Ruth Soukup's Blog, page 81
May 6, 2015
Easy Pesto Chicken
It’s no secret that we LOVE quick & easy freezer meals around here, especially ones that use budget-friendly chicken! Believe it or not, this tender, juicy, flavor-packed Pesto Chicken might just be our easiest recipe yet. It’s got just six easy ingredients (and 2 are optional) but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. It’s even fancy enough to serve to guests.
To make it as part of a freezer cooking day, just split the marinade & chicken into multiple bags, then throw it right into the freezer–no cooking required! Making it ahead of time is not necessary, though, as it is equally delicious just marinated at room temperature.
You can use any type of chicken but my family much prefers the boneless, skinless chicken thighs, which are a darker, juicier meat and also tend to be cheaper than the boneless skinless breasts.
Here is what you need:
2 cups store bought or homemade pesto
1/2 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
3-4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken
2 plum tomatoes, sliced (optional; for cooking day only!)
shredded mozzarella cheese (optional; for cooking day only!)
Step 1: In large bowl, whisk together pesto, vinegar, & olive oil.
Step 2: Divide chicken into two gallon-size freezer bags (be sure to label bags first!) Divide sauce into bags over top of chicken. Freeze until needed.
Step 3: Thaw; Grill 5-7 minutes on one side, then turn over and grill 5-8 minutes longer. With a minute or two to go, place sliced tomato over chicken, then sprinkle with mozzarella. Close lid and let cheese melt completely. Alternate cooking directions: Arrange chicken in casserole dish; place tomato slices over chicken, then sprinkle heavily with mozzarella cheese and bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Serve over cooked pasta.
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Recipe: Easy Pesto Chicken
Summary: This simple & juicy recipe comes together in a snap and is sure to be a family favorite!
Ingredients
2 cups store bought or homemade pesto
1/2 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
3-4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken
2 plum tomatoes, sliced (optional; for cooking day only!)
shredded mozzarella cheese (optional; for cooking day only!)
Instructions
In large bowl, whisk together pesto, vinegar, & olive oil.
Divide chicken into two gallon-size freezer bags (be sure to label bags first!) Divide sauce into bags over top of chicken. Freeze until needed.
Thaw; Grill 5-7 minutes on one side, then turn over and grill 5-8 minutes longer. With a minute or two to go, place sliced tomato over chicken, then sprinkle with mozzarella. Close lid and let cheese melt completely. Alternate directions: Arrange chicken in casserole dish; place tomato slices over chicken, then sprinkle heavily with mozzarella cheese and bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Serve over cooked pasta.
Preparation time: 5-7 minutes
Cooking time: 10-15 minutes on the grill or 30-40 minutes in the oven.
Number of servings (yield): 8
The post Easy Pesto Chicken appeared first on Living Well Spending Less®.
May 4, 2015
5 Habits of Amazing Moms
This is a guest post from Sarah Koontz of Grounded & Surrounded
Even before I had my first child, I was determined to be a good mom. I devoured every parenting book I could get my hands on and purchased far too many “must-have” gadgets. If I was going to attempt this mom thing, I was going to do it right! I sought advice from everyone I knew, constantly searching for the magic formula that would help me to succeed at mothering.
I have met women who home-school their young children, graciously endure lengthy deployments or sacrifice their own ambitions to care for a special needs child. There are others who have faithfully supported their husband through times of unemployment, lovingly opened up their homes to foster care children or managed to raise good kids without the help of a spouse.
As women, we often compare ourselves with one another. I have discovered that there are two ways to do this. The first is to compare the strengths we see in others to the weaknesses we feel within ourselves. This type of comparison always leaves us feeling inadequate, incapable and insecure. The second is to focus on the failures and shortcomings we see in others to boost our own self-esteem. This will make us feel better for a while, but those feelings fade quickly.
Rather than falling victim to the comparison trap, it is far better to learn from and encourage one another. Let’s stop comparing ourselves to one another and start focusing our energy on our children. We are all on our own unique journey towards becoming the best moms we can.
Here are 5 habits I have learned from the amazing moms in my life. Each of these habits has brought me one step closer to the kind of mother I aspire to be.
