4 House Rules for Internet Safety #sponsored #mc #cybersafe #cybertribe

I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for BGCA. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation. All opinions are honest and are my own.

Family Internet Safety is definitely a concern for my husband and I. We want our kids to be tech savvy, but we don't want them coming across a lot of the junk that's out there. When we first started allowing the kids to go online, we set up some rules:

• Time Limits: Everyone has 45 minutes a day, every few days. This is practical for our large family, but it also makes it less likely the kids will mindlessly browse. If they know they've got a time limit, they're careful to get in all the game-playing or chatting with friends time that they can.
• Boundaries: Our kids have certain boundaries when it comes to social media sites like Facebook. They're not allowed to friend anyone without permission and they can only stay on their own wall. They may access their news feed page only to go to their games---but we don't allow them to scroll through the feed. Even though we try to be careful to only allow them to friend those whose influence we feel comfortable with, there's always a few weird things on there that we don't want them to see. As they get older, this rule will be more flexible, I'm sure.
• Chats for Friends Only: The kids are only allowed to chat online with people they've already friended on Facebook. Any other chatting, on game sites or otherwise, is not at all allowed. The older kids understand that anyone can hide behind a screen name, so they shouldn't strike up a conversation with an unapproved person.
• Keep It Out in the Open: When our kids are online, they sit with their backs to the room so the screen is facing out to the room. This is great for making sure the younger ones are where they are supposed to be and provides good accountability for the older kids and adults in the family.

June is Internet Safety Month and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America have put together a campaign to help parents learn more about being #CyberSafe. Teenagers today are often more aware than their parents of the influences and dangers out there because Internet technology has been a part of their entire lives. 

Visit the BGCA CyberTribe of teen experts to get your questions about Internet safety answered. After you submit your questions, you can enter to win an iPad mini, as well as a $500 donation to the Boys & Girls Club of your choice. 

I read through some of the answers the teen panel has been giving and it's really good information. Topics like cyberbullying, talking to online strangers vs. "real live" strangers, and popular social networks for kids, are all being discussed on the site. You can also take a CyberSmart Parent quiz to see if you've got #cybersafe skills!

What kinds of house rules does your family put into use to make sure you all are safe online?

Linking with:
The Art of Homemaking
Inspiration Monday @ Your Homebased Mom
Motivate Me Monday 
Modest Monday @ The Modest Mom 
Living Proverbs 31
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. 
Making Your Home Sing Monday

Pretty Summer Hair Styles and a Lilla Rose Giveaway for the Homemaking Party

I've been seeing these gorgeous Lilla Rose clips all over some of my favorite blogs, so when my friend, Elizabeth from Yes They Are All Ours, contacted me to tell me about her new business selling them---I was excited to try them out!

Oh...and then I told Lynzie...

We all know how much she's into hair and beauty and fun accessories! She played around with three different sized clips to do some pretty summery styles for us girls.

Elizabeth sent us three sizes to play with. This one is the XS and worked great on Kynthia's fine baby hair. She's 2 1/2. 

Avalon, 5, also wore the XS. I think it would have been a good size to pull all their hair back in, as well. There are three notches on the back of the clips to adjust the size, and Elizabeth's website has a great styling video to help you choose the right size for the style you want to do.

Selah (8) loves to pull all her hair back at the base of her neck, so the S Flexi was perfect for her. The concept of these clips is such a neat idea. I love the pretty beads and charms that are added to give them such a feminine look.

This is that same S size Flexi on me. It was just enough to pull a small amount of my super thick hair back into a fun braided style. 

Lynzie was also able to use the S size to secure this pretty up-do. 

Lynzie did this pretty bun using the Flexi Clip size L---the clip is all that is holding this cute style together! Size L is big enough to pull back all of both mine and Lynzie's very thick hair.

Are you new to Lilla Rose? How would you like to win your own Lilla Rose clip? Enter to win on the Rafflecopter below and I'll announce the winner at next week's Homemaking Party. (Widget might take a minute to load...) a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for stopping by the Homemaking Party! I'm excited to see what you've got to share!

We received three free Flexi Clips to review for this article. All opinions are honest and are my own.

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Disney FROZEN Party Brownies

Hey, just because it's summer doesn't mean we can't enjoy some great Frozen movie treats! These fun, party snacks are a spin on the fruity brownies I shared with you a couple weeks ago---with a Disney's Frozen theme! If you're looking for more fun Frozen party ideas, make sure to check out Avalon's Kindness Party based on the Frozen movie.

Olaf looks awfully proud of these, don't you think? I used my coffee creamer icing to frost these. If you let them set overnight, the frosting will crinkle up and make it look like a fun, frosty, glacier brownie!

