tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61430286861250861922024-03-13T22:58:31.363-06:00Painless MealsBuying Food Should Be PainlessAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-38850259110003241852014-01-02T01:10:00.000-07:002014-01-02T01:11:17.086-07:00Painless Meals will soon have a new home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our Painless Meals posts are getting a NEW home in 2014<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span> Now you can find all of our Painless Meals posts on our creative blog <a href="http://www.realitytodreams.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Reality To Dreams</a>. Affordable, flavorful, 'painless' meals are still very important to me. When our blog turned a year old last Fall, I realized that there was a bigger picture to share and that painless meals was just one part of that picture.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We would love to take you with us<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">!</span></div>
If you enjoyed the posts you've seen here at Painless Meals, click over to <a href="http://www.realitytodreams.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Reality To Dreams</a> and subscribe via email.<br />
<br />
2013 was a wonderful year. 2014 will be an incredible year. I'm already dreaming up home improvement projects and fun daily projects for my young boys. I'm still determined to make buying food easier on hard-working moms, and of course I expect to learn a lot this year. I hope you'll join us - I'd love to hear your feedback at our new 'address<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span>' Thank you for your support in 2013. You are the reason we're growing, and I hope you'll allow us to continue to connect with you<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Want to see our new blog?</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.realitytodreams.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Here It Is</a></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-43296400598384255982013-11-05T00:00:00.000-07:002013-11-05T00:00:04.151-07:004 Easy Steps To A Billion Clicks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">How To Enter Your Clicks at BillionClicks.org</span></h2>
BillionClicks.org has counted <span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #6e6e6e; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">over 3 million clicks </span><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #6e6e6e; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">from Clickers nationwide</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. I have my clicker, and I've clicked <a href="http://super84117.blogspot.com/2013/11/thinking-positive-billion-clicks.html" target="_blank">my first clicks from The Happiest Place On Earth</a></span></span><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #6e6e6e; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">!</span><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #6e6e6e; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> How do I submit my clicks to BillionClicks.org?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #1ba9c2;">Visit</span> <a href="http://billionclicks.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BillionClicks.org</a>.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://billionclicks.org/" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wz4BxQ9pA7E/UngWsaO0b9I/AAAAAAAAF7g/z-W65LRvCZk/s1600/Billion-Clicks-logo.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">This logo will appear at the top of their web page.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
To the right of the logo you'll see the current number of clicks. <span style="color: #1ba9c2;">Click</span> on the blue button just below that says, "<span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #6e6e6e; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Enter your clicks</span>." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This will take you to an <a href="http://www.billionclicks.org/login.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Account Sign-In page</a>. If you're submitting your first clicks, you're likely looking for the <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">yellow box</span><span style="background-color: white;"> with the heading </span>"<span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #6e6e6e; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Not registered yet</span>?" <span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; line-height: 15.984375px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1ba9c2;">Enter</span> your Email, Name, and a Password. Confirm your password by typing it again, and <span style="color: #1ba9c2;">click</span> </span></span>"<span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #6e6e6e; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Register</span>." Expect to see an email asking you if you'd like to join Billion Clicks' email list.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As a registered clicker, your <span style="color: #6e6e6e; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Account Home</span> screen will look something like this:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.billionclicks.org/" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r0aAsss_nLQ/Unga_Q3s1fI/AAAAAAAAF8M/IhD3Yf-MfBw/s1600/Register-Your-Clicks-Billion-Clicks.JPG" width="100%" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
This <span style="color: #6e6e6e; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Account Home</span> screen is also where you can <span style="color: #6e6e6e; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Enter Clicks</span><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #6e6e6e; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">! </span><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #6e6e6e; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Above are my first clicks, as an example. </span></span><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; line-height: 15.984375px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1ba9c2;">Enter</span> your Clicks, your Name and location as you want them to appear to the public, and an optional Short Note about your clicks. Then, <span style="color: #1ba9c2;">click</span> </span></span>"<span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #6e6e6e; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Enter Clicks</span><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #6e6e6e; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">!</span>"<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The screen won't change, and you may not see a confirmation message. But, when your information 'disappears' from your form, you'll know your clicks have been entered.</blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Congratulations on submitting your first clicks<span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #6e6e6e; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #6e6e6e; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-40714786351832817942013-11-01T00:00:00.000-06:002013-11-01T00:00:01.776-06:00Thinking Positive Is A Click Away<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Opr02OPaoDM/UnGYMWmsvDI/AAAAAAAAFwA/Tk3S_6RrmmQ/s1600/Billion-Clicks-Happy-Thoughts.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="101" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Opr02OPaoDM/UnGYMWmsvDI/AAAAAAAAFwA/Tk3S_6RrmmQ/s320/Billion-Clicks-Happy-Thoughts.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's an honor to be a part of spreading the word about a small and simple device that is impacting over <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">3 million </span>thoughts in over 40 states<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J9EB4bIZF1U/UnBo_BNTkYI/AAAAAAAAFt8/CMcb7UUds8k/s1600/Billion-Clicks-box-wm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J9EB4bIZF1U/UnBo_BNTkYI/AAAAAAAAFt8/CMcb7UUds8k/s320/Billion-Clicks-box-wm.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Once I knew it was in the mail, I could hardly wait to get it<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">!</span> When it arrived, I was too nervous to open it. There it sat, unopened. A moment of truth<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></span>Like trying on a new pair of jeans after the holidays. That moment when your perception of yourself meets reality. Once I opened the box, I would get a real look at the nature of my thoughts. What would I find?<br />
<br /></div>
As I sat in the passenger seat of our 'family wagon,' a clear and happy thought pushed me to open the box. I removed my pink clicker, and clicked my <u>first</u> click: <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">we're on our way to Disneyland</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">!<span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px;"> </span></span>I couldn't possibly fail while visiting The Happiest Place On Earth<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Although a bit nervous, I was also excited to try it out.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"> </span></div>
<table align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkGeQPGJ1SU/UnB8J__geqI/AAAAAAAAFuQ/RKwWPsF6-UQ/s1600/Billion-Clicks-clicker-stickers-wm.JPG"><img height="160" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkGeQPGJ1SU/UnB8J__geqI/AAAAAAAAFuQ/RKwWPsF6-UQ/s320/Billion-Clicks-clicker-stickers-wm.JPG" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XzMhGy51k2I/UnB8PBY7ySI/AAAAAAAAFuY/CRIeV4FTKl0/s1600/Billion-Clicks-Think-Happy-wm.JPG"><img height="160" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XzMhGy51k2I/UnB8PBY7ySI/AAAAAAAAFuY/CRIeV4FTKl0/s320/Billion-Clicks-Think-Happy-wm.JPG" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m5F4Qnyoco0/UnB8SY_XJjI/AAAAAAAAFug/mh24cY28bm0/s1600/Billion-Clicks-first-click-wm.JPG"><img height="160" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m5F4Qnyoco0/UnB8SY_XJjI/AAAAAAAAFug/mh24cY28bm0/s320/Billion-Clicks-first-click-wm.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Clicker Kit</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DECf3JxXC2I/UnGRjqGHJQI/AAAAAAAAFvk/zDjHfxwCLrI/s1600/Billion-Clicks-Basics.png"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DECf3JxXC2I/UnGRjqGHJQI/AAAAAAAAFvk/zDjHfxwCLrI/s1600/Billion-Clicks-Basics.png" width="383" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://youtu.be/xyX-I-um5Kk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Singer</a>, songwriter, wife, and mother <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">Hilary Weeks</span> says it all began</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
with a single <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">click.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">To learn more, click on the 3-minute video below<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<object height="274" width="487"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/9rRa8pOC3N0?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/9rRa8pOC3N0?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="487" height="274" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Clicker in-hand I was ready to click "Two...Three...Four..." and into the hundreds<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">!</span> But I was stumped. In the back seat our boys squirmed, fought, and cried. Finally, I did have a happy thought. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Click</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">.</span> Then, another. </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Click</span><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I clicked for </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">a vehicle to drive</span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">,</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">time with my family</span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">, and </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">safety in our travels</span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">. I learned something about myself that was difficult to accept: positive thinking is not my natural response. <span style="font-size: large;">What could I accomplish if it was?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 20px;">Once we made it through Disneyland's gates the next morning our boys were still given to squirming, crying, and breaking down. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">The difference was, I'd spent a little time with the clicker</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">!</span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">I realized how often I'd allowed a negative thought to linger. I'm amazed at how a</span><span style="line-height: 20px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">"<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px;">click</span>" </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">pushed me to spin each negative thought into a positive one.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYWdlEzEfFY/UnHr54UkRAI/AAAAAAAAFww/M4WVL4qcBLA/s1600/one-positive-thought-leads-to-another.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYWdlEzEfFY/UnHr54UkRAI/AAAAAAAAFww/M4WVL4qcBLA/s1600/one-positive-thought-leads-to-another.png" width="383" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's so <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">simple</span>, you look at it and wonder 'HOW it could possibly do anything for me?' But it does, and it's amazing. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">What an inspired campaign</span>. Learning to refuse thoughts full of anger, despair, judgement, and sadness and open our minds to thoughts full of gratitude, happiness, and hope. Consider just how much of Life begins with our thoughts?</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks to Hilary Weeks and </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">BillionClicks.org</span><span style="font-size: large;">, I have</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ml0dm7yafs/UnLVyYYIFaI/AAAAAAAAF1M/Ktl5a2CDK4c/s1600/Billion-Clicks-discount-code-ver2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="101" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ml0dm7yafs/UnLVyYYIFaI/AAAAAAAAF1M/Ktl5a2CDK4c/s320/Billion-Clicks-discount-code-ver2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
just after a few of our favorite Disney <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">clicks!</span></div>
<table align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hqGA07Is5MI/UnK7sEYaDNI/AAAAAAAAF0M/iMZh5sWap_c/s1600/Disneyland-frozen-lemonade-cup-wm.JPG"><img class="nopin" height="231.5" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hqGA07Is5MI/UnK7sEYaDNI/AAAAAAAAF0M/iMZh5sWap_c/s1600/Disneyland-frozen-lemonade-cup-wm.JPG" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jAeT18gS6ZE/UnK5jbLcavI/AAAAAAAAF0A/MLFniGdeS-4/s1600/Disneyland-castle-with-snow-wm.JPG"><img height="231.5" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jAeT18gS6ZE/UnK5jbLcavI/AAAAAAAAF0A/MLFniGdeS-4/s1600/Disneyland-castle-with-snow-wm.JPG" /></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wG2CeRRSrOM/UnLCURTm_tI/AAAAAAAAF0w/VGHGHGyLhaI/s1600/smile-within-smile-wm.jpg"><img height="221.5" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wG2CeRRSrOM/UnLCURTm_tI/AAAAAAAAF0w/VGHGHGyLhaI/s320/smile-within-smile-wm.jpg" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1V-l_iUuEH0/UnK-lmFyvmI/AAAAAAAAF0Y/nKPRpLw-w-Y/s1600/Dad-holds-a-sleeping-baby.wmJPG.jpg"><img class="nopin" height="221.5" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1V-l_iUuEH0/UnK-lmFyvmI/AAAAAAAAF0Y/nKPRpLw-w-Y/s320/Dad-holds-a-sleeping-baby.wmJPG.jpg" /></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pg1on8q8FdE/UnLADbDV5OI/AAAAAAAAF0k/9cv7eFwuU08/s1600/California-Adventure-Carousel-wm.JPG"><img class="nopin" height="182" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pg1on8q8FdE/UnLADbDV5OI/AAAAAAAAF0k/9cv7eFwuU08/s1600/California-Adventure-Carousel-wm.JPG" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NJ-sK_33nUo/UnK16wzTWVI/AAAAAAAAFz4/nEOzBRcEaSI/s1600/Cafe-Orleans-Monte-Cristo-Sandwich-wm.JPG"><img height="182" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NJ-sK_33nUo/UnK16wzTWVI/AAAAAAAAFz4/nEOzBRcEaSI/s320/Cafe-Orleans-Monte-Cristo-Sandwich-wm.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-87XG7HzMxIQ/UnCQV5JalII/AAAAAAAAFvU/t__rNY4MAa0/s1600/Billion-Clicks-Think-Happy-Peter-Pans-Flight-wm.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-87XG7HzMxIQ/UnCQV5JalII/AAAAAAAAFvU/t__rNY4MAa0/s1600/Billion-Clicks-Think-Happy-Peter-Pans-Flight-wm.jpg" width="483" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Disneyland's Peter Pan's Flight</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I'm <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">loving</span> my clicker. <span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Are you ready for an amazing offer from Hilary Weeks and BillionClicks.org? Between November 1st and November 30th [2013],</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #2ec7e2; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; line-height: 15.989583969116211px; text-align: center;">•</span><span style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif;">Visit <a href="http://www.billionclicks.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BillionClicks.org</a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #2ec7e2; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; line-height: 15.989583969116211px; text-align: center;">•</span><span style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; line-height: 15.989583969116211px; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px;">Order <a href="http://www.billionclicks.org/item/the-clicking-kit/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Clicker Kit</a> </span></span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">for $11.95</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"> + </span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">shipping</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #2ec7e2; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; line-height: 15.989583969116211px; text-align: center;">•</span><span style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; line-height: 15.989583969116211px; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif;">Enter Coupon/Promo Code: <span style="color: #e06666;">AUDRA348</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Receive a </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">FREE </span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">clicker, wristband, and sticker for </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">each</span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Clicker Kit you order</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">! </span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This makes each clicker </span></span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">less than $6 + shipping</span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #e06666;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <u>Think, Click, Be</u> book is a must [IMHO] if you're giving the clicker as a gift, and is included in The Clicker Kit.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then, help us reach </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">a BILLION clicks</span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> by entering yours at </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">BillionClicks.org </span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and receive a </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px;">FREE</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> digital kit with downloadable quotes, wallpaper, and more</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't miss upcoming Billion Clicks inspired posts. Choose your favorite way to Follow our blog before you go</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><br />
