Adventures in Blogging: Guest Post at Through Clouded Glass

One of the things I really enjoy about blogging is getting to make friends with ladies all over the country...or even the world! It is such a unique thing. Well, today I am actually guest posting for a blog friend of mine who just had a sweet little baby girl! Her name is Callie (the mommy. The baby's name is Clarice.) and her blog is called Through Clouded Glass.  Callie asked her guest posters to write on the topic "All the things I never knew" - which was a super interesting topic and very broad! I'm up first today, and there will be 5 more ladies each sharing on Monday for the next 5 weeks while Callie enjoys her snuggles with her new little one and adjusts to being a family of 6!

So click on over to see what "I never knew" about on Callie's blog today!

Adventures in Blogging: How is it October Hodgepodge

1. What's one thing you learned in September?

I've got a good one for this! At a dinner party with some other couples from our church I learned an interesting fact about one of the men in the group. His mother came to America from Poland in 1912...on the Titanic! (well, the Titanic got her part of the way to America!) If you saw the movie Titanic, do you remember how the 2nd class passengers were locked below deck? His mother was one of those passengers. Her and several others managed to find their way past the barricades and on to a life raft....I was mesmerized by his story! 

2. Acorn squash, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, yellow squash, zucchini squash, or blech! hold the squash... what's your favorite squash? What's your favorite way toprepare your favorite squash?

Blech! I am not a fan of any kind of squash. I don't think I've ever made it...

3. The older I get the_______________________________.

"quicker the years go by." I thought 'older' people were crazy for saying that when I was a kid, but it's so true! 

4. What's your favorite television theme song ever?

Oh, gosh! That's the hardest question of the week for me. I think I am going to go with the theme song from FRIENDS. 

But then again I am pretty sure I still know all the words to the Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song...

5. What do you wish you'd spent more time doing five years ago?

5 years ago was 2008. I was out of college. Sharing an apt with my friend Sarah. Working as a substitute teacher, tutor, and Starbucks barrister ..so I guess I would have spent more time enjoying life and not working so much! But the bills needed to be paid...so off the work I went! 

6. What item do you most need (or want) to add to your wardrobe this fall?

Ooo! I love this question! I would like a new pair of brown boots. Maybe like these.

(source)

And a fall scarf or 2. All my scarves seem to be winter or spring. I am really wanting a fun fall scarf...maybe like this one. 

(source) 

7. On October 2, 1950 the Peanuts cartoon was introduced to the world. What was your favorite cartoon when you were a kid? 

I always love reading the funny pages when I was a kid...I think Dennis the Menace was my favorite cartoon. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I smile every time I drive up to our house because of the newly painted front door! 

Adventures in Blogging: Fall Festival of Guest Posters

So it's no secrete that I love fall. Especially the weather. Like, if there was a place on Earth that had great fall weather all year round - sunny, 70's in the day, 50's at night - I would move there. The weather here has been fabulous and I have been in such a fall mood! This weekend I'm getting pumpkins and mums to decorate. I've been eating apple everything. The leaves are starting to change colors...How about you? Are you in a fall mood yet? If not, I've got a great way to help you fall in love with fall!

Hilary and Jessica are hosting a fall festival of guest posters...and I'm the guest today!

Head on over to Domestic Bliss Squared for my newest favorite fall gluten free recipe

And get ready to enjoy fall!!

Adventures in Bloggin: Blogtember ~ Just pictures

Adventures in Blogging: This Time Last Year

On thing I love about blogging, is that it makes it so easy to look back and see what we were doing last year and how things have changed since then.  When undertaking a huge DIY home project like our Operation: Finish Basement, looking back and seeing our progress can be such an encouragement when we feel like things are moving slow! So when I was Mama Kat's writing prompt today ( 3. What were you blogging about last year at this time? What has changed?) I thought it would be fun to compare what our basement looked like this time last year compared to today! 

This time last summer we were digging. 

(the laundry room August 15, 2012)

 Every day after work, every weekend, digging the basement deeper...

(the living room August 12th, 2012)

One year later we have a new floor, new walls, and are working on mudding the drywall

See the green ladder in the picture above? And the walls that's behind it? That wall is right where the top 2 pictures were taken! It separates the living room from the laundry room. To see a layout of the basement click here.

More than once over the past year we have had people tell us we are crazy for taking on such a big DIY project...and more than once WE have thought we are crazy for taking on such a big DIY project! But over the past year we have discovered lots of little ways survive our project and even enjoy getting to work together on it! I'm sharing some of these lessons/tips today over at the Generation Building Center Blog.

If you are thinking of starting a small or large DIY home project, you should totally click over and read about...

(I will be sharing some of these tips in the weeks to come here as well!) 

Click here for the Generation Building Center Blog! 

