Need A Yummy Recipe?

I did a little work here on the 'ole blog trying to make it easier for you to find some of the yummy recipes!  I do still have more to work on, but at this time the Chocolate Recipes and Dessert (Non-Chocolate) Recipes are all updated and ready to go for you.

If you look on my far-right side bar under "August Accountability", you will see the Recipe section.  You can just click on the pics to take you to the list of recipes with their links.

Here's the list of Chocolate Recipes:

And here's the list of Dessert Recipes (Non-Chocolate):

If you go look through those recipes, I'm sure you'll find a good one that you've never seen or that you forgot about.  Go try out a new yummy recipe for the weekend!

I've also made it easier to print out the recipes by adding the Print-Friendly button to the bottom of my posts.  It's right above where it says "Posted by Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates" - just click it and it will give you a clean version to print!  You can even click on more pics/text to delete at that point if you want or have the images removed.  You can even save it right to PDF instead of printing if you want.  Very cool!

I hope I've made your Friday a little more yummy!  Have a great weekend friends!

12 New Things ~ 12 Books In 12 Months

I'm so glad that I joined Sarah Mae at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee for her 12 New Things.  It will help me to stay focused on what I want to do!

I came up with my list of 12 new skills I wanted to learn or grow in.  For August, I wanted to help myself continue to grow in the skill of reading.  I barely read anymore and last year I followed my friend Charlotte and made a list of 12 books to read in 12 months.  Well, I still have 3 books to go though I will have 1 more finished by the actual end of August, leaving 2.  Technically I didn't start my 12 months until 9/16 of last year so I will use the additional 2 weeks to try my best to finish those last 2 books!  I can tell you that I never would have read the 9 books I have completed without that list!

My new thing for August was to create another list of 12 books in 12 months to read.  I used my same criteria as last year: a combination of books to help me as a Christian, as a homemaker, and just for literary enjoyment plus they all had to be right here in my home already!  Why books that I already own?  Because I have had a habit over the years of purchasing books that I didn't read (like the book Do It Now that I had for years, but never read - *ahem*) or started but never finished and want to make use of those books so that I can then donate some of them.

So here's the new list!

August:  Finish reading last year's 12 in 12 list (3 to go).

September:  Created To Be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl - Have already started this one and am really enjoying it.  There are some very good lessons for me!

October:  Organizing Magic by Sandra Felton  - Well an unorganized person can dream, right?

November:  Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Thought I should go back and read the book after several years of just watching the movie!

December:  Pilgrim's Progress (unabridged) by John Bunyan - Believe it or not, I have never read this!  My son is halfway through the unabridged version, so I guess that means I should be able to read it too.  :)

January:  You On a Diet by Roizen & Oz, M.D.'s - I started this book a long time ago and it seemed to have some interesting info on how your body works.

February:  Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen - Another Austen book.  Enough said.  :)

March:  The Jesus You Can't Ignore by John MacArthur - Hubs read this and liked it so I look forward to it.

April:  The Millionaire Next Door by Stanley & Danko, Ph.D.'s - Had this book for years and years but never finished it.  I think a lot of things have changed by now, but I'm guessing that there are still some good bits of financial wisdom.

May:  Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens - Never read it, which surprises me.  So I shall!

June:  Raising Your Children For Christ by Andrew Murray - I need all the advice I can get!

July:  Everyday Geography of the United States by Barbara Fifer - An older book, but it has some info about each state.  I'll read it aloud so my son can learn a little something too (we enjoyed doing that this Summer with a church history book).

The 12 New Things also inspired me to come up with a list of 12 projects to complete (because they kept appearing on my brainstorming list for 12 new things)!  Each month on my sidebar (it says August Accountability right now), I'll have a little section telling you what new thing I'm learning, what project I'm completing, and what book I'm reading. My August project is to set up a reminder system through e-mail for all the birthdays/important events through the year (not complete yet). I'm excited about this because it's already helping me be more accountable!

