Earlier this year Chris and I were on a quest to visit a lot of different places in the Mason City area and beyond that we had not visited previously. It seemed like we had missed a lot in our town that we needed to become acquainted with. So we visited this cute little diner called Suzie Q Cafe which is located in downtown Mason City on 2nd Street, NW. What I forgot to do was write a blog post about it and of course when I looked for the pictures I took I could not find them. So that meant … [Read more...]
Nov 10, 2014
Good Food, Good Friend, Good Time and An Unexpected Sighting
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I went on a little adventure last week to meet up with fellow blogger Doreen from Treadlemusic. Doreen is a Minnesota blogger and quilter extraordinaire who quilted a few quilt tops for me that came from Chris's grandma. She is an amazing quilter (check this link for my finished quilt) and an even more amazing friend. She suggested we meet at this tearoom that she loves in Wykoff, Minnesota called The Bank Haus Gifts and Margaret's Tea Room. I LOVED this place as she knew I would. From the … [Read more...]
Nov 7, 2014
Harvest Continues—The Soup is On!
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Disclaimer: The Franklin County Harvest Bloggers Tour was sponsored by the The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce & Franklin County Farm Bureau who provided our lodging, meals and activities. All opinions and thoughts are totally my own. Remember awhile back when I was part of a fabulous Blogger Weekend in Franklin County? If you want to read a couple posts about it you can click here and here and here and here to catch up on what the fun included. But wait--there's more! Of course … [Read more...]
Oct 31, 2014
Going Above and Beyond—#North Iowa Bloggers Are Making a Difference
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I love how things come together unexpectedly sometimes. I love how I can still find so much good in the world amidst the sadness and tragedy. I love how people continue to amaze and astound me. Quite frankly---I am loving life right now. When I had this little idea I threw it out to my North Iowa Blogger family and they all jumped on board so I am thrilled to announce that we are embarking on a campaign of sorts to raise more awareness and help stock our local food pantries. The month … [Read more...]
Oct 24, 2014
More Fun With #NorthIowaBloggers –Don’t You Wish You Lived Here?
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Our little group is growing by leaps and bounds! I am thrilled that this group that started out with just a few of us has started to grow and expand over the past few months. Quite honestly this group has changed my life and that is a fact. It seems that we love to get together. It does not have to be for a special event like our Lay's Tasting Party or our Oreo Tasting Party. It can be just getting together for a meal at The Barrel Drive In or going to visit a local business together. We … [Read more...]
Oct 11, 2014
Slightly Savory Saturday—Althea’s Chinese Style Green Beans
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Growing up as a PK (preacher's kid) I had the opportunity to be at many church suppers, potlucks and the like. If you are like me you know that there are always some of the best dishes in the land that come out of these church supper gatherings. I was feeling a little bit of nostalgia when I made this incredibly simple but filling dish this past week as on my handwritten recipe card I saw the name of Althea Carmany next to the recipe name. Yes---a "church lady" from my childhood and when I … [Read more...]
Oct 4, 2014
Slightly Sweet Saturday–Apple Dip
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Fall brings apples of all shapes, colors and sizes. I love apples and love the choices that are available locally both at local orchards and in the grocery stores. An apple is perfect all by itself but when paired with a delightful dip it makes it even better! I served this wonderful combo at my recent blogger gathering and it was a hit. Apple Dip 2 blocks cream cheese 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla 1 tub caramel 1 package heath bar crumbles ( I used a … [Read more...]
Sep 27, 2014
My Favorite Things Week—Graze
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Can you believe it is the final day of My Favorite Things Week here at It's Just Life???? Well it is and how have I made it all week without including a single food item? Today I change that. There are a lot of food sampling subscription services that are available now. I have tried several and right now my favorite one is Graze. Graze is a fabulous way to sample some snacks that are not your usual chips and dip. The offerings include savory and sweet, crunchy and soft, exotic and … [Read more...]
Sep 20, 2014
Slightly Sweet Saturday—Grandma Bonnie’s Apple Pudding
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I have great memories of my Grandma Bonnie (my mom's mom). She was a superb cook and always had the best food when we visited the farm. Farm fresh eggs (although I was not a fan of collecting them from the mean hens that pecked me) and fresh vegetables from the garden were staples on the table. I remember hot sweaty days with scratched arms and legs from going berry picking in the woods. Whatever she prepared was a treat and I think I have gained my love of cooking from her. It seems … [Read more...]
It's Just Life 
Thank You, Farmers! #SpoonSalute and #FranklinCoHarvest Continues!
Disclaimer: The Franklin County Harvest Bloggers Tour was sponsored by the The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce & Franklin County Farm Bureau who provided our lodging, meals and activities. All opinions and thoughts are totally my own. Do you know how many ears of corn grow on a single stalk on average? That is just one of the things that I learned on my recent Franklin County Harvest Bloggers Tour weekend. I honestly learned more that weekend than I could have imagined. Not that I am … [Read more...]