Football...

How 'bout those Gamecocks...how 'bout they almost got beat..but they didn't and I cannot wait for our first home game against the East Carolina Pirates!!  Game days are so much fun around here..I live in Columbia, SC.home of the University of SC so to say the air is electric around here is truly an understatement.. All of the boys in their favorite players jerseys and little girls in their cheerleading outfits..everyone decked out in school colors..it gets you fired up..even if you are watching at home..in a man cave..with the fam..serving up gameday food..and libations.. GO GAMECOCKS!!

Thoughts for Thursday...

if it doesn't stop raining in Columbia SC, I am going to lose my mind!! I love rain, but sheesh..I am beginning to I think I need to collect 2 of everything and take up residence on an ARK!

My oldest made the Varsity girls Tennis team..  My middle girl is trying out for Volleyball and the baby is gearing up for soccer!

I am ready for College Football!!

Monday, Monday...

It is back to school here in the Cleary house!! After a minor setback..power outage at 4am, we are getting ready to roll.. New outfits, new tennis shoes..for the 9 year old..and a new ride for the 16 year old..and a NEW job for momma!!..this is going to be a great year.. Working on my 2nd cup of coffee, putting the back to school dinner in the crockpot (Pot Roast) and lunches in the lunch boxes.. we are ready to roll!! Have a great school year Y'all!!

my Tiger...

I have the sweetest, kindest husband in the whole wide world..  He is an amazing husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.. My husband doesn't miss a day of work and always seizes the opportunity to work long hours for his family.. so this is my Thankful Thursday.. I love you Tiger!

what happenend to Wednesday???

Sheesh!  I was trying, and I use that term loosely, to be consistent writing this Blog, but, it seems that I am so important and busy that time just slips away from me!

I am so tired everyday around 3pm, that I started having High Coffee like the Queen,except, instead of tea and instead of 4pm, you know, to give me that extra pep in my step to make it through my second shift as wife and mother..First shift is for working...ugh!


So my girls start school, 3 different I might add, on Monday.  I am both glad and sad.  Sad, we will be on a formal routine and sad we won't be on a formal routine!!  Back to school shopping Saturday..new Tennis shoes, cleats, flats, cutesy new outfits, not alot, because let's get real, here in the South you can wear shorts through October! 

We are planning a nice labor Day getaway since we did not travel this summer due to my surgery and our work schedules...I am thinking Savannah, Ga.  Any thoughts???

Talk Tuesday...

Totally random products and food I am loving right now:

Suave keratin infused shampoo..salon feel at a budget price!

love, love, love this mascara..looks like I am on Latisse overload!



                                                           

these are delicious and healthy..and they keeps your pipes flowing..TMI, I know, but hey, it works!

a recipe...

I saw this on Pinterest..and it is delish!! We, my husband, makes alot of Jams(fig) so good, and spicy relishes and his own HOT SAUCE..he is really a very creative cook.. anyway, a new favorite..delicious with Brie..
Maple Bourbon Bacon Jam

A sweet, salty, smoky, spicy and down right tasty bacon jam that is the definition of umami! This bacon jam goes well on toast for breakfast and makes for a great condiment in sandwiches and burgers of all sorts!

Servings: makes 1-2 cups



Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours

Add this recipe to ZipList!Printable Recipe



Ingredients

1 pound thick smoked bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces

1 large onion, sliced

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1/4 cup cider vinegar

3/4 cup coffee

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup bourbon

2 chipotle chilis in adobo, chopped

1/2 teaspoon cumin

pepper to taste

Directions

1.Cook the bacon in a large sauce pan an over medium heat until the fat has rendered and the bacon starts to get crispy and set aside, reserving 1 tablespoon of the grease in the pan.

2.Add the onions and saute until tender, about 5-7 minutes.

3.Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about a minute.

4.Add the vinegar and deglaze the pan.

5.Add the coffee, brown sugar, maple syrup, bourbon, bacon, chipotle chilies, cumin and pepper, reduce the heat and simmer until reduced to a syrupy consistency, about 1-2 hours.

6.Process the jam in a food processor to smooth it out a bit but not too much as you want to have the texture of the bacon.

7.If you do not finish it all in one sitting, store it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.

Talk Thursday...

One Direction....enough said.  My 12 year old and 9 year old are over the moon for them..especially the blonde..whatever his name is!


we are getting a Trader Joe's and Whole Foods soon..to say I am ecstatic is an understatement..I am, however, not looking forward to the traffic where they are building our Trader Joe's!

School starts August 20th!! let the games begin..

Hubby got over the Flu and now has bronchitis..sounds more like TB!

I love my new perfume I got for my birthday..Philosophy's Amazing Grace..so fresh and light..

Just a few thoughts!!

Wordless Wednesday...

talk amongst yourselves...kinda wordless.

Hello...

August 7th? What!!  I feel like I have been steam rolled this summer..between work, the girls and my surgery, this summer has flown by!

I feel terrible, we didn't take one vacation this summer... my girls have been to the beach but I sadly have not!

I am in the middle of a Blog revamp..let me know what you think!

weekend re-cap Monday

Tasty  Tuesday

Wordless Wednesday

Talk Thursday

Friday Faves

from the look of all of the Blogs I read..y'all have had an amazing summer and some great recipes and projects going on.  My girls start school on the 20th..and to say they are excited over school supplies is an understatement!!