Do you have 12 New Things to learn?  It's not too late to join up.  We're linking up our August things today at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee, but you can always come up with your list and get it posted or link up next month (the last Thursday of the month).  Even if you don't have a blog, this is a great time to sit down and make a list of some new things to learn.

Did you learn a new skill this month?

Thanks for joining me and have a great day friends!

Wordless Wednesday: 1st Day of School

School has started!  I love to see my son's happy face on the first day of school!  Here he is on the first day of 6th grade!

He's growing up too fast!!  (All you parents think the same of your own children, don't you?)  Let's look back through the school years...

5th Grade

4th Grade

3rd Grade (Picture FAIL)

2nd Grade

1st Grade

Kindergarten

OK - let me wipe the tears away so I can say Happy Wordless Wednesday!!  See more Wordless Wednesday pics at 5 Minutes For Mom!

Have a lovely day my friends and give those kiddos a big hug!

Fall Is In The Air...Somewhere

It's starting to feel like Fall - well for some people anyway.  I was getting a bit of a Fall feeling from seeing Fall decor around and from school starting up today.  BUT - the 106 degree temp forecast for today is not helping!!

Last week, we went into Ross one evening to make a quick purchase for the kiddo.  I walked past Halloween decorations, shaking my head at the earliness, but then halted at the Fall decor.  I was drawn to the pumpkins.  I think I'm developing a love for all things pumpkin and can't pass up a cute one!  Well, I saw this little beauty and felt that it simply must be mine (after checking the price tag of course - LOL) - I asked hubs and he said that I could buy it!  Um, not sure that he had much of a choice as he quickly weighed the purchase against the other alternative - a miserable evening with a pouting wife.  (Sigh - really need to work on that pouting issue.)  Thank you dear!!

Who could resist this cutie?

So now I'm getting the itch to put out Fall things.  I also blame it on Melissa at The Inspired Room.  2 years ago, she kind of forced me to decorate for Fall, which I reluctantly attempted and linked up to her Fall Nesting Week.  And last year, I participated again in the Fall Nesting festivities.

Melissa is doing it again this year!  Get your Fall posts ready (even if you're not decorating for Fall) and link up at The Inspired Room on September 8!  For you non-bloggers, be sure to stop by Melissa's place to see all the great ideas and get inspired for Fall!

And speaking of Fall ideas to inspire you, check out this cute Fall wreath idea at Nesting Place - love it!

Are you getting that Fall feeling yet?

Have a wonderful day friends!

12 New Things

I was really trying to stay on my Summer blog break into September and wasn't even feeling inspired to post, but then I saw Sarah Mae's 12 New Things at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee.  I definitely need to join in!  The point is to learn new skills - one a month for the next 12 months.

I thought I would come up with something immediately, but it turns out that I am already quite good at the skill of eating chocolate.  :)  Actually, I was pleasantly surprised to realize that through my blog in the past year I already worked on and accomplished learning several new skills!  I created a special grocery list, organized my recipes, made yogurt and peanut butter, ate from the pantry, started reading 12 books in 12 months, stopped using shampoo, and more!  But I did manage to come up with 12 more things to work on, and none of them involve chocolate...yet.

August:   Come up with another 12 books in 12 months list.  I started last September and I'm behind but trying to catch up!  I think it's a good pace for me though.  And hey - I'm reading!

September:  Write some articles to submit to magazines.  I talk about it, think about it, dream about it, but never actually do it.  So this is my chance!  And I figure this is an easier way to start than writing a book.

October:  Take up jogging.  Ugh.  I don't necessarily plan to keep doing it long-term, but I think it's a quicker way to get in shape than some of the exercise I'm doing.  Good for the heart too!  I can get some good old Vitamin D from the sun at the same time.

November:  Make my own pie crust.  I have NEVER made pie crust except for maybe in home ec waaaaayyy back in school.  Have always used Pillsbury refrigerated crust or a frozen prepared crust.

December:  Make meringue cookies.  I've always wanted to try this and have a few recipes already.  If I succeed, they can be included in Christmas gifts!

January:  Improve piano playing skills.  I'm not very good as I left off with lessons about...oh...30 years ago - LOL!  I have a piano theory book to work on and plenty of songs to work on.

