Two more days of Top 10s and then we’ll give it a break. It sure has been fun to hear all your favorite things. Thanks for playing along! I have learned such fun advice and nuggets of truth from you. If you’re just starting to read, it would be worth your time to go back and read the comments from the last 8 days.

DAY NINE

Top 10 Things/Habits I Wish I Could Quit:

1) Cleaning~ OK, so this isn’t really what I had in mind for this post, but it’s the truth. If I could quit cleaning, I feel like I could accomplish so many other wonderful things in life. My mind and energy are so spent cleaning, putting away, cleaning and putting away that it takes up way too much time.

2) Eating When I’m Full~ I go through phases of doing well with this and phases of backsliding. I know that I feel so much better when I eat until I’m full and no more, but sometimes stress, worry, excitement and things just downright tasting good keep me from following this like I should.

3) Wanting~ More of this, more of that. I need this, I need that. I hunger, thirst, crave, desire, covet…all the wrong things too much of the time.

4) Putting off what needs to be done~ I know the things I should focus my attention on~ whether it’s work to do or writing or exercise or my house or reading my Bible…whatever it is…I seem to be able to put it off. No more procrastination.

5) Saying “Yes” to things I don’t want to do~ I’m horrible at this one. I can have every reason in the world to say, “No,” and “Yes” can still come out of this mouth.

6) Staying Inside~ I need to get outside more and enjoy the weather, whether it’s 100 degrees or 10 below. There are always fun things to do and see in the beautiful world out there. Inside will always be there waiting for me after I’ve enjoyed Outside.

7) Speeding~ Yes. I speed. It helped that I got a brutal and very horrific ticket last November. I have had to stay on the straight and narrow…but I confess, I struggle with this one every single time I get in the car. I JUST WANT TO DRIVE VERY FAST. I learned to drive in California. What can I say?

8) Wasting Time~ You make time for the things you really want to do, but I find that a whole TON of my time is wasted. I probably don’t even know the ways I could save time, but I know a lot of it could be saved by less cell phone, texting, computer, facebook, blog, reading, you-name-your vice. Not that we can’t have hobbies and fun in life, and a lot of these time-fillers are even necessary ones, but I don’t want all my time wasted on things that could have been better spent elsewhere.

9) Letting life pass me by~ I have always looked forward to things. I love to travel and when I was a teenager, I was always living from one trip to the next…one Youth Camp to the next. As an adult, I’ve done the same~ not only about trips, but wishing Summer Vacation would hurry up and wishing the kids would get through one rough phase to the next…the result is a lot of wishing my life away. I’m going to quit that bad habit and enjoy each moment for what it is. Someday…hopefully…right now.

10) Worrying~ I’ve always thought of myself as a supremely laid-back person and everyone around me would also say the same, but turns out, I’m a worrier.

This is what the Bible says on that:

Matthew 6:25-34

²⁵“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^?28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

This is a funny category today because I grew up without a TV…however, between friends and  family who did have them and staying in motels throughout the years, I was still able to get a good dose of TV shows that I enjoyed.

DAY EIGHT

Top 10 Favorite TV Shows from Childhood:

1)  Love Boat~ As a child, nothing stirred up my romantic heart as much as a good episode of Love Boat. The cast was so charming, the celebrity guest appearances were always a nice surprise and oh, the romance. I can still remember babysitting and getting some kids to bed and then settling in for a good episode of Love Boat. Come aboard, we’re expecting you!

2)  The Jeffersons~ I can still sing this theme song in its entirety. Boy, did I love this show. It was hilarious and I probably didn’t get half the jokes, but I loved how Mrs. Jefferson was always right and Mr. Jefferson always thought he was right but got proven wrong time and time again. And the neighbors upstairs…good times.

3)  Three’s Company~ This is another show that I bet I didn’t know even a third of what the jokes meant. I remember seeing this as an adult and going, “So THAT’S what that meant!” But the slapstick comedy of “Jack” struck me so funny. He was hilarious. And the Ropers! And you cannot ever get enough of Don Knotts. What a fun show.

