A Bathroom Makeover For Fall Holiday Company #CraftedExperience #ad #cbias

#CraftedExperience #CollectiveBias

It's hard to believe it's already time to start planning for holiday company, but the fact that I turned on my heater for the first time last night means it's true! It's important to me to make my guests feel welcome and comfortable and promote a peaceful atmosphere in my home. I especially like to make sure the bedrooms and bathrooms are attractive and purchase good quality products for my guests to use. Quilted Northern bathroom tissue is soft and strong and it's quilted design looks pretty too!

If all goes according to plan, my dad will be making the 1,800 mile journey from Oregon to Arkansas in just a few weeks. I've started preparing our home to make it a great experience for him. The kids are getting excited to make more special memories and share all the fun things that have gone on since he was here last Thanksgiving.

I found 2-ply Quilted Northern bathroom tissue at Walmart. We're on a septic system so I like it because it's sewer and septic safe. The brand has been providing quality and comfort since 1902---that makes me confident I'm making a good choice.

We've been in this house for two years next week and still there are things I've not done to make us totally settled. This bathroom has had a towel for a curtain since we moved in and the scratch on the toilet seat has always bugged me. It's a rental so we can't change out a lot of stuff---but we can definitely update and cover up!

I bought a pretty chocolate brown curtain, as well as some towels and wash cloths, to match my (very Steampunkish awesome) shower curtain. Wow! A real curtain! It looks so much better. (Now that I've done what took all of 10 minutes, I feel really ridiculous that it took me this long...don't judge.)

I used the scalloped valance that came with the curtain as a scarf for the back of the toilet. It has a wavy cut along the edge so it makes a perfect little indentation for accessing the handle. I also put down a rug and seat cover to match the curtains. Way better! 

I'm looking forward to welcoming guests into our home this season---and now I can be proud of my not-so-scary bathroom, too! How can Quilted Northern help make a comfortable atmosphere for your holiday guests? Let me know about your plans in the comments below!

Greek Chicken Artichoke Dip

Are you a Trim Healthy Mama? This delicious dip is great with pita chips, on top of salad lettuce, or on it's own!

Good morning friends! Welcome to The {Not Just} Homemaking Party! Hope everyone is having an excellent week so far! I've been having lots of fun with my Pampered Chef tools--and having some excellent parties. The Greek Chicken Artichoke Flatbread has been a popular recipe at my October parties so I've made it quite a bit. One night, a friend and I were talking about how the topping mixture could be great on it's own. I played around with the recipe a couple days ago and came up with this versatile dip. It's excellent with pita chips, beautiful on top of salad leaves, and delicious on it's own!

The Manual Food Processor is a fun tool that my guests have been enjoying playing with. It's easier to use than the Food Chopper---great for those with arthritic hands. 

I love adding fresh lemon zest to my recipes and the Microplane Zester makes that simple!

Greek Chicken Artichoke Dip

12.5 oz. canned chicken (or 1.5 c. diced chicken)

7.5 oz. jar marinated artichokes

1/4 c. mayonnaise 

4 oz. crumbled feta cheese

juice and zest from one lemon

2 cloves garlic, pressed

salt & pepper

Drain chicken and place in a medium sized bowl. Chop artichokes using a knife, food chopper, or manual food processor and add to the bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. You may decide you want a creamier dip and can add more mayo at this point. 

Let me know if you give it a try and thanks for linking up with The {Not Just} Homemaking Party!

Relaxation and Rejuvenation from U by Kotex® and CVS #ConfidenceUDeserve #ad #cbias

#ConfidenceUDeserve #CollectiveBias

As a busy homeschooling mom of nine, I don't get a lot of downtime; but some months, my period requires it. It's important to take time for rest and rejuvenation. I feel confident that I can find everything I'll need for a relaxing day at my local CVS store, including good quality pads from Kotex®.

I found U by Kotex® in the feminine care section of CVS under the sign marked, "Maxi Pads". There are lots of varieties and sizes of U by Kotex® pads, tampons, and pantyliners to suit your specific needs. Make sure to grab a coupon for $2 off, only at CVS.

Getting your period doesn't have to mean you're stuck at home (although, we introverts usually prefer to utilize any excuse to stay home!). U by Kotex® is designed with 3D Capture Core® With Xpress DRI which locks in wetness quickly so you can feel confident in whatever activities are desired or required during this time of the month. 