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;">Happy Clicking Everyone<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">!</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: BlackJack; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="il"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one of the products mentioned above for free in the hope I would mention it on my blog. Additionally, some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. </span></span><span style="line-height: 23.99305534362793px;">Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.</span><span style="line-height: 23.99305534362793px;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 24px;">I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s </span><a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">16 CFR, Part 255</a><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 24px;">: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-3504139567544296072013-10-15T23:18:00.001-06:002013-10-15T23:19:00.286-06:00Fresh Baby: Our Healthy Eating Starts Now<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<table align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://freshbaby.com/home/#.Ul4YPlCsh8E"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LaMVCmTBKpE/Ul4R6bv_qgI/AAAAAAAAFhA/fSA6DQxaHS4/s1600/Fresh-Baby-logo.gif" /></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; line-height: 20px;">I RECEIVED COMPLIMENTARY PRODUCTS FROM FRESH BABY TO REVIEW FOR THIS POST.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; line-height: 20px;">ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</div>
How much water do we <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">actually</span> drink in a day? What is the right amount of food for a preschooler's plate at each meal? What about for <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">our plate</span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">? How often do similar questions cross our minds? And how often do we bounce them right back out?</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">! </span>Does anyone else feel like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde when it comes to food, meal planning and nutrition?<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">!</span><br />
<br />
The Dr. Jekyll in me strives for more fresh and natural ingredients, and balanced and wholesome meals. The cranky rebel in me [MRS. Hyde] resents doing math to eat and wants affordable, family-friendly, hassle-free meals<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 20px;">Preparing meals that actually meet our bodies' needs can feel like a never-ending juggling </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">act </span>between the food we have in the house, the money we have in the bank, what we feel like eating, and what we <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">ought </span>to be eating.</div>
<br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;">I was recently introduced to </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.freshbaby.com/home/index.cfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">F<span style="font-size: 14px;">resh </span>B<span style="font-size: 14px;">aby</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">, a company dedicated to helping parents raise healthy kids and to making fresh and natural foods easy, convenient, and fun. I'm loving their blog </span></span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Peas & Carrots </span><a href="http://freshbaby.typepad.com/" rel="nofollow" style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">I especially love that their recipes </span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">were developed to be convenient for anyone, regardless of income or location.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
After using a few of their products over the last month, I'm excited to share our experience with you<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Get Moving</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">love</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> that Leap put his handheld game down to build his <a href="http://freshbaby.com/buy_our_products/product.cfm?item=let%27s-move-foam-puzzle#.UgJSMm2IaL0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Let's Move Foam Puzzle</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">! </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">Just before I snapped a photo, he was reading the words along the outer edge: "Hide and Seek," "Hopscotch," and other Let's Move ideas. Ever since, he often invites me to play Hide and Seek. There's also a serious Hopscotch map in chalk on our back patio, with 23 squares</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">! </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">Coincidence? Could be. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eqCduZiqV5k/Ulycvp6mZPI/AAAAAAAAFe4/cvctQ6lNIpI/s320/Foam-Puzzle-Lets-Move-Fresh-Baby.jpg" width="413" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Kids In The Kitchen</span></span></h2>
<span style="line-height: 20px;">Although Leap wasn't wearing THIS cool <a href="http://freshbaby.com/buy_our_products/product.cfm?item=kid%E2%80%99s-apron#.Uly4TlCsh8E" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kid's Apron</a> at the time, it did prompt him to ask "what is an apron for?" We talked about the pictures and words on his apron, and how he could help in the kitchen. He was super excited to help<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44px; text-align: center;">!</span> Props to Hubby for seizing an opportunity, and showing him how to carefully peel a carrot. Leap was very careful and focused, and quite proud of his accomplishment.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uj0JvAOdafI/UlygXSEDxII/AAAAAAAAFfE/xTlKr38cKfU/s1600/cooking-together.jpg" title="Making Dinner with Dad" width="413" /></div>
<table align="center"><tbody>
<tr>
<td><img height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdS7jn82kV4/UlyikeeZCmI/AAAAAAAAFfQ/1GIsbYhqlnU/s1600/peeling-carrots.jpg" title="Peeling Carrots" /></td>
<td><img height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4QsD8MMEZZg/Ulyin3D4oxI/AAAAAAAAFfY/--UKn8gchVE/s1600/focused.jpg" title="Focused" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">How much water <span style="color: #999999;">should</span> </span><span style="font-size: large;">we drink in a day?</span></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"> I AM NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img challenge="" drink="" more="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-07zQGe8bEJw/UlynernZagI/AAAAAAAAFfo/o_lzF78kbJc/s1600/filling-his-water-bottle.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" to="" water="" width="250" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://freshbaby.com/buy_our_products/product.cfm?item=mom%27s-water-bottle#.Ul2PgFCsh8E" rel="nofollow" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Mom's Water Bottle</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;">The </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">real answer </span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">to the question above is, </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">it depends.</span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Our gender, season in life, physical condition, lifestyle and where we live all help determine the amount of water our body needs each day. [In general] Infants get all the hydration they need from breast milk and formula, while an adult man may need 13</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">+</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Cups of water each day. There are 8 fluid ounces in 1 Cup [US Cup].</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Although not a substitute for a personal health exam from a medical professional, I found </span></span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1533686749">THIS article from </a></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/NU00283" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MayoClinic.com</a> </span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">helpful.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;">I had </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">no </span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">idea how much water </span></span>we <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">actually</span> drink in a day. Now I know it's at least 10-16 ounces. To begin with, I challenged Leap to finish one full 10oz. <a href="http://freshbaby.com/buy_our_products/product.cfm?item=kid%27s-water-bottle#.Ul2PfVCsh8E" rel="nofollow" style="line-height: 20px;" target="_blank">Kid's Water Bottle</a> <span style="line-height: 20px;">each day. Although he and his 2-year-old brother should finish closer to </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">five </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">for the 6-8 Cups of water they need, at least I know by how much we need to improve. </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">I should finish <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; text-align: center;">at least five</span> </span><a href="http://freshbaby.com/buy_our_products/product.cfm?item=mom%27s-water-bottle#.Ul2PgFCsh8E" rel="nofollow" style="line-height: 20px;" target="_blank">Mom's Water Bottles</a> for the 9<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">+</span> Cups of water I need. As these estimates are for water from all sources [including other beverages and food as well as drinking water] it couldn't hurt to note the results of a 'Pee Pee Test.' If your urine is light in color|colorless, it's likely you're getting enough water.<br />
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">What <span style="color: #999999;">is</span> </span><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">the right amount of food for our plates?</span></h2>
Here's where I confess, managing food portion sizes for my boys used to sound like</div>
<table align="center"><tbody>
<tr>
<td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="120" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wful2uWuEX4/UlyU3RKuKoI/AAAAAAAAFeU/6ogyO3XEc1Y/s1600/IMG_0712.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">'fits in a small bowl'</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
<td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="120" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmcfTA63C9E/UlyU4cnOX6I/AAAAAAAAFeg/zseaCEkQwUg/s1600/IMG_0718.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">'a small scoop'</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
<td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="120" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zeQ9HFtHpTY/UlyU3ExgcuI/AAAAAAAAFeQ/w5aXp-MQ2VQ/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">'the size of their fist'</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
In short, I was 'eyeballing it<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">!</span>' For me, a portion was the amount of food I believed I could eat without feeling stuffed. I generally served Hubby 1<cite style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; white-space: nowrap;">½</cite><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 15px; white-space: nowrap;"></span> times to double the amount I'd eat. That's about as calculated as portions were at our house<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px;">wish</span> I could send every one of you <a href="http://freshbaby.com/buy_our_products/product.cfm?item=kid%27s-portion-tip-card#.Ul3F_1Csh8E" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">THIS Kid's Portion Tip Card</a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">along with a set of <a href="http://freshbaby.com/buy_our_products/#.Ul3ZUlCsh8E" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">THESE 4-Section MyPlates</a>.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">How might knowing how much food your 2-8 year-old child should eat each day improve meal planning for you?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #52b76c; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; line-height: 15.989583969116211px;">•</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Could a </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">visual</span><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Portion Size Guide have an impact on your meal portions at dinner?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #52b76c; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; line-height: 15.989583969116211px;">•</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">Could filling his|her own plate change your child's attitudes about meal time?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Fresh Baby</span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"> is sharing one side of the Kid's Portion Tip Card in a Free Printable</span><br />
<a href="http://freshbaby.com/healthy_eating/article.cfm?c=free-tips-%26-e-books&articleid=138#.Ul3SX1Csh8F" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Practice Makes Healthier</span></span></h2>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RFC-CJujtLU/Ul3W822clhI/AAAAAAAAFgs/XfeKrTjHPrc/s1600/4-section-MyPlate.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Kid's 4-Section MyPlate" width="250" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I'm practicing<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">!</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="line-height: 20px;">I haven't achieved perfect balance yet. But w</span><span style="line-height: 20px;">e are closer to eating healthier, feeling better, and understanding proper nutrition. Though </span><span style="color: #6e6e6e; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">terrifying</span><span style="line-height: 20px;">, if it's true children's eating preferences are established by age 3 then I</span><span style="line-height: 20px;"> play a critical role in establishing the best habits and relationships with food possible.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 20px;">Can you guess what surprised me most during our <span style="color: #6e6e6e; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; text-align: center;">Fresh Baby</span> product review? </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">It was just how eager Leap has been to learn</span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">,</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"> and to do what Mom and Dad do.</span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">That is super exciting to this Momma</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">!</span><br />
<br />
For more fantastic recipes and ideas, and to join me in receiving their free newsletter Fresh Ideas hop over to <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Fresh Baby's </span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">blog Peas & Carrots <a href="http://freshbaby.typepad.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></span> </div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-86837309200837285632013-10-08T13:49:00.001-06:002013-10-08T14:06:42.062-06:00Unique Gifts and Ornaments: Dixie Midwest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hlgQhAgs0_s/UlQ7O0QbGrI/AAAAAAAAFYE/H4_QiDlP21k/s1600/Mickey.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="425" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">DixieMidwest.com generously allowed me to create a</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14px;">personalized </span><span style="font-size: 14px;">Christmas ornament free of charge.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14px;">The opinions expressed are my own.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
While I was in Orlando, FL I found these super cute Mickey Mouse Christmas stockings for our boys<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span> Which got me thinking about Christmas, and Christmas traditions. For the last few years, I've sent out a family Christmas card and|or letter, but I had never thought of making an ornament of our boys<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span> I was quite excited to receive an invitation to personalize a Christmas photo ornament from DixieMidwest.com. They offer a wide range of Military, Wedding, Memorial, Disney Inspired, and Sports Teams Gifts you can personalize as a unique gift.<br />
<br />
I had a hard time settling on an ornament<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">There were several really cute themes to choose from, like </span><a href="http://www.dixiemidwest.com/star-wars-theme-luke-skywalker-photo-ornament/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">THIS</a> Luke Skywalker Theme, <a href="http://www.dixiemidwest.com/pluto-theme-personalized-photo-ornament/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">THIS</a> Pluto Theme, and <a href="http://www.dixiemidwest.com/pirates-personalized-photo-ornament/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">THIS</a> Pirates Theme<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the end I chose <a href="http://www.dixiemidwest.com/red-chevron-personalized-photo-ornament/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">THIS</a> Red Chevron Photo Ornament.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm confident you can rely on Dixie Midwest to package your item(s) carefully. Our unbreakable Aluminum ornament came very carefully packaged, and had it been their </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.dixiemidwest.com/bridesmaid-engraved-glass-jewelry-box/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bridesmaid Engraved Glass Jewelry Box</a> instead I trust it would have arrived in one piece.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
