i love

the money-is-no-object Christmas list.

November 22, 2011 By lissa 14 Comments

I’m totally stealing this idea from Thea… it’s fun to dream!

My Christmas list, should money be free-flowing and wishes be granted:

A baby.

A cook, for when my husband is gone for those weeks every month. When he is home, I would still like him to cook for us, he is pretty darn good at it and creates delicious masterpieces! This cook would dish up healthy foods that would make me skinny in no time.

Since we mentioned the skinny, I will also take a full-body lipo with tummy tuck.

After all that work on my body, I will probably need a spa day, complete with facial and pedicure.

A barn. A big, red barn.

A workshop where I can listen to good music and create beautiful things.

My boys to reach their goals on their charity: water campaigns!

A mountain cabin in Colorado, with huge windows letting in lots of light and a view of gorgeous trees all around.

A trip for my family to a destination outside of the U.S., possibly to: Costa Rica, Norway, Italy, Iceland, Germany, or a million other places on my list.

That’s about it! Oh, I should also add that diamonds are pretty awesome, too.

What would be on your list, should money be no concern?

Filed Under: i love, my life Tagged With: christmas list, dreaming, money, wishing

fiesta! {tea collection giveaway}

August 29, 2011 By lissa 33 Comments

Have you heard about Tea? I’m not talking about the drink, I mean the world-inspired clothing line offered here. The fashion collections are inspired by world travels and culture. The styles for Fall 2011 are modeled after modern Mexico.

This was my first experience with clothing from Tea, and I am super-impressed with the not only the design of the pieces, but also the quality. You know how rough and rowdy 8-year-old boys can be, and I have TWO of them, so clothing that will endure on a daily basis is definitely a plus!

Tea gave us the opportunity to choose some pieces from their current line, just in time for back-to-school! The clothing arrived a few days ago, and I am in love. After football practice last night, the {sweaty} boys and I had an impromptu photo shoot in their new duds.

Let’s begin with the Long Sleeve Purity Tees, cute on their own or layered under short-sleeved shirts!

The striped, yarn-dyed Cinco Senses Hoodie? My favorite. Times two.

Both of the above pieces are perfect for layering under tees, too. We stocked up on the short-sleeved shirts found in the sale section of the site, from the Catalonia summer line. I may have went above and beyond my allotted amount and dug into my own pockets, but these shirts were just so FITTING for the twins. They HAD to have them. *cough*

Last but not least, I had to purchase this adorable little dress for a friend’s baby. I haven’t sent it to her yet, so shhhhhh…

Want to try out the clothing from Tea for yourself {yes, they have a women’s line!} or your children? You can WIN a $50 gift certificate! Simply check out Tea Collection and leave a comment here telling me one of your favorite pieces!

Extra entries, leave comments for each:

Like Tea Collection on Facebook!
Tweet about this giveaway!

I will randomly choose a winner on Monday, September 4th, 2011! Good luck!

Tea Collection provided me with a gift certificate to purchase clothing, as well as a $50 gift certificate to giveaway. Giveaway open to US residents only, sorry. The opinions are mine, as always.

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Filed Under: giving away, i love, people Tagged With: clothing, i love, kids, modern mexico, photos, tea, tea collection

fresh strawberry yogurt cake

July 10, 2011 By lissa 1 Comment

Recipe: Fresh Strawberry Yogurt Cake

{from A Spicy Perspective}

Summary: Delicious, easy cake using fresh fruit. Perfect for summer!

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
3 Tablespoons lemon juice {divided}
Zest from 1 lemon
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour {divided}
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 oz plain or vanilla greek yogurt
12 oz fresh strawberries, diced
1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan.
Sift together the 2 1/4 cups of flour, baking soda and salt.
Mix in the lemon zest, set aside.
With mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in 1 T lemon juice.
Alternate beating in the flour mixture and the yogurt, mixing just until incorporated.
Toss the strawberries with remaining 1/4 cup flour.
Gently mix into batter.
Pour the batter into the Bundt pan.
Bake for 60 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into middle of cake comes out clean.
Allow to cool 10 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto wire rack and allow to cool completely.
Once cooled, whisk together the remaining 2 T of lemon juice and the powdered sugar.
Drizzle over the top of the cake.

