Five on Friday - Independence Day

Happy Independence Day!!!  I'm finding that I'm really starting to look forward to the Five on Friday link-up with April. There are so many really great bloggers that linked up that I can go visit!

I love fireworks! Before my brother's deployment, he loved fireworks too.  Unfortunately, he came back from Afghanistan, like many others with PTSD.  This makes fireworks difficult for a lot of our current soldiers and veterans.  If you have a veteran or currently enlisted soldier in your neighborhood, please consider talking to them.  Knowing when you anticipate setting off fireworks won't take away their PTSD, but may give them time to leave or utilize coping mechanisms.

Did you know that the 5th of July is one of the busiest days of the year for shelters?  Fireworks are scary for many pets, which triggers their fight or flight response.  Be sure to keep your furbabies inside and safe while you enjoy the fireworks!

How do we celebrate the 4th of July at work? With flag onesies! #letfreedomring #work #fun #independenceday

A photo posted by Nicole Fowler (@cole711) on Jul 1, 2015 at 11:12am PDT

In case you were wondering...this is what the 4th of July looks like at my office!

If you haven't dropped by my blog this week, you haven't heard about my Jamberry giveaway yet!  You can enter to win two sheets of Jamberry nails of your choice on this post!

I came across this berry popsicle recipe and can't wait to try it!  How festive and yummy looking, right?!


Have a fabulous weekend weekend, everyone!

Five on Friday

Happy Friday!!!  With the heat and humidity, it has been a bit of a long week.  I can't wait to relax...  I had so much fun visiting everyone last week, that I'm linking up with April again this week.

I'm starting my list with a brag.  I am so proud of Kristin for making her dream of starting her own photography business a reality.  Kristin is not only my cousin, but one of my best friends and we work together!  (Yep, lots of quality time for us!)  She is immensely talented and can't wait to see her business grow.  You can follow her blog HERE, Instagram HERE or on Facebook HERE.

Fireworks in the towns surrounding me start tonight.  I love living in the greater Boston area and being surrounded by history & patriotism!  Everything culminates on the 4th with an amazing show courtesy of the Boston Pops, usually some celebrity guests, lots and lots of people crowding on the Hatch Shell...and of course, the fireworks!

Image courtesy of Boston Magazine

My birthday month is looming....July 11th, if your curious! I like to share the birthday love, so I have a few giveaways scheduled through July.  :-)  The first one starts on July 1st!

Image via Pinterest (can't find an origin, sorry!)

I am contemplating bringing back "Tuesdays at the Table", my weekly recipe link-up.  I love cooking, baking, bbq'ing... and trying recipes of all sorts.  Everyone always had something yummy and new to contribute.  What do you all think?  YAY or NAY?

If it comes back...a new button will go with it.  :-)

I'm ending my list with a combination of two of my favorite things - dachshunds and minions.  Enjoy!!

Five on Friday

Happy Friday!!!  I hope everyone has had a good week and has some fun (or relaxing) plans for the weekend.

This week I'm linking up with the lovely ladies that host Five on Friday.  Because, really...what better way to put together all the topics that you've been thinking about, but aren't quite a post of their own.  :-)

One...

Since I started blogging consistently again, so many of my old friends are gone.  I need to find new bloggy friends! It seems that comments are a rare commodity these days too.  So I've decided that I'll be visiting everyone that links up this week to leave them a little comment love. I blog because I love it - but a little comment love is always makes me feel good.  I want to share that feeling!


Two...

Have you seen the trailer for "The Secret Life of Pets" yet?  Take a few minutes and indulge your inner Pixar junkie and watch it!


Three...

I come from a military family and have such respect for the Wounded Warrior Project.  I've decided that I'll make a donation of $2 per sheet of patriotic wraps listed above purchased through my site...and I'll add a few more options too! Visit my site HERE and buy any of the following wraps: Ka Boom, Patriot, Navy Stripe, Star Spangled, Poppy & White Polka, White Stripe, Blue Jeans, Fountain of Youth, Whiteout, Little Patriot or True Love.  I want to make a HUGE donation to Wounded Warrior Project!


Four...

I need new sandals.  Which do you like better?  Or better yet, what are your go-to sandals?  Ideally, I'm looking for work appropriate (our office is very casual) and fun!

Five...

I want to get some bandanas sewn for the rescue this weekend.  Wish me luck!