Take Me Away...

I'm off, but I'll be around. For the next five days, I'll have the sun on my face, the sand in my toes - and books and blogs galore. Rest and relaxation are coming my way...

XOXO,

Mrs. Jones

The Wine Chronicles: Cupcake Prosecco

Good afternoon lovelies!!! So, you all know that Mr. Jones and I love wine. But we're kind of a mixed marriage, because he loves red. And I love white! Anyone else like that?

Well, anyways, I've been trying to branch out with a little bit within what I love, to try some new brands, new types....

So, I thought I'd blog about the new things I try! Here is the first subject: Cupcake Prosecco

I really enjoyed it, and it even sat in the fridge overnight, and it was still super bubbly the next day! I loved it - and was glad it stayed good for a little bit after I opened it, because I certainly couldn't finish it all that fast!

With Prosecco, as with Champagne, I do face this little challenge:

Opening a bottle, under pressure, without breaking or harming anything. This time was a success. But I was nervous! Go figure, right?

Well, happy Monday! And cheers!

XOXO,

Mrs. Jones

I *pink puffy heart* mail...

If all this showed up for free in your mailbox, wouldn't you *pink puffy heart* the mail too?

Freebies are AWESOME. Especially my magazine subscription freebies.

Just saying.

XOXO,
Mrs. Jones

Frugal Friday - Good week!

It's been a pretty darn good couponing week! And I got some great freebies on top of everything.

From CVS:

Not bad! I think I spent less than $5 on all this.

I got some fun freebies in the mail this week! I scored this freebie thanks to Hip2Save a few weeks ago and it already came in the mail! I'm saving this for a fun little "extra" gift or goodie I think. If Mr. Jones doesn't steal it already.

Not bad, huh?

I also got a few breakfast/snack bars for free from Atkins! Yay!

I snagged a free subscription to Martha Stewart Living as well, and my first issues just came. I got some great recipes that I'll have to make and share!

Happy Friday everyone. I've got tons more to share.

Back soon,

Mrs. Jones

A simple song....

All the lonely people crying
It could change if we just get started
Lift the darkness, light a fire
For the silent and the broken hearted

Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?
Won't you stand up, you girls and boys?
Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?
Won't you stand up and use your voice?

There's a comfort, there's a healing
High above the pain and sorrow
Change is coming, can you feel it
Calling us into a new tomorrow?

Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?
Won't you stand up, you girls and boys?
Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?
Won't you stand up and use your voice?

When the walls fall all around you
When your hope has turned to dust
Let the sound of love surround you
Beat like a heart in each of us

Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?
Won't you stand up, you girls and boys?
Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?
Won't you stand up and use your voice?

Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?
Won't you stand up, you girls and boys?
Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?
Won't you stand up and use your voice?

Won't you stand up?
Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?
Won't you stand up and use your voice?


-- Sugarland


I love this. Hope you'll go download it if you love it too. Just wanted to share today!


XOXO,
Mrs. Jones

When Mama's away...

Eve sleeps. I kid you not. By Monday mornings, our sweet dog is more than ready for us to get the heck out of our house so she can get the rest we deprived her of during the weekend.

Seriously. Since we've moved into our house (and out of the condo), she has her doggy door and can get up and go outside as she pleases. She used to wake up at 6 or before we moved, and we'd have to take her out. Now? She goes out whenever, and little girl has gotten used to sleeping in as long as she pleases.

In case you don't believe me:

I do enjoy taking pictures of my sleepy pup.

She's just so cute!

XOXO,

Mrs. Jones

If you give a puppy a bone.....

....better make it a frozen, pineapple treat of one in the summer!!!

Yep, it all started with an innocent trip to TJ Maxx. It ended with a present for the puppy. She's pretty darn happy.

XOXO,
Mrs. Jones

A Domestic Goddess Weekend

What a weekend you guys!

I crashed and did nothing at all on Friday night but workout and wash little EB, but I got Saturday off to a great - and hot start - and FINALLY got our front yard in gear. The original landscaping in the front had mulch/bark around all the bushes. I hate bark. I'm a pine straw girl. So I got to work, and Mr. Jones was a dear and helped remove some of the bark and bought pine straw.

It was so funny to me that I wound up doing this, because my parents always had us help with yard work on Saturday mornings, and lay down newspaper when we had weeds pulled, to block the next set from growing. And here I am, a grown-up (kind of!) - and I'm doing the same thing. My dad laughed when I told him.

All in all, it's done, and I'm so sore I can barely move. But I'm proud and it was worth it. Here's the transformation:

I call that a win. I love it. Now if only I can water the grass enough to get the brown spots out. This heat is KILLING me!

