This was the first full week of February and must admit the jury is still out on this month.
Why you might ask?
Well so far, it started with a heat wave on the first day of February last weekend with the temperatures in the low 50s.
Not too shabby, right?
Well, then late Sunday night into Monday (all day), it snowed and we got a ton of snow again! All the snow that we had from the previous storm was finally gone and then we got slammed again.
Just as we thought we had cleaned it all up and the sun did come out tomorrow (on Tuesday). That night not so much, when we got more snow and ice, too.
And as quiet as the rest of the week was now we are supposed to have more snow this weekend. God help us!
So, the jury is definitely still out on February for me!
Now, as bad as it has been weather wise, I am so in need of finding the good with my weekly thankful things. So keep reading to find out now…
1. Chicken stir fry and coconut, pineapple jasmine rice for dinner. Was craving Chinese food and decided to make some with our Wok and made a special trip the grocery store to get all ingredients.
2. Emma being silly dressing up in my mom’s boots and dad’s hat this past weekend!
3. Lily and Kevin teasing each other. He told her lovingly that she is a pain in the butt, to which she told him that he is a gugooza (Italian vegetable). My dad loves this vegetable and teases her that she is one all the time, so she learned this from him!
4. Letter and pictures from Emma, Lizzi’s niece for both my girls. We also sent her, a card and drawings, as well. Thank you so much, Lizzi, for setting this is motion, you truly made my girls day getting mail from their new pen-pal.
5. Finishing This Is Where I Leave You, by Jonathan Tropper. Review to follow!
6. Getting my Glossybox for January. Stay tuned for the unveiling soon!
7. More nail fun with OPI Nicole Polish and Essie Glitter Polish.
8. For a fun baking birthday party that the girls attended for their cousin, where they got to bake their own cookies.
9. Super Bowl party with Kevin and my brother, where we had all sorts of treats to eat!
10. Another snow day on Monday. The girls had didn’t have school and Kevin got out of work before noon. This lead to afternoon of playing in the snow while it still snowed, where they made their version of Olaf the Snowman!
A side note by the way, I am on Instagram here and my hashtag to follow me is @jnine0712. Most of the photos above were indeed posted on there and trying to make an conscious effort for 2014 (one of my goals for the new year) to use Instagram more then ever and hope you will follow me over there if you haven’t already!*
Now if you missed a moment of this week’s blog articles, here is a recap~
On Monday, I showcased my love for baking with an easy Valentine’s Day Cookie Recipe that Emma helped me try out, here.
On Tuesday, I also happily posted about new subscription obsession with Le Tote here.
On Wednesday, loved being able to post up and share an another book review and share that I totally was captivated by the book The Promise of Stardust, by Priscille Sibley click here.
On Thursday, I co-hosted the Pin It party for the another successful week, here.
On Friday, back with another FTSF with the sentence to finish being, “My best dream ever was…”, to link up please click here!
For those, who are still looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift (it is February 1st already!), please be sure to check out my Pandora Valentine’s Day article here.
Please Visit my Sponsor of The Month:
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Susan Zutautas says
So glad to see the girls enjoying snow, at least someone out there is right 🙂 I actually managed to hibernate for six days. I would have made it a week but had to go out last night.
Janine Huldie says
Trust me if I didn’t have my girls I too would have hibernated for six days too. Hope it warms up for all of us soon now 🙂
tamaralikecamera says
Your Olaf looks like our Olaf!! They are totally long distance friends.
I like that gugooza name! Scarlet called her a friend a FART FART. I was really happy that her friend's mother looked at me and laughed. Whew!
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Janine Huldie says
I know as soon as saw yours, I knew they had to be related – so cute Olaf twins for sure! I too would have laughed at that. I mean look I have Lily who could rival Scarlet! How I hope they can meet and be good friends for real now, too 🙂
massholemommy says
Love your nails and that chicken stir fry looks amazing!!!
My recent post Icy Plymouth Harbor
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Robin and have a great weekend now!! 🙂
Sandy_Ramsey says
One of these days I'm coming to your house for dinner! You always make the yummiest food! Emma was stylin' with the hat and boots..it was actually a really cute look. How sweet that your girls and Lizzi's niece are little pen pals…that's awesome! I can't wait to read your review on This Is Where I Leave You. It's one on my list and I hear it was pretty good.