Amazing moms invest time and energy into understanding their kids
For kids, perception is reality. If they perceive that Mommy is always busy or distracted, then it then becomes fact in their minds. As a child, I perceived that my mom spent more time working than she did playing with me; therefore, my child-like conclusion was that she loved her work more than she loved me.
As an adult, I can look back and see how flawed my thinking was. But that doesn’t change the fact that I spent a portion of my childhood feeling unloved and unimportant.
As moms, it is critical for us to invest time and energy into understanding our children. Consistently seeking to put ourselves in their shoes and trying to understand their perspective is the first step towards a happy, healthy relationship with our children.
Amazing moms teach their children how to express their feelings.
Kids will only see things from their perspectives if we don’t take the time to share our perspectives with them. It is essential that we patiently explain to our children why Mommy can’t spend the whole day playing with them. Open dialog helps our children to understand why we do what we do. It also builds a foundation of trust and honesty in the relationship.
Openness is a two-way street. It is critical we take the time to ask our children thoughtful questions. Listen carefully to their answers and develop follow-up questions. Many times children do not even know how to define what they are feeling with words. It is our job as parents to teach them how to express their feelings in a positive way.
Once they have opened up to you, reinforce this positive behavior by taking action on what they have said. It will show them that you are a safe place for them and that you truly care about their thoughts and feelings.
Amazing moms are proactive rather than reactive.
Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Understanding that your children have needs that only you can meet and focusing your energy on preventing problems before they occur is the key to successful parenting.
Set aside time each day to prepare a schedule, dividing your time wisely between your household responsibilities and your family. Allow your children to participate by choosing a few fun activities they would like to do with you each day. Be creative and take breaks regularly through the day to engage in these pre-planned activities with your children. Fill their heads and hearts with memories of Mommy focusing 100% of her energy on them.
Being prepared is choosing to be proactive rather than reactive in our relationships with our children. This choice will not only strengthen those relationships, but it will also serve as a daily reminder to our children of their value and significance.
Amazing moms accept their own limitations
As moms, we are constantly being tempted to stretch ourselves too thin. When Mom is stressed and overworked, the whole family suffers. It is important that we recognize our own limitations and seek help when necessary.
Choosing to be humble in our role as a mother is choosing to accept our imperfections. Learning to say “I’m sorry” to our children when we mess up shows them that nobody is perfect… not even Mommy!
Don’t overlook the fact that we all need a bit of help from time to time. I find that I can get more housework done in a few hours of focused time (with NO kids to distract me) than a whole day of juggling my responsibilities. Find someone to kid swap with or let your husband take the kids out for a “daddy-date” every once in a while so you can get caught up on your t0-do list.
Amazing moms love their children in word and in deed.
Kids need to know they are loved. Words aren’t enough. We must also show them love through our actions. Learning the love languages of your children is so beneficial. Discovering whether it is touch, words, quality time, gifts or acts of service that truly communicates love to your child takes time and persistence. Loving our children in the way they receive love is the most valuable gift we will ever give them.
I find if I give my girls a dose of love right away in the morning, or right after they get home from school, things go much better for all of us. It seems like 10-20 minutes of focused attention first thing fills them up and frees them to go play contentedly awhile without Mommy’s undivided attention.
Final Thoughts…
I have recently sold many of my how-to manuals on parenting and realized that all the gadgets in the world won’t make this job easy. I have finally accepted the fact that I will never be a perfect mom. I have learned that it is okay to admire and respect other women for their beauty and strength but there is no good thing that comes from trying to compare myself with them. I believe that the only way to find freedom from the comparison trap is to redirect our energy towards learning from and encouraging one another.
Sarah Koontz is a stay-at-home wife & mother of 2 beautiful little girls.
She is passionate about writing, and loves encouraging other moms to “ENJOY the HERE and NOW” through her #ETHANproject Challenges. She has a blog with her best friend Sammi at Grounded & Surrounded where they write about all things Healthy! Heart, Home, & Habits. You can find Sarah on Facebook , Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
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What other habits would you add to this list?
