Inspired Tuesday ~ Week 5

Welcome to another week of Inspired Tuesday. This week we have two featured blogs!

First up we have this photo that Marissa from A Journey Called Life shared.

Click the image to see also the words she shared in her post.

Our second feature is from Bi Ti from the blog Prêt-à-Vivre. They shared a wonderful post about San Francisco. What to see and do there, and shared some beautiful pictures! Here is an example of one. Be sure to click on the image to have a look at the original post.

Last week I think we had a record number of people link up. This week lets try and hit 30!

What is Inspired Tuesday?

Each Tuesday Not So Ugly Ducklings hosts Inspired Tuesday along with two awesome co-hosts Dawn's Disaster and Peanut Butter and Jelly, where we offer up a free printable with some encouraging words.

Me and my co-hosts believe that any post written can inspired someone else, whether it is a personal story, a photography, a recipe.. whatever, so I invite everyone to link up their posts no matter the topic.

The rules are simple:

1) Follow Not So Ugly Ducklings, Dawn's Disaster and Peanut Butter and Jelly  in any way of your choosing.
2) Follow this weeks featured blog(s).

3) It would be nice if you added the Inspired Tuesday button to your post, or even just a link back to the link-up.
4) Try to visit others and be inspired!

That's it.

Here is the button if you would like it:

<div align="center"><a href="http://notsouglyducklings.blogspot.com/" title="Not So Ugly Ducklings"><img src="http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh540/sommerfugldesign/inspired-tuesday-button_zpsa22cc19f.png" width="150" alt="Inspired Tuesday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

And this weeks free printable:

It can be downloaded from HERE

Saturday 9

1) Sam is crazy for The Lion King. Do you have a favorite Disney movie?

Tangled definitely.


2) The song tells us that Hakuna Matata "means no worries." Is something worrying you right now?

That my dad is going to take forever to wake up! I'm trying to go to a friends house here dad!


3) Who is the most optimistic person you know?

I can't really think of anyone...

4) Elton John wrote "Hakuna Matata" but didn't record it. Name a song Sir Elton is famous for singing.

Your Song!


5) Can you play the piano?

I can do the chopsticks and randomly hit the keys.


6) Congratulations! You just won a guided African Safari Tour! 8 days in Zambia and Botswana for you and a friend. All expenses paid, and allowing you access to breathtaking, unforgettable sights. It takes at least 30 hours to get there, and before you go you'll need yellow fever andhepatitis vaccinations and medication to prevent malaria. Are you up for it?

Yes, any sort of Travel/Vacation I would take right now, as long as it is warm!


7) There's been a mistake. You really won a 4-night Disney Bahamas Cruise for two. Are you relieved or disappointed that you'll be partying with a guy in a Simba suit on the Lido Deck instead of observing a real lion in the wild?

Disappointed.... I don't really to any kind of Disney thing-a-mi-jig.

8) Let's bring this back to real life -- do you have any vacation plans?

Yes! For the first time in years, we are going somewhere this summer. Colorado to visit family and get some camping done :)

9) Describe your luggage. Is it durable and high quality? Or are you like Crazy Sam, who has been known to use an Old Navy shopping bag as her carry-on?

I'm probably somewhere in the middle. Since I don't really travel I don't really travel I don't have high quality fancy suitcases.

Random 5...

Hello! Wow, for some reason I feel like I haven't posted in a really long time, even though I just posted yesterday! And since I have to go get ready for a soccer practice this has to be a quick post!
So here are my 5 random facts :)

1. I can't help but be so so excited for tomorrow. I am going to hang out with two awesome girls and we are going to have an absolute blast!

2. I got a Parisian baking book from the library yesterday and everything in it looks SO GOOD!
Especially the Macarons but you probably already knew that. If you haven't seen it yet, I suggest checking it out from the library or you might be able to see it online somewhere. Stay tuned for some delicious recipes coming soon...

3. Earlier this week I read a book by Gabby Douglas (yes from the Olympics!) and it was so good. It was stories from throughout her whole life and was absolutely mesmerizing and wonderful. And so now I have Gymnastics glued into my head and am watching a bunch of videos from last summers Olympics.