I was impressed Bennetta Elliott, <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Owner of Dixie Midwest</span>, saw to it a hand-signed Thank You card was included with the simplest of orders.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ArBgRjhITuY/UlRBE5Pq81I/AAAAAAAAFYU/7rZ1I9tAYPQ/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ArBgRjhITuY/UlRBE5Pq81I/AAAAAAAAFYU/7rZ1I9tAYPQ/s320/Signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Available in Lime, Orange, and Red the Chevron Personalized Photo Ornament is a fairly simple ornament---a 2"x3" rectangular ornament with rounded corners. I like that it's a very light, Aluminum ornament. I have a few ornaments that are so heavy I have to hang them from the thicker branches of the tree, often making them difficult to see. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center">
<tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2DAMpG0izIo/UlQ1XLNJShI/AAAAAAAAFXo/3_X6g_p4NBw/s1600/Ornament.jpg"><img height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2DAMpG0izIo/UlQ1XLNJShI/AAAAAAAAFXo/3_X6g_p4NBw/s1600/Ornament.jpg" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h5w7LK4kQDE/UlQ3VK1rIEI/AAAAAAAAFX4/wpGfwFh7Ok4/s1600/Ornament-2.jpg"><img height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h5w7LK4kQDE/UlQ3VK1rIEI/AAAAAAAAFX4/wpGfwFh7Ok4/s1600/Ornament-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For the patterned side, I chose an initial and a year for the ornate frame. For the opposite side, I uploaded one of my favorite photos from Christmas 2012</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I was pleased the photo on our ornament was true to the original I uploaded. I would have liked our photo to </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">fill</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the photo side of the ornament. If I had the option, personally I would prefer to not see the Aluminum. With that said, I'm excited to hang this cute ornament on our tree this year</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Consider a gift you can personalize for Christmas, or a Fall|Winter wedding. Browse Dixie Midwest's products and designs <a href="http://www.dixiemidwest.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a>. If you're counting down the days to a Disney vacation, get yourself a cute Free Countdown Printable <a href="http://www.dixiemidwest.com/disney/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now, I'm certain you can think of 6 people who would <span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">love</span> a Christmas ornament</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with a photo of your cuties on it<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a4e3ad45/" id="rc-a4e3ad45" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Do <span style="color: #cc0000;">you</span> have a fun Christmas ornament tradition?</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-21708598690092006682013-09-09T00:00:00.000-06:002013-10-19T10:50:56.487-06:00Twelve Weeks To Christmas Begins<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YfZGFSNoc_k/Uiv1vaTBB8I/AAAAAAAAE5c/0O2iFR2w3hw/s1600/PainlessMeals-Disney-Giveaway-Series-Logo-6-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YfZGFSNoc_k/Uiv1vaTBB8I/AAAAAAAAE5c/0O2iFR2w3hw/s1600/PainlessMeals-Disney-Giveaway-Series-Logo-6-600.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Welcome, welcome<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">!</span> I'm glad you're here<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">!</span> If you can believe it, as of today there are only <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">twelve weeks</span> </span>before the month of December. It's time to cut the ribbon on our Disney inspired <span style="color: #990000;">Twelve Weeks To Christmas Countdown Event</span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Follow The Event <a href="http://realitytodreams.blogspot.com/p/twelve-weeks-to-christmas-countdown.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">HERE</span></a>.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://realitytodreams.blogspot.com/2013/09/Christmas-Giveaway-Week-One.html"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I5YmzKliyOQ/Ui0wBsrsKDI/AAAAAAAAE5s/BozpgPM0SoQ/s1600/Reality-To-Dreams.JPG" width="175" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">For more contest details, click <a href="http://realitytodreams.blogspot.com/2013/09/twelve-weeks-to-christmas-countdown.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-79422930627014411052013-09-06T07:30:00.000-06:002013-09-06T08:04:50.520-06:00Twelve Weeks To Christmas Countdown Event<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;">Nearly a month ago, I reviewed Julie de Azevedo Hanks' book<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">The Burnout Cure</span><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://super84117.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-burnout-cure-review.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">on our blog, and I am loving it.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 20px;">One of my favorite chapters has been<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="text-align: center;">"Take Responsibility For Your Own Happiness</span><span style="text-align: center;">.</span><span style="text-align: center;">" </span></span>One of the paragraphs within the chapter, called<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="text-align: center;">"Reclaiming Childhood Joy</span><span style="text-align: center;">,</span><span style="text-align: center;">" </span></span>made me to pause and consider what brought me joy as a child. I made a list and scribbled down</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img class="nopin" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b0QxaVxzg-4/UiZSihehxeI/AAAAAAAAEvY/9Dod1-_sY54/s1600/Joy-List.png" /></div>
<span style="line-height: 20px;">As far back as I can remember Disney has brought joy, and a hint of magic and wonder into my life. As a sleep-deprived mom without a guide for how to care for and raise a person, mastering motherhood was all I had time for. And at some point I realized, an important part of motherhood is not losing sight of other things I love, and that bring me joy. Of all that makes me </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">ME</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span><span style="line-height: 20px;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;">I've accepted the challenge to bring an item from my list back into my life.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: center;">O</span>ur</span> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">new</span> Disney-inspired blog combines our passion for set decoration,</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;">and our love of holiday celebrations and Disney.</span><span style="line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://realitytodreams.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yee_S9Rc1E0/UiYX02kb6eI/AAAAAAAAEts/kIW9OCLJWoo/s1600/RealityToDreams-Logo-Squared-Final.JPG" width="175" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">To celebrate, I'm joining with some wonderful bloggers for</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PlCk1FwDzjg/UiYlD8ux0iI/AAAAAAAAEt8/3u_-g_1kn2M/s1600/PainlessMeals-Disney-Giveaway-Series-Logo-6-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PlCk1FwDzjg/UiYlD8ux0iI/AAAAAAAAEt8/3u_-g_1kn2M/s1600/PainlessMeals-Disney-Giveaway-Series-Logo-6-600.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;">Inspired by a dozen of Disney's popular toys for Christmas 2013</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Visit our blog <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://realitytodreams.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Reality To Dreams</a> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">e</span>very</span> Monday, beginning September 9th. We'll reveal one<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">of </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">twelve </span>prizes <span style="text-align: center;">inspired by 'Disney's Dozen' most popular toys for Christmas 2013, and give </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #990000;">you</span></span> a chance to win</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">! </span><span style="text-align: center;">Our sponsoring bloggers will also be sharing a Disney or Christmas-inspired post with us</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">! I can hardly wait!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AL4NtjwoDfI/UiY7kx8Vo_I/AAAAAAAAEvI/vbCsbtaN8EQ/s1600/Sponsors-Sheet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AL4NtjwoDfI/UiY7kx8Vo_I/AAAAAAAAEvI/vbCsbtaN8EQ/s1600/Sponsors-Sheet.jpg" width="325" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">For more giveaway details, click </span></span><a href="http://realitytodreams.blogspot.com/2013/09/twelve-weeks-to-christmas-countdown.html" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">. </span></span></span></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">This is a blogger-sponsored giveaway and is in no way affiliated with</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The Walt Disney Company</span><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">,</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> or any other brand or retailer.</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-28151361045635147622013-09-05T16:55:00.000-06:002013-09-05T16:55:01.643-06:00Oh Sweet Sadie is a sweet night out<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ohsweetsadie.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GmqCPWgqoz0/Uii044j7RZI/AAAAAAAAEwY/LWdpDDxaZw0/s1600/Announcement.png" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: small;">from <a href="http://ohsweetsadie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Oh Sweet Sadie</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Last night a group bloggers were invited for a sneak peek of <span style="color: #53b870;">Oh Sweet Sadie Art & Gift Show </span>opening tonight on SoDa Row in Daybreak. Give yourself a few hours out of the house, head out to Daybreak, and just enjoy browsing the show. This Fall show has attracted <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">so many </span>incredibly talented vendors.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's true I had no trouble finding fun things to bring home.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In fact, the challenge was choosing just a few<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BYfMfqC3AvA/UijkkMlmkpI/AAAAAAAAEys/y35ZE5McYCg/s1600/Purchases.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BYfMfqC3AvA/UijkkMlmkpI/AAAAAAAAEys/y35ZE5McYCg/s1600/Purchases.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">SWEETS</span><span style="color: #52b76c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> </span>didn't live to see the photo<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">English Toffee, and Windsor Honeycomb | </span><span style="color: #52b76c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">ASCOT ROYALE</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Licorice Toffee | </span><span style="color: #52b76c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">BERYLENE'S CHOCOLATE </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Cars pillow case found a home in Boo's room.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I found some great prints I'm looking forward to framing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The leaf garland found a home strung along the top of our kitchen hutch,</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LD3sXZLsaJY/UijtHHwZaVI/AAAAAAAAEzc/ntzDcpxssJM/s1600/Garland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LD3sXZLsaJY/UijtHHwZaVI/AAAAAAAAEzc/ntzDcpxssJM/s1600/Garland.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: small;">Felt Leaf Garland</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Look for: </span><span style="color: #52b76c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">ALEXIS MATTOX DESIGN</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2PF4tw6kah4/UijwcdtF9GI/AAAAAAAAEz4/_AFUwgZbmVg/s1600/Jar-Straw.JPG" /></td>
<td><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3AkyY4pXdxk/UijwcFR7TII/AAAAAAAAEzo/YUbSsrGaSSw/s1600/Jar-Straw-2.JPG" /></td>
<td><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JnPSP7khyL8/UijwcBZvhvI/AAAAAAAAEzs/0eOwUmCbpXs/s1600/Jar-Straw-4.JPG" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;">Leap had </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">so</span><span style="line-height: 20px;"> fun drinking ice water from a jar</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;">Flower Mason Jar Lid + Paper Straw from</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: right;">Look for: </span><span style="color: #52b76c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">SPRINKLED WITH TLC</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #52b76c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #e06666;">love</span></span><span style="color: #52b76c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> </span>that their Mason jar lids also come in fun colors, including these ones:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mD9r6_UPTko/Uij06tOjBdI/AAAAAAAAE0g/FGvp9jiMlo0/s1600/Flower-Lid-Colors.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mD9r6_UPTko/Uij06tOjBdI/AAAAAAAAE0g/FGvp9jiMlo0/s1600/Flower-Lid-Colors.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm also <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #e06666;">loving</span></span><span style="color: #52b76c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> </span>this sweet, hand-stamped reminder.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DFMgR65LCrI/Uij7N7EpkKI/AAAAAAAAE0w/bmdCbjMh0BM/s1600/Five-Little-Birds-Hand-Stamped-Families.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DFMgR65LCrI/Uij7N7EpkKI/AAAAAAAAE0w/bmdCbjMh0BM/s1600/Five-Little-Birds-Hand-Stamped-Families.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Look for:</span> </span></span><span style="color: #52b76c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">FIVE LITTLE BIRDS</span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #52b76c; font-family: Century Gothic, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As you're browsing all of the <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">FUN</span> items mentioned above, also keep an eye out for </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #c0584a; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">•</span> amazing <span style="font-family: Century Gothic, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">NEW </span></span>products | <span style="color: #52b76c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">TURTLESCARF</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #c0584a; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">• </span>eye-catching signs | <span style="color: #52b76c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">PAISLEY PALOOZA</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #c0584a; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">• </span>impressive business cards | <span style="color: #52b76c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">ALEXIS MATTOX DESIGN</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #c0584a; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">• </span>a stage-worthy set | <span style="color: #52b76c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">SUGARS AND SPICE</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #c0584a; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">• </span>adorable little girl's outfits and accessories [<span style="text-align: center;">I found myself wishing I had a little girl at home to dress</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">!</span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">]</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">I'd </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">love</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"> to see what </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">YOU</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"> love from the show</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">!</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-69708913001909564062013-09-02T00:00:00.000-06:002013-09-02T00:11:43.682-06:0030 Days of Halloween: 3 Things A Great Medieval Tavern Needs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.cupcakediariesblog.com/2013/08/30-days-of-halloween.html" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jEoi3L9fxpE/Uflr-EVOu4I/AAAAAAAAOeI/UXwkyyZhi-I/s1600/30+Days+of+Halloween.jpg" width="277" /></a><span style="line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">It has certainly been an exciting Summer's end at our house. I had a lot of fun participating in a Party Post series</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">Then, it was a bit quiet here for a couple of weeks. We welcomed Hubby home from a tour of the world for Disney Infinity, and met Leap's fabulous preschool teacher. Exciting things are happening this Fall</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">!</span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I </span><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: inherit;">LOVE </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">Halloween. I couldn't miss participating in a 30 Days of Halloween series, hosted by Allison of<span style="color: #333333;"> </span><a href="http://www.cupcakediariesblog.com/2013/08/30-days-of-halloween.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #bf9000;">Cupcake Diaries</span></a></span><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">I can't wait to see all of the wonderful posts this month</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">!</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 20.78125px;">Hubby and I love to create an atmosphere for Halloween, especially when we throw a Halloween party. </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20.78125px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 20.78125px;">Of all the Halloween props and decorations I've purchased over the years, I can only remember buying <span style="color: #bf9000;">two</span> items from a Halloween store. Two. </span><span style="line-height: 20.78125px;">For me, it's a challenge to find authentic, family-friendly props there.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20.78125px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 20.78125px;">Today, I hope to give you a feel for how you can use [mostly] common items to create a completely different era and location for <span style="color: #bf9000;">your</span> next Halloween party. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">Here are </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><span style="color: #9c4030; font-size: large;">3 things</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #9c4030;"> a great </span><span style="color: #bf9000; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">Medieval Tavern</span><span style="color: #9c4030; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"> needs.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iP5gDKOwoDQ/Ue3EPoPGpsI/AAAAAAAAD-U/9ukMUU8i-vk/s1600/PainlessMeals-Weapons.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="nopin" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iP5gDKOwoDQ/Ue3EPoPGpsI/AAAAAAAAD-U/9ukMUU8i-vk/s1600/PainlessMeals-Weapons.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z24OOJ4e48g/Ue3Z_YTB0qI/AAAAAAAAD-k/1Fn1MHOQ3ok/s1600/Painless+Meals-Tavern-Halloween-Fireplace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z24OOJ4e48g/Ue3Z_YTB0qI/AAAAAAAAD-k/1Fn1MHOQ3ok/s1600/Painless+Meals-Tavern-Halloween-Fireplace.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">I had my eye on this round woven basket from Target for some time, and just before Halloween last year I found this one discounted</span><span style="line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I also found this great faux fur rug at Target. Encourage your guests to stay a while by offering them a place to check their weapons.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Joj_PV9Y_zs/UIzYqq7-F5I/AAAAAAAABpE/oRQH8o54rL4/s320/IMG_6078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Joj_PV9Y_zs/UIzYqq7-F5I/AAAAAAAABpE/oRQH8o54rL4/s320/IMG_6078.JPG" /></a><span style="color: #b45f06; line-height: 20.78125px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">needed wares</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">◊</span> large round basket</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">◊</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> fabric [we used a scrap of light colored linen]</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">◊ </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">beans [nothing smaller]</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">◊ </span></span><span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">your prop weapon of choice</span>
