Baby Shower Fun

Hey Everyone! 

Once again, I've been M.I.A. due to a weekend visit to see my family and a baby shower! Noland & I are so blessed and received some awesome gifts! My sister-in-law, Ashley did a great job putting everything together in her beautiful house with three of my best friends Cynda, Tiffany and Holley.

So here are a few pictures of decor details and us.

Here was the centerpiece with the baby shower invite! It was so cute.. Looked like a baseball game ticket!

They used popcorn, cracker jacks, double bubble, and sun flower seeds as part of the decor.

Here's some of the goodies.. Vanilla Cupcakes, Salted Caramel Cupcakes, Emeril Coffee Cakes and Pecan muffins... so delicious!

Here's me and the hostesses. 

R to L : Holley, Cynda, me, Ashley & Tiffany

 

Love the little details in decor.. Ashley made this awesome chalkboard on the right! 

And here is my mom, me and Ashley. 

Cute little table with plates etc!

Thankfully, my mom's friend Elaine captured some great pictures displayed in this post! And the blurry ones are from my phone.. The shower was a lot of fun, great time to visit with friends and family. I can not express the thankfulness I feel to all those who came. 

Yesterday, Noland & I put together the crib. Today, I'm washing all of baby's clothes so I can put them away. We also went through almost everything to find a place to put it all! Can't believe our little Jr. almost here.

That's all for now! Thanks for stoppin' by

xoxo. Jen

Spicy Link Up #12

It's Party Time!

Thanks for linking up last week and I apologize about the long absence before last party! But we are back and here to party! I'd love it if you would spread the word!

Family Birthdays Embroidery Hoop Tutorial from Craftionary.net

Awesome Wreaths from Crafty Mischief

DIY Soap Paint for Toddlers from Pampered Daughter Thrifty Wife

Missions Monday: Beautiful Feet by Saved Sister.

She shares a great charities to get involved in, donate to and pray for.

<< ♥ >>

Party Rules are simple:

1. Follow through GFC or Linky Followers

2. Link up whatever you want! 

--As many different posts as you want! 

It can even be something on your heart.

3. Please link back to my page at the bottom of your post! 

4. Share the party (via FB, Twitter, etc)

--Visit other bloggers who have linked up!

<< ♥ >>

Choco-Banana Soft Serve Ice Cream

I've been dying to make this. I've seen many different recipes for ice cream made from bananas on Pinterest. Here are a few: 

Chocolate Covered Katie

52 Kitchen Adventures

the Kitchn

Use Real Butter

You can make this so many different ways and each of these blogs demonstrate that. Chocolate/Caramel... but they all have one thing in common! Bananas!

:: this makes enough for 2 to 3 people.

Ingredients:

[need food processor/blender]

4 Bananas (cut up and frozen)

3 heaping teaspoons of Cocoa

1/8 cup of milk

2 teaspoons of Peanut Butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 teaspoon of sugar/honey/any sweetner you choose

Directions:

Place frozen banana in food processor & blend well.

Then add the rest of ingredients... Keep blending until smooth.

Then pour in your favorite serving dish...

And Enjoy! Yummy, Easy to make and somewhat Healthy. You must try!

That's all for today! Thanks for stoppin' by

xoxo. Jen

Linking Up:
Rolled Up Pretty, Rae Gun Wear, Polka Dots on Parade, Ginger Snap Crafts, The Trendy Treehouse, Seven ThirtyThree, Sew Much Ado, Creations by Kara, My Girlish Whims, Momnivore's Dilemma
My entry into the Share It Link Party at The Winthrop Chronicles is sponsored by Appliances Online and their best Range Cookers.

29 &30

Pregnancy goes by so fast. I can't believe I'm almost 31 weeks. Baby boy is due at the end of September and I'm sure September is going to be a long month. The old song "Wake me up when September Ends" will now actually mean something as I await the end of September so we can count 10 little toes and 10 little fingers. Not that I want to bypass the whole month but I'm just so excited/scared/anxious for his sweet arrival.