May 2, 2015
Weekend Wandering
Happy Weekend! I finally finished writing my latest book, Unstuffed, this week, which means that this weekend I’ve got big plans to do absolutely NOTHING! I can’t even tell you how good it feels to have that off my plate, especially because I’m so happy with how it turned out. I can’t wait to share it with you all! I think we may try to go blueberry picking this morning, but other than that, I am looking forward to a whole lot good old fashioned rest and relaxation! What are your plans for the weekend?
But now on to the good stuff…..here is what I loved this week:
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First of all, this Overnight Oats Recipe with Yogurt from Confession of an Overworked Mom sounds like the perfect healthy breakfast solution for busy mornings!
Mmm…this Cheesy Ham & Spinach Overnight Breakfast Casserole from Cozy Country Living looks like a good one to add to your Mother’s Day brunch menu!
This Savory Stuffed French Toast from Frugal Living NW also sounds like a great brunch idea!
We love grilled cheese sandwiches in our house and my husband is the grilled cheese master! I’m sure we would all enjoy this Caprese Grilled Cheese sandwich from Carmel Moments! YUM
This One Pot Linguine Primavera from I Thee Cook is the perfect spring time meal!
Moving onto the sweets…this Copycat Kentucky Derby Pie Recipe from A Merry Mom is a must have if you are watching the big race!
This Reese’s Peanut Butter No Bake Cheesecake from Raining Hot Coupons is calling my name!
These Lime Coconut Cupcakes from My Boys and Their Toys sound delicious!
Cinco de Mayo is just a few days away–Why not try this Fuego Verde (aka “Green Fire”) a spicy Tequila Cocktail from Blue Crab Martini?
Of course if spicy is not your thing, this round-up of Cinco de Mayo Drink Recipes from Home Made Interest will definitely help turn your day into a fiesta!
Onto some DIY crafts and projects…this DIY Honey Lip Balm from Frugal Family Home would be a great gift for teachers or moms!
These Free Printable Mother’s Day Coupons from Clementine Creative also include a super cute printable envelope to present your gift in!
Ann’s Entitled Life shares the Top 3 Mother’s Day Gifts for the Gardener. These are great!
There is something for every mom on this list of 13 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas Under $30 from Creative Savings!
Frugally Blonde shares her list for The Best Things to Buy in May. Some things on this list surprised me!
These 15 tips on How to Reduce Your Spending from My Stay at Home Adventures are super practical.
Feeding Big has several tips for eating Healthy Organic Foods on a Budget. Tip number 1 is key!
Finally, Retired by 40 put together a list of 14 Frugal Summer Fun Activities for Kids that will appeal to children of all ages!
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What did you love this week?
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May 1, 2015
5 Fears Every Mom Faces (& How to Conquer Them)
Today I am so happy to welcome back my sweet (and very wise) friends, Kathy Helgemo & Melinda Means, from Mothering from Scratch. Not only do they live right here in my same small town of Punta Gorda, Florida, they are bloggers and moms who love to share their insight, struggles and parenting wins in their book Mothering from Scratch: Finding the Best Parenting Style for You and Your Family.
As moms it is so easy to doubt ourselves and assume that everyone else knows what they are doing, while we are just struggling to get by, but Kathy and Melinda, with honesty, humility, biblical truth, and even a little humor, offer the real encouragement that most of us are looking for. I was deeply touched by this book and especially loved that it didn’t feel AT ALL condescending, as so many parenting books tend to be, but instead offered practical solutions and a whole lot of grace. I highly recommend it!
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This is a guest post from Kathy Helgemo & Melinda Means of Mothering from Scratch
When you first hold your baby in your arms, it’s all joy. The future seems so full of promise. Your mind is spinning with all the possibilities: What will she become? Will he be tall like his dad? What kind of personality will she have?
Then it suddenly shifts.
That pure, blissful, hopeful delight can quickly become clouded with anxiety. You start asking different questions: Is she eating enough? Is he gaining weight fast enough? Is he gaining too much weight? Am I completely screwing this up?!
As they get older, our fears don’t go away. Whether it’s from our own bad experiences or ones that we don’t want our kids to have, fear and anxiety can paralyze us and make us unhappy and ineffective.
