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Tuesday, September 30, 2014

You Weren’t Raised That Way! {What To Do When You’re Doing It Differently Than Your Parents Did}

I'm at Raising Homemakers this morning answering the most common question I get from my readers. Please come check it out and leave your comments!

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Sweet Vintage Baby Things

A couple weeks ago, I had a campaign with Huggies so Mom and I were looking up baby stuff on Pinterest. I've just hired her as my Research Assistant and Creative Consultant and she did such a great job of finding fun vintage diaper things (like this 1950s diaper pail) that I thought I'd put together a fun round up for Pink Saturday!

This adorable box of Ivory Flakes sold on Etsy recently. It would be cute to decorate a laundry room with. Mom says, "Vintage Ivory Flakes Soap, 1960's. Clothes washed in this and line dried smelled soooooo wonderful!"


Betsy Wetsy was one of the most popular 'drink and wet' dolls of the Baby Boom era, originally issued by the Ideal Toy Company of New York in 1935. Says Mom, "I had one of these and I just loved her to the moon and back."



Aren't these diaper pins the cutest ever? I want some and I don't even cloth diaper!

Mom says, "Boiling diapers with baby on the table in 1943. We have come along way as far as (thoughts about) safety and all diaper types."

Look at this sweet diaper pail someone listed on eBay a few years ago. I want one!

Diaper bags in the '60s had to be gargantuan to fit in all those bulky cloth diapers, plastic pants, and...what else? Fill me in, readers!

The washer this woman is sitting at is not all that surprising to me---I've seen ones like it before. What is surprising to me is that she's sitting at it. Is this authentic? Something tells me no... Ha!

Here's a fun video featuring "tape on Pampers". Yikes!

Thursday, September 25, 2014

The Song Movie: Inspired by Song of Solomon

Have you all heard about the new Christian movie, The Song, that hits theaters this weekend? Based on the Bible's Song of Solomon, this newest feature from City On a Hill tells the story of breakout music star, Jed, his wife, Rose, and their struggles when Jed's love song to Rose becomes a hit.

The movie takes place right here in the South and should really appeal to those who love American music and the dream of hitting it big as an indie artist. 

The movie's website also features lots of resources for couples, churches, and small groups.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the makers of this film bring a message of hope and redemption to the very real threat Christian marriages face in America today. The Song opens in theaters Friday, September 26th.

Check out videos and music from the movie at thesongmovie.com.

Hope In Every Season was compensated by Family Christian in exchange for promotion of this film. All opinions are my own.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

The Homemaking Party: Introducing Fable Springs Parables

Welcome to the Homemaking Party! Fall is in full swing here in Northwest Arkansas, we've just spent a lovely two weeks with my mom who is flying home today, and we're ready to settle in and start simmering soups and baking breads!

Today I'm hosting Miss Kathy of The Writer's Reverie, and her new project, Fable Springs Parables. Please take a minute to read about her first publication.

fable springs parables, pageant wagon publishing, pubslush
After ten years as a performance storyteller of truth-telling tales in the tradition of the classics, I'm expanding into independent publishing! A talented team plus peer mentors are in place. But, funding for production and marketing must be raised to put my Christian living and family discipleship materials into your hands! Your generous donations will put our debut Fable Springs Parables Book 1 – Mother Chicken’s Eggs: Choosing to Grow into Greater Things picture book on the press for release this December! The PUBSLUSH crowdfunding tool makes it easy to give to this project. We must meet our financial goal by Oct. 23. A gift of $30 or more assures you to receive the picture book. The study guide for homeschool and small group discipleship comes out March 2015. Won’t you help launch me in ministry growth to enrich you as you enrich your family and community?

Thank you for your kind and generous support!!
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Thank you for joining the Homemaking Party! You're welcome to link up all your favorite posts for the week on any subject. Special welcome to the many new participants who joined last week!

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Fall Cleaning and Decorating with Henkel Products & Grocery Coupons #APlusValues #shop #cbias

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #APlusValues #CollectiveBias

Everyone is familiar with spring cleaning---around our house, though, each new season tends to bring with it a desire to get things in order and redecorate. I like to give our home a new look every season, but fall is my favorite time of year to decorate and start making things seem more welcoming. I've already got my living room all prettied up for autumn. With a couple trusted and popular products from Henkel, I'm able to get my bathroom and kitchen sparkling this first week of fall. You can find Henkel coupons online to help you stock up on your favorites, as well.

