Mandii's Muse

Image Being the daughter of a landscaper, I can tell a good lawn from a bad lawn. Oh man, I have been seeing a lot of bad lawns lately!!! I think partially it is due to the rainy weather we have been having, and partly that some people just don't know. I wanted to give you a refresher on caring for your lawn. I posted a three part series called the Lawn Logic series a few years ago. Trust me, these rules still apply. I want you to be proud of your home, and having great curb appeal is a great start! Part 1 deals with lawn basics, such as rodents and weeds. Part 2 is all about fertilization, and protecting from grubs. Part 3 is THE MOST IMPORTANT section! It is all about cutting your lawn! I am just going to reiterate an important fact. Your lawn should never be cut lower than 3 inches!!! Have you been seeing a lot of bad lawns lately? If you have any questions, leave me a comment and let me know! Don't hesitate to ask!

Today I am linking up with Andrea to share with you my favorite Summer shoe!  I actually blogged about this a couple of years ago. Guess what? I still have those shoes, and they are still my most worn shoes! You can find that post here . I also would add that my Skechers GoWalk SuperSock shoes are added to that list. Love, love, love them!! That review is here ! I can't wait to add to my endless shoe closet by reading your favorite shoes!! Leave me a comment and let me know what your favorite shoes are!

Today, I am linking up with Christina over at The New Mrs. I love her blog, and always read her posts last on my feed! (Save the best for last!) You should definitely check her out! Today, I am linking up with her and am going to "Own It." Man oh man, there is a lot to own. I would expect more of these Own It posts, because there is definitely more! Image 1. I eat my meals with a small salad fork. It feels weird for me to eat food with a regular sized fork. Maybe I have small hands, or maybe I'm just odd. Any time I am home, I eat with a salad fork. 2. I don't cry very often, but I cry at sports. Hallmark commercials, sappy movies they don't get to me. Sports do! When the Cleveland Indians lost the ALDS series in 2007, I cried myself to sleep the night they lost. When Duke won their 4th and 5th National Championships, I cried. When I get invested in a team, I get INVESTED. The proof is in the pudding. 3. When I was younger (think 4) I was SO afraid tha...

Oh man. Honestly, I am glad for today's linkup. I didn't think you would want to hear me tell you/complain about the rainy weather we've been having. Don't worry though, I have a MAJOR story to tell you about this crazy weather, so be on the lookout for that post coming soon! (Hint: I was thisclose to building an ark!) Today I am linking up with Shay for What's Up Wednesday! What I'm Eating: Last night we had hamburgers. They are $5 at a local restaurant, and after the day my family and I had, it was much needed. We also went for ice cream. That combination turned our bad day brighter! Tonight's dinner is anyone's guess. My dad has been working late, so mom and I decide last minute on dinner depending on if he is eating with us, or grabbing something for himself. What I'm Reminiscing About: I'm reminiscing about being at the beach!! I feel much calmer when I'm at the beach, and get in my little routine when I'm on vacation. Lif...

These little buggers are addicting! I had never heard of these until I went to Columbus with my Aunt and Uncle. She made some for snacks, and I could have very easily ate the whole bag. My aunt gave me the recipe and they could not be easier! Beware, you could eat the entire batch if you don't have any willpower! There are two variations of this recipe, so I am going to post both. I made version 2, but you make what suits you! My comments will be in italics . Whiskey Pretzels Version 1 2 pkgs pretzel rods 1 stick margarine (Butter is ok too!) 3 Tbls whiskey (I used Crown Royal!) 1 rounded Tbls brown sugar 1 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper Heat over to 250 degrees. Lay pretzels in a single layer on cookie sheets. Melt butter, and stir in remaining ingredients. Mix well. Pour over pretzels. Roll pretzels to coat evenly. Bake 20 minutes, turning pretzels after 10 minutes. Cool and store in an airtight container. Whiskey Pretzels Version 2 16 ounces pretze...

