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Weekend Bites #48 Celebration

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!

Pardon me while I give a few shouts, and jump for joy – Mark gets home in less than 24 hours – and this time for good! It’s been a long 6 weeks of solo-parenting, making a little too kid friendly meals, and just letting things go that wouldn’t normally. He’s been trained for his new job, and will start that officially Monday, giving us 2 full days to reconnect as a family. YAHOO! We’re ordering sushi tomorrow night, saturday will be an adventure day, and Sunday we get to spend with Mark’s brothers family celebrating the new LDS Indianapolis temple and his nephew’s birthday.

For this week’s features my eyes roamed to those specifically that made me think of Mark. Recipes I could see him truly indulging in with me. So enjoy! And pardon if you don’t see me around social media too much this weekend…or if the opposite happens and I bombard you with photos of the whole family.

FEATURES

REESE’S Peanut Butter Cup Truffles

from Mama Mommy Mom

I saw REESE’S and knew this would be featured first. As Mark’s favorite candy, and one I love too, I couldn’t resist.

Dauntless Chocolate Cake

from Living Better Together

Anytime I see layered chocolate cake it reminds me of Mark. There was this one restaurant in Logan, UT that we loved having date night at, and we almost always split one of their decadent chocolate cakes.

Chocolate Donut S’mores

from The Gold Lining Girl

Admittedly, this is probably not one Mark would be all over like the above too…but it’s chocolate, and donuts, and a S’more…and we do own a firepit now!

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An InLinkz Link-up

August 21, 2015
Cleaning up the outdoors + My new favorite gloves

I received product for review. All opinions are my own.

As much as I didn’t want to move this last time, one thing that helped get me excited was the difference in climate. I love east coast climate with the humidity and all things green. You just don’t get that much green in the western US. However, it also comes with more outdoor work (which fyi, I actually prefer anyways).

The home we’re renting is actually pretty nice. It has just what we need inside without being too large, and came with a fenced in back yard – my must have for this move. While it’s a nice home, the yard and face of the home haven’t been taken care of too well. Weeds, bushes and trees have overgrown quite a bit.

Now admittedly, after I pulled some up, I realized they may have been an intentional ground cover – but they had to go to get to the real weeds anyways. Whatever was growing in the below picture, had snuck it’s way behind the hose faucet and pulled it away from the house – not good!

With Mark gone for training, and boxes unpacked indoors, I really want to get out and get my hands dirty in the dirt. We’ve been getting a lot of bugs in the house (another big difference between coasts, I could do without all these pests!), and I thought for sure if I could remove the overgrowth around the house, it would not only look better, but also keep the inside more bug free.

I found these Pine Tree bamboo gloves on Amazon, and absolutely love them! Since I had no idea what kinds of plants I was pulling up, I wanted to avoid potentially grabbing something like poison ivy or oak – or touching the myriad of bugs I was working around as well.

Seriously, these gloves are the best thing ever! I’ve avoided gloves in the past because they never seemed to fit quite right, and when gloves don’t fit, garden work is infinitely more difficult. Since the Pine Tree gloves are made out of Bamboo they are also quite soft on my hands, and still allow me to feel what I’m doing in the garden.

Doesn’t it look so much better this way? Guess what, we’ve also seen less bugs inside! I still have a lot more to do, like cleaning out the gutters, and the driveway cracks, and cutting out some dead branches in the tree, but gosh I love outside work.

My sister in law and I have this theory that we like outside work more because it actually stays done for longer then the inside. You know like that never ending laundry, and the tornado kids that follow behind as you try to pick up the house? Yeah that doesn’t happen outside!

Do you prefer outdoor work or inside cleaning?

August 18, 2015
Refreshed Dresser with Trinca-Ferro

I received product for review. All opinions are my own.

When we moved to North Dakota, we had gotten rid of all our furniture. Besides our beds, we had nothing. With how frequently moves happen, it’s usually how we go. There were a few pieces that stuck around for a couple moves, but even those are long gone. One of Mark’s coworkers was kind enough to provide us with some dressers.

I fell in love, and knew it would be one of those permanent pieces no matter how often we move. this is an older piece that’s been built well to withstand time. It also gives off a bit of simple elegance that I’m always trying to achieve in our home…or at least in my personal space.

There was one aspect of this dresser though I did not like – the knobs. I’d debated painting them, but trying to match the drawers would have been too much of a gamble, and I really didn’t want to repaint the whole thing. I like the light blue quite a bit.

Until I had the perfect fix, I decided to leave it alone. No rush meant I could get exactly what I wanted – and that’s just what I did this weekend! I found Trinca-Ferro in my inbox one day, promoting their Mirror Glass Knobs, and I knew that’s what my dresser needed. The mirror glass really pulls off the old bu stylish look I love.

I love how such a simple change like the hardware can make a huge impact. While no one besides myself is going to get to enjoy the beauty of my dresser, it’s going to help change how I look at other furniture updates around here. See, we moved again to Indiana this time…and we got rid of all our furniture again – except of course this dresser, because, you know.

How do you refresh your space?

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August 15, 2015
Weekend Bites #47 Back to School

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!

Welcome back to school! At least here it was back to school week. All 3 Princesses are gone during the day, leaving Little Prince and I with a ton of time on our hands. Mostly we’ve been playing RescueBots, because Transformers are most definitely still cool. We’ve also spent a little time in the kitchen, making Panlevi, and thinking up other fun treats to surprise the girls with. I hope you enjoy these features from last week’s part. I’d say they’re perfect for the busy back to school season.

Weekly Features

Breakfast Milk and Cereal Bars

from Life Anchored

DIY Rock Candy

from Mom’s Messy Miracles

Minion Cupcakes

from A Dish of Daily Life

Grab a Featured Button!

An InLinkz Link-up

August 14, 2015
Weekend Bites #46 Indulge

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!

Please tell me life slows down at some point? I’ve got so much going on, and just when I think I’ve got some time to relax, I find myself with a list of 10 other things to do! So in the interest of time to myself, here are some delicious looking indulgences. Enjoy!

This weeks Features!

No Bake White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake
This Silly Girls Life

Strawberry French Toast Cannolis
Tastefully Frugal

Peach Pie Smoothie Bowl
Spoonful of Flavor

Grab a Featured Button!

An InLinkz Link-up

August 7, 2015
Kindness Begins with Me and Mompacts Summer Spirit of Giving #SSGiving

*This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

I want to be kind to everyone, for that is right you see.

So I say to myself, “Remember this: Kindness begins with me”

These are the words to a children’s song I grew up singing many Sundays. Words that have had a great impact on my life. Whether through the example of others kindness, or feeling it myself as I try to show kindness, I know without a doubt that kindness has to begin with me. I can’t let it end when it reaches me.

Through many trials, I’ve always been blessed by the kindness of others. Some moments were large that brought me to tears, others were a simple gesture or smile that let me know I was visible. One particular rough spot had me in tears as I thanked a very dear friend for her kindness to our family that truly meant the world to me. Being such a good friend I felt I could open up to her, and tell her how often I felt disappointed that I was getting the help when I’d rather be giving the help.

She told me “One day you’ll be in a position where you can do the helping.” It helped me accept others kindness easier, and look for ways that I could bless people’s lives in small and simple ways, before I could financially help in larger ways. Since then I’ve come up with a number of small kindnesses to share.

My particular favorite way to spread some cheer to others is with “Sunshine”. I’ve sent a couple “Sunshine Boxes” off to friends I knew needed a pick me up, but recently started thinking my neighborhood could use some pick me ups too. People right here who I don’t even know could use some Sunshine too. So I created these Sunshine cards. A quick simple idea really, but one I’m hoping will spread the cheer around.

The idea behind a Sunshine Box is to send a bunch of yellow items to brighten someones day. The Sunshine Card is similar but on a smaller scale. I may find a number of things to attach to these cards as I leave them around town; things like chapstick, quarters or Boogie Wipes.

Speaking of Boogie Wipes – the Mompact community has put together a Summer of Giving event going on right now! This is a great time to spread a little sunshine to your friends! You can nominate yourself, a friend, or even a preschool to receive a gift from the Mompact Giving Tree. No need to wait for the holidays to spread some cheer, because Mompact and their awesome Mom centered Companies are doing it right now!

I have already nominated one of my dear friends for a tag on the tree, and then signed up to be notified when the tags are live so I can pick and fulfill one as well.

Summer Spirit of Giving Event

When: Nominate someone TODAY!

Where: Online at Mompact

Who: Anyone and Everyone with a Kind heart.

August 5, 2015
Weekend Bites #45

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!

Welcome welcome back! Is anyone else living in a whirlwind of a summer? Time is just speeding past, and I can’t seem to keep up. Thankfully I’ve got all these awesome recipes to browse each week for quick meals that I don’t have to give too much thought to myself.