Last week, I shopped at Walmart for a few things to make our home more cozy and inviting for the autumn season. I found a good selection of Renuzit air fresheners here in the cleaning supplies aisle.

Then the kids went around the corner and found a huge display at a great price! We picked up one scent for the bathroom and a second for the kitchen. After that, we headed to the cleaning supplies aisle for a bottle of Soft Scrub.

For a limited time, you can get $10 Back in Coupon Savings* when you shop for participating Henkel brand products. This is an excellent time to stock up on Renuzit and Soft Scrub, as well as other household names like Dial and Purex. Henkel products are already priced at a great value so the coupon savings are just icing!

I like a lingering fresh citrus or breezy scent after cleaning so lemon-scented Soft Scrub is perfect for my kitchen or bathroom chores.

Our 14 year old daughter, Lynzie, has just started learning to clean the bathrooms. She's tried a variety of cleaning aids: sprays, powders, and finally, liquid cleanser. She really prefers a liquid or cream to scrub the bathtub, especially.

The new Renuzit air freshener looks pretty in this little fall vignette I put together. After opening it, I found that the Simply Vanilla fragrance was just perfect for this small room.

I set up the Apples & Cinnamon freshener in the kitchen on my favorite hutch. I just purchased these super cute fox shakers and I think the air freshener blends right in with these fun decorations. It's an excellent scent for the kitchen and my kids have already commented on how nice it is.

Don't forget to qualify for your Henkel coupons and stock up on some great household products at an excellent price! In order to get your coupons, just upload your A+Value receipts at the website. Then enter your e-mail address and, if your receipt is valid, you will receive your $10 coupon booklet via e-mail from Henkel and Coupons.com*

*Coupon savings delivered electronically via opt-in e-mail. While supplies last. $20 purchase requirement based on advertised retail price, before coupons.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

The Homemaking Party

We've all been having a blast with my mom---she's been here a week. Jamie took this picture of me and mom with all the kids...


And then she took one of all of us! Today we'll be meeting some cousins from Oklahoma who are driving over to see us. We've never met any of our family from there before---super excited!

Hope you're having a blessed week too! Thanks for stopping by the Homemaking Party!

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Friday, September 12, 2014

Apple Sauce Chicken Recipe #FlavorofFall #shop #cbias

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FlavorofFall #CollectiveBias

It's beautiful, glorious, wonderful fall here in Northwest Arkansas and I'm taking advantage of every moment! I've got all kinds of plans this season: beautiful walks, cozy socks, and lots of tasty treats and Fall recipes for comfort foods too! Apple is my Flavor of Fall this year and I plan to use it in ways I'd never considered before. This Applesauce Chicken is a great start. I made a piece just for me the other day and it was so moist and flavorful! Stay tuned for the recipe later on down the post, as well as a great dessert idea featuring fall-colored M&M's®.

This is my yard in mid November. When it looks like this outside, how can I not be inspired? 

Last week I went to Walmart to stock up on delicious ingredients. They're all stocked up for autumn celebrations and have all the great M&M's flavors together in one spot. This year's featured flavor is Candy Apple. I found it on the top shelf in this aisle marked, "seasonal". Make sure to grab a coupon before you go:


I also grabbed a bag of plain M&M's with fall colors, as well as some Mott's applesauce and apple juice. I've enjoyed Mott's applesauce since I was in grade school and I always like to use their juice to make cider.

My husband has a favorite family recipe for Applesauce Chocolate Chip cookies. I changed it up a bit to include M&M's and they were yummy! I'd recommend mixing up the batter without the M&M's and then just adding a few to the top after you've scooped it out onto the pan. Otherwise, the moistness of the batter will cause the colors to run. 

Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies w/ M&M's

2 c. sugar
1 c. butter
4 eggs
1 1/2 c. applesauce
2 tsp. baking soda
4 c. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1 bag chocolate chips
1 bag M&M's

Mix sugar and butter until smooth, then mix in eggs. Mix in applesauce and baking soda. Then mix in the remaining dry ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips and scoop out onto a baking sheet. Add a few M&M's on top and press down. Bake at 400º for 10-12 minutes.