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Because some of your filler will inevitably end up on the ground [when your toddler claims it for their own personal sensory bin and scatters handfuls like bird seed], choose a filler that's fairly easy to pick/sweep up.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We hinted at the basket's intended purpose by planting a few props of our own. Ours were made of cast iron, so we used our fireplace surround to help prop them up. The beans were primarily for weighing the basket down.</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0TJZR6ATItA/Ue3haCmrJGI/AAAAAAAAD-0/6GPjzmg-wqY/s1600/PainlessMeals-Skills.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="nopin" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0TJZR6ATItA/Ue3haCmrJGI/AAAAAAAAD-0/6GPjzmg-wqY/s1600/PainlessMeals-Skills.JPG" width="280" /></a></div>
<span style="line-height: 20.78px;">It occurs to me...a tavern full of innocent village people probably</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 20.78px;"> </span><span style="color: #bf9000; line-height: 20.765625px;">wouldn't be</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 20.78px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 20.78px;">the place to swing your weapon and fine-tune your ogre slaying skills<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">But when your hubby makes video games, you sometimes find yourself drawing inspiration from them. Oddly, many virtual taverns have a target dummy</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Admittedly, ours was a great addition to our decor.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sD0NaiMTC1M/Ue2w80pXhXI/AAAAAAAAD9U/79mazjnogtU/s1600/IMG_6058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sD0NaiMTC1M/Ue2w80pXhXI/AAAAAAAAD9U/79mazjnogtU/s1600/IMG_6058.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
</div>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large; line-height: 20.78125px;">needed wares</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> ◊</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">thermal shirt</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> ◊</span> sewing thread to match [thermal shirt]</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> ◊</span> sewing machine<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> ◊</span> stuffing</span><br />
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">◊ </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">red Sharpie marker</span></div>
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> ◊</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> wood post</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> ◊ [</span></span><span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Christmas] tree stand</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> ◊</span> nails</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> ◊ </span>rope</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> ◊</span> tree skirt</span>
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">First, I took the scissors to the thermal shirt, cutting the long sleeves short. For a more rugged/medieval look, I also cut the trim out of the neckline. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Then, with the shirt turned inside-out I used my sewing machine to run a basic stitch along the bottom and the sleeves to close them up. I can't thread a needle without referencing the manual - you <span style="color: #bf9000;">can</span> do this.</span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uEyFs8jtm6k/Ue2w884pWKI/AAAAAAAAD9Y/gNrZwPDJIZ4/s1600/IMG_6056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uEyFs8jtm6k/Ue2w884pWKI/AAAAAAAAD9Y/gNrZwPDJIZ4/s1600/IMG_6056.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="250" /></a><span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br />
</span><span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Next, I used various round dishes as guides to trace the circles of the target with my red Sharpie.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
With the bottom and the sleeves stitched closed, I stuffed our dummy with decorative dried moss to give it a lumpy look. Once he was adequately stuffed, I stitched the top closed from the outside.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 20px;">What I love about this project is the dummy looks more authentic <span style="color: #bf9000;">if it isn't perfect</span><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">If I were to do it again, I'd do all of my stitching with the shirt right-side-out.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 20px;">A Christmas tree stand held the wood post up nicely. I held the dummy where I wanted it and Hubby tied it up with a rope. One nail to the back of the post kept the rope from slipping down. Finally, we covered the stand with a tree skirt and DONE<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-meAw7ZGRxuM/Ue4JqleTbAI/AAAAAAAAD_E/es4i3bjksyc/s1600/PainlessMeals-Cookware.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-meAw7ZGRxuM/Ue4JqleTbAI/AAAAAAAAD_E/es4i3bjksyc/s1600/PainlessMeals-Cookware.JPG" width="280" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">We thought a good tavern would have a hearty stew prepared to warm the bellies of weary travelers. Inspired by the impressive Wizarding World cauldron tower [Universal Studios, Orlando] we collected a few cauldrons of our own. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l8HuQlIV2e0/Ue24QNOWQYI/AAAAAAAAD9s/3QqJNnt5piw/s1600/IMG_5856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l8HuQlIV2e0/Ue24QNOWQYI/AAAAAAAAD9s/3QqJNnt5piw/s1600/IMG_5856.JPG" width="250" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large; line-height: 20.78125px;">needed wares</span></div>
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">◊</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> black plastic cauldrons [of varying sizes]</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">◊</span> long wooden dowel</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">◊</span> chalk/silver Sharpie/etc. to mark drill holes</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">◊</span> hand drill with drill bit roughly the size of the wooden dowel</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">◊</span> sturdy scrap ie. of wood</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">◊</span> black spray paint [1 can]</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">◊</span> Rust-Oleum Copper Hammered Spray Paint [2-3 cans] </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">First, I spent some time stacking and re-stacking the loose cauldrons until I had a tower I was pleased with. Take a photo of it with your phone for future reference. Then, I simply held the dowel up at an angle that would line it up with all of the cauldrons. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">I marked roughly a| where the dowel would <span style="color: #bf9000;">rest inside </span>the bottom cauldron, and b| where the dowel would pass through each of the other cauldrons. Then, </span></span><span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">I drilled a hole at those marks. [The mark inside the bottom cauldron is </span><span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; color: #bf9000; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">not a hole.</span><span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"> It's just a mark to help align your dowel.] </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SR605Upf85I/Ue28ddbUPcI/AAAAAAAAD-E/EmQ6vDtwHdM/s1600/Painless+Meals-Wizarding+World-Cauldrons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SR605Upf85I/Ue28ddbUPcI/AAAAAAAAD-E/EmQ6vDtwHdM/s1600/Painless+Meals-Wizarding+World-Cauldrons.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our inspiration.<br />The Wizarding World of Harry Potter<br />Universal Orlando Resort</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"></span>
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">With the holes drilled, I spread the cauldrons out on a large and sturdy scrap of wood outside to catch the overspray, and to keep the lightweight cauldrons from falling over. Admittedly when I was shopping for paint, I was mesmerized by the copper hammered texture. Because you'll be positioning and repositioning your cauldrons on the dowel, consider a spray paint meant specifically for plastic with primer [for added durability]. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">As for the <span style="color: #bf9000;">amount of paint</span> you'll need, that will depend on the number of coats it will take to achieve the look you want. For me, it was 4 coats. I did flip them upside down to spray the bottoms, but I didn't attempt to spray inside. To help camouflage the dowel you can spray it black.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Once the cauldrons and dowel had dried, we assembled our tower<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span> With the dowel aligned with the mark inside the bottom cauldron and using our reference photo, we slid the other cauldrons onto the dowel. Each cauldron sort of fits into the one before it, and the dowel is to keep the tower from falling over.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////</span></span></div>
<br />
Hubby and I had such a great time running our Halloween tavern<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span> A special Thank You to Allison for the opportunity to participate in her 30 Days of Halloween series<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span> <span style="line-height: 20px;">Be sure to follow her series for more great posts <a href="http://www.cupcakediariesblog.com/2013/08/30-days-of-halloween.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #bf9000;">HERE</span></a><span style="color: #bf9000;">. </span>Links can also be found below.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<div style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">H<i>a</i>p<i>p</i>y H<i>a</i>u<i>n</i>t<i>i</i>n<i>g</i></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
</span>
</div>
</div>
<!-- start InLinkz script -->
<script type="text/javascript">
document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/csp.php?id=301070&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');
</script>
<!-- end InLinkz script -->
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-38597972465409050862013-08-16T00:00:00.000-06:002013-08-16T09:00:02.673-06:00The 5 Golden Rules for Planning a Great Party<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Hello!</span> I'm glad you're here for a special <span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Party! </span>post lineup hosted by the ladies of The Party Pack Giveaway.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.partypixieshop.com/shop/"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4b6_jFc4wuw/UgyAq7lgYSI/AAAAAAAAEe4/QxHXgJS6WOc/s320/Button_PartyPixie.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fabulous Wendi of</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.partypixieshop.com/shop/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #bf9000;">Party Pixie</span></a></span> must have sensed I'm still without invitations for Boo's Birthday, because she's offering me and you a <span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">15% shop discount </span>with this sweet discount code:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc6c97; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">IHEARTPIXIE15</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Can I just tell you, I'm so glad I stumbled upon her adorable printables. I love her <span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Hungry Caterpillar </span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">series. I love the book, and her adaptation is so fun</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" tbody="">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.partypixieshop.com/product/hungry-caterpillar-photo-invite-a/"><img src="http://www.partypixieshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/PPwebsite_ProductShotTEMPLATE1.jpg" width="250" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.partypixieshop.com/product/hungry-caterpillar-mini-food-signs/"><img src="http://www.partypixieshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/VHC010-B_ProductShot.jpg" width="250" /></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I wanted to share with you my Golden Rules for planning a great party<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" class="nopin" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kI0m7ZpPvGQ/UgyNt5wau3I/AAAAAAAAEfI/7e03W6_X5Yo/s1600/PainlessMeals-Ice-Cream-Cone.png" width="35" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #807380; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The 5 Golden Rules for</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #807380; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Planning a Great Party</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #807380; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc6c97; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Set a budget/spending limit</span><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #807380;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;">A budget does not have to feel limiting, or bring on feelings of sadness and misfortune. A budget <span style="color: #cc6c97;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">frees us</span></span> from the consequences, distress, and guilt of <span style="color: #cc6c97;">over</span>spending. A budget will bring all of the wonderful possibilities for your party into focus. </span><span style="color: #cc6c97; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">You <u>can</u> throw a great party on a $0 budget</span><span style="color: #cc6c97; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc6c97; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif;">For a unique party</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Instead of buying decor from a party store, let it inspire you. If you </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif;">do</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> buy decor from a party store, you are still a fabulous mother</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif;">!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I have purchased the Princess-themed paper plates myself. I also love authentic decor for Halloween parties, and when off-the-shelf decor feels cheap, gory, and overdone I look to other sources for inspiration. Like artist sketches, </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">magazines, movies [and cartoons], and even video games.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sgW4vEv77jQ/TytW0RWLEpI/AAAAAAAAAMg/e0qFcmax8U0/s200/Groundhog.JPG" width="200" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Name this movie set!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The answer is at the bottom of our post</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #749abe; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #749abe; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc6c97; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif;">Spin a classic</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Instead of a balloon bouquet...</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9DAf6hU3Be4/UglFUEC3FlI/AAAAAAAAEVk/Q1jEvZCqsrY/s1600/IMG_8476.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #807380; font-family: Century Gothic, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">thrift store</span><span style="color: #807380; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">,</span><span style="color: #807380; font-family: Century Gothic, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> $2</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc6c97; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc6c97; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Focus on fun</span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">for a memorable celebration.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hubby and I love to include a surprise experience guests will remember, like:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/ab3f/"><img height="141" src="http://a.tgcdn.net/images/products/zoom/ab3f_miracleberry_fruit_tablets.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Taste-bud changing tablets</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #807380; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Think Geek</span><span style="color: #807380; font-size: small; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span></span><span style="color: #807380; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">$14.99</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
<td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/boo-bubbles-dry-ice-smoke-bubbles.html"><img height="141" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_bot1_5uX6M/UHSAuCqlqTI/AAAAAAAACDk/qitlGi9hccQ/s320/dry%2Bice%2Bboo%2Bbubbles.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Boo Bubbles" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Fog-filled bubbles</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #807380; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Steve Spangler Science</span><span style="color: #807380; font-size: small; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">,</span></span><span style="color: #807380; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> $24.99</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc6c97; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc6c97; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">Gather your decor</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