4. I have been pouring over the Anthropologie website, and there are so many cool things! And such a huge variety of things! If you haven't already you should definitely go check them out :)

5. Today I went looking for any flower buds or green and I couldn't find anything. Literally, which is really sad considering it is mid March. Also, St. Patricks day last year was in the high 70's and everything was green and we had been playing soccer outside for a couple weeks. Where is that weather now?!

Linking up with Nancy for Random 5 Friday...

More letters!

This is me dreaming about spring/summer.

I wish this is what it looked like outside. But instead it is mid 20's and there is still plenty of snow.

Dear Rockabilly Rosie...  I love how you wear your bandanna. And since I've been working in the kitchen for 2 days straight keeping my hair out of my face is definitely a good thing! So this is currently what my hair looks like:

Dear camera... I have been neglecting you. Back in February when I started missing out with my 365 my mind apparently decided that you needed a little break... Once Spring comes you will hopefully be busy again :) 

Dear kitchen... I can't wait till we start painting and making the whole kitchen pretty!

I wanted you to be yellow but someone(mom...)said that wasn't a very good idea.

Dear Pinterest... In the last week I have grown even more obsessed. Looking for kitchen inspiration and most of all, some delicious recipes!

Dear Macarons... Yum. I haven't never had the chance to take a taste but I want to! One of my new goals is too make some in a whole rainbow of colors. 

Dear Saturday... I know I should live in the moment, but Saturday is going to be so much fun! When me and these two girls get together it is a absolute blast. Fun, crazy, and tiring. I can't wait :)

Little Things Thursdays

Thursday Favorite Things

Little Letters

Imperfect Prose

Share The Joy

Loves On A Thursday

Ready To Waltz

P.S. You may have heard already, but as of July, Google Reader is going away! Which means if you follow me via GFC you won't be able to anymore. So I would really appreciate it if you would follow me via Bloglovin! I have a handy dandy little button in my sidebar, its super easy and I would appreciate it so much :)

Chocolate Zucchini & Banana Bread :)

Banana Bread

Ingredients:

1/2 cup oil

1 cup sugar

2 beaten eggs

3 bananas, mashed

1/3 cup black coffee

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1. Beat together oil & sugar.

2. Add eggs & bananas mashed with coffee.

3. In a large bowl mix flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

4. Combine both mixtures & vanilla, beat well.

5. Bake @ 350 for an hour.

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Ingredients:

3 eggs

1 cup oil

2 cups sugar

2 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour

1 1/4 white flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups zucchini

And the easiest recipe ever...

1. Mix wet.

2. Mix dry.

3. Add dry to wet.

4. Add zucchini.

5. Make @ 350 for an hour.

:)

These are both, SO GOOD!

We always make a double batch 'cause it disappears so quickly.

If you make either one of these I would love for you to let me know how they turn out!

Texture Tuesday...

Hello! I hit 80 followers today, thank you so much to my new and older followers!

If you haven't already I would love for you to link up with Inspired Tuesday Week 5.

And I do hope you will come back tomorrow for not one, but two recipes! Anywho, on to the picture!

I needed a little spring today, so this is from my archives, spring last year. This is just what I want to see when I look outside. What I am really seeing in cold weather with some snow, ick.

Textured with Kim Klassen's Havana texture.

Texture Tuesday
Tuesday Muse
Sweet Shot Tuesday
The Happiness Project
Tones On Tuesday
Tuesday Around The World
Inspired Tuesday

Inspired Tuesday ~ Week 5

This week we are changing this up a bit. We have decided each week we will feature one or two of our favorite posts. Those featured will be added to the to be followed group each week.

This week we are featuring Laurie's post Knowing Yourself... from Pride in Photos. Be sure to stop by her blog and say hello, and if you didn't see her post last week, be sure to check it out this week.

What is Inspired Tuesday?

Each Tuesday Not So Ugly Ducklings hosts Inspired Tuesday along with two awesome co-hosts Dawn's Disaster and Peanut Butter and Jelly, where we offer up a free printable with some encouraging words.

Me and my co-hosts believe that any post written can inspired someone else, whether it is a personal story, a photography, a recipe.. whatever, so I invite everyone to link up their posts no matter the topic.

The rules are simple:

1) Follow Not So Ugly Ducklings, Dawn's Disaster and Peanut Butter and Jelly  in any way of your choosing.
2) Follow this weeks featured blog(s).

