Random Pictures of Outside this past weekend

For more outdoor pictures visit the blog A Southern Daydreamer

Also listed at thursday 13 at the blog Happy To Be At Home and at the blog THe Inspired Room

Mouthwash replaces bug spray

My Works For Me Wednesday is actually a tip that my daughter shared with me. She received a small book and from that book has found many great tips for daily living.

today's tip is to use mouthwash instead of bug spray. Has been proven to work and is very useful and easier and sometimes cheaper than the bug spray. I can not stand the smell of bug spray but you can often get a refreshing smelling mouthwash.

Want to share your tip or read others? Head over to the blog We Are That Family

I also listed this at Thrifty Thursday at Tales from bloggeritaville also listed on the blog Life As Mom for Friday Frugal Tips

Wordless Wednesday

My daughter is holding a baby that is smaller than she will ever have since her baby was nearly 2 lbs more at birth than this one at 3 months

for more wordless wednesday visit Go Graham Go, 5 minute for mom, mom of 3 girls, also listed at the blog 5 minutes for special for special exposure Wednesday

Kitchen Tip

With the summer heat on the way I have found a great new way to prepare food. The great George Forman comes in handy when you don't want to heat the house up, cuts down grease on food and taste great as well. We have cooked meat, hashbrown patties, grill cheese etc.... on our George Foreman perhaps you can find great ways to use it as well

to find more great kitchen tips check out the blog Tammy's Recipes

Random Thoughts for Tuesday May 26

It is Tuesday again and because The Un Mom thought it up and host Random Tuesday Thoughts we all get to share what is on our mind.

Right at this moment i am thinking that eating that sloppy Joe with the bold manwich sauce was the wrong thing to do. Can anyone say heartburn LOL

Today I was thinking about my daughter who just graduated from high school. She has went to visit her sister for two weeks. She is staying at home for another year and then moving into the dorms of a college a few hours away. Oh how the house will be different when she moves out. Her bubbly personality will be missing. My son her younger brother even commented that life seems boring right now without Krystina here. They will be going to the same school in about a year that is what she is hanging back for so that he can go with her. He graduates next year. Is it not sweet to be siblings and best friends.

This past weekend was quite busy with family, graduation and Memorial day weekend. It was great but busy and now I have a ton of work ahead of me. Anyways we all had a great time and are getting along wonderfully.

Well if you want to hear some other random thoughts visit the blog The Un Mom and see what others are doing.

To Do Tuesday

To Do Tuesday
Well this week has started with a jump and a start. Graduation weekend along with Memorial day and now we are off on another To Do Tuesday:
Tuesday
laundry (done)
bathroom (done)
Wednesday:
bedroom deep clean
church
laundry
Thursday:
kitchen deep clean
laundry
Friday through Sunday I will take it easy and enjoy as the following weekend I will be gone this weekend is meant to work outside

To see what others are doing check out the blog Crazy Adventures in Parenting

No Slippy Hair Clippy Review and Giveaway

If you are like me you love to dress those little ones up. I love to see my little granddaughter in hair clips. The problem comes in when the clip will not stay put in her hair and then instead of cute it becomes a problem. The solution to this problem has been found with No Slippy Hair Clippy. How lovely.

From the No Slippy Hair Clippy website some of the best answers are found:

The No Slippy Hair Clippy were extremely generous in the package that they sent to my granddaughter. We received several clips, a hair clip holder and a headband. How sweet. Let me show you how grand some of the clips are

How much cuter can you get there are several of the cutest clips I have ever seen located on the NO Slippy Hair Clippy website. They also sell seriously sweet headbands.



Want to get your little princess a great hair accessory? Visit the website for No Slippy Hair Clippy

Win: one of Annie's Home readers will win a pair of clips from No Slippy Hair Clippy.

You must: visit the No Slippy Hair Clippy website and let me know what your choice would be and sign up for the clip of the month club here

Extra Entries: after doing the above which must be completed first

• Follow my blog publicly (2 entries)
• follow me on twitter (2 entries) leave ID in comment
• tweet about the giveaway (1 entry each time) leave link in comment
• blog about the giveaway (5 entries)
• subscribe to my blog
• enter another giveaway on my blog and let me know which one (2 entries for each)
• comment on another blog post and let me know which one (1 entry for each post)

Contest runs from now through June 12, 2009. Please remember to have fun, email must be present to win and you should award your self by allowing each entry its own comment Open to everyone

The Pretty Peacock Jewelry Review and Giveaway

Do you love jewelry? Do you love pretty desirable jewelry? Do you love jewelry with meaning? Well then you would be delighted with The Pretty Peacock. The company The Pretty Peacock creates jewelry that is both personable and desirable.