February:  Crocheting.  I did make an afghan a few years ago and started another one.  I need to figure out how to do it again so I can finish that afghan.  I would also like to try making crocheted bracelets that a friend of mine made - they are SO cute!

March:  Typing.  I can't touch-type.  I learned when I was a kid, but never used it back then.  So I have my own hunt & peck method, but I would be MUCH faster if I put my hands in the right place and didn't have to constantly look at the keyboard.  My son has typing software, so I'll just use that - it worked for him!  He was typing almost 50 words a minute by the end of 5th grade.

April:  Learn conversational German.  No good reason for this other than I'm part German and my sis is living in Germany right now and I can dream of taking a trip there, right?  We already own a set of lessons that we can listen to in the car and we'll probably be taking a long car trip in April so we can all learn the German!

May:  Make jewelry.  Not sure how I will do at this, but I love all the creations I see on Etsy.  I will attempt at least a bracelet.

June:  Make espresso.  I let hubs do this and have refused to learn so far.  I shall try to learn all the particulars like the right grind, timing etc. so I can make myself iced lattes galore.  :)

July:  Make sourdough bread.  This seems intimidating because of making the starter first, but I love sourdough and it's a great bread to eat.

That's it!  Whew.  We'll see how I do!  I also want to give myself a list of 12 projects that need to be done in the next 12 months (maybe I should have listed *Project Completion* as a new skill to learn - heh,heh).  Then, on the side of my blog each month - I'll put the new skill I'm working on, the project I'm finishing, and the book I'm reading.  I'm excited to try this out!

What skills do you want to learn or grow in?  Write them up and link up at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee!  Or leave me some skills in the comments.

Thanks for sticking with my blog my friends - even though I took the Summer off.  I do appreciate you!

Have a marvelous day!!

Godiva Chocolate Sale!

I'm still officially on a Summer blog break, but since it's a Friday and I like chocolate on Fridays, I thought I better let you know about a chocolate sale!  I mean, what kind of friend would I be if I kept that knowledge all to myself and bought all the sale chocolates from all the Godiva boutiques and online before you had a chance??  (I *might* have considered it for a second or two.)

Yes, I said Godiva has CHOCOLATE on SALE!!!  Sale items include such deliciousness as:

~ Godiva Mixed Chocolate Assortments – Delicious assortments including the mousse collection, liquor truffles, as well as other classic favorites with milk, dark and caramel chocolates.

~ Ice Cream Parlor Truffles and Bars - Luxurious truffles and chocolate bars inspired by traditional ice cream parlor flavors such as Mint Chocolate Chip, Pecan Sundae, Neapolitan, Hazelnut and Oranges and Crème.

~ Godiva’s Signature Biscuits – Crisp, buttery, and rich biscuits available in mouthwatering flavors such as hazelnut, raspberry and dark truffle flavors.

~ Chocolate covered fruit, nuts and snacks – Delectable milk chocolate covered almonds, praline pecans, cashews, dark chocolate covered cherries and spiced almonds, chocolate covered pretzels, and chocolate covered marshmallows.

YUM.  Godiva chocolate is a bit on the pricey side, but if you have had some, you understand why.  It's fabulous!  Now is your chance to get it for a great price!  Some of these sale prices are up to 40% off!!  You can get some chocolate in a Godiva boutique (check www.Godiva.com for locations) or you can get some online.  The sale will run through September 6.

Here's a little tip - sign up for the Godiva rewards club and you'll get 1 free chocolate each month plus a free gift if you spend $10 (in the boutiques).  You'll also get free shipping on 1 item each month.  Sweet!

So get yourself over to Godiva and stock up on sale chocolates!!  You never know when you might feel like sending a box to your favorite chocolate-loving blogger - ahem.  Oh I suppose there are plenty of other reasons to stock up!  :)  And don't forget that Godiva is releasing the Bakery Dessert Truffle Collection this Fall.  Yummy!

Happy end of Summer (since school is starting soon) to all of you!