5 Minute: White Chocolate Oatmeal Craisin Cookies

High Five for September

Happy Friday all! Wasn’t this 4 day week A-Maze? Today I’m linking up again with:

This week was a busy one! {G} turned 30!

Which means that I’m not very far behind… One year and One month but who’s counting?

Two Years and Settling In!

That’s right! Today is my two year anniversary of being married to my wonderful husband!

I really can’t believe it has been two years! Some days it feels like it has been a decade and other days I feel like it just happened last weekend.

I really feel blessed to have found my other half at such a young age. It’s funny where life will take you and it sure has taken us places we never would have gone with many first for us both.

Our First

House together

Furry Child (WINSTON!)

4-Wheeler

Snow Mobile Weekend

Moving Trip

Farm-ette (not suppose to call it a farm :)

Stock Car Races/Trailer Races (Most red Neck thing I have ever witnessed)

I’m sure there were lots more but those are the ones that come to mind.

I have done a lot of thinking over the past month and not a lot of blogging. I think I was in a deep Blog-pression over what to talk about and was over thinking things so I just didn’t post at all. So here’s what’s happening!

G and I are settling in to life here in Iowa. We went to an auction (one of our new favorite weekend events) last weekend and ran into lots of people that we had met from around the area. Mostly old farmers that G met through trying to find a tractor but also some of our neighbors. It’s SO nice to go somewhere and just be able to recognize faces and just chat for a few minutes. Over time I’m sure these will be people that we come to know more and more.

Speaking of Tractors… today our F5000 will arrive at our house!

G looked far and wide to find one that he really wanted. He bleeds blue… not green, red, or any other color for that fact. . . unless it’s red and yellow hay equipment (New Holland) He did try and venture out for the best deals by looking at other brands but when it came down to it there was no way any other equipment besides a Ford or New Holland was going to park in our shop. This is more of a hobby tractor for cutting hay and bailing along with other farm chores. There is the prospect of getting some other equipment later down the road.

Venturing out

I have been trying new ways to meet people, last night I starting a beginners Quilting class! How fun! I love to sew and my mom took a class not to long ago and loved it. I had to drive 30 minutes to Ames for the class but it’s worth it to get out of the house and MEET people! There were only 4 girls in the class, one a little younger then myself, another a sophomore in high school, and another retired and in her 70’s. Maybe not people that I will become friends with but socialization it the key! Also, I learned so much and surprised myself by being the most skilled in the class. I have already cut my fabric and started piecing with the sewing machine. I will probably work all this week in the evening to get all my pieces together before my next class.

I’m making a Fall Quilt… love the oranges!

Craig’s List …. meet ups!

Okay, I know this rings a little “Craig's list killers” for some of you but really it’s not bad. If you go under “Community & Activities” you will find post of groups wanting to meet up. I went on and found a co-ed soccer league that will meet up this Fall once a week in Ames. It’s just pick up ball so no competition, anyone can play, and again a nice way to get out and meet people doing something I love! There is nothing scary about it, your are meeting in a public place, with lots of people, and if you go once and don’t like it then your aren’t committed since you didn’t pay anything.

Here is my theory… I can’t just sit around and hope to meet people by some act of God. I have to make myself get out there and explore a little. This is now my home and could be for many years to come so the sooner I start making the effort the more I will feel like this is now “home”.

Canning Season

Holy cannoli has my garden taken off! Every day I harvest at least 4 big boy tomatoes from my 6 plants and a 1 pint of cherry tomatoes!

I made some fresh Bruschetta the other day and it was AMAZE! Probably more so because I grew it and made it myself of course. My mission tonight is to make some hot salsa using the Jalapenos in the garden along with this basket of Toms that I have before they turn to waste.

G and I’s favorite Garden snack are the Jalapeño Poppers I make… super easy!

1. Cut off stem end and hollow out center and de-seed
2. Mix Cream Cheese and Sharp Cheddar Cheese in a bowl
3. Stuff peppers with cheese
4. Wrap with bacon, secure using tooth picks
5. Bake at 410 degree for 12-15 minutes
6. Enjoy :)

Wow… I was all over the place today but was happy to finally share what is going on at this Rigdon house. I promise to post again sooner then later. :)

Flower Power- Free Labels

Hi everyone! Yes, I am still alive even though its been a few weeks since I have posted. I have been super busy with Family visiting and going back to Delaware for my best friends bridal shower.

I could certainly post everything that I have done since I last blogged but I won’t bore you with that. The shower turned out great and everyone loved the decorations. I had lots of inspiration from other blogs and of course Pinterest. With my curiosity of how to make labels using Photoshop I dug in deep and made labels in three colors to match the theme of the shower and the invitations.

 

 

Buy using the design I made two separate label sizes, a smaller one for the favor bags and wooden cutlery that I wrapped, and a larger label for the food table.

Here is where I always go wrong, I was so caught up in everything that I didn't take pictures! I know, so disappointing. Hopefully someone else did take photos that will emerge soon so that I can keep and share with everyone.

Here is the only one I have of the favor bag and its a little crumpled due to the flight home to Iowa:

Like I said, I really hope to share more photos with you of how everything turned out but the other thing I wanted to share is the PDF download for the labels.  Below are the labels I printed on Card Stock to give you an idea of what they look like with print on them.

Here are the links to download the labels yourself!

Smaller Blank Favor Labels Download Link:

https://acrobat.com/#d=BtAnwbOEIyEBUAIAvkQQ0Q 

Larger Blank Label Download Link:

https://acrobat.com/#d=*WuOywDYvYU1ljOhPtpP5A

I hope that you all love them as much as I do and remember my motto!

 

Sharing is Caring :)

Cupcake Vineyards!

My birthday just pasted in October and I recieved a wonderful gift from my brother back east. He know how I love to cuddle up with a warm blanket, some fluffy PJ's, and sip on a glass of wine after a rough week at work. I'm sure sure if he googled "Fantastic Birthday Present for Sisters who love Wine" but that would be my guess. In the mail I received a beautiful box with these three bottles inside wrapped nicely with a birthday card. The wine is from Cupcake Vineyards! Super cute name if you ask me. In the package I received three different types a Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon (Yes, I had to spell check those). 

I am more of a white wine connoisseur however, what I do like about these wines is that on the back label it gives you an idea of what to pair the wine with for a lovely meal. I will need to branch out and try the Merlot next time my husband and I have a steak dinner, and for sure will have to try Brie with crackers for the Cabernet Sauvignon. As for the Chardonnay....

Whoops... I already indulged! It says to have this with Crabcakes, ahi tuna, or a white fish. Maybe next time. :)  When I am not drinking them, they are stored beautifully across the top of my kitche cabinets. I hope you will keep this wine in mind next time you need a cute twist on a wine present, not only great for birthdays but how about for a Bridal Shower or Bachelorette Party?

http://www.cupcakevineyard.com/