Anyone else's Facebook feed filled with memes about how crazy awful 2016 was? Sure, we had a crazy election cycle and some unfortunate celebrity deaths, but I don't think it was half bad. In fact, my blog tells another story:



2016 was the year I started tracking my wellness with Fitbit
2016 was the year I met my blog bestie IRL
2016 was the year we brought home McHenry
2016 was the year our dream of visiting Ireland became a reality

I often chose enjoying moments over recording them, so 2016 held many more great memories that weren't documented here:

Regular get togethers with my out-of-state high school bestie—it had been hard to stay connected for awhile.
11 theatrical productions (I'm sure there's more, I'm counting my playbill selfies)
A consultation to make another dream come true in 2017: corrective vision surgery!

Overall, I can't complain when I look back on this year.

How was it for you?

I've shared before that I adore Operation Christmas Child. Packing shoebox gifts always brings me joy, and working for a non-profit that works in many of the countries where the gifts are sent has given me even more appreciation for what these gifts mean to their recipients.

Even cooler (maybe) than packing shoeboxes is having the opportunity to volunteer at an OCC processing center. This is the third year that we've had a center in the Baltimore area, and it's so cool to be able to take some time after work to process shoeboxes. It's now one of my favorite Christmas traditions.



It is my opinion that there is no greater source of insight or inspiration regarding packing a shoebox than to volunteer at a processing center at least once. Inspecting hundreds of shoeboxes before they ship to their final homes will constantly have you saying "wow, what a cool idea!" or "No! What were they thinking?"

Of course, I know that while anyone can pack a shoebox, not everyone can easily get to a processing center, so here are my top 5 items to not even think about packing:

• Liquid: Nothing makes me sadder than when someone thought they were being generous with a full-size  bottle of shampoo or body wash that I promptly have to remove. Other liquid items we frequently have to pull include lotion and, the one that a lot of people don't seem to get, toys like bouncy balls or bracelets that have glitter suspended in liquid. It still can't go.
• Mediocre awards: I was stunned last year when I found a medal in a shoebox... a third place medal. Yikes. I've seen random trophies come through too, and more medals this year...though at least they were more generic ones that share the true American spirit of participation awards.
• Food: Canned goods and bags of mini-oreos are all customs violations. Also, saving the tops of yogurt containers that contain toppings like m&ms and granola? No. Just no.
• All items in one category: a box of all clothes, all toys, etc., is very generous, but the shoebox is an opportunity to meet a variety of needs. You know that "something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read" gifting mantra that keeps floating around facebook? Apply that to the shoebox. Instead of 5 shirts, maybe a shirt, a bar of soap, a toy, and some school supplies. 
• Morbid personal items: Last year's third place medal took the take for worst item found in a shoebox...until this year when I discovered memorial cards from someone's funeral. Eww.

Last year over the holidays, I was craving tacos. Super traditional, I know.

I placed a mobile order for delivery (a huge perk of city living!) and dug in the second they arrived. Man, they tasted good. Better than ever. Must be my craving feeling extra satisfied.

Then, I looked down at my plate and realized the startling truth: I ordered sofritas (tofu) tacos, but had in fact received and eaten tacos instead prepared with barbacoa...shredded beef.

You may be thinking "what's the big deal?"

Well, I'd been a vegetarian just shy of 3 years until this moment. One sentiment I'd heard repeated when I began my vegetarian journey was that if I were ever to go back to eating meat, I should expect some serious protest from my stomach.

But man, I was hungry. And the barbacoa was surprisingly tasty. I checked our medicine cabinet to be sure we had the appropriate digestive health items available and promptly devoured the remaining tacos.

What have we learned here?
1. I'm just now getting around to telling you that I'm technically a vegetarian and
2. Digestive health relief items like PEPCID® matter. A lot. Miraculously, I didn't get sick, but I felt a lot better knowing I had relief available if  I needed it.



Whether your holiday meal is a traditional feast or a specific craving like mine, it's good to be prepared with the right digestive health products to offer relief from the feasting:  rich, delicious food often lead to tummy trouble—and who wants to suffer over the holidays?

Choose Walmart  for your pre-holiday shopping since PEPCID® and all your other digestive health needs are available at everyday low prices. Plus, it's a one stop shop for your groceries and any other needs!



So you're prepared in case of a whoops moment like mine, one winner will receive a $15 Walmart gift card to stock up on digestive health essentials. Just enter below!

It's no secret that I adore my Fitbit. My mom and sister both have one as well as do several of my
co-workers, and I see no sign of their popularity declining.

