Classical Homemaking

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Shabby Chic Treats for the Summer Giveaway Hop

This week I'm joining several other bloggers in a Summer Fun Giveaway Hop! This hop goes on all week long, but my giveaway won't end until midnight on the 4th of July!

I've put together this "Shabby Chic Home Package" for you---a great collection of some pretty things for you to enjoy. Included in this package are:

A Shabby Chic Tote I made from some gorgeous gifted fabrics, ribbon, and a button.

A Mini Mirror made from a beautiful antique saucer and some found things.

A Depression Glass Sherbet Cup Pin Cushion. These fabric and notions were gifted to me from a friend in Germany.

You could win the whole thing! Just complete the steps in the Rafflecopter widget below (might take a minute to load---please refresh if you don't see it). One winner will be drawn on July 5th. Giveaway is open to residents of the USA and Canada.

Make sure to visit the other blogs in the Giveaway Hop as well, to see what great things they're giving away this week!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hope In Every Season is on Facebook! If you like what you've read here, please follow me and keep up with the latest posts.

Linking with:
Wisdom Wednesdays @Simply Helping Him
Winsome Wednesday @ My Daily Walk in His Grace
Whole-Hearted Home Wednesdays
Encourage One Another @ Deep Roots at Home
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Homemaking Link Up @ Raising Homemakers
Home @ Rose Chintz Cottage
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Simple Living Wednesdays @ Our Simple Farm
Wednesday Link up at Adorned from Above
Shoe Lace Linkup @ Living In the Shoe
Home Link Up at Raising Arrows
Craft-o-Maniac Monday
Motivate Me Monday
Modest Monday @ The Modest Mom
Matrimonial Monday @ A Proverbs 31 Wife
Make the Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill
Inspire Me Monday @ Create With Joy
Masterpiece Monday @ BoogieBoard Cottage
A Round Tuit @ Creating My Way to Success
Monday Funday @ C.R.A.F.T.
Better Mom Mondays
Manic Monday @ Cupcake-n-Bake
Mommy Mondays
Making Your Home Sing Monday

Monday, June 24, 2013

Family Movie Time with the Berenstain Bears

The Coller kids were thrilled to receive these two Berenstain Bears gift sets to watch and enjoy. Thanks so much to kaboom! Entertainment for sending us these two free sets in exchange for our review. All opinions are honest and are our own.

Liam (3) and Kynthia (2) could not wait to open up these boxes and hold their new bears! We've all been fans of The Berenstain Bears series for awhile now, though the kids all just call them "the Brother Bear and Sister Bear shows." The Golden Brother Edition and Golden Sister Edition are limited edition packages that have just been released at Walmart and Sam's Club stores across the US.

Once we gave the littler ones a chance to open up the special boxes and hold their bears, Avalon (4), Selah (7), and Cainan (9) decided to join in the fun. We are a homeschooling family that schools all year round, but we're currently on a little break. The kids were happy to have a couple hours this morning to just relax and enjoy these wholesome cartoons.

The Berenstain Bears family consists of Father, Mother, Brother and Sister Bears---a loving and loyal family who helps kids remember important life lessons like kindness and good manners. I was doing housework while they were watching and overheard something that really blessed me. Mother Bear told the cubs, "Instead of complaining about all the things you don't have, be thankful for what you have. It's called, 'counting your blessings'." What a wonderful supplement to what we're already trying to instill in our kids!

It wasn't long before the rest of the kids joined these five for a few more episodes. My 11-year-old, Michael, said he really liked how the bears were such a fun family and that the stories were positive. Cainan liked the fact that when the cubs find themselves in trouble and try to work it out alone, things don't go how they're hoping. But, when they go and ask their grandparents or parents for help, everything works out good. He also liked that each episode opens with a little saying to help remember the theme of the story. It reminded him of the Bible study lessons Daddy does for us. Selah said the show was, "kinda like, Leave it to Beaver." Ha!

Be sure to visit kaboom! Entertainment online to keep up on all the newly scheduled releases and pick up your limited edition gift sets at Walmart or Sam's Club. Wholesome entertainment for kids is a good investment!

Hope In Every Season is on Facebook! If you like what you've read here, please follow me and keep up with the latest posts.

4th of July Trivia, Games and Treats: Family Fun for the Fourth

America's Independence Day Bash is coming up soon! I made these cute cupcakes for my family to celebrate. I was inspired by Keri's Red, White, & Blue Cookie Cups on her blog, Shaken Together, and I used Kendra's cream cheese frosting recipe from Living in the Shoe. Red Velvet cake mixes are coming out my ears, thanks to a couple great weeks of coupon deals, so I was thrilled to find something yummy to do with them!