Friday was crazy as we woke up to hear the terrible news of the Movie Massacre in Colorado. We had made plans to go see the Dark Knight Rises on Friday night with a friend who was coming to town. After discussion, we decided not to go see it...at least not this weekend. I don't want to live in fear but it moments like these when I fear bringing sweet babies into this world. Truth is, fear sucks and is useless. All it does is paralyze us and impede us from living our lives.

I was reading a few other blogs (a miniature clay pot, the wiegands) that shared thoughts about the Colorado shooting. Both made some really great points. It got me thinking, if God is with us, we have nothing to fear. Prayer and scripture are two weapons that we can use in our battle against fear. We have to continue to look to Him and trust Him in everything. So my little fear about bringing a kiddo into this broken world can be removed because I have faith that God will be with my family in good times and in bad. And everything will work out according to his plans. 

In other news, we just moved recently so we are still getting settled in at the new place... which is much smaller. So, we attempted a yard sale this weekend and it wasn't very successful. To be fair, we didn't put it in the newspaper and I was too tired to display things nicely. Mostly, we just threw it out there. I made some awesome signs though and we had quite a few people come by, made a little extra money even if it didn't meet my expectations. 

Pregnancy is going well. I haven't been sick or anything. My only is issue is back pain and sometimes not able to sleep at night for whatever reason. At times, its because I napped too late in the day and others its because I can't decide which side I'm most comfortable on. But only 10 weeks or less and the little guy will be here! We can't wait... we are trying to get everything set up and I feel like we are running out of time but I know its all going to work out. So that's my life update! 

Sorry no Movie Monday today... maybe next week!

So here  I am without my make up.. weeks 29 & 30! 

T-shirts are my friend lately.

Taking some maternity pics soon though so can't wait for those!

That's all for today! Thanks for stoppin' by

xoxo. Jen

Spicy Link Up #11

Alrighty! It's back! Time to link up your favorite posts of the week!

Don't know if you noticed, but I re-vamped the blog! Looking for some awesome Sponsor Swappers and Link Up Sponsors as well. Email me at itjustcalledspicy (at) gmail (dot) com for details.

Also, working on some new buttons. I'll share in the next few days...

Party Rules are few: 

1. You must be a follower through GFC or Linky followers!

2. Link up whatever you want! --as many different posts as you want! It can even be something on your heart.

3. Please link back to my page at the bottom of your post! You can use a button from the button page or just add a link!

4. Visit others and leave some love in their comments section! Maybe they will visit you back! Tweet & FB about the Linky party if you can! Let's spread the word!

me, myself & i

I decided to participate in the me, myself & i link up party a day late...oops!it seems like a lot of fun! You should check it out and link up too!So here we go! 1. What is your biggest phobia?I have a phobia of messes (Ataxophobia). I know it's weird. For example, my hubs and I currently just moved and have a large pile of stuff in our dining room because we are going to have a garage sale this weekend. I don't know what the deal is but its just overwhelms me. I don't think mine is super extreme or will ruin my life because I think "real" Ataxophobia causes issues. But from time to time, I get a little stressed if surrounded by a mess. 2. If you could relive any day in your life, what would it be and why? I think I would relive my wedding day (Dec. 31, 2011). It was such a great day and I got to marry the man of my dreams. I wish I could relive it just to soak up all the wonderful-ness of such a special day! Even now, when it has only been six months, I feel like there are so many details that I can't remember. I also wish I would have gone to bed immediately after the rehearsal dinner the night before instead of staying up talking to old friends because I was pretty tired come the big day, but it was worth it!

