C.D. Loken's Blog, page 6

Sensational Sunday Love Links!

Hello, sweet friends! I hope you are all enjoying your weekend-
doing whatever you that makes you happy!
Yesterday, hubby and I went to a few yard sales
and thrift stores looking for treasures.
Sadly-I didn't find anything that screamed
'Buy me!'
Has that ever happened to you?
Needless to say-I was pretty disappointed coming home
empty handed-but there's always a next time right?
Today I'll be tearing apart our builders grade kitchen
island-in hopes of giving it a complete makeover!
Speaking of furniture makeovers-
let's get to my #1 favorite for this week!

1. Favorite furniture makeover- Lynn from,  On Fern Avenue  did a 'do-over'
on this cute little dresser-and I simply ADORE this version!  You won't
believe what she used to give the drawers a 'french country' look! 2.Favorite Room Makeover-  Amber, from Lou Lou Girls
recently made over her kitchen-and what's not to love?  
Fresh white cabinets-and industrial island-and those GORGEOUS
butcher block counters!
DROOLING!! 3. Favorite Recipe- Kati, from Houseful of Handmade
had me at lemon-(you all know how I LOVE lemon in anything)-but she took it one
step further and made this quick and easy dessert layered with cream
and graham crackers. I seriously wanted to lick my screen when I saw
her post!  4. Favorite DIY- School is right around the corner-and although I don't have any 
kiddo's to get organized, I TOTALLY remember the days when I was
racing around the house in the early hours of the am looking for school work
and backpacks!  If you do too-than Jamie, from, Creating Really Awesome Free things
has just the organization center for you!  What a creative and FUNCTIONAL
use of an old door!
 5. Favorite Tip- I have an abundance of herbs this year (YIPPEE)and even though
I use them in my cooking a lot-and even freeze them in olive oil, I worried
that some would go to waste.  Not anymore!
Oh Mrs. Tucker freezes them -and they maintain their freshness 
perfectly!  Who knew?  I sure didn't!!
6. Favorite Upcycle- How cute is this flower pot that
Jenny, from Refresh Living
made using a .50 vintage bundt cake pan?  I LOVE that she's
already coming up with ideas to use it year round!
Now that's creativity at it's best!
Thank you to all the creative folks who inspired me this week!

Blessings and hugs,

Strawberry-Lemon Sweet Rolls!

Happy Friday, sweet friends!
Yesterday, I celebrated my 49th birthday!
Yippee!  I'm one step closer to the big 50! 
Okay-so I'm not exactly over the moon happy about THATfact-but I am truly blessed to have such wonderful and supportivefriends and family-who truly made my birthday-a VERYspecial day!Today it's back to work-and what better way to start my 49thyear of birth-than making a special treat for this weekend'sfamily brunch!!
Read more »

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop #132!

Happy Tuesday, friends!!I hope your week is going fantastically!I'm super excited to see what you all have to sharethis week!So let's get this party started!Remember to check out my Sensational Sunday postfor last week's features-and stop by our partyPINTEREST board where we pin all of our favorites!!
Blessings and hugs, Sixteen blogs!  Yes, dear friends, we are now publishing our party on 16 wonderful blogs!!! ♥ Our host blogs reflect the interests of our many, many guests - variety! We love cooking, baking, shopping, entertaining, crafting, organizing, cleaning (or at least making it easier), kids activities, parenting, homeschool ideas, blogging tips, faith, pets, fashion, home decor. 
Above all, we want to thank YOU, our guests! ♥Thank you, dear guests, for making this the very active, productive and popular party that it has become. Thanks for spreading the news. Thanks for sharing your amazing creativity week after week. Thanks for supporting us and EACH OTHER will lots of blogging luv!
Let's welcome Heather of  Real-The Kitchen and Beyond! She is the 16th blogger to join the hosting team.  Please make her feel at home and follow her on social media, as you are able. 


Now, for the posts from last week's party that you liked the best. 

We had a 3-way tie for Most Viewed!



