by | Jan 15, 2017 | Accessories, Fashion |
Hello Beautiful People,
A new year means a fresh start and the time to flourish.
I am always looking for quality at an awesome price.
My hubby and I just so happen to be watching a DIY show and a Macy’s commercial came on saying they were having some good deals on cashmere. I would always get a cashmere cardigan or sweater every Christmas, so this sale peaked our interest. Instead of heading to our local Macy’s, we checked out their website instead. I am so thankful we did that. We found the online selection to be so much greater than what we had ever found in person at the store. There were more items to choose from and so many colors choices.
We saw this beautiful black stripe with black and gray background cashmere poncho retailed for $149.00, on sale for $39.00 an with coupon marked down again to $29.00. Talking about a sale of the century. This is 2-pluy 100% cashmere and it is dry clean only.
Cashmere poncho
This poncho can go over a top, a blouse, a turtleneck, or even a dress. It is so lightweight, but oh so cozy.
It was cold when I first wore the poncho so I teamed it with a Alfani blue turtleneck, gray Isaac Mizrahi pants and my Clark ankle boots. I accessorized it with this cool Parisan-themed handbag.
Cashmere poncho
The poncho simply pulls over my head and I can drape how every I want to style it that day. The sleeves are not sewn so the silhouette is very relaxed.
This sale price was such a blessing, especially to find before Christmas. Usually these incredible markdowns are only seen after the New Year’s clearance events started.
A new year reminds me of one of my favorite scriptures.
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Here’s to a prosperous, overabundant New Year!
by | Jan 2, 2017 | Travels |
Hello My Road Tripping Friend!
Happy 2017!
Sometimes the best road trip is the one that is actually a day trip close to home. Living in the Gateway City, we have the awesome privilege of having Bald Eagles migrate into our region from the north during the winter months. Bald Eagles have been spotted in the area from November to March and lay their eggs in late February. With the land near the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois Rivers being their residence of choice, there are many opportunities to see these majestic birds, whether sitting in a nest, high in a tree or flying high above looking for something for dinner.
The Bald Eagle sitting in a tree along the Illinois River
Last week, my wife an I had an opportunity to be paparazzi with these local celebrities, trying to get that exclusive photo for our blog. We drove about an hour north of Saint Louis to Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton, Illinois. The State Park has offered eagle watching tours for many years and is popular with locals and tourists. The tour includes informational videos about the life of the Bald Eagle and how they were brought back from near extinction. We did the same tour last year, so we didn’t need to watch the videos a second time, so we arrived in time for the actual tour. The group left from the visitor center in a convey, under the direction of the Park staff who have been tracking the Eagles where-abouts. Our convoy started with about fifteen cars, but by the end of the day, we were one of only three vehicles remaining. The tour begins at 8:30am and lasts until about 3:30pm, and includes a stop for lunch. The tour may have been too much for some people to do all day.
Depending on where the Bald Eagles have been spotted, the tour can include a ferry ride across the Illinois River (we took the Brussels Ferry), a stop off at the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge and through the towns of Brussels, Hardin and Kampsville before returning back to the visitor center. Last year, we saw several Bald Eagles but only from a far distance, so the binoculars didn’t do any good. We didn’t get any photos worth sharing. This year, we had a completely different experience. We saw fewer Bald Eagles, but they were sitting in trees near the river’s edge. We were able to drive right up to them in our vehicles and then under them, without flying off. I could get out of the Jeep and walk up to the tree and grab a photo of them, while JT would drive a little closer and then catch a view of there with the binoculars. The photo above is one my favorites from the day. Below are more.
A Bald Eagle from across the river bank
Sometimes you will see a Bald Eagle from across the river bank. Here we see one from the opposite side of the Illinois River. Even with a pair of binoculars and zoom on your camera, it is hard to get a good view of it.
Such a majestic bird
WOW!!
Our hope was to get at least one good photo of an Bald Eagle up close. Needless to say, these paparazzi were able to get several (hundred) good shots. Too many to share here. We went home happy.
ROAD TRIPPING TIPS FOR BALD EAGLE WATCHING
- Go with a group!
Unless you are an experienced bird watcher and are familiar with the area, I recommend that you look for an organized group or an event to enhance your experience. From the Chain of Rocks Bridge up to Pere Marquette State Park and beyond, you can find groups and towns that offer bus tours, educational programs and informational videos. While you will see many Bald Eagles flying along the Great River Road, your best bet to see one up close is to get off the main highway and take the back roads between the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. This area is very isolated and it is easy to get lost if you do not know how to get around. Plus, a guide can enhance the experience with eagle-watching stories and take you to out-of-the-way places that you would have overlooked if you were on your own.
- Don’t forget the binoculars and the camera!