I love learning interesting facts about history---do you? Here are some trivia questions to share with your family:

Independence Day was first celebrated in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776, but it wasn't until 1804 that the first public Fourth of July celebration was held at the White House. (That might surprise you, unless you know that the White House wasn't completed until the year 1800!) Modern day celebrations there include barbeques, kids' activities, fireworks, and the USO show in remembrance and honor of veterans and troops.

The legal separation from England actually occurred on July 2nd but American's began celebrating it from the start on the 4th because that was the date written on the Declaration of Independence.

The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence did not all sign on July 4, 1776. Most signed on August 2, 1776, when 50 men signed it then. The others signed at various times afterward. The names of the signers were not released to the public for six months. If we hadn't had won our independence, the signers would have been killed for treason.

Congress didn't declare the 4th of July a legal holiday until 1941 and it's one of the few that have not been moved to a Monday.

The major reason American colonists wanted freedom was because of the practice of taxation without representation. There was no Colonial representative at Parliament to help decide on fair taxes.

More 4th Fun:

Declaration of Independence Quiz

4th of July Crossword

Patriotic Baby Names

4th of July Quiz for Kids
4th of July Fonts

Make sure and stop by the Summer Fun Giveway Hop! I'm giving away a gorgeous Shabby Chic package---and there are many more prizes from some other awesome bloggers!
Hope In Every Season is on Facebook! If you like what you've read here, please follow me and keep up with the latest posts.

Linking with:
Teach Me Tuesday @ Growing Home
Tutorial Tuesdays with Hope Studios
Courtship Connection
Women Helping Women @ Teaching What Is Good
Domestically Divine @ Far Above Rubies
(Titus 2)s Days @ Time Warp Wife
Tending the Home Tuesday
Tuesday Link Up Party
Wisdom Wednesdays @Simply Helping Him
Winsome Wednesday @ My Daily Walk in His Grace
Whole-Hearted Home Wednesdays
Encourage One Another @ Deep Roots at Home
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Homemaking Link Up @ Raising Homemakers
Home @ Rose Chintz Cottage
Inspire Me Wednesday @ MamaBuzz
What's Working Wednesday @ NextGen Homeschool
Watcha Work-Up Wednesday
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Simple Living Wednesdays @ Our Simple Farm
Home Link Up at Raising Arrows
Homemaking Party @ Hope In Every Season
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
Thriving Thursday @ Serving Joyfully
Homeacre Hop
Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits @ Stone Gable
Think Tank Thursday @ Saving4Six
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Create It Thursday
Open House @ Bernideen's Tea Time Blog
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove
Inspiration Friday @ Dear Creatives
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Beverly's Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound
Family Fun Friday @ Happy and Blessed Home
Farm Girl Friday @ Let This Mind Be In You
Fit & Frugal Family Friday
From the Farm
Blue Monday@Smiling Sally
Craft-o-Maniac Monday
Motivate Me Monday
Modest Monday @ The Modest Mom
Matrimonial Monday @ A Proverbs 31 Wife
Make the Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill
Inspire Me Monday @ Create With Joy
Masterpiece Monday @ BoogieBoard Cottage
A Round Tuit @ Creating My Way to Success
Monday Funday @ C.R.A.F.T.
Better Mom Mondays
Manic Monday @ Cupcake-n-Bake
Mommy Mondays
Making Your Home Sing Monday

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Pretty Pinks and Greens for the Homemaking Party

Lefton and Limoges---two of my favorite things!

Every now and then, I like to do a "Pinks and Greens" post. This is my favorite color combination and I feature it in many parts of my life. Remember the post I did when I was waiting for Kynthia to arrive?

This past weekend I was out hopping from one yard sale to another and ended up finding some really fun things for my Etsy shop. A few of them are already listed if you'd like to stop by and visit. The highlight of the day was this delicate Haviland tea cup and saucer I found at a church fundraiser!

It's my second piece of antique Limoges---which is very hard to come by around here! I think collecting pink and green Limoges will be a lifelong quest for me!

Here it is with my other Limoges piece.

Yesterday, I stopped by Salvation Army for a minute to see if they had anything neat for my shop. When I saw a little pink tea pot, I snatched it right up. It was heavy and the bottom was very worn---two good signs that it's a sturdy antique.

Turns out, it's a piece of Weller Pottery from the early 1920s. Check out eBay for more on Weller Pottery, but I think it's safe to say I snagged something worth a little more than the $4.00 I spent on it!

I really considered putting it in my Etsy shop---I even took photos of it tonight. But, as I was editing them, I realized how much I already love this little pot---so it's staying right here with me!

I'm so glad you've stopped by the Homemaking Party! I hope you'll link up some of your favorite posts and visit others' to encourage them as well.

I love to feature some of the neat posts that are linked up so please make sure and put my button or a text link on your blog so you'll be eligible to be featured!