My recent post Gratitude For Things Big and Small: Ten Things of Thankful
Janine Huldie says
Sandy, if you lived closer, we would totally do dinner and how I would love that! And I am thrilled that Lizzi's niece and my girls are now pen-pals. Seriously, so much fun. And I loved This Is Where I Leave You and definitely had a lot of funny, humorous parts, which helped after reading a few tearjerkers previous to is. I will totally have a review up soon. I am reading faster then I can review right now!! 🙂
Billybuc says
WE were supposed to get snow last night….woke up to a dusting….such a disappointing winter here….I know you are tired of it but I would give anything to have one good snowfall this winter. I might as well start planning my garden.
Have a great weekend Janine.
Janine Huldie says
Bill, I will totally end you some of this snow and wish we could switch to be honest, because so tired of all the snow now. Happy Weekend to you, too! 🙂
perfecttenn says
Aww…your post totally makes me want daughters! So cute!
My recent post Freebie Friday | Love Frames
Janine Huldie says
Thanks so much and hope you get a daughter of your own soon 🙂
Dyanne@IWantBacksies says
There you go, posting pizza pictures again! I always get hungry when I read your post. And I especially love the picture of Emma in the hat and boots! Well, and the darling little snowman. Stay warm and dry!
My recent post Winter? What's To Love?
Janine Huldie says
Sorry Dyanne, I just love cooking, baking and eating, too. But probably should watch a bit more, because before I know it will be bikini season and look like two of me, lol! Stay warm too 🙂
.MIS. Manhattan Image & Style says
Aww, they are so adorable!! I love how kids see snow completely different than us! 🙂
Diana http://www.ManhattanImageandStyle.com
New Outfit Post: Brights In The Woods
Janine Huldie says
I know Diana, trust me so not a fan of the snow, but they can’t get enough. Thanks and have a great weekend 🙂
Michelle Liew says
The jury may still be out for Feb, but at least you get a good chicken and coconut! Thanks as always for linking, J9!
My recent post Thanks, Mr. Dreamweaver
Janine Huldie says
Totally my pleasure and thank you as always for hosting, too. Have a great weekend 🙂
katbiggie says
what a clever idea to have the kids make cookies at a birthday party! Looks like it's been a fun month so far!
Janine Huldie says
Totally been fun even through all the snow. And I know the party was very cute and clever, too 🙂
day-with-kt.com says
You are sipping through the books these days – I love the reviews and just keep adding books to my Nook!!
I hope you share that Chinese food recipe – looks delicious.
And, I can tell you my thoughts on February aren't all that great – I'm working on being positive but….
My recent post The Balance to My Crazy
Janine Huldie says
Aww, so happy that you are finding new books to read from me and promise I will totally keep sharing as I read. And I will have to put together that recipe now and share that here soon. And I am also trying to be positive, but still longing for the beach and warm weather now deep down! 🙂
lrconsiderer says
Jury's WELL out for February. And not looking too promising. But I do love seeing the pictures here, even if they're full of horrid cold whitestuff.
YAY for pen-pals 😀 Love that we're doing this now.
Aaaaaaaaaaand your cooking looks SO GOOD. And I'm making chinese food tonight (just a simple chicken stir fry) and DEFINITELY just realised that I HAVE NO WOK! And I need a wok. So there's that *adds to shopping list*
Janine Huldie says
We totally have a Wok, but believe it or not it is tipped and not sure how it happened, but need to get a new here too hopefully soon, because I always feel like it is going to tip when I cooking in it. And total yay for pen pals! And so getting used and resigning myself to the cold and winter now!
stephanie2006 says
Oh, the girls' Olaf is totally adorable! Enjoy the snow, Emma and Lily! Love the picture of Emma all dressed up, our girls are all for that as well. I remember Lily as a 2-year old clacking all over the house in my monster-heels 🙂 Have a great weekend, Janine!
My recent post Week In Review – Ten Things Of Thankful (34)
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Stephanie and hope you too are having a great weekend now, too 🙂
jny_jeanpretty says
oh yeah you are such an upbeat read! I love visiting you! ALWAYS leave me wanting to create, read, photo, or cook! thanks! jean
Janine Huldie says
Aww, thanks Jean and so happy to inspire all four of those indeed 🙂
rosey says
The pictures are great. AWWWWWWWW to the ones in the snow!! And yum to the pizza!
My recent post Fox Theatre in Detroit
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Rosey and I love taking pics and getting to share here once a week this one (so much fun).
rosey says
I forgot to say I love the nail polish!
My recent post Fox Theatre in Detroit
Janine Huldie says
Thanks again and seriously hoping you are enjoying your weekend!! 🙂
Kristi says
I bet your girls are loving having a pen pal! I had read on Lizzi's blog that she had arranged pen pals; I didn't realize your girls were the letter recipients. How fun!