The Bald Eagle is a majestic bird and is an amazing sight to see. A good pair of binoculars are a must because they are difficult to see up close. They tend to fly off when humans are in close range or if dinner is close at hand. A pair of binoculars will help you see them even then them are far away. If you are fortunate enough to get close enough to see, you will want to photograph them. A good quality DSLR camera with a high zoom feature is essential because you will want a clear image and not just a black and white blob that you have imagine as an eagle. And a clear image of a Bald Eagle will impress your friends.
- Be prepared for nothing!
Bald Eagle watching is a fun experience, but there is the unfortunate possibility that you will not see many (or any) eagles on your outing. One key factor is the weather. The warmer the winter is in general, the less you will see. When we went on the tour last year, the temperatures for the season had been above average. Our guide called it the worst season he had seen in over twenty years for seeing eagles. We only seen a handful, but none were close enough to capture a good photo. Also, if the day is windy, the eagles tend to stay in the trees and not move around much. Bald Eagles move around a lot. If you (or the guide) saw an eagle in a location on one day, it does not mean that they will be there the next day or the next hour.
If you get a chance to venture out and see the bald eagles, leave us a comment about your experience. Tell us about where you went and how many you saw. And if you capture a good image, please share it with us.
Happy Eagle Watching!!
by | Jan 2, 2017 | Food |
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Hello Wonderful People! Happy New Year!!
It is the only the second day, but I hope your 2017 is off to a wonderful start.
It is that time of year when most people talk about new resolutions to incorporate in their life. I, myself, I do not make any New Year’s resolutions. I am constantly in the habit of evaluating my life and look at ways to improve myself. I do this year round, and so I don’t have to wait until the first of the year to make a change.
But if you are looking to incorporate some changes in the new year, it is my hope that you get your desired results. I recommend to achieve your goal is to start small and work your way up. If you desire to loose weight in 2017, set your ultimate goal and the date by which you want to accomplish this goal. Then, to get started, set smaller goals that are easier and quicker to achieve. If, by the end of 2017, you want to lose 50 pounds, I suggest that your first goal is to loose five pounds in January. Then, when you have accomplished that goal, work up to ten pounds by the end of February. It is easier to convince your mind that you can reach the five pound goal than it is to reach fifty pounds.
Add belVita Breakfast Biscuits to your breakfast menu
If loosing weight is your goal for the new year, diet and exercise will work well together to achieve it. However, if exercise is not an option for you at this time, then turn your focus to your diet. It is important to evaluate what you are eating and make healthier choices that will aid in loosing the desired weight. Maybe it is time to eliminate those sugary, high-calorie danishes at breakfast and replace them with belVita Breakfast Biscuits. Our family has been eating belVita Breakfast Biscuits for more than two years and enjoy the many flavors and varieties. Our favorites are the Cinnamon Brown Sugar and Blueberry biscuits. There are also belVita Soft Baked Biscuits and belVita Bites. There is sure to one option that you will enjoy. When combined with your breakfast that includes a serving of fruit and milk, the belVita Breakfast Biscuits will give you four hours of steady nutritious energy to keep you going all morning long. The belVita Breakfast Biscuits also make for a great Grab-N-Go breakfast if you need to eat on the run.
If you are not convinced that belVita Breakfast Biscuits are right for you and your family, I suggest that you head out to your local Walmart on January 7th or 8th (2017) and check out the special belVita Breakfast in-store event. Each participating location will offer belVita Breakfast samples, exclusive savings, smoothies, giveaways and more. Events will take place at select Walmart locations between 12:30 pm – 6:30pm. To find a Walmart near you, click here. There will also be a special offer available from Ibotta beginning on January 4th. More details to follow soon.
Picking up more belVita Breakfast Biscuits at Walmart.
I just purchased another box of belVita Breakfast Biscuits at Walmart. We are looking forward to trying the Golden Oat flavor. I know it will be great addition to our breakfast menu. With so many flavors and varieties to choose from, I know that the belVita Breakfast Biscuits will be a winner for you.
FTC Disclaimer:
Bubbling With Elegance And Grace was compensated to purchase the belVita Breakfast Biscuits and to write this article. However, all opinions about belVita Breakfast Biscuits are our own.
by | Dec 28, 2016 | Travels |
Once if planned and executed properly, going for a jungle safari is one of the most exhilarating experience one can have in life. Unlike the planned touring trips, you are not able to predict what you are going to experience next inside the deep jungle, which is the most exciting part of it.
However, in order to enjoy this experience of the true nature to its peak, travelers need to be extremely cautious and sensitive to the surroundings and also should practice a high level of patience and self-discipline.
Wildlife in India
India in an amazing country when it comes to opportunities for exploring the wild. Huge diversity of wildlife, variations in climate, and the complex topography of the sub-continent make India an ideal destination for wildlife enthusiasts from across the globe.
There are 10 primary bio-geographical zones in India, which is further divided into 23 biotic provinces. Not all of these destinations are open for public, but there are many interesting jungle safari options at various parts of India.