An entire home is an enormous canvas, so find the <span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc6c97; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; text-align: center;">decor surfaces</span> in each room of your home. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc6c97; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif;">decor surface</span><span style="color: #807380; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif;"> | </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">a level surface you can decorate</span></span><br />
<br />
A tables, a shelf, a mantle.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #807380; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">A few items </span><span style="color: #807380; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">gathered to</span></span><span style="color: #807380; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> one surface </span><span style="color: #807380; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">can make </span></span><span style="color: #807380; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">a big impact.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<table align="center"><tbody>
<tr><td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AKAPjaMxsPE/UglFzp71k2I/AAAAAAAAEV8/2pL63QYpcKo/s320/IMG_8561.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #807380; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">a table</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center"><tbody>
<tr><td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T3_NliAIKUI/Ugqpba1_bWI/AAAAAAAAEaM/73ofer60k08/s320/PainlessMeals-Christmas-Shelf.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #807380; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">a shelf</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center"><tbody>
<tr><td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w226vFBa3_E/Ugqq15mtyII/AAAAAAAAEao/oaw8dkgs3YU/s320/IMG_6066.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #807380; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">the top of a hutch</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center"><tbody>
<tr><td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fP27ZqJl1PM/UgnE8b49eMI/AAAAAAAAEZc/CZN-oMndJn0/s1600/PainlessMeals-Halloween-loft.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #807380; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">a loft window</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
I hope our Golden Rules help <span style="color: #cc6c97; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">you </span>in planning <span style="text-align: center;">many memorable parties in </span><span style="color: #cc6c97; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">your</span><span style="text-align: center;"> home</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">!</span></div>
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As promised, the name of the movie set shown above is </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">"Groundhog Day</span><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">"</span><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> This set inspired a "Groundhog Day"-themed date night, which we'll post soon</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" class="nopin" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kI0m7ZpPvGQ/UgyNt5wau3I/AAAAAAAAEfI/7e03W6_X5Yo/s1600/PainlessMeals-Ice-Cream-Cone.png" width="35" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Don't forget to check out these links to more</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">great Party posts in the lineup</span><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">[I still need help planning Boo's Birthday</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">!</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">]</span></div>
<br />
Events To Celebrate: <a href="http://eventstocelebrate.net/2013/08/free-printable-invitations-army-car-racing-swim-party">3 Birthday Party Invitation Ideas - Free Printables</a><br />
Create & Babble:<a href="http://createandbabble.com/?p=2565"> Party Decorations Round-up</a><br />
Simplistically Sassy:<a href="http://www.simplisticallysassy.com/2013/08/16/sesame-street-birthday-party-favors/"> Party Favor Ideas</a><br />
Party Pixie:<a href="http://www.partypixieshop.com/2013/08/16/stress-free-party-planning-2/"> Party Planning Timeline and Stress Free Tips</a><br />
Cupcake Diaries: <a href="http://www.cupcakediariesblog.com/2013/08/cupcake-shake-shooters.html">Cupcake Shake Shooters</a><br />
Lady Makes It: <a href="http://ladymakesit.com/allergy-free-birthday-party/" target="_blank">Allergy Friendly Party Ideas</a><br />
Solace Amid the Chaos: <a href="http://solaceamidthechaos.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Puppy Themed Birthday Party</a><br />
You've Got Your Hands Full: <a href="http://yourhandsfull.blogspot.com/2013/08/my-top-5-twin-birthday-party-themes.html#.Ug4-ZZJOR8E" target="_blank">5 Party Themes for Twins</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-78192795994156660942013-08-14T00:00:00.000-06:002013-08-14T00:47:16.806-06:00Party Supplies, On Us<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Boo celebrates a birthday at the end of the month<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">!</span> I thought about what would make planning his party easier, and joined with a <span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">talented</span> group of bloggers to grant the party planning wishes of one fortunate reader.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yUL0aVkJuI/Ugr1ik8hQ1I/AAAAAAAAEc4/3By6CkBGhRA/s1600/Winner+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yUL0aVkJuI/Ugr1ik8hQ1I/AAAAAAAAEc4/3By6CkBGhRA/s1600/Winner+copy.png" width="350" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Choose </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #5dddb2;">where</span></span><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> to spend your $100 prize!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">I love that. Get exactly what you need.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #5dddb2;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">»</span><b> </b></span><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Enter to win</span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #bf9000;"> </span>at the end of our post</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">!</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #5dddb2;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">»</span><b> </b></span>Come back Friday for a special <span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Party! </span>post lineup from these ladies<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">!</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #5dddb2;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">»</span><b> </b></span>Please <span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">hug</span> each sponsor by clicking on their image below. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A simple click <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">lets us know we've reached you</span><span style="line-height: 20px;">,</span><span style="line-height: 20px;"> </span></span>which makes us <span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">so very</span><span style="color: #bf9000; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">happy</span><span style="color: #bf9000; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; width: 500px;">
<img alt="" border="0" height="500" id="Image-Maps_2201308132028454" src="http://www.simplisticallysassy.com/wp-content/uploads/Party-Pack-Giveaway-copy2.png" usemap="#Image-Maps_2201308132028454" width="500" />
<map id="_Image-Maps_2201308132028454" name="Image-Maps_2201308132028454">
<area alt="" coords="11,254,116,362" href="http://createandbabble.com/" shape="rect" title=""></area>
<area alt="" coords="243,151,348,259" href="http://www.simplisticallysassy.com" shape="rect" title=""></area>
<area alt="" coords="113,254,218,362" href="http://eventstocelebrate.net" shape="rect" title=""></area>
<area alt="" coords="140,151,245,259" href="http://cupcakediariesblog.com" shape="rect" title=""></area>
<area alt="" coords="345,152,450,260" href="http://www.painlessmeals.com" shape="rect" title=""></area>
<area alt="" coords="37,149,142,257" href="http://www.yourhandsfull.blogspot.com" shape="rect" title=""></area>
<area alt="" coords="215,256,320,364" href="http://ladymakesit.com" shape="rect" title=""></area>
<area alt="" coords="317,256,468,364" href="http://solaceamidthechaos.blogspot.com" shape="rect" title=""></area>
<area alt="Image Map" coords="498,498,500,500" href="http://www.image-maps.com/index.php?aff=mapped_users_2201308132028454" shape="rect" title="Image Map"></area>
</map>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/o36935oyk/" id="rc-o36935oyk" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-64482292098207347092013-08-12T08:31:00.000-06:002013-09-29T22:36:05.055-06:00Simplify Breakfast With A Self-Serve Breakfast Bar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iqJQC4JBhzg/UgB8VsytCsI/AAAAAAAAER0/mtSSN2FjfZQ/s1600/IMG_8682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iqJQC4JBhzg/UgB8VsytCsI/AAAAAAAAER0/mtSSN2FjfZQ/s1600/IMG_8682.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Glass jars<br />IKEA |left|, WalMart |right|</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/945963_10201662257266634_1767109053_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/945963_10201662257266634_1767109053_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Carpet in the kitchen. Don't let it happen to you<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As a mom to two boys under the age of four, I rarely set a morning alarm. I hear their first little songs and footsteps as early as 6:30 <span style="font-size: 13px;">AM</span>, and always before 8 <span style="font-size: 13px;">AM</span>. I lie in bed with my eyes closed and listen for the sounds of a doorknob turning, and a door creaking open. Once little feet hit the hall with a <span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">thump-thump-thump-thump</span><span style="color: #c3556c; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> </i></span></span>I know it's time for Breakfast.<br />
<br />
I was motivated by an approaching Morning preschool schedule to create a Breakfast Bar for my 4-year-old Leap.<br />
<br />
Hubby and I help the boys with cereal. I don't mind minimizing milk spills on a <u>carpeted</u> kitchen floor. Who carpets a kitchen floor?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span> <span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">No one with toddlers, I say.</span><span style="color: #e06666;"> </span>Admittedly, I'd opt for a milk spill over yogurt spill.<br />
<br />
For perishables, I dedicated a pair of refrigerator door bins to Leap's Breakfast Bar. I prepare his bar <u>once</u> for the week, and refill it as needed. I find that washing/slicing fruit and veggies as soon as I get them home makes it quick and easy.<br />
<br />
It would appear the current value of a cheese stick is two Duplos<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span><br />
<table align="left">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MJuLHsMDK74/UgVj801EonI/AAAAAAAAEUQ/FZ1bfBhC-kE/s320/IMG_8713.JPG" width="258" /></td>
<td><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmB_JGgGVdc/UgB8klldPKI/AAAAAAAAESU/JKlFt5XEEI8/s320/IMG_8686.JPG" width="258" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="left">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img height="336" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B45RQWCP1_4/UgVjsO5lt7I/AAAAAAAAETw/X0Xiwa0Qsgc/s1600/IMG_8693.JPG" /></td>
<td><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hCBfuZZJioo/UgB8clSBnxI/AAAAAAAAESE/lHYeCBWcmCg/s320/IMG_8684.JPG" width="241" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Glass jars <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">+</span> yellow plastic lids<br />
Tai Pan Trading |under $2 each|<br />
<br />
Leap can reach, handle, and open everything here which is exciting for him<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">! </span>Take your preschooler with you to find containers he/she can easily and safely hold and open. I love these glass jars from Tai Pan Trading. I love that the plastic lids come off, and that I can put the glass jar in the dishwasher. If our glass containers have you feeling unsettled, rest assured glass wasn't a concern for us on account of our fabulous brown carpet<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span><br />
<br />
As a preschooler, he won't eat lunch at school. But, I'm hoping his self-serve Breakfast bar continues to be a great opportunity to<br />
<div>
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">• </span><span style="line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">eat [healthy] when he's hungry</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">• </span><span style="line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">choose, and combine his meal</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">• </span><span style="line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">exercise a bit of independence</span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">• </span>learn about balance and moderation</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #c3556c; font-size: x-large;">The shopping list</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #c3556c;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> Dairy | Protein bin</span></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;"> • </span><span style="line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">Organic whole milk yogurt</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> • </span>Low-fat yogurt</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> • </span>Organic lowfat strawberry milk</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> • </span>Cheddar cheese sticks</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> • </span>Hard-boiled eggs</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #c3556c;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> Fruit | Veggie bin</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> • </span>Raspberries</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;"> • </span><span style="line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">Blueberries</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;"> • </span><span style="line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">Strawberries, sliced</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;"> • </span><span style="line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">100% apple juice</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #ce7388; font-size: x-large;">What would you add to our breakfast bar?</span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-41190534942089692512013-08-09T05:50:00.000-06:002013-08-09T13:04:23.622-06:00The Burnout Cure: A Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">This is my blog and the views, opinions, and experiences I express here are my own. I received both </span><span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">a digital and hard copy of <u>The Burnout Cure</u> from the author, to review honestly as part of a book tour. Fellow sponsors have contributed to the cost of our Giveaway Bundle. I have received no other compensation. </span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ec8.pinimg.com/avatars/juliedeahanks-1351807095_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" class="nopin" src="https://s-media-cache-ec8.pinimg.com/avatars/juliedeahanks-1351807095_600.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.juliehanks.com/" target="_blank">Julie de Azevedo Hanks, MSW, LCSW</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love Fall, with its promise of a fresh start, </span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">a best friend, </span><span style="color: #ecf3f1; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">a desire to learn, </span></span><span style="color: #ecf3f1; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">an inspiring teacher, </span></span><span style="color: #ecf3f1; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">a subject you're passionate about, and </span></span><span style="color: #ecf3f1; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">a great book to curl up with after school. </span></span><span style="color: #cddfda; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;"> </span></div>
</div>
<br />
It's a perfect time to feature author <span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; line-height: 21px;">Julie de Azevedo Hanks,</span> who is celebrating the release of <span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">The Burnout Cure.</span><span style="color: #c3556c; line-height: 20px;"> </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 20px;">As part of an incredible blog tour, she's answering questions about herself and Burnout. She shares <span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">an excerpt from her book</span> you won't want to miss. </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
Finally, <span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Enter To Win</span> an amazing Burnout Cure Book Bag<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span> Our sponsoring bloggers Crafty Night Owls and Not Picture Perfect were thrilled to support this terrific book, the amazing author, and you our wonderful readers.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8e8e5; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">staring into the face of Burnout</span></div>
<span style="line-height: 20px;">I first met Julie as a wife and mom lost wandering in a dark, intensely sad, and lonely place. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Loving Hubby was working serious overtime, as well as traveling for work. He attended night classes, and invented on the side.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was home full-time. Leap and Boo were wonderfully energetic. I was serving with wonderful and impressive women as a leader in Primary, a children's organization within <span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.mormon.org/" target="_blank">our Church.</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
