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Free Summer Reading Bingo Printable with Reading Lists for Grades 1-6

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:39:57 GMT

I’ve got a great resource to share with you to help encourage your children to continue reading this summer!

Meet Penny has released Free Summer Reading Bingo Printables with suggested reading lists for grades 1-6:

Need a way to entice your student to read this summer? Play a game of BINGO! Agree on a reward for any completed row, column, or diagonal and then a super treat if they finish the entire card.

Each list is balanced with a mix of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. I also tried to include classics that would interest boys and girls.

Choose from the following list of free printables to meet your family’s needs:

Summer Reading Bingo for 1st – 2nd grades
Summer Reading Bingo for 3rd – 4th grades
Summer Reading Bingo for 5th – 6th grades
Summer Reading Bingo – Blank to make your own!

Check out the reading list suggestions and print the bingo cards here!

Comments

Thanks for sharing! My son loves Bingo so I bet this will be a ... by Piper
Thank you so much for your kindness, friendship, and support. by Tabitha Philen

Free and Fun Family Activities in Your Local Area 5/24 – 5/27

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:00:44 GMT

Each week I’ll post links with fun and inexpensive (or free) things to do in your local area.

Memorial Day Activities

Digital Storyteller, Sarah Hill will be hosting a virtual tour of the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center that will be narrated by witnesses, victims’ families and veterans.

Huge list of Free Memorial Day Freebies & Deals (primarily for military members and families, but there are some public offers as well!)

Local Activities

Atlanta, Georgia (Metro area)
Buffalo and surrounding areas, NY
Chicago, IL (West)
Colorado Springs, CO
Columbus, GA, Fort Benning, GA & Phenix City, AL
Dallas, TX
Denver, CO
Des Moines, IA
East Valley-Phoenix Area, AZ
Fort Worth, TX
Hagerstown, Maryland
Harrisburg & West Shore, PA
Houston, TX (North)
Houston, TX
LaGrange, Westpoint, Hogansville, Pine Mountain, Warm Springs, GA
Lebanon, PA
Madison, WI
Memphis, TN (East Memphis)
Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
Murfreesboro, TN
North Shore MA, NH seacoast and southern ME
Northeast Ohio
Omaha, NE
San Diego, CA
Seattle, WA & Portland, OR (Northwest)
Syracuse, NY
Wichita Falls, TX

If you are a blogger who posts a local round-up of family activities, then feel free to fill out this form to be considered for future posts.

Free Pillsbury Newsletter with up to $250 Annual Coupon Savings

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:32:26 GMT

Sign up for a free newsletter from Pillsbury and get access to free product samples, up to $250 coupon savings every year, and great recipe ideas!

Plus, sign up now and get a limited time offer for an exclusive FREE download of Pillsbury’s all-time best recipes! Link will be in your first Pillsbury email.

Kitchen Cabinet Refacing

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:00:45 GMT

The following is a guest post from Jordon, The Prairie Princess.

A little over a year ago we bought an older home. Older homes have charm, character, and projects. One of the remodeling projects we wanted to do was kitchen cabinet refacing.

New cabinets can be expensive and our budget was not up for taking that on, so we decided to give them a makeover ourselves. That’s right, you can reface your cabinets by yourself, save money, and have a little fun creating what you want!

Hey, with the money you are saving you can spend a little on some new kitchen decor….my husband was so excited about that!

There are many ways to do kitchen cabinet refacing, depending on what look you are trying to achieve. We had fun doing ours, and love the outcome! Here’s how to do it the way we did.

Preparation

1. Browse the internet and magazines to finds inspiration. We also did a little research on some DIY/home makeover websites to learn a few pointers. Doing this can really save you time during the process and help you avoid mistakes.

2. Designate an area for you to do your work on the cabinet doors, such as a garage, basement, back patio, spare room, etc. with good ventilation.

The Makeover

Preparing the Doors

1. Remove all of the cabinet doors. Clean them to remove any dirt and grease. Let dry.

2. Use wood filler to fill in any holes or nicks. We put new hardware and hinges on, so make sure to putty over the old holes.

3. Sand the entire surface and dried wood filler with 150-grit sandpaper so it is smooth. Sanding gives something for the paint to adhere to.

4. Wipe down with a tack cloth.

The New Look

We wanted a bead board look so we used bead board paintable wallpaper.

5. Measure each cabinet, cut the wallpaper to fit where you wanted it on the cabinet and then use wallpaper paste to put it on. Make sure to work out any bubbles.

6. Cut trim pieces to frame the wallpaper. We used a 1 1/4 inch wood lathe and then glued and nailed (with nail gun) it at 1 1/2 inches away from the edge to create a nice frame.

7. Fill in the nail holes with wood putty, then sand down and wipe with a tack cloth.

Painting

Time to paint. I just used a regular interior semi-gloss paint.

8. Put on the first coat and let it dry.

9. Use a tack cloth to wipe any dust that may have settled and put on your second coat. Repeat if you need more coats. Check for drips, if they dry you will have to sand them down so you do not see it.

10. After the last coat of paint is dry, use the tack cloth again and then apply polyurethane. Repeat about 2 or 3 times, using nice even strokes and again checking for drips.

11. Put on your new hardware and hinges and hang the doors back up.

Take a step back and admirer your work!

Benefits of Kitchen Cabinet Refacing

Costs about half as much as replacing cabinets.
Takes less time and money.
It’s less hassle than tearing out cabinets.
You can create your own style.
You can still use your kitchen while refacing.
It’s a green kitchen remodeling solution because you’re not adding to the landfill.

My name is Jordon, also known as The Prairie Princess. I am an amusing innovative housewife and a mother of two. I want to inspire people to find simple pleasures from the past while enjoying the modern amenities today. Homemade and simple can go with cellphones and Starbucks.

Comments

Thank You! You will have fun doing it, and I am sure they will ... by Jordon
Thank you so much for this! It looks fantastic! My kitchen ... by Becca

The 2013 Confident Mom Summer Survival Calendar

Toni Anderson — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:01:27 +0000

I’m a huge advocate for being prepared for the upcoming summer months to avoid my kids zoning out in front of the TV or video games when the “newness” of summer wears off! Here’s a great way to get prepared…

The Confident Mom has released a brand new Summer Survival Calendar packed with adventure! It’s filled with budget-friendly, creative, and fun-filled activities that families can enjoy together!

The 2013 Summer Survival Calendar is a four month calendar with over 120 activities to blast boredom and increase family time. It features at least one low-budget (and sometimes free) activity, craft project, or kid friendly recipe every day from May 1 to August 31. The calendar comes in a digital PDF download so you have it instantly, and most activities include a clickable link so you can easily view directions or supplies needed. The activities are mainly targeted for ages 3-12, but every family and child is different. The Summer Survival Calendar keeps kids busy, happy, and engaged during those long, hot summer days—and moms will find it to be a lifesaver when kids exhibit symptoms of the “boredom blues.”

The Confident Mom has also released a 10 Strategies for Your Best Summer Ever Action Guide to help you define your summer activities and goals and develop a plan of action, as well as it contains a variety of organizational checklists including:

Summer Goals worksheet
Ideas for Summer Fun checklist
10 Strategies for Your Best Summer Ever Action Guide
Your Best Summer Ever Audio Workshop
Quiet Time Activities worksheet
Important Summer Dates checklist
Standard Operating Procedures worksheet
Weekly Menu Planner/Grocery List
Summer Weekly Planner
Be Summer Organized checklist

There are several ways to buy these items including some bundle ideas that will help you save!

2013 Summer Survival Calendar = $5
10 Strategies for Your Best Summer Ever Action Guide/Audio Workshop = $3
Bundle #1: 2013 Summer Survival Calendar + 10 Strategies for Your Best Summer Ever Action Guide/Audio Workshop = $7
Big Bundle #2: 2013 Summer Survival Calendar + 2012/2011/2010 Summer Survival Calendars + 10 Strategies for Your Best Summer Ever Action Guide/Audio Workshop = $10

See more information and purchase your 2013 Summer Survival Calendar from The Confident Mom here.

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Fall in love with economics - really! From the creators of Visual Latin, Economics for Everybody is a funny, clever, profound, and instructive video curriculum that explains what everyone is talking about. Great for homeschoolers, families, and churches. Learn more at EconomicsforEverybody.com

Staycation on a Budget: Enjoy Your City

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:58 GMT

Yesterday I shared with you some of my favorite things to do in Annapolis, Maryland. Today I’ve partnered with over 80 bloggers to share even more great things to do in cities all across the United States!

Check out the posts below for your favorite city!

Mid Atlantic

NW (or all), Connecticut :: Parenting Miracles
Boston (or all), Massachusetts :: Maven of Savin
Central, New Jersey :: Our Good LIfe
Adirondak Mountains and Central, New York :: For This Season
Buffalo/Niagara Falls, New York :: Ann’s Entitled Life
Syracuse, New York :: I am THAT lady
Erie, Pennsylvania :: Growing Kids Ministry
Greater Harrisburg, Pennsylvania :: Family Balance Sheet
Hershey, Pennsylvania :: Good Deal Mama
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania :: Beyond the Cover
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania :: The Coupon “High”
Poconos, Pennsylvania :: Bucktown Bargains
Scranton, Pennsylvania :: Bucktown Bargains

Midwest

Des Moines, Iowa :: Make the best of everything
Aurora, Illinois :: A Savings WOW!
Central, Illinois :: The Homeschool Scientist
Chicago, Illinois :: Chicagoland Homeschool Network
Naperville, Illinois :: The Sensible Mom
Schaumburg, Illinois :: Ravings By Rae
Fort Wayne, Indiana :: Simplified Saving
Indianapolis, Indiana (Metro Area) :: In Good Cents
Muncie, Indiana (Central IN) :: the daisyhead
Northern Indiana :: So Dough Savvy
Kansas City Area :: Kansas City Mamas
Metro Detroit, Michigan :: Saving Dollars and Sense
Grand Rapids, Michigan :: Give Me Neither
Oakland County, Michigan :: Bargain Shopper Mom
Minneapolis, Minnesota :: Creative Couponing
Rural Minnesota (either Southern our Lake Country) :: Mommysavers.com
St. Cloud, Minnesota :: Frugal Finders
Kansas City, Missouri/Kansas :: Kosher on a Budget
Springfield, Missouri :: Getting Freedom
Cincinnati, Ohio :: Family Friendly Cincinnati
Columbus, Ohio :: Cleverly Simple
Dayton, Ohio :: Savings Lifestyle: Dayton
Mansfield, Ohio :: The Traveling Praters
NE Ohio :: Raising Lifelong Learners
Northeast Ohio (Canton, Akron, Cleveland) :: Sisters Shopping on a Shoestring
Black Hills, South Dakota :: Little House Living
South Dakota :: Moms Mustard Seeds
Oshkosh, Wisconsin :: Adventures of a Stay at Home Mom

Mountain

Phoenix, Arizona :: Mom Endeavors
Scottsdale, Arizona :: Saving For Someday
Tucson, Arizona :: Desert Chica Ramblings
Colorado Springs, Colorado :: The Greenbacks Gal
Denver, Colorado :: Bargain Blessings
Helena, Montana :: The WiC Project
Omaha, Nebraska :: Mom Endeavors
Reno, Nevada – Lake Tahoe (Northern Nevada) :: Saving in Nevada

Pacific

Fresno, California (Central Valley) :: NerdFamily Blog
Los Angeles, California :: Savings.com
San Diego, California :: Good Cheap Eats
San Diego, California :: Life as MOM
Portland, Oregon :: Frugal Living NW
Seattle, Washington :: Thrifty NW Mom

