Mandi Ehman's Blog, page 73
December 7, 2013
Weekend Reading: December 7, 2013
source: Mandi Ehman
Although we’re dying for a big snowstorm or two this winter, we couldn’t have been happier to have a week of warmer weather. The girls played outside nonstop, we enjoyed having our windows open to let in the fresh air, and we even took our first family walk since Jackson was born.
Oddly enough, we don’t have any real trees on our property (it was part of the neighboring ranch, so it had been cleared as a pasture before the development was started), but there are quite a few trees down along our road. The girls love to climb those trees when we take walks, and our 9-year-old is especially good at it. She scaled to the top of this one, regardless of the fact that she was in a dress and pink sparkly boots, and I had to capture a picture of her silhouetted against the setting sun!
I’m taking a break from my regular link posts to enjoy the early weeks with our new baby. You can still see what I’m reading and what I’m pinning, and I’m excited to introduce you to some of my favorite bloggers as well:
Rachel at Finding Joy may be the most encouraging voice in the blogosphere, and I always look forward to her posts. I know sometimes we want people to share their challenges and heartaches and not just their joys (and she is very real in that sense), but I love that her purpose is finding joy, even in the midst of those challenges. She focuses on the little things, the things that make the big things worth it, without pretending that her life — or her parenting — is perfect!
Here are a few of my favorites from her archives:
Motherhood & Perfection
The Perfect Mom Fallacy
Embracing Motherhood: Perfection in the Imperfect
Ten Bits of Advice {I Would Give Myself} About the Perfect Motherhood Journey
The Myth of the Perfect Day
Intentional Living for Kids
Six {Simple} Ways to Teach Children Intentional Living
20 Things I Will Not Regret Doing With My Kids
Secrets for Every Mother
Seven Ways to Embrace Motherhood
Why Moms Need to Laugh
10 Motherhood Secrets
Have a great weekend!
Mandi Ehman is the blogger behind Life Your Way. She and her husband have four beautiful girls plus one baby boy on the way, and together, they live, work and homeschool on a little slice of heaven in wild, wonderful West Virginia. She loves coffee, chocolate, easy meals, beautiful things and minimalist spaces.
Weekend Reading: December 7, 2013
© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved
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December 6, 2013
Gifts for Women {2013 Holiday Gift Guide}
This week I’m sharing my 2013 Holiday Gift Guide, with tons of ideas for everyone on your shopping list.
I don’t know about you, but putting together a Christmas wishlist for myself isn’t easy! That said, here are some great gift ideas I’ve come across this holiday season that would make thoughtful gifts for the women in your life…and there might even be an item or two to add to your own wishlist. (Like the personal embosser, which I’d love to use for our books!)
1. pretty things ::
mother nestling birds necklace
paddywax library collection jane austen fragrance diffuser set
2. favorite things ::
thermos 16-ounce stainless steel travel mug
kindle paperwhite touch screen e-reader with light
kindle paperwhite cover, cities red
3. books to read ::
freefall to fly: a breathtaking journey toward a life of meaning
bread & wine: a love letter to life around the table with recipes
a million little ways: uncover the art you were made to live
Mandi Ehman is the blogger behind Life Your Way. She and her husband have four beautiful girls plus one baby boy on the way, and together, they live, work and homeschool on a little slice of heaven in wild, wonderful West Virginia. She loves coffee, chocolate, easy meals, beautiful things and minimalist spaces.
Gifts for Women {2013 Holiday Gift Guide}
© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved
101 Days of Christmas: Easy Filled Ornaments
source: Mandi Ehman
I was so excited to spot these clear plastic ornaments at Hobby Lobby at the beginning of the season, and I immediately began brainstorming all of the different things we could put in them.
My hope is to eventually find a tiny, tiny nativity set with individual pieces that will fit through the 1/2″-3/4″ opening so that I can add those to a ball filled with iridescent snow flakes, but that hasn’t happened yet!
Instead, the little girls and searched through the craft box and decided to fill one with sequins, one with glitter and the big one with buttons from our button box. I was so impressed by how hard they worked, as it gets a little tedious to add sequins and buttons after a while, but they had a lot of fun and were so excited when I hung them up on the tree in our kitchen.
source: Mandi Ehman
Supplies:
plastic clear ornaments
sequins, glitter*, buttons, etc.
white glue (optional)
*The glitter ornament was the heaviest of all three, and I’m not sure how much I trust it hanging on our tree. I think you’ll definitely want to glue the top on if you make one of these, and keep in mind that it’s on the heavy side.
Directions:
Fill each ornament with the material of your choice, snap the top on it and add a ribbon for hanging. It really is that easy!