Most Viewed  Copycat Chick -fil-A Chicken Salad Sandwich by The Cincy ShopperPost Surgery Update from Pickles N Peppers

Today I Cried Over A Cow from Ducks 'n a Row



Very Popular




Sea Salt Caramel Bars from The Rebel Chick

4th of July Dessert Smores Magic Bars from Hungry Happenings

Black Cherry Yogurt and Granola Pie by 3 Boys and a Dog

11 Easy $5 Dollar Meals from Feeding Big

Potato Cakes Recipe from Darling Downs Diaries



Editor's Pick(s)


Minion Mania!!!

Yes, we had so many great Minion posts that it really caught my attention. Never has there been a collection of posts as the Editor's Pick but, I couldn't help myself. I love 'em!


So, here come the Minions!

Cookie Minions from Meatloaf and Melodrama



Minion Smoothie by Wife-Mom-Geek



Minion Clothesping Craft For Kids from Wife-Mom-Geek



Minion Plate Printable Insert from Kandy Kreations



Duct Tape Minion Pencil Case from You Brew My Tea



Super Cute Minion Snacks Made With Twinkies by Just JP {Jennifer Priest}


Minions Party Ideas from Just JP {Jennifer Priest}



Minions Birthday Party Decor from Smooth Foam



Minions Birthday Gift Idea from I Dig Pinterest


Fruity Minion Cupcakes from Woods Of Bell Trees



Find the 7th Minion Treats from Three Kids and a Fish


Minion Smoothies from Adalinc To Life




Follow CD's Country Living's board Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop Favorites! on Pinterest.


So... let the party begin!
Love this party?
Tweet It and It Will Grow!
Simple guidelines...
Please follow our host and co-hosts in as many ways possible (social media links below) ♥PLEASE TWEET THIS PARTY !!!!  We want everyone to know about it!Add as many of your family-friendly posts as you would like, no giveaways, Etsy shops or blog parties please. You are welcome to share them in the comments, though.Visit three or more others. Let them know you've been there! Visit our FEATURES and comment, pin or share -- do what you can to bless them!When you are PINNING, please remember to do it from the original post. ♥Follow our Wonderful Wednesday PINTEREST board, if you'd like (below) ♥If you are new,  let us know in the comments so that we can follow you back. ♥And, thanks for joining us!


Sinea
of Ducks 'n a Row Blog  /  Bloglovin’ /   Facebook  /  Google+  /  Pinterest   / Twitter
Diane
of Recipes For Our Daily Bread Blog  /  Facebook  /  Google+  /  Pinterest  /  Twitter
Carrie
of A Mother’s Shadow Blog  /  Bloglovin’  /  Facebook  /  Google+  /  Pinterest   / Twitter
CD
of CD's Country Living Blog  /  Bloglovin' /  Facebook  /  Google+  / Instagram/  Pinterest 
Cathy
of A Peek Into My Paradise Blog / Bloglovin' / Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Tumblr / Twitter
Tammy
of My Life Abundant Blog  /  Bloglovin’  /  Facebook  /  Google+  /  Instagram  /  Pi nterest  /  Twitter
Brittany
of Mommy On Demand Blog  /  Bloglovin’  /  Facebook  /  Google+  /  Pinterest  /  Twitter
Jaimi
of The Stay At Home Mom Survival Guide
  Blog /  Bloglovin’  /  Facebook  /  Google+  /  Pinterest
Saira
from Mom Resource Blog / Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter / YouTube
Kristen
of Musings Of An Average MomBlog/ Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest / Twitter
Erica
of eLeMeNO-P Kids Blog / Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter
Heather
of
Real
-The Kitchen and Beyond      NEW!!! Blog / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter
Dawn
of Spatulas on Parade Blog / Bloglovin '/ Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest / Twitter
Heidi
Jo of Simplee Thrifty Blog / Bloglovin' / Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest / Twitter

Kim
of 2JustByou Blog  /  Bloglovin  /  Facebook  /  Google+  /  Instagram  /  Pinterest  /  Twitter
Nicole
and Susan of Flavors By Four Blo g  /  Bl o glovin  /  F ac ebook   /  Pinterest

Sensational Sunday Love Links!

Hello, sweet friends!
  I hope you are all having a SENSATIONAL weekend!
Yesterday hubby and I attended an annual family picnic
 and as usual, there was
plenty of food and fun!
I brought this incredibly decadent S'more Trifle
for dessert!

