Do you get excited as I do when you hear the words “ROAD TRIP!”?  My husband and my kids know that I am always up for a road trip.

I recently went on a road trip with my wonderful daughter and awesome daughter-in-law.  We decided that we wanted to have a girls getaway weekend and so we headed on down to St. George, UT.  One of the things that we did while we were there was seeing the play Beauty and the Beast at the Tuacahn Theatre.  The amphitheatre is outside, the weather was perfect that night and we had the best time.

Before we left, I happened to notice that my local Maverik Gas Station had a new Nitro Debit Card so I applied and got my card.   The signup process was “beauty”fully” easy.  (pun intended) Because it’s not a credit card, there’s no credit check.  Your bank account just needs to be verified and your card will be on it’s way in the mail.  The “beauty” of this card is that it’s not a credit card and I don’t get a huge  “beastly” bill at the end of the month.  All charges are just taken directly  from your checking account and you’re done.

Another “beauty”ful feature of this card is that you earn rewards.  Look at what you get with this card:

•    Save 6¢ per gallon on fuel — every gallon, every day
•    Instant price match on fuel — Maverik matches the pump price of any qualified local competitor if it’s lower than the everyday 6¢ discount
•    $1 fountain drinks (up to XL cups or 64-ounce refills)
•    Earn 2x Trail Points and spend ’em to…
•    Win Stuff like trips, adventure vehicles & more
•    Buy Stuff like G-Cards, mugs, apparel & gear
•    Give Stuff by turning your Trail Points into charitable donations
•    “Nitro Nights” — free access to movie premieres, concerts, and events when you present your Nitro card.
•    Follow Nitro on social media for the hook-up: (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
•    Get an instant $5 G-Card just for signing up!

So, back to our Beauty and the Beast road trip.  Of course we three gals stopped off at my nearest Maverik to get our road trip snacks and here is a picture of my favorite drink.  Isn’t she a thing of “beauty”?

If you are wondering what this is, it is a coke with some French Vanilla Creamer mixed in.   Pure bliss.

Mine was an XX Large but with your Nitro Card you can get XL Drinks for just a buck and you can earn rewards for a free one.  Just look, I’m on my way!  When applicable items are purchased with your Nitro Card it automatically keeps track of your purchases online.   Not another punch card for your wallet!  “Beauty”ful!!!

Now, can we talk bathrooms?  After my XL drink, we obviously needed to make a pit stop and everyone knows that gas station bathrooms can either be “beauty”ful or “beast”ly.  Our family thinks that the restrooms at Maverik’s have always been one of their greatest selling points because their restrooms are clean and “beauty”ful.  Nuff said.

One last thing about Maverik is that we have always encountered the nicest people working there.  While I was taking a picture of my “beauty”ful coke and creamer drink, one of Maverik’s employees was teasing me and struck a pose for me.  I’m sure that you’d agree that he is far from having a “beast”ly demeanor!

So if saving money is a “beauty”ful thing for you, or if you are as hungry as a “beast”,  then hurry up and get your Nitro Debit Card and head on down to your local Maverik Adventure Stop.  They are a class “act”.

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Now for the giveaway!

One lucky winner will receive:

1)  3 Night Hotel Stay in the Anaheim, California Area

2)  2 Adult and 2 Kids passes to TWO Southern California Attractions*

3)  $600 Visa Gift Card

Valued at $1,800 to $2,100 (depending on attractions winner chooses)!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GOOD LUCK!

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We head home tomorrow afternoon after a week full of fun and food. So far we have seen the Old North Church, Faneuil Hall, Old State House, State House, MIT, USS Constitution, Beacon Hill, Salem and Little Italy. We all agree that we have “eaten” our way through this trip. If you are ever in Little Italy don’t miss “Mike’s Pastry Shop”! The cannoli’s and macaroon’s are to die for! We found a bread bakery down an alley and all they make is artisan bread from 6am to 12am! We thought we had died and gone to heaven!

The day we found the bakery we had eaten a “big” italian late lunch. What’s a girl(s) to do for dinner”? Buy a loaf of artisan bread from the bakery and butter from the corner market. On the way home to the hotel, get a gelato and then come back to the hotel. In your hotel room have bread and butter for the rest of  “dinner”. This is what you do when your wonderful husband and darling children are no where to be seen!  Boston is a wonderful city, but it is not the location that makes this trip special.  It is all about family….let me explain.

If there is one thing my sister’s and I know how to do well it is to have fun with each other anywhere, anytime. When we laugh it is not the “normal” kind of laugh, it is the “throw your head back, mouth wide open, loud till you cry” kind of  laugh. It is this crazy sense of humor that has gotten us through trials such as breast cancer, meningitis, lost pregnancy and the passing away of our father  to cancer ….. I’m not sure what I did to deserve these amazing women in my life, I only know it must have been something truly amazing to earn the honor of having them for sisters and such a wonderful mother.

Today is our last day in Boston, I thought it would be fun to share a few pictures of our “escapades” with you. Monday we will be back on “schedule” with something new we tried from Pinterest. In the meantime……..

On our way to the Old North Church we walked by this cemetery and there sits this beautiful black cat. Really? A black cat in the cemetery right before Halloween, love it!Debbie took this while we were walking to see the USS Constitution. Love the fall colors with the flag off to the side.The “baker” explained what every loaf of bread was and what specialty flours were used to make it. Amazing! We are going back tomorrow so we can each purchase a loaf to take home and share it with our families.

Below is Debbie in front of a ginormous piece of Kraft Mac & Cheese. Yes, Kraft Mac & Cheese is a fav on our family!

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Never happened.

Until now, thanks to Jenn Allyson at The Project Girl for her post on guest baskets. The free “Welcome” printable made it easy.

My original idea involved a clear plastic box from Target. BORING! Jenn’s basket inspired me to do better. I found my baskets at TJ Max. I love burlap and I had some pearls left over from my daughter’s wedding.

I remembered a  wreath I had pinned on Pinterest with large burlap flowers. I grabbed my glue gun and got started.

The flowers were easy to make and I love the pearl in the center. Some people may not think that burlap and pearls go together, my basket should prove them wrong.

This project was quick and easy with great results. If I can make a basket look this good, anyone can.

The first basket went so well that I made a second one for when we have multiple families come stay with us.

Now I look organized and crafty at the same time. I must say that…….

This Pin ROCKS!

Linking to:  DIY Showoff –  Somewhat Simple –  Fireflies & Jellybeans –  The 36th Avenue – Thrifty Decor Chick – Live Laugh Rowe – Glued To My Crafts – Something Swanky – Tidy Mom – See Vanessa Craft

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Laurie’s picture is full of pink, ruffles and pearls. Thank you Laurie from Tip Junkie for this great pin. My picture is all boy, grey, blue, red and bold stripes. This was a trip we took to Utah for our daughter’s graduation from college and my nephew’s wedding.

It did take longer to get all of Landon’s clothing packed and put into the ziploc bags. I wondered at the time if it would really be worth it.  Of course I had to “burp” each bag to get out the extra air. This helped to save some extra space in his suitcase. Some of his clothes were a tight fit for the bags. Next time I’m at the grocery store I’m going to purchase some of the larger bags for future travel.

 

Both Landon and I agree,

This Pin ROCKS!

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