South Atlantic

Arkansas :: Discovering Arkansas
Washington, DC :: Kidventurous
Clearwater Beach, Florida :: Bargain Briana
Jacksonville, Florida :: Saving The Family Money
Southwest Florida (Ft. Myers area) :: Chaos Is Bliss
St. Augustine, Florida :: Simply St. Augustine
Tallahassee, Florida :: SwagGrabber
Atlanta, Georgia (metro area) :: Hodgepodge
Atlanta, Georgia (metro area) :: The Couponing Couple
Annapolis, Maryland :: The Happy Housewife
Hagerstown, Maryland :: Cheryl Pitt
Asheville, North Carolina :: Paradise Praises
Charlotte, North Carolina :: from our front porch lookin’ in…
Raleigh/Southeastern, North Carolina :: Upside Down Homeschooling
Upstate South Carolina :: The Tween & Me
Charlottesville, Virginia :: How to Have it All
Richmond, Virginia :: Teachers of Good Things
Smithfield, Virginia :: Walking in High Cotton
Virginia Beach, Virginia :: The Coupon Challenge

South Central

Coastal Alabama :: Meet Penny
Huntsville, Alabama :: The Traveling Praters
Northern Kentucky :: Simply Sherryl
Chattanooga, Tennessee :: Living Chic on the Cheap
East Tennessee (Smoky Mountains, Knoxville) :: Finding Joy on the Journey
Nashville, Tennessee :: Montessori Tidbits
Arlington, Texas :: Grocery Shop For FREE
Austin, Texas (Hill Country) :: Ponder the Path
College Station, Texas :: How to Homeschool My Child
Dallas, Texas :: Surviving The Stores
East Dallas, Texas :: Funky Faith Girl
Fort Worth, Texas :: Coupons & Freebies Mom
Houston, Texas :: MomsToolbox
Houston, Texas :: MyLitter
Katy, Texas :: Moms Confession
McAllen, Texas (Rio Grande Valley) :: iLoveMy5Kids
San Antonio, Texas :: Melissa’s Bargains

Strawberry Salsa with Cinnamon Tortilla Chips

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:33 GMT

by contributing writer Kristia

Strawberries in salsa? Yep! This fresh and tasty salsa goes well with the crunchy homemade cinnamon tortilla chips or you can serve it over grilled chicken, fish, or pork.

Strawberry Salsa with Cinnamon Tortilla Chips

Ingredients

1 lb strawberries, cleaned & chopped
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 red or yellow pepper, chopped
juice of one lime
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
pinch of salt
4-6 (8 inch) tortillas or 1 tortilla per person
melted butter
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

Combine the strawberries, onion, pepper, lime juice, parsley and salt together in a bowl.
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Place tortillas on a baking sheet.
Brush the top side with the melted butter.
Combine the sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over the tortillas.
Cut the tortillas into eighths. A pizza cutter works well.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until crispy. Keep a close eye. They will burn fast.

http://thehappyhousewife.com/cooking/strawberry-salsa-with-cinnamon-tortilla-chips/

More recipes from Kristia

Find more delicious recipe ideas at the The Happy Housewife Recipe Index.

Comments

Looks very tasty. I'll have to try it by Alex

How to Be Gluten Free: Free Kindle Download

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:02:54 GMT

My wonderful friend (and editor here on The Happy Housewife!), Linda from The Gluten-Free Homemaker, is offering her brand new eBook FREE as a Kindle download today!

How to Be Gluten Free was written to give hope, encouragement, and practical steps for anyone living a Gluten-Free lifestyle for any reason! In the 10 chapters included in this eBook, there are “ten steps to take in the process of living gluten-free, starting with the most basic but very important step of facing emotions. Giving up food is a grieving process for many, and acknowledging that is the first step to handling it successfully. The remaining steps are more practical in nature and help people learn what they need to know to successfully buy and prepare gluten-free food, supplements, and personal care products as well as eat out safely, and connect with others.”

Linda has also included a couple of gluten-free recipes in the Appendix to get you started.

Download your free copy of How to Be Gluten Free today!

If you don’t have a Kindle, then you can still download these free eBooks to your smart phone or computer. All you need to do is download one of Amazon’s free reading apps.

Remember that Amazon prices fluctuate constantly, so verify the price before purchasing.

How to Start Notebooking: Twitter Chat

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:00:07 GMT

I can’t wait for you to meet my friend Jimmie today at 3pm ET. I’ve been stalking ahem following her forever! Her site is one of the main reasons I started notebooking and lapbooking with my kids. Today she’ll be co-hosting our weekly homeschool Twitter chat as we discuss how you can make notebooking work in your homeschool.

You don’t want to miss this chat, so join us at 3pm ET for our 30 minute chat.

This Week

Topic: Notebooking

Co-host: Jimmie Lanley

Date: May 22, 2013

Time: 3:00-3:30 pm EST

Hashtag: #homeschool

You can find downloadable transcripts of all the homeschool twitter chats here.

What’s in the Bible? 30% off Coupon Code

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:57:56 GMT

Today through May 28th, you can save 30% on all orders over $30 at What’s in the Bible? with coupon code: MEM30 at checkout. Plus, get free shipping for orders over $25. This is a great way to start your collection of their fantastic products or purchase any missing ones you don’t already own! Most of the DVDs are $14.99 so with this coupon offer, you can get them for only about $10! More about What’s in the Bible?…

The Bible Made Easy! Buck Denver and his friends take your children through the WHOLE Bible. Perfect viewing for the entire family – laugh and learn together. In his first new project since VeggieTales, Phil Vischer has set out to teach kids (and parents!) the story of the Bible – God’s great rescue plan! We know the stories of Moses, Noah, David, and Jesus, but in this groundbreaking new series, we learn how they all fit together to tell one big, redemptive story. Vischer’s signature wit shines through with his all-new cast of characters, fast-paced flash animation, and catchy tunes. This is one journey through the Bible you won’t want to miss!

Shop What’s in the Bible? here.

Staycation Ideas to Save Your Family Money

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:00:51 GMT

by contributing writer Karen

Staycations are a great way to have family fun without the high cost of gas or hotel expenses. Here are a few things to consider when planning a staycation in your city.

Camping

Camping in s great way to get away from home and spend very little money. If you don’t have a tent, ask a friend if your can borrow theirs. Check for local parks that offer camping spots for minimal nightly fees. You can bring your own cooler and even cook over an open fire or on a propane stove. Our kids love camping, collecting sticks for the campfire and roasting marshmallows.

National Parks

There are several specific dates that you can get free entrance to National Parks. Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. If you live near a national park, this is a great way to save.

Summer Kids Movies

Check with your local movie theaters. Some offer free summer kids movies and some charge a minimal fee per person. These are usually older movies, but seeing them in a theater is a great way to experience it again. Also check with your theater for concession stand deals during these events. It’s a great way to get out of the summer heat.

Craft Classes

Many craft stores offer craft classes for kids with make-and-take crafts. Summer time is a great time to take advantage of these and have some craft fun with the kids. Be sure to also check with your local home improvement stores for free workshops.

Art Markets

There are several local Art Markets in my city and many cities have these. You can enjoy the outdoors and experience local artists, music and even shop local farmers stands for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Vacation Bible Schools

My kids love to attend Vacation Bible schools and there are several to choose from in our area. If they are not free, the fee is usually minimal to cover the cost of supplies.

Sports

Baseball teams and even soccer teams maybe playing in your local area during the summer. Check with your city for family nights or buy 1 get 1 ticket free nights. These are great times to attend the event and not spend as much money.

Local Museums

Some Museums have teamed up with local banks to offer free admission on specific days of the month. Check with your banks and museums for more information.

Community Pools

Local School and community centers typically open up their pools to the public during the summer.

Free Bowling

Check with Kids Bowl Free to see if there is a bowling alley near you participating. Registered kids receive 2 free games for the summer.

What is your favorite frugal summer activity or staycation idea?

Comments

If you live in the Chicago area, you can sign your kids up for ... by Amy R.
I think I love those too! A great way to entertain kids and ... by Karen
Find a free splash pad in your area, my kids love it! by Kelly Hess

Annapolis, Maryland: Staycation on a Budget

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:00:39 GMT

You don’t need a lot of money to have a great vacation in your hometown. If you live near Annapolis, Maryland there is no excuse for not getting out and enjoying your beautiful city. I had the opportunity to spend the weekend in Annapolis earlier this month and even though I was only twenty minutes from my home it truly felt like a vacation.

Annapolis is a historic city with so many fun free and inexpensive activities you’ll want to plan your trip right away!

If you don’t live in Maryland come back tomorrow for a list of staycation ideas for over 80 cities!

Exploring Annapolis, Maryland

Historic Annapolis

The best part about historic Annapolis, is historic Annapolis. Aside from parking (which can be a pain) there is so much to see in the large historic Annapolis area. The entire area is easily walkable, although it will take you all day, so wear comfortable shoes. From historic buildings to quaint shops and beautiful sailboats there is plenty to see on your walking tour of Annapolis.

U.S. Naval Academy

The U.S. Naval Academy’s campus is beautiful and the museum admission is free. Check the security requirements and bring an id for access to the campus. The campus is absolutely beautiful and worth visiting. You can walk the campus on your own or purchase a guided one hour and fifteen minute tour. ($10 adults, $8 kids, preschoolers are free).

Check the Naval Academy website for hours and more information.

First Sunday Art Festival

It’s a street festival, an art market, entertainment venue and a arts and craft fair all in one place! Admission is free to the First Sunday Arts Festival open every Sunday from May to October. This is a great free activity the whole family can enjoy!

Quiet Waters Park

The Quiet Waters Park is beautiful and admission is only $6 a vehicle, free for military and their dependents. The park has a beautiful playground, plenty of green grass to throw the frisbee or stretch out and enjoy the weather, and art exhibits. You could easily spend the entire day at this park.

Chesapeake Children’s Museum

I wouldn’t pay full price to visit the Chesapeake Children’s Museum, but take advantage of discounted days. This museum is old, and could use a little face lift, but it is totally hands on and your kids will love it! From finger painting to puppet shows your kids can enjoy the day exploring the different rooms of the museum, with minimal supervision.

Wednesday Night Boat Races

Every Wednesday during the summer months, hundreds of sailors take to the Severn River for this weekly race. Get a great view of the finish line from the drawbridge that separates Annapolis from Eastport.

United States Naval Academy Band Concerts

The USNA Band performs all over Maryland, including several times in Annapolis every summer. You won’t want to miss a free concert!

National Wildlife Center

The National Wildlife Center is a short drive from Annapolis, but I highly recommend visiting this refuge. My family went a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed their time. The crowds are minimal and it is free. There is a small charge for the guided tram tours.

Big Spend

My favorite not so frugal place to hang out in Annapolis is Cantlers.

If you want a taste of “real Maryland” try Cantlers. Butcher paper tablecloths, waitresses that call you “hon” and “sugar” and full crabs tossed right on your table is all part of this experience. This place is a local favorite so be prepared to wait on a weekend evening just to get a parking space.

Photo Credits: Jeff Kubina, Radio Rover, ursusdave, The ClayTaurus

The Gluten-Free Baking Mix eCookbook only $0.99!

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:13:29 GMT

Lynn is an Oklahoma resident (thankfully her and her family are okay) and will be donating a percentage of the ebook sales to help those affected by the tornado this week. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in Oklahoma as they recover from this terrible devastation.

My friend, Lynn from Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures, has released a brand new eCookbook perfect for those with gluten sensitivities: The Gluten-Free Baking Mix Cookbook!

The Gluten Free Baking Mix Cookbook will show you how your gluten free baked goods can taste great without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. This is food your whole family will enjoy regardless of who eats GF in your home. The eCookbook contains the master baking mix recipe, plus 50 gluten free recipes for your favorite foods including:

Sausage Cheese Biscuit Bites
Slow Cooked Chicken and Dumplings
Easy Pizza Pie
Easy Lasagna
Banana and Pumpkin Bread
Double Chocolate Fudge Brownies
Chocolate Chip Scones
Oven Pancakes

Today and tomorrow (5/21 – 5/22), The Gluten-Free Baking Mix eCookbook will be available for only 99¢ (reg. $4.99)! Order the pdf version with printable recipes here or it’s also available for Kindle on Amazon here.

If you don’t have a Kindle, then you can still download these free eBooks to your smart phone or computer. All you need to do is download one of Amazon’s free reading apps.

Remember that Amazon prices fluctuate constantly, so verify the price before purchasing.

Hey America, What’s Your ID?

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:22:20 GMT

I met the folks from International Delight at my conference last year, The Savvy Blogging Summit. Throughout the event they had a table set up in the hallway with all their different creamers and ice coffees. Let’s just say we didn’t have to worry about people getting drowsy during the sessions last year!
I couldn’t believe how many fun flavors they had and how much everyone enjoyed them! This year when I hosted a group of teenagers for the week, I made sure to add International Delight creamer to my shopping list for their morning coffee. I’ve learned that high school and college age kids love coffee and what better way to treat them than with some delicious creamer.

When I got a chance to find my flavor ID I wasn’t a bit surprised to learn that it was York Peppermint Pattie. I’ve loved Peppermint Patties since I was a kid and my kids love them too. My mother-in-law use to keep a big bowl on her coffee table and I knew my kids would eat the whole thing if I didn’t put it away shortly after our arrival.

International Delight has come up with a fun way to share and connect with other ID fans with their “What’s Your ID?” campaign! With what’s your ID, login with your Facebook account, choose your favorite International Delight Flavor, and it “pins” your taste profile to the map! I wasn’t surprised to see my favorite flavor “pinned” all over the United States, because it is the best!

When you visit What’s Your ID? you be able to enter to win lots of awesome prizes like:

Magical Trip grand prize – ID Coffee Mugs, Tumblers and Creamers
Visa gift cards – ID Re-Usable Grocery Bag
Cold Stone gift cards – Beach towels
Free ID for a year
Baking Kit: Kitchen Aid mixer, apron and coupons
Coffee Bar Kit: Kuerig Coffee Maker, Folgers K-cups, coupons, mug, and Cinnabon Cinnamon

My family might not agree with me, since ID has a pumpkin spice flavor which is sure to be a hit in my pumpkin pie loving household.

Just for fun I put together a flavor inspiration board on Pinterest. Not only does it have several very delicious peppermint recipes on it, it also has some peppermint inspiration for my house. Since I’m in the middle of a home remodel I thought it would be fun to find some paint and furniture inspiration that reminds me of one of my favorite flavors.

What’s Your ID? International Delight is looking for their most passionate flavor fans. Put your ID on the map to enter to win a Magical Trip, play games and discover more unexpected delight. Share your ID flavor at http://whatsyourid.com.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight. The opinions and text are all mine.

Jello Play Dough

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:00:02 GMT

by contributing writer Marci

I have to admit to you that I am the world’s worst play dough maker. Seriously. When my kids were in pre-school the school gave me a pass on my turn as play dough mom. That was after three different “fail proof” recipes turned out runny or crumbly. That was the beginning and ending of my homemade play dough career.

These days, my 12 year old daughter makes the play dough. She’s pretty good at it. Her favorite recipe is one that uses Jello. The kids love the color, the sweet scent, and the smooth texture. We like it better than store bought!

Jello Play Dough Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup flour + 1/2 cup extra
1 cup water
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1-3ounce package of Jello

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients (except the extra amount of flour) in a bowl.

2. When mixed, pour into non-stick sauce pan and heat on low. Stir until a ball of dough forms. Be patient. It might take a while, but it does happen.

3. Place ball of dough on wax paper to cool. When cool, knead dough adding extra flour as needed until dough is smooth and not sticky. Store in a zip top plastic bag up to two months.

Enjoy!

What’s your favorite fail proof homemade play dough recipe?

More Homeschool Science from Marci

Comments

How cool is that??? I love this and can't wait to try this with ... by Manic Mom

Kitchen Stewardship eBook Bundle of the Week

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:49:07 GMT

This week’s eBook Bundle is from Kitchen Stewardship and includes a variety of eBooks to serve real food to your family!

Grab all 5 eBooks for only $7.40 (more than 80% savings!) and treat yourself to some great go-to resources to start feeding your family real food and getting away from processed foods. The 5 eBooks are:

In addition, you will receive an exclusive coupon code to purchase Katie’s most recent release, Better Than a Box, for 50% off when you purchase this week’s eBook bundle!

Purchase all of these Real Food eBooks bundled together here.

Free and Fun Family Activities in Your Local Area 5/17 – 5/19

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:57:43 GMT

Each week I’ll post links with fun and inexpensive (or free) things to do in your local area.

Local Activities

Atlanta, Georgia (Metro area)
Buffalo and surrounding areas, NY
Chicago, IL (West)
Colorado Springs, CO
Columbus, GA, Fort Benning, GA & Phenix City, AL
Dallas, TX
Denver, CO
Des Moines, IA
East Valley-Phoenix Area, AZ
Fort Worth, TX
Hagerstown, Maryland
Harrisburg & West Shore, PA
Houston, TX (North)
Houston, TX
LaGrange, Westpoint, Hogansville, Pine Mountain, Warm Springs, GA
Lebanon, PA
Madison, WI
Memphis, TN (East Memphis)
Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
Murfreesboro, TN
North Shore MA, NH seacoast and southern ME
Northeast Ohio
Omaha, NE
San Diego, CA
Seattle, WA & Portland, OR (Northwest)
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If you are a blogger who posts a local round-up of family activities, then feel free to fill out this form to be considered for future posts.

7 Ways to Save on Laundry

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:00:47 GMT

by contributing writer Angie

Laundry can be an expensive undertaking, especially if you have a houseful of people. With laundry sometimes needing to be done daily, the cost can easily add up over time. While there isn’t an easy way to get rid of the task, you can find ways to save on laundry.

7 Ways to Save on Laundry

1. Use a clothes line. If you have a lot of laundry to do or nowhere for a clothes line, this may not be a practical option for you. However, if you have some room in your yard, or even somewhere unexpected, drying some of your clothes on a clothes line can save the cost of running your dryer.

2. Cut dryer sheets in half. If you use dryer sheets, they really are larger than most loads require. It can be easy enough to cut them or rip them in half. This means that a box that is meant to do 120 loads can actually take care of 240 loads. That’s a huge difference, and will cut your bill for dryer sheets in half every time you do it. Or, you could ditch the dryer sheets and make your own fabric softener.

3. Make your own laundry detergent. Laundry detergent seems to get more and more expensive. With this homemade high efficiency laundry detergent recipe that costs just four cents a load, you can really save a lot on your laundry budget.

4. Upgrade to high efficiency appliances. While there certainly is a cost upfront for these, it can mean a savings in water and energy usage. Plus, it can save time since many hold a larger load of laundry than traditional washers and dryers.

5. Use vinegar as a fabric softener. Vinegar can be a much less expensive option as a liquid fabric softener than brand name liquid fabric softeners. Vinegar can soften fabrics and remove bad smells at the same time.

6. Make sure laundry loads are full, but not too full. If your loads are too small, you may be spending too much doing your laundry. However, if you are overloading your washer, your clothes won’t get properly cleaned. Plus, it means that when you put everything in the dryer, you might need to run multiple cycles to get everything dry.

7. Get the best prices on your laundry supplies and stock up when you find them. It’s easy to buy laundry supplies as you run out. Instead, make sure you’re getting the best prices by setting up a laundry supply price book.

What are your best tips for ways to save on laundry?

photo by Horia Varlan

Comments

I hate to state the obvious, but cutting down on laundry by ... by Heather
I own a Phoenix maid service company, and love coaching clients ... by Amanda

Sponsor Spotlight May 2013

Toni Anderson — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:42:39 +0000

I’m so thankful for the wonderful businesses that we partner with each month to bring you helpful resources that cover historical literacy curriculum to weekly household planners to teaching kids God’s Great Rescue Plan and more! I’d love it if you showed them some love by clicking over and seeing what they have to offer.

The Confident Mom

The 2013 Confident Mom Weekly Household Planner will keep busy moms from all walks of life motivated and on track with all their to-do items day after day, week after week, all year long. This weekly planner breaks down household tasks into manageable daily and weekly bite size pieces, utilizing smaller increments of time to keep the tasks from becoming too large and overwhelming.

BrimWood Press

Tools for Young Historians (TfYH) is a line of teaching products dedicated to developing historical literacy in children. We build historical literacy in 5th to 8th graders through teaching three fundamentals or critical concepts rarely taught through other curriculums.

These critical concepts entail; teaching children the language historians use for time, developing an awareness and understanding of worldviews and learning the flow of history. TfYH also provides two valuable tools that no young historian should be without. These tools are a history binder organizer and Historical Fact Sheets.

All of our products are designed to complement and augment any classically based curriculum or unit study products currently available to homeschooling families.

eMeals

eMeals is a simple system to solve your dinner time dilemma with easy meals based on delicious recipes and a consistent grocery budget. You’ll receive weekly meal plans based on your preferred grocery store sales and specific meal plan type (regular, gluten-free, low fat etc.) with 7 days of easy to follow dinner recipes and a corresponding grocery list.

Motivated Moms

While the Motivated Mom’s planner will not do your chores for you, it will help you stay organized and following the planner does keep your housework managable. There are no big cleaning projects because you do a little bit every day. I hang my planner on the fridge and assign the kids chores from the planner too. It is easy for everyone to see what is expected of them, and they can check off the job when they are finished. Many of you requested the Motivated Moms planner in app form and I’m excited to tell you it is now available! And, it’s a great deal at $7.99. You can also try the app for two weeks before you buy it!

A Slob Comes Clean

Nony has created a lifestyle of changing your habits to create a calm and clean environment in your home with her eBook, 28 Days to Hope for Your Home. It includes:

Twenty-eight days of specific instructions to help you develop four basic (but essential) home management habits.
Insights into why these concepts seem foreign to you.
Practical tips to keep you from giving up.
Bonus sections with realistic strategies for laundry management, meal prep, and decluttering.
More than 45 pages of all new, exclusive content!

What’s in the Bible?

The Bible Made Easy! Buck Denver and his friends take your children through the WHOLE Bible. Perfect viewing for the entire family – laugh and learn together. In his first new project since VeggieTales, Phil Vischer has set out to teach kids (and parents!) the story of the Bible – God’s great rescue plan! We know the stories of Moses, Noah, David, and Jesus, but in this groundbreaking new series, we learn how they all fit together to tell one big, redemptive story. Vischer’s signature wit shines through with his all-new cast of characters, fast-paced flash animation, and catchy tunes. This is one journey through the Bible you won’t want to miss!

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Math Worksheets: Beach-Themed Free Printables

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:29 GMT

by contributing writer Lauren

This month’s free worksheets focus on a beach theme. The math worksheets in this packet are geared towards 2nd-4th graders.

Math Worksheets Overview

In this 3-page math printable set, you’ll find:

Estimating Numbers – Determine if estimation or actual numbers should be used in each beach-themed situation
Averaging Numbers – Determine the average of each set of numbers; contains 1 beach-themed word problem
Geometry Practice: Circles – Practice naming each circle, radius, and diameter with the beach-themed items

Click the Image to Download

Beach Themed Worksheets and Printables
Beach Themed Printables May 2013.pdf

593.7 KiB
Details...

More Worksheets from Lauren

OxiClean Giveaway

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:54:35 GMT

If you’ve been reading my site for a while you know how much I love OxiClean. I’ve written about it numerous times on the site and use it to clean everything from cloth diapers to camping gear to rugs I pulled from the dumpster.

