happenstance home

I talked about this recipe a bit in my stories yesterday.  We used to make these as kids - but we made Rum Balls.   My sister makes them using Bourbon and I really like them that way.  So make them using whichever liquor you like best.  And yes, our parents did not care that we ate them as kids.  You probably couldn't eat enough of them to find yourself drunk :)

This year I made them using Biscoff Cookies instead of Vanilla Wafers cause I had them in the cupboard.  Worked out perfectly.  

Here is the super simple recipe.

Bourbon or Rum Balls

1 cup finely ground pecans

1 cup finely ground Vanilla Wafers or Biscoff cookies

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

1/4 cup bourbon or rum 

I use a little Kitchen Aid food processor to grind the cookies and pecans.

Mix the dry ingredients together and then add the corn syrup and bourbon and mix well.  Form into balls (wet hands can help a little) Roll balls into sugar.  Keep refrigerated.  Definitely not health food, but they are good!!!

(First thing - my blog is a mess and needs a re-do.  Please click continue reading to find pictures that aren't blurry.  I don't know what is going on here.)

I have a super small porch area that I do my best to keep decorated throughout the year.  I think this years Christmas display looks really pretty - the little trees delight in the darkness with glistening lights.  They flicker so faintly - I like them so much.  They are LED and battery operated - 8 modes - got them at Walmart but cannot find them online to share.  I hung some silver bells and gold painted and weathered white wooden circle big floral picks I had along with more plaid ribbon to the end of my railing.  Real cedar garland from Trader Joe's is also draped on the gate and railing.

The little deer were a new find this year.  So sweet and inexpensive.  The sign I purchased last year.

The trees in the other buckets were a steal at JC Penney last year.  I think they were $10 and $12 each.  Plaid ribbon was from JoAnn's a couple years ago.  I really tried to use what I had on hand this year.  

Since much of what I used was reused from previous years I made an inspiration board of things that are out there now that would give you a similar look.  My exact little deers and planters are here.  And the darn snowball lights :).  My wreath has pinecones on it and a red and white striped ribbon so this wreath reminded me of that.  I almost bought that wooden tree in the center of the picture about 3 times.  It lights up and is so nice.  Oh - and I forgot about the wooden stars.  I got those on Etsy last year.  For the STARS click here.  Hopefully my modest little porch inspires you to get creative with and appreciate what you have.  It doesn't have to be new to beautiful.

This is how I start every day - except usually on Saturday I give myself a pass.  The taste is a lot, but the benefits outweigh all that.  Get yourself a good metal straw and you will avoid more of the taste.  As for the benefits - there are so many I'm going to say just google it.  If you want a little more sweetness you can add a touch of maple syrup as well.  I'd say happy sipping, but I think healthy sipping is more accurate on this one.  I keep a tiny little dish in my cabinet filled with the red pepper.  That makes it easier to make each day.  The metal straw set can be found here.

1 cup warm water

Juice of half a lemon

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar with the mother

pinch of cayenne pepper

After all these years I've finally come to appreciate Country music.  I used to be able to listen a little, but I would tire of it.  This past Summer something changed, and I've found all kinds of songs I'm enjoying.  I'm going to share my current playlist here.  I like to hear other peoples song recommendations so maybe someone else out there likes that kind of thing as well.

Some of my favorites:  Leave Her Wild, Things A Man Oughta Know, One Man Band, Starting Over, Somebody Like That, It's Cause I Am, Chasing After You, Pretty Heart, Feels Like Home ;)

Songs aren't in any kind of order - and I'll still add to the playlist as I find more songs to enjoy.

Click here for my playlist.  

Hello.

Today I'm going to talk more about Modere.  I've been introducing this product through my Instagram stories, but I'm sure writing out some information will be really helpful.

I've used many different kinds of collagen supplements over the years.  All of the others I had tried were in powder form, and I would add them to my smoothies.  Modere is different in that it is in liquid form - it's a Type II Collagen - it naturally mirrors human articular cartilage - it's berry taste is delicious - and you literally measure out 1 tablespoon once or twice a day.  Easy - peasy - delicious!!!  This is the first thing you will consume every day.  That makes it easy to remember.  I take it twice a day and space it out approximately 12 hours after I have my first tablespoon.  Each bottle has a one month supply if you are taking it once a day.

Other than tasting delicious and being so easy to use you might be wondering "What makes this collagen so special"

Modere can explain it all better than I so click here for lots of good info!  

Cliff note version - improves joint mobility, promotes healthy cartilage, counteracts skin again from the inside out,  restores youthful skin, healthy hair - nails - gums - eyes.  That's just a quick list.

The second customer favorite is Trim.  I order chocolate, but if you don't like chocolate try out the lemon. Also really good.  Same thing - just one tablespoon - morning only.  