Chicken Nachos

from Lipgloss and Crayons

Cuban Burgers

from Simple Living and Eating

Mexican Lettuce Wraps

from Home Cooking Memories

Grab a Featured Button!

An InLinkz Link-up

July 31, 2015
Swimming in Style and a Whimsey Lane Giveaway

I received product for review. All opinions are completely my own.

Nothing says summer like a hot day and a new swimming suit. Add in a crazy busy summer and taking a little time to relax poolside is just what this mama needed. I’m sure if you’re a regular visitor, you’ve noticed a bit more silence around here. Sorry about that – but I moved – and then took a week vacation in South Carolina.

Oh South Carolina! When I first made plans to visit this southern state I saw lazy days by the ocean. Then a month before our trip, the shark attacks began happening. BOO!! So the beach was out. Thankfully there was a fantastic pool at the hotel, and equipped by my friend Julia from Whimsey Lane, I had a fantastic suit to wear!

One fantastic thing about going on vacation with family, is the 5 extra pairs of eyes and hands to help out with the kids. MAR-VE-LOUS! My anxiety level was greatly decreased thanks to my brothers, sisters and parents all helping out around the pool.

After a good swim I hung out on the side with my Little Prince. The pool was overall too deep for him, so besides the little steps going into it, and sitting on the edge he didn’t have much to do. Just being outside though was enough for him.

Ya’ll I had such a blast, and thanks to my dear friend Julia and her awesome modest swimsuits, even the pool was a good time. She’s got all kinds of styles to choose from, and you can mix and match tops to bottoms like I did. I was a little skeptic on the red bottoms with blue top at first, but I love it. The contrast really makes it more fun to wear.

GIVEAWAY!

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July 27, 2015
Weekend Bites #44 On the Grill

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!

What?! School starts in a mere 2 1/2 weeks here. I can’t wait for the kids to get back and start making new friends. Mark is also gone for training for his new job for a couple more weeks, so having 3 kids in school I think will really help me out. We’ll get back into a good routine, and everyone will be happier to spend time together.

To end the summer though, I think we need a grilling party! So this week I’ve rounded up some grill goodness for you. Enjoy! And if you are featured, don’t forget to grab your button at the bottom!

Grilled Margherita Pizza

from Practical Mommy

Grilled Shrimp

from Pancake Warriors

Garlic Butter BBQ Corn on the Cob

from Clean and Centsible

Baseball Themed Hot Dog Bar

from Atta Girl Says

Grab a Featured Button!

An InLinkz Link-up

July 24, 2015
The Kiss that Launched 1000 GIFS

The Kiss That Launched 1,000 Gifs by Sheralyn Pratt:

Each weekday from 2:00-4:00 p.m., Grace and Ashton cohost Battle of the Sexes, a radio program arguing the he-said/she-said issues of the day. Their fiery debates often have listeners wondering if there’s more to their relationship than just talk, even though Grace has been dating Phillip, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Perfect, since long before she ever met Ashton Miller.
Yet when news comes that Battle of the Sexes is on the bubble for cancellation, Grace and Ashton need to step up their efforts to engage their audience to keep the show alive. When a charity organization approaches them and proposes that the two of them kiss for a fund raiser, Grace and Ash agree to kiss for a good cause. A kiss is just a kiss, right?

Purchase your copy

Amazon.com

My Review:

What a fantastic read, and perfect for a summer indulgence. With school a lot of my reading is informational, so it was very nice to pick up something just for fun. Now with that said, it was also almost like looking at my own life. Being so involved in social media, I got a kick out of watching it be used for a sort of battle grounds between coworkers. There were a lot of great parts, and I don’t want to spoil it for you, but the ending was most definitely my favorite part!

Author Sheralyn Pratt:
Sheralyn’s first job was as a karate instructor, which taught her that practice does not make perfect; practice makes habit–good or bad. Martial arts also taught Sheralyn that a master is simply a person who can effortlessly do all the actions a beginner finds difficult or maybe even impossible.

Sheralyn has worked in many fields throughout her life, but her 12 years as a karate instructor have shaped how she does everything, including writing and mentoring. She likes to keep things light and fun, but she’s also aware that life is journey and that if you’re going to buy a book, your life should better for it.

So, fiction or nonfiction, know that each of Sheralyn’s books are designed to take you to a new place. Maybe that book is designed to help you escape for a few hours, or maybe it’s a book designed to teach you a new skill. Either way, Sheralyn hopes it’s unforgettable…in a good way. 😉

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Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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July 22, 2015