Bringing Back The Sunshine Blake Shelton Album Review

I'm a HUGE music lover. I'll listen to anything from The Gathers to Hollywood Undead. But my soul is with country music.

I grew up on country music and I always go back to it after one of my 'pop' spells. I can remember listening to Blake Shelton for as long as my mind can possibly back track to. I remember when me and my parents would be in the truck and Ol' Red would come on and they'd turn it up.
Those were the days...

ANY-WHO!

Today, Mister Shelton's new album, Bringing Back The Sunshine, came out and I decided I would share my thoughts on it with you[:

 Firstly, love the album cover.

The album consists of 12 songs

1 - Bringing Back The Sunshine

2 - Neon Light

3 - Lonely Tonight (feat. Ashley Monroe)

4 - Gonna

5 - A Girl

6 - Sangria

7 - Buzzin'(feat. RaeLynn)

8 - Just South Of Heaven

9 - I Need My Girl

10 - Good Country Song

11 - Anyone Else

12 - Just Gettin' Started

My absolute favorite song is Just South Of Heaven. I'm a sucker for softer tuned songs. This has that perfect flow and melody to it. 

Lyrics;

I never liked the taste of whiskey till I kissed it off of her lips
Never knew just what was hittin me, getting me tipsy
But there I sit, Levi's on a dogwood branch
Yeah, she was takin me under
I might have lost my innocence
But she was savin my soul that summer

I don't know much about eternity
Or where somebody like me's gonna wind up goin
All I know is that I've already been
Parked in a Chevy by the deep river rollin
And that summer night, shooting star paradise
Might be all that I'm gettin
Kissin and sippin that seven-oh-seven
Somewhere just south of heaven

She might have been a fallen angel
Nah, I didn't care at all
I never thought a prayer could be answered
With a whispered, sweet southern drawl
Even now when I close my eyes
I see her silhouette dance on the river
The way we spent those endless nights
That's the way I could spend forever

I don't know much about eternity
Or where somebody like me's gonna wind up goin
All I know is that I have already been
Parked in a Chevy by the deep river rollin
And that summer night, shootin star paradise
Might be all that I'm gettin
Kissin and sippin that seven-oh-seven
Somewhere just south of heaven

Somewhere just beyond the Jericho line
Little white church, roll back through the pines
Down where the three cross river unwinds
If there's a heaven on Earth, man that'd be mine

I don't know much about eternity
Or where somebody like me's gonna wind up goin
All I know is that I have already been
Parked in a Chevy by the deep river rollin
And that summer night, shootin star paradise
Might be all that I'm gettin
Kissin and sippin that seven-oh-seven
Somewhere just south of heaven

Oh yeah, just south of heaven

Somewhere just beyond the Jericho line
Little white church, roll back through the pines
Down where the three cross river unwinds
If there's a heaven on Earth, man that'd be mine

Yeah, that'd be mine
Oh, just a little bit south of heaven

Good Country Song Lyrics:


Shotgun in my daddy's truck
Eight years old and actin tough
He smiled at me and said, "You shift the gears"
He would search that FM dial
And I would count down every mile
Til the station out of Tulsa came in clear
It was Earl Thomas Conley on the radio
It punched me in the gut, man, it rattled my soul

I'm talking bout a good country song
Makes you smile, makes you hurt
Leaves you hangin on every word
A good country song
Makes you love, makes you leave
Raise some hell or hit your knees
All I know is I think of home
Grab my guitar and strum along
Kick on back and sip me somethin strong
When I hear a good country song

While hip-hop, rap, and rock were cool
I was in my basement gettin schooled
On George and Keith and Vernon Alabama
I was learnin bout those neon lights
Wasted days and wasted nights
And honky-tonks from Texas to Montana
And when my fingers found the fret board
I close my eyes and sing
I swear that beat up guitar only played one thing

I'm talking bout a good country song
Makes you smile, makes you hurt
Leaves you hangin on every word
A good country song
Makes you love, makes you leave
Raise some hell or hit your knees
All I know is I think of home
Grab my guitar and strum along
Kick on back and sip me somethin strong
When I hear a good country song

Yeah, it makes me think of days long gone
Miss my dad and call my mom
Cry, and laugh, and pray and drink till dawn
When I hear a good country
A good old country, a good country song




Sangria, Buzzin, Neon Light, and Just Gettin' Started are surely gonna be blasted in the car[:

Once again, Blake aced it!




