Blueberry Bubble Tea

Just in time for all the blueberry sales is Blueberry Week for Festive Foodies!  All week long you will be presented with blueberry recipes!  I'm starting off the week with Blueberry Bubble Tea.

Blueberry Lemonade Lollipops #summersweetsweek

“This post and recipe was created for #SummerDessertWeek ! I was sent samples by some of the sponsor companies but as always opinions are 100% mine.” I love this quick, easy lollipop treat that looks like summer! I made these treats in about 30 minutes, including the hardening in the refrigerator.  They are super cute, too.  👌  I used the DIY-Lish Candy Lollipop Kit from Wilton's.  It does come with candy melts, but I wanted to do something a little bit different!

KiPin Mojito

This month for the Improv Cooking Challenge we were challenged to use kiwi and pineapple. The first thing that pops into my mind when we talk tropical fruit is cocktails!  Thus born the KiPin Mojito!

Cheesecake with Key Lime Stars and Orange Cream Mermaids #summerdessertweek

“This post and recipe was created for #SummerDessertWeek ! I was sent samples by some of the sponsor companies but as always opinions are 100% mine.” I think cheesecakes should be decorated, too!  I make this simple, baked, vanilla cheesecake with the idea of decorating it for a summer mermaid bash!  Let me show you how simple it is!

The Perfect Vanilla Cupcake #summerdessertweek

“This post and recipe were created for #SummerDessertWeek ! I was sent samples by some of the sponsor companies but as always opinions are 100% mine.” The perfect vanilla cupcake is here!  I have worked on this recipe off and on for about 40 years, tweaking it until I believe I have what is the perfect vanilla cupcake!  I've used cake mixes and homemade recipes, but this one is my all time favorite.

Deviled Egg Potato Salad

My mother has always made what I think is the best potato salad ever. Isn't it funny how no one's cooking can take the place of mom's?  I think that is so sweet. I think I was 4 when I discovered my mom's potato salad. I remember watching her boil the potatoes in their skins, chopping onion, peeling the potatoes and hard-boiled eggs.  When the potatoes cooled, we always got to share a small potato (just plain, we loved them!)  This does have mayo, so you do have to be somewhat careful when you take it to your picnic.  I like using this serving dish, it helps keep the food old. If you decide to purchase this, please consider purchasing from me using the link below. I will make a small commission! Yield: 12 Author: Terri Steffes Print With Image Without Image Deviled Egg Potato Salad An old-fashioned potato recipe that goes will all types of picnics! prep time: 40 M cook time: 30 M total time: 70 M ingredients: 4 large boiled white potat

Fourth of July in New Town

We live in a new urban community called New Town at Saint Charles. We love all the walkable features, pools, lakes, canals, stores, restaurants, bars and all the fun annual events.  We particularly love the Fourth of July in New Town!  Our first one was in 2012 when we first moved here.  Our day looks a lot different than it did in 2012.  Our town loves the Fourth of July, and you will see that through the photos I am sharing some of the house decorations around town!

The Wanderers #ourgoodlifebooklist

Today is the day that The Wanderers by Chuck Wendig is released to the public!  I have to say, I am not a person who would pick up a "doomsday" book, but I will tell you that the story kept me riveted until the very end!

Things to Know When Planning Your Retirement

There comes a time in life where you’ve worked hard enough and long enough to retire and live out the rest of your life being able to enjoy more of the finer things in life. My husband and I have been retired  Here are some things to know when planning your retirement.

Fireball Glazed Fruit Kabobs

Welcome back to the July episode of Taste Creations!  We are a group of bloggers who share recipes with you based on a monthly theme. This month we are sharing Summer Produce Recipes with you!

Hawaiian Hot Dogs

My family went to Hawaii over the Thanksgiving holiday in 2015. We loved the flavors of the island and often duplicate them here at home.  This hot dog was born to bring back memories of Hawaii through our favorite summer food:  hot dogs!

What I Read in June #ourgoodlifebooklist

Thank you for the great response to my May booklist!  I had lots of visitors and I was happy to talk all things book to anyone who wanted to!  This month I was able to read

5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Home's Exterior

Is the exterior of your home looking a little worse for wear? Whether you’re hoping to sell your home or wanting to make the place look more cheerful, fixing your exteriors doesn’t have to be a chore. Here are some of the easiest ways to have the outside of your home looking as beautiful as the inside, in no time at all.