Cooking time: 1 hour(s)

Number of servings (yield): 12

My rating 4 stars: ★★★★☆ 1 review(s)

See my other fourth of July recipes here:

Pasta salad with grilled summer vegetables and fresh mozarella.

Key lime pie.

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Filed Under: i love, recipes Tagged With: cake, delicious, dessert, fourth of July, lemons, strawberries, summer treat, yogurt, zest

key lime pie

July 10, 2011 By lissa Leave a Comment

I’ve had several people ask me to share the recipes I made over the fourth of July. This delicious key lime pie recipe is from the lovely Pioneer Woman. It is sooooo easy to make and so incredibly yummy. If you know me, you know I am not a huge fan of cooking, so trust me when I say anyone can make this pie.

Ingredients

Crust:
18 whole Graham Crackers (the 4-section large ones)
1/3 cup Sugar
1/3 cup Butter (melted)

Filling:
1 (heaping) Tablespoon Lime Zest*
1/2 cup Lime Juice*
2 whole Egg Yolks
1 can (14 Oz) Sweetened Condensed Milk

*I have found that 2-3 limes is usually enough for me to get the zest and enough lime juice squeezed out.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

For the crust:
Crush crackers in a food processor or Ziploc bag. Pour into a bowl and stir in sugar and melted butter. Press into a pie pan and bake for 5 minutes or until golden and set. Remove from oven and set aside to cool slightly.

For the filling:
Mix lime zest, lime juice, and egg yolks in a mixing bowl. Add in condensed milk and mix on high until smooth and thick. Pour mixture into crust and bake for 15 minutes.

Remove from oven, allow to cool, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour—more if possible.

Serve with sweetened whipped cream and more grated lime zest.

Check out my other recipes from the fourth of July:

Pasta salad with grilled summer vegetables and fresh mozarella.

Fresh strawberry yogurt cake.

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Filed Under: i love, recipes Tagged With: delicious, dessert, easy, fourth of July, graham cracker crust, key lime pie, limes, pie, Pioneer Woman, recipe, sugar, yum

i click.

May 25, 2011 By lissa 4 Comments

Last year at Fitbloggin’ 10, I went home with a swag bag that included samples of a protein espresso drink I had never heard of before. I’ll admit, I let it sit for weeks and weeks, but when I tried it, it was love at first taste. Since that time, CLICK has supported me and the Sisterhood through challenge, Team Shrinking Jeans, and most recently, sponsoring Christy and I for Fitbloggin’ 11.

Not only are Kelli and Beth fun to work with, they make a product that I truly enjoy. My training season {like I’m actually a runner or something??} is not complete without having canisters of CLICK handy for a post-long run recovery drink. Last year, my go-to drink for recovery was chocolate milk. Post-Fitbloggin’, CLICK took it’s place.

If you haven’t heard of CLICK, it is an espresso-based drink {you can add either milk or water, drink hot or cold} with 15 grams of protein per serving. Add to that 23 different vitamins and minerals and your body will love you! CLICK comes in two flavors, vanilla latte and mocha and is now available in a natural variety!

How does that sound? Pretty CLICK’tastic? I think so.

P.S. We are giving away two CLICK goody packages at The Sisterhood. Hurry and enter by midnight tonight!

Filed Under: i love Tagged With: CLICK, CLICK'tastic, espresso drink, great company, long runs, recovery, review, running

45 days. {giveaway}

May 6, 2011 By lissa 5 Comments

45 days to reach our goal.

45 days to raise enough money to save lives. 1 BILLION people do not have access to clean water.

45 days to fund a project that will help women and children spend less time walking miles and miles for {dirty} water, which will enable them to spend their time being educated and bringing in income for their family.

45 days to make their days so much better and brighter.

photo by J & S Lang

I’ve been thinking and thinking of ways to raise money for these people, how to give these children a chance at life. Besides just running. I have channeled my inner-crafter-that-i-never-knew-i-had. I’m making things. Pretty things. {of course, even if you don’t like pretty things, you can just simply donate here}

Like these bracelets:

and these cute bobbies:

The bracelets are made of jersey knit and are currently available in aqua, chocolate brown, black, and camouflage. {note: camo is only printed on one side of fabric, so their is a mixture of white in the bracelets, but I personally think it adds to it and I love}.