Frozen Party Brownies
16 oz. boxed pound cake mix
1/2 c. butter or margarine
2 eggs
2/3 c. water
6 oz. flavored gelatin mix (choose blue if you want the Frozen theme)
blue food coloring, if desired


Heat oven to 350º. Grease a jelly roll pan (or line with parchment paper). Mix all ingredients on low for 30 seconds and then on high for 2 minutes. Bake for about 20 minutes or until done through. Cool completely. Decorate with icing and sprinkles. To make coffee creamer icing, mix 1 c. powdered sugar with french vanilla coffee creamer (or milk), 1 tsp. at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.


Welcome to the Make Bake Create Party! 5 Blogs-1 party-lots of fun and creative ideas for you!

Please follow your hosts:

Hope In Every Season | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

Bubbly Nature Creations | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

Mommy Hates Cooking | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

The Creative Princess | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

Nessa Makes | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Follow the MBC Pinboard!

Linking with:
Make Bake Create @ Hope In Every Season
Cottage Style Party @ Lavender Garden Cottage
Winsome Wednesday @ My Daily Walk in His Grace
Whole-Hearted Home Wednesdays 
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Homemaking Link Up @ Raising Homemakers
Inspire Me Wednesday @ MamaBuzz
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants 
Wednesday Link up at Adorned from Above
Inspiration Friday @ Dear Creatives
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Foodie Friday @ Rattlebridge Farm 
Link Party Palooza
Pintastic Party
The Creative Collection @ Craft-O-Maniac

Zesty Cream Cheese Burger Spread {Trim Healthy Mama Recipe} #SayCheeseburger #shop #cbias

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. All opinions are honest and are my own.

You know those times when you have a really great recipe idea so you make it and it turns out so awesome that you think to yourself, "I could totally market this!"? That was me on Saturday. Our family was having cheeseburgers and sweet potato fries for dinner and I had an awesome idea for a zesty spread I could serve on the burgers. Since I was buying several Kraft products, I took the opportunity to try out the new Blippar app and see what fun stuff they'd put up for one of my favorite brands.

Blippar is a free app that uses image recognition technology to help shoppers unlock fun stuff related to the products they're buying. 

This star logo on products will tell you whether it's "Blippable".

Our family loves these $1.00 bottles of Kraft barbecue sauce. My favorite is Mesquite Smoke, so I grabbed one for our burgers---and to try out the Blippar app.

 One important part of using the app is to make sure you've got Wi-Fi service where you are! It's kind of hit and miss in our Walmart so I had to go to a different part of the store to try it out.

 Another important thing is to hold your hand steady so the app can scan the item and recognize the images on it.

Once Blippar scanned my Kraft products, I was given these fun options to choose from.  

There were several recipes to choose from, with options to view or save, along with a list of Kraft products I'd need to make them. 

There was this fun Brad Paisley photo frame that allowed me to "take a pic with Brad." Avalon and Kynthia wanted to get in on that one! There was also the option to earn "Paisley Points" for fun prizes like Walmart gift cards, and Brad Paisley T-shirts and CDs.

The app was really fun to use and made me feel like I was getting a little something extra for my purchase. I can totally see myself walking around Walmart blipping everything! I love discovering fun new things like this app---and this zesty burger spread! Oh yum! Plus, it's great for the Trim Healthy Mama plan that I'm on. I was actually surprised by how many in my family loved it. It's majority rules around here, and several kids---and Jamie---said this was a must on burger days! In fact, last night Avalon said, "Mom, every time you make something with lettuce, you have to make that stuff!" Ok then!

Zesty Cream Cheese Burger Spread

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

2 TB. mayo

2 oz. jar diced pimientos

1/4 c. chopped cilantro

2 cloves fresh garlic

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

Mix cream cheese and mayo until smooth and blended. Stir in the remaining ingredients and spread directly on the bread before adding other condiments and toppings. Refrigerate leftovers.

#SayCheeseburger

#CollectiveBias

Looking for some great Trim Healthy Mama Recipes? Try these! 

THM Lunches & Dinners

Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken
Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl
Spaghetti Squash Casserole (No Pasta Spaghetti)
20 Squash Recipes
Baked Spinach and Pepperjack Chicken

THM Breakfasts

List of THM Breakfast Ideas
Chicken Ranch Omelette

THM Treats
Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy

THM Misc.
Homemade Ranch Dressing
Make Your Own Chicken Stock & Broth
Zesty Burger Spread

The Homemaking Party--Animal Rescuers!

We're having a blast this summer, enjoying our new home in Arkansas and seeing lots of new animals and birds! The kids have been playing animal rescuers lately, as every time they see a turtle in the road, they beg me to stop and let them move it to the side!