There are more than 400 species of mammals and about 1300 bird species of birds found in India. This is the only country where Asiatic Lions are seen and it is also home to about 65% of total global population of tigers. India is also home to 5 distinct species of wild cattle, 11 wild goats, and 15 other primates.
Jungle safari in India
A jungle safari is considered as a sojourn to the amazing wild life and there are many packages offered by different wild life sanctuaries in India for this.
Jeep Safari
Majority of the packages like Tadoba Resort jungle safari offer customized jeep rides through the jungle tracks inside the park. The major advantage of jeep rides is that one can cover a large area in shortest possible time, which maximizes the chances of confronting with wildlife.
Elephant Safari
This is another best option to consider which ensures a much closer and personal experience with nature, but limited to certain habitats only. The advantage of traveling on elephants is that that the other wildlife accepts elephants as animals itself and come closer. There is also no noise or air pollution in case of elephant safaris as like a jeep safari.
Trekking
Trekking at wild is highly discouraged to public and it is rightly so. An average tourist will not be able to survive wild trekking. However, there are specific trekking packages for wildlife experts who got special training to escape danger as to climbing trees, self defense, hiding techniques etc.
Water based safaris
These are offered at certain parks with large water bodies inside the jungle region. This can be quite an enjoyable experience if booked at the right time of the year. It is also the most relaxing and comfortable way of doing a safari. For bird watchers and animal scientists, this is one of the best ways to get closer to certain habitats.
One must be well prepared to enjoy maximum excitement and thrill of a safari. A pair of good binoculars and a professional camera are essentials to carry. A good field guide is also a must, and one should also follow the instructions given by the trip administrators strictly to have an enjoyable and safe jungle safari.
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by | Dec 19, 2016 | Food |
Greetings Wonderful People!!
The holiday season is full swing. Hanukkah begins Saturday, Christmas Day is Sunday, and Kwanzaa starts next Monday. Purchasing gifts for your loved ones. Decorating your house with holiday cheer. When I think about the winter holidays, the first thing that comes to mind is homemade cookies. There is something about Christmas and cookies that brings a smile to my face. From icebox cookies to sugar cookies, from snickerdoodles to chocolate chip cookies; I haven’t met too many cookies that I don’t like. But who makes homemade cookies anymore? With all the other things that are going, who has the time? Well if there was a simple, but delicious cookie to make; would you make it?
Let me suggest the Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies.
The Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies
The Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies have been one of my wife’s favorite cookies since she was a itty bitty little girl. Her mother found the recipe in a cookbook that their church, St.Jacobi Lutheran Church, published more than thirty years ago. A God fearing church lady named, Marjorie Wetzel submitted the recipe. Wondering about Mrs. Wetzel, I searched and quickly found her obituary. I learned that this amazing woman of faith who was very active passed away just last year at the age of 94. Her husband passed away this year in February at the age of of 97. When I showed my wife their photos from the obituaries, she recognized them and remembered them from the church. I feel a connection with this couple because we share a love for this peanut butter cookies and our faith in God. Here is her recipe.
Original Recipe from Mrs. Wetzel
1 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Mix together and drop by 1/2 teaspoons on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 350 degree oven.
The recipe did not include how long to bake the cookies. For the first batch, we tested twelve minutes. That was too long because the bottom was too brown for our liking. For the next batch, we tried eight minutes and it was perfect. We didn’t have any vanilla in our cabinet, so we substituted honey and it worked wonderfully. We used brown eggs from a farmer that my mother buys from. Since we tweaked the recipe a bit, here are our modifications.
Updated Recipe from JT
1 cup peanut butter
1 large brown egg
1 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon honey
maple sugar to sprinkle on top of the cookies before putting in the oven
Mix all of the ingredients together. Roll about 1/2 teaspoon of the mixture into ball and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten the cookie with a fork, making a criss-cross pattern in the cookie. Place a pinch of maple sugar on the top of cookie. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 8 to 9 minutes. Allow to cool about for ten minutes before removing from the pan. Yields about two dozen cookies and ingredients can be doubled if more cookies are needed. We recommend that you use the old-fashioned peanut butter and not the natural kind that separates. Since it has a different texture, we don’t think the finished cookie would be to our liking.
Fresh from the Oven
The cookies are called Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies. And these cookies will definitely surprise you, for a couple of reasons. One, the recipe cannot be any simpler. There are only four ingredients. They mix together quickly and are easy to put together. You should have all of the ingredients in your pantry. Two, the cookies take only eight minutes to bake in the oven. You can easily make four dozen in about one hour or less. Three, the cookies taste amazing. They are soft and creamy; and are packed with a peanut butter flavor that will explode in your mouth. Your taste buds will thank you.
Whether it is for a family gathering, or a cookie exchange at work; these Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies will be the hit of the party. Give them a try and I know it will be hard for you to stop eating them. If you make them, let us know what you think.
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