Here are a few of my favorites from last week's party:

Alison at Mumtopia shares this great story of what they found while doing some work on their home. She has such an awesome way with words---love her blog!

Nicole at Children are a Blessing shared a subject near and dear to my heart: Are Children a Blessing or a Burden? Have you seen my sidebar family picture? I think you know my answer!

This chair from Maureen at It's All Connected is just so amazingly awesome!! In fact, let me ramble for a bit. I was just thinking earlier how irritating it is now that everyone is saying "amazing" for everything. Ok---it's like last year when everyone was saying "epic". That's irritating. Not everything is epic. Or amazing. Except for this chair. This chair is amazing. My Mom has one of these sewing chairs with the lifty-uppy lid. I'll just let that sit and steep for a minute.

Thanks to everyone for the great posts!

If you have been featured, please grab a button!

Have you entered my Giveaway for a box of Sprout Organic Toddler Snacks? Check it out!

Make sure and stop by the Summer Fun Giveway Hop! I'm giving away a gorgeous Shabby Chic package---and there are many more prizes from some other awesome bloggers!

Now for the linkup. Please remember to return the favor by adding my button or a text link to your post. Have a great weekend!

Hope In Every Season is on Facebook! If you like what you've read here, please follow me and keep up with the latest posts.

Linking with:
Homemaking Party @ Hope In Every Season
Vintage Thingie Thursday @ Coloradolady
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
Pearls and Lace Thursday @ Faith, Grace and Crafts
Thriving Thursday @ Serving Joyfully
Homeacre Hop
Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits @ Stone Gable
Think Tank Thursday @ Saving4Six
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Create It Thursday
Open House @ Bernideen's Tea Time Blog
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove
Inspiration Friday @ Dear Creatives
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Beverly's Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound
Farm Girl Friday @ Let This Mind Be In You
Fit & Frugal Family Friday
From the Farm
Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different, Act Normal
Or So She Says...
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Finding the Pretty & Delicious @ Your Homebased Mom
30 Min. Linkup @ 30 Days
Sharing Creative Ideas @ Made By Joey
Show Me Saturday
Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage
Tea Cup Tuesday @ Artful Affirmations
Friends Sharing Tea @ Bernideen's Tea Time Blog
Tuesday Cuppa Tea @ Antiques & Teacups
Teacup Tuesday @ Martha's Favorites
A Return to Loveliness @ A Delightsome Life
Cottage Style Party @ Lavender Garden Cottage
Courtship Connection
Women Helping Women @ Teaching What Is Good
Domestically Divine @ Far Above Rubies
(Titus 2)s Days @ Time Warp Wife
Tending the Home Tuesday
Tuesday Link Up Party
Wisdom Wednesdays @Simply Helping Him
Winsome Wednesday @ My Daily Walk in His Grace
Whole-Hearted Home Wednesdays
Encourage One Another @ Deep Roots at Home
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Homemaking Link Up @ Raising Homemakers
Home @ Rose Chintz Cottage
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Simple Living Wednesdays @ Our Simple Farm
Wednesday Link up at Adorned from Above
Shoe Lace Linkup @ Living In the Shoe
Home Link Up at Raising Arrows

Sprout Organic Toddler Treats---Giveaway!

It's Giveaway Time again here at Hope In Every Season! Many thanks to my sponsor, Sprout Foods, for providing our family with some yummy organic treats to try out! Do you want to ditch those sugary "Fruit" Snacks? Try Sprout's Organic Toddler Treats! All of Sprout's products are made with organic produce, whole grains, and proteins.

We were sent eight different flavors of Fruit & Veggie Crispy Chews and Fruity Yogurt Bites to try out. You can enter to win your own box of samples below! Even though they're made for babies and toddlers, all our kids---toddlers to teen---enjoyed these tasty treats.

Some of our favorites were Orange Carrot Yogurt with Real Mango Pieces, and Purple Berry and Carrot Crispy Chews.

Would you like to try some out on your little ones? Head to the Rafflecopter widget below. In the meantime, here are a couple coupons to get you started:

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Here are more ways to connect with Sprout:
- Like Sprout on Facebook
- Follow Sprout on Pinterest
- Follow on Twitter @SproutFoods
- Follow Sprout on Instagram
- Enter the Sprout Sweetie Monthly Photo Contest

In exchange for this review, Sprout Foods provided our family with a box of free products. All opinions are honest and are my own. Check out the new Sprout Foods website at www.sproutorganicfoods.com.

Giveaway open to US Residents. Winner will be drawn June 26th.

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Blessed at Home #7: When to Say, "No"

Welcome to Blessed At Home. We sincerely hope our readers have been blessed by these articles. Please visit the Contributor Page to read more about this excellent ministry from some of your favorite homemaking bloggers.

Today's featured contributor is Misty from Simply Helping Him.

Howdy!

I'm Misty Leask: Princess of the King of Kings, Joe's Help Meet, Mother of 2 blessings, and a Texas cowgirl always. My passion is being the Help Meet God created me to be, just as He created Eve for Adam. I was placed by my husband's side, and there I will remain to help him in every way possible. Most often, you'll find me teaching my children, caring for our home, cooking/baking, gardening, or writing.

Simply Helping Him was born as God directed my heart and hands to teach, encourage, and share what Help Meets were created to be. I know how difficult it can be to truly grasp and move forward with submission, obedience, and trusting God through it all. In "my" lil corner, I write about topics from marriage and Bible Studies, to Family Training and Family Fun Days. I'm also blessed to have several Help Meet Contributors share once a month about their passions as a Help Meet.

Today's topic is, "When to Say, "No." As a homemaker, do you sometimes feel drawn to things that take away from your primary ministry?

Misty, Simply Helping Him

I have a difficult time saying "no", and I always have. God must have known this, because my body can only take so much before I physically get sick. I am learning how to say "no" more, as I'm getting older--whether it be "no" to yet another activity for the kiddos, or a ministry that I'm passionate about, but can't fulfill a specific position yet.

Sometimes too much, even of a good thing, is just too much. Our kids need down time, just as much as, if not more than, we do. Seeking God's will for every aspect, every part of our lives is key. He will not leave us, and will not allow us to be lost along our ways--as long as we are seeking Him and His direction for our lives.

Prayer and time in God's word is where we should always begin.

How can we expect to know His will for ourselves and our families if we aren't spending time with Him, seeking His guidance?

Sarah, Hope In Every Season

I used to be a people-pleaser who craved the attention and praise for a job well done. I would be involved in as many activities and "ministries" as possible, to the point of neglecting my homemaking and homeschooling, mostly for the attention it brought me.

As I began to grow in God and learned to really love myself and who He was making me, I realized that what I was doing was wrong. My self-worth was no longer based on the many things I could do; but, instead, on who I was in Christ.

I now believe, and practice, that if anything is taking away from my responsibilities within these four walls, it is eligible for the chopping block. I truly believe that my husband and family are my main ministries---and there's plenty here at home to keep me busy right there! Throw in some times of refreshing for myself, and pull out a tiny bit of time for my extended family and a couple close friends, and I'm bordering overwhelmed right there!

Of course, God will send things my way now and then that He wants me to get involved in---but they're small and they're not super time consuming. Maybe I need to take an afternoon to visit with a hurting friend or make a meal for a family who has lost their wife and mother---God still does call me outside of this home, now and then. But, if I will take the time to really listen, I'll realize that, often times, it's my old people-pleasing nature popping up again. It's in these times that I'll remember I'm to be a God-pleaser first!

Mrs. Smith, Just a Country Girl

There are many, many times in life when we have to say no. As a

mother, I think we say it more than any other word! But today I'm thinking of other times when we need to say no.

As Christians, we all have things we can't do; and most of the time, they are different for each of us. I've known Christians who say they can't listen to country music because it mentally takes them to a place that isn't good for them. When a true Christian says they cannot do something that sounds so normal to the rest of us, it's usually because GOD told them not to, and not because THEY don't want to.

For instance, I know there are certain types of television that I can't watch anymore. Shows that probably most of you watch--dramas, mostly. I can't watch them because they fill me with worry. "What if that happens to my child?!" This is NOT Godly. God doesn't place fear into our minds. And so I knew that it was time to say NO to these programs, so I wouldn't worry about my family irrationally for the rest of time!

Another big one for me was Facebook. I can almost guarantee everyone reading this has a Facebook account. Is that wrong? Absolutely not. Is that wrong for ME? Absolutely. You see, Facebook became such a negative place for me that it was even interfering with my marriage! People weren't real on there, and they weren't my friends. Oh, they were "friends", but they weren't friends, in the true sense. And my husband absolutely hated it. I knew this, but couldn't bring myself to delete my account. I'd hear the Lord "nagging" at me, but still, I

kept on with it. Then one day, I just realized that I NEEDED to get off of there for good! And so I did. And you know what? I didn't miss it. I didn't miss my "friends". And my marriage improved greatly! It was time to say no, for the sake of my marriage.

From these two examples, I can tell you that in your calling as a mother and wife, it's time to say no when you hear the Lord softly saying so. If you don't take heed, eventually you will hear a loud

saying so! ha! (Perhaps your husband...hee!) If you feel that feeling; if you are filling your mind and heart with negativity or garbage or useless information...it's probably time to say no.

For the sake of your families, I urge you to look into your lives and find that "something" that it's time to say no to. You'll know it. And I applaud you for taking that step. :)