What do you think of Blake's new album? What are your favorite song(s)?

September Favorites!

Can y'all believe it's the end of September already?!?! They already have Christmas stuff out, it seems like Easter was just a month ago, lol.
This month has been crazy, making plans and tracks, and I'm excited for Fall to come.

Hello soup and hoodies!


Onto the favorites...


Music

I Won't Give Up - Jason Mraz
Superbad - Jesse McCartney
Just Keep Breathing - We The Kings
Say You Do - Dierks Bentley



Food


Sargentos Colby Jack Cheese Sticks...(it's bad guys)
Glutino Yogurt Covered Pretzels
Progresso Traditional Chicken & Rice soup
McDonald's Parfait[w/o granola, just to clarify]




Movies/TV Shows

Teen Wolf
DWTS [finally!!!!!]
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban


YouTuber(s)


YoungNASAWife
BubzVlogz




Misc...


Going for rides in the car
Wearing hoodies again
Using extra blankets!!! :D





I also have exciting news that'll be coming soon, just a hint ;]

Costal Pet Halti Headcollar: Size 2 - Review

Peaches was known for pulling on the leash. It wasn't just tugging, it was rip-your-arm-out-of-your-socket-I'm-walking-you-hairball-sounding-breathing kind of pulling. It was terrible. She had places to go and things to do.

I've tried regular harnesses that people 'swear' that help them stop pulling. I don't know if they actually stop pulling, walking like a dog that knows how to heel, or if it just doesn't feel like they're pulling. Either way. The harness didn't work. I tried two different kinda too.

One day I was at Petco (where pet people love to go ;D ) and I found this headcollar. I researched it a little and saved my money then went back to get it. I LOVED IT. Even Peaches loved it! She wanted that thing on more than I did!

 I know what you're thinking 'it looks like a muzzle' or 'they won't be able to (enter action here)' but that's not true. Apart from the muzzle-but the dog has completely free range of barking, breathing, eating, drinking, panting and whatever else with the collar on. The only time it closes is when they pull.



The way it works is that the there's a hole where you put your dogs muzzle in, buckle it by the collar and then there's a clip that hooks to the collar loop, and a metal ring on the headcollar that you attach the leash to, when they pull, the loop tightens and it turns their head to the side, no dog wants to walk while their being pulled in a different direction so they learn not to pull.

Peaches was easy to get used to the collar, I held out the collar, put it on and gave her a treat and we went for a walk. She fought it for a little while, she could get the snout strap off, it was weird for her, but she learned that it was a good thing, that she wouldn't be going on walks without it on, and soon enough when I had the headcollar at her level she was digging through it trying to get it on, she couldn't wait!

Plus it's made on nylon so it's completely washable! The only thing I recommend being careful on is the little metal loop the leash attaches to, as you can see in the picture the one I used is getting rusty, I'm not 100% sure if it would break or not, but just be careful about that, just in case.



I'm not saying this will work for every dog, but it sure worked for her and I highly recommend it to anyone whose dog has a pulling problem!


There's 6 different sizes so you'll have to make sure you get the right size for your dog or it won't work correctly.


Size 0 is recommended for the following breeds: miniature dachshund, papillon, toy poodle, yorkie, and similarly sized dogs. (aka, most toy dogs, including chihuahuas)
Size 1 is recommended for the following breeds: border terrier, jack russell, cairn terrier, welsh corgi, standard dachshund, sheltie, westie, whippet, and similarly sized dogs.
Size 2 is recommended for the following breeds: beagle, border collie, cockers, saluki, schnauzer, standard poodle, basenji, Welsh terrier, and similarly sized breeds. (medium sized)
Size 3 is recommended for the following breeds: Afghan, airedale, boxer, briard, chow chow, dalmatian, doberman, greyhound, German shepherd, husky, Labrador, pointers, retrievers, setters, springers, Weimaraner, and similarly sized dogs. (large breeds)
Size 4 is recommended for the following breeds: mastiff, clumber spaniel, giant schnauzer, Great Dane, Newfoundland, ridgeback, rottweiler, and similarly sized dogs.
Size 5 is recommended for the following breeds: bloodhound, large danes, mastiffs, St. Bernard, and similarly sized dogs.(the biggest of the bunch)

Here's to: Benji

Benji was my aunt's dog. She adopted him from a shelter and we believe he's(believed to be) a Corgi/Brittany/something mix.