3. If you could stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?I wouldn't want to stay the same age forever but if I had to choose, I guess I'd say the age I am now (24). Newly married with a baby on the way... Life is good. Except I wouldn't want to stay pregnant forever because my back hurts haha. and I would spend eternity waiting to hold my sweet little guy.4. Which celebrity do you get mistaken for?Well, I'm not really sure. I've been told multiple times by people that I don't know that I look like Kendra from Kendra on Top & The Girls Next Door. I find it really funny because I've never watched either of those shows and she's from Playboy. We are nothing alike but apparently people in the Walmart check out line think we look alike... When I was in high school, I wanted to be told I looked like Kelly Clarkson. I almost got chunky blonde high lights like she used to have.. haha but my mom wouldn't let me. I don't think I look like Kelly or Kendra... 

5. What songs are included on the soundtrack of your life?Don't worry, Be Happy by Bob MarleyMadly In Love with you by Sean McConnell Something Beautiful by NeedtobreatheSmile by Uncle KrackerI'm only me when I'm with You by Taylor SwiftTangled by Aaron LewisEverybody by Ingrid MichaelsonIt Won't be like this for Long by Darius RuckerI don't know if all of these would be on my soundtrack but they are some of my favorite jams lately for sure. I love music.. this is just a small glimpse at my music faves.That's all for today! Thanks for stoppin by to get to know some fun facts about me.And stop by tomorrow for our weekly link up party! It's back! (:

xoxo. Jen

Tasty Summer Salad

Ok... its been a while since I've had an awesome recipe on here. I'm absolutely loving this salad. I've known about it for a few years now... long story short, a friend taught me the recipe and now I crave it randomly! 

On fourth of July, my family had a little cook-out. My brother made steaks, my mom and I made some sides and my sister-in-law made delicious cherry pie. I made this salad and it was a hit... my family enjoyed it too! So now I know that I don't just have crazy weird taste buds because this salad is indeed, tasty. 

Here are the ingredients that you need: 

 You can use canned or regular sliced mandarin oranges. I've been lazy lately and used the canned kind. Shhh... haha. Also, i cut up some fresh strawberries. You can add as much or as little of each ingredient. No dressing on this salad is necessary! The juices from the fruit already present a tasty concoction!

Now go pick up these ingredients at your local grocery and enjoy this tasty treat. It so good, its almost like a dessert!

Yummy. Make sure to mix it up well!

That's all for now.

Thanks for stoppin by, 

xoxo. Jen

Linking Up: Pinkapotamus, Funky Polkadot Giraffe, Sugar Bee Crafts, Blessed With Grace, Not just a Housewife, Tip Junkie, Lady Bug Blessings, Rolled Up Pretty, Rae Gun Wear, Polka Dots on Parade, Ginger Snap Crafts, The Trendy Treehouse, Seven ThirtyThree, Sew Much Ado, Creations by Kara, My Girlish Whims, Momnivore's Dilemma

Movie Monday: The Amazing Spider-Man

Well I'm back and so is Movie Mondays... at least for the rest of the summer. 

Our most recent movie theater visit was to see The Amazing Spiderman.

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, and Rhys Ifans

Small Plot Teaser: Peter Parker finds a clue that might help him understand why his parents disappeared when he was young. His path puts him on a collision course with Dr. Curt Connors, his father's former partner. You have to watch and see what happens.

Our Review: Noland and I went to see this with my mom when we were visiting my family in North Florida.  The Amazing Spiderman was the best of the Spiderman movies yet. Andrew Garfield was a way better Spiderman than Tobey Maguire. The Amazing Spiderman had a darker, more serious feel than Spiderman movies of the past. 

I really enjoyed Lizard as the villain. He was well developed and kept you on the edge of your seat. It even made me look at real lizards in a different way... haha. I hope no one ever makes giant lizards, because the villain, Lizard was scary. I would not recommend taking little kids to this movie unless they have seen scary movies because it is a little scary. 

I also enjoyed the Gwen Stacy character. She was different than Mary-Jane who you have seen in the past. Emma Stone did a great job as Gwen Stacy and I actually liked her. When Kirsten Dunst played Mary Jane, I was not a fan. There is so much more I could say that I liked about this movie but I really don't want to ruin it. You should definitely check it out for yourself if you like the super hero movies!

