Current Favorites

Currently...

...listening to: I've recently discovered the Pop2K station on SiriusXM, channel 10. It plays all of the great songs from my high school and college days. Try it out-promise you won't be disappointed! Also, Christmas music, duh! Here are some of my favorites: Mariah Carey, Michael Buble, Point of Grace, Sugarland, Faith Hill, Kelly Clarkson and Lady Antebellum. I tend to like more country artists, because I feel they stick to the more tradition sounds than say, Britney Spears' Christmas album.

...reading: Just finished the Divergent Series. It was pretty good! It got a little boring towards the third book, but overall I liked it. It did remind me a lot of theHunger  Games, but had a different story. I need to visit my Goodreads list to see what I'm gonna read next.

...cooking: Lighter Lasagna Soup. Easy, healthy and delicious!!

...missing up on: my family and niece. It's hard knowing we won't be spending Thanksgiving or Christmas with them this year, but my parents will be here to visit us and baby after the first of the year.

...watching: we watch a lot of football this time of year, which is fine with me. Other shows I'm loving are The Blacklist, Greys Anatomy, Nashville, Law & Order:SVU, and NCIS. I do not however, enjoy that they all take a break this time of year!

...enjoying: the coziness of our living room with all of our decorations up, and of course the Christmas tree. I love sitting in the dark with just the Christmas tree lit, and just staring at all of the magical-ness of it. Yes, that's a word :) It literally brings a smile to my face and I sit there in the dark grinning like an idiot. Ha ha ha.

...over hearing about: I am SO incredibly sick of hearing about Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber and the Kardashians. I went to google something about Christmas the other day and the number 1 thing that came up was the 2013 Kardashian Christmas card. Are you kidding me?!? And people wonder what's wrong with the world. 

...craving: hot tamales and puffy Cheetos. Yummmmmm :)

...looking forward to: finally having this kid! House is clean, everything is ready, and now we just wait...

What's going on with you lately?

Photos from my phone

I know I'm not the only one who randomly will go through all of the photos  in their camera roll on their phone and reminisce about all the good times had over the past year. 

I was scrolling through these last night and was just laughing out loud at some of them, and thought it would be fun to share them with you all. I'm sure you've probably seen most of these at some point or another on my blog, but hey if I didn't remember the pictures, surely you guys won't remember some of them too. That's my hope anyways...

Calving shed from last March...love all the icicles!

Helping my hubby load grain. That was probably the first and last day I'll go with him for the entire day...he said I asked too many questions :)

A weekend trip to Billings for an FFA state officer 10 year reunion and the PBR rodeo. In the grand scheme of things, Baby Hackley was about 3 weeks old at the time :)

My handsome boys after their annual spring haircut!

My backyard fire pit...my favorite place to spend time in the summer...

Branding...

Ohhhh and the dancing cows!! How could we forget that?! I literally crack up laughing every time I see these pictures!

Miranda Lambert concert...only my 3rd time seeing her :)

My MIL's birthday present...patriotic pallet flag that I made!

My friend Chay and I at the Wolf Point Stampede rodeo.

Good friends wedding....don't mind the giant goblet of booze my friend Emily is holding...it's a sorority tradition :)

My garden!!

Back when I had a teeny tiny baby bump, and looked more bloated than pregnant. Pretty sure that shirt would fit about halfway down my stomach right now, ha ha.

So I just realized there are way too many pictures to share with you for one blog post! This is the first half of the year, so I'll save the second half for another day!

Happy Wednesday friends! I'm working from the comfort of my living room in sweatpants :) roads were crappy and my boss didn't want me driving on them, oh darn :)

Friday Jamz

One of the things I love about my husband is his love of music. He knows almost every country song known to man, and can sing all of the words. It's not just new country-he actually prefers the older stuff like Conway Twitty and the older George Strait.