My aunt lives in another state so Benji's never really been a huge part of my life like he'd been hers, I think he was adopted as a buddy for her other dog Ranger, an English Setter that was blind, but boy was he gorgeous. After Ranger passed away my Aunt had come up for a visit and it turned out that Benji would be staying with my Grandparents for a while.

This is when Benji became my best friend. With Peaches being an outdoor dog that was too stubborn to really train, Benji was the exact opposite, he liked it, but he also had to be in the mood for it. He was a hard one to get around, he wasn't exactly the friendliest, he was a snapper there in the beginning which made my mom worried about me handling him, it didn't really bother me too much.

I started working with him and slowly he started to become 'my dog'. He was my buddy, he wasn't as attached to anyone else. He was pretty good outside, he didn't take off too awful much so I could let him off the runner and we'd run around the yard attempting to play fetch where I'd toss the ball and he'd take off with it so I'd have to go and get it.

He learned about a dozen different tricks that he'd have to do at least five of them before he got a treat. We took him to Petco one Christmas with a friend and we got a picture together, and he got a treat.

Thankfully he wasn't picky when it came to treats, he'd eat almost anything except for a select few, which was probably dangerous for my wallet because anytime I had extra money it would get spent on dog treats!

After a few years of him staying with us my Aunt decided it was time for him to go back with her, devastating me, but he was her dog, there wasn't much I could do.

He didn't end up staying there long, he started to get an allergic reaction to something outside, his hair started to fall out and he was scratching himself up till he was all scabby.
My Aunt brought him back up and he took a trip to the vets where he was given a special shampoo and medication that he had to be bathed in once a week, which ended up being twice cause he stank so bad. Slowly all his hair started to come back, but he wasn't the same dog, not mentally. It was like he was there physically, but he wasn't the same Benji I had known.

He passed away a month after Peaches, thankfully it was in his sleep in his happy place of being in my grandparents bedroom.


Facts:


Name: Benji

Age & Birthday: Because he was adopted, we weren't sure, neither was my aunt. We think he was around 14.

Color: Brown & White

Fav Food: Science Diet

Fav Treat: Beggin' Strips - Bacon

Fav Toy: He had a blue christmas bear with white snowflakes on it

Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor

Tricks? Yes, Sit, Sit up, Stand, roll over, lie down, shake, paw, crawl

Quirk: He played hide and seek with me

Vidalia Sweet Onion Petals Review

• Made with Real Vidalia® Onion Puree
• Baked not fried
• 0g Trans Fat
• Gluten Free
• Kosher
• 130 Calories per serving

These were so good! They were crunchy like those cheese puffs, they had good flavor too. The problem was that they didn't agree with me at all, I got an upset stomach and was burping them for the rest of the day and I couldn't get the flavor of the seasoning out of my mouth.


If it wasn't for that I'd consider getting them again.

Here's to: Pogo

Pogo and Ginger had been my first pets. The ones where I was actually paying for all of their stuff, not my parents.
An aquaitence of my moms was getting rid of them and allowed us to have them. Pogo is the mother of Ginger. She was breed a lot and we believe that that's what had caused her to pass away.


Name: Pogo

Breed: American(?)

Age & Birthday: 4 & N/A

Gender: Female

Color: Black, White, and Brown

Fav Food: Cucumbers & Fruit

Fav Treat: Alfalfa Hay

Fav Toy: Brown paper bags

Quirk: She'd purr when you ran a finger down the center of her back lightly

Introducing: Misty

Name: Misty

Birthday & Age: 2005 9 years old

Breed: American Long Hair(That's what the shelter told us, we've had ideas on a 'legitimate' breed(s) that she may be, but I honestly can't remember the name(s) of them).

Color: Black and White with a touch of brown

Fav Treat: Temptations Chicken

Fav Food: Whiska's wet cat food, poultry, preferably chicken.

Fav Toy: The little white mice

Fav Place to Lay: Usually anywhere that's in the rode of where you're walking

Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor

Nicknames: Mist, cat

Introducing: Ginger

Name: Ginger

Breed: American(?)

Color; Cream, White, Black

Age: 3 years old

Gender: Female

Fav Food: Spinach and Apples

Fav Treat: Timothy Hay Bales

Fav Toy: Brown paper bags

Quirk: She's a picky eater

Udi's Gluten Free Three Cheese Pizza Review

It's been really cold lately, and I guess something warm just sounded good.
Our Wal*Mart surprisingly had an Udi's gluten free pizza, this is the 3 cheese one, and I figured I'd give it a go.