Trim improves muscle tone, inhibits fat storage, blocks fat transport from the bloodstream into fat cells, and so much more.  Click here to read all about Trim.

Tonight at 8PM - 

When you purchase the bundle Trim/Liquid Biocell Life you will receive the Body Firming Foam for free!  That's a $49.99 value.  If you are a new customer the Trim/Life combo will be discounted $10 plus you get $10 off for being a new customer.  Lastly - if you place an order in the amount of $200 or more they are throwing in the cult favorite gold spoon.  So lots of wins just there!!!

I'm going to list some of my other favorites you might wish to add to your cart.  The more products you add the more $$$ you can save.  5 plus items you can save 10% more.  8 plus - 15%.  Sometimes you can add extra items like toothpaste, dish soap, etc. at the lower dollar value and end up spending less or breaking even and getting them for free.  So that is worth playing around with, and if you need any help send me a message on Instagram.

And if you want to start with just one product - simply order the Biocell Life.  Start with the one bottle per month - take it once daily - and see what you think.  In my opinion this is the #1 item to order. 

Some of my favorites.  I've been trying the products so these are the ones I have used so far and love.  Click on each item below and it will take you to that product on the Modere website.

toothpaste

dish soap

hand wash

bar soap

lip complex

eye cream

trebiotic - for a healthy gut

phytogreens

For your first order simply add to cart.  For your next month set up a smart ship and save - I will cover the benefits of that later.  Also - you will receive your own code to share with friends.  If you share your code while just having a cart you receive a flat $10 payment.  If you share your code and have smart ship set up in the amount of $50 or more you will receive 25% back in shop credits based on your friends order.  You can earn $250.00 max each month and up to $599 a year.  That is an amazingly huge benefit.  So if you are excited tonight and want to share with your friends order through your cart to get the deal - then set up your smart ship of $50 or more with your ship date set up for next month.  You don't have to solidify this now cause you can add and subtract items up until your ship date - just have some things in a smart ship - and then share your code!!!

And please enter my code 8981464.  

Click here and it will take you right to the Collagen/Trim combo to add to your cart.  Promo automatically applies.  And if you don't like chocolate you can order this combo with a different flavor and still get the promo.

I'm super excited to share this product line, and I'd love your support and to offer any help you need regarding ordering and products.   Thank you in advance for reading, and hopefully you will give it a try.  I've been using it for well over a year.  It's the best in my opinion.  Also, if you want to see more about it I have saved my videos under Modere on my Instagram account 😊 I will be around tonight so truly message me with any questions.  I'd love to chat!!!

There is a little chocolate shop we visit while on vacation in Michigan & they sell such fun fudge pops.  One has the addition of a tea flavor to the chocolate so I finally attempted making some at home.  I'm super happy with the results, and already have plans to make another version with lighter chocolate and a different kind of tea.  So super good - and I admit I ate the entire batch myself over the last week.  I hope you try them - love them - and even mess around using your favorite flavor of tea :)

  

Earl Grey Almond Milk Fudge Pops

1/2 cup unsweetened organic Dutch process cocoa powder

1/2 cup organic sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups unsweetened almond milk - try Simply Almond brand - not a lot of junk added

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 Earl Gray tea bags - I used Taco

Combine the dry ingredients in a medium saucepan.  Whisk to combine. 

Heat the almond milk - I poured 1 cup of almond milk into 2 mugs.  Microwaved for 1 minute 30 seconds.  Place a teabag in each cup and let it steep for 10 minutes.  This will give the popsicles a lightly delicious Earl Gray flavor.

Now - back to the saucepan.  After the almond milk is flavored and cooled slowly whisk 1/2 cup into the dry ingredients.  When it is smooth add the rest and whisk again until smooth and well combined.

Simmer the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture coats the back of the spatula.  I use a rubber cooking spoon.  Consistency should be like chocolate sauce.  Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.  Place the last teabag in this mixture and leave it there until it cools - stirring occasionally for 5 minutes.  Once it's cooled squeeze liquids from the teabag and toss it out.  Give mixture one last really good stir and pour into your popsicle mold.

I love the subtle flavor of the tea with the chocolate.  Hope you will enjoy it too!  And below are some of the items I personally use to make my popsicles. 😊

*please note that this post contains affiliate links

This is a big big share!  One of those tried and true recipes I've been making for years.  They are gold!  Best served cold from the refrigerator.  Great for dessert and for breakfast!

Oatmeal - Cranberry - Cheesecake Bars

2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/4 cups quick cooking oats - I use gluten free

3/4 cups packed brown sugar

1 cup butter, softened

12 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla

16 ounce can whole cranberry sauce

2 teaspoons cornstarch

In a large mixing bowl stir together flour, oatmeal, and brown sugar.  Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles course crumbs.  Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the crumbs.  Press remaining crumbs into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in the same bowl beat cream cheese and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy.  Beat in eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla.  Spread over crust in baking pan.  Stir together cranberry sauce and cornstarch.  Spoon carefully over cream cheese layer.  Sprinkle with reserved crumbs.