Travel Guide to Sedona, AZ

Sedona (Arizona, USA) is a gorgeous part of the United States, nestled between Pheonix and The Grand Canyon.  It is a popular tourist area due to its elevation and the scores of red rock formations that surround it, creating a scenic view wherever you are! While there are tons of wonderful things about Sedona, I am going to share with you five categories: Spiritual, Hiking and Nature, Eating, Where to Stay and Art.  These are the areas that my family found the most fascinating around Sedona.  My family consists of two 60+-year-olds and two 30+-year-olds!  What is mentioned here may be suitable for younger children, but please evaluate each recommendation to determine what is best for your child. Spiritual The red rocks around Sedona are inspirational to many.  Hollywood producers have filmed westerns here, Native Americans have spiritual connections to the area and many pilgrims come to the area to find renewal in their spiritual well-being.  The reason?  In the 1980s a w

5 Gorgeous Hikes in Sedona

Five gorgeous hikes to take in Sedona, Arizona for any level of hiker!  Read on to find out the hikes that are for more fit hikers and ones for those who might need assistance.  Read our Travel Guide to Sedona here! Written by Ashley Hasty

Secrets of Closing the Sale

Thank you, NetGalley for my free copy of this book. I provided this review in exchange.  When I had the opportunity to review Secrets of Closing the Sale Revised and Updated by Zig Ziglar, I knew immediately that I had to take it. It is part of a blog tour I was chosen to be a part of. This classic book is useful for people in any field. You read that right, any field. You do not have to be a salesperson (and I'm not!) to understand the value of this book on life in general.  Let me show you what I mean.

Travel Essentials (that people forget)

Vacation season is finally upon us, and many of us have started to count down the days until our big summer trip. You might have even begun to think about packing or preparing your family for your break, and you are almost certainly starting to think about time off work, getting some rest and relaxation and enjoying some time with your friends and family. Source -  https://pixabay.com/photos/luggage-suitcases-baggage-bags-933487/

Banana Split No Bake Ice Box Cake

I love making No Bake Ice Box Cakes. They are truly so simple and so tasty for the summer!  There are endless varieties, too, which is always fun. They are a perfect dish to bring to that summer picnic or BBQ, too.

A Reluctant Belle #ourgoodlifebooklist

Thank you to Revell Books for selecting me for the A Reluctant Belle Blog Party and for supplying me with a copy of the book for my review. My opinions here are my own.

Does Your Home Need A Facelift?

Is your home looking a little worse for wear? If so, you’re not alone. Every year, millions of people across the country look for ways to improve the appearance of their property. Doing so, however, is easier said than done. There’s a lot of work that goes into crafting something beautiful. In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the ways you can transform the drab, decrepit exterior of your home into something truly stunning: perfect for drop-ins .

Classic Lemon Drop Martini #NationalMartiniDay

If you love a vodka martini dirty, extra olives please, then you are going to enjoy the martini drinks we are sharing below! We have all kinds of yummy drinks and I am sure you are going to find your perfect one.  I am making the Classic Lemon Drop Martini for you today.

Planting a Dish Cactus Garden

Planting a dish cactus garden is easy, fun and quick! As a girl who has lived her entire life in the midwest, I never thought I would be so in love with cacti! This spring my family vacationed in Arizona and I absolutely fell for these majestic plants. I'll be sharing some of my favorite cacti pictures with you, too! Since this is a Pinterest Challenge, I wanted you to know that I was inspired by Nell from Joy Us Gardens to create my garden. She has a special tip for keeping the needles out of your hands, but you will have to go to her site to find out what it is! 