With layers of moist brownie, chocolate pudding,
graham cracker crumbs and creamy marshmallow filling...
what's not to love!
Well, our family sure did!
And the best part is- you don't need a campfire to enjoy
everyone's favorite summer treat!
Which is why it made my list of favorites this week!

1. Favorite recipe- A BIG thank you to Sara, from the blog Mom Endeavors for the
chocolaty-sweet treat our home family loved!
Now let's take a look at some of my other favorites!


2. Favorite Re-purpose- Angie from Knick of Time is so darn creative!  Look whatshe did with a broken chair!!! 3. Favorite knock off DIY- I've always wanted an orb or two-but never liked the price!  Who would have thunk you could make one so easily AND cheaply!  Well, Leanne, from Diva of DIY found away, and I absolutely LOVE them!!
4. Favorite Homemade Gift-Who doesn't like a little spa treatment now and again?I sure do-especially my poor tooties!!  They need a lot of TLC in the summer!I just made a batch of Briana's foot soak and I (and my feet) LOVE it! 5. Favorite Beverage- Who wouldn't love a refreshing cocktail on
hot summer evening? Cami from the blog, The Crafty Nook whipped up a 
super easy recipe for Strawberry Pina Colada's!  YUM! 6. Favorite Outdoor space: Carlene, from Organized Clutter has beensharing her garden treasures and the GORGEOUS flowers thatfill them all week!  They are definitely a MUST see!
Thank you to all these amazing folks who inspired me this week!Do you have a favorite?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!Blessings and hugs,

Italian Pasta Salad!

Salads are definitely one of my FAVORITE summer dishes!
Of course, you all know I LOVE creamy salads-like
potato and macaroni,
but sometimes(especially on a hot summer day)
 I  like a bit lighter fare.

Read more »

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop #131!

It's party time friends!!I'll be sharing your posts tonight and all day tomorrow on myFacebook and Google+page(s),(see below for links) as well as pinning to our favorites board-so stop on over and visit!And don't forget to stop back on Sunday for my SensationalSunday Love Links post-where I feature all my favorite's! I can't wait to see what you all have to share this week!!
Let's party!!!


What a great party we had last week! 


Take a look at these fabulous finds ...




Most Viewed







Twitter For Beginners from Mom Resource




Very Popular





Blog Income Opportunities by Mom Resource
Brownie Brittle from Kleinworth Co.


Pineapple Delight From Cincy Shopper



Editor's Pick




Star Wars Death Star Cake by Lou Lou Girls


Time for more blog hopping FUN!  Please don't click and run. Be sure to visit others ... like, comment, share, pin!






Love this party?






Tweet It and It Will Grow!


Simple guidelines...

Please follow our host and co-hosts in as many ways possible (social media links below) ♥PLEASE TWEET THIS PARTY !!!!  We want everyone to know about it!Add as many of your family-friendly posts as you would like, no giveaways, Etsy shops or blog parties please. You are welcome to share them in the comments, though.Visit three or more others. Let them know you've been there! Visit our FEATURES and comment, pin or share -- do what you can to bless them!When you are PINNING, please remember to do it from the original post. ♥Follow our Wonderful Wednesday PINTEREST board, if you'd like (below) ♥If you are new,  let us know in the comments so that we can follow you back. ♥And, thanks for joining us!



Kim of 2JustByou

Blog / Bloglovin / Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter



Nicole and Susan of Flavors By Four

Blog / Bloglovin / Facebook / Pinterest



Heidi Jo of Simplee Thrifty

Blog / Bloglovin' / Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest / Twitter




Brittany of Mommy On Demand


Blog / Bloglovin’ / Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest / Twitter


Cathy of A Peek Into My Paradise   

Blog / Bloglovin' / Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Tumblr / Twitter


Saira from Mom Resource  

Blog / Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter / YouTube


Kristen of Musings Of An Average Mom

Blog / Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest / Twitter


Erica of eLeMeNO-P Kids

Blog / Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter


Diane of Recipes For Our Daily Bread

Blog / Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest / Twitter


Dawn of Spatulas on Parade

Blog / Bloglovin' / Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest / Twitter



CD of CD's Country Living

Blog / Bloglovin'/ Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest 



Carrie of A Mother’s Shadow

Blog / Bloglovin’ / Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest /Twitter


Sinea of Ducks 'n a Row

Blog / Bloglovin’/  Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest  /Twitter


Jaime of The Stay At Home Mom Survival Guide

Blog / Bloglovin’ / Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest


Tammy of My Life Abundant

Blog / Bloglovin’ / Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter




Follow CD's Country Living's board Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop Favorites! on Pinterest.