I preheated the over to 400, and covered a cookie sheet with foil. It says not to cook it that way, but I like to live life on the edge!

I baked mine for about 20 mins, I wanted the cheese to be a little brown.

BTW, I edited this on my iPod, I didn't realize there would be a white space or I would've 'watermarked' it there.

The verdict: It was YUMMY. It tastes like the pizza I get from the gas station[that's not a dig or anything], it's really good pizza. And so far it seems that my stomach agrees with it, which is always a plus. I put a couple slices in the freezer for later, too.

Introducing: Jack

Name: Jack

Birthday: Guesstimated around April/May 22nd, 2010

Age: 4 years old

Breed: Siamese Mix

Color: White, Black, Grey

Fav Food: Anything edible

Fav Toy: Anything that moves

Fav Place to Lay: On my grandparents bed

Indoor or Outdoor: He's more of an outdoor.

Fav Treats: Again, anything edible

Schedule for the Rest of September

Hello y'all!

I would just like to give a little update on the schedule for the rest of the month! Recently I've been looking into blog tips and things and I kinda want to play around with some posts and different subjects to see what it is I like to blog about.


The rest of the month will be aimed a bit more on pets. I am a HUGE animal lover and this is something I've wanted to tap into but I've been a little afraid due to the fact that I had originally started the blog for Gluten Free stuff and recipes, that kind of thing. But I really would love to add my love for animals too.

So, on that note. I have quite a few 'introduction' posts about the current pets in my life, and there's also a couple that are more like a tribute to some that have passed away recently.

I will have reviews up of different products, both pet related and gluten free foods, there will be a few recipes as well, and hopefully some lifestyle-esc posts.

Next month is starting to get planned as well and I'm excited for y'all to see them[:

If this is something you like, knowing a bit on what's going to be posted, please let me know, I can try to make it more of a 'thing'. [:

Waffle and a Banana

I've been seeing all these amazing looking food photo on Weheartit of fruit and waffles.

I have never wanted the two things so much in my life...

After a day of milling around about it I finally made it! I didn't have the patience to make it look all fancy though, I just wanted to eat it as fast as possible.

It's nothing special, literally just a waffle and any fruit, I picked bananas in particular.

1 Giant Eagle Gluten Free Plain Waffle, 3/4 a banana, 1/2 tsp of butter.

Heaven.

P.S.
It tastes even better with the banana on the waffle.

Introducing: Cookie

Name: Cookie

Birthday & Age: She is 14 years old. Her birthday is January 22nd, 2000.

Breed: As far as the shelter told us, she's an American Short Hair. (why don't shelters get more specific about cat breeds? Not all are ASH and ALH).

Color: Black and White with a pink nose

Fav Treats: Any Pounce treats that you can shake in the container or dog treats

Fav Toy: Cookie hasn't been one much for toys, but she does like the rings from milk jugs

Fav Place To Lay: On my grandparents bed and in their dresser drawers

Nicknames: Cookie Monster

Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor

Fav Food: The gravy from the cat/dog food cans

Chick fil A Gluten Free List

From the Chick fil A website



***Please note that we do not have a gluten free prep area in our kitchens.

Entree

• Grilled Chicken Filet (no bun)
• Chick-fil-A^® Grilled Market Salad
• Grilled Chick-fil-A^® Nuggets (8 or 12 count)

Sides

• Fruit Cup
• Side Salad
• Cole Slaw
• Chick-fil-A Waffle Potato Fries^®
• Yogurt Parfait

Breakfast

• Bacon slice
• Egg
• Sausage patty
• American cheese slice
• Hash Browns

Kid's Meals

• Grilled Chick-fil-A^® Nuggets (4 or 6 count)
• Buddy Fruits^® Pure Blended Fruit To Go applesauce

Desserts

• Icedream^®
• Chocolate Syrup

Beverages

• All Beverages

Dipping Sauces and Dressings

• Barbecue Sauce
• Honey Mustard Sauce
• Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce
• Polynesian Sauce
• Buttermilk Ranch Sauce
• Chick-fil-A^® Buffalo Sauce
• Spicy Dressing
• Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing
• Zesty Apple Cider Dressing
• Light Italian Dressing
• Fat Free Dijon Honey Mustard Dressing
• Reduced Fat Berry Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
• Chick-fil-A^® Sauce