I love it so much that in 2009 I mentioned that I’d love to work with the folks at OxiClean because I’m probably their biggest fan!

Well guess what? OxiClean found my website, decided I might be one of their biggest fans, and contacted me earlier this year. I was like a kid on Christmas morning when I saw the email from the folks at OxiClean in my inbox. When they asked if I was interested in working with them as a spokesperson for the year I was thrilled!

Who better to talk about OxiClean than a mom of seven very active kids? Anyway, I’m super excited to be working with them this year and can’t wait to share even more stain fighting tips with you all.

This week I’m giving away 3 Ultimate Stain Removal Kits from OxiClean. We all love free and what better than to win something you are probably already buying anyway?!?!

Included in the giveaway are:

OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover
OxiClean™ Max Force Gel Stick (this stuff is awesome!)
OxiClean™ 2in1 Stain Fighter Power Paks
OxiClean™ 2in1 Stain Fighter Liquid
OxiClean™ Dishwashing Booster

To enter to win this giveaway leave a comment sharing your biggest stain fighting challenge. Giveaway ends Monday, May 20, 2013.

I have partnered with OxiClean this year as a spokesperson. All opinions are 100% mine.

Comments

My toughest stain fighting is a toss up between my husband's ... by Annie
Our biggest challenge has to be blood from itchy mosquito bites ... by Suz
my biggest stain challenges on clothes are from dirt and grime ... by Lynn Renander
My biggest stain fighting challenge is my very active and ... by Michelle Ronnebaum
I always seem to have mystery stains that I don't really know ... by Kim
Plus 5 more...

eBook Sale: You Can Do It Too! – 25 Homeschool Families Share Their Stories only $0.99

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:23:26 GMT

Trying to decide if homeschooling could work for your family? Curious what it looks like on a daily basis? Intimidated by all the homeschooling options? If any of these are questions you’ve asked yourself or others, then you should check out this eBook…

You Can Do It Too! is a series of interviews with 25 homeschool families answering questions of ‘Why do you homeschool?’ ‘What does it look like?’ ‘How do you find what to teach? ‘What do your kids think?’ and much more. Our goal is to share with you the how’s and why’s – the successes and failures.

I was graciously asked to be a part of this book as well as these other amazing homeschooling parents:

Kristen – The Frugal Girl
Lee – The HomeScholar
Nancy – Family on Bikes
Natalie – Visionary Womanhood
Carlie – So You Call Yourself A Homeschooler?
Lorilee – Loving Simple Living
Liz – The Hesitant Housewife
Jill – Tiny and Small
Stephanie – Keeper of the Home
Heidi – Mt. Hope Chronicles
Heather – OMSH
Wendy – Homeschool Blessings and Hip Homeschool Moms
Teri – TommyMom
Tabitha – Meet Penny
Bambi – Nursery of the Nation
Marcy – Ben and Me
Carisa – 1+1+1=1
Joy – Five J’s
Megan – House of the Rising Sons
Toni – The Happy Housewife
Mandi – Life Your Way
Danielle – Organized Hysteria
Kerry – How to Homeschool My Child
Nicole – By Word of Mouth Musing
Leo – Zen Habits
Kelly – Generation Cedar

You Can Do It Too! – 25 Homeschool Families Share Their Stories is on sale until May 19th for only $0.99!

Order your PDF copy today!

Or if you’d prefer to purchase through Amazon or would like a hard copy, then you can order it here.

Beauty & Fashion eBook Bundle of the Week

Toni Anderson — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:48:49 +0000

This week’s Beauty & Fashion eBook Bundle includes a variety of tips to help you feel beautiful from the inside out!

Grab all 5 eBooks for only $7.40 (more than 75% savings!) and treat yourself to some great go-to resources to discover the secrets to jump starting your energy, inspiration to get your weight under control, and beauty and fashion tips to help you prioritize yourself even as you juggle your busy life!

Embracing Beauty by Trina Holden

In this candid and sometimes hilarious book, Trina shares her journey to embracing beauty in the season of motherhood. Every chapter is crammed with practical inspiration and tips for defining your style, choosing clothes and accessories that work for you, and combining it all into a look that will bring joy and confidence to your day.

The No Brainer Wardrobe by Hayley Morgan

The No Brainer Wardrobe is a book to help women learn to love the clothes they have, lose the clothes they hate, and shop for items to fill the gaps. Hayley offers images outlining outfit selections, tips for how to shop, and instructions for creating a lookbook plus encouragement to help you save time and money and feel great in what you wear.

Energy Explosion by Arabah Joy

Energy Explosion will give you the plan you need to regain your energy. In this 7-day guide, Arabah gives step-by-step instructions for jump starting your energy by addressing your body, mind and spirit, plus printable charts and checklists to track your progress!

Frumps to Pumps by Sarah Mae

Getting dressed in the morning often makes us more hospitable, more productive, more playful and more energized. In Frumps to Pumps, a one-month motivotional (motivation + devotional) from popular author Sarah Mae, you’ll find encouragement and practical tips to help you get into the habit of getting dressed so you can love people (and yourself) well.

100 Pound Loser by Jessica Heights

Jessica’s 100-pound weight loss story is inspiring, encouraging and motivating. In this short but candid ebook, she shares her story plus practical advice to help readers conquer their weight loss goals and appreciate their bodies, regardless of the numbers on the scale.

Purchase all of these Beauty & Fashion eBooks bundled together here.

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Easy Mini Doughnut Muffins

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:00:05 GMT

by contributing writer Lynn

Who doesn’t love doughnuts?! I think everyone loves doughnuts, especially kids. Did you know you can make a simple doughnut at home? It really is easy.

This recipe for easy mini doughnut muffins creates a cake like doughnut. It uses a mini muffin tin which gives you a doughnut hole type result. If you have a doughnut pan, it works as well.

I love this recipe because you can really change it up. You can use a chocolate cake mix, a yellow cake mix, or even some of the fun cake mixes that are available. And not only can you change up the doughnut, you can change up the coating or glaze.

A simple sprinkle of powdered sugar is always good. You can dip the top in melted butter then in cinnamon and sugar. Or you can use the chocolate glaze I shared below. Anyway you make them, they will be delicious.

Easy Doughnut Mini Muffins

Ingredients

For the Doughnut Mini Muffins

1 chocolate or yellow cake mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup milk

For the Chocolate Glaze

1/2 cup chocolate chips
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons corn syrup
1 teaspoon water

Instructions

Doughnut Mini Muffins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease mini muffin tins.
In a bowl combine cake mix, eggs, butter, and milk. Beat for about 2 minutes or until smooth.
Pour batter into muffin cups, filling each cup about 3/4 full.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until done.
Let cool in pan for 5 minutes then remove from pan and place on wire rack to cool.
Dip in powdered sugar. Or dip in melted butter than in cinnamon and sugar. Or use glaze below.

Chocolate Glaze

Melt chocolate chips, butter, and corn syrup, and stir until smooth.
Add water to thin slightly.
Dip doughnut muffins in chocolate glaze and let stand until glaze is set.

http://thehappyhousewife.com/cooking/easy-doughnut-minimuffins/

More recipes from Lynn

Find more delicious recipe ideas at the The Happy Housewife Recipe Index.

Save on Your Move with Unpakt

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:31:05 GMT

Being a military family we’ve had our share of moves. Not only have we moved across the street and next door (seriously!) we’ve moved overseas and up and down the east coast. Normally with the military you fill out 74 forms and a few guys show up at your house on moving day to pack it all up.

It wasn’t until last year when my friend Erin moved that I realized moving on your own is a huge deal. Not only is it time consuming it is expensive! Now my media assistant Jenn (many of you might know her) is getting ready to move. She’s done a lot of the packing herself but she needs a company to load and unload the truck for her due to her husband’s bad back.

After listening to my two friends talk about their move I’m thankful I’m not moving again for a long time. The reality is our next move (if there is one) will probably not involve the military and I’ll be on my own to figure it all out.

Last month I was talking to my friend Dana (you know her from A Slob Comes Clean) about this new web app Unpakt. Aside from having a really cool Ikea-esq name, they have come up with an awesome idea!

It makes moving incredibly simple, except for purging 10 years worth of stuff from your attic part.

Here’s how it works. Head over to Unpakt and enter all the basic information about your move.

After you’ve entered your information you’ll see exact prices and user reviews for movers in your area.

After having our piano dropped on its side I’m all over the reviews! If you aren’t ready to commit that moment you can save your plan for later.

When you are ready to move select your mover, lock in your guaranteed price, and reserve!

I don’t know about you, but I don’t have hours a day to spend on the phone talking to different companies, getting quotes, and waiting for people to return my phone calls. With Unpakt you can submit information on your timetable and save time and money in the process which only takes about an hour!

Available from coast to coast, you can even use Unpakt if you are a military member and want to do a DITY move to earn a little extra money.

As someone who moves every one to two years this is one of the best ideas I’ve heard of in a long time. I’m hooked on reading reviews of services before I spend money and I love that I can do it all on my own time, which is usually early morning or late at night. While moving isn’t what I would call easy, Unpakt makes it as easy as possible without coming over and sorting through your junk drawer for you!

The folks at Unpakt want to show Happy Housewife readers how easy it is to use their service. Receive 5% instant cash back on your next move! Enter promo code: THH on Unpakt.com when booking and save. Must book by 7/31/13.

Want to see who is talking about Unpaktcheck out these other websites.

Recently featured in The NY Times, Forbes, TechCrunch, The Huffington Post, Real Simple and many more. Press coverage here.

Named one of The Next Web’s Top 10 Apps for Home & Work

I’m working with Unpakt as a paid spokesperson. All opinions and moving stories are my own.

eMeals: Save 20% on all Clean Eating Plans

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:49:41 GMT

Save 20% on all Clean Eating Meal Plans on eMeals with coupon code: CLEAN at checkout. This offer is only valid today and tomorrow (exp. May 15th), so order soon! More about eMeals:

eMeals is a simple system to solve your dinner time dilemma with easy meals based on delicious recipes and a consistent grocery budget. You’ll receive weekly meal plans based on your preferred grocery store sales and specific meal plan type (regular, gluten-free, low fat etc.) with 7 days of easy to follow dinner recipes and a corresponding grocery list. Dinner meal plans are as low as $5/month, Lunch subscriptions are $4/month with 5 packable weekday lunches that are kid-pleasers and nutritionally balanced each week, and Breakfast subscriptions are available as a $3 per month add-on to any of our 50 dinner meal plans.

Save on eMeals today!

How to Make Produce Bags

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:00:37 GMT

by contributing writer Jackie

Do you use cloth grocery bags? I try to when I go to the store, but I have never had any smaller cloth bags that would work well for produce. Until now, that is.

When my daughter and I were going through her outgrown clothes I noticed a few tank tops and undershirts that I thought would make perfect produce bags.

The sizes of the shirts were 14-16 girls and they made a large produce bag. If you prefer smaller bags you can simply use a smaller shirt.

While I used tank tops and undershirts for the produce bags in this tutorial you can use regular T-shirts and cut the sleeves off before following this tutorial.

If you would like to make your own produce bags that require minimal sewing here’s how.

Supplies Needed

T-shirt or Tank Top
Scissors
Thread
Sewing Machine
Ruler

Instructions

1. Turn the T-shirt wrong side out, and pin the bottom together.

2. Set your sewing machine to a triple stitch so that your seam will be very secure.

The reason for using this stitch is to prevent the seam from busting and you ending up with fruits and veggies everywhere.