4)  The Waltons~ “Good-night, John-Boy.” The Waltons never failed to warm my heart and to make me shed a few tears. I loved Grandpa…thought he was the cutest Grandpa ever…and of course, I had a fondness for John-Boy. He was so smart and sweet to all his siblings.

5)  Little House on the Prairie~ I loved this show so much that we played this at school. I always got to be Laura because my name was close to hers and because I had long brown hair. I tried to get my teeth to protrude like hers too. I loved Laura and thought Mary was beautiful. Boo, Nellie!

6)  Green Acres~ Oh, this show was so funny. A fancy lady living the country life…her pretty clothes, her accent, her mischievous ways…she was always getting into messes.

7)  Facts of Life~ Another theme song I can break out at any time, just in case you ever need to be serenaded. This was a great show. Jo was my favorite and Blair was fun to dislike. But I liked it when they eventually came around and became friends. This was also George Clooney’s first break.

8)  Different Strokes~ I loved this show! It makes me sad that all the actors had such hard lives. They sure made me laugh as a kid. Gary Coleman was so cute and funny.

9)  Happy Days~ This was the best…such simple days with simple problems and easy fixes. I loved everything about this show, but especially…

10)  Joanie Loves Chachi~ I especially loved Joanie and Chachi…when they got their own spinoff after Happy Days, I could not have been happier. It still breaks my heart that we could not get to Straw Hat Pizza in time to see when they finally got married. I could not have been any more excited that they were finally going to be MARRIED. Be still my beating heart.

***Notice there is not a single cartoon.***

We’ve been a little under the weather around here lately…if not sick, then homesick (my little man/Kindergarten), or just worn out…

So today…

DAY SEVEN

Top 10 Favorite Home Remedies:

1) Vicks VapoRub~ For any sort of congestion, put this on your FEET and then put on a nice pair of socks. It will help keep a cough down and will open up the chest, helping with congestion. You can go ahead and put it on your chest too, but the feet seem to do just as well…and the smell doesn’t knock you out that way.

2) Warm Milk with Honey & Butter~ This soothes sad hearts, warms you up and just makes you all sorts of peaceful inside.  Indigo doesn’t like milk, but this combination is so delicious, he changed his mind once he tasted it.

3) Hair Massage~ When Greyley’s having a headache, I massage her head, making her hair go every which way. The temples, the neck and all over the scalp…it’s amazing how much tension is in this area. The wackier the hairdo, the better.

4) Baking Soda Bath~ I’ve gotten hives just a FEW (dozen) times in my life. This is a cheap and effective aid to getting relief. The water doesn’t need to be too hot, though, or that defeats the purpose. It will stop the itching for a little bit and it’s safe/mild enough that it won’t make anything worse.

5) Calamine Lotion~ I suppose these store-bought things aren’t EXACTLY “Home Remedies” but some of these old-fashioned products that you can buy over the counter are good for so many things. My Mama always has Calamine Lotion on hand. It’s great for hives, bites, poison ivy and irritated skin of any kind…even a sunburn.

6) Gargling Salt Water~ I know your Mama told you to do this when you felt a sore throat coming, but did you know that even the top-notch doctors also suggest this practice? Not only does it help ease sore throats, but it also gets rid of canker sores.

7) Tagging onto #6 is something I’ve written about on here before~ The Neti Pot. It’s gross. It works. You can buy one for 11.99-14.99 and it will last forever.

8) Sorry, fellas. You can skip this one. For those days of the month that aren’t so pleasant for women, Vitamin B6 (no more than 100 mg per day) is so helpful. If you aren’t taking it yet and you’re having trouble, Midol, a large Coke and a heating pad will do the trick. But go ahead and load up on B6 so you don’t have to do that every month. (Also, a diet high in Zinc and Calcium!)

9) Stay away from all the things I wrote about YESTERDAY! Seriously, I cannot eat like that on a regular basis or it messes everything up. I am more moody, my skin doesn’t look good and my sleep is affected if I live on junk. My clothes don’t fit the way I want either and that just does NOT feel good.

10) Lots of hugs and kisses and cuddling on the couch and reading and watching movies and tickling and making each other laugh…these are the best home remedies I know.

I had to keep going…you got me going with all the lists you suggested…keep ‘em coming!