As a true Indians fan, this will always be Jacob's Field Baseball is one of America's great pastimes. Thanks to my parents, I grew up a Cleveland Indians fan. 1995 was a huge year for us! My family and I sat through many games, cheering on the team, and making all kinds of memories.We almost made it to the World Series, something that hasn't been done in Cleveland since 1948. In 2007, my family and I went to 7 Indians games. The Tribe made it to the American League Division Series. We were up 3 games to 0 on the Red Sox. Well, wouldn't you know that those darn Red Sox won 4 games in a row. Made it to the World Series, and won the whole thing? This game that we went to on Saturday was a combination of many. First, they were celebrating the 1995 team because it has been 20 years since that incredible season. (That made me feel incredibly old because I was 7 when all of this was happening. AHH!)  Second, this was our first game in EIGHT YEARS! I guess it has taken ...

Despite the rainy weather Pennsylvania has been having lately, summer is here! With the rising temps, there are also other things rising...our hemlines! I was sent the Schick Hydro Trim Style to review because I am a Bzz Agent. I always hesitate to buy a good razor. First of all, the replacement blades are horribly expensive. Next, I can never find a razor that does a great job at trimming my bikini line. With the Schick Hydro TrimStyle, I don't have to worry about it! I have a razor and trimmer all in one. The TrimStyle has a razor on one end, and a trimmer on the other. The trimmer has an adjustable comb that has 4 different settings. It is waterproof, and can be left in the shower if you want. The razor has 5 blades that hug the curve of your legs. This white part can be removed! After trying this out, I must say that I really like this product! The trimmer was easy to use, especially since I have not used one before. It didn't cut or hurt me in any way. I lik...

Last week was my first full week out of school. Hence the not being prepared with blog posts dilemma. Today, I figured I would let you in on what I've been doing, and what I have planned so far! This past week I have been going to the produce/flower auctions. As you can tell by the picture, there was a car load. I had a pizza box and a flat of lantana on my lap. At my feet was a cooler that we keep in the car for grocery runs, and my purse. Can you say crowded?! Can I also say that I am a person who needs lipstick. That picture of me with no lipstick on, makes my face look so stinking pale! I am so hungry for a hamburger lately! Also, I have been working out pretty early in the mornings, so sleeping in has been pretty nonexistent. Honestly though, I am okay with that. I kind of like getting up and being productive in the mornings. A task that I have been completing and hating every minute of is changing my clothes from winter to summer. First of all, I have so many clothes ...

I've said it many times on this blog, but I love living so close to the Amish. The quality on their goods cannot be beat, they are pretty friendly, and oftentimes their prices are much cheaper than brick and mortar stores. This past Saturday was the Amish Benefit auction. Since the Amish do not have health insurance, they hold these auctions to gather money for a member's hospital bill. Anything and everything gets sold, from buggy paint, livestock, flowers, and homemade furniture. Of course, there is the food. Oh, the food! Since my family has been going to the produce and flower auction for so long, we have come to know many of the Amish who work up there. These same men take turns taking bidder numbers, auctioning, or being the spotters. Plus, since it is a local event, we see many of the same people at this event. I love when you first pull up and see the rows upon rows of buggies and horses. When you walk in, you hear the auctioneers auctioning off items (with many g...

The weekend is near! Since it is Friday, I'm linking up with Andrea  to share with you some of my favorites for the week! 1. After today, there are 0 school days left!! That's it! Finito! Even as a substitute teacher, this is the happy time!! I'll miss the kids and staff, but I won't miss getting up early, wearing makeup every day, etc. Plus, I can get back on track with my workouts, and set a new summer routine and sleep in just a tad. :) 2. I have been borderline obsessed with iced coffee lately. I blame Dunkin Donuts. First, they are right by the school I substitute at. Second, they have Happy Hour from 2-6 every day where you can get an iced coffee or iced tea for $.99. At one point a week or two ago, I had gone three times and I didn't even realize it!  Plus, I got these Maxwell House coffee concentrate in caramel and vanilla to make iced coffee at home. Someone stage an intervention for me, please! 3. I went to my first Amish produce/flower auction of th...