Yes << Can Be Life Changing

Have you ever wondered how many things you miss out on by saying no? 

Whether you are saying no because you are shy, insecure, nervous or just a fun-hater, there are some opportunities that are going to better your life and you should really consider what one little word and a change in attitude could do for you.

Say Yes.

I have decided to say Yes to Amber's #SayYesProject >> Read all about Here.

Sometimes, I get it, you'd rather sit on the couch, veg out and not associate with anyone; don't worry I have plenty of those days myself. I've decided, though, to start becoming more involved ... in my own life, my friend's lives and in my community. I'm Saying Yes!

Don't worry I don't plan on getting all Jim Carrey crazy on you and Red Bull will not be in my diet anytime in the near future.

Here are a few things I'm proud to have said Yes to in the past couple months.

...To being in a TV commercial. Oh let me tell you how cheesy I sound in this thing {not to mention I think I forgot makeup that day, wow}. I have been on the committee for a few months now and involved in promoting the town that I live in. I have been working closely with the civic and commerce and different members of our lovely North Dakota town. I have beyond enjoyed this, putting my communication degree to some good use and promoting this beautiful town and the wonderful businesses and people in it.

...To becoming members of our church. The hubby and are officially members of the same church. I was still considered a member at the church I grew up in even though I hardly went there anymore. To make this step in our faith together as husband & wife was pretty special to me.

...To a photo contest. I entered a photo contest in BEEF magazine and made it in the top 10. I don't think I won but it was pretty cool to see my photo on their website.

...To offering Sponsorships. I love when people promote my blog and I also love to talk about the amazing blogs I read on a daily basis. Stay tuned for some great October Sponsor news.

...To going to the Bar with Hubby. It is harvest so I don't get to see my husband very often and he doesn't get to do much except sit in a tractor or semi. He got done early last weekend and as much as I really wanted some 1on1 time {which would have resulted in us passing out on the couch watching TV} we decided to hang out at the bar. Had a great time with friends and found some interesting reading material.

...To donating to my Radio Station. Sounds odd right?! Well I listen to Life 97.9 which is the christian radio station in my area. One thing I love about them is there are no commercials {worst part of the radio right?!} so without the money from commercials they are 100% listener supported. I finally, after many years of listening, have decided to donate during their fall fundraiser.

...To photos just for me. I've been super, overwhelmingly busy with my side photography business lately. I love it, don't get me wrong, but it has been less enjoyable for me recently. With all the editing, and questions like 'are my pictures done yet' I knew I needed to take a few steps back and remember why I loved the camera in my hands. These photos helped me so much, no people in them, just the beauty of a sunset and some back country roads. {Note: there has been no editing on these bad boys, came straight from my camera ... just added my watermark so no one tries to claim them as their own}

 ...To video chats with 'strangers'. That is right I participated in the FIRST EVER Happy Hour Hangout session last night. With bloggers I knew and some I didn't know. I made some great new friends, learned more about blogging and drank some good wine. Amber and Ashten now have this exclusive 'wear pink' club and I'm so happy to be a part of it. You need to participate in this and I'm about to run over and sign up for December, I know I could use a talk with these ladies again. If you haven't done so already take some time and check out my new friends. Amber, Erin, Meg, Kate & Adam, Brit, Nikki, Alexes, Margaret and Ashten

Okay now do you see all the positive outcomes that can come out of one little word? Yes. It can be an amazing little tool if you use it correctly. Get out there in the world and go live a little - don't let no hold you back. 

The Monday after my Best Friend's Bachelorette Party...

Today is Monday and not just any Monday it happens to be the Monday after my Best Friend's Bachelorette Party. You know what that means?! Yesterday was no time to write and today, well, ya I'm still exhausted. 

Last night, however, I took my DSLR out and took some photos just for me. Spent some quality time with my husband, driving around, checking crops and cattle. It turned out to be just what I needed and we had a wonderful Sunday night! 

So I will leave you with this Beautiful photo and a reminder to check me out on Rachel's blog!

Social Media Tips

Now I'm not claiming to be an expert {because I honestly don't think there can be such a thing} but I wanted to share some social media/blogger tips. These are things I've learned from others that have really seemed to help me and more often than not had me saying 'oh my goodness I had know clue, thanks'. 

Twitter - The Power of the @ symbol

Do you want to promote someone on twitter? Do you want all of your followers to know about someone you love or a great article or post? Then listen up. If you are like me and just look at your main feed in twitter {I'm sorry, who has time to click on each person and read ALL their tweets and replies} then you will only see stuff tweeted or retweeted by the people you follow. Sounds simple enough right?! Well I think the @ symbol tends to confuse some people. For example I want to tell all my followers about this great new song Blake Shelton has and I want to tag him because maybe {or never} he will RT me or reply. So my tweet could be :: @blakeshelton I'm so in love with your new single, you should come to ND to party with us. ESPN knows how awesome we are, you could see too! :: Now who will see this tweet? Unless you follow me and @blakeshelton this will not show up in your normal twitter feed. The @ symbol at the start of your tweet makes it more of a private message for anyone who follows you and the person you tagged. Something as simple as a period in front of the @ symbol will change that tweet so now all of your followers can see that you liked the new Blake Shelton single {and are a NDSU fan}. Here is another Example; I want to promote my fellow North Dakota blogger and her awesome DIY project and I know not all my followers follow her as well, so I'm going to make sure they see it :: @SamanthaMarie_8 just made an awesome DIY headboard & has an easy tutorial > Check her out :: . @SamanthaMarie_8 just made an awesome DIY headboard & has an easy tutorial > Check her out :: Now everyone who follows me is going to see that Samantha has a great DIY headboard not just the people who already follow both of us and probably already saw she had a DIY post about her headboard. 

Blogger Comments - Reply Feature *for blogger comments, does not apply to disqus or other comment services*

Someone just left you a great comment on your post and you want to say thanks or reply to their question. So you hit Reply while in your post, seems logical right?! WRONG. This essentially does ... Nothing! Unless the person who left you the comment is someone who goes back and checks all their comments {again who has time for that nonsense} to see if you replied they have no notification when you use the Reply feature. What you need to do is make sure you are notified by email each time a comment is made on your blog, then all you have to do is respond to the email. Praying the person who left the comment isn't a no reply blogger and that is a whole other story that Sarah can keep taking care of! {If you just said to yourself 'what is a no reply blogger' or said 'there is no way I'm one of those' -- pretty please double check and read THIS POST just incase}

Instagram Comments - again with the @ symbol

Someone just commented on your IG photo asking where you got your adorable shirt. You want to tell them because you'd love to help promote the store you got it from. You MUST tag them when commenting back otherwise they won't get notification that you responded to them unless, of course, they have no time and go back to all photos they comment on every 5 minutes waiting for a response {people don't do that}! In this case when you comment on your photo you can put the @ symbol with their username right at the beginning and then just proceed to answer their question or tell them thanks, etc. 

I hope these little tips were helpful, made sense, and will make your social media life just a little easier!

Now don't forget to enter my awesome giveaway, did I mention you could win over $50 in prizes! 

Last Night a Blogger Saved My Life - A Giveaway

Last Night a Blogger Saved My Life. 

Okay no, maybe this has never happened to me so literally as saving my life but there have been multiple times blogger ladies have 'saved' me. Whether it was a recipe they posted so my husband and I didn't go hungry; an uplifting post reminding me who is really in charge; a post about a new product or store that I never would have heard of otherwise; a DIY post on a great new craft project; or a post that makes me laugh just when I needed it. These ladies have saved my life and I'm so glad I have found some great new friends in blogland. 

More often than not this is the view my hubby has - Me Blogging

Speaking of some wonderful bloggers we have put together a great giveaway for you! 

Kate * Samantha * Nikki * Beth * Laura

Casey * Meghan * Elizabeth * Ashten * Christine

One lucky reader will win:

Last Night A Blogger Saved My Life tee (size L)

$50 Starbucks Gift Card

Fall Warmer Scents

I'd like to thank all the lovely ladies who teamed with me on this giveaway. Please don't forget to check them out! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Taco Ring - Super Easy!

Need something to make for supper that is SUPER easy but still tastes good? I have the perfect Taco Tuesday recipe for you! 

Taco Ring

What you Need:

:: 2 Packs Crescent Rolls

:: 1 lb hamburger (browned & seasoned with your favorite taco seasoning)

:: 1 Cup Shredded Cheese

:: Whatever Taco Toppings you like 

     .:{Taco Sauce; Sour Cream; Salsa; Guacamole; Olives; Extra Cheese … etc.}

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with tinfoil and start overlapping the thicker part of the crescent triangles to form a circle. Spread your meat along the thicker part of the crescent rolls you just laid out, top with cheese. Now fold the smaller part of the crescent rolls over the meat and cheese. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until the crescent rolls are golden brown.

Enjoy!