I know lots of people who are intrigued by Fitbit but can't swallow the price tag. I know—I used to be one of them. Had I not won mine, I may not have one. At least, not until now: I was perusing Groupon Goods (for Christmas gift ideas, I swear!), and saw they have HUGE savings on fitness trackers including the Fitbit Flex (26% off) and Fitbit Charge HR (30% off). I'd definitely jump on that kind of deal.




Other trackers are available at even deeper savings if you like the idea of a fitness tracker but don't care so much about brand or just need a lower price point; today's doorbuster is the Jawbone tracker, and no pun intended, but my jaw dropped when I saw they only start at $22.99 now–Thursday (normally $130)!


Groupon Goods also has deals on Garmin and Jarvelite trackers and tracker accessories like replacement wristbands.

I'm stunned. I've always been a Groupon lover and I've bought their goods from time to time, but I never looked to them as a source for brand name goods like Fitbit. Clearly, I have to change my opinion as Groupon Goods has totally stepped their game up in time for the holidays! If you were hoping to gift one this Christmas (even to yourself, I don't judge!), look no further. You're welcome!

Have you bought anything from Groupon Goods? What's the best deal you've snagged?

Eamonn Smyth

Eamonn Smyth

Eamonn Smyth

I feel like I've been moving at warp speed ever since coming back from Ireland. October was filled to the brim with insanity to accomplish and now it's November and I'm realizing I need to hussle—I'm usually halfway done with holiday shopping by now and I have gifts for literally one person taken care of. Still, there's plenty going on to appreciate:

1. Halloween

I haven't really celebrated the holiday in years, but since the church plant Sean and I help with wants to be active in the community, we decided to knock on doors for a little reverse trick-or-treating the day before Halloween and give candy to our local residents.

2. A healthy Anise

Anise was sick for over 6 weeks. Lots of $ spent on 4 vet visits  offered us the same (ineffective) treatment option over and over again—super frustrating. We were told all sorts of things ranging from the equivalent of "she's fine, you're just a hypochondriac" (all her lab tests came back perfect despite her clear and unceasing symptoms) to the equally frustrating but much preferred "I honestly don't know." We finally went to a completely new vet for a second opinion, and while he was equally unsure what was wrong, his last-ditch treatment effort before we entered the world of super-pricey testing actually worked! She's been in the clear for about a week and a half now and I'm so grateful!

3. Fall Decor

With all our extra funds going to the vet for awhile, our front stoop looked pretty sad for awhile. Thankfully, on a recent BJ's run, I saw pairs of mums for only $7, adding just the pop of color that was needed. Of course, in just a few more weeks, I'll be putting out Christmas garland, but I'll enjoy the lovely blooms while I can!

4. Theatre

One of the best things about living in Baltimore is the proximity to the Hippodrome Theatre, where there are several touring Broadway productions each season. This week, my high school bestie came up for some girl time including watching Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella! We're never too old for fairy tales.

5. More Theatre

What has been fabulous for you this week?

I enjoy a good pumpkin dessert as well as the next person (I've been baking this one several times each fall for years), but geez, people! Do pumpkins have to get all the credit?

Every August I roll my eyes when I'm still drowning in humidity and Starbucks is announcing the PSL has been released early. I roll them again the Monday after Labor Day when it's still 90+ out but women determined to summon fall temperatures are shopping for pumpkin spice flavored yogurt, cereal, gum, and...laundry detergent? All while bundled up in sweaters and Uggs. Why!?

I'm here to speak up for fall's underdog and my personal favorite: the apple. More specifically, the yummy cider that it produces.

Meander around blog land for a moment and you're sure to be pummeled with fall bucket lists that have to do with pumpkin, pumpkin, a leaf pile, and some more pumpkin. Apples might get some love with "go apple picking" (admittedly I still want to do this, we were rained out last year when we tried), but they clearly deserve more fall real estate.

I love the craft beverage movement. While I don't enjoy beer and I'm still quite picky when it comes to wine, I do love a good cider, and craft cideries are popping up more frequently which made for the perfect fall date this weekend: one gorgeous Saturday and two fall cideries within an hour's drive from our home (and there are plenty more to look into!).

Just look at those gorgeous  open-air windows!

We then continued north into Pennsylvanis for our second stop, Wyndridge Farms. We happened to be at our local liquor store one day last year when they were offering a tasting and I became hooked on their Crafty Cranberry cider. An Instagram follower clued me in to the fact that Wyndridge's farm was both local and gorgeous, so of course a visit and tour was in order! Everything was gorgeous as promised, but photos were few as there was a wedding that day (and every Friday/Saturday/Sunday in October and November—Wyndridge has become quite the popular wedding destination for a new kid in town).