For our own well-being and our children’s, we have to stare down our fears and show them who’s boss. Let’s examine five common ones and some practical ways to conquer them:
Fear #1: Transitions will be hard
Starting a new school, potty training, getting rid of pacifiers — these are normal transitions in the life of a child. Our fear can make us believe they will be painful and difficult, which actually increases the likelihood that they will. Kids pick up on our fear, which can increase their own apprehension and anxiety.
(Kathy) “When my first son, at the age of three-and-a-half, FINALLY decided that he wanted to give all of his ‘binkies’ to a friend’s new baby, I had a complete, full-blown panic attack. It came complete with chest pain, hyperventilating, and overall anxiety. I was completely convinced that he would never take another nap or sleep. I tried to hide my fear, but it was obvious when I kept asking him over and over if he was “sure he wanted to give his binkies to the baby.” He was sure. I was the one that wasn’t going to sleep.
How to Conquer It
Asking ourselves why we are resisting change in our kids’ lives can be hard. Are we trying to “keep them little longer”? Is there a need that we are trying fulfill of our own by making ourselves more useful in their lives? Kids grow up. Quickly. Without giving two weeks notice. It’s our job to embrace their journey and be their encouragers during any transition.
Fear #2: Our Kids Won’t Like Us if We Stand Up to Them
Confrontation is part of the parental job description. From two-year-olds to teenagers, kids often don’t like being told what to do. (Melinda) I’m a nice girl. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been quite comfortable with the role of peacekeeper. My natural tendency is not to rock the boat. So in His infinite wisdom, what did God do? He gave me two incredibly strong-willed children.
Right from the beginning, they consistently placed me in confrontational situations. I hated that feeling in my gut. So I gave in — way too much. I just wanted the peace to return. What I didn’t realize was that each time I gave in, I was actually inviting more conflict. Kids smell weakness. They don’t retreat. They get bolder.
How to Conquer It
(Melinda) As I began to confront my conflict phobia, I asked God everyday for wisdom and courage to do what was right for my kids. It helps to ask myself these questions:
Is this about my comfort? Am I saying “yes” to my kids — or letting something slide — simply because I don’t want the confrontation. Is my decision in their best interest — or mine?
Will giving in bring my kids closer to being an adult that is responsible, giving and loving? I’ve had to train myself to take a long-term view in my decision-making. I’ve learned the hard way that the self-serving decisions I make today have a negative long-term effect on my kids.
Fear #3: My kids won’t have any friends (or the right friends)
(Kathy) I tried to control my kids’ relationships too much. I didn’t want them to get their feelings hurt or hang out with “the wrong kids.” They need friends and connection. The temptation is to shelter them from learning the difference between good and bad influences. When we cherry-pick all the interaction kids have with people, this can actually hamper them from understanding and identifying the characteristics of unwise influences.
How to Conquer It
Trust your gut, yes. But also get feedback from others about whether you’re overreacting. Have friends over to your house first before you encourage a play date at theirs. Exercising caution without hindering social development is a difficult balance. But it is possible.
Fear #4: My kids might fail
It hurts when our kids suffer disappointment and difficult consequences. (Melinda) As a recovering perfectionist, this is a tough one for me. This fear has motivated me to turn into Bill Nye the Science Guy to help my child with a school project. It’s what makes me cringe when my son is chosen to be the starting pitcher for a baseball game. It makes me want to shield them from social situations where they might be rejected.
Too much attention. Too much anxiety. It’s akin to keeping on the training wheels way too long because it’s easier than seeing scraped knees. It’s normal to stumble and fall.
How to Conquer It
Start with one. The next time we’re seized with anxiety and want to rescue a child, let’s just not. They will survive. In fact, they may just thrive. If they don’t, they will most likely learn something important.
Kids don’t gain character and self-esteem when we eliminate most opportunities for them to do so. They gain confidence by doing — even if that means failing a few times before they have some success.
(Melinda) It also helps me to remember that failure makes them more dependent. But not on me. I’ve watched my children’s struggles deepen their walk with Jesus. Their need, their problems — especially the ones I can do nothing about — prompt them to depend on Him for strength and guidance. Doesn’t it do the same in us, as adults?
Fear #5: My kids might get hurt!
Strangers, alcohol, mean people, strange places. Dirt, For Pete’s sake! Those problems are not going to leave the planet anytime soon.