CVS has other great products to help me treat myself to some rest and relaxation. I got this cute package of tissues for all the emotional scenes in my favorite movies. In addition, what's a good movie marathon without some popcorn? I found delicious CVS branded kettle corn for just $1 per bag!

Sometimes some sweet indulgence and a dreamy magazine are the perfect mix to lift my spirits peacefully. CVS has several fruity flavored waters, as well as some delicious truffles and chocolates to choose from. Their magazine selection is great---and yes, this is a "dreamy" magazine for a homemaking blogger. Ha!

Make sure to try U by Kotex® for confidence during your time of the month. What things relax you when you need some down time? Let me know in the comments below!

Homemaking with The Pampered Chef

Hello! Wow, where have I been the last couple weeks? Ha! I'm super excited to have started up selling Pampered Chef again! I first started selling in 2000 when I was a brand new wife and mom, and then took a break for awhile, picking it back up two more times over the last 15 years. Now that we're settled and staying in NW Arkansas (until I get my cottage in Winchester, England, anyway...) Jamie and I decided this is a good time for me to start up again and build a business here. I'm LOVING it! Here I am with my hostess and sweet friend, Letitia at her (very successful!!) party last night.

Letitia, my friend Tina, and others planned this secret surprise party for me during my demonstration! I'll be 36 on Friday and they wanted to bless me with goodies and a gift. They even passed around a card for everyone to secretly sign. So sweet! I'm having a great time doing home parties, but I can also do online or Facebook parties, so let me know if you want to set one up! Ultimately, I'm interested in growing my team and would love to have you on board. Have you ever considered selling Pampered Chef? If you're interested, email me at sarah@hopeineveryseason.com for more info.

Thanks for linking up at the Homemaking Party! Have a beautiful week!

Chocolate Fix Zucchini Cake with Buttercream Frosting

I love this time of year when all the fall produce is ready for baking and preserving! Who has some grated zucchini in their freezer? If so, make sure to try this great Zucchini Cake from my mom. Yum!
Also, I know many of you are wanting to see more England photos! You can read a little more about our trip here.

                                       

We all have a craving for chocolate now and then. If you have a large family and desire a frugal way to give them a chocolate fix, without spending big bucks on candy bars, I have a swet treat idea for you. "Let them eat cake!"

Bake this chocolate zucchini cake with buttercream frosting for instant smiles all around the table!


Chocolate Fix Zucchini Cake

Cream together:
1/2 C butter
1/2 C oil
1 3/4 C sugar
2 eggs
1 Tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 C sour milk (I add 1/4 tsp lemon juice to evaporated milk)

Mix in:
2 1/2 C flour
4 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves

Beat and blend in:
2 C grated zucchini
1/2 C chocolate chips (I use semi sweet)

Pour into greased and floured 9 X 13 baking pan. Bake 40 minutes at 350º.

Cool and frost with buttercream frosting:

Beat together:

4 C powdered sugar
1/4 C butter
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
dash salt
evaporated milk as needed for correct thickness

For more frugal recipes, check out my new blog: Big Family Frugal. Linking with:

Sharing Special England Moments with my Daughter

Slowly, I've been putting up photos and tidbits about me and Lynzie's trip to England last month. It was her first time going and I was so excited to take her to all my favorite places. There are so many happy memories from our trip, I know I'll never remember them all. 

One special moment took place on one of our visits to Winchester Cathedral. We actually spent a good part of our three days in Winchester in the cathedral. It was a favorite place for both of us, as there's so much history (and mystery!) inside that one could never grow tired of studying it. One afternoon while we were there, I took a tour while Lynzie went around sketching. When I finished with the tour, I went looking for her and found her here, lighting a prayer candle. What an amazing experience for her! 

On our first morning in Bath, I got her up really early, when it was barely light out, to show her around the best part of the city before all the rest of the tourists came out. This photo was taken just after the bells at Bath Abbey had finished playing, The Bells of Great Britain. It was awesome watching my daughter experience England for the first time. We have a lot of the same interests in common and there were times when it was emotionally overwhelming to know the joy and amazement she was feeling. 

Another special time was when we visited Chawton Manor, a family home of one of Jane Austen's brothers. We stopped off at the church of St. Nicholas and visited the graves of her mother and sister. While that was a breathtaking experience, I got really emotional when we went inside to pray. In fact, every time I visited a church on this trip, I got really emotional! God did some amazing things in my heart in England this year. He truly is the same everywhere I go.