Michael and Cainan saved this one today. Hope he found a shady spot to cool off---it's hot out there!

Thanks for stopping by the Homemaking Party!

Linking with:

Make Bake Create Party

Welcome to the Make Bake Create Party! 5 Blogs-1 party-lots of fun and creative ideas for you!

Please follow your hosts:

Hope In Every Season | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

Bubbly Nature Creations | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

Mommy Hates Cooking | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

The Creative Princess | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

Nessa Makes | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Follow the MBC Pinboard!

How To Prep For Smooth Legs This Summer #SummerizeYourLegs #shop #cbias

 I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. All opinions are honest and are my own.

What says summer beauty more than swishing skirts with flats or cute capris with sandals? I love to feel feminine and pretty in the summertime and one way to do that is to prep for smooth legs with a few essential moisturizing products. 

The Schick Hydro Silk is one of the best razors for shaving legs smooth. It's got built in moisturizers and I love how easy it is to use. I was really impressed by how quickly I could shave without cutting myself. That's high on my priority list because, honestly, it's really one of my least favorite parts of my beauty regimen! 

Another way to easily moisturize my legs while shaving is to use a good, hydrating, shave gel. I've been using Skintimate for years and have tried most of the scents they offer. Most recently, I bought Mandarin Burst at Walmart. Using these fruity-scented products just immediately speaks summer to me!

Ever since high school, I've loved to treat myself to fun beauty supplies. "Fancy shavers" (my 14-year-old self's word for anything that cost over three bucks) and shave gel are always on the list. When I was growing up, our closest Walmart was 45 minutes away---over a mountain pass. So, we didn't get over there very often. I'd love to stock up on Schick razors because there were several in the pack, and I'd also love it when Skintimate had their shave gel in a two-pack for a lower price. It's the little things, y'all.

Once my legs are smooth and moisturized, it's time to get my tan on. Ok, family and friends, stop laughing. Seriously! Alright, true confession, I'm super white---and when I go out without my sunblock, I'm super red. Super fast. (Check out Walmart's cute sun lotion display---I love the little grass hut umbrella!)

Time for true confession number two: these are Lynzie's legs. But---I have a good reason for putting hers here and not mine. Growing up, my mom could have been the poster girl for Hawaiian Tropic. She always had a gorgeous tan and any time the sun was out, she was outside working on it. As a teen, I always wanted that same tan as my mom, but I didn't understand the art of achieving it. More than the fact that she is naturally a lot darker than me, she also knew how to start with a little and move up to more, to keep herself from burning. Moral of the story: you can't start out with SPF 4. So, I'm teaching Lynzie to always use a higher-end SPF lotion to make sure to protect her skin while she's working on her stellar tan.

Another thing I've been teaching Lynzie is how to look for the good deals and tips! All You is one of my favorite magazines and it's always full of great ideas, recipes and coupons to inspire and make our lives easier. Make sure to look for the Prep, Shave, Protect ad with coupons for Schick and Skintimate products. 

Get your legs ready for summer with lots of moisture, a quality razor and plenty of sun protection. Find shaving, moisturizing and beauty products at Walmart.com. Enter to win a Summerize Prize Pack and check out the three easy tips for summerizing your legs.

#SummerizeYourLegs

#CollectiveBias

Linking with:
The Art of Homemaking
Inspiration Monday @ Your Homebased Mom
Motivate Me Monday 
Modest Monday @ The Modest Mom 
Living Proverbs 31
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. 
Making Your Home Sing Monday
Tabletop 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
Winsome Wednesday @ My Daily Walk in His Grace
Whole-Hearted Home Wednesdays 
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Homemaking Link Up @ Raising Homemakers
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants 
Wednesday Link up at Adorned from Above
Home Link Up at Raising Arrows
Homemaker's Encouragement Party

Why I'm NOT Going to Close My Facebook Account

There are lots of posts out there from women who have had enough of the negative drain that Facebook often becomes. After "lots of prayerful consideration" they decide they're done and they write up an insightful post to tell us so.

I've totally felt that way. I've gotten overwhelmed and temporarily shut down my own Facebook account a time or two. If you're feeling like it's time to let it go then, by all means, do so. However, I'd like to share why I think mine is important. While it's easy to get bogged down by the negativity, (or those attention-seeking Vaguebookers) I believe Facebook is a huge ministry opportunity for those willing to devote the time and ignore the randomness.

*Facebook is an extension of me: Since I really started serving God about 15 years ago, I've always had a heart to minister to women. In the early days, I served on WM boards, taught and facilitated classes and counseling sessions, and served as a guest speaker at more than one women's ministry event. As our family grew, my home responsibilities increased and I was able to do less and less outside my home. With Facebook, the needs are there and they're obvious. Whether it's a quick comment on a post, or a more lengthy private message, Facebook provides an excellent ministry opportunity for today's Christian woman.