(Kathy) I had an “all or nothing” attitude to some of them and it got out of control. When it comes to parenting, I’ve learned that we live in a very gray world. Everything is not good and safe. Everything is not evil and dangerous.
If we don’t model how to navigate it and teach our children the skills to tell the difference, we aren’t teaching — we’re just avoiding. I’ve done this with everything from having toy guns to alcohol use. I wish that we could just make all the bad stuff go away, but we can’t.
How To Conquer It
Gain some perspective from others who are more knowledgeable about the danger we fear. (Kathy) My immediate family has a horrific, genetic tendency toward alcoholism. Was I going to follow their advice toward how to approach drinking with my kids? No. I sought advice and observed the habits and attitudes of people who didn’t have dysfunctional habits.
I needed to understand what normal was since I hadn’t experienced it. It was difficult. Once I had a better view, I had more confidence on how to (or not to) expose my kids to situations where alcohol was present. I didn’t have to be so extreme.
Conquering our mom fears is really only possible when we understand what the opposite is: Love.
Putting our child’s ultimate good above our own fears can be hard. Staying in the place of fear, however, robs them of the security of knowing what real love is.
Between the two of them, Kathy Helgemo and Melinda Means
have been mothering six kids for almost 40 years! They blog over at Mothering From Scratch where they encourage and support mothers in finding their unique mothering style. Their book Mothering From Scratch: Finding the Best Parenting Style that Works for You and Your Family is available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Christian Book Distributors.
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April 30, 2015
Thrifty Thursday {Week 107}
Mother’s Day is fast approaching! Sometimes it can be hard to find the perfect gift for your mom…and the other mother figures in your life. I’d love to see what special ideas for mom you all have to share this week! By the way, have you registered for our Mother’s Day Gift Card giveaway yet? Get all the details here!
In other news, we announced the winner of our Secret 13 essay contest this week, please help me congratulate Maggie Roush!!! Maggie writes the blog, The Love Nerds, and her inspiring essay, “It’s Okay to Change Your Plan,” was our most-voted for essay! If you haven’t read it yet, be sure to check it out!
Here are the most clicked links from last week:
1. Snail Pace Transformations { What a $10,000 Home Really Looks Like }
2. Finding Morgan { 6 Things I Don’t Spend Money On and Why }
3. Always Learning { Spending Money on Things that Don’t Satisfy }
4. Equipping Godly Women {30 Day Decluttering Challenge}
5. Graceful Little Honey Bee {Frugal Weekly Meal Plan}
6. No Getting Off This Train {5 Tips to Save $60 a Month on Groceries}
7. Frugally Blonde {My Pinterest Fail}
8. The Intentional Mom {18 Things We Did to Become Completely Debt Free by 42}
9. Family Balance Sheet {20 Different Ways to Use Original Blue Dawn}
10. Logger’s Wife {Our New Savings Plan}
Never linked up before? Here’s how:
Scroll down, find the little blue “Add your Link” Button and click on that.
Follow the instructions on the next page – add a great image of your project and an interesting title. Make sure you link to the direct page of your budget friendly post – not the main page of your blog!
Try to visit at least a few other blogs at the party. Be sure to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by!
Please link back to this post somehow. There are badges available here; a simple text link is just fine too.
Feel free to tweet about Thrifty Thursday so others can join the fun, and don’t forget to check back here Sunday morning to see which posts have been featured this week at Weekend Wandering!
If this is your first time here I also invite you to check out my blogging guide, How to Blog for Profit (Without Selling Your Soul). It is a fantastic resource if you are interested in building your blog, getting more traffic, or learning how to monetize!
An InLinkz Link-up
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April 29, 2015
Grilled Steak Tacos
Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, so I thought it was the perfect time to share our new favorite taco recipe! If you read this blog regularly, you already know that I am a little obsessed with “cheater” freezer cooking. Not only are these simple meals quick & easy to throw together, they save us a ton of money on groceries (and especially on eating out.) Better yet, they make our sometimes hectic weekdays SO much simpler!