3. Sew the bottom of the T-shirt closed by sewing just to the left of the shirt’s original seam.

4. Now, fold the shirt turning the side of the shirt towards the middle, and make 1/4 inch (or 1/2 inch) cuts every two inches.

This isn’t an exact science. Just be careful not to cut too close to any seams.

5. Once you have made your cuts then you need to refold the shirt so that you can cut another area just like you did.

6. Continue until you have little cuts all over the shirt.

7. Turn the T-shirt right side out and stretch it a little.

You are now ready to fill your T-shirt bag with produce.

The picture below shows the difference between 1/4 inch (pic on the left) cuts and 1/2 inch (pic on the right) cuts.

While I think the 1/2 inch cuts are fine, they won’t work for smaller produce.

If you are a little more ambitious and want to create a rounded bottom to your produce bags simply fold the T-shirt in half lengthwise.

Then, cut it so that it is rounded, like in the picture below, before sewing it together.

Follow the same steps as for the straight bottomed bag.

So, are you ready to ditch the plastic produce bags and switch to cloth?

Then go find some small T-shirts or tank tops.

More projects from Jackie

Save Money by Using Leftovers

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:00:27 GMT

by contributing writer Kimberlee

Need to save money? One area that people often over look when trying to save money is the food they throw out each week. While there is no direct correlation between “those poor starving children” your parents told you about and your throwing out food, you can save money by using leftovers–$10-$20 or more per week, which is $500 plus each year!

Ideas for Using Leftovers

Use Your Freezer

The easiest way to use leftovers is to divide them into individual servings and place them in containers in the freezer to use for lunch, or for those days when you are too tired to cook. You can also place leftover vegetables and meat into one large container to use in soup once a month, or freeze leftover fruit to use in smoothies.

Make a Pleasing Presentation

Be intentional about your use of leftovers by hosting a weekly Smorgasbord Night. Place all of the leftovers from the week into nice dishes in a buffet-style presentation and let each person choose his/her favorites (or make sure everyone gets a little bit of everything). Have your kids make up creative names for the dishes, or play games at the table to take the the focus off the fact that you just ate the same food a few days ago.

Create Something New

Many leftovers can be cleverly disguised when combined with pasta and cheese. To re-invent your leftovers, try making a creative pasta sauce like this recipe, or a “crazy” casserole. Leftover oatmeal can become Oatmeal Pancakes, a favorite at our house.

Don’t throw your money in the trash! Repurpose those leftovers and save hundreds a year!

photo credit

More Frugal Ideas from Kimberlee

Comments

Last night I took our Chinese pepper steak, with peppers and ... by Nicole
I'm working on using everything, I have found with veggies and ... by Rita
My kids liked surprise sandwiches. I'd make up sandwiches from ... by Janice
Using my leftovers is something I'm currently working on. I've ... by Melinda

Art Twitter Chat plus Curriculum Discount

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:52:13 GMT

Join us Wednesday for a homeschool Twitter chat about all things art! As you know I struggle with crafts and art projects in my home so I’m bringing in an expert to help us this week! Tricia from Hodgepodge will be joining us this week to talk about all things art!

Tricia has created her own art curriculum, A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels. I just got this and am excited to dive in. My friend Erin has been using it with her kids for a while and loves it! You won’t want to miss this homeschool chat about art! Happy Housewife readers can save $5 off this awesome curriculum when you use the code ARTFUN.

This Week

Topic: Art with Kids

Co-host: Tricia from @HodgepodgeMom

Date: May 15, 2013

Time: 3:00-3:30 pm EST

Hashtag: #homeschool

You can find downloadable transcripts of all the homeschool twitter chats here.

4 Benefits of Play Doh

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:00:59 GMT

by contributing writer Tabitha

Sometimes I say “yes” to my kids even when I really, really don’t want to. One of those times is when they ask to play with Play Doh (or clay, or paints, or other messy art projects.) I dread the clean up. I dread the mess. I dread the colored bits ground into the rug or carpet. However, there is not one time that I have regretted saying “yes.”

Play Doh is something that has no boundaries, no age barriers, no gender specific roles, no rules. You have a lump of some colored gunk and you get to make something out of it. Does that faze anyone? No! And it shouldn’t, other than the millions of moms (not just me?) who don’t want to clean it up. But we do!

There are many benefits to Play Doh.

Helps Tactile Learners

The best way for tactile learners to learn is to get messy. They need to feel things in their hands for it really to take shape. Even if it’s rolling a snake while Mom is talking about colors, or smashing a ball into a cookie while overhearing an older brother talk about algebra. It’s mastering that power over a substance and making something new with your own hands!

Provides Down Time

Both students and teachers (moms) need down time. Who doesn’t love squishing things once in a while? Play doh (and some other materials) are great for playing with your kids. You can make a monster and chase around your child’s creation. You can laugh and giggle with your child(ren) as they make up elaborate stories around their creations, because…

Play Doh is an Ever Changing Medium

You don’t make something and then it sits there. A tower morphs into a ball which changes into a chair, which somehow becomes a snowman. And there’s a reason for every change. I love hearing all about it. My older kids, my younger kids, my middle kids, all of my kids can’t say no to playing with it and making new things.

Play Doh Sparks Creativity

The number one reason I have to say yes to a medium I really don’t like is this: it is one thing that always, always, always brings creativity into action. Sure, there are “sets” that you can use that only have a few outcomes, but even with those, it is always different. I can definitely see it as I’ve watched my kids grow with Play Doh.

From 16 to 3, boys and girls, everyone brings out their creative sides when you pull out the Play Doh, homemade or store bought, bright colored or plain. The stories told are different. The colors are different. The guy with the purple pants has a different adventure with the walking flower and the polka dot snake in the green mountains that sparkle. The monsters eat each other and somehow everyone is still friends. The end.

Once the floodgates to creativity are opened, it helps in all areas of our homeschool adventure. Reading is fun because it brings us new characters to make out of Play Doh. Math problems are even easier because we can think outside the box. Story ideas flow from the characters we’ve created on the table. Art is easier because we can both see and create new things.

A good day turns into a great one because “Mom let us play with Play Doh!”

May Organized in 365: Spring Cleaning How To’s and Reminders

Mon, 13 May 2013 12:09:45 GMT

Last year we went through 365 tips to organize and simplify your home one day at a time, which you can see the entire list of ideas here. With all of these fantastic organization tips to keep your house out of chaos, we decided to highlight some of the best to focus on each month in 2013.

We’ve gathered up some Spring Cleaning basics for you this month including a few How To’s and reminders for some easy spring cleaning tasks!

If you are just tuning in, then be sure to see the 2013 January, February, March, and April organized goals as well.

For more ideas to help you simplify and organize one day at a time, visit the Organized in 365 Archives.

Tex-Mex Recipes – 100 Recipes to Spice Up Your Appetite: Free Kindle Download

Mon, 13 May 2013 11:46:34 GMT

Want to fire up your taste buds? Check out this free Tex-Mex eCookbook:

Tex-Mex Recipes – 100 Recipes to Spice Up Your Appetite is available to download for free now until May 15th! This 118 page Tex-Mex eCookbook includes a variety of recipes that are quick and easy to make including:

Enchiladas
Fajitas
Tacos
Quesadillas
Chili Rellenos
Burritos
Mexican Meat Pies
Casseroles
Salads
Soups
Salsas
Tex-Mex Dips
Guacamole
Breads
Desserts

Download it free today!

If you don’t have a Kindle, then you can still download these free eBooks to your smart phone or computer. All you need to do is download one of Amazon’s free reading apps.

Remember that Amazon prices fluctuate constantly, so verify the price before purchasing.

Motivated Moms Mother’s Day Sale: $3 off Planners and $4.99 Apps

Fri, 10 May 2013 16:44:09 GMT

As you probably know, I’m a huge fan of the Motivated Mom’s Planner, and it’s a big reason for how I am able to maintain my sanity with 7 kiddos, homeschooling, running a blog, being a happy wife and everything else in my life!

If you haven’t already purchased a Motivated Mom’s 2013 Planner for this year or have had an eye on one of their new apps, then now’s your chance to save big – just in time for Mother’s Day! Use coupon code: MOTHER to take $3 off any planner and/or to get any app for only $4.99 (reg. $6.99)!

A little more about the apps:

Available for both iPhone/iPad/iPod touch and Android, this is the 2013 app version of the popular e-book that thousands use each year to manage their homes and contains the same tasks as the printable version. With the app you get 15 months of preprogrammed tasks (over 10,000 of them) spanning October 2012 to December 2013. In addition, you can add unlimited custom tasks and assign tasks to people and rooms.

Click here to visit and shop the Motivated Moms sale.

Note that the coupon code is valid until Tuesday, May 14, 2013!

Comments

Got it! Thank you! I love this planner!!! by Jolynda
How do I use the coupon in the App Store? by Jolynda

Win a Year of Free GrooveBooks

Toni Anderson — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:04:13 +0000

Groovebook is a free app designed to help moms get photos quickly and easily from their phone to their door. I love it, and I’m planning to make a GrooveBook with all my Yes Mom pictures!

It’s very simple:

Upload up to 100 photos a month from your phone
Receive a keepsake photo book of your photos in about 7 days
The books are made with quality photo-paper and perforated edges so that you can use the photos however you please.
Learn more with this GrooveBook YouTube video

The app is free, but ordering a book costs $2.99 for shipping and processing. However, my readers can try it out and get their first book free by using promo code HAPPYGROOVE.

GrooveBook has a Mother’s Day contest going on through Sunday. They are giving people the chance to nominate the Most Deserving Mom. The winner gets a year of GrooveBook absolutely free for themselves and the Mom that they nominated!

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Free and Fun Family Activities in Your Local Area 5/10 – 5/12

Fri, 10 May 2013 14:48:27 GMT

Each week I’ll post links with fun and inexpensive (or free) things to do in your local area.

Local Activities

Atlanta, Georgia (Metro area)
Buffalo and surrounding areas, NY
Chicago, IL (West)
Colorado Springs, CO
Columbus, GA, Fort Benning, GA & Phenix City, AL
Dallas, TX
Denver, CO
Des Moines, IA
East Valley-Phoenix Area, AZ
Fort Worth, TX
Hagerstown, Maryland
Harrisburg & West Shore, PA
Houston, TX (North)
Houston, TX
LaGrange, Westpoint, Hogansville, Pine Mountain, Warm Springs, GA
Lebanon, PA
Madison, WI
Memphis, TN (East Memphis)
Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
Murfreesboro, TN
North Shore MA, NH seacoast and southern ME
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Seattle, WA & Portland, OR (Northwest)
Syracuse, NY
Wichita Falls, TX

If you are a blogger who posts a local round-up of family activities, then feel free to fill out this form to be considered for future posts.

Edible Peanut Butter Play Dough

Thu, 09 May 2013 13:00:40 GMT

by contributing writer Colleen

I have a love-hate relationship with Play Doh.

I love:

that my kids have fun with it.
that it is great for sensory and imaginative play.
that it works my little ones’ fine motor skills and finger/hand muscles.

I hate:

everything else about it.
the mess.
the little pieces that get all over.
the dried and impossible-to-remove Play Doh that gets in the rug under the table no matter what precautions I take to have my kids keep it on the table.

This edible peanut butter play dough is one play dough I don’t mind though, and one that can do double duty as a sweet protein-packed snack. (Okay, is also pretty sugary, but once in awhile is okay, right?)

It takes three simple ingredients — peanut butter, honey, and powdered sugar — and some muscle power from your little helpers.

Call it a homeschool math lesson, and you’ll be the best. mom. ever.