Ana Talukder Simpson the creator behind The Pretty Peacock lovely pieces desired to find jewelry that were as highly thought of as the poems her husband wrote her. She desires that the pieces of jewelry be ones that makes you think thoughts of delight of who you are, where you are and what is going on with your life.

The Good Karma line of jewelry is created of eco friendly fine silver. The fine silver is 99% silver which is mailable to create just that desirable look.

Both of the fine pieces created by The Pretty Peacock are made of the fine silver. The name pendant and the wise owl are great examples of the high class available at the Pretty Peacock

The Pretty Peacock remembered the men folk as well creating works of arts as the hero dog tag. Any dad would love to get one of these for fathers day which is just around the bin.

The people of The Pretty Peacock have open hearts as well. They support charities as well. The childhood cancer and awareness support group has been given a helping hand by The Pretty Peacock.

For all those jewelry needs please check out The Pretty Peacock If you order from the Pretty Peacock website and use the discount codeword Annie and you can save 5%

Win: Yes that's right one of Annie's Home readers can win a Pretty Peacock piece of jewelry. Up for grabs is this lovely pendant and chain.

To win you must: sign up for the pretty peacock newsletter located on their website

Extra Entries: available only after completing the above

• Follow my blog publicly (2 entries)
• follow me on twitter leave me your ID (2 entries)
• twitter about the giveaway (1 entry each time)
• blog about the giveaway linking to my blog and pretty peacock (5 entries)
• subscribe to my blog (5 entries)
• enter another giveaway and let me know what ones (1 entry per contest entered)
• comment on another post let me know which one you commented on (1 entry per post)

Contest starts today and will run through June 16, 2009. Email must be present or you can not win because I will not be able to let you know. Please remember each entry deserves its own comment.

Graduation Cake

In order to save money we created the graduation cake. First of all yes it saved money and second of all what fun we had. Just take a look at our cakes and let me know if you think we tackled the project or not

For more of what others are doing and talking about check out the blogs 5 minutes for mom and The lazy organizer

To see other projects that were tackled visit the blog 5 minutes for mom

The So Easy Baby Food Kit Review and giveaway

As a mother of six I have had my battles with food and children. I believe to teach your children to eat nutritious you must start early. The earlier the better and Fresh Baby So Easy baby food kit can help you. It must not only be my opinion because there are studies that show a child's eating preference are established by 3 years of age.

One great way to ensure your child is getting the proper nutrients is to make your own baby food. Making baby food is not only a great idea for your child but also for the earth. Look at all the packaging that can be avoided by making your own baby food. You do not know exactly what ingredients they use to create the manufactured baby food but if you make your own baby food for your little one you can be sure that you use the best ingredients for the one you love.

We love to give our little ones the best that we can and making baby food is one of the greatness that we can. You can use the same organic fruits and vegetables that you provide for the other members in your family. Using organics is great for the earth and your little one. Until I read the Fresh Baby website I was not aware of the hormone Bisphenol-A being used to line baby food jars. Not only will you avoid this hormone but also the possible preservatives, additives and chemicals found in some leading baby food. By providing your little one with delicious homemade foods you are offering them pure and natural goodness.

With the Fresh Baby So Easy baby food kit you can make all natural baby food in 30 minutes per week. Not a lot of time to make such a great difference in your child's life. The kit contains cook book, storage trays, a DVD for instructional help and tip card that will help guide you as well. The Fresh Baby So Easy baby food kit is recommended by pediatricians and is the perfect gift for a new baby.

The great cookbook included with the Fresh Baby So Easy baby food kit offers recipes as well as tips in introducing solid foods, serving suggestions and is organized by age. What a wonderful idea that it offers recipes by age because as your child grows their taste and choice will too.

Freezer trays are included with the Fresh Baby So Easy baby food kit because they are so handy. The trays are designed to store the homemade baby food in single servings which help to simplify your life.

If I had a nickle for each time I started something before reading the directions because I just did not want to take the time I might be rich by now. That is why I appreciate the DVD included with the Fresh Baby So Easy baby food kit. The DVD walks you by step by step through the instructions and begins with selecting the ingredients and travels through to serving the food.

Do you ever have questions about how nutritious the food you serve is? Well the nutrition tip cards included with the Fresh Baby So Easy baby food kit offers tips on best source of nutrition, how and when to introduce foods, as well as first aid directions for choking. Don't worry the card is waterproof so it can travel right into the kitchen with you.

