What's Up Wednesday :: April 2018

It's the last Wednesday of the month, that means it's time for our What's Up Wednesday Link Up!

Link up with  me, Sheaffer & Shay the LAST Wednesday of each month so we can read about What's Up with YOU!

Here we go!

What We’re Eating this week.....

 Kevin & I are out of town & this is what we have been eating:

 And these:

I bet you can't guess where we are ;)


What I'm Reminiscing about.....

The last time I was in Cancun when I was in college, Spring Break 1999.

 Oh my. 
Definitely not going to Senor Frogs this week.

 What I'm loving.....

 These pajamas....so comfy & cute and under $20!


They also come in pink & with long sleeves instead of short sleeves.

What We've been up to.....

 April was a fun month!
We celebrated Easter:

Spring Break Road Trip to San Diego, Legoland & San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Read Part 1 {HERE} & Part 2 {HERE}

 Luke started baseball. So cute:

 Family trip to Yosemite...just gorgeous!

What I'm Dreading.....

State testing the next couple of weeks for my students & my kids.

 Not a fan of state testing. UGH.

I actually opted one of my kids out of it...no reason to add unnecessary stress.

What I'm Working On.....
Still working on my 40 bags in 40 days decluttering project!

  Details & tips on THIS post. 

You are supposed to finish by Easter, but clearly that didn't happen. Still working on it :)

What I'm Excited About.....

 This View. Being Here.

Cant Complain.


What I'm Watching........

 I am totally behind on my DVR'd shows!
Trying to catch up on Grey's Anatomy:

Married at First Sight....seriously fascinated with this show!

Kevin and I have been watching Fastest Car on Netflix

 Also watching the NBA playoffs!

Go Warriors!


What I'm Reading.....

  I've read 3 books this month.
The Good Daughter

 This was a psychological thriller & I liked it....4 out of 5 stars!


The Last Mrs. Parrish

 Several of you recommended this book & I LOVED it. Creepy!!!! So good.
4.5 out of 5 stars.

All the Missing Girls

I wanted to like this more, but it took me 200 pages to really get into it.
The end was good.
3.5 out of 5 stars

Just started Girl, Wash Your Face


 Loving it so far!



What I'm Listening to.....

Pandora's Top Hits while I run.

 My favorite song right now is Say Something with JT & Chris Stapleton


What I'm Wearing.....

 This dress {HERE}


This dress:

I also have it in black & LOVE it!!!


This dress. I am obsessed!

It comes in 8 colors,
I have it in gray & black.
You can dress it up or down.

These Flip Flops!

  I go them last year for my birthday last year and they are so comfy!
 
What I’m doing this weekend.....

Planting our 2018 Garden!!!!

Can't wait for homegrown tomatoes!


What I'm Looking Forward to next month.....

May is going to be amazing! So many fun things planned.
Running a Half Marathon
Mother's Day
Kevin's Birthday & my Birthday
My niece's college graduation in Southern California
Universal Studios, Harry Potter World & Disneyland!!!!


What else is new.....

I started a Running Instagram last week @runmelmelrun

 If you like running, be sure and follow along HERE.

Question of the month is:
What is your favorite Mother's Day gift?
I love getting pedicures for Mothers Day :)

The last several years I have given my mom & my Mother in Law Rodan + Fields products for Mother's Day.
This year, we have the cutest gift sets just in time for Mother's Day!

Gift Set #1:

 This beautiful box includes:
Age defying Intensive Renewing Serum capsules with RetinAl
  NEWLY formulated Lip Renewing Serum
Redefine Multi Function Eye Cream
 
This is a perfect gift for:
 Mother’s Day
  Birthdays
  Teacher Appreciation Day
Yourself (you’re worth it!)

This Rodan + Fields Spring Renewal Gift Set is now available and the savings are HUGE!!
 With $72 off regular prices, this is a 25% savings!
The cost is $145 & I will ship to you for FREE! 

Gift Set #2:

 It also comes in a cute box with our Lip Renewing Serum, Multi Function Eye Cream & a cute silver clutch/wristlet:

Cost is $110 & I will ship to you for FREE!


Gift Set #3:

My 3rd Mother's Day Special is Lash Boost with this cute bag, a FREE mini eye cream & a FREE mini facial!

Cost is $135 and I will ship to you for FREE!


These Gift Sets are good for anyone! Customers, Non-Customers, Anyone!
Perfect way to try out  RF or get RF at a discount :)
Give these as a gift or keep for yourself!
This can be a one time purchase, no other purchases are necessary! 
Comment or email me to get one!
melissa_larson17@yahoo.com

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If you are new to my blog, thanks for stopping by!

Feel free to follow along! 

You can find me on Bloglovin, Facebook & Instagram

Can't wait to read about What's up with all of YOU!

Soft & Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

This past weekend our court had a get together to watch the first game of the Warriors playoffs.

Whenever we have a court potluck or court party, I am the token "dessert" person. 

I decided to make 2 types of cookies...Oatmeal Raisin and I also made Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies. Neither of these recipes are on my blog....until now!

These Soft & Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are adapted from Grammy's Oatmeal Cookie recipe :)
Here is what you need:

2 sticks of butter, softened to room temperature

1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 T vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 t baking soda
1 t cinnamon

1/2 t cloves
1/2 t salt
3 cups oats
1 cup raisins

Directions:
Soak raisins in hot water for 10 minutes (while you make the dough) 

Soaking the raisins helps them be more plump & juicy in the cookies!
In large bowl, cream together butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. 

Beat in the eggs and vanilla until fluffy. 
 
Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves & salt and stir into the sugar mixture:

Stir in oats and raisins. 

I use this cookie scoop whenever I make cookies (or muffins!)

Drop onto cookie sheets. 

Using a cookie scoop is so much easier to proportion out your cookies.
 
 Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes until light and golden. 

Cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes.
 
Makes 3 dozen cookies.
These cookies got gobbled up by our neighbors.
You gotta love a classic soft & chewy Oatmeal Raisin cookie! 

 Store  the extras in airtight container after they have cooled :)
Stay tuned for the Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe! 
I hope you like these cookies as much as we do!