These flavorful grilled steak tacos will make any weeknight feel like a party. To make them as part of a freezer cooking day, just split the meat & marinade into multiple bags, then throw it right into the freezer–no cooking required! Making it ahead of time is not necessary, though, as it is equally delicious just marinated in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
Here is what you need:
1 can cola
1/4 cup olive oil
the juice of 3 limes
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
2 3-4 lbs skirt steak
For cooking day:
1 jar of chunky salsa
2 avocados
shredded lettuce
taco shells
shredded cheddar cheese
Step 1: Squeeze limes to release fresh lime juice.
Step 2: Whisk lime juice, cola, olive oil, chili powder, salt, & pepper together in bowl, then divide into 2 1-gallon freezer bags. (If freezing, be sure to label bags ahead of time.)
Step 3: Marinate steak in bag for at least 30 minutes or longer, or press out air from bag and freeze.
Step 4: Thaw if frozen. Grill 6-8 minutes per side, basting with additional marinade, if desired.
Step 5: Let meat rest for 5-7 minutes, then slice thin (use a very sharp knife or an electric knife if you have one) and serve with your favorite taco toppings–shredded lettuce, avocado, salsa, etc. in your choice of hard or soft taco shells.
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Recipe: Grilled Steak Tacos
Summary: These grilled steak tacos make any night a fiesta!
Ingredients
1 can cola
1/4 cup olive oil
the juice of 3 limes
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
2 3-4 lbs skirt steak
following items for cooking day only:
1 jar of chunky salsa
2 avocados
shredded lettuce
shredded cheddar cheese
taco shells
Instructions
Squeeze limes to release fresh lime juice.
Whisk lime juice, cola, olive oil, chili powder, salt, & pepper together in bowl, then divide into 2 1-gallon freezer bags. (If freezing, be sure to label bags ahead of time.)
Marinate steak in bag for at least 30 minutes or longer, or press out air from bag and freeze.
Thaw if frozen. Grill 6-8 minutes per side, basting with additional marinade, if desired.
Let meat rest for 5-7 minutes, then slice thin (use a very sharp knife or an electric knife if you have one) and serve with your favorite taco toppings–shredded lettuce, avocado, salsa, etc. in your choice of hard or soft taco shells.
Preparation time: 5-7 minutes
Cooking time: 12-16 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 6
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April 28, 2015
Meet our Secret 13 Essay Contest Winner!
For the past few months, we’ve read Secret 13 stories from 12 inspiring finalists, as they’ve shared how the lessons found in Living Well Spending Less: 12 Secrets of the Good Life personally affected or changed them. Last week, you voted for your favorites. Today it is time to announce the winner of our absolutely fabulous, totally AMAZING grand prize!.
How amazing is it?
Yep, that’s right–our lucky grand prize winner has won an all-expenses paid cruise for up to four on my family’s all-time cruise line, and our all-time favorite ship, the Carnival Sunshine!
And our winner is (drumroll please)….
MAGGIE ROUSH!Maggie writes the blog, The Love Nerds, and her inspiring essay, “It’s Okay to Change Your Plan,” shared her story of needing to abandon her dream of being a teacher because of the debilitating migraines it was causing. Regarding why she decided to write this essay, she wrote,
“I wrote this blog post for me. I have a desire to be more open on the blog about our experiences – the good and the bad – and the hard work we are doing to earn our “good life”. However, I am entering this contest for my husband.
If not for my husband, I would still be teaching and most likely still be in constant pain from my migraines. As Ruth says, I would have kept my dreams on hold in order to be practical. After all, leaving my teaching job cut our budget in half. His unwavering support is truly incredible – never once making me feel bad for our new financial situation, always encouraging my ideas and vision, rearranging his schedule for blog projects and even patiently waiting for dinner as I snap a few photos. I am submitting this to the contest because he has had to make so many sacrifices for my health and my dreams that I would love to give him something wonderful in return – a vacation! Thank you for the opportunity!”
Congratulations Maggie!
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Mother’s Day Gift Card Giveaway
Mother’s Day is fast approaching! And we know that sometimes it can be hard to find the perfect gift for your mom…and the other mother figures in your life. A woman doesn’t have to be a mother to have a great impact on others. So today we want to celebrate all women who nurture, care for, and serve others- whether it’s inside or outside their families. Are you ready for this?!