The So Easy Baby Food Kit is designed for babies making the transition from breast or bottle to solid foods. (babies about 6 months old).

Want to try the kit out for your baby? The So Easy Baby Food Kit makers want to give one of Annies Home readers a chance to win their own kit.

If you would like to win you MUST visit the So Easy Baby Food kit website and let me know another product that they sell.

Extra Entries:

• Grab my button and let me know where you put it (2 entries)
• Subscribe to my blog through email (3 entries)
• subscribe to my blog through reader (3 entries)
• follow my blog (2 entries)
• follow on twitter (2 entries)
• twitter about the giveaway (2 entries each twitter)
• comment on any post besides giveaways (2 entries for each must let me know which ones)
• enter any other contest and let me know which ones (2 entries)
• blog about the contest (6 entries)
• buy something from the So Easy Baby Food Kit site (10 points)

Have fun. Contest open to everyone. Contest will run from today through June 10, 2009. You must make separate comment for each entry. Email should be on comment or accessible through blog or you will have to forfeit prize.

Cheeseburger Mac

This is one of our all time favorites and we always have it on hand for a stand by

2 lb hamburger (2.18 bought on sale)
3 boxes of mac n cheese (1.00 bought on sale)
1 c shredded cheese (1.00)

brown hamburger, prepare macaroni and cheese Mix all and serve

for more great recipes that are flexible and inexpensive check out the blog $5 dinners

listed with other tightwad tips on the blog Raising 4 Godly Men

Strawberry Dessert

Strawberry Pretzel Dessert

2 cups pretzels, finely crushed 3/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
3 tablespoons sugar 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 cup sugar 8 ounces Cool Whip, thawed in fridge
2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon orange extract or lemon extract
2 (3 ounce) packages strawberry gelatin 2 cups boiling water
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen strawberries, par thawed and sliced

Directions
1Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2Stir together first 3 ingredients.
3Mix well and press into bottom of 13x9x2 inch baking pan.
4Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
5Set aside or refrigerate to cool.
6In a large mixing bowl, or in a stand mixer cream together sugar and cream cheese, gradually add in extracts.
7Fold in Cool Whip gently until mixture is fluffy.
8Spread mixture onto cooled pretzel crust.
9In separate bowl, dissolve gelatin into boiling water.
10Stir in frozen strawberries and allow to set until about egg white consistency. If you use fresh stawberries, this will take longer, but if you use frozen, it will be very quick.
11Once correct consistency, pour and spread evenly over the cream cheese layer.
12Refrigerate until fully set.

My daughter requested this dessert as part of her graduation meal.

For more great recipes visit the blog Balancing Beauty and Bedlam and at Blissfully Domestic

Gratituesday

I am so thankful that the day that this little lady graduated highschool. Oh my the troubles we have seen. She was maybe one of the biggest rebel in school in her middle school years and then settled down in highschool. Now I know that she wishes she had some of those days back but I just want to say Yeah!!!!!! I am so thankful that she is out of highschool.

For more gratituesday visit the blog Heavenly Homemaker

If you want to see some more more wordful post visit the blog Seven Clown Circus

for thousand word thursdays check out the blog Cheaper than Therapy

The Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY May 25, 2009

Outside my window... it is night time now and I can feel the breeze and hear the sound of distant thunder
I am thinking... is it going to rain and how sad it is to think of John and kate off of JohnandKate+8
I am thankful for... a loving husband and strong family bonds
From the kitchen... supper is over and the kitchen is now quiet tommorow meal is yea aways away
I am wearing... pajamas
I am creating... a blog of love
I am going... to bed shortly
I am reading... many other memes and blogs
I am hoping... that tommorow morning will not find rain
I am hearing... thunder out the window
Around the house... I worked hard on this house because the house was a mess from all the company over the weekend
One of my favorite things... is my family
A few plans for the rest of the week: not alot this week finally a quite week
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is an upclose of my grandbaby my little princess

share your day over at the Simple Womans Day Book

Miracle Blanket Giveaway

Recently we had the opportunity to have the entire family together. How funny I thought it was when my daughter who's only daughter is nearly 10 months old met her new cousin who is only 3 months old. Oh how the memories of how fussy her little one was flashed back. I believe if it were not for the miracle blanket she would not of made it. The Miracle Blanket is a wonderous exciting product for the mother needing sleep. I posted a review of the Miracle Blanket at an earlier date and you can read that review here

Oh how wonderful the Miracle Blanket is and now the owner of the Miracle Blanket would love to give one of Annie's Home readers a chance to win one of their own.

To win a Miracle Blanket you must: sign up for the Miracle Blanket newsletter and let me know if you were the winner what your choice would be

Extra Entries available only after completing the above step:

• Use the store locater button on the Miracle Blanket website and let me know where the nearest store is to you (3 entries)
• Tell my friend Amanda hi by leaving her a comment (3 entries)
• Follow my blog (3 entries)
• Follow me on twitter and let me know your Id (2 entries)
• Follow miracle blanket on twitter (2 entries)
• follow miracle blanket on facebook (2 entries)
• twitter about the giveaway (1 entry each time)
• Blog about the giveaway (8 entries)

Contest starts now and runs through June 8, 2009. Remember that your email must be somewhere I can find it or you will not be pronounced the winner. I also want to remind you that each entry receives a comment of their own. Have fun and good luck

Jackie Heinsohn earring giveaway

Among the items I love are the ones that Jackie Heinsohn creates. I recently reviewed some of the great products that Jackie Heinsohn creates and made. If you would love to read the original review please go here Jackie Heinsohn creates such wonderful products I am sure there is one that you will love.

We have hit the lucky button here Jackie Heinsohn would love to offer one of Annie's Home readers the chance to win a terrific pair of earrings. Yes that is right you can choose a great pair of earrings off of Jackie Heinsohn website if you are the lucky winner.

Above you see three choices there are more on the Jackie Heinsohn website.

Up for grabs: beautiful pair of earrings

Mandatory Entry: double your chances of winning by joining the Jackie heinsohn mailing list

Extra Entries:

• let me know if you are the lucky winner what great pair of earrings you would choose (3 entries)
• let me know something else that you would love to have (3 entries)
• please visit my sister in laws blog here and welcome her to blog land (LOL) let me know what post you left a comment on (3 entries)
• follow my blog (3 entries)
• follow me on twitter and let me know your twitter Id in comments (2 entries)
• tweet about the giveaway (1 entry per time)
• subscribe to my blog

Contest starts today and runs through June 15, 2009. Please remember that your email must be able to be found or you will not be able to win. Remember to give your self credit for all the extra entries by listing each entry in a comment. Good Luck

Angie's Kettle Corn Review

I have been a long time lover of popcorn for many years. I would say reaching back to my preschool years. My mother loved to snack on popcorn and I believe that I got the love for popcorn from her. When I was pregnant I would often consider popcorn a vegetable (LOL) that would be part of a complete diet. Now kettle corn on the other hand is a snack that has an incredible delicious taste. However, until recently you had to attend a festival of some sort to find the delicious kettle corn. Then they came out with microwave popcorn where you could create kettle corn at home. But what about the times you do not have a microwave in reach or when you are traveling? Well now there is Angie's Kettle Corn.

Upon arrival the first thing that my family got a kick out of was the fact that it was called Angie's Kettle Corn. Yes that is my first name, no they did not name it that because of my love for kettle corn. We needed to taste the popcorn immediately of course. The bag stated you could eat it right out of the bag, I thought great we are making this the official travel food for car trips. It is also suggested on the bag that Angie's Kettle Corn taste great slightly warmed in the microwave. Well of course we had to heat it up and try it warm as well. Guess what MMMM MMMM Good. Both ways you eat Angie's Kettle Corn warm or fresh out of the bag it is truly delicious.

Guess what I was right about popcorn being good for you and Angie's Kettle Corn is good for you as well. Primarily Angie's Kettle Corn begins with Delicious nutritious ingredients that are top quality ingredients. Some other great reasons that Angie's Kettle Corn is great for you include:

On top of all those great reasons dieters this snack is for us we can have 2 full cups for 140 calories not bad for a delicious good for you snack. Angie's Kettle Corn stand by their product offering a money back guarantee if not totally pleased with the way your product arrives.

Next time you are thinking of having a delicious snack remember Angie's Kettle Corn

Musical Monday

Tribute to our men and women who gave it all for us to keep living the American dream. May we always think and thank our military members for all that they have done for us.

Music Memory I have loved this song since the day I heard it. It always makes me think and cry and i always thank God for those men and women who fight for our freedoms. Billy Ra Cyrus is one of my all time favorites from early on. This is memorial day and I so wanted to share it with all of you.

