Wordless and Wordful Wednesday ~ World Series Edition

Since the World Series is in full swing I thought I would re-post some pictures of Sam getting an autograph from his favorite Ranger's player, Mitch Moreland.  Hit a major home run last night and had some amazing plays at 1st base including one where he practically did the splits!  GO RANGERS!!!!

To see more Wordless and Wordful photos head on over to Wordless Wednesday and J. Leigh Designz.

Please take a moment to link up and don't forget to leave a comment.

Tasty Tuesday ~ Pumpkin Soup

It's Tuesday and time to share some recipes over at Tasty Tuesday!  Just click on the button above and enjoy all the amazing recipes!

I had an amazing Halloween themed party at my house this past Friday evening and one of the hits of the night was my Pumpkin Soup.  Thought I would share it with you today.  It's super easy to make, makes your house smell good and best of all it's soooo yummy!  I did double this recipe and now have some in my freezer for later.  Can't wait to have it again. 

I'm thinking that I'm going to be making even more soups this fall/winter season.  Do you have any that are just outstanding that you'd like to share?  I'm always looking for new recipes to try.  

Pumpkin Soup

INGREDIENTS:

6 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
4 cups pumpkin puree (can use canned)
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
5 whole black peppercorns

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat stock, salt, pumpkin, onion, thyme, garlic and peppercorns.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes uncovered.
2. Puree the soup in small batches using a food processor or a blender.  I used an immersion blender in the pot and it worked just fine.
3. Return to pan, and bring to a boil again.  Reduce heat to low, and simmer for another 30 minutes, uncovered.  Stir in heavy cream.  Pour into soup bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or some cracked pepper.

Look Ma....No Hands!

Finally after some major technical difficulties I can share with you one of my favorite features of the 2012 Chevy Traverse.  I have to say that I really enjoyed using the completely hands free calling.  It comes in handy when you have your phone stuck at the bottom of your purse while you're driving along and can't get to it.  Click on the video to see more about this amazing feature!

Thank You @chevydfw & North Texas Chevy Dealers for 2 weeks of FUN in the 

2012 CHEVY TRAVERSE

Hot Buns!

I've been driving the White Diamond Chevy Traverse now for just over a week.  I'm LOVING it!  There are so many features to talk about and I will in some upcoming posts.  I would have to say that the feature that tops my list is the heated seats.  Watch the video to find out why and you'll be wanting some heated seats even when it's over 100 degrees outside!  Trust me....




See what I mean...a heating pad that travels with you! I must say that the ladies out there will love this feature at least once a month.

You can find out more about this fantastic vehicle by following them on Twitter and looking for these hashtags: #chevygirls & #chevyfun.  You can also follow along on their Facebook page. 


The Chevy Traverse campaign is being sponsored by the North Texas Chevy dealers. They are letting me test drive a Traverse for two weeks as well as providing me with a gas card and a spa gift card.

Wordless and Wordful Wednesday ~ Handwriting

I heard a quote yesterday but didn't have any paper to write it down on.  I did the next best thing...I wrote it down on my hand.  Later I was outside taking some more pictures and looked down at my hand and thought to myself that it would make a good picture as well.

I know I'm late in getting this post up today but it's better to be late than not at all.  I'm working on a couple of other posts and hope to have them up today as well.  I'll make it around to see your posts as well so don't forget to sign the Linky then head on over to visit some new blogs!

To see more Wordless photos head on over to:

Please take a moment to link up and don't forget to leave a comment.

Shades of Autumn ~ Green

I'm joining in on the Shades of Autumn Photo Challenge. Every week they will post a color for us to take photos of.  This weeks color is green. Now for those of you that don't know I live in wonderful state of Texas. Unfortunately it's pretty hard to find anything green around here with the drought that is going on. I took Sam out behind our house to see if we could find anything green to take a photo of.  Luckily we did find more than I thought we would. We have a Hedgeapple tree behind our house and found quite a few on the ground. Sam picked up one and cradled it in his hands.  To join in on the fun or to just look at the other submitted photos click on the link below or go to one of these lovely ladies blogs: Bumbles & Light, Project Alicia and Live and Love Out Loud 