Condiments

• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Mayonnaise
• Apple Jelly
• Grape Jelly
• Mixed Fruit Jelly

Keeping The Moon - Book Review

"Colie expects the worst when she's sent to spend the summer with her eccentric aunt Mira while her mother, queen of the television infomercial, tours Europe. Always an outcast -- first for being fat and then for being "easy" -- Colie has no friends at home and doesn't expect to find any in Colby, North Carolina. But then she lands a job at the Last Chance Cafe and meets fellow waitresses Morgan and Isabel, best friends with a loving yet volatile relationship. Wacky yet wise, Morgan and Isabel help Colie see herself in a new way and realize the potential that has been there all along" -- Goodreads

 This book is amazing. I've read it maybe four or five years ago but I guess I never truly grasped it until this time. Now I can grasp the whole weight issue, and the not-fitting in, and just those certain types of struggles. Miss Sarah Dessen did an amazing job with this book, she wrote it perfectly.  The relationship between Isabel and Morgan is the best, it's a real friendship with the arguments and disagreements. It's quirky and funny.
Mira is an inspiration when it comes to the 'fitting in' issue. I love that she doesn't care what other people think while she's just being herself. She's strong, and confident.
And for Colie, Colie is amazing in the fact that she starts to believe in herself. An essential every person should do.

Love this book, to the moon and back.

A Quick Catch Up

It's been a little while since I've posted anything after the Potter Challenge so I wanted do to a quick catch up on just a few things. I have plans of doing another challenge and hopefully posting some reviews too.

I've been trying to get more protein into my diet and lately shakes have been my favorite go-to thing in the morning.
I like to think this is my 2.0 of the Snow White Smootie.

1 Banana
1/2 cup of plain yogurt
1/2 packet of Vanilla Carnation Breakfast Shake
1/2 cup of Water

I've been craving fries. It feels like it's been so long since I've had any, I was gonna put them on the grocery list before I thought it would probably be smarter to make my own. I'm not all that great at making sweet potato fries, it's a work in progress. But these ones weren't too bad. Maybe need to get a little crispier.

Me and my mom went out 'shopping' the other day and I had originally went to get a different book and they didn't have it, and I knew this book came out and I've been waiting to get it as well. So after thinking about it for a little I decided to get it.
725 PAGES OF AMAZINGNESS. (I haven't read it yet, I just know it's going to be good. Please no spoilers!!!!)
Plus candy corn. I love candy corn.
Fall is coming!
Also, can y'all believe they have Christmas stuff out already!??!?

And lastly, a shameless selfie of me and Misty[:

Hope y'all are enjoying your week! What have you been up to?

The Potter Challenge Review

Out of all of the 30 Day Challenges I've done(which isn't many) this one has been my favorite. I feel like it's let me break into my 'nerdy' side a smidge and share with you guys a few things about one of my favorite series.

For anyone who may want to review any of the days, or if you'd like to do the challenge yourself(if you do so please tell me and I'd love to read them!) here is a list of the days and questions, along with the links to the post. Feel free to browse [:





Day 1: Favorite Book In The Series

Day 2: Least Favorite Book In The Series

Day 3: Favorite Character

Day 4: Favorite Villain

Day 5: Saddest Moment

Day 6: Favorite Professor

Day 7: Least Favorite Professor

Day 8: Favorite Subject

Day 9: Least Favorite Subject

Day 10: Favorite Shop In Diagon Alley

Day 11: Most Handsome Character

Day 12: Most Beautiful Character

Day 13: Most Missed Dead Character

Day 14: Favorite Book Cover

Day 15: Favorite Tri-Wizard Tournament Challenge

Day 16: Your Favorite Hogwarts House

Day 17: Favorite Animagus

Day 18: Favorite Unforgivable Curse

Day 19: Favorite Horcrux

Day 20: Funniest Moment

Day 21: Most Emotional Moment

Day 22: Aspired Quidditch Position

Day 23: Favorite Patronus

Day 24: What's Your Patronus?

Day 25: Favorite Dursley

Day 26: Favorite Wand

Day 27: Favorite Magical Ability

Day 28: Favorite Death Eater

Day 29: Favorite Hogwarts Portrait

Day 30: Favorite Spell