DAY SIX

Top 10 Favorite Junk Foods:

1) Well, besides Taco Bell…I could do MANY posts on them, but want this to be more of a homemade junk food type deal. So that leaves me staring longingly at the Burrito Supreme, Steak Gordita and Chicken Soft Taco…sigh. I guess I do still have Taco Bell as my number one junk food, don’t I. I’m OK with that.

2) Nachos~ Since I can’t bring up Taco Bell anymore on here (today, anyway), I can tell you about these nachos I make. Place aluminum foil on a cookie sheet and fill the sheet with tortilla chips. Brown ground beef on the stove (season with cilantro, salt and pepper!). Drain meat and pour over chips. Add a can of refried beans on top of the meat. Add lots of shredded cheese on top and put it in the broiler for a few minutes. Add sour cream and salsa. Oh yes. It is GOOD.

3) Another Nacho variation~ I had never heard of doing this and it seemed like supreme junk food when I first saw my friends~ the Friends~ do it. Take Cheese Doritos and add shredded cheese all over the top. Melt and CHOW. Does that not just seem wrong?! But it’s oh so very right.

4) Popcorn with Peanut Butter M&M’s. This needs no other explainin’.

5) Sometimes nothing sounds good to me, but Graham Crackers with Milk, eaten like cereal. This grosses some people out. Sorry.

6) Any Food Item of Your Choice with Nutella smothered all over it. I’ve heard it’s even better if you purchase it in London, but I’d say it’s pretty fantastic right here in our backyard.

7) Rtiz crackers are another favorite. I hardly buy them because I can’t stay out of them. Here are several ways I like to enjoy them:

Ritz crackers with cheese and summer sausage

Ritz crackers with cheese from a can (which could be a post in itself)

Ritz crackers and peanut butter

Ritz crackers with frosting

Ritz crackers with peanut butter spread between two crackers. Then dunk the whole “sandwich” in white chocolate…either chips melted or almond bark melted. Milk chocolate also works in a pinch.

Ritz crackers with (you knew it was coming, right?) Nutella

8) Toast with honey & peanut butter. This is ONLY going on the junk food list because of the way I pile on the peanut butter…and honey…it cannot possibly be “healfy” the way I eat it.

9) Speaking of Peanut Butter…I also love it on everything~ bananas, pancakes, chocolate cake, etc. It’s also good mixed with the Supremely Junky and Very Bad for you thing that we don’t eat over here except for me sometimes because I am Very Bad….I’m embarrassed to even say it…lean in…I’m whispering…Corn Syrup. My Mema made this mixture for toast (also good on pancakes! and waffles! and dipped on your finger!) so I grew up on it. Mix: Peanut butter, melted butter and corn syrup. It’s also called Amish Butter, I believe? SO very good, but so Very Bad.

10) And this is also Very Naughty, but if you’re with me and mine going to a movie…we sneak through Target and get the $1-$2 boxes of Candy. The last time a bunch of us girls went (to see Eat Pray Love), we got large boxes of Junior Mints, Hot Tamales, Sour Patch Kids, Peanut Butter M&Ms and Raisinettes and stuffed it all in our massive purses. Thrifty, Junky & Naughty all rolled into one.

Thank you for bringing a boost to my week. If you’re just reading today, scan back over the past week’s posts and check out the great suggestions from GM readers. I love hearing from you!

A few have said to keep going with the lists and I’m tempted! Not positive yet, but just might carry on~ if not next week, I will for sure bring it back in the near future.

For today…

DAY FIVE

(Not sure if these are my favorites, but they’re what I seem to have for today…)

Top 10 Things NOT To Do:

1) Do NOT go to Home Depot (or insert big hardware store here) expecting for them to know more than you do. Go, being as knowledgeable on the subject as possible, because it is almost certain that you are still going to confuse the staff. Or maybe that’s just me…maybe I’m asking for weird things? Or maybe I’m just confusing. That’s entirely possible.

2) Do NOT attempt to wax yourself unless you are a trained professional. I have had to learn this the hard way. This is only asking for heartache and scars and a mess. Do NOT do it!

3) Do NOT wear something cute while using anything with bleach in it. This might go without saying, but I  seem to need to say it.