The bobby pins will come in a set of 2… colors and sizes will be a surprise! Variety of circle, square, and heart buttons {turquoise, pink, brown} on a flowery cut-out from a vintage dictionary!

Or maybe you would like a simple charity: water bracelet. Black with white lettering.

Last, but not least, let me tell you about Ariah Fine. He is a father of two and has a mission of teaching children who have the privilege of clean water more about those who do not. To serve this purpose, Ariah wrote the children’s book Clean Water for Elirose. He donates the profits from all sales directly to clean water projects. He first contacted me when my son, Bridger, gave up Christmas to fund a water well. We have been in touch ever since, and he is working with me to sell his books and the profits will go to our campaign! Read more about Ariah on the charity: water blog. These books would make great gifts to the children in your life, teachers, and libraries!

How to make your purchases?

All are $15!

Donate directly to our project: http://mycharitywater.org/anderson. Send me an email {anderson.lissa@gmail.com} with the products you want and mailing address!
Send the money through paypal {anderson.lissa@gmail.com}. Make sure you put the products you want and mailing info in the comments of the transaction!
Send me a check directly through snail mail. Email me for mailing info {anderson.lissa@gmail.com}!

If you live in the Mandan/Bismarck areas, I will deliver products if you prefer, otherwise all orders will be sent out via USPS. Also, if you are going to Fitbloggin’ in a few weeks, I can also deliver, if you wish!

Now, for the giveaway!

I am giving away one the above products to {two} winners!! Winner’s choice!

How to enter:

I need your help getting the word out. I have a lot of money to raise in the next 45 days. I’m offering you these ways to enter:

Share my project on Facebook, you can use this link: http://bit.ly/j3SEEO
Share my project on Twitter, again, use this link: http://bit.ly/j3SEEO
Blog about this project, feel free to use any of the above product photos in your post! Link to this post by using this link: http://bit.ly/j3SEEO
Post this pretty little button on your site {copy and paste the code from over there —–>}

FOUR WAYS to enter! Easy! Make sure you come back and tell me what you’ve done!

There you have it! Four ways to win! Contest will end Friday, May 13th and winners will be randomly chosen and announced the following day! Good luck!

Thank you so much for all the help in spreading the word and donations.

There are no words for how much it means to me.

xoxo

Filed Under: charity, giving away, i love, kids, my life, photos Tagged With: anderson, ariah fine, bracelets, charity, charity: water, clean water, clean water for elirose, crafts, hair pins, raising money, vintage, water, well

for Cyndee.

April 5, 2011 By lissa 18 Comments

you have taught me that a giggle can wash away a bad day in only seconds,
that a positive attitude can change the path of the world.

looking at you and Al, i know that soul mates exist and true love goes on forever.

i have watched you love on my children since the day they were born, and they know that you are made of awesome.

we have loved your fun ideas, crafts, treats, and goodies. i only wish i inherited that talent. i may or may not be drooling just thinking of your hot pickle mix.

i have learned that cookies and cream liquor + butterscotch schnapps is pretty damn delicious. {after i was of legal drinking age, of course. cough.} trick-or-treating at your house was always the best because you didn’t forget about us big kids.

but if you drink too much, you run a risk of waking up feeling not-so-hot from the bad shrimp. {damn shrimp}

and that a four-wheeler ride is so much better if you find puddles and mud. the bigger the puddle, the better.

i can’t tell you how much i am going to miss our bunkhouse days. those are my most favorite days. ever. the r bar is just not going to be the same without you.

your strength was amazing. inspiring. and you kept your Krank stubbornness until the very end. {i do believe i did get that trait}

your sunshine will live on.

you were loved.
you are loved.
you will {always} be loved.

yesterday is history,
tomorrow is a mystery,
but today is a gift.

Filed Under: i love, my life, people, photos Tagged With: Cyndee, family, laughter and giggles, love, photos, sunshine

what if…

March 22, 2011 By lissa 4 Comments

{happy world water day}

this morning, i showered. i filled up my bright green tea kettle with tap water and heated it on the stove for my coffee press. twice. all four of my kids went to school bathed. we brushed our teeth, flushed our toilets, washed our hands.

but what if we couldn’t?

what if our water looked like this {collected from a puddle in our backyard}?

what if your child was one of the 42,000 that die each week from unsafe water and unhygienic living?

what if, instead of going to the gym to exercise, our exercise consisted of walking miles and miles each day to collect water for ourselves and our families? all the while lugging a jerry can weighing forty pounds when filled?

photos by friends, J and S Lang.

what if the life expectancy for you and your loved ones was only 39 years? in six years, my children would be orphans.

what if you could change this?