I realized I often felt really irritable. I felt wholly exhausted, like I had absolutely nothing left to give. I spent quite a bit of time on the verge of tears, and then I'd come apart. Each time I did, I couldn't imagine facing it one more time. I half expected to feel better after having a good cry. Instead, I felt numb. The most simple chore felt overwhelmingly difficult, and life didn't slow. It was all I could do to bathe, clothe, and feed my boys and keep them safe. I felt defeated, resentful, faithless, worthless, and undeserving. I felt like a complete failure. Rising above it felt hopeless.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8e8e5; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">hope</span></div>
<span style="line-height: 20px;">The Burnout Cure allows you these moments to Pause and Reflect, and offers plenty of white space for notes and I love that. I am finding answers to questions like:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Is it possible to be a dedicated wife and mother <span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">and</span> have a joyful personal life?<br />
<br />
If I'm working hard and trying my best, why don't I feel happy?<br />
<br />
Am I experiencing Burnout?</blockquote>
I feel like I get a personal session with Julie, in the comfort of my home.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8e8e5; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="border: 4px double rgb(232, 232, 229);">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e8e8e5;"> </span><span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Author Q&A </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #999999;">with</span></span><span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #999999;">Julie de Azevedo Hanks</span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif;">+</span></span><span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">An excerpt from The Burnout Cure</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: Century Gothic, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Do you have a go-to stress reliever?</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have <i>several</i> go-to stress relievers</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I love water so I take a bath almost every night. In the summer I try to spend as much time in and around water as I possibly can. I also take 3-4 hour naps every Sunday.</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">What moved you to write a book about burnout?</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've heard many clients through the years in my clinical psychotherapy practice express feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and that despite their best efforts, "never good enough." So many good women have focused their energy on caring for others for so long that their own feelings and needs have been neglected. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As a child I grew up learning how to be an emotional caretaker and developed some perfectionist tendencies so I have struggled with similar feelings myself. I've had to search for ways to find a healthy balance between caring for others and for myself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This book also grew out of a workshop I presented for a decade to Latter-day Saint women’s groups called “Preventing Emotional Burnout.” Much of the content and structure of the book came from years of presenting and discussing topics of self-care, emotional health, and relationships in this workshop. For a better part of a decade I surveyed every group I presented to so I could have statistics about their group in an attempt to normalize their life experiences and challenges.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">What is a common misconception about burnout? </span></div>
When we are feeling a lack of motivation or passion in life it is easy to feel <i>alone</i> – that we are the only ones who are suffering, feeling inadequate, or “less than.” I think that’s a common misconception about pain and struggle in general. It seems to be our tendency as humans to feel isolated and thing that we are the only ones who are struggling.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">What is a common sign/symptom that something</span><br />
<span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">may be out of balance in our life?</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The definition of <i>“burnout" </i>is a state of exhaustion and lack of motivation due to prolonged stress or frustration. It’s that persistent feeling of trying really hard but not getting the desired results. Psychologist Herbert Freudenberger, who coined the word <i>burnout</i>, defines it as ‘‘the extinction of motivation or incentive, especially where one’s devotion to a cause or relationship fails to produce the desired results.” I love this definition because the word <i>devotion</i> so accurately describes what women feel toward their families and their faith. So, a hallmark of emotional burnout is a lack of “motivation or incentive” or a sense of feeling overwhelmed in your life.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">What can we do to help kick-start ourselves out of</span><br />
<span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">that day-to-day/chronic exhaustion?</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">One thing that women can do daily is to do one “get-to” every day</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Pick one thing that you’re passionate about, that fills your emotional bucket, or get you excited about your life and do it every day. As we become adults it seems our life gets filled with more and more commitments that we feel we “have-to” do and fewer and fewer things we <i>want</i> to do</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">What is one thing you haven't done yet in life that you'd still like to do?</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh, there are many things I’d like to do</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> One is to earn my PhD.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Can you share something you learned while writing this book?</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Something I learned during the process of writing this book was that in order to do it, I needed to put into practice </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">everything</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I discuss in the book! I had to give myself permission to say “no” to many other opportunities. I had to practice being kind to myself as I muddled through my first book writing process. I had to be acutely tuned in to my own emotions so I could navigate that delicate balance between my desire to finish the book and my families’ need to have me present and available for them. I had to practice asking for help and support from my family and others in order to carve out time to write.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">What do you hope comes of writing this book?</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I hope that readers will have concrete tools to think and act differently in their lives to prioritize their own needs. I hope that women will consider that what God <i>actually</i> expects of them may not be what they expect of themselves. I want to encourage women to consider taking good care of themselves so they can have <i>more </i>to offer to their loved ones, and to their God. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoQuote">
</div>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.juliehanks.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/burnoutcover-e1371193127940.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" class="nopin" src="http://www.juliehanks.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/burnoutcover-e1371193127940.jpeg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">In stores now</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here’s an excerpt from the book that illustrates this point.<br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The following analogy struck a chord with me as to why taking care of ourselves is critically important if we desire to truly lift, serve, and support others. Several years ago I was on a flight to Los Angeles to do some vocal recording sessions. I was holding my son Owen, who was then six months old. I have been on commercial flights many times in my life, and like many passengers, tend to tune out the flight attendants as they explain the safety information. With genuine concern for the young baby in my arms, I thought, I’d better listen this time.<span style="color: windowtext;"><o:p></o:p></span>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoQuote">
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoQuote">
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The flight attendant started talking about what to do if there were a change in cabin pressure. She said, “The oxygen masks will drop from the ceiling and oxygen will begin to flow. Place your mask on first and then assist others, such as small children or the elderly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoQuote">
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoQuote">
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Did she really just say that—put your own mask on first? Was this new information I had somehow missed dozens of times before? As I sat in the plane holding my precious little baby, I realized that my instinct as a woman, as a parent, would be to make sure that my little son and everyone else in my row got an oxygen mask first. But this time I clearly heard the flight attendant’s message: Put on your own mask first and then assist others! I realized what she was really saying: If I don’t put my oxygen mask on first, I’ll pass out—and what good am I going to be to my six-month-old if I’m passed out on the floor?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoQuote">
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoQuote">
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">What a great analogy for our emotional lives. As women, isn’t it true that our instinct is to respond to the needs of others, to put their needs first at the expense of our own? And then what happens?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoQuote">
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I see a lot of exhausted, overwhelmed, confused women in my life and in my practice—women who are emotionally “passed out on the floor”—not necessarily because of all they have to do, but because of a failure to include themselves in all the nurturing they are doing. In the name of service, they nurture others first, but they do so at the expense of nurturing themselves and by neglecting their own emotional needs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">What would you say to those hesitant about</span><br />
<span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">incorporating therapy into their lives? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I would share that therapy has changed my life. My parents took me to talk to a therapist as an adolescent when I was struggling and it helped me to sort out my thoughts, feelings, and relationships. I’ve checked in with a therapist on and off ever since and influenced my desire to help other people through therapy. Most people wait too long to seek help because they are afraid that it is a sign of personal or spiritual weakness. You wouldn’t feel ashamed to go to the doctor if you thought you had an infection so why should therapy be any different?</span></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">I have to ask - </span><br />
<span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">what meal do you consistently make/order because you love it?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I lean toward meals that require very little time and very few ingredients. This summer we just purchased a new BBQ grill so we’ve been grilling fish, chicken or steak and vegetables! Simple, easy, healthy and yummy.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8e8e5; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">enter to win</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Enter To Win our amazing Burnout Cure Book Bag<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span> Our sponsoring bloggers Crafty Night Owls and Not Picture Perfect were thrilled to support this terrific book, the amazing author, and you our wonderful readers.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c3556c; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Update:</span> Rafflecopter wasn't cooperating with Julie's Facebook page. Our workaround: Like Julie's Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/juliedeazevedohanks?fref=ts" target="_blank">HERE</a> and then leave a Comment below to confirm you did, for the same number of entries. Apologies<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.painlessmeals.com/"><img class="nopin" height="125" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZolZM8ubYxE/UgTU0uAPrlI/AAAAAAAAETY/H00aTpDIGFc/s320/PainlessMeals-Button.jpg" /></a></td><td><a href="http://www.craftynightowls.blogspot.com/"><img class="nopin" height="125" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_wvJKsVLjK0/Uczn_wa9TWI/AAAAAAAAEPs/C8Y_aK9y3WI/s300/Me%2B1.jpg" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://notpictureperfect.com/"><img class="nopin" height="125" src="http://notpictureperfect.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Notpicture.jpg" /></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/62e4d11/" id="rc-62e4d11" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-21550277043716222682013-08-01T02:17:00.002-06:002013-08-01T21:03:51.252-06:00A Wedding Videographer To Know<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hold the wedding<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you haven't heard of</span> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jordan.j.overman" target="_blank">Jordan J. Overman of Override Films</a> <span style="color: #ce7388;">you will. </span>And, if he isn't your videographer <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #ce7388;">he should be. </span>This video of my gorgeous sister and her fabulous husband captures the day beautifully [and </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">my son, pouting in the temple arch]. </span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="224" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/71450306?autoplay=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="398"></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-35966511760805841972013-07-30T18:37:00.000-06:002013-08-04T02:06:45.616-06:00Tip #5 For Stress-Free Shopping Trip With Toddlers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div>
<div>
The Grocery Store is a popular exhibit among children's museums for a reason. Kids love the freedom of pulling items off the shelves and filling their mini shopping carts to the rim. Pushing their carts up and down the aisles and working the cash register, kids get a sense of what it's like to be a grown-up.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
I'll enjoy giving Leap the car keys and a list in the future. For now, he's 4 and our shopping trips can be a hands-on learning experience for him. However, I'll be the first to admit, "hands on" doesn't <span style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #e06666;">naturally</span></span> come to mind when I shop with the littles. My default mode is "hands-<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">off</span>" mode -</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
"keep your hands to yourself,"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
"don't touch/eat/open that" and</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
"put that back."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
But, with a touch of planning, I'm confident we can have a positive hands-on trip. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Planning is our reinforcement against a tantrum and a come-apart of our own. Having a few ability-appropriate activities prepared can help neutralize boredom, frustration, over-stimulation, and tiredness which contribute to tantrums. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
However, tantrums are a normal part of growing up, and we inevitably face them. Hands-on activities can distract a frustrated toddler, give them a bit of control, and help them through their frustration.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
In our next post in the series I'll share a few specific ideas to help jumpstart a brainstorm of hands-on "Shop & Learn" activities<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If you'd be interested in sharing <span style="color: #e06666;">your own</span> original hands-on activity with us, leave the name of your activity in a Comment.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We'd love to feature you in a future post</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span></div>
</div>
<script src="http://static.inlinkz.com/cs2.js?v=003" type="text/javascript"></script>
<!-- end InLinkz script -->
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-59016139514780678322013-07-16T16:31:00.001-06:002013-08-04T19:57:13.495-06:00Tip #4 For A Stress-Free Shopping Trip With Toddlers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H8R4LYGCiZk/UeSuyncHxMI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/uzC5zSWywoA/s1600/PainlessMeals-Shopping-With-Toddlers-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H8R4LYGCiZk/UeSuyncHxMI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/uzC5zSWywoA/s1600/PainlessMeals-Shopping-With-Toddlers-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
There <span style="color: #9b9e45; font-family: inherit;">are</span> times when my boys hold hands, walk together, stay close, and mind me when I ask them to leave things on the store shelves.<br />
<br />
And times when they do <span style="color: #9b9e45;">not. </span>Times when I<span style="color: #9b9e45;"> </span>don't want to shop either, and when it's a real challenge to wait for little legs to catch up. Times when it's just easier on my brain to know my boys are contained and safe.<br />
<br />
Have a containment plan - a baby carrier, car seat, or shopping cart seat belt. For the record, I wish more Utah stores offered in-store child care<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #bd5259;">Plush</span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">•</span><span style="color: #bd5259;">i</span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">•</span><span style="color: #bd5259;">fy | </span>To make plush. </div>
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;">Plushify that space. </span><span style="color: #9b9e45;">Not</span> a real word, I know. But, we can't forget to make our child's space comfortable. Expecting a hard plastic seat and seat belt to keep our toddler happy while we stare at jars of pasta sauce for several minutes <span style="color: #9b9e45;">may be </span>expecting too much. [Please don't feel bad, I totally do this.]<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