Here is a collage of some of the other green pictures that I took that afternoon:

Healing Hands for Arthritis ~ October 12

I think the year was 1997 when I went to my Doctor with complaints of overall pain.  I told him that I had experienced this pain for several years and was then to the point that I couldn't take it much longer and needed to find out what was causing it.  After quite a few tests I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.  At that time I had never heard or it or had I known anyone that had it.  He gave me a quick overview and described to me that Fibromyalgia affects the muscles and soft tissue.  In addition to pain and fatigue, people who have fibromyalgia may experience a variety of other symptoms including:

• cognitive and memory problems (sometimes referred to as “fibro fog”)
• sleep disturbances
• morning stiffness
• headaches
• irritable bowel syndrome
• painful menstrual periods
• numbness or tingling of the extremities
• restless legs syndrome
• temperature sensitivity
• sensitivity to loud noises or bright lights

Now about 2 years ago I was diagnosed with Arthritis in my hands.  There are times where in combination with the pain from the Fibromyalgia and now the Arthritis that I can have a very hard time getting the easy and small tasks done.  But I carry on.  One way treatment that I find just wonderful is massage therapy.  After a session there I feel like I don't have either!  It's just so wonderful to have a day or so without so much pain.

I am happy to partner up with Massage Envy here in the DFW area to help promote the Healing Hands for Arthritis event.   Read further to find out how you can help.

Massage Envy, the pioneer and national leader of professional, convenient and affordable massage and spa services, has partnered with the Arthritis Foundation to host Healing Hands for Arthritis, a one-day national event to build awareness and raise funds to fight arthritis.

On World Arthritis Day, October 12, 2011, Massage Envy will donate $10 from every one-hour massage and facial to the Arthritis Foundation. Prices range from $39 - $69 for facials and massages depending on location.

"At Massage Envy, we witness the debilitating effects arthritis can have on our members and guests every day and recognize that more must be done to help raise awareness and find a cure for the 50 million adults and 300,000 children currently suffering," said Massage Envy President and COO Dave Crisalli. "I encourage everyone to participate in Healing Hands for Arthritis on October 12 by calling their local Massage Envy today and booking an appointment for this wonderful event."


Appointments are now being accepted for the Healing Hands for Arthritis event. To schedule your massage or facial, contact your local Massage Envy clinic. All proceeds donated during Healing Hands for Arthritis will support the Arthritis Foundation's education, research and advocacy initiatives to control and cure arthritis and related diseases.

Additionally, Murad®, Massage Envy Spa's exclusive skin care partner, will donate 10 percent of all sales from their products sold at Massage Envy Spa locations during the event to the Arthritis Foundation. Wyndmere, Massage Envy's retail partner at all locations, will also donate 10% of all their retail sales on event day.

With consumers visiting massage therapists at least 140 million times a year, it is evident that more Americans are turning to therapeutic massage to relieve the painful symptoms of arthritis and fibromyalgia, while improving circulation, joint flexibility, sleep patterns and an overall sense of well-being. The experienced, professional therapists at Massage Envy clinics can design effective and customized massage treatments to address the individual needs of any member or guest.


In exchange for this post, I will be receiving complimentary massage at Massage Envy.

My New Ride

I've been sitting on this since the beginning of August and I can now share it with you....I have been given the wonderful opportunity to test drive a Chevy White Diamond Traverse for the next two weeks.  All of the participating bloggers (and their families) got to go to the Texas State Fair to pick up our new rides and to have a fun day at the State Fair.  All in all yesterday was a FANTASTIC DAY!!!  Except for one thing...you see I remembered to charge my camera battery the night before, I even remembered to bring my camera....I, however, didn't remember to put the charged battery into my camera.  SO here I had all of this wonderful fun with my family and I had no camera.  Received a new car for two weeks to tell you all about, and I had no camera.  Tried some new foods (some really not good for me) and had no camera to show you.  So in the coming days you'll get to see photos that will be taken after the fact.  I do have to tell you that so far I'm really enjoying my new ride and I have to thank Chuck Fairbanks of Desoto TX for showing me everything little detail of my new ride!  Here is a stock photo from Chevy so you can see what my new ride looks like: