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  • Supporting Friends and Family suffering Infertility + Twitter Chat + Giveaway

    Supporting Friends and Family suffering Infertility + Twitter Chat + Giveaway

    *This post is brought to you by The Stork OTC and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own. I am not a nurse or healthcare provider. Treatment should always be discussed with your healthcare provider. 

    Planning for a family should be easy, but that’s not always the case. In my walk of life, I have met many couples struggling with infertility. For some it’s been because of known medical problems, for others they don’t know why they struggle conceiving.

    I’ve watched the burden push friends and family away as they don’t know how to talk to each other anymore. Infertility has become the proverbial Elephant in the room for some, and they don’t know how to push it out. While I may not be able to give the best advice, I feel I’ve walked the waters of containing friendships and family peace, and would like to offer what I’ve learned. Hopefully this will help someone else.

    Listen

    When your friend wants to talk about their infertility – listen. Sometimes no words are needed, just an ear to hear, and arms to hug. Those two simple, silent actions let your friend know you love them and are there for them.

    Don’t feel bad you have kids

    While it may hurt seeing your friend hurt, feeling bad you have kids and they don’t isn’t helping anyone. Your friend wouldn’t wish her infertility on anyone else. Still invite her to gatherings, even if there will be kids around. If your friend declines though, understand. Don’t make it a big deal. Accept their decline to a party the same way you would any other decline.

    Now the FDA has approved The Stork – an OTC conception aid. Making it more affordable for couples struggling with infertility to improve their chances to have children. It shouldn’t cost a fortune to conceive. 
    The Stork OTC can be used if you’ve been diagnosed with infertility, have tried months without success, or simply want to conceive more quickly. The Stork OTC uses cervical cap insemination – an established effective technique for infertility issues. 
    Join The Motherhood and The Stork OTC for a mini twitter chat. 
    The next chat is this Tuesday 9/22 at 1pm ET
    We’ll be talking about more ways you can support friends and family suffering through infertility. 
    Follow #TheStorkOTC
    Check out these other resources for more information on infertility

    GIVEAWAY
    Win a trial of The Stork OTC
    enter via Rafflecopter

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

  • Make Lunch fun with FunBites + a Giveaway

    Make Lunch fun with FunBites + a Giveaway

    Welcome to our FunBites Giveaway!
    FunBites makes mealtime fun for kids, especially when they’re trying new foods and are picky eaters! We’ve used our FunBites to cut a variety of sandwiches and bread, cheese, melons, pineapple, apples, peaches, bananas, avocado, squash, potatoes, ham, turkey, chicken patties, these 13 Hallloween recipes and more. I love that the cutter is easy to use, and safe for kids because it doesn’t have sharp parts. 

    It’s also dishwasher safe, although we prefer to hand wash ours with the kids sippy cups. FunBites cutters are available in a variety of colors and shapes: Squares, Trianges, Hearts, and now for a limited time Minion Goggle! The winner will receive one FunBites cutter of their style choice and color. Enter using the form below and good luck!
    Disclosure: Practical Parenting Ideas and participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Giveaway is not affiliated or associated with Facebook or any other social media platform.
  • Weekend Bites #52 Dinner Ideas

    Weekend Bites #52 Dinner Ideas

    Weekend Bites
    Weekend Bites


    New to Weekend Bites? Here’s the run down
    Visit my cohost Debi at Practical Parenting
    1. Link up your any food related post below
    2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined. 
    3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.
    4. By linking up you give me permission to feature your photos on Home Maid Simple (always linking back to you of course!)
    5. Each month I send out a newsletter with the most popular links from that month – you may be featured!!  This is a once a month newsletter, every first Friday of the month, no spamming involved. Subscribe!

    Weekend Bites Dinner Ideas. Join the party and link up your recipes
    Is anyone else just go go go right now? I feel there’s hardly a minute to just relax. Our dinners have been quite interesting as I try to get back on a schedule with the kids in school, one at a home, and my own school to get back into as well.