Variations:
The sky really is the limit. You could add your favorite small candy pieces (M&Ms or broken candy canes), scraps of fabric or bits of pipe cleaners, colored sand, beads etc.
Related Projects:
Join us as we celebrate 101 Days of Christmas with new DIY projects, gift ideas, traditions and more every day from now through Christmas!
Mandi Ehman is the blogger behind Life Your Way. She and her husband have four beautiful girls plus one baby boy on the way, and together, they live, work and homeschool on a little slice of heaven in wild, wonderful West Virginia. She loves coffee, chocolate, easy meals, beautiful things and minimalist spaces.
© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved
December 5, 2013
Stocking Stuffers {2013 Holiday Gift Guide}
This week I’m sharing my 2013 Holiday Gift Guide, with tons of ideas for everyone on your shopping list.
I really love stockings, and we usually save a good amount of our kids’ Christmas budget for filling their stockings with new art supplies, toiletries, photos, etc. I also love to fill my husband’s stocking, and I always look forward to seeing what he put in mine. (I think this love comes from my dad, because he always put the goofiest items in our stocking — things like random tools so that we could begin a tool set of our own!)
Here are some fun ideas for filling stockings for the whole family:
1. personalized photo memory game for kids
2. wubbanub brights little lion
3. spot it
4. the original turbie twist super absorbent hair towel
6. chuao chocolatier firecracker bar
7. fred and friends mister tea infuser
8. shany professional 13-piece cosmetic brush set with pouch
9.
10. kikkerland hedgehog dryer balls
11. pentel arts 8 colour automatic pencil
13. lacie petitekey 16gb usb flash drive
16. hand stamped copper wallet insert card
Mandi Ehman is the blogger behind Life Your Way. She and her husband have four beautiful girls plus one baby boy on the way, and together, they live, work and homeschool on a little slice of heaven in wild, wonderful West Virginia. She loves coffee, chocolate, easy meals, beautiful things and minimalist spaces.
Stocking Stuffers {2013 Holiday Gift Guide}
© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved
A Little Help for the Holidays from Kraft {And a Mix-and-Match Chicken Salad Recipe}
source: Mandi Ehman
Chicken salad is one of my favorite go-to lunches because it’s so easy to throw together. And I love that it can be customized based on what I have on hand and what sounds good at the moment!
I almost always have jars of shredded chicken in my freezer from roasting whole chickens or making chicken stock, so I’ll pull one of those out the night before and then put together chicken salad the next morning. (You could also do it with fresh chicken or even turkey after a holiday meal!)
To start, gather your ingredients.
source: Mandi Ehman
Base ingredients:
shredded chicken or turkey
Kraft mayonnaise
salt & pepper to taste
Add, to taste:
diced celery
diced apples
sliced grapes
dried cranberries
chopped pecans or walnuts
I’ve also seen recipes that call for honey or brown sugar and various herbs and spices, but we like ours simple and straightforward!
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Serve on its own, on top of baby spinach leaves or on toasted bread.
I know, I know — I get frustrated with recipes that don’t call for specific amounts of ingredients too, but I’ve never measured out the ingredients for this one; I just add what looks and sounds good (which usually means generous amounts of everything!) and adjust as I go!
Save Up to $20 on Kraft Products
This month, Kraft wants to help you stretch your Christmas budget with up to $20 in savings available exclusively at Target.
Print your coupons and head to Target to save on a variety of products, and then head to KraftRecipes.com to find more easy recipes,like this turkey melt or chicken italiano!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Kraft. The opinions and text are all mine.
A Little Help for the Holidays from Kraft {And a Mix-and-Match Chicken Salad Recipe}
© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved
101 Days of Christmas: Dried Orange Pomander
source: Mandi Ehman
I love both the look of these pomanders and their delicious scent. And as promised, burlap is making an appearance once again in this project — I told you I was obsessed!
I first heard the term “orange pomander” in a historical novel about a sweets shop in London during the plague, and last year I attempted to make them as one of our 101 projects. However, despite the mixture of orris root powder and spices that I kept them in for several weeks, they went bad.
Then, a couple of my blogging friends shared their own pomander posts, and neither of them used any extra spices or herbs to prepare theirs, so I decided to try again this year. This simpler method actually worked much better!
Pomanders are a beautiful addition to your holiday decor or a thoughtful gift for a friend. You can set them in a bowl or tray or add a ribbon to hang them like an ornament.
source: Mandi Ehman
Supplies:
oranges
whole cloves
ribbon or burlap (optional)
Directions:
Decide ahead of time whether you want to create a pattern or just add the cloves all over randomly. Then, begin sticking the cloves through the orange peel. If your orange peel is tough or you want to mark out a pattern before you start, use a toothpick to poke the holes first.
