Sending Some Blog Love to South Africa!

My friend Shira has made several appearances on my blog. She told about her trip first trip to SC with me last year in this post and was the Silver Lining in this post.

She recently left to take advantage of a year-long opportunity in South Africa. I think I've been in denial about her leaving, it's just now really hitting me! I'm so excited for everything she'll be able to experience and I love getting updates and emails from her. I hope she doesn't mind if I share her blog with you! She wasn't sure if she'd have access to the internet and if so, how often. But she's been able to share several updates about her experience so far.

She's had to shoo away monkeys from her front porch and dodge humongous bugs. But this week, she's dodging an elephant! She puts some things in perspective, like appreciating rain, and keeps you laughing with a post about the language barrier.

Check out her South African adventure on Born on the Side of the Road!

Happy New Everything

Ahhhhhh, a new year, a new decade, a new month, AND a new week. Can you handle all of this newness? I think I could handle it a tiny bit better if I weren't shivering from the blustery cold weather. I am quickly realizing that I should have asked Santa for an electric blanket and long johns! I'm taking the bitterly cold weather as an excuse to hibernate under a warm blanket, read all the books I acquired from my mom's house over the break, and update my Netflix account!

I just returned from a 2 week vacation in SC and am trying to prevent that post-vacation/holiday funk from setting in. Things are already different in 2010 since a good friend has moved away and some changes have taken place at work. It's a good thing that I have a massive size New Year's To-Do list to distract me!

I know it's soooooo cliche to blog about resolutions and organizing and goals for 2010. But I'm loving all the articles and stories about how to stay motivated and tips on how to use all the energy that a new year brings.

After indulging in all the holiday treats in meals- I'm CRAVING veggies and water. After all the clutter and extra "stuff" that the holidays bring- I'm CRAVING empty and organized spaces.

Over the last month, I came across some websites and blogs that I'm looking forward to following this year. They're positive, inspirational, and thought provoking. Just what the doctor ordered for the fresh start of 2010!

• Spring
• When I Grow Up
• A Beautiful Ripple Effect
• Wish Studio
• The Happiness Project

Do you have any good "New Year's" blog suggestions?

Blue Eyed Freckle Headbands

I've been looking for cute, affordable headbands forever. How adorable are these from Blueeyed Freckle? She's hosting a giveaway today, so go check out her blog or Etsy shop.

This is a great holiday gift idea! (hint, hint) Only 41 days till Christmas!

Rain Drops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens

First and foremost- I just HAVE to mention a highlight of last weekend when Clemson beat up on USC!!! I know several G&G readers and friends are USC fans...but you know how it goes. The Tigers may not have lived up to all the pre-season hype...They didn't win the ACC. They had some disappointing losses and dealt with a coaching shake up mid-season. That said, all that matters right now is they beat USC and are now bowl eligible!! They win the palmetto state football bragging rights for the next year!!!

I started reading this blog- Thrifty Decor Chic- a few months ago. I've been amazed at what this girl comes up with. I just LOVED her Halloween decorating ideas and can't wait to see what she comes up with for Christmas. It makes me want to have my own house and go to town decorating!

Thrifty Decor Chic is hosting a "Favorite Things" blogging event this week and I decided to participate. After all, Oprah isn't the only one that can share her favorite things!

Here are some of my favorite things of the moment:

Favorite Music:
Chicken Fried (Zac Brown Band)
Single Ladies (Beyonce)
White Horse and Love Story (Taylor Swift)
James Taylor at Christmas
Josh Groban's Noel Christmas CD

Quote: "Be the change you want to see in the world." ~Mahatma Gandhi

Book: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
I haven't had a chance to blog about this one yet, but it's a definite 5 on the Sweet Tea Scale. It's a simple but meaningful book that makes you think about life. It'd be a fabulous read for the holiday season and a great gift idea. I highly recommend everyone to watch or read this story.

Holiday Movies: I started the annual Christmas movie rotation last night by watching Love Actually. My all-time favorites are Miracle on 34th Street (the original version) and Little Women (the newer version.)

Holiday Cookie: I'll admit that I'm hesitant to share my favorite holiday treat. But if it brings you as much joy that it brings me...this will be worth it. There are these cookies that my grandmother always makes around the holidays that make me smile. They don't even really have a name...we call them White Cookies. They don't even need a name- they speak for themself! You take Ritz crackers and make little sandwiches with crunchy peanut butter. Then you dip the whole thing in white chocolate and let them harden. They're creamy, crunchy, and sweet. Pure sunshine in your mouth. I've taken these to work and people oooohhh and ahhhh and love them as much as I do.

Blog: I'm also LOVING my new, festive holiday background!

Some Blog Love

I thought I would share a few blogs that I'm loving right now.

Margaret and Helen- My mom sent this blog to me. Helen and Margaret are eighty-something bloggers. Their candor and humor makes this one a knee-slapper. (I'm in to 80 somethings these days....If you haven't watched Cloris Leachman on Dancing with the Stars, you're missing out!! Seriously go watch her online now!)

Yes We Can Hold Babies- This is obviously campaign influenced and posts pictures of Obama with kids or kids supporting Obama. The captions make this adorable, no matter what your political preference may be.

Living Oprah- If you know me, you know that I'm an Oprah fan. This is a blog that a woman started when she decided to live an entire year as Oprah tells us to. She has a blog about every show and tracks the assignments AND how much she spends. She was interviewed on the Today Show last week and you can view the segment here.

It's a crazy world right now, and these sites make me pause, laugh, and put things in perspective.

Feel free to share other suggestions in the comment section or email them to me!