    Enjoy these features! Hopefully they’ll inspire you for dinner this week!

    FEATURES

    Sriracha Ranch Tacos
    Sriracha Ranch Tacos
    This 15-Minute Blue Cheese Garlic Bread is studded with flavor thanks to a vibrant blend of cheese, butter, and fresh herbs!
    15 minute Blue Cheese Garlic Bread
    Heirloom tomatoes with baked eggs are a simple and nutritious vegetarian breakfast option. Ready in 20 minutes. Only 130 calories per serving.
    Heirloom Tomatoes with Baked Egg
    Easy Ravioli Lasagna 2{A Pretty Life}
    Easy Ravioli Lasagna
    Grab a Featured Button!

    Weekend Bites
    Weekend Bites

  • Mini Apple Pies for Custodian Week

    Mini Apple Pies for Custodian Week

    Sunday night I got an email from the kids school. It’s Custodian Week, and they were letting us know all the ways they will be celebrating the 4 custodians who take care of the building, and if there was anyone who would like to help provide treats. I love celebrating those who are often overlooked, so of course I said yes, an then started planning these Mini Apple Pies.

    Mini Apple Pies packaged on top of a red apple make fantastic gifts!

    It’s fall, so naturally apples came to my mind, but since it’s a school celebration, apples made even more sense! I signed up to bring our custodians treats on Tuesday, giving myself 1 whole day to plan, shop and bake these mini Apple Pies.

    Being Monday, I figured it was a great Family Home Evening to get the kids involved in making something for their school. They loved adding the spices to the apples, and cutting out the crusts. While I tend to get a bit anxious with the kids in the kitchen, this actually was the perfect recipe to get us all involved.

    Mini Apple Pies

    Mini Apple Pies

    makes 6 mini pies

    Ingredients
    2 Gala Apples
    3 TBS Sugar
    1 tsp Corn Starch
    1/2 tsp cinnamon
    1/4 tsp nutmeg
    1 pkg refrigerated Pie Crusts 
    1 egg
    1 TBS water
    Directions
    Preheat Oven to 450 F
    1. Dice apples into small bite size pieces – 1/2 inch at the biggest. 
    2. Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Add apples, sugar, corn starch, cinnamon and nutmeg. 
    3. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Cook until apples are tender. Remove from heat and set aside. 
    4. Unroll 1 pie crust. Using a glass cup, we cut out 6 mini pie crusts. You can also use the top of the pie tin as a guide. 
    5. Push crusts into pie tin. Fill with apple filling.
    6, Unroll 2nd pie crust. Using a smaller glass cup (or bottom of pie tin), cut out 6 more circles. 
    7. Fold them in half and cut slits for vents during baking. 
    8. Top pie filling with 2nd crust and seal edges. 
    9. Mix egg with water. Brush pies with egg wash
    10. Place on a cookie sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until crusts are golden brown.
    11. Let cool for 10 minutes, then enjoy. 
    To make into a gift bag, We put an apple in the bottom of a bag, placed a cardboard circle on top, then the mini apple pie. Tie off with a ribbon and you have a fun baked treat to give. If doing this, let the pies cool completely before placing inside the bags. 
    Mini Apple Pies
    Since we only have 4 custodians, we had 2 pies left to enjoy between 5 people. One child claimed a dislike for pie, so 4 of us split the remaining mini pies. They were oh so yummy, and I was given a few scowls for not having more to share with them. 
    How do you like your apples?
  • Zipit Bedding® is fun and easy + a Zipit Bedding® Giveaway

    Zipit Bedding® is fun and easy + a Zipit Bedding® Giveaway

    *The Zipit Bedding®, information, and giveaway have been provided by Ontel. All opinions are my own. 

    So it turns out this is National Make Your Bed Day. Officially an unofficial holiday. I could not find where the holiday started, or why, but anything to get the family making their beds more. I’ve tried so hard to teach the kids to make their beds. I know it’s such a simple thing, and so easy to skip – I do it too! – but it’s a great beginning to a good daily routine.

    Despite my desire for nicely made beds that include a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and a nice quilt on top – the kids have had other ideas. One child likes to sleep in ball of blankets and sheets. One despises the flat sheet on top. One sleeps with the 2 sheets, but usually in weird ways, making it difficult to make. Finally my little Prince came along. He doesn’t fight the flat sheet, actually enjoys it, and sleeps fairly calmly at night. He enjoys his bed made, but it’s kind of hard for his little hands.

    I decided we’d go ahead and give the Zipit Bedding® a try. I’d seen these before, and thought it was a pretty novel idea. My kids of course love sleeping in sleeping bags, and that’s what the Zipit reminds us all of. The difference is it’s tailored to their bed, with a fitted sheet. It’s also got pockets on the side for keeping special bed time items

    • toothfairy money
    • reading light
    • notepad and pencil
    • hotwheels cars. our current hidden treasure
    Now the we’ve tried the Zipit Bedding® for about a month, I’m seriously considering getting the Princesses each their own as well. It would make bed making a lot easier in the triple bunk. 
    Do you enforce made beds, or let it slide?

    GIVEAWAY
    Open to US 18+
    ends 9/18/2015
    Enter on Rafflecopter
  • Weekend Bites #51 Menu Planning

    Weekend Bites #51 Menu Planning

    Weekend Bites
    Weekend Bites


    New to Weekend Bites? Here’s the run down
    Visit my cohost Debi at Practical Parenting
    1. Link up your any food related post below
    2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined. 
    3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.
    4. By linking up you give me permission to feature your photos on Home Maid Simple (always linking back to you of course!)
    5. Each month I send out a newsletter with the most popular links from that month – you may be featured!!  This is a once a month newsletter, every first Friday of the month, no spamming involved. Subscribe!

    Does it feel like the week flies by to anyone else? I feel as if I just wrote up our 50th Weekend Bites party, but here we are again! It’s been a fun week around here. I shared one of our favorite treats – frozen FROZEN grapes – and also a morning printable sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. There are lots of projects being cooked up around here, and I can’t wait to share them with you! Some are food related, but many are home decor. I’ve got a patio table makeover coming, a homework station, and family travel map! However, I can’t get to all these projects without some good food from you all. So here’s what caught my eye and will be heading to my menu this month. 

    FEATURES

    Get your day off to a great start with this delicious Apple Cherry & Almond Breakfast Smoothie!  Made with fresh, delicious apples, cherries, almonds, oatmeal and Chobani Greek Yogurt, this smoothie is nutritious, delicious and will keep you full until lunchtime!
    Apple Cherry & Almond Breakfast Smoothie
    Yum! My kids are going to love this Popcorn Chicken Nuggets recipe for dinner. It's a delicious idea for a quick weeknight meal.
    Easy Popcorn Chicken Nuggets
    from Kenarry
    This creamy cheesy spaghetti sauce is the best out there! Simple to prepare and perfect for those busy weeknight meals!
    The Best Spaghetti Sauce
    Caramel Apple Pie Sundaes are made with homemade cinnamon apples, vanilla bean ice cream, caramel sauce, fresh whipped cream and cinnamon!
    Caramel Apple Pie Sundae
    Grab a Featured Button!

    Weekend Bites
    Weekend Bites

  • Weekend Bites #50 Celebrate!

    Weekend Bites #50 Celebrate!

    Weekend Bites
    Weekend Bites


    New to Weekend Bites? Here’s the run down
    Visit my cohost Debi at Practical Parenting
    1. Link up your any food related post below
    2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined. 
    3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.
    4. By linking up you give me permission to feature your photos on Home Maid Simple (always linking back to you of course!)
    5. Each month I send out a newsletter with the most popular links from that month – you may be featured!!  This is a once a month newsletter, every first Friday of the month, no spamming involved. Subscribe!