I've also said before somewhere on this blog that if you want to know what kind of mood Patrick is in, just listen to the lyrics of the songs he's currently listening to. Which is why it warmed my heart the other day when he shared this video on Facebook and said "This one's for you Nicole"

Point At You-Justin Moore

I've always been one of them boys
Rollin' around in jacked up toys
Making noise on small town Friday nights

Red light running, good time chasing,
Guess I've earned this reputation
Probably never shake it but that's alright

I've got a rough side, a wild side
At least a country mile wide
A fightin' side after a few
If they wanna see my sweet side
My soft side, my best side
I just point at you
Yea, point at you

Girl I ain't sure just what it is
That's got me all tore up like this
Your kiss done melted down this heart of stone

I still like to get a little crazy
But something about your loving baby
It breaks me down and makes me wanna haul ass home

I've got a rough side, a wild side
At least a country mile wide
A fightin' side after a few
If they wanna see my sweet side
My soft side, my best side
I just point at you
Point at you yeah

Oh girl I wouldn't blame ya if you tried to change me
Lord knows I'm hard to hold
But I guess you kinda like all of my sides
And I ain't letting you go
Cause my best side is holding me close
Point at you, yeah

I've got a rough side, a wild side
At least a country mile wide
A fightin' side after a few
If they wanna see my sweet side
My soft side, my best side
I just point at you
Oh baby, I just point at you
Girl I point at you
Oh babe my best side is you
Girl I point at you

Oh how I love that man :) Melts my heart :)

Have a great weekend friends!

Because it's Friday

It's Friday. Please watch this. If this doesn't make you want to frolic on the beach like a giddy little school girl, I don't know what will.

Happy Weekend, friends!

Friday Jam-Soul Food

Happy Friday!!!!

Today I am doing something my cousin Lacey does, and introducing you to one of my music jams. She does Friday Jamz most every week, and I always look forward to hearing the songs she chooses!

And I'm also linking up with Jennifer for Soul Food Friday! 

So what song am I currently loving? What song just makes me want to blast it with my windows rolled down and dance like a crazy woman? YES, I am THAT girl! I feel like this song just feeds my soul-it's one of those songs that when I hear it, can't help but start moving and dancing. I love those types of songs! So, unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard this song by the not-so-bad-to-look-at Robin Thicke:

Weekend Update + A Craft Project!

This weekend was great! I didn't end up doing anything Friday night-Patrick had to go out of town to get a new swather (something that cuts the hay) for the night, so I decided to stay home with the dogs.

Saturday morning got to sleep in, went and got my oil changed, and had breakfast with the in-laws and my brother at the best little diner a small town could ask for!

After that I lounged, napped, and got ready for the 2 hour drive to go see Miranda Lambert!

As always, she put on a GREAT concert! Since it was a smaller venue for her, she didn't play as long, and she didn't rock out like she normally does at her concerts. She played her guitar a lot more, which I also enjoyed. You just can't go wrong with her!

Sunday was kind of a housework, yard work sort of day. Got a bunch of stuff done around the house, then started on a fun craft project for my MIL's birthday, which is today! Everyone wish her a Happy Birthday!

I originally saw this craft project from Suzi @ Chores and Chandeliers' blog, and LOVED it. My MIL really likes patriotic decor, and I thought this would be a great gift to give her for her birthday. The woman is hard to shop for, but I know I can make something and she'll like it just as much!

Here is the original inspiration:

I started out with just a plain wood pallet. Around the farm, we seem to have plenty of them :) I think she painted hers on, but I just decided to go with spray paint, and enamel for the lettering and stars. P.S. I'm not sure why this picture came in upside down...it was straight when I downloaded it from my computer, but kept coming in all crazy when it came onto my blog. Sorry!

If you can read upside-down, you can see that the spray paints are all different. One was flat, one was glossy and they were all different types. But they all had the same finish when they dried so it didn't matter. In a small town, we don't have a lot of options, so I just chose the colors I liked.

It only took me about 2 hours from start to finish, and here's my final product!

It was super easy and fun to do!