Today we skipped church in favor of some sleep, so I decided I would tackle another thing I've had on my list ever since I read a favorite blogger's blog post a while ago. I wanted to bake homemade bread. I had all the stuff. So I set about playing in the kitchen!

I used Lauren's grandmother's recipe that she blogged about here to make the best homemade bread. I made five small loaves of bread and five rolls. Mr. Jones is very excited and we have already eaten one loaf, and given another away.

After the first rise (almost too big for my biggest bowl!)

Braided after first rise

After second rise (pouf!)

The finished products (well, about half of them!)

Yum! I am so proud - and thankful Lauren shared her grandmother's recipe! Really, go check it out. If I can do it, you can too!

So, that is what I'm going to call my domestic goddess weekend. I've still got sheets to wash, another load of laundry, and some vacuuming, but.... it'll get done!

XOXO,

Mrs. Jones

Sneak Peek: Bama Rising

More soon. It was amazing. I've got 400 pictures to edit!!!!

XOXO,
Mrs. Jones

A final round in Tuscaloosa....

There were a few beautiful days of softball in Tuscaloosa when Alabama hosted and won both the NCAA Regional and NCAA Super Regional. The catching pics are of my sister warming up a pitcher during a game. Love!

Alabama finished the season in third place, falling in the semi-finals at the Women's College World Series. I couldn't be prouder, but this is how I watched the first game:

Yeah. I had no shame. That was totally at work. :-) Gotta support! I am already excited for next season. And fall ball!

XOXO and ROLL TIDE ROLL!

Mrs. Jones

Bama Rising!!!

It's here! It's tonight! I couldn't be more excited. Forgive my absence, but tonight I'll be rocking out in Birmingham to raise money for tornado relief while listening to:

Alabama

Rodney Atkins

Dierks Bentley

Bo Bice

Luke Bryan

Sheryl Crow

Sara Evans

Taylor Hicks

Little Big Town

Montgomery Gentry

Martina McBride

David Nail

Jake Owen

Brad Paisley

Kellie Pickler

Darius Rucker

Ashton Shepherd

And I couldn't be more excited! I've always wanted to see Alabama. Martina McBride. Sara Evans. Sheryl Crow. Brad Paisley. I've seen Little Big Town before. Love them..... Oh I'm so excited!!!!!!!!

More after my fabulous night!

XOXO,

Mrs. Jones

It's the simple things...

Our local Starbucks is back to normal. There are still some lights missing in the parking lot, but the store is back and better than ever. Gotta celebrate the little things, right?!

Happy Saturday lovelies!

Mrs. Jones

Mmmm, summer....

Zoe's Kitchen had a fabulous Memorial Day sale and tubs of chicken salad and pasta salad and all the stuff like that were Buy One Get One Free. It was fabulous. I had my last chicken salad sandwich on Wednesday and it was just so wonderful 

Summery, right?

XOXO,

Mrs. Jones

A Perfect "Thank You"

We all know I'm a crazy deal hunter. :-) So when I got a code for a FREE Tiny Prints card from one of my favorite savings blogs, I jumped on it. Didn't even have to pay shipping. I used the free card to make a sweet thank you for Mr. Jones' aunt, who took care of Eve for us last weekend. This is what we sent her...

Yeah, I love it a lot. Almost wish I could have kept it, but I took pictures instead. Can't wait to hear that it arrived - I think she's going to love it!

Where do you get custom cards made?

XOXO,

Mrs. Jones

A little indulgence...

Yep, that's my kind of fun. Free and pampering. I snuck over to our Ulta after work yesterday, and had 30 sweet minutes of me time. It was AWESOME. Fekkai products are SO not in my price range, and I don't think I'd ever spend $30+ on a shampoo and style just for the heck of it. But for free? Sure! I'll play and try things out.

I did love the product, but again - not in my price range. Maybe as a treat one day.

I got to the counter, checked in, and had about a 15 minute wait. So I wandered the store, purchasing nothing, but marking things on my wish list. Check it out.

Yes, I do have a nail polish obsession. And, confession. My toes have been chipping for 5 weeks, and my nails are bare. Oops. I guess I should get on that, right?

Anyways, back to the hair stuff. I took a few random pictures as I ran errands, before I messed it up too badly. I like my "artsy" car shot. Haha.

That's all for last night's excursion. Hope you enjoyed. I certainly did! 

On a random note, does anyone go get blowouts on a regular basis? Anyone? I'm curious.

XOXO,

Mrs. Jones