4) Do NOT get near an iron with a bare belly. This also seems to be a given, but I seem to need reminding.

5) If you are single and like a boy who does not seem to be liking you quite as much, my advice is: Do NOT text, call or email. Erase his number if you have to…do not be tempted to text your heart. You will regret it later. For you older readers~ texting is the new “leaving a long sad message on voicemail” and we all know how that turned out, right?

6) If you are married, do NOT assume you have it all figured out. Ever.

7) Do NOT wait until the last minute to plan the holiday meal for a family of 24. If you do it at the last minute, you’re also shopping at the last minute and then the cooking will be rushed and possibly inaccurate. You’re just asking for more stress. Feeding 24 is enough stress on its own. But fun!

8) Do NOT place importance on the wrong things. Or as the old saying goes, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” Let priorities be priorities. Let the other things down the list be treated accordingly.

9) Do NOT stop having family dinners. It can be easy to get caught up in different schedules and such, but fight to keep mealtimes together.

10) Do NOT forget to write things down. Dates, appointments, birthdays, thoughts, feelings, monumental happenings…they are worthwhile.

Here we are at Day 4 of our Top 10 Favorites Week…I have had so much fun hearing from all of you!!! People are still commenting on the other days, so you might check the comments again to hear about favorite beauty products, restaurants and household tips.

Day One/Top 10 Beauty Products

Day Two/Top 10 Restaurants

Day Three/Top 10 Household Tips

Today’s topic is another that is so hard for me to narrow down. I have so many things I love to cook. This is just barely scratching the surface. I know it’s a lot of work, but I’d LOVE for you to share your recipes on here too! Or do your own list on your blog and share your link with us. We’ll have new recipes in our arsenal, new ways to make our families happy, new ways to be fat and sassy…yes. I like the sound of this.

DAY FOUR

Top 10 Favorite Recipes:

1) ThePioneerWoman.com~ Same as with FlyLady and household tips~if you look at The Pioneer Woman website, you will have every recipe you ever need for every occasion. I LOVE her recipes. I have her cookbook too and it’s wonderful. She takes excellent pictures and explains the recipes so well. Everything I’ve tried of hers (and it’s been a lot now) is SO good. She’s also hilarious, which makes it even more fun to read her website. If I had ever read her blog before I started mine, I never would have started. She covers it all.

1 1/2) What? Also check out my friend, Matt’s food blog. He’s the Suburban Gourmet and his recipes are great! I’ve written about a few of his recipes on here before. You can find them all on his blog. The Habanero Mango Garlic Compound Butter~ OH MY STARS!

2) Pork Roast~Brown each side of a pork tenderloin in a deep pan on the stove. Season with salt, pepper and minced garlic. Plug your crockpot in, turn on high and add the tenderloin with seasonings, plus a cup and a half of water. Put on the lid and let it cook for 5 or 6 hours. (Can check around the 3 or 4 hour mark to see if it needs any more water or seasoning.) Serve with potatoes and carrots.

3) Parmesan Chicken~ I got this recipe from Terry Friend and it’s become a staple around here. It’s so good and so easy. And I love dishes that only call for 4 ingredients!!!

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 c. Miracle Whip

1/2 c. Parmesan cheese

2 tsp. seasoning (Lawry’s is good)

Preheat oven to 375. Mix Miracle Whip, Parmesan cheese and seasoning together. Spread over chicken. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes.

4) Potato Casserole~This one is good for breakfast or with a ham or just anytime. I’ve had several different versions and they’re all pretty good. I like it either with hashbrowns or with the small chunky potatoes…

1-2 lb. pkg frozen hash browns (or small potatoes)

1/4 c. melted butter

1 can cream of chicken soup

16 oz. sour cream

1/2 t. salt

1/4 t. pepper

2 c. grated cheddar cheese

1 c. (or double!) crushed potato chips or corn flakes

Butter 9×13 pan. Add butter to soup. Stir until smooth with sour cream, salt, pepper and 1 1/2 c. cheese. Put potatoes in bottom. Pour soup mixture over potatoes. Bake 3o minutes at 350, covered. Uncover, put on the rest of the cheese and chips/flakes on top and bake another 15-20 minutes.