Ideas for a Cozy Commute with Yankee Candle® Car Fragrances #LoveAmericanHome #ad #cbias

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

When I was a new wife and homemaker, there was this lovely shop downtown called The Sycamore Tree. I loved to go in there and browse all the beautiful things for sale and imagine making my home warm and cozy and super inviting. One display I loved to spend time at was the Yankee Candle® shelf. There were dozens of glorious fragrances of jar candles to choose from! Now I can have Yankee Candle® brand products in my car with these new Smart Scent Vent Clips and Car Jar Ultimate hanging fragrances. 

Yankee Candle® brand Smart Scent Vent Clips and Car Jar Ultimate can be found in the Auto Fragrance and Air Care (near the laundry aisle) sections of Walmart. I found several great fragrances for $4.94 each in the Auto Fragrance aisle. Check out the Walmart Assortment Page for a large variety of fragrances.

 In addition to the hanging jars, there are these neat vent clips. I love the innovative idea of these air fresheners.

Just like my dreams of a cozy home, it's nice to have a cozy car---especially if you've got a long commute! Using Yankee Candle® fragrances is just one way I make the inside of my car more inviting. Here are a few more ideas for a relaxing commute:

I make sure to have a separate charging cord for my phones---one that is designated for car only. This way I don't find myself forgetting to grab it from the house, resulting in a dead battery half way through the day.

I love to listen to soothing music while I'm driving. These Celtic harp CDs inspire me to creativity.

It's also important to have some nutritious snacks and water. These help keep me awake and alert for safety---and are great for those really long waits in traffic.

Do you have a favorite Yankee Candle® fragrance? Let me know in the comments below!

Natural Nutritious Cat Food from Purina Muse® -- Grab a Coupon! #MyCatMyMuse #ad #cbias

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

A healthy cat is a happy cat so I try to be careful to choose nutritious food for O'Neill to enjoy. We've had him for almost 10 years and he's always been a sweet and loyal cat. He's not one of those stuffy, nose-in-the-air felines---he's a true friend whom we've nicknamed the "Guard Cat". 

See that scar above his lip? That's from defending our house against a giant raccoon about eight years ago! O'Neill has several scars from fighting off raccoons, possums, and other night time trespassers. He's not scared of any of these Ozark mountain animals who want to steal his food and camp out on the porch. He even growls and stares down the foxes!

It's important to me to keep him strong and healthy. Choosing which food to buy is simple with 100% complete and balanced nutritious Muse, especially if you're looking for a quality natural food for your cat. Taste is key with Purina Muse® Natural Cat Food--your cat will gladly clean her plate! Varieties of wet recipes include Chowder, Broth, Gravy, Paté, and some with Toppers. All are made with real fish or poultry and contain no colors, preservatives, or artificial flavors. 

Purina Muse® Natural Cat Food is only available at PetSmart. There are 30 delicious recipes to choose from with 24 grain-free varieties. Make sure to grab a coupon before you go!

I like giving O'Neill a variety of flavors to enjoy. I wouldn't want to eat the same thing every single day so I like to change it up for him, too. He loves wet food over dry food so he got pretty excited when he saw these three cans I'd bought him.

With Muse you don’t have to choose between natural nutrition and food that tastes great. Your cat can have both when you choose Muse. Natural has never been so delicious. Put Muse to the test with our clean plate guarantee. How do you keep your cat happy and healthy? Let me know in the comments below!

Creamy Cucumber Bacon Salad #GameTimeClean #ad #cbias

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

Fall is in full swing and it's time to break out the comfort food! I love making warm and hearty dinners for my family when it's chilly out. Still, sometimes it's nice to set off the rich and meaty with something cool and refreshing. That's what this Creamy Cucumber Salad is---crisp, fresh, and full of zesty flavor. Fall is also the season for game time and this salad is an excellent tailgating take along. You can make it ahead of time and it's easy to transport in a covered container.

My whole family loved this salad when I served it last night and Jamie said he was excited for lunch time today so he can enjoy some leftovers! It was super easy to prepare and clean up was simple with Viva Vantage paper towels. I tend to have really sensitive skin so lots of water irritates it. I love using paper towels during cooking because I can use them to mop up messes during the prep process and then wash the counters once at the end with soap and water. These ones are cloth-like; soft and strong and textured so they scrub well without ripping.