Bake 40 minutes or more until set.  Cool on a wire rack.  Cover and chill at least 3 hours.  Cut into bars.  Makes 36 bars.

Today is Day 30!  If you have been following along on stories I made it to the end with only a teeny tiny bite of a tahini chocolate chip cookie my sister made.  Other than that little bite I've stuck with the plan, and I feel so much better, and I'm getting stronger every day.  Below are some of the meals I've made 😊

I've gotten so many messages asking what I am following & have already sent lots of people in that direction.  I decided to sign up for Danette May's 30 Day Challenge.  I wanted to do a cleanse, and the first days of this plan are just that.  I also liked that you eat lots of fresh foods.  I've got so many new go to recipes that I love.  Her plan is really easily laid out too.  You can swap any breakfast for breakfast - lunch for lunch, etc.  If something doesn't sound great or you have ingredients for something else its easy to jump around.  You also get workouts for the week.  I've been using my rower, but I really needed these additional workouts.  They are effective and tough.  Which is fine by me cause thats how you improve.

I love her Cocoa Bliss and if I get a chocolate craving I'll make a cup of hot chocolate with that and unsweetened almond milk. 

How about a little bit of music for the weekend.  

I've had the kind of week where it takes me about 3 attempts before every task I'm working on accomplishing is actually completed.  So lots of driving time.  Lot's of music.  Lot's of trying to stay calm 😂 Today at Walmart I was buying a little planter and my credit card wasn't scanning.  I told the lady working and she said Oh yeah, you have to insert your card 3 times where it will tell you it's declined every time and then you have to swipe it.  Then it will work.  So, that kinda sums up the silly.  I survived the Secretary of State office twice, I will have beautiful planters of flowers at my house next week, and I will have the rest of my wood planks tomorrow.  It's all good :)

These are the songs I've been listening to most lately.  There is no theme - it's a little bit country, a little new,  and a little 70's.  My favorite is Starting Over followed by Easy, Gonna Take a Little Rain, and Take Your Time.  Hope you enjoy!  Happy Weekend!  

Mini Mix 2 - click to listen

This Target dress is pretty perfect for hot Summer days and comes in so many colors.  I grabbed one in white in a small and will be wearing it on repeat!!!  The gingham top is very much my style.  I love this marble and brass knob.  

Line this basket and it is perfect for planting Summer flowers.  I bought these spreaders and love them.  They remind me of some salad servers I got last year from Anthropologie.  

This idea for sending photo cards right from your phone warms my heart.  You can add your own handwriting and note to make it super personal.  They have a membership where you can send 3 cards a month for $6.  What a beautiful way to unexpectedly brighten someones day.

Cozy pj's are always good - and I bought this striped bikini.  The white top I picked up elsewhere, but it looks great with the bottoms as well.  So a good mix and match. 

And note the bottom middle picture.  This is a scrunchie flask.  So if you are going somewhere and would like to take a little alcohol with you here is your solution.  Created in part by one of Noah's friends from high school who I've always thought the world of!!!  It was part of a college project.  The girls offer them  in a lot of different colors.  Smart girls!!!  So useful no matter how old we get :) 

After looking Caulipower up online I noticed they have another version that is completely corn free.  I will try those next time because of a food allergy I have to corn.  I still eat it - like I have a hard time resisting the chip and salsa basket at the restaurant, but if I can avoid it I try.

In this recipe the cauliflower tortilla has a crispy crunch and all the flavors together are causing me a bit of a problem.  I got up around 5:30 in the morning the other day and it took all my willpower to stick to having my standard breakfast.  All I wanted to do was to make this quesadilla again.  Lunch couldn't arrive soon enough.

What you will need:

Caulipower tortillas or you can use your favorite tortilla.  They might not get crispy and brown like this, but the filling is still a really good quesadilla combination.  This is the package of tortillas I bought.

extra sharp white cheddar, shredded - I used Tillamook brand this time

rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken breast

BBQ sauce - I usually use Sweet Baby Ray's Original

green onion

baby spinach

I remove all the meat from the chicken and place it in a bowl in nice bite size pieces.  After that stir in the amount of BBQ sauce you desire on your chicken.  Then the layering can begin.

tortilla - white cheddar - chicken - green onion - spinach - another layer of white cheddar - and top with another tortilla.  Then place the assembled quesadilla in a pan over medium heat and let them cook up until you see that crispy browned deliciousness - be sure to cook both sides.  

Serve with a simple salad for a quick and mouthwatering meal.  The salad pictured is spinach, a little parmesan, blackberries and Hendrickson's dressing.  Such a good dressing.

I think I might make some more tonight!  The boat is going in the water so people will be over!  52 degrees out, but I'm still excited :)