5) Tiny Swedish Pancakes~ This recipe is from a dear little lady in my church, Elsie Norris. She used to make us for these around Christmas time every year in her home on the St. Croix. Her health has declined over the years and we don’t do this anymore, but everytime I make Swedish pancakes I think of her…and my Swedish Thulin loved ones, who also make awesome Swedish pancakes! (Their recipe is a secret though! )

1/2 c. all purpose flour

1 Tbsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. half and half

2 1/2 Tbsp. water

2 eggs, slightly beaten

melted butter

powdered sugar

and lemon, if you’re my family!

I can tell you right now, you’ll want to double this…they’re so good!

Mix flour, sugar and salt in a bowl. Add cream, water and eggs and beat until smooth. Place seasoned small frying pan over medium heat until hot enough to make a drop of water dance. Put a very small amount of batter in pan~ only enough to thinly coat the entire pan. They’re going to look like crepes, if that helps you visually. Cook until surface of cake looks dry. Turn over and continue until slightly brown. Stack and keep warm.

To serve: Place in stacks or fold/roll cakes. You can serve with a dot of jelly, with syrup, or like us~ with powdered sugar and freshly squeezed lemon. YUM!!!

6) Apple Stuffed French Toast~ This recipe is best to make the night before…so good for holidays or if you need to prepare something for someone else…

Loaf of French Bread cut into 16 slices

1 can apple pie filling

1 stick butter

1 c. brown sugar

cinnamon

6 eggs

1 1/2 c. milk

Melt brown sugar and butter together and pour into sprayed 9×13. Put 8 slices of bread into pan. Spread apple filling on top. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Put 8 slices of bread on top. Pour egg mixture over top, making sure all bread is covered. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

Bake covered for 45 minutes at 350. Then uncover and bake 15 minutes. Turn over each piece to serve, with syrup, if desired.

7) Banana Pudding~ My Mama gave me this best banana pudding ever recipe…it is SO good.

1 large box of instant vanilla pudding

2 c. milk

1 can Eagle Brand

Mix together well.

1 small Cool Whip~ add slowly to mixture.

Layer Vanilla Wafers, Bananas and Pudding mixture until all is used.

8) (Hello, Smiley Sunglasses Man!) Grape Salad~ This is another recipe from my Mama. This is good with so many things. It’s good with meals or as a dessert.

4 lbs. purple grapes

8 oz. sour cream

8 ox. cream cheese

1/2 c. sugar

Mix the sour cream, cream cheese and sugar together until the sugar dissolves. Add grapes. Put in 9×13 dish.

Top with:

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. pecans

9) Oreo Cookie Cake~ This recipe is from my Aunt Jean.

1 large bag Oreo cookies

1 1/2 gallon Vanilla Ice Cream

1 Large Cool Whip

Soften ice cream. Finely crush one row of cookies (in plastic bag) and spread on bottom of 9×13 dish. Crush one row of cookies and mix with Ice Cream and Cool Whip. Mix well and pour in pan. Crush the last row of cookies and place on top of ice cream mix. Freeze and cut.

10) Cream Cheese Bars~ Another delicious recipe from Terry. These are always good.

2 pkg Crescent Rolls

2~ 8 oz. Cream Cheese

3/4 c. sugar

1 egg, separated

1 tsp. vanilla

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

Preheat oven to 325.

Press 1 pkg. of crescent rolls into a 9×13 pan. Cream: cheese, egg yolk, vanilla, sugar and lemon juice. Pour on dough, but NOT to edge. Lay other pkg of crescent rolls on top. Pinch edges.

Beat egg white and spread on top of dough.

Bake at 325 for 25 minutes. Take out of oven and sprinkle powdered sugar on top.

***P.S. Happy Birthday to my husband, Nate!***

I am loving the lists that are coming in this week! Thanks for making it so much fun around here!!! If you’re just joining us, you can read about my Top 10 Favorite Beauty Products and then go over to Day Two’s Top 10 Favorite Restaurants. I don’t know about you, but reading about all that delicious food made me HUNGRY ALL DAY LONG!!! I cannot tell you how badly I want to try each of these restaurants. Some of them were restaurants that I can’t believe I neglected on my list and some were places I’ve never heard of…but now I feel fully equipped with places to try in different cities in the United States AND Germany! Woohoo!