I found this 6-pack of Viva Vantage paper towels at Walmart in the paper products section of the grocery side. This pack is a great size for our large family. 

I love using these high-quality, super absorbent paper towels for soaking up bacon grease. After this bacon drained, I lifted the towel and the plate below was dry. I love that!

For this recipe, I removed the seeds and excess juice from the tomatoes to keep the salad from getting soggy. The towel captured all the juice, leaving me with no mess.

Creamy Cucumber Bacon Salad

3 cucumbers

2 large tomatoes

6 slices of bacon

1/2 c. mayonnaise

2 TB. horseradish mustard

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

salt & pepper, to taste

Fry the bacon and set on a paper towel to cool. Slice the cucumbers, tomatoes, and bacon into bite-sized pieces. Whisk mayo, mustard, and seasonings in a separate bowl, then mix in with the cut ingredients. Stir well and chill until you're ready to serve.

If you're looking for easy clean up from a strong paper towel, give Viva Vantage paper towels a try. What are some of your favorite tailgating and potluck dishes? Let me know in the comments below!

Super Simple Smoky BBQ Chicken Pot Pie #FullnRichFlavor #Pmedia #ad

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group®, Birds Eye®, and Farm Rich® but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #FullnRichFlavor  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

With our busy schedules, it can sometimes seem like a deliciously flavored dinner is trumped by the quickest and easiest solution. I'm excited to share one of our family's favorite simple homemade meals, made with a couple of great products from Birds Eye and Farm Rich® Smokehouse. Whether you're strapped for time or have all afternoon to put together dinner, you'll love this smoky homemade pot pie!  

I found Farm Rich® Smokehouse Dry Rub Smoked Chicken and Birds Eye Barbecue Sweet Corn at Walmart in the freezer section. There are lots of flavors of both products to choose from. I love that these are already flavored for me. That's one less step and a few less ingredients I have to worry about on a busy night.

For a limited time, earn $0.75 on Birds Eye Vegetables and unlock $1.00 off one Farm Rich® Smokehouse product with Ibotta, while supplies last. If you haven’t used Ibotta, first download the app available on iOS and Android. Before you shop, be sure to unlock the rebates for both Birds Eye Vegetables and Farm Rich® Smokehouse. Then, shop! Buy the products that you’ve unlocked at major retailers. Finally, verify your purchase by scanning your barcodes and submitting a photo of your receipt!

I've been making various versions of this chicken pot pie for several years and it's always a hit. This recipe makes two pie pans but the filling freezes well. If two pies are too much for one dinner at your house, make one for now and save one for another busy week night! Just be sure to freeze only the filling portion and then continue on with the crust instructions on the night you plan to bake it.

I started by pouring my corn and peas into a bowl to partially thaw on the counter while I cooked the chicken. This ensures they're nice and hot when the pie is finished baking. If you'd like to prepare this corn as a side dish, you can steam it right in the bag in your microwave.

After the chicken was finished cooking, I mixed it in with the vegetables and some grated pepper jack cheese. Then I mixed in the soup and poured into the prepared pans. I topped it with the crust batter and let it bake.

This delicious Smoky BBQ Chicken Pot Pie is a great meal for any evening, but we especially love it on cool autumn evenings. This is comfort food at its best!

Smoky BBQ Chicken Pot Pie

Filling:

16 oz. Farm Rich® Smokehouse Dry Rub Smoked Chicken

10 oz. Birds Eye Barbecue Sweet Corn

12 oz. frozen peas

8 oz. shredded pepper jack cheese

26 oz. can condensed cream of chicken soup

Crust:

2 c. flour

3/4 tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking soda

2 TB melted butter

4 eggs

2 c. milk

Preheat oven to 375º. Pour the frozen corn and peas into a bowl to partially thaw on the counter. Bake the chicken according to package directions. When chicken is done, add to the bowl with the vegetables, and stir in cheese and soup. Pour mixture into two pie pans, 1 13x9 pan, or individual ramekins. In a separate bowl, mix dry crust ingredients. Pour wet ingredients into the bowl you mixed the filling in and whisk until mixed well. Add to dry ingredients, stir well, and pour on top of filling. Bake, uncovered, for about 30 minutes until the batter puffs up and turns golden brown.