What to do with all that candy

besides eat it

courtesy alphamom

1. make a harvest tree

courtesy alphamom

2. Make an advent calendar for Thanksgiving

3. use for ice cream toppings

4.use to decorate gingerbread houses

5. make candy bar cookies

6. recycle and give to offices, shelters...

Hope your Halloween is Sweet

I hope to see this classic tomorrow. I have been searching the tv schedule and no luck. Just looking at the stills brings a smile to my face and brings me back to my childhood. I loved Charlie Brown.

Mix It Up

Image via Bakerella

Why not make your own gifts this holiday season. Something like these Cowgirl cookies as seen in Bakerella would be easy and budget friendly. Check out the site and get full intructions on how to layer the yummy ingredients along with printable labels. I just love when their are free printables included in a project. It saves me so much time and headache as I am not computer or graphic savvy. I think I will definitely make these for the holidays except I will add coordinating holiday colors for the M&M's.

Inspirational Thoughts Thursday

"This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind...let it be something good."

Author Unknown

Motivational Mondays and Green Monster Movement

The Green Monster

Needing a little more pep in my step these days and coffee is not the best choice especially for that 3pm energy slump that I encounter everyday. I did some research and came across on of my favorite blogs Oh She Glows and found that she has started the green monster movement. It's basically a green smoothie with some interesting veggie and fruit combinations. Many members of the movement have reported back with great results such as clear skin and increased energy. Sounds great where do I sign up. Click here for amazing recipes and results.

Breville BJE510XL Ikon 900-Watt Variable-Speed Juice Extractor

Right now I only have the magic bullet. It is awesome but not the best choice for juicing. So on my wishlist is the Breville juicer above. This thing I here is quiet and is easy to clean. My two favorite things. Hey I don't ask for much. Afterall, I am a SAHM of two and the words quiet and easy to clean are a rarity in this house.

Till then it's the magic bullet. Happy juicing everyone.

Two bean with Kale soup

This recipe was done in 40 minutes from start to finish. It was super duper easy to make and very tastey. This a hearty yet light soup with black beans, white beans and kale. This is a must if you are a soup lover like me. Find recipe here.

www.myrecipes.com

Inspirational Thoughts Thursday

"Lend yourself to others, but give yourself to yourself."

-Michel de Montaigne

I must remember to nurture myself. I am the nurturer in my family and if I don't take proper care of myself then how can I care for others?

Step one: get off the computer.....starting tomorrow.

Step two: go for more walks, sans kids

step three: go to bed earlier

That's good for now.

Family Command Center

I am feeling unorganized, cluttered and very forgetful these days. Just yesterday I tore my house apart looking for my keys. They were in my back pocket. My wallet was missing too and I left that in the car. I am surprised my kids are fed, changed and alive. This mommy brain is taking over and I think this would be the perfect solution.

DIY Family Command Center

(Southern Living)

instructions here

White Wine Lasagna with Spinach and Basil

I have to admit the first ingredient listed in the name of the recipe is what got me really interested. I definitely will be making this one very soon.

recipe here

Celebrating Fall

Things we will do this fall

* Make apple pie*

*Visit a pumpkin patch*

*Roast pumpkin seeds*

*Make pumpkin bread*

*Make pumpkin soup*

*Create a fall collage*

*Make candy/caramel apples*

*Start a nature table*

*Apple picking*

*Make apple recipes*

*Make lots of soup*

*Carve pumpkins*

*Make Thanksgiving dinner*
*Walk through a hay maze*

*Start a food drive*

Happy Fall

100 momspirations! and NieNie

My inspirations everyday

Yesterday I turned on the tv and watched Oprah. It had the most amazing heart touching story about Stephanie Nielson, also known as NieNie in the blog world. I had heard of her story and read her blog a little here and there and when I heard that she was on Oprah I was ready to break out the tissues. She is an amazing woman, strong and so lovely. She is inspiring to me and I can't seem to get her out of my head. I think it's because she taught me the greatest lesson in life to be patient and never take life for granted. I have heard this lesson before, it's not new to me but for some reason yesterday the lesson was heard loud and clear. I am so touched by her and her story draws me in maybe because she is a mother and a wife who takes care of her family wearing cute aprons and has amazing photos on her blog illustrating her life, her kids, her home and her hubby. Maybe it's because she has such strong family ties and faith in Jesus. Maybe it's because everyday when she gets up for her kids she is present, and may be in pain, but she's there to cut their apples, give them baths despite the bandages that cover her arms and hands. She is simply there to be their mommy.

It's the simple things in life that we take for granted. I am so grateful to be at home with my girls, I have my health, a loving hubby, a beautiful home and wonderful family.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you

P.S. It's my 100th post! Yipee!!!

Motivational Mondays

You don't have to be great to get started

but you have to get started to be great.

Les Brown

courtesy: Motivateus.com

Have a wonderful and productive week

Lovely Place Settings

A lovely way to welcome your guests for coming to dinner. Nothing says that you are special and very welcomed in our home like a personal place card.

courtesy: Sunset Magazine

Inspirational Thoughts Thursday

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.

~ Mother Teresa ~