With no further ado…well, hold on, first of all, let me say that I do not quite feel qualified to be writing about this one~ my Mama should be!!! (So please contribute to this list, Maxwella!!!) But here goes, for now…

DAY THREE…

Top 10 Favorite Household Tips:

1) Check out FlyLady.net. Seriously, that tip alone could be this entire post. I got hooked up with her daily emails a few years ago and the two months that I followed her tips were the cleanest my house has ever been. Notice I said, “Two months…” I made the notebook and everything, followed it to a T…and then slacked off and everything went downhill. The one thing that has stuck with me, though, is to set aside 15 minutes and clean like crazy or pick up or whatever you have to do…and when that 15 minutes is up, go on to whatever else you need to do. It’s amazing what you can get done in a 15-minute chunk of focused time.

2) Keep a small broom with an attachable dustpan in your kitchen. I could probably sweep all day long and still find things to sweep. That just isn’t going to happen! But having a broom & dustpan handy helps keep the floor from feeling like a food fight just took place…you know, kids and all.

3) Invest in a Swiffer. I love the Swiffer~ I use the one with the wet cloths. Perfect for when you need to “mop” in a HURRY, which is pretty much the only way it happens around here.

4) I had a Roomba and it was heavenly. Indie called it the “Beep-Bop.” It’s broken now and I miss it. It worked magic wonders on my carpet WHILE I DID NOT DO A THING. It also sent Alex into a conniption fit. He growled and snarled his teeth at that thing. It was hilarious. Wish I’d taken a video of it…but, anyway…they’re great!

5) My dad gave me this tip: When chopping food or peeling something or dumping your coffee grinds, use a small sheet of Saran Wrap (or whatever brand) to do the job on, then wrap it up when you’re done and toss…it makes clean up a breeze and eliminates dripping grinds in your garbage bags!

6) Courtney gave me this one: Put a saltine cracker in the brown sugar container to keep the sugar soft. Nifty, huh!

7) My grandmother does certain chores on certain days. Wednesday, she dusts; Thursday, she vacuums. To an extent, this is really helpful. Say, with ironing, if any of you still do that gross old job (my mother LOVES to IRON! God bless her!)~ it really does help to set aside certain days to do certain things. If it’s laundry, though, that just doesn’t work for me. I need to do laundry every day to keep up with it. Otherwise, it takes over!

8) Um. I am not sure where that sunglasses dude is coming from, but we’ll just go with it. I guess the number “8″ is code for sunglasses smiley, who knew! Back to the list! If you have toilet stains that seem impossible to get off…I know it’s gross, but we have well water and horrible rust…one thing that really works is to take a pumice stone and scrape around the bowl with that. I have one toilet that is seemingly beyond help, so if you have other rust answers, let me know. I think I may have tried every rust product out there, but would still love to hear your thoughts.

9) The age old tip that hairspray removes ink stains is really true.

10) And this last one is bad advice, I freely admit it…but it’s one I resort to frequently, I’m sorry to say. If company is coming in a hurry and you have stuff everywhere, gather it all in the laundry basket(s) and put it in your closet. Shut the door and run to answer the doorbell.

If you’re just joining in today, go back and see yesterday’s post. This is the week of Top 10 Favorite Things!

Yesterday, we covered Top 10 Beauty Products. You’ll want to look at the comments and see the extended lists in the lovely comments.

DAY TWO…

Top 10 Favorite Restaurants:

1) Chili’s (nationwide)~ has always been my favorite restaurant. Not only did I meet Nate there when I was 16 years old (in Irving, TX), which stands alone in reason enough for its greatness, but their Queso is good enough to make your hair grow an inch. It is SO divine. Their chips are also DELICIOUS. They have my favorite Fajitas. I love their Tacos too….their Chicken Sandwich…their Tortilla Soup…their Chicken Crispers…their Southwestern Eggrolls…their Salads…their Nachos. YUM. I’M HUNGRY!!!!! I guess this post COULD have been Top 10 Favorites at CHILI’S! I didn’t even get started on their desserts!

2) Buca di Beppo (nationwide)~ MMmmm! When I eat here, I die and hover around in the clouds a while. Their Mixed Green Salad with Prosciutto and Gorgonzola cheese is a meal in itself…but do not stop there. The bread they bring out…the CHICKEN WITH CAPERS!!!!!!!!!!!!…the Garlic Mashed Potatoes…the Meat Ravioli. Oh, it’s heavenly. I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed every pizza I’ve tried there. It’s a real treat to go to this place.

3) Saji-Ya (St. Paul, MN)~ It’s not the most beautiful restaurant, BUT…one side of this Japanese restaurant has Teppanyaki (where they cook everything right in front of you~ so fun!) and on the other side there is fantastic sushi. The Manny Roll is a specialty of the executive sushi chef Emanual “Manny” Ortega. It’s been talked about in magazines and it is worth every bit of praise it’s been given. He made it for Nate and I one Valentine’s Day, with us sitting right there watching him, and we can’t go without getting The Manny Roll now. The Caterpillar Roll is also exceptional.

4) It’s Greek To Me (Minneapolis, MN)~ If you like authentic Greek food, you’ll love this place. They are not afraid to serve Saganaki (Flaming Cheese), which is becoming more and more rare these days. We once had a waitress in Chicago cry when we ordered this. They squeeze butter over the tart cheese and light it and the flame is outstanding…and also very dangerous. However, done right, this is a crowd pleaser and extramely delicious with pita! OPA!!! Their gyros are great…they might be tied with number 5, though…

5) Gardens of Salonica (Minneapolis, MN)~ There might be even more things I love at Gardens of Salonica. Plus, our precious~ Jennifer~ introduced us to this place and we’ve eaten with her there many times over the years. That definitely adds to the sparkle. BUT…their Skordalia is divine (think hummus, only with mashed potatoes instead of chickpeas) and they have DELICIOUS Greek Fries that make the whole trip.

6) I can’t pick a favorite Mexican (fancy) restaurant. Mexican is my favorite and I’m always on the quest for the best. You’ll have to tell me the best ones. My fave used to be one from Pismo Beach that I can’t remember the name of and am not sure if it’s even there anymore…they had the first oversized burrito, I’m pretty sure of it. I also love the Mexican restaurant in Albert Lea mall~ maybe you can help us with the name of that one, Cheri? Other top picks are any Mexican Restaurant I’ve tried in Dallas~ help me out with the names of those, my Dallas friends…and for local, I like El Amanacer (St. Paul) and Boca Chica (St. Paul).

7) Potbelly Sandwich Shop (in some cool states, like MN and TX and PA, but not all of ‘em, YET)~ This is what I want to eat when nothing else sounds all that great, when I can’t talk anyone else into #10 (No! You can’t peek yet!) and also when I am just hungry for a tuna sandwich on a toasted wheat bun, FULL of jalapeno peppers. Oh, it is so tasty. I like to get so many peppers on there that I hiccup~ that’s how you know it’s good. My daughter especially loves this place and is Even Steven with me on the peppers.

8) Manny’s Steak House (Minneapolis, MN) ~ I haven’t been there much, but the experiences I’ve had have been excellent ones. Yes, the steak is so very delicious, but it’s the Manny’s Chopped Salad that will knock your socks off. Tosh and I went a few months ago and we have wanted the salad ever since. It has HEARTS OF PALM in it! And Candied Pecans!!! Oh man. I could eat that ’til the cows come home.

9) I have a tie going between these three restaurants that are so similar, have lots of the same things, but each have enough different things to make you crave a certain one at different times. They’ll all do in a pinch, though, know what I mean? Jake’s City Grille (5 MN locations), Axel’s Bonfire (7 MN locations) and Rudy’s Redeye Grill (Thought they were a MN thing, but thought I saw one in TX once? Not finding that online, so I’m not sure…) These restaurants are nice when you have a lot of different cravings in the same dinner party. At the top of the list for me is Rudy’s Redeye Grill. It is the prettiest and has fabulous Bull Bites and TOO-DIE-FOR POPOVERS that come with every meal…and many other lovely concoctions (!). Axel’s Bull Bites are probably still my favorite and they make a delicious Bruschetta Salad and fun pizzas. Jake’s Bull Bites are not nearly as good as the other two places, but their Pepperoni Rolls and Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad go above and beyond.

10) Now you’ll know why I added “fancy” to number 6…my favorite Mexican restaurant (and of all restaurants, if I’m telling the truth…is TACO BELL (nationwide). I know this will garner some comments, opinions and bewilderment. I’ll just let you ruminate on this a while…and imagine me digging into Nachos Supreme, a bean burrito/no onions and a large Pepsi.

*Greyley would like to add her favorites (besides Potbelly’s)~ Popeye’s Chicken and Sonic.

My friend, Courtney, thought it would be fun if I did a series on my top favorite things…and not just MY favorite things, but for you to contribute what your favorite things are, too…

So I’m going to do a week of Top 10 Favorites and would love for you to add your favorites along the way…

Tuesday: Top 10 Favorite Restaurants

Wednesday: Top 10 Favorite Household Tips

Thursday: Top 10 Recipes

Friday: Top 10 Things NOT To Do

For today, though, I’m pulling out the big dogs…

DAY ONE

Top 10 Favorite Beauty Products:

1) Listerine Pre-Brush Whitening Mouthwash~ My friend, Brenda, introduced me to this when we went to Dallas together and I LOVE it! Besides making my teeth whiter, it also gives me GOOD BREATH…and we all want that, don’t we.

2) Crest Extra Whitening Toothpaste~ Courtney uses this and her teeth are super white.

3) Vaseline Intensive Care Bath Beads~ My Mama always uses these in her bath and I love them. They make your water blue or green or pink and your skin super soft. My skin is VERY sensitive and I have had no trouble with them. I also use Walgreen’s brand and it’s great too. Since using this, I don’t have to use shaving gel to shave…

4) Opi Nail Polish and Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Polish~ I had a hard time picking between these two. I like them both a lot. I really don’t keep my fingernails polished much of the time, but my toes~ yes! And if I do break down and do my fingernails, it will be with one of these brands.

5) Sexy Hair Root Pump~ Besides the alluring title, this product really does work. Whether you want to straighten or curl, this will give your roots the volume you so desire. And I believe we really do all desire volume in our lives…or is that just me?

6) Moroccan Oil~ After I use Sexy Hair Root Pump on my roots, I put Moroccan Oil on my ends. My friend, Loren, sent me some of this and I about died and went to heaven. It is SO wonderful!!! And makes my dry ends feel so much better. It only takes a little bit, so the bottle lasts a long time.

7) Yes to Carrots Lip Butter (lip balm)~ This is another product Courtney introduced me to…they were giving them out at the YMCA where she works and she brought one over for me. It’s my favorite EVER and believe me, I have tried MANY!!! (I don’t know about you, but I call all lip balm “ChapStick” even though I never use that brand. What do you call it?)

8) Bare Minerals Well Rested~ I once devoted an entire blog post to this product. It is that good. I’ve been known to have some circles around my eyes (pretty much all the time) and this works MIRACLES. I LOVE IT. If I had to just use one thing, this would be it. It makes you look AWAKE! and WHOLE! and ALIVE! And it also makes you use EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!

9) Bare Minerals Powder Foundation and Mineral Veil~ Also very lovely products…I do still like to use a liquid foundation, too, (Lancome makes some great ones) but these are great on their own. I struggle with splotchiness and this evens my skin tone out. Love this line!

10) Clarisonic~ This is the cousin of the Sonic toothbrush, only for your skin. I hesitated to purchase this because of the expense, but it has been so beneficial for my face. It will last for years and it’s worth it! It gets 6x more makeup off just using it with water than a makeup remover or washing your face with cleanser alone. It also makes your skin feel silky smooth and I’m all for that.

So there you go…once I got started, it was hard to stop at just 10! But I’d love to hear what YOUR favorites are, so fill us in! And don’t forget to be thinking about the next Top 10 Lists…we can come up with some awesome things to try if we all throw our favorites in the pile.

XOXO and moisturizer!