Linking up with:

Adventures in Blogging: Guest Post For Bailey

Remember this spring when Daniel and I went to Myrtle Beach for a wonderful vacation with his grandparents? 

And when we were out of town, I had the wonderful Bailey do a guest post for me. 

Well, now she is on her great summer adventures, and I am taking over her blog for the day!! Jump on over to see how to make the perfect summer afternoon drink...

Becoming Bailey

Adventures in Blogging: May Hello Box Buddy!

Remember last week when Melanie took over the blog for a day and shared that super yummy grape salad recipe?! (And if you missed it, you should totally check it out HERE). Well, not only was Melanie a fantastic guest poster, she was also my May Hello Box buddy! All through the month of May, she has been commenting on the blog, sending me REAL MAIL(!), and just being an all around encouragement and new friend to me, which has been such a blessing!

The icing on the cake is that we swapped packages in the mail. (Click here to see what I sent her!) And she sent me the most perfect package of goodies. Check it out!

Blank cards (that I can decorate), ready to send cards, gift label set, journal, and 2 stamps!!

All perfect for me! 

My favorite is this stamp

 (Melanie, how did you know I've always wanted one like this!)

Thank you, Melanie!!

If you are looking for a new, wonderful blog to follow, I would totally recommend Sarcasm and Curls.

Click here to find out a little more about Melanie

And leave her a comment, because she loves hearing from her readers...comments make her do cartwheels in the rain with a tutu on! 

OK, just for fun, here is one of my favorite pictures of my cousin's wedding from last weekend

I hope you have a wonderful day!!

Adventures in Blogging: Melanie @ Sarcasm and Curls

I've got a special treat for you today!! A new friend for you to meet, and a super yummy recipe for you to put on the menu of your next summer BBQ!! So let me introduce me lovely bloggie friend and guest poster for the day Melanie! 

(Oh, wait, one more thing...I am Melanie's guest poster for the day! So when you are done reading here, hop on over to her site to see what I whipped up for her readers.) 

Hello, lovely readers. I'm Melanie from Sarcasm and Curls, and I blog about life and everything in it- food, shopping, movies, books, friends, bad days, good days, and everything in between.

I met Veronica through May's Hello box, and seriously think she is the sweetest thing ever! Plus, her blog is full of great ideas- crafts and food, two of my favorite things!

One of my most visited posts on my blog is the post on Grape Salad, one of my favorite things to make, take to a party/potluck, and eat too. Y'all. If you have not had grape salad, you are seriously missing out. I could eat bowls of this stuff and never tire of it.

Jot down this recipe. You'll be glad you did.

Grape Salad
Ingredients:
2 bags of grapes (washed)
8 oz. sour cream- I used light.

1 block cream cheese- I used reduced fat.

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla flavoring

chopped pecans-optional

brown sugar- optional

Directions:

1. Mix sour cream and cream cheese.

2. Add in sugar and vanilla, and mix.

3. Fold in grapes.

4. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

5. Top with nuts/brown sugar, if desired, before serving.

To see other recipes I've shared, visit my recipe page.

I really hope you all do yourselves a favor and make this salad. I'm 99.9% sure you'll love it just as much as I do.

Thanks for letting me take over your page, Veronica, and thanks for reading, guys! Be sure to click on over to Sarcasm and Curls to learn a bit more about me and my crazy life. Let me know where you came from too! :)

Thanks Melanie!!! Yum! That salad sounds fantastic!! Well, you heard the lady, head on over to Sarcasm and Curls! Happy Thursday!!

Adventures in Blogging: Pamper Me Pretty

You all know that I love swaps! When I saw the

I decided to sign up,

and I am so very glad that I did!

I got paired up with Taylor from Pink Heels, Pink Truck

and boy did she pamper me!

Spoiled is more like it!!

Take a look at what she sent:

Body wash, lufa, eyeshadow, lip gloss, 3 nail polishes and 4 face masks (my favorite!!) 

Not only did I get a totally amazing package, 

I also made a great new blog friend!!

Taylor writes a life style blog called

If you like the color pink, books/book reviews, vlogs, make-up, fashion, or getting to know a sweet lady, you will LOVE her blog!!  AND she runs this great little blog called Here is a description from Taylor about what Airing Your Dirty Laundry is : Airing Your Laundry came about after talking with several bloggers who all mentioned how they wished sometimes they could just vent on their blog. But due to who might actually be reading their blog, they don’t tell all. Now’s your chance. This is a blog where you can air it all.

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!

Adventures in Blogging: It's Been A While Since I...

HODGEPODGED!

