Share a Coke this Summer & Start the Summer off with an Ice Cold Coke Float!

May 27, 2015

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ShareSmiles #CollectiveBias

It’s summer…summer time y’all! I can’t wait to get outside and enjoy the sunshine and have some place else to gather. This summer has been crazy busy for us and I told y’all in my last post we are moving! Well, we FOUND A HOUSE!!! Yay! It has a gorgeous back yard and I can’t wait to have friends and family over for barbecues and gatherings.

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This summer is all about making memories, especially in our new home. I’m sure you’ve been to the grocery store lately and seen all the fun Coke products out. I went to Brookshire’s this weekend and picked up some Coke with fun sayings like “Mom”, “Grad”, “Dad”, “Superstar”, “Bro”, and you can even find your own name on some Coke bottles. I have yet to find Becky though…ha…ha..!!! It has to be out there somewhere because I saw the name “Griselda” the other day and I thought to myself if Coke is making that name they have a Becky out there in the universe!

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Last year’s Share a Coke campaign was such a success, Coke has brought it back bigger and better! This year Coke will have 1000 names featured on 20 ounce bottles along with other unique products. The special Coke cans come in all varieties, including Coke classic, diet, and zero.

As I shop at Brookshire’s this summer & I see the name of someone I know I’ll pick up a Coke for them. I’m excited to share it with them because it’s almost like it was made ESPECIALLY for that person. I think I’m going to get Terence one that says “Better Half”. Ha ha! Well, he can give it to me maybe?

When I got home from work yesterday I made a delicious Coke float. What is better during the summer than an ice-cold Coke float?

I mean…..

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So, who are you planning on sharing a Coke with this summer? Have you found your name yet?

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The “Grad” Coke drinks would be so cute if you know of someone graduating this year. Also, don’t forget Father’s day is coming up and they have “Dad” Cokes too.

Cheers to a wonderful summer friends and don’t forget to SHARE A COKE!

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Keep an eye on Brookshire’s Facebook page for a chances to win YourPoints, offers, fun and conversation.

Twitter: @CocaCola @DietCoke @CokeZero @Brookshires_

Instagram: @CocaCola @DietCoke @CokeZero @Brookshires_

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We are Moving!

May 21, 2015

I’m slacking major on the blog lately. I really do enjoy journaling our life. I can’t believe I’ve almost had this little website for 10 years!

We decided to put our house on the market earlier this year before Connor starts Kindergarten later in the fall. Well, we put it on the market and within 3 days it was sold! That was great….but now we have to find a house and it’s been CRAZY out there. If you are house hunting in DFW right now I do not envy you. The market has totally turned. It’s great for sellers, but for buyers prepare yourselves for battle.

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I think we’ve made 4 or 5 offers on homes (all well above asking) and haven’t gotten any of them. We have to be out of our current house in 3 weeks & I’m just a tad nervous about it. We haven’t even started packing. Ugh.

It’s going to be bittersweet leaving this home. We’ve made so many memories and it’s the house we brought Connor home to from the hospital. It’s the only home he’s known. Now it’s time for someone else to cherish it and we are looking forward to this next phase in our lives.

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One thing that stinks when your house is on the market is constantly keeping it CLEAN. We have hardwoods throughout our home and have used Bona Free & Simple® Hardwood Floor Cleaner. It works great and I’ve been able to keep everything looking up to par.

Bona is a non-toxic and no residue product, with a new, unique certification by the Asthma & Allergy Foundation. Sign up for the Bonafide Fanatics mailing list and download the $3.00 off coupon to experience Bona.

As we transition into this new phase in our lives we ask for prayers & thank everyone for all their love and support.

xo – The Branches

Tweet: We are moving!!! http://ctt.ec/YM249+ #househunters

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Today’s post is sponsored by Bona Free & Simple Hardwood Floor Cleaner. All opinions are my own.

