Category Archives: Sponsors

Picking the Perfect LOWA Hiking Boots

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this blog post, however I did receive a free pair of LOWA Renegade GTX Hiking Boots from OnlineShoes.com in exchange for this post. As always, all opinions are my own.

OnlineShoes.com, LOWA, Hiking Boots

It’s hard to believe but fall is right around the corner. With the cooler air and changing of the leaves we’ll soon find ourselves outside enjoying the foliage via the roadways, waterways or even hiking on the trails. Now is the perfect time to become prepared and find those perfect pair of hiking boots to enjoy it as much as we can.

It’s always important to take note what we’re putting on our feet, especially if we’re going to be challenging ourselves with a good hike. I’m a fan of day hikes and there’s no telling what kind of terrain I’ll be covering (dry, wet, rocky or just dirt) depending on if I’m in Texas or Vermont. My needs require light weight, versatility and definitely waterproofing. Lucky for me, these LOWA boots were perfect!

OnlineShoes.com, LOWA, Hiking Boots

LOWA Renegade GTX is the “most award winning boot” designed by LOWA. Nubuk leather, waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX, climate controlled footbed (no blisters!) and incredibly light weight. So lightweight that I forget that I had hiking boots on my feet. The best part – there isn’t a break in period. Put them on and go! The style is perfect and this color leather was my favorite choice.

OnlineShoes.com, LOWA, Hiking Boots

Tips for picking out hiking boots:

Match your goals. Choose a boots that’s particular to your ambitions – day hiking, long trek, etc.
Length: Toes should wiggle. Pay particular attention to the length of the boot.
Width: Your foot should not move from side to side although it should not be tight or compressed from the sides. Comfort is key.
Key: On a flat surface, thumbs width at your toes, room to slip one finger in behind heel.
Try to avoid cotton socks as these will absorb sweat/moisture and in turn cause blisters. Try on with appropriate socks.
Research boot cut, boot materials and sole content to ensure the boot picked is appropriate for your ambitions. There’s a ton of sites online that will assist with this step.

OnlineShoes.com, LOWA, Hiking Boots

Be sure to swing by OnlineShoes.com to find your perfect hiking boot with tons of styles, colors and designs to fit your needs.

Summer Grilling with Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias
For more ideas on how to create your own #BackyardBash, check out the tumblr page at www.drpepperbash.com.

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Summer in Texas is usually unpleasantly hot however this past weekend the temperature was unheard of – a cool high of 82 degrees! PERFECTION!!! That only calls for as much time in the summer air as possible! I headed to Walmart and picked up everything I needed for a delicious Dr Pepper BBQ sauce and #BackyardBash!

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Friday night, I whipped up my Dr Pepper BBQ sauce (see below for the recipe). This recipe is super easy and definitely made for great grilling! Quick, flavorful and perfect for any event or preparation time. (This recipe was based on a recipe I found online however I made a few changes and it still turned out fantastic!)

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Saturday was spent having fun outside! First up – a little bocce ball and a lot of fresh air at the park! It’s so nice to be outside in Texas in July, and still see green!! It was super easy to grab everything in one swoop with my cooler and a small snack. Plus it wouldn’t be a Texas summer without Dr Pepper as it is the official drink of Texas!

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Next up, it was time to try the Dr Pepper BBQ sauce and enjoy the grilling season. First, we coated the chicken with some of the sauce then placed the chicken on the grill. Throughout the cooking process, we coated the chicken with additional sauce to savor the flavor. Juicy with great flavors and spice enhanced by the one of a kind Dr Pepper flavor! #BackyardBash #Shop #Cbias #Recipe The summer weather made it so nice to be outside enjoying the fresh air! The view wasn’t bad either!

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What’s your perfect way to spend a summer day? Do you have any fantastic Dr Pepper recipes?

Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 1 hour

Total time: 1 hour 15 mins

Serves: 3 1/2 cups

Great on all meats or as a dipping sauce.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter (I used salted)
1 large yellow onion, chopped
2 tsp minced garlic
1 cup ketchup
3 Tbsp tomato paste
One 12-ounce can Dr. Pepper
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt

Instructions

In a large saucepan, melt butter.
Add chopped onions and garlic. Saute until onions are translucent. (About 10 minutes.)
Whisk all remaining ingredients in a bowl, add to saucepan. Bring to a boil for about 10 minutes. (Stir occasionally to avoid sticking.)
Simmer under a slow boil for 30 minutes. The sauce will begin to thicken. Stir occasionally. Seasonings may be adjusted per taste.
Remove from heat to allow to cool for 10 minutes (or until warm but not boiling hot.)
Puree with blender. This will thicken the sauce.
Let cool.
Keep tightly sealed in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Creating Laughs with Buzzworthy Cards

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I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. #CollectiveBias

BuzzworthyCards 326A

Endless laughter is the best medicine for any occasion. I was recently in Walmart and came across Hallmark’s new Buzzworthy cards. These #TrendyCards are short witted and hilarious. Living in Texas, I’m far away from some of my closes friends. We all love a good laugh! What a perfect card collection to fit our friendship!

BuzzworthyCards

It all began the first day of kindergarten. I met Margo, Kasey and Desiree. Little did we know, 25 years later we would all still be the best of friends. Although we all live in different states, we try to stay in touch as much as possible. There are phone calls, texts, emails and cards. Usually preposterously silly. When we do get together, its as if we didn’t skip a beat. Anything goes. And we laugh. Boy, do we laugh!

BerkshireGirls

This year is a big year for us – we all turn 30. Kasey requested a trip to Texas! Yea! In April, she came down to experience the Lonestar State. As always, we laughed our way through the four days. (I’m sure everyone looked at us like a bunch of laughing goons.) One day we were driving on a dirt road through middle of nowhere Texas. The windows down, radio on, laughing, as we do. I’m driving and all of a sudden, this MASSIVE (not sure if it’s “earthly”) bug flies through the window, lands on my lap and is still moving! Kasey swats the bug towards my feet. My heart sinks.

Me: “Why would you swat that towards my feet where I can’t see it?!”
Kasey: (Already laughing) “That things huge! I didn’t want to leave it on you.”

I pull over, open my drivers door, immediately hop out and kind of bend over to find this massive bug from outer space. It’s still slightly moving. It’s massive. I’m concentrating on how I can get it out of my car without touching it. As soon as it’s certain that all of my focus is on this alien-bug, I hear “SNAKE!”.

Good gosh! Where is the snake? Where is the snake?! Of course no quicker than I believe I’m going to need life support, does the hysterical laughter commence from the passenger seat of the car followed by “I can’t believer you fell for that!” We’re still laughing about it. When I say “we”, I mean Kasey.

DianaKasey2014

This is our relationship. We know there we are there for each other no matter what circumstance or event. When we’re not together, we still find those moments of laughter through photographs, memes and silly jokes. When I came across the BuzzWorthy cards it hit the nail on the head! The worst part was picking just one!

BuzzWorthyCards 039

For less than $2, these affordable cards provide a certified laugh that is priceless. The card selection changes often so there’s something for every season. I can’t wait until the holidays – I may need to make these my Christmas cards!

Texans may appreciate this one:

Inside: “I’ll always remember it as young and green.”

Welcome to wedding season!

Inside: “Nothing gets me all choked up like an open bar.”

Vermont is humid in the summer. So humid, this card sums up exactly how it feels and I can already hear Kasey laughing! Packaging in a few photos from her trip to Texas, this should provide a hearty laugh and great memories from our Texas Adventures. I can’t wait to be back in Vermont to reunited with my forever friends.

Inside: “Have a cool-ass summer.”

Make sure you check out Connections from Hallmark to sign up for Hallmark Rewards, and to see great content from other bloggers. Now when signing up for the Hallmark Rewards Program, you can earn Hallmark Card Rewards Program for cards purchased at Walmart. For every five cards purchased, you’ll earn a reward. Join in the #Tendycards conversation on Twitter!

Have you come across the Buzzworthy Cards from Hallmark? What’s your favorite?