1. When you've eaten in a restaurant do you complete their comment card? Do you take online surveys highlighted at the bottom of store receipts? I will do the comment card if I have an exceptionally good or bad experience, just to leave a record of the event, but I do not normally fill our the restaurant comment card. The online store receipt surveys - it depends on the store. Home Depot does giveaways for the people who complete the survey. I do ALL of those! (And we have lots of HD receipts!) And just a few weeks ago I did one on my Bath and Body Works receipt and got $10 off my next purchase - which was very exciting! 

2. The (US) ban on women in combat was lifted at the end of January. It will probably be next year before specifics are worked out, but its been reported over 200,000 front line positions will eventually open up to women.  Your thoughts? I think there are some women who can handle front line positions and some women who can not. I trust that the military officials can tell the difference and that the integrity of the forces on the ground will not be effected. 

3.  In looking back at all the blog posts you've written, what's your favorite posttitle? 
Why Didn't I Think of That?
and 
Why Didn't I Think of That? Part 2
and I'm working on a part 3! 

4. What's worse-overly permissive parents or overly protective parents?  Did your own parents lean more to the permissive or the protective category?  If you're a parent where do you fall? My parents leaned toward protective, but not overly so (hind sight is 20/20, if you had asked my teenaged self, I think I would have had a different answer at times!). When I am a parent I know Daniel and I will lean toward protective as well. I think that overly permissive parents who just want to be "best friends" with their children rather than being the grown up in the relationship are not following through with their parental responsibilities. 

5.  Candlelight-moonlight-firelight-bright lights in the big city...which one's your favorite? Firelight! I love sitting around a campfire and in front of a fireplace. 

6. Dr. Seuss's birthday was celebrated on Saturday. What's a favorite book you remember (Seuss or otherwise) from your own childhood?  Did books play an important role in your growing up years? Explain. Little House on the Prairie series. My mom started reading the first one aloud to me every night before bed, and as I was able to I started reading them aloud to her. I just that time period and think Laura's life was so interesting! And I love those memories of reading with my mom! 

7.  To quote Dr. Seuss...

"From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere." 

from One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

Share something funny you've recently read, seen or heard.  
Last weekend I was at a local craft fair and discovered {THIS} funny t-shirt shop! 

These images are not the best, but if your man is into fishing, you should really check out the website. The shirts are so funny! www.fishface.com  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I'm so excited to be auditioning for Season 15 of So You Think You're Crafty! 
Would you please take a moment to go {HERE} and vote? The projects and voting are done anonymously, so I can't tell you which project is mine, but would love it if you took a guess! If you already did, THANK YOU! 

Adventures in Blogging: HELP!!!

No need to be alarmed, but I wanted to make sure to get EVERYONE'S attention.

Because I need your help.

Yes, you!

Remember a few weeks ago when I told you about

and how I have been working on some super fun crafts because  I am auditioning for Season 15... Well, today is the day folks! 
Today is the first day of voting for the audition crafts. 
Here's the deal: Missy (the brains behind SYTYC) wants bloggers small and large to have an equal opportunity at this craft competition. So the auditions, and all of the rounds after that are totally 100% anonymous. Bloggers with lots of followers can't just call on all their peeps to vote for them. We can't enter a project that has been show on our blogs before. I can't tell you which project is mine. You have to honestly pick which project you like the best. All I can do is provide a link and ask that you vote for your favorite project.
So would you please take a few minutes to click over,  check out the projects,  and vote for the one you like best? **Actually, the voting system is a bit different this time. You will be ranking the projects in order how much you like them. First, second, third...and so on. There are directions on exactly what to do when you  click {HERE}
Thanks friends! Happy Monday

Adventures in Blogging: A New Look!

Lots of blogs have giveaways.
 I like to enter and every time I do I think to myself
"Well, someone has to win..."

A few weeks ago,

I WON ONE!

Alexa at

hosted a give away earlier in the month.  The prize: A custom blog design from  Erin at

And today she installed it! 
Didn't Erin do a great job?!
(if you are reading this in a reader, please click over {HERE} to see the new design)

She was so quick, and did a fantastic job of taking my random ideas and pictures I liked 
like this for a pattern

{HERE}

And this for the colors

{HERE}

and turning them into a beautiful blog design! 

If you have been thinking of getting a new design for your blog

I would totally recommend Erin. Her prices are SO reasonable, 

I think she did a wonderful job! 

You can find out more about her blog design services {HERE}

Erin also added new fancy link buttons for the Adventures of D and V

Facebook

Pinterest

and Twitter

if you would like to follow along with the adventure in other ways!

Adventures in Blogging: Our Project Got Highlighted!

Hi friends! 

I just wanted to give you the opportunity to see our Operation: Finish Basement project being featured on another website!

Click {HERE} to read the article

Generation Home & Building Center is a family owned store in Lonsdale, MN and their website is run by a good friend of mine. When she asked if I would do a Q & A about our project, I was thrilled! 

So go ahead, click over and find out all the answers to the questions you may have about our basement!  

