook on low for 6-8 hours

3. Italian Lemon Chicken

Ingredients

2 lb boneless skinless chicken

1/3 cup lemon juice

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp basil

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp paprika

Directions

Put all ingredients in the crock pot & cook on low for 4-6 hours

**All of these recipes can be prepped ahead of time.  Simply put all of the ingredients in a gallon size freezer bag & place in the freezer.  Thaw them the night before you want to put them in the crock pot & then just dump the bag in, turn the crock pot on low, & go.**

**Each of these recipes also makes 6 servings**

Three On Thursday

It's been a hot minute since I last did a Three On Thursday post, 3 months actually.  Wowza!

1. Yoplait Mix-Ins: Salted Caramel Pretzel

A few years ago I had tried a different brand of yogurt mix-ins & I was not a fan.  I saw these awhile back though & since I'm addicted to salted caramel everything & they were on sale I snagged one.  I LOVE these!  So good.  I also really like the mint chocolate one.

2. Mini Starbursts

So much better than regular Starburst.  I actually grabbed then by accident at the Target checkout one day.  I didn't fully realize they were mini when I grabbed the bag.  Now I'm pretty much addicted to them.

3. Spaghetti Squash

I've been on a spaghetti squash kick the past couple of weeks.  As a kid you couldn't pay me to eat it.  Towards the end of the month when I'm going to have a post on what I've been cooking this month & it will include the different spaghetti squash recipes.

Three On Thursday

I'm going to do this Three on Thursday slightly different.  Like Steph I'm going to share 3 things I'm loving lately.   However, I'm also going to steal an idea from the other Steph & share 3 things for various prompts that are a combo of Steph's, Jana's, & Lisa's.

Three Things I'm Loving Lately
1. Homemade Ranch dressing
2. Crave Dog Food
3. Laura's blog

Three Things I've Enjoyed Lately
1. Going to the dog park with Nash
2. Dance lessons at Red River
3. Having a girl friend to hang out with who is pretty much just like me

Three Things I Dislike
1. People constantly trying to sell me ItWorks...because it doesn't
2. Leaving Nash all day
3. My downstairs neighbors

Three Things I Don't Feel Like Doing Anymore
1. Commuting 40+ minutes to work each way 5-6 days a week
2. Sitting in long training sessions that could easily be shortened or an email
3. Waking up at 4:45 in the morning

Three Things I'm Excited To Do This Year
1. Driving back to Minnesota with Nash in September & December
2. Go to Austin for my birthday in October
3. Send out a Christmas card with a picture on it for once, because Nash

Three Things I'm Glad I Did This Year
1. Went to Colorado for a week
2. Let go of someone I thought was my best friend/the person I would marry
3. Got Nash

Three Shows Worth A Binge
1. Breaking Bad
2. Scandal
3. Shameless

Three Things I'm Currently Grateful For
1. Awesome co-workers
2. Having a place to bring Nash while I'm at work
3. Spotify Premium

Three Goals For The Rest Of The Year
1. Stop using my credit cards
2. Get into a good/healthy routine for the school year
3. Give a shit about dating again

Three Goals I've Completed This Year
1. Pay off my car
2. Get my own apartment
3. Go on a road trip

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Three On Thursday

Things I could have posted about today: My 4th Stitch Fix or the things you don't see on social media.  Instead they'll still sit unfinished in my draft folder.  Maybe this weekend I'll get to them.  Maybe.  With August just around the corner I thought for this edition of Three on Thursday I'd share three concerts I am hoping to attend.

1. 8 Tour: Incubus with Jimmy Eat World

2. The Poison The Parish World Tour: Seether

3. No Pads, No Helmets, Just Balls Tour: Simple Plan

Three on Thursday: Puppy Edition

On this random edition of Three on Thursday... Three things that have been my saving grace with Nash.

Clicker

My friends Helen & Caleb actually gave me this for free.  They had it from when they first got their dog a few years ago.  So far I've only taught Nash how to sit with this but it's a start.  I don't even have to use the clicker anymore to get him to sit.

 Frozen Wash Cloth

He gets so excited about this.  The second I go to the freezer he knows this is what I'm going for & waits at the baby gate for it.  It gets him to stop chewing on anything else at least until it thaws out.  That's why I usually have the one he's using & a back up in the freezer.

 Spray Bottle

He doesn't HATE the spray bottle, but it shocks him just long enough that I can get him to stop what he's doing & distract him with something else.

Three On Thursday

I'm joining Steph once again for Three on Thursday.  Who knows, maybe this could become a thing.  I make no promises though.  Last time I shared 3 things I already had/tried that I loved.  This time however I'm sharing 3 things that I am wanting.

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1. Columbia Women's Vapor Vent Hiking Shoe

In 11 days I'm going to Colorado with some friends.  Not only do we plan on doing some hiking there, but one of our/my summer goals is to hike as many of these trails as possible.  That means I need hiking shoes.  I have a couple of different pairs of tennis shoes but one has horrible grip & the other pair is really old.  I need to go to a store to try these on.  Amazon has them for $25 whereas say DSW has them for $75.  I'll save the $50 thank you.

2. End Table

I need an end table for my living room.  Right now I have a couch & that's pretty much it.  So when I'm on the couch I have nowhere to set anything.  So either my stuff and/or I sit on the floor or I drag a chair in from my patio to set stuff on.  I really want a table that looks something like these but I also am not spending $200 on an end table.

3. Coffee Table

I also need a coffee table for the same reason mentioned above.  I don't know for sure that I want this exact one, although this one is under $100, but I do want one similar.  I figure since I don't really want to move yet again when this lease is up, I should start making it feel like a real home with more than just a couch for furniture.

Three On Thursday

I'm taking a page out of Steph's blog & sharing 3 things I'm loving right now!

1. Brita Hard Sided Water Bottle

I am in love with this water bottle.  I used to have a Brita water bottle that wasn't hard sided.  I used it all the time.  Quite frankly I could not tell you what happened to that water bottle.  It's very possible that I lost it in one of my many moves.  The last couple of places that I lived I had no problems with the tap water.  The place that I moved to mid-February however, hated the water.  Could not stand it.  So for about 2 months I was buying water bottles constantly from the grocery store.  Finally about a month ago I bought a new Brita water bottle & haven't looked back since.  Not only has it helped me save money and waste, I also drink a lot more water.

2. Sinful Color Nail Polish Colors

If I don't have my nails painted I will bite them.  It's not a question, it's a fact.  Bare nails = short, bitten nails.  I don't always have time or money to get my nails done, & actually after last summer I went on a long professional manicure hiatus because they were so damaged.  That brings us to Sinful Color nail polish.  While I love Essie, it's expensive.  Sinful Colors are under $2 a bottle.  That means I can buy a lot more colors so I don't get bored.  The nail polish lasts really well too.  Unlike other cheap polishes that I've used in the past, it doesn't seem to chip.  I don't usually use a base coat or top coat either, it's just the polish.

3. Midnight Mint Mocha Frappuccino

I. Am. Obsessed.  This is my new favorite drink.  When I can't get the salted caramel I normally just get mint mocha.  This is that but 100x better.  It reminds me of a drinkable Thin Mint cookie.  Happy hour is going on through the 14th so you still have a few days to get them half price!

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