A washable blanket or stuffed toy from home may help. Admittedly, I've swung by the toy aisle and let each of my boys choose one "store friend" to hold while we shop. They're expected to be careful with the packaging and return it to its place before we check out. [I also learn quite a bit about which toys hold their attention, for birthday/Christmas gifts...]<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51qSfX1WPVL._SL210_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51qSfX1WPVL._SL210_.jpg" /></a></div>
Another great option is a <span style="color: #9b9e45;">shopping cart cover.</span> From Amazon.com we pulled a few results for cart covers<span style="color: #9b9e45;"> </span>with features we feel are important to have when shopping with toddlers.<br />
<br />
If you do order an item from our <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/byouwisk-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #bd5259;">Blog Store</span></a> we earn a small commission from Amazon, and for your support we are sincerely grateful.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #a6a189; font-size: x-large;">Features We Love</span></div>
<span style="color: #9b9e45;"><span style="font-family: 'Old Standard TT'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">◊ </span>Loops</span> for cup, pacifier, toy, etc. attachment.<br />
<span style="color: #9b9e45;"><span style="font-family: 'Old Standard TT'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">◊ </span>Padding.</span> I'm interested in more than just a sheet. Toddler sleeping in the cart <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">=</span> strong selling point<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span><br />
<span style="color: #9b9e45;"><span style="font-family: 'Old Standard TT'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">◊ </span>Pocket(s) with a zipper.</span> Not only does a zipper keep small hands out of your pocket(s) longer, it minimizes your risk of spiking your cell phone on the ground should you forget to empty your pocket(s) before pulling the cover off.<br />
<div>
<span style="color: #9b9e45; font-family: 'Old Standard TT'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">◊ </span><span style="color: #9b9e45;">Travels well.</span> For what it's worth, it seems all covers can be folded/rolled/stuffed into a bag fairly easily.</div>
<div>
<span style="color: #9b9e45; font-family: 'Old Standard TT'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">◊ </span><span style="color: #9b9e45;">Fabric color/print <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">=</span> bonus. </span>It should be washable. For us, comfort and function rule over beauty in the Dept. of Toddler Management [as much as I love beautiful fabric].<br />
<br />
To see which cart covers made the cut, you can visit our <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/byouwisk-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #bd5259;">Blog Store</span></a><span style="color: #bd5259;"> </span>here<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you liked this tip, you may like our other tips in this series:</div>
<table align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://super84117.blogspot.com/2013/07/tip-3-for-stress-free-shopping-trip.html"><img height="125" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGMx7QC7-L4/UdeLDRD73VI/AAAAAAAAD00/TPCLC-4HD2M/s1600/PainlessMeals-Shopping-With-Toddlers-Tip-3.jpg" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://super84117.blogspot.com/2013/07/tip-2-for-stress-free-shopping-trip.html"><img height="125" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CwlLfMJNwgA/UdRhGSa8ZKI/AAAAAAAADyM/Sdj-aaYoE5M/s1600/PainlessMeals-Shopping-With-Toddlers-Tip-2.jpg" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://super84117.blogspot.com/2013/07/tip-1-for-stress-free-shopping-trip.html"><img height="125" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qeDr98uS-Hk/UdNEpBLFRhI/AAAAAAAADxs/o1DsezI41i4/s1600/PainlessMeals-Shopping-With-Toddlers-Tip-1.jpg" /></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #bd5259;"><a href="http://super84117.blogspot.com/2013/07/tip-3-for-stress-free-shopping-trip.html" target="_blank">Tip #3</a> | <a href="http://super84117.blogspot.com/2013/07/tip-2-for-stress-free-shopping-trip.html" target="_blank">Tip #2</a> | <a href="http://super84117.blogspot.com/2013/07/tip-1-for-stress-free-shopping-trip.html" target="_blank">Tip #1</a></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-34970471586912600672013-07-09T06:00:00.000-06:002013-07-14T23:10:25.492-06:00Tip #3 For A Stress-Free Shopping Trip With Toddlers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGMx7QC7-L4/UdeLDRD73VI/AAAAAAAAD00/TPCLC-4HD2M/s1600/PainlessMeals-Shopping-With-Toddlers-Tip-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGMx7QC7-L4/UdeLDRD73VI/AAAAAAAAD00/TPCLC-4HD2M/s1600/PainlessMeals-Shopping-With-Toddlers-Tip-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you missed our previous tips, you can find them here:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://super84117.blogspot.com/2013/07/tip-1-for-stress-free-shopping-trip.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Tip #1</span></a> <span style="color: #bf9000;"> |</span> <a href="http://super84117.blogspot.com/2013/07/tip-2-for-stress-free-shopping-trip.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Tip #2</span></a></div>
<br />
Little Brother [2] doesn't speak in clear complete sentences yet, but he is listening and he does understand a whole lot more. Even if your toddler isn't speaking yet, it can't hurt to start communicating your [age-appropriate] expectations.<br />
<br />
Before I leave the house, I name 1-2 specific things I expect from each boy. "Behave" is too vague. "Please keep your seat belt on when you're in the shopping cart" is more specific. Then, warn them about the consequence(s) for disobeying. I'll repeat these once we're in the car, and again just before we go into the store.<br />
<br />
Effective consequences have a logical connection to the misbehavior. If Little Brother jets off down the aisle and ignores my call to come back, for me, <span style="color: #bf9000;">losing the privilege to walk through the store </span>would be the more logical consequence over <span style="color: #d98673;">calling off an outing to the park.</span><br />
<br />
We can't forget to praise our children immediately for what they do well. In so doing, we'll help them recognize what those things are because it may not be clear to them. By our example, they'll also learn how to recognize the efforts of others and praise them.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.essentialparenting.com/get-started/intro-loving-discipline/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img class="nopin" src="http://www.essentialparenting.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/mother-and-daughter-connection-copy-300x199.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.essentialparenting.com/get-started/intro-loving-discipline/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Image</a><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Discipline with love and not anger. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For me, <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>how</i></span> I discipline has become more important than <i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">when </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">I discipline. If you </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>are</i></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> feeling flustered or angry when your child misbehaves, <span style="color: #d98673;">wait.</span> Consider how you want to respond. I believe there are ways to help your child relate a consequence with the misbehavior even when the consequence occurs later. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
The <span style="color: #d98673;">hope</span> is, by arriving at appropriate consequences <span style="color: #bf9000;">in advance </span>[and when we have a cool head] we'll be better prepared to respond with coolness and love when our child does misbehave. This is the hope.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-42077242239269642972013-07-08T06:00:00.001-06:002013-07-08T06:00:03.241-06:00New Blog Title<div style="text-align: center;">
Over the weekend I spent a little time beautifying our blog title<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">How do you feel about it?<span style="font-size: large;">?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I would <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>so</i></span> appreciate your honest feedback.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #16ab95; font-size: large;">before</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pa4RNYpg_xQ/UdoyZBL0TlI/AAAAAAAAD1E/2r_osbjyN-s/s1600/Old-Blog-Header-PainlessMeals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="nopin" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pa4RNYpg_xQ/UdoyZBL0TlI/AAAAAAAAD1E/2r_osbjyN-s/s1600/Old-Blog-Header-PainlessMeals.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #16ab95; font-size: large;">after</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NiKKSAnCK0k/UdoyZMWVK7I/AAAAAAAAD1I/-BMJj_70T3A/s1600/New-Blog-Header-PainlessMeals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="nopin" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NiKKSAnCK0k/UdoyZMWVK7I/AAAAAAAAD1I/-BMJj_70T3A/s1600/New-Blog-Header-PainlessMeals.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-40336366241765235212013-07-03T17:56:00.000-06:002013-07-14T23:10:13.211-06:00Tip #2 For A Stress-Free Shopping Trip With Toddlers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://super84117.blogspot.com/2013/07/tip-1-for-stress-free-shopping-trip.html" target="_blank">Find Tip #1 HERE</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CwlLfMJNwgA/UdRhGSa8ZKI/AAAAAAAADyM/Sdj-aaYoE5M/s480/PainlessMeals-Shopping-With-Toddlers-Tip-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CwlLfMJNwgA/UdRhGSa8ZKI/AAAAAAAADyM/Sdj-aaYoE5M/s1600/PainlessMeals-Shopping-With-Toddlers-Tip-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You've fed your toddler(s) [/preschooler(s)]. Now, <span style="color: #bf4355;">PACK A SNACK<span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">A super snack can pack a 4-part power-play: </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #bf4355;">1 |</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> draw attention from snack on store shelf, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #bf4355;">2 |</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> delay any hunger pains, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #bf4355;">3 |</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> occupy hands and mouth, and </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #bf4355;">4 |</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> hold interest. </span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #978c81; font-size: large;">Can they count the number of pretzels on a pretzel necklace [pretzels on a string]? How many are left after they eat one?</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As parents we have learned that offering a snack as a reward [ie. for good behavior] and withholding a snack as a punishment [ie. for poor behavior] can impact a child's emotional connection with food. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A better choice may be to choose a reliable time and place to offer a snack </span>that is <span style="color: #bf4355;">NOT related to behavior - </span>for example, <span style="font-family: inherit;">once you're inside the store, or once you reach the apples [and ideally before a meltdown].</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-24364716518294941852013-07-02T15:41:00.000-06:002013-07-14T23:10:03.716-06:00Tip #1 For A Stress-Free Shopping Trip With Toddlers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qeDr98uS-Hk/UdNEpBLFRhI/AAAAAAAADxs/o1DsezI41i4/s350/PainlessMeals-Shopping-With-Toddlers-Tip-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qeDr98uS-Hk/UdNEpBLFRhI/AAAAAAAADxs/o1DsezI41i4/s1600/PainlessMeals-Shopping-With-Toddlers-Tip-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I turn into a monster too when I'm hungry and tired. This is one tip you'll find again and again in similar articles and posts by both mothers <span style="color: #783f04;">AND</span> professionals. [As often as possible] Put your toddler(s) down for a nap and feed them before you head off to the store together.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-71281876732798037532013-06-28T11:00:00.000-06:002013-06-29T11:07:14.032-06:00Finally, Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1044113_10200355484155374_31569229_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1044113_10200355484155374_31569229_n.jpg" title="Just Married!" width="450" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-48962786420343045452013-06-25T18:12:00.002-06:002013-07-17T00:05:47.123-06:00Enter To Win Makeup for Summer: Urban Decay Naked Palette [ENDED]<span style="text-align: center;">The <a href="http://www.urbandecay.com/naked-palette-eyeshadow-by-urban-decay/245,default,pd.html">Urban Decay Naked Palette</a> is a must have this summer because we all want to look good<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">!</span> As another makeup favorite of mine the timing is perfect to give it away. Enjoy, from </span><a href="http://lechateaudesfleurs.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank" title="Lechateaudesfleurs">LeChateaudesFleurs</a><span style="text-align: center;">.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This long, lean, seductive case is packed with TWELVE gorgeous neutrals. Shades range from delicate champagnes to dark, gritty gunmetal, with names like Darkhorse, Virgin and Buck. We've also included a range of textures: everything from glitter to shimmer to matte.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww257/agofish/For%20Blog/For%20Others/nakedpalettegiveaway_zps117d5d52.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Urban Decay NAKED Palette Giveaway" border="0" src="http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww257/agofish/For%20Blog/For%20Others/nakedpalettegiveaway_zps117d5d52.png" title="Urban Decay NAKED Palette Giveaway" width="450" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://rainshadowlabs.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="RainShadow Labs" src="https://multimedia.getresponse.com/775/382775/photos/1109598.png" title="RainShadow Labs" /></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; text-decoration: underline;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; text-decoration: underline;">RainShadow Labs</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">RainShadow Labs provides the highest quality wholesale cosmetics. They offer lotions, washes, cremes, candles, soaps, gels, essential oils and so much more.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Visit them here: </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px;"><a href="http://rainshadowlabs.com/" target="_blank" title="RainShadow Labs">http://rainshadowlabs.com/</a></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">One of my favorite products from RainShadow Labs:</span><b> </b></div>
</span></center>
<center style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://www.rainshadowlabs.com/AEWR-Turbo-Wrinkle-Smoothing-Treatment-98-natural40-organic-_p_582.html"><span style="font-size: large;">AEWR Turbo Wrinkle Smoothing Treatment</span></a></center>
<center style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3C/span%3Ehttp://www.rainshadowlabs.com/AEWR-Turbo-Wrinkle-Smoothing-Treatment-98-natural40-organic-_p_582.html" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="AEWR Turbo Wrinkle Smoothing Treatment" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ebHLY4vIjA0/UcRpE8jei0I/AAAAAAAAQ98/rQR8sXvQgg8/s1600/wrinkle+cream.PNG" title="AEWR Turbo Wrinkle Smoothing Treatment" /></a><span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></center>
<center style="text-align: right;">
<span style="text-align: start;">The name says it all. If there is one turn back the clock product that every person over 25 with skin should have, this is it. Restore firmness, heal sun damage, increase hydration, erase wrinkles, smooth texture, nourish at the dermal layer, minimize irritation, increase skin brightness and even out skin tone.</span></center>
<center style="text-align: right;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></center>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></center>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Enter to win the Urban Decay Naked Palette:</span></span></center>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">Open worldwide. Ends 7/8/13. Entries will be verified. </span></center>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">See Rafflecopter for full Terms.</span></center>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></center>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><center style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0866d668/" id="rc-0866d668" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></center>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></center>
</span></center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-2756099163978700672013-06-24T22:08:00.002-06:002013-06-24T22:10:53.336-06:0011 Breakfast Ideas For A Tight Budget<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_bNlsnycWI/UckUwB51M0I/AAAAAAAADwU/diljV3h7zfc/s1600/PainlessMeals-11-Budget-Breakfasts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_bNlsnycWI/UckUwB51M0I/AAAAAAAADwU/diljV3h7zfc/s1600/PainlessMeals-11-Budget-Breakfasts.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When you find yourself at the end of your budget with half of the month to go, we hope this grocery list and the following Breakfast ideas will simplify planning reasonably balanced breakfasts for you and your family.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #ded7d8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////</span></div>
<div style="border: double #ded7d8 4px;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: x-large;"> The <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>GROCERY</b></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>LIST </b></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br />
Apples</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Apple Juice</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Bananas</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Beans</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Bread</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Butter</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Cheese [optional]</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Cinnamon</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Eggs</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Flour<br />
Lettuce [Green Leaf, Iceberg, or Red Leaf]]</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Milk</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Oats</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Oil [Canola]</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Peanut Butter</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