Tie a ribbon around the fruit (optional) as decoration or to hang it.
Variations:
Use other citrus fruit, like lemons or limes
Add to spiced apple cider
Use pomanders in drawers or closets as a natural air freshener
Related Projects:
Christmas Wassail
Candied Orange Peel
Orange-Cranberry Scones
Join us as we celebrate 101 Days of Christmas with new DIY projects, gift ideas, traditions and more every day from now through Christmas!
Mandi Ehman is the blogger behind Life Your Way. She and her husband have four beautiful girls plus one baby boy on the way, and together, they live, work and homeschool on a little slice of heaven in wild, wonderful West Virginia. She loves coffee, chocolate, easy meals, beautiful things and minimalist spaces.
101 Days of Christmas: Dried Orange Pomander
© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved
December 4, 2013
Gifts for Men {2013 Holiday Gift Guide}
This week I’m sharing my 2013 Holiday Gift Guide, with tons of ideas for everyone on your shopping list.
Whether you’re shopping for your husband, father or brother, here are some ideas for Christmas gifts for the men in your life:
1. the golfer ::
garmin approach s2 gps golf watch with worldwide courses
samsonite golf trunk organizer
delk golf buddy all-in-one golf tool
swingbyte golf training device and training aid
fifty places to play golf before you die
harvey penick’s little red book
dave pelz’s short game bible
2. the handyman ::
dewalt 18-volt drill/driver kit
crescent odd job multi-tool
magnogrip magnetic wristband
striker magnetic led light mine
man up!: 367 classic skills for the modern guy
new fix-it-yourself manual
3. the outdoorsman ::
timex men’s expedition metal field olive dial brown leather strap watch
the friendly swede adjustable premium paracord bracelet with fire starter
leatherman skeletool multitool
lifestraw personal water filter
streamlight nano light miniature keychain led flashlight
stanley 1.1qt classic vacuum bottle
the u.s. navy seal survival handbook
sas survival guide: for any climate, for any situation
Mandi Ehman is the blogger behind Life Your Way. She and her husband have four beautiful girls plus one baby boy on the way, and together, they live, work and homeschool on a little slice of heaven in wild, wonderful West Virginia. She loves coffee, chocolate, easy meals, beautiful things and minimalist spaces.
Gifts for Men {2013 Holiday Gift Guide}
© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved
101 Days of Christmas: Printable “Merry Christmas” Banner
source: Mandi Ehman
Window banners are among my favorite decorations for any occasion because they add such a festive feel to our home and they’re not expensive or difficult to make. From these and our 12 Days of Christmas to banners for birthdays and Valentine’s Day, we often hang banners in our windows, and today I have a printable Christmas banner to share with you!
source: Mandi Ehman
Simply print out the banner and cut out each pennant flag. Hang twine or ribbon across the windows (I usually crack the windows and slide the string right through the opening and then close and lock it to hold the ends tight). Use clothespins to attach each flag to the ribbon.
Or punch holes in the upper corners of each flag and thread a ribbon through the front of each flag before securing the ends in place.
Click here to download or print the “Merry Christmas” banner.
Related Projects:
Printable Advent Chain
Fabric Scrap Candy Cane Banner
Easy Framed Art
Join us as we celebrate 101 Days of Christmas with new DIY projects, gift ideas, traditions and more every day from now through Christmas!
Mandi Ehman is the blogger behind Life Your Way. She and her husband have four beautiful girls plus one baby boy on the way, and together, they live, work and homeschool on a little slice of heaven in wild, wonderful West Virginia. She loves coffee, chocolate, easy meals, beautiful things and minimalist spaces.
101 Days of Christmas: Printable “Merry Christmas” Banner
© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved
December 3, 2013
Gifts for Big Kids {2013 Holiday Gift Guide}
This week I’m sharing my 2013 Holiday Gift Guide, with tons of ideas for everyone on your shopping list.