A Simple Summer Mantel

Hubby and I enjoyed a wonderfully relaxing vacation this past week!Butunlike previous vacations there were no planned destinations no schedules to followno alarm clocks to wake us.And since we literally unplugged- there were no emails to check  no voice mails to return.So what in the world did we do on our vacation?

Read more »

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop # 130

This week we welcome two new BLOGS to our Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop team:  Cathy of A Peek Into My Paradise and Saira of Mom Resource! 


Be sure to stop by their blogs this week and get to know them. Their social media links can be found in the host list below.
So, how did we do at last week's fabulous party? So much participation!  What we love is that you all visited SO MANY posts!  click click click Comment . like . share . pin . follow!

Most Viewed
How To Use Yummly and Why I Love It from Meatloaf and Melodrama
Very Popular 15 Things To Make In A Slow Cooker - Who Knew? from Moments With MandiCopycat Chick Fil A Peach Milkshake from A Moms Take

Scrumptious Shrimp from Cooking With Carlee Cake Mix Lemon Poppyseed Scones from A Spectacled OwlKey Lime Bars from Alwayz Bakin'

Sweet Bread From Scratch by A Virtuous Woman

Editor's Pick





6 Things I Always Include In Every Blog Post from My Snippets of Inspiration



Follow our Pinterest Board here: Follow CD's Country Living's board Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop Favorites! on Pinterest.







Love this party?
Tweet It and It Will Grow!
Simple guidelines...
Please follow our host and co-hosts in as many ways possible (social media links below) ♥PLEASE TWEET THIS PARTY !!!!  We want everyone to know about it!Add as many of your family-friendly posts as you would like, no giveaways, Etsy shops or blog parties please. You are welcome to share them in the comments, though.Visit three or more others. Let them know you've been there! Visit our FEATURES and comment, pin or share -- do what you can to bless them!When you are PINNING, please remember to do it from the original post. ♥Follow our Wonderful Wednesday PINTEREST board, if you'd like (below) ♥If you are new,  let us know in the comments so that we can follow you back. ♥And, thanks for joining us!

Cathy of A Peek Into My Paradise   NEW!Blog / Bloglovin' / Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Tumblr / Twitter
Saira from Mom Resource  NEW!Blog / Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter / YouTube

Kristen of Musings Of An Average MomBlog / Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest / Twitter
Erica of eLeMeNO-P KidsBlog / Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter
Diane of Recipes For Our Daily BreadBlog / Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest / Twitter
Dawn of Spatulas on ParadeBlog / Bloglovin' / Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest / Twitter
CD of CD's Country LivingBlog / Bloglovin'/ Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest 
Carrie of A Mother’s ShadowBlog / Bloglovin’ / Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest /Twitter
Sinea of Ducks 'n a RowBlog / Bloglovin’/  Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest  /Twitter
Jaime of The Stay At Home Mom Survival GuideBlog / Bloglovin’ / Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest
Tammy of My Life AbundantBlog / Bloglovin’ / Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter
Brittany of Mommy On DemandBlog / Bloglovin’ / Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest / Twitter
Kim of 2JustByouBlog / Bloglovin / Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter
Nicole and Susan of Flavors By FourBlog / Bloglovin / Facebook / Pinterest
Heidi Jo of Simplee ThriftyBlog / Bloglovin' / Facebook / Google+ / Pinterest / Twitter

Summer Vacation!

Happy Monday, friends!Hubby and I will be enjoying our first of two summer vacationsthis week, and I am SUPER excited!Although I will be checking in on Tuesday for the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop-I will be unplugged for the rest of the week!See you back here on Monday July 6th! Blessings and hugs,

25 Fabulous Fourth of July Sweet Treats!

Fourth of July is right around the corner, and like last year-I'm
in charge of bringing a sweet treat for our family celebration.
But it can't be just any treat.
Oh no.  It has to be something just as FABULOUS
as last years treat.

Read more »