Want to play along With Musical Monday head over here to the blog Jeff&Me+3 or to Good Mourning Glory

take time out to play

Remember to take time to play with the little ones it is all to often that we forget to have fun and the before we know it the little ones are grown. All though this weekend was one full of tears, cheers and memories of past and thoughts of future we took time out to have fun. Here is my nephew with his mom and dad and one of my youngest who will graduate next year.

for more Homemaker Haven check out the blog 11th Heavens Homemaking Haven

I also listed this at the blog Maternal Spark as my Monday Muse

Happy Homemaker Monday May 25, 2009

On my bedside table:
Devotional book for moms, bible, notebook

On my TV:
the view

On my Menu for tonight:
leftovers, spam casserole

On my List to do
the weekend has been crazy so I have lots of work to do including laundry and cleaning every room oh me any one want to help LOL

New Recipes I tried Last Week:
chocolate cake with a twist

In the craft basket:
I need to get working on stuff for the 4th of July

Looking forward to:
trip to daughters house for the weekend coming up soon

Homemaking Tip for this week:
not really a great tip but roll with the punches clean up if you can but when all is going on just roll with the punches the fun will last just a while but the mess will be there when you are done celebrating with family

favorite blog post (mine)
new blogger in town here
Thursday 13 graduation style here

favorite photo from last week (mine)
Thursday 13 graduation style here

Lesson learned the last few days
our children do not stay young forever. You hold them in your arms for just a little while but in your hearts forever

On my Prayer list
all the graduates as they head off on their own paths may they always remember the friendships they had but find their own path in the road ahead

Devotional, readings, scripture:
I have been enjoying the chicken noodle series for mom. Oh how special this book is. After raising six children with only 3 under the age of 18 now my life has seen many things

Want to read others or create your own Happy Homemaker list visit the blog Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

At The Well

I had a wonderful weekend and now know that what I have shared with my daughters, helped my daughters with and taught my daughter through actions truly pays off. I am a mother of 2 daughters and a third that I have raised since birth. Oh these girls are my life and I love them very much. I recently was given a present from my daughter who shared with me that I am her inspiration. How sweet those words were. I have tried my best to help these girls to create a future for their selves.

The theme of Gathering At The Well this Monday morning is


Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent IN THE WAY THEY LIVE, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. THEN they can train the younger women….. (Titus 2:3-4, emphasis mine).


Why is the “way we live” so important?

Why does Paul tell Titus to first teach the older women to “be reverent in the way they live” before they can train younger women?

Thinking about your own life, do you have mentors you can LOOK to….watching them live their lives reverently, AND, are there others (children, younger women in the church, friends of your children) who are watching you live out your life?

Is there a difference between what you SAY and how you LIVE?

The verses shared today bring memories of my grandmother to mind. I love her very much and she was my sort of inspiration. I can remember times when I did not know what to do that she would help me out with simple words she would share. I would love to be like her. I believe that while her life was not pampered it was what she made of it. She was the wife of a farmer and her life was harder than most. She made the chickens her business, her little yard garden was special as well. Oh how wonderful when I look back on it her life was. I loved to visit her as a little girl. Yes, she was rough on us but I believe as I look back on it she was rough to make us individuals we should be.

She carried herself upright with pride in all situations. She was not one that was easily beaten but one that could stand strong in all situations. She was a Sunday school teacher for many years 20+ I know and carried that privilege with pride as well. As I said she was the wife of a hard working farmer and she worked hard as well. Her house was always clean and her yard was a piece of beauty. I strive to keep my house like hers yet know that there are times that this can not be done. She was frugal in her habits buying a dress for herself possibly every six months, saving with coupons and shopping sales. I have learned lots from her and share lots with my daughters. She did not smoke, drink, or act inappropriately. I try to reflect her behavior in all that I do. Her reputation is one that I feel must be upheld through out the following generations. My daughters have followed such behaviors as well. We do not draw attention to ourselves nor do we act inappropriately.

I know that like my grandmother I represent a lifestyle choice to both my daughters, my granddaughter and all generations that follow. My prayer is that my attitude, behavior and actions are as well spoken as my grandmothers. For the generations of young women in my family following my path deserve the best.

For more submissions on this subject or to place your own please visit here
I am also listing this on the blog SevEn cLoWn CirCus for the tuesday tribute

Blue Monday

This is my daughter who took the time to dance while we were waiting for my brother. How fun loving this gal is. She is so cool and I love her tons that is why I know she can face the challenges ahead of her. Anyone who can take the time to dance in the middle of a 4 way in the country will take the time to hear the music LOL

for more blue monday visit Smiling Sally blog

GIveaways located on Memorial Day weekend

Today I went searching for great giveaways to enter and found these

• A giveaway for a cart stopper can be found over at MomStart blog
• I love the giveaway located on the blog Brimful Curiosities for a book titled before you were here.