Tips for Keeping your Dog Safe during the Holidays

You might know that our dog, Remmy, is not just a pet.  She is a member of the family.  We're always sure to give her a pat on her side or a kiss on her head before we leave the house for the day.  Just like Remmy is sure to greet us with a wiggle and a kiss when we return home.

Just like any family member, we want to keep Remmy safe. Since the holidays can bring out curiosity in even the most well-behaved pup, PuppySpot has provided a Holiday Dog Safety Checklist to help keep our furry family member safe during the holiday season!

If you are looking for a pup, or just like looking at pups (like I do), you can check out these links: 

Puppies for sale 

No Puppy Mill Promise

Disclosure:  

I was not compensated in any way for sharing this info-graphic.  As a dog-lover, I felt that this helpful information was a good fit for my readers.  Thank you PuppySpot.com for providing this great reminder of the dangers the holidays can bring for our furry friends.  

Wordless Wednesday ~ A Girl and Her Dog

I can't remember what I was doing when I spotted my two girls just staring into each other's faces.

I do remember I was thankful to have my phone handy to capture the moment.

They adore each other.

A girl and her dog....such a wonderful thing!

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week of October 17th

Hello, friends!

I have been having trouble finding the time to sit down at my desk to blog.  School has started and I'm back to work.  I thought once we were getting into more of a routine, that things would be a little less hectic around here, but truthfully, we've been running around so crazy between work, school, play dates, Girl Scouts, etc. that we just haven't been home.  When we are home, the time has been spent walking the dog, working on homework, bedtime routines.  At night, when I do finally have a chance to sit down and relax, I'm usually dozing off on the couch only to have the dog wake me up barking in my face.  Usually because she is hungry, needs to go out, wants a treat, or simply because she wants my spot of the couch.

It's been a rough several weeks.  Especially when it comes to meal time.  We've been grabbing too much take-out, whipping up quick boxed meals, or simply grabbing a bowl of cereal when out of time or ideas.

This week, I have a few days off of work.  I'm determined to take advantage of the time and prepare some decent food for us!  I might even prepare a couple of bigger meals and freeze leftovers for busy nights.

Here are a few things we'll be eating this week:

Spicy Chipotle Pot Roast 

with mashed potatoes, corn

Giant has Eye Roast on sale this week.  

Joe took my car to get gas and I had him pick up a nice 2 1/2 lb roast.  

Perfect for this simple crock pot recipe!  

Spaghetti with a Simple Tomato Sauce 

Garden Salad, Crusty Bread

Such a pantry-friendly meal, I don't know why I don't 

prepare this more often!  

Easy Beef Barley Soup

I love using the leftover Spicy Chipotle Pot Roast 

for this tasty soup recipe.  

Those are just a few of the things we'll be eating this week.  I will also plan for some quick Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Tomato Soup and side salads.  BLTs will be a hit as well for a really simple, quick meal for one of our busier nights this week.  

I'd love to hear some of your favorite go-to meals for when you have a million things to do after school or work!  Please share in the comments!  

Bostons, Scooters, & Unicorns ~ Wordless Wednesday

Now that school is back in session, we've noticed the evenings getting both shorter and slightly cooler.  The temps have been cool enough that the dog and I can actually walk and not feel like we're going to pass out!

One night a couple of weeks ago, I decided to take my girls to the park.  I needed some exercise, Remmy needed a walk and Gracie really needed to burn off some energy.  Walking gets boring for Gracie, so as a surprise, I packed up her scooter and helmet.  Isn't that unicorn helmet fabulous?  I wish they had stuff like that when I was a kid!

About 3/4 of the way around the park, Remmy needed a break.  Just enough heat to make her need a short break.  Either that or she was enjoying the soccer game that was going on in the field!

Thrifty Thursday ~ Mason Jar Thrift Store Find

A couple of weeks ago, Grace's aunt and I took her to the movies to the most adorable, little movie theater a few towns over.