*Facebook as a witnessing/encouragement tool: Every single week, without fail, someone will write me a private message and ask about homeschooling, marriage, parenting, blogging--even more personal things like how I feel about head covering, dealing with hurtful family members, and more. I've even used this as my fleece a time or two to see if God wants me to spend this extra time on FB. Those are the weeks I get inundated.  People trust me. They see Jesus in me and they see my life, more or less, working out. They want to know my secret and I’m able to point them to help, resources, and ultimately, to Jesus.

*Keeping up with the times: Face it--we are a digital society and we are a busy society. Yes, we want to have real face to face conversations, and we should definitely make time for that, but the reality is that no matter how much busyness we can eliminate from our own lives, there’s no guarantee that the people God wants us to minister to are going to eliminate it from theirs. 

If we want to be a light in the world, we’ve got to meet people where they’re at. Sometimes that means scrolling through the mundane rambles, hateful rantings, and yucky yuck to find what God has put there for us to find. Sometimes, oftentimes, we’ll find whatever “it” is within those ramblings, rantings, and yuck.

Linking with:

Homemaking Party @ Classical Homemaking

Whole-Hearted Home Wednesdays 

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home

Homemaking Link Up @ Raising Homemakers
Soul Survival linkup

Introducing a New Blogger for The Homemaking Party

(Please be sure to pin from the original source)

Welcome to the Homemaking Party! Tonight I'd like to introduce you to a new blogging friend---Letitia at City Girl, Country Life. We've been working together the past couple weeks to get her blog up and going and she's off to a great start! Please welcome her to Bloggyland by visiting her site and following her on social media. Be sure check out her natural solution for pesky bugs in your home. Hint: it involves some deliciously scented ingredients and is not harmful to you or your pets!

Have a lovely week! 

Linking with:

Peach Orange Marmalade -- No Pectin Recipe --Make Bake Create Party

I made scones for the kids this morning and, while they were baking, I made this delicious Peach Orange Marmalade to serve with them. This recipe is easy, fast, and requires no added pectin. Perfect!


Peach Orange Marmalade
4 large peaches
2 large oranges
2 TB orange zest or peel
2 TB lemon juice
6 c. sugar

Remove skin from peaches and finely dice or grind them. Zest oranges or finely chop peels to produce needed 2 TB of zest. Chop peeled oranges finely, or grind them as well. Mix all ingredients together in a dutch oven/stock pot and bring to a boil. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thickened. This took me about 7-8 minutes. Store in the fridge or continue on with water bath canning for storage.

Join us for our first LIVE Google+ Hangout on June 3rd at 8pm! We'll be talking about Father's Day and introducing our team. We'll even feature some of YOUR linked up posts. We'd love to have you join in! Not familiar with Google+ Hangouts? Basically, it will be like you're watching us on tv---but you'll get to leave comments that we may read and respond to live online!

Welcome to the Make Bake Create Party! 5 Blogs-1 party-lots of fun and creative ideas for you!

Please follow your hosts:

Hope In Every Season | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

Bubbly Nature Creations | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

Mommy Hates Cooking | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

The Creative Princess | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

Nessa Makes | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Follow the MBC Pinboard!

Linking with:
Homemaking Party @ Hope In Every Season
Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Thriving Thursday @ Serving Joyfully
Homeacre Hop   
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
Inspiration Friday @ Dear Creatives
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Foodie Friday @ Rattlebridge Farm 
The Art of Homemaking
Inspiration Monday @ Your Homebased Mom
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Motivate Me Monday 
Modest Monday @ The Modest Mom 
Living Proverbs 31
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. 
Making Your Home Sing Monday
Tabletop 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

Walgreens: The One Stop Shop for Women's Health Needs #HerHealth #shop #cbias

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. All opinions are honest and are my own.

This last year has been really eye-opening for me. I feel like I'm getting really old really fast! At 34, I thought I'd be in my prime, but I feel like it's the beginning of my downward spiral into old-ladyhood! As I've been working on a new normal when it comes to healthy habits lately, I've been shopping Walgreens for products that help me feel my best.

The Homemaking Party

Hello everyone! Welcome to the Homemaking Party! It's Super Slacker Sarah popping on to say....I didn't make anything fancy for our party today! So, I'm really looking forward to seeing what you all have got to share---and I just *might* put something up later tonight if I can catch up with myself! Ha! In the meantime, check out some of my fun recipes and posts from the past week...AND my new "About Me" video on YouTube. Just click up there below my header where it says "About Me" and be prepared to be entertained by 5 minutes of silliness from Yours Truly.

Blessings!