Wyndridge had a very modern and almost corporate feel. Everything was shiny, new, and meticulously branded. I've been on a few brewery tours with Sean in the past and was stunned that the beverage making and bottling process at Wyndridge all happened in the same room. In contrast to Millstone, The ciders are pasteurized and filtered for clarity like most product you would find in stores.

In addition to ciders, Wyndridge produces their own beer, wine, and craft soda (you can sample any drinks in their onsite bar and restaurant). They have a permanent beverage line-up which you can find in stores as well as various rotating small batches which they serve in their bar/restaurant. I discovered two new favorite ciders only to be devastated when I realized they weren't a bottled product I could take with me (growlers are available, but we didn't think to bring any and I refuse to allow any new ones into our house).

Love that you can mix and match beer and cider in flights at Wyndridge!

We had a blast touring and tasting at both facilities, and I loved that we did two in the same day. Seeing how different Millstone and Wyndridge are made the experience a lot more interesting. One isn't better than the other; they simply offer distinctly different products that are all a matter of personal taste.

If you're on or visiting the East Coast, I'd definitely encourage visits to both facilities. I've also put together a list of additional hard cideries in the mid-Atlantic area for fellow apple lovers in need of a good fall date:

Hard Cider in Washington, DC

Hard Cider in Virginia

Bold Rock
Blue Bee
Old Hill
Foggy Ridge
Castle Hill
Buskey 
Courthouse Creek
Albemarle CiderWorks 
Big Fish 
Blue Toad
Chateau Morrisette 
Cobbler Mountain
Corcoran 
Kindred Pointe 
Mt. Defiance 
Potter’s
Wild Hare 
Winchester Ciderworks

Hard Cider in Maryland

Millstone
Willow Oaks
Distillery Lane Ciderworks
Faulkner

Hard Cider in Delaware

Rebel Seed

Hard Cider in Pennsylvania

Wyndridge Farm
Jack's Hard Cider
Arsenal Cider House & Wine Cellar .
Big Hill Ciderworks 
Blackledge 
Broad Mountain Vineyard 
Civil War Cider 
Colonel Ricketts
Commonwealth
Conneaut Cellars Winery 
Deep Roots
Frecon’s Cidery 
Good Intent Cider 
Hardball Cider 
Keewaydin Cider Mill 
Knockin Noggin
Kurant Cider 
Moon Dancer Winery & Cider House 
Power Core Hard Cider 
Reid’s Orchard & Winery 
Rowan Asher Winery & Hard Cidery 
Stone & Key Cellars 
Threadbare Cider and Mead 

Hard Cider in New Jersey

Ironbound 
Melick’s Town Farm 
Twisted Limb 

Hard Cider in New York

Bellwether
Critz Farms
Warwick Valley

It's that time of year again. The days are getting shorter, the air is getting cooler and the nights are getting spookier. Yes, it's time for tricks and treats, goblins and ghouls, chills and thrills and huge amounts of sugary sweets. But at the Laughing Vixen Lounge blog it's also time for the 5th annual Attack of the 14 Nights of Halloween Giveaway. Join Laughing Vixen Lounge and our bewitching co-hosts The Kids Did It, The Mommy Island, Herding Cats and Burning Soup, The Hopping Bloggers, Mama Smith's Reviews and Women and Their Pretties for a spooktacular Halloween event.


Enter to win a $250 Prize Pack filled with goodies from 10 wickedly fabulous shops. All shops are offering Gift Cards or your choice of item(s) so there will be something for everyone. You'll find lots of unique, handcrafted and custom designs to choose from.


Visit the Laughing Vixen Lounge blog daily during the giveaway for the Halloween Movie Marathon. Test your movie knowledge with the Guess the Movie Game. Then try to solve the Murder Mystery Scavenger Hunt, if you dare! Each event will get you daily entries in the giveaway plus a special giveaway for the Scavenger Hunt. Find full details for these events HERE.


You can start by entering the Rafflecopter widget below. To experience all the games, movies, shop features, giveaway info and all around awesome fun make sure to stop by the Laughing Vixen Lounge blog HERE. 
 

The giveaway runs October 18th - November 1st and is open worldwide to anyone 18+. 1 winner will win the Prize Pack and 1 winner will win the Scavenger Hunt Prize Pack. Laughing Vixen Lounge is responsible for all giveaway details. Click HERE for full details.

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