How to Turn Your Happy Planner Into Your Blog Planner

*For your convenience this post contains affiliate links*

Hey y'all!  Here we are, the day before the last day of 2015.  Like most of you I am reflecting on the past year, and thinking of how I want to grow in the coming one!  Part of that, for me anyway, is setting up my new Happy Planner.  

Last year my friend introduced me to the word of planners.  Yes, I do mean world.  There are Facebook groups designed around these things.  Washi tape, stickers, stamps, pens...OH MY!  I was totally sucked in, and am now a bonafide planner junkie!  Last year I purchased the Erin Condren Life Planner, but after using it for nearly a year I realized something.  I didn't need a planner to organize my life.  As a stay-at-home wife, with no children, my life really isn't all that hectic.  I did, however, realize that as my blog grew I needed more organization there.

So when it came time to purchase my 2016 planner, I, one, went with the Me & My Big Idea's The Happy Planner, and two, set out to discover how to set it up as my blog planner.  I chose The Happy Planner because it's set up very similarly to the Erin Condren, but, at retail will run you around $25.00 as opposed to the Erin Condren Life Planner, which can cost you $50.00+.  I also liked the fact that The Happy Planner operates on the Arc system which means you can remove the pages to write on them, AND you can also customize the planner to your personal needs by adding pages to it.  However, when it came to setting it up, I discovered something.  NO ONE had anything out there as to how they did it!  I watched HUNDREDS of videos on YouTube, and read countless blogs on the subject, and NOTHING.  So I began to take note of the things I liked from blog planners that I found on line and began to set up, what I think will be, a very functional and productive blog planner for 2016.

So enough of my rambling, let's get started!

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Sweet and Spicy Glazed Ham

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ForTheLoveOfHam #CollectiveBias

I feel like the older I get, the more and more the holidays have been redefined.  It used to be that the world stopped on major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Everyone had a couple days to just sit back and enjoy time with their families.  However, times are changing. My family is moving to different parts of the country so it is getting harder and harder to get together. Businesses are staying open year round and people have to work. It seems like I am finding myself opening my home and table up to friends, as well as family, more often. And with everyone's schedules being all over the place I love keeping my holiday meals as simple as possible.  That is why I am IN LOVE with this Sweet and Spicy Glazed Ham.

With only three simple ingredients you are going to have one of the most delicious holiday hams to grace your table.  You aren't going to believe how easy it is and I can't wait to share it with you. 

To kick this holiday feast off, you are going to need a good base.  That base is going to be a great ham.  

 While shopping at Walmart I was really attracted to the beautiful packaging of the Hormel Cure 81 Cherrywood Smoked, bone in ham.  The cherrywood is going to provide and wonderful flavor base for my glaze, and the fact that it is already sliced is just going to make everything easier.

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Spicy Turkey Pinwheel Appetizer Recipe

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #KickUpTheFlavor #CollectiveBias

Picture this; You've made it through the holiday season.  The gifts have been opened, meals have been prepared and eaten, everything has been cleaned up.  Time to relax.  BUT WAIT!  All of the sudden you remember that the Joneses are having their annual New Year's Eve get together and you promised to bring a scrumptious appetizer that everyone will love.  The thing is you are out of time, out of money, and out of steam.  DON'T WORRY about it.  Sometimes some of the BEST appetizers for parties and ball games come from those every day items you have in your pantry.  Take my Spicy, Turkey Pinwheel Appetizer Recipe for example.  

By thinking outside of the box, we're #KickingUptheFlavor by using one of my favorite pantry staples, Pace® Chunky Salsa.  When I'm going through Walmart, I always swing through the salsa aisle. Pace® Salsa is great to have on hand for occasions just like this one!  Not to mention all of the other different ways you can use it to enhance your cooking.  

And because of that you aren't going to believe how simple and delicious these Spicy Turkey Pinwheel Appetizers are, or how quick they come together!  I can't wait to share them with you so...

Let's Get Started!

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The Kitchen Essentials Gift Guide

*For your convenience this post contains affiliate links.* 

It's that gift giving time of year again, and many of us are wondering what to get the cooking enthusiasts in our lives.   Well, whether they are just starting out, or looking to upgrade what they already have, I've put together my Kitchen Essentials Gift Guide to help you out!





The items in this Kitchen Essentials Gift Guide are all things that I have tested and use in my kitchen on a daily basis, and recommend to anyone who asks me.  I know you are going to find it useful this holiday season and  I promise that no one will be disappointed to receive any of these items.

Let's Get Started!

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Panzanella Salad Recipe

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #StouffersHoliday #CollectiveBias

Is it just me or has this holiday season been a little crazy?  It seems like for every one thing I accomplish, 3 more spring up.  That's why, I'll admit, when it comes to dinner, I take some shortcuts from time to time.  When I'm crazy busy like I've been lately, I've been known to pick up a STOUFFER’S® Lasagna to pop in the oven for dinner.  However, I always like to have something fresh on the table with it and this recipe for Panzanella salad is the perfect compliment!

Packed full of fresh veggies, feta cheese, and homemade bread crumbs, you just can't go wrong with this recipe and I know your going to love it!  So let's get started!

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Spaghetti Carbonara Recipes

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BaconDoneWright #CollectiveBias

Thanksgiving is now over, Black Friday-Cyber Monday has passed, and the holiday season is in full swing.   Everyone is busy and now is the time to have those great quick and easy recipes on hand. That is why I LOVE this recipe for Spaghetti Carbonara. So rich and satisfying and it only requires a few simple ingredients and about 15 minutes. 

Everyone knows that the base of any good carbonara sauce is bacon.  And you know that you're going to get #BaconDoneWright with Wright® Brand Bacon.  It's expertly crafted, rich robust flavor, and premium cuts of meat are going to really make this Spaghetti Carbonara shine.  

I went to Kroger to pick-up my favorite flavor, the Wright® Applewood Smoked and headed home to get started. 

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