Olaf is adorable!
Janine Huldie says
They are totally loving it and having os much fun. Thanks Kristi and hoping you are having a wonderful weekend so far 🙂
linda atwell says
Love it! And all the pics–especially the Chinese food. And I'm so impressed that you made it. We always order out if we want Chinese food. Your super bowl goodies make me wish I'd come to your house! I didn't watch the super bowl, but I do love to eat. And the nails look adorable. Happy weekend to you.
My recent post Ten Things of Thankful – February 8, 2014
Janine Huldie says
Happy Weekend to you, too Linda and would have loved to have you join us for the food with Super Bowl. And my husband and I have experimented over the years and love making Chickne Stir Fry, it is fun and definitely a tasty meal, too!! 🙂
Sarah says
The jury's still out for us, too, but I head to TX next week where I hope to get WARM! That chicken stir fry looks delicious!
My recent post TToT 12: Benefical Genetic Mutation (AKA, Green Eyes)
Janine Huldie says
Yay to getting warm and wish I could go with you. And the chicken site fry was so good that I had to make it again this week!! 🙂
clark says
…almost there…come on March!! then it won't matter how much it snows!
My recent post TT-aiee!! the Wakefield Doctrine ‘it’s a gratitude Post for a bloghop that has things to be thankful for as the topic…how weird can that be?
Janine Huldie says
I know Clark, we are so close and yet so far away. I noticed the other night that it was still light and sunny after 5 pm as opposed to only a few short weeks ago, when it was dark at 4:30 pm. So that totally has to count for something! Happy Weekend and hope you are having a great one so far 🙂
Chris Carter says
Oh Janine – how do you make the chinese food? I would have just picked some up for carry out!! Yours looks DELICIOUS!!! And those snow pics are precious!! Those nails? Gawgeous!!!
My recent post Devotional Diary: Love Is In The Leftovers…
Janine Huldie says
I totally love making this type of food and we got a Wok when when first got married years back and still love using it for Stir-Fry and such. Such a fun meal to make and thank you as always my friend 🙂 🙂
Rea says
Aww I love that birthday party where the kids get to make their own cookies. That's so interesting! Emma is so adorable! So sorry to hear about all those snow. Hope you all get great weather the soonest.
Janine Huldie says
I know very clever idea for a birthday party and loved seeing it in action. Thanks Rhea and wishing you a wonderful rest of the weekend now, too!! 🙂
christine says
I, too, am done with the snow. I've had enough. We haven't even seen Frozen yet, partly because the last thing I want to do is watch a movie full of snow.
The baking party sounds like fun.
My recent post We Avoided Puke but Not Body-Snatching, TToT Week 34
Janine Huldie says
Christine so with you and so done with this snow too and really just longing for spring now!
dianeroark says
Janine,
Your snowfall looks unbelievable. It is so fluffy looking. Our is always mix with ice and not good to play in. How many inches did you get in the picture with your daughters by the snow man?
It looks like you did a great job with the cookies. I would love one. I am pinning it.
Blessings,
Diane Roark
Janine Huldie says
Thanks for pinning Diane. We had about 10 inches or so and it was definitely good for making snowmen as you can see, but still so over it! Happy weekend again 🙂
realhousewife says
I'm with you on the snow! We are also supposed to get more early this week. Ugh. Hopefully, it will be the last of the season? Can't be too soon for me!
Loved the recap…and the photos and then, the reminder that I am on Instagram:) it's been a long week, eh? Hope you're relaxing today Janine!
Janine Huldie says
Thanks so much Kelly and was an interesting today to say the least and will say I stayed away from the computer a bit and hoping to just catch up now and then relax a bit more before the night is over. Snowing again right now and seriously just not seeing an end in sight, but hope that you are right and soon we will be done for this year! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday night now 🙂
Tamara Woods says
It looks like you had all the tasty eats this week! I love that your girls and Lizzi's niece are pen pals. That was one of my favorite childhood activities.
Janine Huldie says
Aww, thanks Tamara and just so happy that the girls are indeed pen-pals now. Totally trying to enjoy all the tasty eats that I can before bathing suit season is back upon us 🙂
spiritedlife says
I wish I could be in the snow, but I haven't been snowed in the past few weeks. LOL. Thanks for sharing with Countdown in Style.
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Janine Huldie says
April, you should be here, because it is snowing again tonight. Seriously, I am not sure it will ever end here now!
Brittnei Washington says
So cute that the girls got to make their own cookies at that party! I remember wanting an easy bake oven. I'm not sure I was old enough to have one when I really wanted it. Ugh to all of that snow. I feel your pain. On a positive note, the snowman the girls made was really cute 🙂
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Janine Huldie says
Thanks so much Brittnei and will say t too wanted an easy bake oven and even got the girls when last year. Emma loves it, but Lily still not totally sold yet. Have a great week now!! 🙂
dishofdailylife says
I love the silly dress up pictures. Once when my youngest son was little, they dressed him up in a cheerleader costume and put a wig on his head…it was the funniest thing. I have a feeling he would not be happy with me if I posted the picture now, but it's one of my favorites of all time!
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Janine Huldie says
I kind of did the same to my brother when we were kids and will say those pictures have miraculously disappeared, too!! 🙂
ginnymarie says
I would love to follow you in Instagram…I really want to have an account! I don't have a smart phone, though, so Instagram will have to wait. 🙁
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Janine Huldie says
If you ever do get a smartphone, I hope you will join Instagram and will help you if you need even, because would so love you have you on there!! 🙂
MelChi says
I have to try that coconut, pineapple jasmine rice, that looks so good!!! I'm slowly adding back a few carbs for supper because eating veggies alone every night now that I've gone vegetarian is VERY boring! 🙂 Love the purple nails in the selfie and I'm following you on Instagram. Have also started getting more active there this year – much better than annoying everyone on Facebook with endless photos, lol! See you there 😉
My recent post Scarves, Beetroot Berry Smoothie and That Damn Scale!
Janine Huldie says
Glad you are adding carbs back in slowly. Must admit not sure I could completely live without carbs myself. And so very happy you followed on Instagram and have happily followed you back. Excited to see all your picture shares there, because my Facebook hides half of what I would love to see from my own feed sometimes and just miss way too much over there sadly, but often enough.
Grace says
This month has certainly been a roller coaster ride with the weather. We lost power with the ice storm Wednesday through Sunday. We had to head farther west to find a hotel. With an indoor pool to enjoy in the middle of winter, who could complain?! Lol. The children certainly enjoyed their mini vacation from school. 🙂 I’m just glad to be back home with power restored.
Janine Huldie says
I am so sorry you lost your power and will tell you we have a few times in the past. Truly just awful and such an inconvenience. Ironically, I have a giveaway on my blog today for a RAVPower, which is a device that helps charge your portable devices (iPads, iPhones and such) without having to always plugin to an outlet. Convenient for situations like this. You may want to check it out and enter. but seriously so happy you got power back and hoping that doesn't happen to you again anyway soon.
anothercleanslate says
This is Where I Leave You is on the list of books I want to read so looking forward to your review. Love that your girls and Lizzi's niece are pen pals!!
Janine Huldie says
Kate, I will be sharing it soon and I will say I loved it. Totally was as good as the reviews said! 🙂
ashleyinnc says
YUM! The Super Bowl food looks delicious! We are currently preparing for #snOMG 2014, which also seems to be promising ice and well I want to cry!-Ashley
My recent post Would You Rather Give Up S-E-X Or Alcohol For 6 Months?
Janine Huldie says
So are we and seriously they just moved the kids Valentine's Day party at school to Wednesday in case we get a ton of snow again on Thursday. Crazy and right there with wanting to cry my eyes out with you, too!!
Lanaya says
You are so freaking cute .. and of course I love the pics of the girls! I want to come to a supebowl party at your house next year! Let's plan that k?? Or, maybe you should come here! I'm sure we will be swimming! Damn the snow! LOL
Hugs!
xoxo
Lanaya
Janine Huldie says
You know I feel the same way about you and love you so much, too! And that sounds like a great idea and would totally be there in a heartbeat!! 🙂 Hugs right back at you!! 🙂 xoxo!!
vitatrain4life says
So many great things…except the snow but at least the girls are enjoying it!! I love all the pics – especially Emma in her dress up clothes. Too cute!!
My recent post The Rundown: Snow? Whatever.
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Allie and I know cannot believe this snow and getting more on Thursday again now. Crazy!!
alexiskrystina says
I can't believe all of that snow!! I'm from Miami so I have no idea what that's like lol Cute blog post! 🙂 Thanks for linking up at Countdown in Style! 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Thanks so much and I wish I could say I was from Miami and didn't know snow. So jealous 🙂
catherine gacad says
janine, did you ever think about becoming a chef? that stir fry looks delish. i mean, all the recipes and food photos that you post always make me salivate.
Janine Huldie says
Catherine, I confess most of these meals Kevin does help with, so together we would probably make the perfect chef, but on my own probably not so much, lol!! 🙂