Adventures in Blogging: Top 3 Posts of 2013

Since it has been almost a year since we started this adventure in blogging,
I was looking back at some of the first posts, and the most popular posts over the past year.
Here are the top 3 posts of 2012:

Why Didn't I Think of That: Better Way To Cut A Watermelon

Why Didn't I Think of That: Slicing Strawberries

Sparkling Summer Punch

Looks like I need to do some more "Why Didn't I Think of That" posts! Who knew simple ideas would be so popular!
On December 31st I will be posting my favorite posts from each month of 2012,
so if you are a new follower you can get a glimpse of the year in the Adventures of D and V.  

Adventures in Blogging: So You Think You're Crafty

I like to think I am crafty. 

Today I am guest posting at

So You Think You're Crafty

(Awesome blog name, right!)

I am teaching you how to make 

to spruce up that empty flower basket hook for Christmas!

Click {HERE} to see my guest post! 

Also, remember to get your post ready for

Wednesday's

Details {HERE} I can't wait to see your tree!

Adventures in Blogging: Christmas Game of Tag

My bloggy friend Stacy at Makeup Obsessed Mom 

tagged me in a fun little 

So I am playing along! 

Favorite Winter Nail polish
I tend to use dark reds in the winter. This Essie polish is perfect for Christmas I think!

Scarlett Ohara by Essie

Favorite Winter Lip product
I am a Burt's Bees girl! It keeps my lips soft even in the dry Illinois winter air.

Most worn winter clothing piece
Wool Socks!

Most worn winter accessory
Scarves. I have one on most days either for out and about warmth or as an accessory for my outfit for the day.

Favorite Winter Candle:
I love cinnamon smells in the winter.

Favorite Winter Beverage
I LOVE hot drinks. Peppermint tea if I am at home. If I go to Starbucks I splurge and get a white mocha with 1 pump of the white mocha and one pump of gingerbread syrup. It tastes like a frosted gingerbread cookie!

Favorite Christmas Movie
White Christmas. They just don't make movies like that anymore.

Favorite Christmas Song
Carol of the Bells. Any version, but I have a special place in my heart for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra version. It is actually the song that Daniel and I on our wedding party recessed out of our wedding ceremony to!

Favorite holiday food
All of the treats that my Grandma Seger would make every year for our Christmas boxes - I am really missing them now.

Favorite Christmas decoration

My mom's nativity scene. I loved unwrapping each piece every year when I was growing up and setting it up.

What is at the top of your Christmas list?
Well, the only thing on my list (besides 2X4's for the basement) is a new winter jacket. I've pretty much been using the same 2 jackets since college, so I think it may be time to invest in a new one.

What are your plans for Christmas this year?
Since we had Thanksgiving off this year, Daniel will be on call over Christmas (people's toilets still break over Christmas, so a plumber's work is never done!) So we will be staying around home, visiting family that lives near by and helping out with the Christmas Eve service at our church. Honestly, it is kind of nice to be home and not have to fight traffic and weather!

Now it's time for me to TAG 5 of you to play along. If you have time, please answer all of the questions above that I've just done today. So, I tag:

Debbie @ Just Breathe
Lani @ It's My Life
Ashley @ Ashley Spain
Rebecca @ Knit By God's Hand
Susan @ A Vintage Farmwife
AND YOU!
If you want to do this tag too, PLEASE do so! I'd LOVE to see your answers!!

1. Be sure to post the picture above in your post
2. Link back to me since I tagged ya ;)
3. When you're done with your post, please comment here so that I can check it out!

Have fun! And don't forget that next week is the Christmas Tree Photo Link Party. I can't wait to see what your tree looks like!   

Adventures in Blogging: Sunday Social "List 4"

Things have been a little quite the past few days because we have been visiting family in Minnesota. As we are on our way back home (hopefully the traffic and roads are not to bad!) I thought it would be fun to do a little Sunday Social. If you are visiting for the first time ~ Welcome!

1. Name 4 jobs you’ve had in your life. 

Lifeguard at a country club
Substitute child care provider
Starbuck's barista
4th grade teacher

2. Name 4 movies you would watch over and over.
Little Women
Step Up
Sand Lot
The Avengers

3. Name 4 places you have lived.
Farmington, MN
Prior Lake, MN
Wheaton, IL
Elmhurst, IL

4. Name 4 of your favorite foods.
Chocolate
Pickles
Guacamole
Cinnamon Life cereal

5. Name 4 things you always carry with you.
Chapstick
Phone
Drivers license
Water bottle

6. Name 4 places you have been on vacation.
Florida Keys
Akamel, Mexico
Puerto Rico
Myrtle Beach, SC

**Thanks for stopping in today! Come on back on December 19th for the first annual 

Click {HERE} for the details!