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Happy 34th Ter-Bear

May 12, 2015

Happy birthday to the love of my life…TER-BEAR! For the next couple of weeks he will be a year older than me 😉 ha ha! Hey we aren’t mid-thirties yet….we are still holding strong!

I wish you the best year ever babe! We love you and appreciate all you do for our family!

xo-Becky & Connor

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Happy Mother’s Day! #euphoria4moms #IC #ad

May 10, 2015

“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Calvin Klein. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”

I’ve had the BEST Mother’s Day! I hope you all have felt loved and appreciated today as well. If you are a hubs and it search of the perfect last-minute gift there is nothing better than the euphoria Calvin Klein promotion going on right now at Macy’s & Dillard’s stores.

Through Mother’s Day, anyone who purchases a large spray from the euphoria Calvin Klein fragrance collection will receive a complimentary live orchid. BBP_2558

What girl doesn’t want to feel sexy, especially on a date night? This perfume did the trick. If you are looking for an exotic fragrance of fruits, seductive florals and a rich, creamy signature that brings out your inner sexy, and the WOMAN in the Mom…..look no further than euphoria Calvin Klein.

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I purchased this beautiful Lace Kimono Cardigan from Macy’s to wear on a date night with my hubby. I love it because you can throw it on with anything and dress it up. I paired it with a light top in the photo above and for our date night I threw it on over a black top. Either way it looks great! I smelled pretty good too wearing my new euphoria Calvin Klein perfume *wink* *wink*.

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All Moms deserve to be pampered and loved this Mother’s Day. Thank you to my boys who make me feel special every day. I love them SO much and thank God for them every day.

Terence and I enjoyed a yummy meal & conversation at Chili’s. You can’t go wrong with pasta and mango sweet tea 🙂 Of course no meal is complete without DESSERT. Hello there molten chocolate cake…..YUM. When kids come into the picture it gets harder to put your marriage first and spend extra time on YOU! It was so nice to have a night out with my love and I looked and smelled extra special.

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Thank you Ter-Bear and Connor for making me feel so loved and thank you to all the Moms out there who love unconditionally every day. May you feel blessed this Mother’s Day.

Follow Calvin Klein via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, & Pinterest for the latest and greatest.

Maple Bacon Cupcakes

May 5, 2015

One of my favorite things to do is bake. I am not that great at cooking regular meals….but I love to BAKE. When my friend Misty asked if I wanted to make something using Petit Jean meats I was like “heck yeah!”. Petit Jean meats are made in my home state of Arkansas and are also the Official Bacon of the Dallas Cowboys.

Petit Jean can be found in Texas at all area DFW Market Street stores, United Supermarkets in the West Texas market, David’s Meat Market in Garland, Texas, Hirsch’s Speciality Meats in Plano, Texas and Brookshire Fresh store in Tyler, Texas.

When you cook with bacon you usually think of something savory. I wanted to combine the best of both worlds and create something savory and sweet.

I’d like to share with you my version of Maple Bacon Cupcakes using Petit Jean Special Edition Cowboys bacon.

MAPLE BACON CUPCAKES

I cut straight down the middle of the package. This creates perfectly even slices of bacon and they cook quickly. Cover pan with a lid at low to medium heat to create perfect crispy bacon.

I use a regular box of white cake mix. To make it extra special I like to add a small dollop of almond flavoring. Bake according to the instructions on the back of the box. 1 dozen cupcakes at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.

I had a little fun with these cupcakes and divided the batter in half. I dyed each bowl of batter a different color. We ended up with blue and green.

Look at that YUMMY bacon! The dessert meat.

Fill liners half way with each color of batter and bake until done.

Vanilla Glaze Icing:

1 cup milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1/2 package of vanilla pudding mix

Directions:

Whisk milk into flour in small saucepan until smooth. Heat and stir until it boils and thickens. Cream butter, sugar and vanilla pudding mix in bowl until thick and creamy. Add thickened milk. Beat until mixed well. Top each cupcake with glaze.