Finally, my Applesauce Chicken recipe. This is just such a moist and delicious way to make chicken. You won't be disappointed.

Applesauce Chicken
4 boneless chicken breasts
½ tsp. thyme
¼ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
2 Tb. oil
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
1c. applesauce
1 c. apple juice

Rub chicken with thyme, salt and pepper. Heat oil over medium high heat and fry chicken until brown on both sides, then transfer to a plate. Add onions to pan and cook until almost clear. Add applesauce and stir for a couple minutes. Then add apple juice and bring to a boil. Place chicken back in pan, cover, and cook five minutes on each side. Serve with as much or as little of the applesauce onion mixture as you'd like.

Don't forget your coupon!


Linking with:
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Through Life
A Return to Loveliness @ A Delightsome Life 
Teach Me Tuesday @ Growing Home
Tutorial Tuesdays with Hope Studios
Women Helping Women @ Teaching What Is Good 
(Titus 2)s Days @ Time Warp Wife
The Scoop @Stone Gable

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

The Homemaking {& More!} Party

The day is finally here and we're all so excited! My mom is here for two weeks! Yay! Yay! 

I've just started up a new email subscription service and would love it if you'd sign up to receive my updates in your inbox. See the pink box in the sidebar to sign up.

Hope you all have a blessed week and weekend! 

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Make Bake Create Party



Welcome to the Make Bake Create Party! 5 blogs-1 party-lots of fun!

5 Things You Might Not Know About Saving Campbell's Soup Labels #Labels4Edu #shop #cbias

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #Labels4Edu #CollectiveBias
In 1973, Campbell's Soup Company launched a program to help families improve their local schools. By saving the labels from soup cans, they gained points that schools could use for equipment and supplies. Since then, America's schools and organizations have earned over $114 million dollars worth of merchandise through the Labels For Education program. 

Anyone who has been involved with a public school probably gets that nagging feeling whenever they throw away a Campbell's can without slicing off the label first---even if they don't have a school to give it to. It's just one of those funny American culture things; and since I'm on the subject of culture, here's five things you might not know about saving Campbell's Soup labels... 

1. It's Not Just Soup. 
Labels for Education can be found on lots of products like beverages and cereal. There are over 2,500 products that carry an eligible label. You can check out this product list for all participating brands and items.

In fact, I found lots of products at Walmart that participate in the Labels For Education program. I bought some marinara sauce for my meatballs the other night and was happy to see the program info on the back of the jar. You can find coupons for participating items by visiting the site. 

2. It's Not Just For Public Schools.
Many people don't realize that the Labels For Education program also benefits homeschooling organizations, private schools, libraries, day care centers, and more. Check out the site's FAQ for a list of eligible organizations.

3. It's Not Just Labels.
While most products have you saving the UPC portion of the label, on other things, like beverages or sauce, it's the cap you'll hold on to. Just look for the orange Labels For Education logo on the label to see if it's eligible.

4. It's Not Just For People with Young Kids
Grandparents and friends can save labels too. Put a manila envelope somewhere for collecting and, once it's full, either give it to a kid you know or mail it in to your local school. You'll be able to track the school's progress, as well as see what they're wishing for, on the program's website

5. It's Not Just For Food.
Some non-food items, like Bic pens and highlighters, also carry the labels. Again, check the product list for a full line up of participating brands. Make sure to check out the Labels For Education sweepstakes where 1,000 schools will win $1,000!

Remember that meatball dinner I told you about? Well, it was delicious! Here's a recipe for Italian meatballs that go well with Prego marinara.

Italian Meatballs (makes about 40)
1 lb. ground beef
1 lb. ground Italian sausage
1/4 c. finely chopped onions
1/2 c. Italian bread crumbs
1 egg
1/2 c. water
1/4 c. grated Parmesan 
2 tsp. dried parsley flakes
2 tsp. dried basil
2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350º. Using your hands, mix all ingredients together in a large bowl and then form the mixture into a ball, cover, and refrigerate for one hour. Remove from fridge and form into golf-ball sized balls. Arrange them on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake 15-20 minutes, until done in the middle. Serve with marinara sauce and pasta. Yum!