{we can}

our family of six is running to provide clean water for a community of hundreds. if 247 of you each donate twenty dollars, it will happen.

what if?

donate here: http://mycharitywater.org/anderson
help me spread the word?

i’m running for water
follow me on twitter.
subscribe to my blog.

Filed Under: charity, i love, kids, my life, people, photos, places Tagged With: Africa, andersons running for water, bunkhouse, charity: water, children, clean water, death, fundraising, jerry can, saving lives, unhygienic, unsafe water

meet the andersons {team: bunkhouse}

March 20, 2011 By lissa 8 Comments

we are the anderson family. a bit dysfunctional, a pinch of crazy, but filled with love.

our little man, Bridger, rocked his campaign for clean water over Christmas. his grand total? $5,622. {thank you} our entire family has grown to admire and love the mission of charity: water. because of them, the people who believe in their work, and those of you who give your money to make these miracles happen, villages in developing nations can say good-bye to their dirty, unsafe, bacteria-ridden water and have a new chance at life. with our donations, these families are given access to clean water and educated on the importance of hygiene and adequate sanitation.

this spring, our family is running for water. we are making our own course at our most favorite of places {the bunkhouse}. mom and dad are doing a half-marathon {13.1 miles} and babes are doing a 5k {3.1 miles}. june 12th is the day.

meet the family:

this is Melissa. she enjoys seeing the world, capturing it with her camera and dreams of brightening the world through humanitarian missions. she spends a lot of her time on her four lovely children, and loves to watch her community {the sisterhood of the shrinking jeans} grow and inspire. sunshine makes her happy. she’s not a runner, but loves trying to {sort of} run for a good cause.

this is Justin. when he is not busy rockin’ the bakken and working hard for his family, he enjoys riding around and doing crazy tricks {giving his wife a heart attack} on his beast of a 4-wheeler. he surprised the wife when he agreed to do this little project with her. she’s a little jealous that he can not run for years and then just get out there and his legs go and go.

here we have Kane. he’s busy being a teenager {and all the perks that go along with teenage-dom}. he enjoys following in his father’s footsteps and likes things that go fast or shoot and football. he plans to smoke us during our race.

say hello to Averie. she is our little girl who isn’t so little anymore. when she isn’t dancing, you can find her texting, talking on the phone, daydreaming about boys and shopping. she was a bit slow to agree to this whole idea, because, hello, her legs will hurt. luckily, she is being a good sport and joining us on this adventure.

next we have Ashton. he is one of our twins and he likes counting things, golf, money and puffins. he gave his brother many allowances during his clean water for Christmas campaign. he has a heart of gold and is one funny guy. this will be his third 5k!

last, but not least, is Bridger. our other twin, he inspired us all by opening his heart and giving up his Christmas presents in hopes of helping children in Africa. when he is not busy trying to change the world, he enjoys creating lego masterpieces, drawing, soccer, and space. he completed his first 5k last summer {and beat me}.

i hope you will follow along with us for the next three months as we put our hearts and souls into training and fundraising. we are very excited and blessed to have this opportunity to help raise awareness {and money} for this great cause.

we’re a little excited, can you tell?

with your help and a little of this:

we can make this:

turn into this:

click here to donate.

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Filed Under: charity, i love, kids, my life, people, photos Tagged With: Africa, andersons, campaign, change the world, charity, charity: water, clean water, kids, team bunkhouse

i love

January 27, 2011 By lissa 9 Comments

products i’m loving, right now:

avalon organics vitamin c face cleanser

it rocks. that is all. found it at target!

silver jeans

i may have about 632 pairs of them in all sizes.

victoria’s secret body by victoria bras

no bra photos. i love the unlined full-coverage, and santa brought me a few of the lined full-coverage and i thought, “no way”, but then i put one on and omg, my boobs have never looked so perky, so i kept them.