And on one last random note, last night as I was watching North America on the Discovery Channel, my extremely anti-social cat jumped up on the coffee table and sat front and center for a good 20 minutes watching the TV with me. I've never seen him do that before in the two years we've owned him. He really liked the birds and the grizzly bears, and kept tilting his head back and forth. Weird cat.

How was your weekend?

It's OK!

It's OK Thursday once again! Link up with Amber and Neely!



...that I have Monday AND Friday off of work this week. Yahoo for a short week!

...if everything doesn't go your way.

...to be upset when it doesn't, and want to punch someone in the face. (Did I tell you my mom always thought I had an anger problem?)

...to have dyed my hair the lightest it's ever been! It's kinda blonde on top! It was definitely a change, but it's growing on me. Sorry, haven't gotten a good picture of it yet.

...to listen to the same artist on Spotify, over and over, every day for a week.

...to have that blasted chocolate Costco cake for lunch one day. Hey, I can only last for so long from the temptation!

...to spend time at home doing work stuff, and not count the hours.

...speaking of punching people, it's ok to have punched your future relative in the face during a muddy brawl in college at a football game. Hey, she messed with my sister. You DO NOT touch my family. And she stole my hat. Might be a story for another day.

...to blog stalk people you know in real life who also blog.

...to start and finish a book in one day.

...to be completely unmotivated at work, even though you're only working 3 days this week.

...to have worked out 4 day in a row this week! What?!? Who am I???

...to be freaked out about life, but feel better once you turn it over to God.

...to have made it through our first two weeks of helping with the youth group! So far, so good!

...to put doritos on your peanut butter and jelly sandwich. OMGeeee, have you tried it?

...to sing at the top of your lungs in the car...even if there's someone riding with you.

...to piss people off by doing the right thing.

...to have a crabby day, and wish you could just go home and crawl under the blankets.

...to catch up on all your DVR shows in one day.

What's OK with you guys this week???

Eric Church...YUM

Ladies...Eric Church is hot. Like...yum. That's really all I could come up with! 

We were both excited to see him:

 
We drove the 3 hours to Regina, Canada (it's pronounced like "vagina". No, I'm not kidding! hahaha) and went to his concert last Friday, and I can honestly say it was one of the BEST concerts I've been to! Granted I've only been to mostly country concerts-save the Snoop, Ludacris and Nelly concerts back in the day-but I've seen Miranda, Kenny, Sugarland, Jason Aldean and a bunch of others. He was GREAT. Better than great. I would pay good money to see him again!

So without further adieu....Mr. Church:

He opened with Country Music Jesus

And he's one of those artists who sounds almost better live than on his album.

I made this one extra large so you could see his smile. You're welcome. 

 I'm thinking all sorts of inappropriate thoughts right now...

Loves Me Like Jesus. Love love love.

Just'a creepin.....

 Drink a little drink...

Smoke a little smoke.

 He ended the show with Springsteen!

It was a fantastic show...like, blow your mind good! He was entertaining the whole time, hardly slowed down, and had flames, fireworks, different backgrounds, cannons and smoke throughout the whole show!

If you have the chance to see him, DO IT!

Tomorrow I'll be back with some things I learned about our neighbors to the north, and a DELISH recipe you won't want to miss. Two words: Crock pot!

Eric Church

In case I haven't talked about it enough, I'm going to see Eric Church TONIGHT!!!

 mmmmm, delicious :)

Not only am I friggin' ecstatic about the concert, but this is my first time to Canada!

We're currently on our way there...just going to explore around Regina for a little while, and the concert starts at 7pm.

Can't wait to show you guys the pictures when I get back! Have a great weekend!!!

Weekend Pics and My Playlist

I finally got some of my pics from last weekend downloaded to my computer-so here's what I did, in pictures!

 Harley and I helping load grain into the semi on Sunday

 Yes, we actually saw this on a tractor at a dealership.

 Smoke riding in the tractor while feeding cows.