GIVEAWAY TIME!
What better way to celebrate these women than spending a fun day out together!? A day on the town doing a little bit of shopping, eating, crafting and looking for home decor?
Several of us bloggers pooled our resources together to be able to bring you this giveaway. We want to thank you for following along with us! We also want to be able to celebrate YOU!
The lucky winner will be getting one of the following gift cards for themselves AND one set for a friend!
$50 Texas Roadhouse
$50 Home Goods
$50 Sephora
$50 Hobby Lobby
$50 Target
That’s a $500 Value!
Now you can spend the day with your favorite mom or friend getting a little extra special treatment. Go on- take a break from the pressures and busy-ness that comes with being a Mom!
You deserve it!
The contest will run through Tuesday, May 5th at 11:59 PM MST.
TO ENTER…
1. Follow each blogger on Google+
2. Then enter using the widget below…
Mom’s Day Out for Two Giveaway
Good Luck!
The contest will run through Tuesday, May 5th at 11:59 PM MST.
*Fine Print: Giveaway will end on May 5, 2015 at 11:59PM MST. One LUCKY winner will be chosen to receive five gift cards for themselves and another set of the same gift cards for a friend. No purchase necessary. Cannot redeem for cash. Must be 18 years of age or older and a resident of the U.S to enter. This giveaway is in no way affiliated with Facebook, Google+ or Instagram. Winner will be chosen randomly and will be notified via email within 48 hours of the giveaway closing. Winner will be announced on the post. The winner must respond within 48 hours of receiving the email or a new winner will be chosen.
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April 27, 2015
For When You Feel Uninspired
This is a guest post from Tammy of Grace Uncommon
It’s no secret that sometimes it’s hard living a creative life in a critical world. Inspiration is seemingly everywhere, but so is discouragement! An artist would be lying if she said she didn’t face direct opposition of her work and her gift on a regular basis. In fact, I think we should expect it! Or know that we’re not being nearly vulnerable enough. Our greatest gifts are going to come out of our greatest weaknesses and if we’re doing that work, then some days it’s just plain flat going to hurt.
Jesus tells us in John that the world will hate us, because it first hated him. This is not to discourage us, but to encourage us! If we’re doing the work to which we’ve been called then His light is going to shine out of our brokenness and blind some people around us. Sometimes that light is going to nearly blind ourselves because it is not of us. It is meant to CHANGE us. This is good news! Even though it may hurt, for awhile.
All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. ~John 16:1
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. ~John 16:33
Any artist, disciple, or person following after the heart of God and the message He has entrusted to them will face opposition and discouragement in this world. It’s okay. It doesn’t mean you’re weak; that you’re a fraud, or that you’ve fallen out of the goodness and grace of God. It simply means you’re normal. You’re doing the work you were called to do and encountering the very obstacles He warned you would come.
If you find yourself in the middle of a trial or you’re facing a seemingly impenetrable wall of un-inspiration, here are a few things to do instead:
Rest
Sometimes great seasons of feeling uninspired coincide with a general state of doing too much. Perhaps you’ve been running yourself ragged in too many areas and your body is finally telling you to slow down, stop, and take some time to recharge.
Input
People who love to serve and give tend to do so to the point of forgetting that in order to serve well, one must also receive. Take this time to put some things back in. Read, schedule time to spend with people who pour into your spirit, and who challenge and encourage your gifts.
Simplify
Often we over schedule our lives and our calendars with so much thinking that more is more. More is actually less. Don’t be nice, remove the things that are strangling your schedule and your life and make room to breathe. Make some room for fun.
Explore
Get outside. Summer is coming and for some of us the signs are everywhere. Life is bursting from the buds in my backyard. Take the time to get out in nature and see it! Soak in the evidence that new and beautiful life truly does bloom out of the deepest frost.
Gratitude
Often the world seems dark and it’s easy to look at all that is going wrong or the things we haven’t done right. Take a minute to write down three things to be thankful for. Scroll through your Instagram feed or your photographs and look at the faces in your life. Remember all the incredible things you already have, and hold them. Yes, life is full of hard things, but we were made to do hard things! Especially when we are grateful for the exceedingly greater good things we already have.