Edible Peanut Butter Play Dough

Ingredients

1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup honey
1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Have your kiddos measure the ingredients and put them in a large mixing bowl.

2. Give them a wooden spoon and let them mix it all together. If it gets to be too tough to mix, have them use their hands — it’s play dough, after all. (Or you they could just forget the mixing all together and just eat it straight from the bowl like my little one did.)

3. Once the ingredients have all been incorporated, they’ll be left with a ball of peanut butter play dough. Break out the rolling pins, cookie cutters, and plastic knives, and let them play and eat until they’re tired of it (or wired from all the sugar).

You can store the play dough in the refrigerator for about a week and pull it out to play with from time to time.

Let me know if you give it a try — or if you have other ideas for edible play dough. I’d love to have some new rainy day activities to pull out with my kids.

Comments

I've made this, but with powdered milk instead of powdered ... by Jessica

KidVentures: 50 Outdoor Experiences of Wonder, Discovery, & Childhood Memories eBook

Toni Anderson — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:00:32 +0000

Jen Murray, mother of quadruplet six year old boys, has released a brand new eBook perfect for outdoor summer adventures for all families called: KidVentures: 50 Outdoor Experiences of Wonder, Discovery, & Childhood Memories!

This eBook is a practical step-by-step guide for outdoor summer adventures and is chock-full of creative, active, and hands-on learning activities for you and your family. It contains supply lists, detailed instructions, printables, diagrams, and resources to take each activity a step further.

7 Reasons You’ll Love This ebook:

50 Simple Ideas to Get Outdoors & Connect With Your Child
Promotes Hands-On-Learning, Creativity, & Active Adventures
Frugal Fun for the Family
Suitable Ideas for Kids Ages Preschool to Preteen
Clearly Outlined Step-by-Step Ideas
Seasonal Suggestions for Every Climate
Additional Printables, Diagrams, and Resources

Purchase it as a PDF today for only $4.99 and have your summer activities all planned out! Or you can grab it for the Kindle here for only $2.99!

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Comments

Thank you so so much for sharing! We're bound to have a summer ... by QuatroMama

100 Easy Recipes In Jars: Free Kindle Download

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:50:44 GMT

I am a HUGE fan of homemade gifts as they can be truly personalized for the recipient as well as often being a more frugal method of giving gifts. One such homemade gift idea is the ever popular Recipes in a Jar like this eBook contains…

Right now, you can download 100 Easy Recipes in Jars eBook by Bonnie Scott for FREE! This 182 page eBook contains recipes for a variety of ideas like:

Cookies
Popcorn Seasoning
Coffee, Tea, Cocoa
Soups
Chili
Nuts & Snacks
Muffins
Bars
Breads

Also there are sections for the best way to fill jars so it makes for a pretty presentation, pictures of the filled jars on most recipes, ideas to decorate and personalize the gifts, plus access to more than 2000 online labels and recipe cards to adorn each jarred gift. Download for free through May 11, 2013.

Download 100 Easy Recipes in Jars for free today!

If you don’t have a Kindle, then you can still download these free eBooks to your smart phone or computer. All you need to do is download one of Amazon’s free reading apps.

Remember that Amazon prices fluctuate constantly, so verify the price before purchasing.

Words with Friends: Keep Winning

Toni Anderson — Thu, 09 May 2013 10:00:22 +0000

So I’m pretty competitive. When my husband and I first got married we had to stop playing board games with each other because our competitiveness caused too many disagreements. One of my favorite games to play was Scrabble.

Last year we started playing Words with Friends against each other. I would think after twenty years we could play a game and still get along. Since I was pretty good at Scrabble I usually won our games on Words with Friends. Over time I picked up a few games against other people I know and given the fact that I’m still teaching phonics I think I’m pretty good, although I just got creamed by my friend RuthAnne. (who is also teaching phonics so that is probably why)

Yesterday, Crystal Light Liquid, a cool new product that adds customizable flavor and vibrancy to water, along with Zynga, the world’s leading provider of social game services hosted the world’s largest group game of Words With Friends. It was the first time more than 2 people could play the same game at one time! It was also one of the first times I was out of my league during the game.

There were over 50 rounds played and I saw some great words. I mean seriously, some of these players were awesome! I saw many of my old standby words played like QIS and QAT, but I also learned some new strategies to ensure I keep beating my husband.

I had a great time at the event, but the fun hasn’t stopped. You don’t even have to do anything new, just keep playing your games. Words With Friends is giving away real prizes to winning players who solve a puzzle.

To match the six new flavors of Crystal Light Liquid, for the next six days, Crystal Light Liquid is hosting mini games and you’ll have multiple chances to win Crystal-Light-Liquid-flavor themed trips each day (open to US residents only). The more words played, the more chances a player has at winning a Crystal Light Liquid vacation experience including the following:

DAY 1: Strawberry Lemonade Trip: Private surfing lessons & weekend luxury accommodations at Surf & Sand Resort, Laguna Beach.
DAY 2: Blueberry Raspberry Trip: Sailboat day charter & weekend stay at a quaint Nantucket island retreat, The Veranda House.
DAY 3: Iced Tea Trip: Guided horseback tour & weekend stay at the private island resort, The Cloister Sea Island.
DAY 4: Pomtini Trip: Swanky hotel spa relaxation weekend in the desert oasis of the Parker Palm Springs.
DAY 5: Mango Passionfruit Trip: A chic weekend stay with a personal concierge at the boutique SoBe hotel St. Augustine, Miami.
DAY 6: Peach Bellini Trip: Vegas, baby! VIP tickets to Cirque de Soleil “O” & weekend stay at the fabulous Venetian Hotel & Casino.

I would like to win the Blueberry Raspberry trip so I can sail around Nantucket for a weekend, so I’m going to keep playing and hopefully keep winning!

If you would like to join in the fun visit the new Crystal Light Liquid page to learn more.

I have been selected by Kraft Foods to be an ambassador for Crystal Light Liquid. While I have been compensated for my time, my opinions are my own, and I have not been paid to post positive comments.

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Comments

I tried to play Crystal Light Words With Friends and never ... by Cindy

10 Tips for Becoming a Yes Mom

Toni Anderson — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:22:56 +0000

Last night I was blessed to be able to share my heart on being a “Yes Mom.” I’ve seen wonderful changes in my family since I started saying yes more than I said no.

I did not become a “yes mom” overnight. Being a yes mom is a lifestyle, and it takes time. But it is worth it. Being a yes mom is freedom, creativity, and abundance. But it is also hard.

Here are 10 practical ways you can start becoming a Yes Mom.

Schedule in fluff time- stop being so busy.

Allow time to say yes. When you are overwhelmed with activities, projects, appointments, and life in general it is easy to say no and almost impossible to say yes. Build in fluff time to your schedule so you can say yes to your kids.

Get control of your home. An organize home makes it easier to say yes.

When my home is out of control I’m a no mom. I can’t handle one more mess, one more “disruption,” or sacrifice any of my time. When my home is in order I’m able to say yes to my kids because I’m not running around just trying to keep my head above water.

A routine makes it easier to say yes.

Just like an organized home makes it easier to say yes, so does a routine. When my kids have completed their school work and finished their chores I’m able to say yes to all sorts of things. These things are more easily accomplished when we have a routine.

It’s okay to say yes- but later.

Being a yes mom doesn’t mean saying yes to everything, every time. It means saying yes to things that are the best for our children. I often get questions such as:

Can I have a bowl of chips? Yes, after you finish your lunch.

Can I play a game on the computer? Absolutely, after you finish your chores.

Can I go play basketball with my friends? Yes, as soon as you turn in your school work.

Can so-and-so spend the night? Yes, as soon as your room is clean.

My kids know I want to say yes to them, but they know that they have responsibilities too. They know if they complete their responsibilities I will most likely going to say yes to their questions. This has transformed our family. When you say no for no reason kids are deflated, unmotivated, and stop asking.

Say yes to something different.

8am: Mom, can we build a giant fire in the back yard, roast marshmallows, and sit outside and do our school? (true story)

My response: I would love it if you gathered sticks for a fire, found the bag of marshmallows, and worked on your school (outside) so that when daddy comes home we can have a bonfire.

You don’t have to say yes to everything. My kids have some crazy ideas, and sometimes they aren’t the safest ideas! I try to find something in their request I can say yes to, and guide them in a better direction. Remember you aren’t saying yes to everything, just the best things.

If you need activities for your kids check out the Mom I’m Bored Jar.

Be prepared to say yes.

I want to be able to say yes when I can, so I try to set myself up for success. Keep a bag in the car or stroller of snacks, juice boxes, bathing suits, towels, sunscreen, etc so you can say yes. Plan for spontaneity. I’m more likely to stop off at the park after a long morning of errands if I have snacks in the car.

I don’t want to feed my kids fast food all the time, so I know that hungry kids will force me to say no. If I have a box of crackers, fruit snacks, or granola bars in the car I can say yes and be a fun mom.

You initiate the activity.

When your kids are little what they really want is you. (Big kids want their parents around too- especially if you start when they are little) They want more of your time, attention, and influence. If your kids ask for outrageous things (like my kids) take the first step and initiate the activity.

I’ve never had a child turn down the opportunity to play a game, read a book, build with legos, play play-doh, or have a tea party with me.

Get your attitude in the right place.

Why are you a “no mom?”

For me it came down to priorities. I didn’t want to deal with the mess, inconvenience, or time it took to say yes. When I examined my heart I realized that my attitude was out of whack.

If I say that my priorities are God, husband, children, then I need to live it. I work from home and I have to get work done during the day. That means sometimesI have to say no to my children when I’m on a conference call, creating presentations, or responding to emails. But, when my priorities get turned upside down and all my activities come first, I’m not living right.

I use to say no because I simply didn’t have time to say yes. Then I realized that when I say yes to my kids I’m so much more productive. My children’s hearts are filled and when I need work time they understand that work does not come before them. If you believe it you have to live it.

Summer is a great time to get started.

Being a yes mom is hard. I didn’t become one overnight. It has taken me over FIVE years to make these changes in my life. I hope you learn faster than I did, because it really can transform your family.

Our summer routine is more relaxed and I have more opportunities to say yes to my kids. Use your time wisely this summer to start making changes that will help you say yes more.

Remember mess is temporary, memories are forever.

My friend Heidi says we’re on the diapers to diploma’s track, which means I had a child in diapers and a child graduating in the same year. One of the benefits of having young and old children is that you realize how precious the time is.

When I had two children hadn’t slept in two years and was up to my eyeballs in poop and spit up I just wanted to survive. There was no thriving going on in my life. I spent my days trying to avoid mess at all costs!

This week our oldest finished her first year of college (away from home). There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t look at my four year old and think, it seems like just yesterday I was peeling the skin off the apples for her big sister, pushing her on the swing, and answering all those “why” questions.

I know every older mom says this, but we say it because it is true.

Time goes so fast, enjoy these moments with your kids!

I wish I would have invested more in memories when my older kids were younger. I love a clean and organized house. I tremble at words like paper mache, play-doh, and glitter. I don’t like dirt (especially on my floors), bugs, or science experiments. God made me this way!

But I love my kids.

In order for my kids to grow, develop, and learn what God has for them (not me!) I have to let them be a little messy, create, and thrive. I need to say yes.

And sometimes it is hard.

But it is worth it. Being a yes mom has transformed my family, from youngest to my oldest. My husband says yes more, my kids say yes to each other more. We have more fun, we learn more, and we are happier.

It’s crazy that saying yes could make such an impact. But it does.

So try it. Be a yes mom.