    WOW!! 50 weekends of sharing good food with all of you! I’m feeling nostalgic, so let’s take a little look back.  Almost 4 years ago, in January of 2012 Diane from Simple Living and Eating joined with me as we started the weekly Foodie Friday hop. 
    remember this?
    After a fantastic 3 year run, we decided to change the name to Weekend Bites. Shortly after the name change Diane left as my co-host to pursue other interests. I debated shutting down our weekly party, but decided to reach out to a fairly new blogger, Debi from Practical Parenting Ideas. She was immediately on board, and has brought a lot to the behind the scenes of this party. In fact, her newest idea you may have already seen – Instagram Features! We will now be taking the features and sharing them with our instagram followers, giving you 2x the love! Woot Woot!
    While Weekend Bites has only been going for 50 weeks, the party has been here for so much longer! To those who have been linking up since the beginning, thank you! You make this party every single week, and it is for you that I continue on. I love seeing your delicious food, and trying as many recipes as I can. 
    Now let’s CELEBRATE!
    FEATURES
    Vanilla Bean Funfettie Cake|The Crafting Foodie
    Vanilla Bean Homemade Funfetti Cake
    What’s a party without a cake and sprinkles?

    the Best Shortbread
    A long time party goer, Suzanne recently celebrated her birthday with this shortbread
    Chocolate Covered Strawberry Ice Cream – it tastes as good as it sounds! A few simple ingredients creates an ice cream flavor that you will want to make again and again!
    Chocolate Covered Strawberry Ice Cream
    We had our cake, now let’s enjoy some Ice Cream too!

    chocolate chip cookie dough truffles 9
    Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles
    What would a party be without truffles?


    Grab a Featured Button!

    Weekend Bites
    Weekend Bites
  • Star Wars Costume

    Star Wars Costume

    *This post is sponsored. I received product in exchange for an honest review*

    In 2 months the ghosts and goblins, Princesses and Knights will be roaming the streets looking for candy. Are you ready for Halloween? Usually I like to wait until October 1st to even think about decorating and finding costumes for the kids, but this year my mind has been ahead. 

    Princess V has a birthday coming up the end of September, and lately she has been obsessed with Star Wars. Before our move we borrowed the original trilogy from a friend, and had a Star Wars marathon. What I wasn’t prepared for though, was her particular attachment to Darth Vader. 
    With her birthday coming up, and Halloween a short month after I thought maybe a new dress up is what she needed. While browsing Costume Discounters new arrivals, I found it – a simple Darth Vader cape and mask in their new arrivals. It also comes with a sound box so she can actually sound like Vader. 
    All the kids were excited to find a new costume added to their dress up box, but Princess V was most definitely thrilled. Perhaps her attachment to Vader is because they both start with the letter V? Or maybe being the oldest child she has a hunger for power. I’ll probably never figure it out, but I couldn’t be happier with the joy a simple black cape and mask brought to our house. 

    What will you be dressing up as this year?

  • Christmas Kisses Collection + Giveaway

    Christmas Kisses Collection + Giveaway



    Christmas Kisses is a collection from five bestselling and award-winning authors. Set in the snowy town of Echo Ridge in upstate New York, these inspirational romances are sure to delight while you sip cocoa by the fire and listen to Christmas carols.

    ***Pre-order now for only $.99***
    add to goodreads  
    Win amazing books by each of the authors. Enter below to win – nine different books will be given to nine lucky winners. 
     
    Christmas Makeover by Cami Checketts Amazon bestselling author

    Chelsea Jamison has been infatuated with Drew Stirling longer than she’s loved playing basketball, high-top sneakers, and the Knicks. Unfortunately, all Drew sees is the kid who kicked his trash in the high school free throw contest and not the girl whose heart breaks into a fast dribble when he’s near.