If you find yourself in a season of discouragement, be encouraged. You’re not alone. Nor is it a surprise! This world is stacked up against us if all we choose to see is the dark. Remind yourself that there is still SO MUCH LIGHT. Sometimes there are no big plans, just the next right thing. No matter what obstacle has come up against your gift, find the courage to do the next right thing.
We have been entrusted with gifts, talents and abilities that nobody else can do in exactly the way we can. Though we will face hardship – and sometimes direct opposition to our calling – we serve the One who has already overcome. He chose YOU not because of your strength, but because He believed that in your weakness He could be made known.
Embrace it! Welcome the struggle. It’s not a popular choice in this world but the longer I live the surer I am: we were not made for this world.
Do you ever feel like you’ve lost it? Lost hold of what matters or lost yourself somewhere along the way? Are there things holding you back from pursuing the life you were made to live, but you don’t know how to break free?
I want to invite you to join me on a free, 7-day video life challenge learning how to LIVE FREE! You can sign up and learn more about it through this link but I promise you, it’s going to be meaningful and fun!
The timing of your life is no accident. Nor is the timing of every single vicious attack on your gifts and abilities. Trust Him. Trust the One who knows the desires of your heart and longs to give them to you. Know that perseverance must finish its work so that you will be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
FAITH. HOPE. TRUST. A cord of three strands. Grab hold of it and never let go. You were made to live free so that you can run your race well. I believe in you. Now you, believe in you!
Tammy is an encourager, contemplator and deeply soulful spirit. She writes
candidly on her blog: Grace Uncommon about the common struggles that bond us together as women, and how we can boldly design unhindered lives. She just released her first book, Pretty: Breaking Free From The Illusions of a Superficial Life.
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April 25, 2015
Weekend Wandering
Happy Weekend! Have you purchased your Ultimate Homemaking Bundle yet? There are only two days left to get more than $1200 worth of home-related books and bonuses for just $29.97 (including my bestselling blogging guide, How to Blog for Profit Without Selling Your Soul!) From meal-planning to cleaning & organizing to making money from home, it includes resources to improve every area of your life. It is a pretty awesome deal–you can get all the details HERE.
In other news, be sure to vote for your favorite Secret 13 essay HERE! One lucky finalist will win a 7 day cruse for four on the Carnival Sunshine!
But now on to the good stuff…..here is what I loved this week:
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First of all, these Chocolate and Peanut Butter Protein Pancakes from A Mind Full Mom are both healthy and delicious–now that’s what I call a good breakfast!
And speaking of breakfast fare, Moms & Munchkins shared some yummy-looking Mother’s Day Brunch Recipes that you might just want to add to your menu!
These Garlic Ranch and Veggie Appetizers from Faith Filled Food for Moms would make a great afternoon snack !
This Red Pepper Jelly recipe from Frugally Blonde can be made in no time. Yum!
These Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps from Practical Stewardship look super yummy too!
Onto the desserts…this Salted Caramel Filled Oreo Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie from Annie’s Noms sounds simply divine!
Believe it or not, this Simple Blackberry Cobbler from Kleinworth & Co. is made with only 3 ingredients. I can’t wait to try this!
Onto some DIY crafts and projects… Little Girl Designs shares her 9 tips to What a Teacher Really Wants for Teacher Appreciation Week!
Frugal Family Home shares a list of Free Mother’s Day Printables and Easy Gift Ideas including cute crafts the kids can make!
She Lives Free asked real moms What They Really Want for Mother’s Day. Some of these really resonated with me!
Joyful Homemaking shared a few time tested strategies on How to Plan a Graduation Open House!
Graceful Little Honey Bee shared 15 Easy Ways to Save Money as a Stay at Home Mom. I loved these!
This Free Printable Budget Binder from Freebie Finding Mom is available in 5 different designs.
Life a Little Brighter lists the 10 Things You Will Love About Shopping at Aldi. Rumor has it an Aldi will be opening up in a town about 30 minutes from me. I can’t wait to check it out!
Finally, with summer only a few months away Pulling Curls shares her families tips on How to Budget on Vacation.
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What did you love this week?
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