3) It would be nice if you added the Inspired Tuesday button to your post, or even just a link back to the link-up.
4) Try to visit others and be inspired!

That's it.

Here is the button if you would like it:

<div align="center"><a href="http://notsouglyducklings.blogspot.com/" title="Not So Ugly Ducklings"><img src="http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh540/sommerfugldesign/inspired-tuesday-button_zpsa22cc19f.png" width="150" alt="Inspired Tuesday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

And here is this weeks free printable:

 You can download it from HERE.

SHS 3.9.13.

Hello! i don't know about you, but i am so excited for daylight savings to begin! I want more daylight, and I want it now so I am uber excited :) Also, I didn't think I was going to have pictures for each prompt this week but I figured it out and am hoping I like the prompts more next week 'cause this week I was definitely not a fan! Anywho, on to the hunt! :)

I am just now realizing how much this picture looks like my chocolate peanut butter surprise cookies. Oops.

Cookies

5 cups. Since I learned the cup song yesterday I am currently a little bit obsessed with cups and whenever I get the chance I start doing cup songs and singing. Yeah.

#5

I am glad I am actually sharing this because it shows that the cats are enjoying the warm(ish) weather as much as I am!

Sharing

So this isn't actually a picture I took. Its a screen shot from our harlem shake video. But since I didn't have anything else this is what you get!

Wiggle

The word of the day on Thursday was barn!

Word Of The Day

Saturday 9

1) Have you ever been to the Atlanta?

Nope, never had any reason to go.

2) Do you enjoy traveling by train?

I have never traveled by train so I don't know, but I think I would like it!

3) "Midnight Train to Georgia" is Sam Winters' signature number at the karaoke bar. What's your go-to song when you take the mic?

Rolling In The Deep by Adele. I do karaoke every now and again and its definitely the song that I have sang the most :)

4) Do you drink tea?

If you had asked me this a week ago I would have said no. But I can say yes now! SO far my favorite is green tea with some sugar, but I have a whole box of different flavors to try!

5) What's the most recent thing you purchased for your home?

I just bought a big cherry candle today! I got it on clearance for $2, rock on.

6) Are there dishes in your kitchen sink right now?

Nope, I just finished doing them all like 10mins ago. But its just a matter of time...

7) Have you ever been fingerprinted?

Yes when I got caught hunting in the kings forest.

8) What was the last check you wrote?

Probably like 2 years ago. I was treasurer for my 4-H club and wrote checks all the time.

9) What color are your eyes?

A medium green with orange and gold :)

My Random 5

1. I am currently learning the cup song. And it is awesome. Even though it annoys my dad, a lot.

2. I am going to a fantastically awesome and fun soccer practice tonight. And then I have a soccer game on both Saturday and Sunday :)

3. On Wednesday instead of sharing one recipe, I will be sharing two! The picture above is one of them, but the other will be a surprise :)

4. I want to know what you want to see here on my blog! If you read my blog often and know what I post regularly but would like to see more, let me know what you would like to see and I will see what I can do :)

5. Pinterest is my secret best friend, no joke. 

Spring Letters

Dear spring: I am waiting, I have been waiting. I miss the sunshine, the flowers, the green, the cool breezes on warm sunny days. So please come just a little bit quicker?

Dear mind: You are bursting with ideas that keep me up at night. As soon as it gets warm enough outside I will be out there and taking action with your spring plans :)

Dear tea: I want to like you, I really do. But so far we are not getting along too well.

Dear knee: I am doing my physical therapy so you can get better. But you are being much too stubborn. Please heal, sooner would be better then later.

Dear library: You have me taking way too many books home. Yes they are all inspiring but checking out two bags stuffed with books may or may not be the best plan.

Dear Paris: I could spend hours looking and reading about you. And I have. But all you are doing is making me want to leave Wisconsin and explore. And eat tons of Macarons. Sit in front of the Eiffel Tower for hours on end. Someday I will be there.

Dear Colorado: I just yesterday discovered that we might be visiting you this summer. If thats the case, then I can't wait to see you :)

Little Things Thursday

Thursday Favorite Things

Little Letters

Loves On A Thursday

Share The Joy

Imperfect Prose

Ready To Waltz

Amish Puffs

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup softened butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup sugar

4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cream or tartar, and salt into a bowl and set aside.