THERE IS A POST CREDITS SCENE. So don't forget to stay after so you can see and evaluate what exactly happens for yourself. My wonderful loving husband has two blogs and one of them is called Super Hero Scoop. If you want to read more about the POST CREDITS SCENE click here.

News: It has been confirmed that there The Amazing Spiderman is the first of a trilogy. Two more Spidey movies to come. The Amazing Spiderman 2 should be coming to a theater near you in 2014!

Can't wait for our sweet baby to get here and get into all this superhero stuff! His dad is soo excited too!

These are my personal, non-paid opinions. My husband and I enjoy reviewing movies and wound love to hear your opinion, agree or disagree.

That's all for this Movie Monday! :) 

xoxo Jen

Reflection and Preparation

The past month has been quite a time of reflection and preparation as I realize this little guy is definitely on his way and every day, I grow closer to being a real mom, not just a pregnant mom. Sorry I haven't been around, but since I last posted, we have visited the hubs family in Virginia, my family in North Florida, had a dryer fire disaster at our old apartment and moved into a new place! No more apartments for us! Life is good and I feel incredibly blessed. 

Today, I was looking back through old blog posts. Some of them, I absolutely love and others make me squirm as I realize I had absolutely no idea what I was doing when I started this blog. As of today, I'm up to 298+ GFC Followers! That's so exciting and it is so awesome to have met you all. I love getting to know each of you better through comments, blogging collaboration, giveaways, guest posts, facebook, Instagram, twitter and all the other ways we connect! I've also realized that I love reading blogs that are more personal, you know, the ones where you read them and you feel like you know the person. I'm not the best writer but I hope to make this little blog of mine more personal. Tutorials are fun and I will still be sharing recipes and tutorials here and there. Link Parties will still go on but I'm moving them to Thursdays! but for the most part, I want to share stories that I can look back and remember for years to come. Thoughts. Feelings. Memories.

With sweet baby boy on his way, it is finally feeling real. We have set up the pack-n-play and baby swing. Hubs still needs to put together the crib but for the most part, we are ready. Ready as we will ever be because, are you really ever ready for change? I must admit thinking about the sleepless nights to come are scary but I know it will be worth it all when we see our sweet little one's face. I can't wait to meet him and memorize every little thing about him. 

Most of you blogging mommas know about having kids because after all you are already moms. Up until a few months ago, I had no idea that most women receive their last ultrasound at 20 weeks. What? I was about 24 weeks when I learned this and I got a little upset because we only had 3 ultrasounds total. Now I don't get to see my sweet baby until he is in my arms. The ultrasounds are probably my favorite part about doctor visits because you get to see exactly where the baby is and how he is laying and moving. I'm not a huge "going to the doctor" fan so when I learned no more ultrasounds, I was a little disappointed. But, I am thankful that there is no problems or need for further ultrasounds as well. 

Anyways, now I'm back and excited to make some blogging changes (appearance and post-wise). So get excited because its time to spice up *Its just called SPICY* 

And now, even though I'm at 29 weeks,

 here are some ultrasound pictures from 20 weeks that I don't think I shared:

Here is baby's face with his arm and hand up by his mouth.

Here is a side view of sweet boy's head and chest and you can see his spine a little bit.

And here is the picture of his bottom half. The arrow shows that "its a boy!" One of my favorite parts of this picture is the beauty of his spine. It's so pretty.

Well that's all for now! Thanks for stoppin by,

xoxo Jen.

Happy 4th of July

Jenna will return to blogging very soon, but for now we would just like to wish you a Happy 4th of July. We are very proud to be Americans and proud of the country we live in. Today on the way to visit family, we listened to patriotic songs about the country we love. We will post three of our favorites for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Aaron Lewis - Red, White, & Blue

Johnny Cash - Ragged Old Flag

Ray Charles - America the Beautiful



-Jenna and Noland