[Uncooked] Tortillas</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
In some recipes, Butter can be substituted for Oil.</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #e8837e;">If</span><span style="color: #e8837e;"> you don't like eating breakfast, try</span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; color: #333333; font-family: 'Old Standard TT'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">◊ </span>an Apple [w/Peanut Butter]<br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; color: #333333; font-family: 'Old Standard TT'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">◊ </span>a Banana<br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; color: #333333; font-family: 'Old Standard TT'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">◊ </span>a glass of [low-fat] Milk<br />
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f6; color: #333333; font-family: 'Old Standard TT'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">◊ </span>a hard-boiled Egg<br />
<br />
<div style="border: double #bbadaf 4px;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://fitbie.msn.com/slideshow/healthy-breakfasts-taste-good" target="_blank">Fitbie</a> says if you don't like eating breakfast, "drink a glass of low-fat milk. If you've skipped breakfast for years, you've duped your body into thinking it doesn't need food in the morning...You need about a week of consistently eating breakfast to turn the hunger cues back on. Start with something small, like a glass of milk...then slowly work your way up to a healthy-size breakfast [<a href="http://fitbie.msn.com/slideshow/healthy-breakfasts-taste-good" target="_blank">Healthy Breakfasts That Taste Good</a>, Fitbie.msn.com]."</blockquote>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #ded7d8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////</span></div>
<div style="border: double #ded7d8 4px;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: x-large;">Meal <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>IDEAS </b></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #bbadaf; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: x-large;">1|</span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bread <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">+</span> Peanut Butter <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">+</span> Apple/Banana [sliced]</div>
<br />
Top Bread with Peanut Butter and sliced apple/banana. [Toast your bread, make a sandwich, or use a little butter for a grilled sandwich.]<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: x-large;">2|</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8837e;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Perfect Oatmeal</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Apple Juice <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Butter</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cinnamon</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+ </span>[quick-cook] Oatmeal/Rolled Oats <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span> Toppings [optional]</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="http://www.oprah.com/food/The-Perfect-Oatmeal" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Get Chef Tyler Florence's Recipe For The Perfect Oatmeal HERE</span></a><br />
[The only oatmeal my 4-year-old will eat, so far]<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="border: double #bbadaf 4px;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
If you don't love Oats, "Brown Rice is full of energy-providing B vitamins" and is "a great source of filling fiber. Cook the rice the night before. Then, in the morning, put it in a bowl with a spoonful of Honey, a handful of Raisins, a cut-up Apple, and a sprinkle of Cinnamon for a unique yet delicious treat [<a href="http://www.rd.com/health/healthy-eating/27-ideas-for-a-healthier-breakfast/" target="_blank">27 Ideas for a Healthier Breakfast</a>, Reader's Digest, rd.com]</blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #bbadaf; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #bbadaf; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: x-large;">3|</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: large;">Peanut Butter & Banana Smoothie</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Banana <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span> Milk <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span> Peanut Butter </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipe/desserts/peanut-butter-banana-smoothie/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" omenshealthmag.com="" src="http://images.meredith.com/fitness/images/recipe/l_R117006.jpg" title="" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Peanut Butter & Banana Smoothie</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipe/desserts/peanut-butter-banana-smoothie/" target="_blank">FitnessMagazine.com</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipe/desserts/peanut-butter-banana-smoothie/" target="_blank">Get The Recipe HERE</a></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: x-large;">4|</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: large;">Eggs On Bread</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bread <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span> Butter <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span> Eggs</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: x-large;">5|</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: large;">Easy French Toast</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bread <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span> Butter/Oil <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cinnamon [optional]</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span>Eggs <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span> Milk</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://super84117.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-most-basic-french-toast-recipe.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-Qu1CRmYVo/UTLoIdFI4VI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/qpVt9swFTIk/s1600/Collages.jpg" title="PainlessMeals.com" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="font-size: 13px; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Easy French Toast</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://super84117.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-most-basic-french-toast-recipe.html" target="_blank">PainlessMeals.com</a></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><a href="http://super84117.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-most-basic-french-toast-recipe.html" target="_blank">Get Our Recipe HERE</a></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We used cinnamon swirl bread, but you can also use white, wheat, sourdough, etc. bread. I add a bit of Cinnamon [either to the Egg/Milk mixture or sprinkled on top of bread once dipped].<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: x-large;">6|</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
[Toasted] Bread topped with a leaf of Lettuce and [scrambled] Eggs</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: x-large;">7|</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: large;">Quesadillas</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cheese <complete id="goog_1164288631"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span> </complete>uncooked Tortillas</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: x-large;">8|</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: large;">Breakfast Burritos</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
[Scrambled] Eggs <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span> Beans [canned] <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span> uncooked Tortillas <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+ </span>Cheese [optional] <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+ </span>Salsa [optional]</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://recipes.womenshealthmag.com/Recipe/breakfast-burritos-ii.aspx" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://recipes.womenshealthmag.com/RecipeImages/1140366_med.jpg" title="WomensHealthMag.com" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Breakfast Burritos</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://recipes.womenshealthmag.com/Recipe/breakfast-burritos-ii.aspx" target="_blank">Women's Health</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><a href="http://recipes.womenshealthmag.com/Recipe/breakfast-burritos-ii.aspx" target="_blank">Get The Recipe HERE</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: x-large;">9|</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: large;">Microwave Coffee Cup Scramble</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Eggs <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span> [shredded] Cheese <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span> Milk</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dashrecipes.com/recipes/dr/microwave-egg-scramble.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.dashrecipes.com/images/recipes/dr/microwave-eggs.jpg" title="DashRecipes.com" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Microwave Coffee Cup Scramble</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.dashrecipes.com/recipes/dr/microwave-egg-scramble.html" target="_blank">DashRecipes.com</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.dashrecipes.com/recipes/dr/microwave-egg-scramble.html" target="_blank">Get The Recipe HERE</a></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: x-large;">10|</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: large;">German Pancakes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Eggs <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span> Flour <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span> Milk <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+ </span>Buttermilk Sauce ingredients [optional]</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/German-Pancake-with-Buttermilk-Sauce/Detail.aspx" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://images.media-allrecipes.com/userphotos/250x250/00/06/95/69599.jpg" title="FitnessMagazine.com" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;">German Pancakes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/German-Pancake-with-Buttermilk-Sauce/Detail.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">AllRecipes.com</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/German-Pancake-with-Buttermilk-Sauce/Detail.aspx" target="_blank">Get The Recipe HERE</a></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: x-large;">11|</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e8837e; font-size: large;">Crepes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Eggs <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span> Flour <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span> Milk <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span> [Canola] Oil <span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+</span> Sugar [optional]</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a align="center" border="0" href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.ourbestbites.com/our-best-bites-badge-150x150.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Crepes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2010/06/tutorial-crepes-smith-family-thin-cakes/" target="_blank">Get The Recipe HERE</a></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We love Crepes because you can fill or top them scrambled Eggs, Fruit, Peanut Butter, or a mixture of Cinnamon and Sugar.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #ded7d8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">What do you think of our list?</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-63161440068503199602013-06-20T21:10:00.001-06:002013-06-20T21:13:31.362-06:00Finally, Friday: A Disjointed Summary of the WeekToday I noticed a spike in page views and realized, <span style="color: #a14495; font-family: inherit;">last</span> Thursday I posted Utah County's 1st edition of our Best Advertised Produce Prices list. In fact, I shared a link on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PainlessMeals" target="_blank">our Facebook page</a> just after midnight - I was <span style="color: #a14495;">so</span> excited.<br />
<br />
To all who came looking for that list this week, I'm <span style="color: #a14495;">so</span> glad that you find it helpful. [It has been a long, and emotional week.] Forgive me for the absence of an updated list?<br />
<br />
I hope you'll submit your feedback as we continue to pilot our Best Prices list(s). Contact me <a href="http://super84117.blogspot.com/p/contact-me.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, Friday</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qd2f63rOZGA/UcO7Tyl8SJI/AAAAAAAADv4/SDP03m_Uruw/s1600/PainlessMeals-June-II.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qd2f63rOZGA/UcO7Tyl8SJI/AAAAAAAADv4/SDP03m_Uruw/s1600/PainlessMeals-June-II.JPG" width="95%" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vcLYP9Nfb0k/UcO8bsY6GGI/AAAAAAAADwE/cErgDArLIH8/s1600/Dory.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vcLYP9Nfb0k/UcO8bsY6GGI/AAAAAAAADwE/cErgDArLIH8/s1600/Dory.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"When life gets you down do you wanna know what you gotta do?"</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<object class="hark_player" height="28" width="300">
<param name="movie" value="http://cdn.hark.com/swfs/player_fb.swf?pid=gxghvgkjml"/>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"/>
<param name="allownetworking" value="all"/>
<param name="wmode" value="transparent"/>
<embed src="http://cdn.hark.com/swfs/player_fb.swf?pid=gxghvgkjml" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" width="300" height="28" wmode="transparent"></embed>
</object><br />
-<u>Finding Nemo</u><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/undefined" style="color: #dddddd; font-size: 9px;" title="Listen to on Hark.com"></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143028686125086192.post-20395678810022341292013-06-12T01:21:00.000-06:002013-06-12T13:32:20.660-06:00Thrift Store Planter: These Boots Weren't Made For Walkin'These <span style="color: #ddbb32;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">BRIGHT</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"> YELLOW </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">BOOTS</span></span> caught my attention on a recent trip to Deseret Industries, and I snatched them up immediately. They wouldn't fit my feet, yet I knew I had to have them and paid $6 for the pair.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://snapcreativity.com/super-summer-project-ideas/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6143028686125086192" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://super84117.blogspot.com/2013/06/thrift-store-planter-these-boots-werent.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-yC5YB4qvA/UbgGTWZHPwI/AAAAAAAADt8/aT6LNY53pQU/s1600/PainlessMeals-Thrift-Store-Yellow-Boots-DIY.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
Flash forward to last week-<br />
Exhausted, I was feeling the pressure of<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
an upcoming bridal shower I was planning...</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
acting as a single parent without Hubby for a few days this week...</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Father's Day...</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Hubby's birthday...</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
dressing our family for the approaching wedding...</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
[and myself as a bridesmaid]...</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
laundry piles that never seem to shrink...</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Of <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>life</i></span>. </div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The </span><span style="color: #ddbb32;">BRIGHT</span><span style="color: #ddbb32; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"> YELLOW </span><span style="color: #ddbb32;">BOOTS </span>came out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://super84117.blogspot.com/2013/06/thrift-store-planter-these-boots-werent.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9HzqFWNB9R4/UbgT9o0pYoI/AAAAAAAADuc/ro1dktpdo1w/s1600/PainlessMeals-Thrift-Store-Yellow-Boots-Flower-Pot.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://super84117.blogspot.com/2013/06/thrift-store-planter-these-boots-werent.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IZeEREPAUv8/UbgURzfcdxI/AAAAAAAADuk/PLxf4feldxw/s1600/PainlessMeals-Thrift-Store-Boot-Flower-Pot-Entrance.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://super84117.blogspot.com/2013/06/thrift-store-planter-these-boots-werent.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oah70XfCwtw/UbgVjGckxuI/AAAAAAAADu0/ixQDzY3EOBU/s1600/PainlessMeals-Thrift-Store-Boot-Flower-Pot.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
I figured since planting containers have holes in the bottom [for water drainage], mine should too. I drilled 3 holes right through the sole of each shoe [from the bottom]. The water appeared to drain out just fine.<br />
<br />
With the laces in and loosened, I added a bit of planting soil to each shoe [after filling each shoe toe].<br />
<br />
I dropped the flower in and filled in any extra space [around the roots] with planting soil.<br />
<br />
Then, I gave them a drink [and they peed all over my table ;)].<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #666666; text-align: start;">Do</span><span style="color: #ddbb32; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: start;"> </span><span style="color: #ddbb32; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;">you</span><span style="color: #ddbb32; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: start;"> </span><span style="color: #666666;">have a fun planter that needs a flower?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm sharing this Super Summer Project over at SnapCreativity.com</span><br />
<span style="color: #86c2ba; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Find more Super Summer Projects here-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://snapcreativity.com/super-summer-project-ideas/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="”SNAP!”" class="nopin" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FloohSv29nA/Ubgka8clF4I/AAAAAAAADvE/bC6ib37KsTo/s1600/Show-and-Tell-Button2.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #86c2ba; font-size: large;">with one more great inspiration Round Up here-</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.housewivesofriverton.com/2013/06/riverton-housewives-round-up-69.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Real Housewives of Riverton Round Up" class="nopin" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ajLa1r6BYBY/UYCqMRJyATI/AAAAAAAAFi8/adYne7PZM1Q/s410/RHWroundup.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08050938767472338504noreply@blogger.com7