On the way home, we decided to pop in and browse at a little thrift shop.  I'm so glad we did!

I scored this unopened case of jelly jars for super cheap!  The price sticker was marked at $5, but the shop was having a 20% off sale that day on everything in the store!

The box was a little damaged.
A dent here and some water damage there, so I almost passed them up.

But seeing how inexpensive they were, I figured if there were a few broken jars in there, I'd still work out to be a deal for the remaining jars.

So for $4 and some change for sales tax, I really couldn't leave them there.  Could I?

In the end, it turned out that all the jars and lids were in perfect condition!

Now, don't get too excited...I have not taken up making my own jelly and jams.  At least not yet.

I might - and I mean a very slight might - attempt some homemade apple sauce when we pick apples this year.

Most likely, I will use them for storing bulk spices or small leftover portions.



Sharing at the following link parties:

• Thrifty & Vintage Finds Link Party #133

Back To School 2016 ~ Wordless Wednesday

I know this is supposed to be a "wordless" post, but I after a two year silence here Under the Big Oak Tree, I'm not feeling like I want to be wordless anymore!

Those that followed my blog in the past will be shocked to see how much Grace has grown since I've posted last.  Here's one of the last posts where I featured a photo of Grace, to give you an idea of how much she's grown!  I'll fill in the blanks a bit as I get into posting more often, but for now, I'd like to share some photos from Back to School.

Although, the photos above have an Under the Big Oak Tree watermark, I cannot take credit for these fabulous photos.  These wonderful images of Grace are used with permission from Kristen of KDW Photography, a local photographer and dear friend.


Where I'm linking up:

• Outdoor Wednesday over at A Southern Daydreamer
• WW on a Tuesday
• Mixed Reviews Wordless Wednesday
• Photo Friday

I'm Back...with a Menu Plan!

Hello, friends!

Have you missed me?  I know it's been a long time since I've last posted.  Probably about two years. In that time, Gracie has gone through Kindergarten and First Grade and we are currently starting our second week of Second Grade.  OH MY!  Did I just say that?  SECOND GRADE???  Wow!

Another new development since I've last been here, is I started working.  I found myself the most perfect (for me) part-time job, with a great boss and fabulous hours!  I'm sure I will share more about that in another post.  Yes, I plan on posting regularly again.  Mainly, because this blog helped keep me on my toes and I've realized that my life became a mess without the blog.

So, I'm back....and what better way to kick off being back than with a Menu Plan!

Monday

Dinner with Friends

We celebrated Labor Day with friends.
I picked up some yummy desserts
on the way to their house
for a BBQ.

Tuesday

Grilled Chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetable

Grilled chicken is one of our favorite go-to foods.
Joe usually grills a big, family pack of chicken breasts
in the beginning of the week.
Leftovers serve up easily on days when meals
don't always go as planned.  

Wednesday

Chili over rice

It's been a while since we've had chili.
I don't even remember if I made it at all last winter.
I've decided this week, I'll try a new recipe
found via Pinterest.

Thursday 

Fend For Yourself Night

I'm going to the gym tonight.  

No, I'm not bragging.  

Just putting it here in writing to keep me accountable.  

I'll most likely grab some of the leftover grilled chicken.

On nights like this, Joe will usually make an omelet 

or a bowl of oatmeal.  

Friday

Porcupine Meatballs 

This is a recipe we enjoy,
but not one I use very often.
Maybe because it's not really a
quick-cooking meal.
The flavors of this dish,
make the one hour simmering time
so very worth it!


Saturday

Leftover Night

Chili dogs are on the menu for tonight.
Quick and easy, perfect for fitting into whatever
plans we have for a busy weekend!


Sunday

Easy Beef Barley Soup

As you know, I love soup!
This is one of my favorite recipes!
So simple and delicious!  

Well, that's all for this post!  I'll be back soon with more posts, new recipes, and lots of Wordless Wednesday photos!