2. In a stand mixer, cream butters and sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg and mix until combined.

3. Add the flour mixture, and mix on low speed just until combined.

4. Cover dough and refrigerate for 30mins.

5. For the cinnamon sugar: Combine sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.

6. Preheat the oven to 375.

7. Roll tablespoon-sized balls of dough in the cinnamon sugar and place on cookie sheets about 3 inches apart.

8. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through, until golden brown.

Enjoy warm with tea, coffee or any warm drink!

These are very alike to snickerdoodles but are less sweet, hence eating with a drink!

Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Trying Out Tea...

So, tea. When I was little I would drink tea even though I really didn't like it 'cause I thought it made me so cool to drink tea.

Eventually I got some sense knocked into me and decided that since I didn't like I shouldn't drink it :P

Anyway, recently seeing all of Kim Klassen's awesome tea photos has officially inspired me to try tea again!

Herb teas in general, and my mom brought home a box of assorted herb teas for me the other day! There are 6 different flavors:

Pomegranate Pizzazz ~ sweet & tart taste of pomegranate

I Love Lemon ~ Refreshing blend with lots of lemon

Mint Medley ~ Blend of cool garden spearmint & peppermint

Orange & Spice ~ A zesty blend of orange and spice

Cozy Chamomile ~ Calming chamomile for quiet moments

Sweet Dreams ~ Relaxing blend of chamomile & mint

And I admit I am a little timid to try a few of them (I have never liked trying new things), but I will try them all eventually.

I have already tried the mint medley and I thought it tasted like the dentist. So I think I just have to get used to the taste.

Textured with Kim Klassen's Daisy and Isobel.

My question for today is do you like tea?

If so, do you have a favorite kind?

Texture Tuesday

Sweet Shot Tuesday

52 Weeks Of Happiness

Project 52

Tones On Tuesday

Tuesday Around The World

Inspired Tuesday

And a new fabulous link up, Tuesday Muse hosted by the lovely Nancy over at A Rural Journal. I have missed her weekly linkys and am so glad she has decided to do them again ;)

Inspired Tuesday ~ Week 4

My featured post this week is

from Heather over at Friendship, Life and Style.

She shared some cute fashion, camo and lace! I have never thought of mixing the two, but she has planted a few ideas in my head :)

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What is Inspired Tuesday?

Each Tuesday Not So Ugly Ducklings hosts Inspired Tuesday along with two awesome co-hosts Dawn's Disaster and Peanut Butter and Jelly, where we offer up a free printable with some encouraging words.

Me and my co-hosts believe that any post written can inspired someone else, whether it is a personal story, a photography, a recipe.. whatever, so I invite everyone to link up their posts no matter the topic.

The rules are simple:

1) Follow Not So Ugly Ducklings, Dawn's Disaster and Peanut Butter and Jelly  in any way of your choosing.

2) It would be nice if you added the Inspired Tuesday button to your post, or even just a link back to the link-up.
3) Try to visit others and be inspired!

That's it.

Here is the button if you would like it:

<div align="center"><a href="http://notsouglyducklings.blogspot.com/" title="Not So Ugly Ducklings"><img src="http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh540/sommerfugldesign/inspired-tuesday-button_zpsa22cc19f.png" width="150" alt="Inspired Tuesday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

I am really liking this weeks free printable! I hope love it too!

You can download your copy from Here

We can't wait to read all your inspiring posts this week!

SHS 3.2.13.

Hola hola! Today was so very cold but very sunny.

And I am proud to say that I have officially been in a Harlem Shake video, its not better then my Eye of The Tiger video though :P That would be kind of hard to do. 

Lets get on to the hunt, which by the way I loved this week because there has been a serious lack of color around here...

Lots of blue skies today! I love the golden hues with the blue..

And I love this old twisty Oak!

Blue

The sunset tonight was so so gorgeous.
I was taking care of some horses and a goat for a friend and I started taking tons of pictures, I couldn't decide if this was yellow or orange though...

Orange

As I said earlier I participated in my first Harlem Shake video.

This was my awesome red decor. I also has a santa hat but no pictures of that...

Red

I love photographing fences, like a lot. Especially when the sun is creating a golden haze over everything!

Yellow

This was the most green I could find, which is kind of sad. March is supposed to be green and warm, today was the exact opposite of warm!

Green