    Drew makes an unexpected visit home to Echo Ridge and their friendship picks up where they left off as they scheme to make a teenaged boy’s Christmas dreams come true. When Chelsea realizes she’s fallen for her best friend, she wonders if there is any hope of a relationship with Drew or if she’s stuck in buddy-status for life.
     The Candy Counter Heiress by Lucy McConnell Amazon bestselling & award-winning author

    Someday Reese Gates will own The Candy Counter at Kenworth’s; but someday can’t come fast enough when the manager threatens to bring in a national candy provider. Reese secretly takes matters into her own hands hoping to save her parents from additional worry and prove herself capable of running the company. Her deception deepens as she ropes computer guru Andy Edwards into helping her expand the business. Reese wanted to shake things up, but she wasn’t planning on her heart getting caught in the mix by Andy’s stolen kisses. If she can hold it together until after Christmas, then she can reveal her successful online company and her feelings for Andy. Unfortunately for Reese, even the best laid plans can melt like chocolate.
     Soda Fountain Christmas by Connie E. Sokol Amazon bestselling author

    Keira Kenworth has one focus this holiday season: save her father’s old-time department store from bankruptcy. She is not focused on Tayton Wells, the tall, dark, and genius marketing guru from downtown New York, hired to make it happen. He is as doubtful that her nostalgic connect-the-town ideas will succeed as she is about his numbers-first plan. However, it’s not just their different approaches that cause sparks to fly. Working together on a fast deadline to save the store before Christmas, the unspoken connection between them grows. But will the tough decisions they face drive them back to their separate worlds, or will they lead to the beginning of love?
     Christmas Makeover by Heather Tullis Amazon bestselling author

    Jonah Owens thought moving to Echo Ridge to open his art gallery would solve all of his problems. The need to sell his grandma’s house adds an unexpected complication. It would be easier if his neighbor didn’t have all those farm animals.

    Kaya Feidler’s family has owned their land for nearly a hundred years–long before the neighbors were there. There’s no way she’s giving up the animal therapy business she’s been struggling to make profitable. She gets a temp job helping Jonah in the gallery. Spending time together is a recipe for romance, but can they overcome their own hangups to be more than friends?
     Hope for Christmas by Rachelle J. Christensen Amazon bestselling & award-winning author

    Anika Fletcher hates Christmas–its promises of good tidings and hope for the future are as tinseled as the ornaments on Kenworth’s Hope Tree. Despite her feelings, Anika wants to maintain her daughter’s faith in the magic of the season and gladly accepts a second job working with the handsome Carlos Rodriguez to restore Kenworth’s old fashioned soda fountain. Carlos is no stranger to hard times and slowly shares his life of light and joy with Anika as they work together. Just as her fragile soul begins to feel hope again, an ill-timed act of charity changes everything. Anika isn’t sure who she can trust or if hope is worth nurturing–especially at Christmas when it’s easy to enjoy a kiss and believe love can last longer than the season.

  • Weekend Bites #49 Bottoms Up

    Weekend Bites #49 Bottoms Up

    Weekend Bites
    Weekend Bites


    New to Weekend Bites? Here’s the run down
    Visit my cohost Debi at Practical Parenting
    1. Link up your any food related post below
    2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined. 
    3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.
    4. By linking up you give me permission to feature your photos on Home Maid Simple (always linking back to you of course!)
    5. Each month I send out a newsletter with the most popular links from that month – you may be featured!!  This is a once a month newsletter, every first Friday of the month, no spamming involved. Subscribe!

    Drinks seem to be on a lot of people’s minds these days. From the adult kind, to kid friendly it seems to be a favorite way to treat ourselves. Today I’ll be featuring the kids friendly versions from last week’s party, but if you’re looking for an adult beverage, just check the linky
    FEATURES
    This Shirley Temple Float is a great summer twist on the classic cherry and soda beverage!
    from Living Better Together
    This creamy & healthy Chocolate Raspberry Chia Seed Smoothie only tastes like a decadent treat.
    From Frugal Foodie Mama
    Blue Frozen Punch for Any Party - Marty's Musings
    from Marty’s Musings
    Love Chick-fil-A Peach Milkshakes?  My Copycat Chick-fil-A Peach Milkshake has delicious chunks of fresh peaches, and creamy vanilla ice cream blended together for the most amazing shake right at home!
    from Delightful E Made
    Grab a Featured Button!

    Weekend Bites
    Weekend Bites