For the past few years, we’ve focused on group gifts for our girls — a train table and tracks, a marble run set, an indoor play house, etc. They still get plenty of individual presents from their grandparents, great-grandparents and aunts, but the group gift encourages them to play together, which I love. {This year we got them new art supplies!}
Here are some other gift ideas that would work as individual or group gifts:
1. archery ::
barnett outdoors lil banshee jr. compound archery set
barnett outdoors junior archery 28-inch arrows
bullseye archery targets
2. imagine & build ::
k’nex 521-piece value tub
k’nex classics 50 model building set
k’nex 100+ building ideas
3. cool tricks ::
sneaky uses for everyday things
sneakier uses for everyday things
sneakiest uses for everyday things
sneaky science tricks
4. lego friends ::
lego friends heartlake vet
lego pink brick box
lego friends playsets
ultimate sticker collection: lego friends
5. creativity ::
darice 80-piece deluxe art kit
canson universal sketch paper pad
bobblehead robots
art lab for kids
6. a new world ::
disney infinity starter pack
disney infinity lone ranger play set
disney infinity frozen play set
7. your own style ::
the fashion designer’s handbook and sewing kit
singer beginner’s sewing kit
sewing school: 21 sewing projects kids will love to make
8. electricity ::
snap circuits green alternative energy kit
Mandi Ehman is the blogger behind Life Your Way. She and her husband have four beautiful girls plus one baby boy on the way, and together, they live, work and homeschool on a little slice of heaven in wild, wonderful West Virginia. She loves coffee, chocolate, easy meals, beautiful things and minimalist spaces.
Gifts for Big Kids {2013 Holiday Gift Guide}
© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved
Safe Babywearing from the Beginning
source: Mandi Ehman
As a working mom, I’ve struggled in the past with frustration and even depression when I felt like I was sacrificing time with our new babies because I had work to do and deadlines to meet, which is why an actual maternity leave was so important to me this time around.
But just because Jackson’s now six weeks old doesn’t mean I’m suddenly ready to work full time while Sean enjoys the cuddling and caring for him, and so I’ve been very intentional about babywearing from the moment we brought him home from the hospital.
You see, what I didn’t realize with our girls was that I waited too long to start wearing them, which meant they didn’t really love it all that much. While babywearing from the start doesn’t guarantee that babies will love it (I have a friend whose toddler has always hated it, despite the fact that she’s a babywearing advocate herself and has successfully worn her other children), it definitely helps.
source: Mandi Ehman
So from the very first week, I’ve worn Jackson at home. When I’m doing laundry, cooking dinner, straightening up or sitting at the computer, I put him in the Boba Wrap (which I purchased on the recommendation from several friends and love) or my no-sew ring sling.
And when we’re out and about — whether that’s running errands, grocery shopping or watching a parade — I wear him.
He often sleeps as soon as I tuck him in the sling, although more and more he wants to be awake and looking around. But he’s almost always happy, even if he was fussing just minutes earlier.
Not only does it help him get used to the carrier, but my body is adjusting more easily as he gets bigger, rather than suddenly strapping a 15-pound baby on and expecting it to be easy!
source: Mandi Ehman
Safe Babywearing
While I truly believe that babywearing is not only convenient but also healthy for both mom and baby, here are a few safety tips to keep in mind:
1. Make sure baby is in the right position by following the TICKS guidelines:
Tight — baby should be held securely against your chest
In view at all times — you should always be able to see baby’s face just by glancing down
Close enough to kiss — baby should be high up on your chest, so that you can easily kiss his or her head
Keep chin off the chest — his or her chin should not be tucked down on their chest but lifted at least a finger’s width to keep the airway open
Supported back — the carrier should support the baby’s back in a natural position so they’re not slumped down
2. Wear baby facing you, not facing out.
Our first daughter spent a lot of time in a popular soft carrier, facing out as she took in the world, but studies increasingly show that facing in is better for baby’s development because it better supports their spine and hips in a natural position. (And our oldest daughter does have hip issues, which may or may not be related to her time in that carrier.)
3. Choose your activities carefully.
While I do cook with Jackson in the sling, I’m especially careful to do it safely — with his hands tucked inside the sling, knives carried away from us and with their covers, etc.
Similarly, it’s important to be careful on stairs and slippery surfaces and to avoid activities that could result in a fall, such as climbing a ladder, participating in sports and so on.
4. Practice makes perfect.
When trying a new carrier, have someone spot you as you learn to put baby in the carrier. It also helps to put on the carrier in front of a mirror the first few times, and you may find that sitting on the floor or couch works just as well as standing for those first few practices!
For more babywearing tips, visit my Safe Babywearing board on Pinterest!
About Boba
Boba is the only baby carrier company that exclusively sells baby carriers that keep baby facing inward.
The Boba Wrap is a stretchy wrap that’s easy to tie and use! With no buckles, straps or buttons, it’s simple and comfortable. And because it evenly distributes baby’s weight, you can easily wear them for hours, keeping them warm and secure at home or out and about.
Weight Range: 7-35lbs
Hands Free
Custom Fit
Durable and Strong
Simple No-Guess Tying
Easy Breastfeeding
To learn more and connect with Boba, “Like” them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Boba. The opinions and text are all mine.
Safe Babywearing from the Beginning
© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved