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Comments

Love it! Been trying to do this more myself and it does make a ... by Tammy
Thanks for sharing your reasons-we had one day where I was able ... by Kelly
Thank you for sharing this list! It's so important to find that ... by Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos

Bacon Pecan Homemade Caramel Corn

Wed, 08 May 2013 13:00:48 GMT

by contributing writer Andrea Green

It is baseball, softball and t-ball season. I know many of you are either watching MLB at home, or you are heading out to watch your star player at the ball park.

We don’t watch a lot of baseball, but when we do, we love a good baseball snack. This Bacon Pecan Homemade Caramel Corn recipe is the perfect snack for enjoying while taking in the game. I think of it as the grown-up version of Cracker Jacks.

The recipe calls for 6 strips of bacon, which makes this caramel corn the perfect combination of salty with sweet. Crumble the bacon well, and you get a nice salty bite covered in sweet caramel every time.

Don’t care for baseball? It’s also a great snack for serving to Dad on Father’s Day. Set him up in his favorite recliner, turn on the game, and hand him a bowl of this caramel corn and I can guarantee you will make his day.

Once made, this recipe will last a week if put in a tightly sealed container and stored in the refrigerator.

Bacon Pecan Homemade Caramel Corn

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
1/2 Cup Popcorn Kernels
6 Slices Bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 Cup Chopped Pecans
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Light Corn Syrup
1/2 Cup Butter
1 Tablespoon Orange Zest
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda

Instructions

Preheat oven to 250.
In a covered, heavy, large pot over medium high heat, heat popcorn and oil until kernels begin to pot. Using oven mitts, hold lid on pot and shake until all kernels have popped.
Pour popcorn into a large bowl. Add bacon crumbles and chopped pecans.
In a large heavy saucepan over medium heat, stir together brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, orange zest, and salt until sugar melts.
Bring ingredients to a boil. Set timer for four minutes and allow to boil without stirring.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and baking soda.
Pour the caramel sauce over the popcorn mixture and stir well.
Oil a jelly roll pan liberally with coconut oil. Spread caramel corn mixture in pan.
Bake in oven until dry, about one hour.
Let cool completely. Break into clumps and store in refrigerator up to one week.

http://thehappyhousewife.com/cooking/bacon-pecan-homemade-caramel-corn/

Don’t forget this recipe come Christmas and gift giving time. It is perfect to wrap up and take to the neighbors.

More recipes from Andrea

Find more delicious recipe ideas at the The Happy Housewife Recipe Index.

Comments

Goint to print this one out!!! Awesome! Thanks!!! by Karen

How to Use Pinterest in Your Homeschool: Twitter Chat

Wed, 08 May 2013 11:48:38 GMT

So, I LOVE Pinterest. I mean really, I do. Sometimes I might love it a little too much, but there are so many great ideas it is crazy! I know people can and do waste a lot of time on Pinterest, so today my friend Tabitha is going to help me share how you can use Pinterest in your homeschool.

If you aren’t using Pinterest in your homeschool you are missing out! It is an amazing free resource for homeschool families and this afternoon we are sharing how it can help and inspire your homeschool.

This Week

Topic: How to use Pinterest in your homeschool

Date: May 8, 2013

Time: 3:00-3:30 pm EST

Hashtag: #homeschool

Co-Host: Tabitha Philen

You can find downloadable transcripts of all the homeschool twitter chats here.

Shop and Earn Swagbucks at Walmart.com

Wed, 08 May 2013 11:45:37 GMT

Shop and earn at Walmart.com from now until Wednesday, May 15th. You’ll get 4 SB per dollar spent on items purchased at Walmart.com.

Plus, for a limited time, spend $100 or more and get a bonus 100 Swag Bucks! The bonus will be applied by June 20th.

Haven’t joined Swagbucks yet? If you shop at major online retailers, search the web, or enjoy video content from YouTube or Hulu, you can do it at Swagbucks.com and earn gift cards or paypal cash in the process. I’ve used it since 2008 and I’ve earned enough Swagbucks to buy my kids a computer and many of their Christmas gifts over the years. Join Swagbucks today!

World’s Largest Words with Friends Game Today!

Toni Anderson — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:36:54 +0000

For those of you who love Words with Friends (and I’m one of them!) today you can participate in the world’s largest Words with Friends game.

They have amazing prizes you can win and the games start at 8pm ET tonight, so don’t forget to head on over and play to win! I hope to beat you see you there!

I’m partnering with Crystal Light to spread the word about the biggest Words with Friends game ever! All opinions are my own.

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How to Make Wool Dryer Balls

Tue, 07 May 2013 13:00:56 GMT

by contributing writer Jasmine

Many years ago I learned to make my own laundry detergent and was thrilled to be able to avoid harsh chemicals and save a pretty penny. However, until recently, I continued to purchase dryer sheets because my husband cannot stand his clothes to have static electricity.

I was thrilled to learn how to make wool dryer balls–a very simple alternative to dryer sheets that is not only cost effective, it is also reusable and non-toxic. Throw a few felted wool dryer balls into the dryer to reduce static electricity, decrease wrinkles in clothing, and speed up drying time.

How to Make Wool Dryer Balls

Supplies Needed

100% wool yarn (each skein makes at least 2 dryer balls)
(optional) 100% wool roving – Roving is fiber that has not yet been spun into yarn. It can be purchased at crafting or yarn stores.
panty hose or nylon stocking

Instructions

1. Wrap yarn into a ball the size of orange. Tuck the tail of the yarn into the ball of yarn so that it does not unravel easily.

2. (Optional step) Cover the yarn ball with roving, smoothing it around the ball. Experiment with the roving to create designs on the yarn ball.

3. Place yarn ball into the panty hose and tie closed with a scrap piece of yarn. Several balls of yarn can be placed in the panty hose, just make sure to tie off each section before adding another ball of yarn.

4. Wash the balls of yarn (in the panty hose) in hot water. It is best to wash with several other things in the washer, such as blue jeans or towels. The more friction in the water, the better.

5. Once the balls of yarn have been washed, remove from the panty hose and place in the dryer. It may take a couple of dryings before the yarn balls are completely dry and felted.

6. Once the yarn balls are felted, place them in the dryer each time you dry clothes.

Comments

Thanks for the tip Cyndy! Always good to check the color ... by Jasmine @ Ponder the Path
Thanks for posting this and thank you to Jasmine for sharing ... by Cyndy

Gardening on a Budget

Tue, 07 May 2013 13:00:15 GMT

The following is a guest post by Adrienne May.

With the first few signs of spring starting to show, it’s time to break out the gardening gloves and start thinking about what plants you want to grow. But not everyone has unlimited income, and many gardeners have to be economical about their plant and tool choices. Here are some ways that you can save money while you grow and tend to your garden on a budget.

photo by brianjmatis

Plan Ahead

Planning your garden before you buy anything can save you a lot of time and money on frustrations and unnecessary expenses. Think about the space you will be using. Is it a corner of your backyard? Will you plant the flowerbeds in the front of your house? Maybe you want to set up a container garden on your patio.

Think about the space and measure, and calculate the square footage of the area you will be using. Draw this out on graph paper, with every square representing a foot, and you will have an erasable, to-scale garden that you can plan and adjust before you spend a dime.

What kind of plants do you want? Where do you want them? How big are they once they reach maturity? Doing research and being able to visually see where your plants will go and how much space they require to grow will save you a great deal of trouble.

A Seed to Grow

The most economical way to grow plants is to start your own from seeds. You can get packets of seeds at nurseries and hardware stores for very inexpensive prices. You can also talk with friends and peers and organize a seed swap, especially if you and those you know harvested the seeds from your own plants the year before; you can also find seeds on sites like Craigslist, and the National Gardening Association website.

You can also take initiative for next year and save the seeds from your plants this year to eliminate this problem altogether.

Starting Out

One of the best ways to save money in the initial gardening stages is to refrain from buying mass-manufactured seedling containers. Often these are extremely overpriced, and the plastic containers can contain harmful toxic chemicals that can poison your garden, like BPAs and phthalates.

Instead, save your egg crates from the store. These are the perfect size for planting seeds and nurturing and observing them closely as they germinate. And if you buy biodegradable cardboard egg crates, you can cut the wells apart and plant the seedling and the container in the ground. This takes care of the extra step of transplantation, as the cardboard will break down in the soil, and your plants can grow without shocking the roots.

photo credit

Keep the Tools Simple

Another way to cut costs is to buy only what tools are necessary. Unless you are a professional gardener, you probably don’t need that 30-piece, all-in-one deluxe tool kit. The essential gardening tools that you really need are a shovel, hoe, spading fork, gardening shears, and gloves, and maybe sunblock.

It’s also very tempting to buy shiny, new tools each year, but if you invest in pure steel tools, you won’t ever have to buy them again. Aluminum is fine for light gardeners who don’t need to use them much, but if you’re a heavy gardener working every day, steel tools will pay for themselves for many years to come.

Home Remedies

You can save yourself many pretty pennies by using home remedies instead of store-bought chemical gardening solutions. Instead of buying pesticides and weed killers, you can find several easy and inexpensive home remedies to take care of your plants’ ailments.

Some common remedies for weed management include pouring boiling water on the weeds. You may need to do this twice if the weeds are especially tough. You can also use newspaper under mulch to keep weeds at bay.

These tips and more can help you maintain a beautiful garden with minimal trouble. You’ll be able to plant them from seeds, watch them grow, make sure they’re healthy, and make sure that no harmful chemicals are introduced to them. This will make your garden, and you, happy, healthy, and prosperous.

Adrienne May is a military spouse, a mother of three and is the featured author for the Military Spouse Central blog with an active social network of over 100,000 military spouses and family members. Follow her on Google+ or tweet her at @AdrienneMay.

A+ TutorSoft Interactive Math Curriculum: Free Month Access + 20% Coupon Code

Mon, 06 May 2013 20:30:44 GMT

I had the pleasure of meeting with the representatives of A+ TutorSoft Interactive Math Curriculum last weekend. I wanted to share with you several opportunities to explore their products!

They are currently offering 1-month FREE access to a complete grade level Multi-Sensory Interactive MATH curriculum of your grade level choice choice. If you have an account already or want to sign up for a free account, then sign in here to get free access. Or you can download a trial version for free here.

Plus, a couple of free download software offers:

FREE Early Elementary Subtraction CD Software ($21.99 value) with coupon code: FREEMATH by May 7, 2013.

FREE Elementary & Middle School Multiplication CD Software ($21.99 value) with coupon code: FREEMATH by May 17, 2013!

Plus, all of my reader’s can get 20% off the lowest listed prices on ALL software products on their website using coupon code: HAPPYHW at checkout!

Take a look around and shop for math curriculum at A+ TutorSoft here.

Incorporate Play Doh into Your Homeschool Lessons

Mon, 06 May 2013 13:00:03 GMT

by contributing writer Stef

I was never a play doh fan. It smells weird. You can imagine I never wanted to incorporate play doh into our homeschool lessons.

Eventually, after much pleading, I set aside special time for play doh fun under serious surveillance so no one accidentally mixed colors. Surely mixing colors is against play doh law.

Rather than see how my tactile students loved to use play doh, I treated it like a viral infection. Pick up every single tiny piece, pack it up tight, complain about it, wash hands, and set the containers on a high shelf.

Once I got over the squishy weird texture and wonky smell, I decided to dump it on the table and incorporate it into every subject.

10 Easy Play Doh Activities for Your Homeschool

Play Doh Letters - Roll out play doh and form letters for preschoolers.
Play Doh Numbers - Roll out play doh and form numbers, put them in order.
Play Doh Shapes - See how many shapes you can form without a cookie cutter.
Play Doh Anatomy - Sculpt inner organs and let your mad scientist have fun.
Play Doh Animals - Create ocean animals, farm animals, or wild animals.
Play Doh Planets - Round up rock formations and have out-of-this-world fun.
Play Doh Countries - Form continents and make a 3-D map.
Play Doh Food - Get friendly with the food pyramid, learn the difference between vegetables and fruits.
Play Doh Creation - Mold something from each day of God’s Creation.
Play Doh Stories - Let them create a story with crazy play doh creations such as aliens or bugs. You can write it off as speech class and score points for being the coolest mom ever.

Surprise your children and pull out the Play Doh tomorrow!

Comments

Have you tried making your own play doh? I made some ... by Kelly
Stef, love this post! Thank you for sharing and for linking to ... by MomMom Hill (PassionateParent.com)

Learn How I Became a Yes Mom

Toni Anderson — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:36:40 +0000

If you are following me on Twitter or Instagram you have probably seen my recent #beayesmom photos.

Years ago I was challenged to say yes more than I said no. Given that my natural tendency is to say “no” this was difficult for me. I changed my “no” ways slightly, but this year I recommitted to being a yes mom.

Being yes mom has changed my relationship with my kids! If you want to find out how and why I made these changes, and become a yes mom too, you can join me tomorrow night for Mommy Jammies Night.

The best thing about Mommy Jammies Night is that you can listen for free from the comfort of your living room!

Here’s what you need to do:

Go to http://www.mediaangels.com/expo/listen-live-3
Click the Web Cast Tab during the event times.
Ask a Question – I’ll answer them at the end of the presentation.
Receive bonus handouts and prizes info for joining live.

JOIN US LIVE HERE

Webcast begins at 9 PM ET Tuesday May 7, 2013.

Visit the website: http://www.mommyjammiesnight.com
Click the listen live tab.
Listen to the webcast on your computer or your phone.
Bring a friend! All are welcome. There is no charge.
Bonus giveaways details during our event.

Before Mommy Jammie Night begins I will be co-hosting a fun Twitter party (8pm ET) with lots of great prizes. Follow #MommyJammies to win some great prizes!

I want you to become a yes mom too! So join me tomorrow evening, Twitter party begins at 8pm ET and webcast at 9ET. See you there!

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Comments

Blessed to host the event and excited to hear your talk! Been ... by Felice

The Book Nook

Sat, 04 May 2013 12:59:25 GMT

What the kids are reading.

What I’m reading.

The Book of Business Awesome / The Book of Business UnAwesome

Free on Amazon today.

If you don’t have a Kindle you can still download these free ebooks to your smart phone or computer. All you need to do is download one of Amazon’s free reading apps.

Mimi’s Cafe Coupon: Free 4 pack of Muffins

Fri, 03 May 2013 20:17:10 GMT

If we are eating out, then it’s most likely with a coupon or deal like this one for Mimi’s Cafe, one of my mother in law’s favorite places!

Join the eClub for Mimi’s Cafe and receive news and offers all year long, plus you’ll get a sign-up bonus for a FREE 4 pack of their delicious muffins with any $5 purchase. You’ll need to enter your zip code to sign up, so if your zip code comes up as invalid, then enter the zip code for the nearest Mimi’s Cafe!

Free and Fun Family Activities in Your Local Area 5/3 – 5/5

Fri, 03 May 2013 14:53:40 GMT

Each week I’ll post links with fun and inexpensive (or free) things to do in your local area.

Local Activities

Atlanta, Georgia (Metro area)
Buffalo and surrounding areas, NY
Chicago, IL (West)
Colorado Springs, CO
Columbus, GA, Fort Benning, GA & Phenix City, AL
Dallas, TX
Denver, CO
Des Moines, IA
East Valley-Phoenix Area, AZ
Fort Worth, TX
Hagerstown, Maryland
Harrisburg & West Shore, PA
Houston, TX (North)
Houston, TX
LaGrange, Westpoint, Hogansville, Pine Mountain, Warm Springs, GA
Lebanon, PA
Madison, WI
Memphis, TN (East Memphis)
Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
Murfreesboro, TN
North Shore MA, NH seacoast and southern ME
Northeast Ohio
Omaha, NE
San Diego, CA
Seattle, WA & Portland, OR (Northwest)
Syracuse, NY
Wichita Falls, TX

If you are a blogger who posts a local round-up of family activities, then feel free to fill out this form to be considered for future posts.

Bank of America: Free Museum Admission this Weekend 5/4 – 5/5

Fri, 03 May 2013 11:41:48 GMT

This weekend, May 4 and 5, Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cardholders can get free access to more than 150 participating museums in 91 cities to continue their Museums on Us program.

Not only can you receive one free general admission this weekend, but you can also get free admission every first full weekend of each month! You can see the full list of participating museums here. Have you ever wondered why Bank of America participates in free museum weekends? Here’s why…

Bank of America believes the arts have a unique ability to connect people and communities, and help local economies thrive. Through Museums on Us, Bank of America is able to provide its customers with free access to artistic and cultural experiences across the United States at some of the nation’s most celebrated cultural institutions ranging from art, children’s and history museums to aquariums and science centers.

Photo ID and a valid Bank of America/Merrill Lynch credit or debit card must be presented at the time of visit. One free general admission limited to each cardholder at a participating institution, excluding fundraising events, special exhibitions and ticketed shows the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of each month. Not to be combined with other offers.

Making Science Models

Thu, 02 May 2013 13:00:24 GMT

by contributing writer Marci

We love hands-on science at our house. I can’t imagine effectively studying it any other way, although there are times when hands on can get tricky, say when you are studying organs of the body.

Somebody out there just went “ewww….gross!” I can hear you. Don’t worry. This is not a dissection post. This is where science models come in.

When we studied the way blood flows through the heart this year, we found a detailed drawing of the cross-section of a heart. It was complete with red and blue colors representing oxygen-rich blood and oxygen depleted blood and arrows to show the direction of the blood flow. It was a good diagram, but still a little hard for the kids to grasp.

“I wish I could hold that picture and move it around,” my daughter said. Then, I see the lights go on. She loves clay of all sorts and is always creating with it. Before I knew it, she was shaping clay into a 3D model of the drawn diagram.

When we got to the chapter about the nervous system, she made more models.

Benefits Of Making Science Models

Making models helps kids learn several ways. First, the construction of the model requires them to look more closely at an image or subject than they would have normally. Size, shape, proportion and how parts fit together are really studied. Visual learning is taking place.

Creating a model with their own hands allows for tactile learning. Students who are tactile (kinesthetic) learners can really benefit from model building. Images or words on a page might not mean much to them, but hands-on activities make the subject come alive. It is my belief that all kids are tactile learners in some sense.

Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet, licensed clinical social worker and coordinator of Parents Place Express, says that all kids start out as tactile learners, but start to realize their main learning style by 2nd or 3rd grade. However, she also says that half of all kids remain kinesthetic learners on some level.

In our house, after the model is created, the kids have to tell me all about it. They have to tell me about the parts and how they work. This act allows for testing of what they already know, and by hearing what they are saying, auditory learning is taking place.

We usually make our models with oven bake clay that allows us to preserve them for further study and review. but you could use play dough and just take the model apart when you are finished to reuse the dough later.

Have you ever made your own science models? What did you make?

More Homeschool Science from Marci

Salsa Chicken in the Slow Cooker

Wed, 01 May 2013 13:00:22 GMT

by contributing writer SnoWhite

Salsa chicken in the slow cooker is an incredibly easy dinner to prepare for your family. Toss in some pineapple and black beans and serve over brown rice.

It’s perfect for Cinco de Mayo and works great during warm months when you don’t want to heat up your house by making dinner.

Salsa Chicken in the Slow Cooker

Ingredients

4-5 chicken breasts
1 (8 ounce) jar of salsa (mild, or spicy)
1 (14 ounce) can of black beans
1 (14 ounce) can of pineapple (rings, chunks or tidbits)

Instructions

Place 4-5 chicken breasts in the bottom of a lightly greased slow cooker.
Pour one jar of salsa over the chicken.
Pour in one can of pineapple (juice included).
Drain and rinse one can of black beans; add to the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours.
Serve warm over rice.

http://thehappyhousewife.com/cooking/salsa-chicken-in-the-slow-cooker/

More recipes from SnoWhite

Find more delicious meal ideas at the The Happy Housewife Recipe Index.

Comments

I make this great disn all the time but I add a drained can of ... by Lisa Mac

Homeschool Conventions: Twitter Chat

Wed, 01 May 2013 12:54:24 GMT

I’m excited because tomorrow I’m headed to Spartanburg, SC to attend the Teach them Diligently homeschool convention. If you live in the area you can register at the door so I hope to see you there!

Anyway, I attended my first convention seven years ago and I was a little intimidated by the large vendor hall, all the different session choices, and the sheer size of the event. I survived, but I would have liked to have a better understanding of what to expect before I walked through those doors.

Today on our homeschool Twitter chat we’ll be discussing how to make the most of your convention experience. If you are paying for registration, gas and possibly a hotel you’ll want to make sure you are getting your money’s worth.

To help me this week the folks from Teach them Diligently will be co-hosting the chat. You’ll want to follow @TeachDiligently on Twitter do you don’t miss a thing!

This Week

Topic: Homeschool Conventions

Date: May 1, 2013

Time: 3:00-3:30 pm EST

Hashtag: #homeschool

Cohost: Teach them Diligently

You can find downloadable transcripts of all the homeschool twitter chats here.

Tech & Internet eBook Bundle of the Week

Toni Anderson — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:21:20 +0000

This week’s Tech & Internet eBook Bundle includes a variety of tips to use technology in your life to your advantage including Evernote, Pinterest, iPhone Photography and more!

Grab all 5 eBooks for only $7.40 (more than 70% savings!) and treat yourself to some great go-to resources to discover the secrets to beautiful iPhone photos, how to get organized using free apps and programs, the beauty of online friendships and more. The included 5 eBooks are:

Once Upon the Internet by Marla Taviano

Once Upon the Internet is the funny and touching memoir of the Tavianos’ one-year quest to visit 52 zoos in 52 weeks — and the online friends who helped make it possible. Through the course of their journey, they stayed with 31 different families, 17 of whom they’d never met in person (and countless others met them at zoos along the way), and today some of their dearest friends are ones they first met on the internet.

iPhone Photography by Alli Worthington

Alli’s iPhone Photography: The Visual Guide is your go-to guide for the best iPhone photo editing apps. With plenty of full-color images, you’ll find step-by-step tutorials to capture and create stunning images yourself as well as ideas for using iPhone photos to stay organized, save money and just be happier.

Pin-terpretation by Holley Gerth & Stephanie Bryant

Your Pinterest account and the images you pin say more about you than you might think, and the ladies at Squee! wrote Pin-terpretation to help you step back and really see yourself. Their goal is to help you see your Pinterest boards with fresh eyes — to provide questions as well as insights into you, your personal brand & your blog. It’s kind of like a Cosmo quiz for your Pinterest boards.

Paperless Home Organization by Mystie Winckler

Organize your life with a digital home management “binder” that you can take with you, doesn’t use up extra space, works on every platform and doesn’t cost anything. In Paperless Home Organization, Mystie shows you how to get organized using only free, web-based applications that sync with free apps on both Apple and Android devices.

Evernote for Moms by Lauren Rothlisberger

Lauren’s specialty is providing tech tips for “non-geeks”, and Evernote for Moms is the quick and easy guide to help you use Evernote to organize your ideas and information. It includes a quickstart guide, simple template files and step-by-step instractions for installing, launching and adding items to Evernote through your smartphone or computer.

Purchase all of these Tech & Internet eBooks bundled together here.

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Comments

I use Evernote for everything love it. I'm using Pinterest more ... by Katena
I love tech bundles and app ideas! I'm always looking for new ... by Autumn Leopold

License:	CC Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
Date:	April 21, 2013

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