Monday, September 8, 2014

#ad General Tso's 5 Minute Rice Bowl #GameTimeHero #shop #cbias

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GameTimeHero #shop #cbias
Jamie and I were checking out our September schedule last night and comparing it to our January calendar. Wow! We are so busy! With kids activities, church functions, and time spent with friends, we're hopping almost every night. I love to find new ideas for quick meals that my family will enjoy, and this 5 Minute Rice Bowl, using deli wings from Walmart, is a perfect meal-in-one for a busy night. 

The Walmart deli is the place to find good quality Tyson chicken when you want to put together a hot meal or pick up a snack for game day. Are you tailgating for the next big game? Grab some precooked wings, hot and ready, and you'll be set with a great snack to share.

Cainan, Michael, and I stopped in last weekend to attend a demo at our Walmart deli. The boys got to try out the hot wings and they thought they were pretty great. In addition to Bone-In Hot Wings, the deli also carries General Tso's Boneless wings. You can get them in a Pick 3 Bucket, a plated meal, or purchase by the pound.

It's always great to have something yummy to dip your chicken in and Kraft dressings are a good choice. We picked up both varieties of wings and some Kraft Ranch dressing to dip them in. If I give my family a choice of sauces, Ranch is always the winner.

Our family has been loyal Tyson customers for years. The meat is good quality and actually tastes like...meat! I like it that Tyson doesn't seem to add overpowering seasonings to the meat so the flavor comes through nicely. My husband, especially, was impressed with the flavor and quality of these wings.

Not only is my recipe for General Tso's 5 Minute Rice Bowl, quick---it's also super easy with only three products to pick up. Begin by grabbing half a pound of General Tso's Boneless Wings from the Walmart Deli. You'll also need an oriental flavored rice pouch and some broccoli. With just a couple prep steps, you'll create a fun and flavorful meal for a busy night or to serve to your game day guests.


General Tso's 5 Minute Rice Bowl 
1/2 lb. prepared General Tso's Boneless Chicken Wings
8.8 oz. Teriyaki flavored 90 second rice pouch
1 c. broccoli florets

Begin by boiling the broccoli in a pot of water. While it's cooking, prepare the rice pouch. Slice chicken and mix together in a bowl. Each rice pouch contains two servings, so multiply ingredients as needed!



Sunday, September 7, 2014

Huggies® Little Snugglers for a Baby's Second Hug #MC #sponsored

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Huggies and Target. I received samples and a promotional item to facilitate my review.
I've had at least one baby in diapers every day for over 14 years. I've had a chance to try a lot of diapers! One brand I always love for my tiny babies is Huggies® Little Snugglers. Besides the soft material and snug but stretchy waistband, they've also got a built in wetness indicator that I can trust to help me keep the girls' skin dry and non-irritated. My favorite feature though, is the cut out in the waistband for a newborn's umbilical cord. Whenever we have a new baby, I always bring along a bag of newborn Little Snugglers for that reason. Funny thing is, every time I've gone, the hospital already has this brand ready for me. They must know how great they are too!

Who doesn't love to snuggle with soft baby skin? My hug is the first thing my babies feel after being born---skin-to-skin contact is so important for growing infants. The Little Snugglers fit just like a hug with a flexible waistband that is pocketed along the back to keep our babies leak free. They've been redesigned since the last time I used them and now have a new GentleAbsorb® liner for a pillowy layer of protection that helps keep any mess away from the skin.

I like to shop for diapers at Target as they've got these really big boxes. Our closest Target is over 30 minutes away so it's nice to be able to stock up when I go. Little Snugglers diapers can be found in stores nationwide and are available in five sizes, Preemie through Size 3. You can find them for about $11.99 for a Jumbo Pack and $22.99 for a Big Pack.

Are you or a friend expecting a baby? It's easy to create a baby registry at Target.com by clicking on the link at the top of the page that says, registries. Once you're there, make sure to add Huggies Little Snugglers and Natural Care wipes to your other wishes and then upload your list to the Huggies Register Your Wish website. When you do, you'll be entered into a drawing for a year's supply of free diapers!

Writing this post tonight has given me baby fever even more! I've been praying hard for another baby---I hope I do get the chance to have more. I love preparing sweet baby jammies, blankies, and tiny Little Snugglers for my new baby's comfort. Have you used Little Snugglers with your babies?
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