 

Heading to the hay lot.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

I'm traveling to Washington DC for work on Sunday for a whole week! Flying that far, I better have a good playlist on my ipod, so I put together a bunch of new songs. Here are my tunes I'm listening to currently:

Better Dig Two-The Band Perry

Those Jeans-Ray Scott

Two Black Cadillacs-Carrie Underwood

Try-P!nk

Thrift Shop-Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Scream & Shout-will.i.am & Britney

Beauty & the Beat-Justin Bieber feat. Nicki Minaj

American Heart-Faith Hill

Only Way I Know-Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan & Eric Church

(not sure it gets any better than that trio right there!)

Mama's Broken Heart-Miranda Lambert

Girl on Fire-Alicia Keys

Daylight-Maroon 5

Catch My Breath-Kelly Clarkson

How Country Feels-Randy Houser

One of Those Nights-Tim McGraw

Tornado-Little Big Town

If I Didn't Have You-Thompson Square

   
Do you have any good suggestions of new songs that are out?

Tunes and Books

Here are some songs on my current playlist:

1. Fastest Girl in Town-Miranda Lambert

2. Everybody Talks-Neon Trees

3. Wanted-Hunter Hayes

4. Creepin-Eric Church

(music video is rad, by the way)

 

5. Why Ya Wanna-Jana Kramer

6. Home to Me-Sarah Darling

7. Southern Comfort Zone-Brad Paisley

8. American Heart-Faith Hill

9. El Cerrito Place-Kenny Chesney

10. One More Night-Maroon 5

(sorry I'm not sorry for posting this pic!)

11. Some Nights-fun. 

(p.s. does anyone else think they sound like Queen in this song??)

12. Diamonds-Rihanna

13. Ellie Goulding-ALL of her songs!

14. Feel Again-One Republic

15. Your Body-Christina Aguilera

Here are the books I have and am currently reading or going to read:

1. Still Missing-Chevy Stevens

After reading Amber's review last week, I decided it was something I needed to read!

2. Divergent-Veronica Roth

3. Blind Your Ponies-Stanley Gordon West

4. Reflected in You-Sylvia Day

I'm always up for some new tunes and definitely some good reads! What are you guys currently listening to and reading?

Yes, I'm STILL Talking About This...

I forgot that I hadn't finished telling you guys about my Nashville trip, so I promise this will be the last post! It might be a long one, but it'll be the last, I swear!

I've ALWAYS wanted to go to the Grand Ole Opry! Patrick and I often listen to it on the radio on Saturday evenings if we're driving out and about.

Not the greatest seats, but there's really not a bad seat in the whole place. I was just lucky I got to go!

The voice of the Opry....

This hottie-pa-tottie named Canaan Smith started off the show. Good stuff, he is!

EXILE!!! "I wanna kiss you all over...and over again!"

Steel Magnolia...

Lauren Alaina, from American Idol...2 seasons ago I think? She was CUTE and pretty good too!

Then Rascal Flatts! I'd never seen them before, so it was nice to see a new group play! 

Then Lauren Alaina came back out onstage and sang a couple songs with Rascal Flatts. It was a great performance!

If you ever get a chance to visit the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, DO IT! This place was amazing!!!

Because who doesn't LOVE a corn dog paired with a lobster roll!?!?!

At the Country Music Hall of Fame...they have WALLS covered in Platinum and Gold albums from all of country music history. It was SO cool!

The actual Hall of Fame where they have all of the members' bronze plaques.

And finally, downtown Nashville. The "Batman" building (per Sarah Kate and Lexie!) is on the right, with the Ryman Auditorium in the bottom center of the picture. 

The rest of the trip I spent lounging in my hotel room watching the beginning of the Olympics, got adventurous and actually went to a couple downtown bars and had a beer and listened to local artists trying to make it to the big time! I also spent a whole day out in Mt. Juliet, a short 20-minute drive, with my great aunt and uncle and second cousin, lounging in their pool and eating delicious barbecue food!

I'd give Nashvegas a TEN in my book, and would LOVE to visit again someday!