Making Your Home Ready for Drop-Ins

Our homes are more than just places where we relax, unwind, and raise our families. They can also be social spaces, where we can spend time with friends and other loved ones. Indeed, there are a lot of advantages to socializing in your house, the biggest of which being that you will save a lot of money versus having to go out all the time. However, it’s true that not all homes are social-friendly. Some are the opposite, in fact! The good news is that there are always things you can to make your home better for spending time with friends and family. We take a look at a few options how below. Source: Pexels.com

Wooing Caddie McCaffrey #ourgoodlifebooklist

Thanks to Bethany Turner and Revell Books for my copy of Wooding Cadie McCaffrey! I didn't know the meaning of the phrase meet-cute until I read Wooing Cadie McCaffrey by Bethany Turner.  Read on to find out what this fun phrase means! This darling book should be on your summer reading list, especially if you like romantic comedies! Meet-cute is the phrase used by romantic comedy writers to describe the first meeting of a couple that leads to a romantic relationship between the two.  Will and Cadie's first meet up is so charming.  Will comes into Cadie's workplace on a job interview. The two of them feel the sparks right away, but Will isn't sure he will even get the job. When he does, a four-year relationship begins.  Will is all that anyone would want in a friend: kind, giving, and funny and for a partner: he's totally into Cadie! Cadie may have watched one too many rom-coms and is disappointed when Will doesn't meet up to her expectations. She get

Cucumber Mint Iced Tea

When I was a child, I did not like iced tea. At all.  As a grown-up, I have gradually learned to love iced tea and its goodness. I am sharing with you one of the greats: cucumber mint iced tea.

Vanilla Bourbon Bacon Cupcakes

Happy National Cupcake Day! What better way to celebrate but to toast the day with a vanilla cupcake enhanced with bourbon and bacon?  I don't think there is so here we go!

Avocado Toast with Lime Mayo #improvcookingchallenge

Welcome to our monthly edition of the Improv Cooking Challenge!  This month we are enticing you with avocados and lime. I love love love this combination and had the perfect recipe to share.  My family loves avocado toast and I thought I would share this simple version with you.

Rosemary Lemon Sparkler

It's time for another sensational summer cocktail! I am sharing this refreshing cocktail made with lemon and rosemary and my favorite cocktail base: vodka. I'm not a vodka snob, but I do like Tito's and Grey Goose. I'm also partial to one made in Indiana named Cardinal Spirits.

Pool Noodle Sprinkler Fun!

Wondering how to keep the kids occupied all summer long? See our list of Summer Activities for Kids of All Ages!

3 Easy Care Plants for the Home

There are a lot of great reasons to add some plants to your home. It’s one of the easiest ways to  make your home more beautiful by bringing the outdoors in, and it’s also great for your health. Studies show that plants in the home improve your mood and increase productivity. They also clean the air and get rid of pollutants, so if you don’t have plants in your home already, you should do.

Potato and Onion Kabobs

This month our Taste Creations bloggers are sharing kabobs with you! We've taken many routes on the road to Kabobland, so there should be a kabob with your name on it here!

Home Safety While You're Away

Traveling is truly a lifestyle choice and once you’ve got the bug, that’s it for you! We got the travel bug bad when we went to Cabo San Lucas for the first, second and third time !  We have another trip planned in December! But what happens to your home while you are away? Keeping your property safe and secure while you travel has to be amongst your top priorities. Leaving a property empty can be seen as an invitation to some people, but what about unexpected weather or accidents? Here are a few tips to get you started. Protecting Your Stuff While you’re home, it’s pretty easy to keep an eye on your belongings and make sure they’re safe. But when you’re away, you should definitely think about adding a few safety precautions, just to make sure nothing untoward will happen. Hiding your valuables in a safe place is a good idea and finding obscure places is actually a fun game. Wrapping valuables in foil and putting them in a freezer is a good start but you could also consider

What I Read in May #ourgoodlifebooklist

Thank you for the nice response to my April Book List. I appreciate the comments so much.  On to my May book list. I don't have ten books this month, but I do have nine, so let's get the party started! The books listed below are ones that I received for free in exchange for my honest feedback. The links are Amazon affiliate links which means that I will get a small commission if you purchase from me. The Books I Read in May 1.  The Editor by Steven Rowley   This darling book is about a wanna-be author, James Smale, who has written a beautiful book and has sent it into several companies, and the unexpected happens, an editor loves his book and wants to work with him. The marvelous surprise is that Jackie Kennedy Onassis is the editor! James and Jackie develop a warm relationship and Jackie pushes James to stay authentic to the book he is writing, even if it means rewriting the ending. This is a gorgeous book that everyone who loves Jackie Onassis should read. (fiction)