A,B,C's Life's Lessons on Counting your Blessings

A ~ B ~ C ............Life's Lessons on Counting your Blessings

May your day be filled with A ~ Z....................Pay it forward!

Ready To Get Organized This Year?

Coming Soon To A Blog You Know.....Conquer Your Clutter!! January 25-30 2017

I know what it’s like to feel that getting organized shouldn’t be so hard, and the answer definitely isn’t to keep wasting money on more storage containers or pricey planners, either!
But what if you could learn from a group of organizing gurus all at once — regular people who’ve found practical solutions to their everyday struggles, and want to share their best tips and tactics with you in all the areas you find most challenging?
Because when you have the right info and tools at your fingertips, it’s so much easier. You know which papers to keep (and which should immediately be thrown away). You’re more confident in saying no to the things on your calendar that don’t matter (and yes to the things that do). You start learning the difference between what you really need and what will just add to the clutter to your home. You feel less stressed (and you’ll probably enjoy life more, too).
That’s why Stephanie and her team have put together the Conquer Your Clutter Super Bundle for the very first time. Their customers have been begging for help with streamlining their lives. The answer was this super-short opportunity to get a complete collection of organizational resources for a crazy low price.
You sort of need to see it to believe it, but the package includes 38 digital products on topics like how to organize your photos, decluttering, family systems, meal planning, time management, and much more. All together, it’s worth over $650!
Plus, it comes with two brilliant bonus offers worth over $40:

 

 

Bookmark this page so you can return on January 25th and get your Super Bundle! I will post more information and a Buy Now button closer to the January 25th date so don't worry,I don't want you to miss this one!
The Countdown is on to the Conquer Clutter Super Bundle-- begins January 25th 12am
 

 

Got Soup? Panera Bread Potato Soup.... So Good

Copy Cat Recipe: Panera Bread Potato Soup

This stuff is delicious! I have been looking for a good copy cat recipe and I found one to use, link below. Perfect for this weekend since we have snow and ice, it's cold and my family will appreciate a warm cup of soup with some warm bread. Try it, it will not disappoint.

Here’s the Panera Bread potato soup recipe written out:

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 cups peeled and cubed potatoes
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 2 cloves of garlic
• ½ teaspoon seasoning salt
• ½  teaspoon of paprika
• ¼ teaspoon white pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground red pepper (I leave this out, but great if you like more spicy!)
• 
  

• 1. Combine broth, potatoes, garlic, and spices.
• 2. Boil on medium heat until potatoes are tender.
• 3. Smash a few of the potatoes to release their starch for thickening.
  4. Reduce to low heat.
  5. Add cream cheese.
  6. Heat, stirring frequently, until cheese melts.

Read more at http://manouvellemode.com/2012/01/26/copy-cat-panera-bread-potato-soup/#iYtmmWxogMgUBrW3.99

Enjoy, stay home and stay safe this weekend

Finish Each Day and Be Done With It.....Learning How To Love You #love

 We are nearing February, the month of #Love, for me it will be the one year anniversary of my mother's death. The last year has been a challenge for me, as I already suffer from chronic depression problems. I am slowly learning to love myself again and have been struggling to accept my life as it is now and move on. Join me for several posts about depression and how I have dealt with the crippling grip it can have on your life.

Finish Every Day and Be Done With It
You have done what you could
Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in;
Forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a New Day;
You Shall Begin It serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense

"Ralph Waldo Emerson" 

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Quote Of The Day: Laughter

Laughter is the best medicine, make a point to laugh daily.

 

Global Effort and Giving Back [infographic] #atozchallenge

Global Effort and Giving Back 

Do you give back? Do you teach your children how to give back to others? why or why not? That has to be on of the single most important task we as parents I feel have been assigned to us, teaching our kids how to respect others people and give back to others. I bet you will find in households with kids who misbehave, act out or disrespect authority, parents that do not respect other people or give back to others themselves. Setting an example early on, even as infants, will instill an attitude of giving and respect that will follow your kids later in life and help them far more than you think.
How do you teach them to give back? Easy, show them by doing it yourself! Volunteer, deliver meals, donate to local charities, collect toys for tots, give away toys and clothes to the less fortunate, donate can foods to local food banks, take homemade cookies to a local neighborhood senior, show acts of kindness with your kids helping ( we love to to these all the time).
Share some of your giving back ideas in our comments, we love to hear them!

I love the infographic below that shows some giving back from major companies! A Global effort to help the world we live in. We studied this today and wanted to share it.

Confessions of a Homeschool Mom #atozchallenge

Confessions : Oh My 







Boy do I hate confessionals, but they are not so bad since I have accepted the fact that I am not a perfect mom, never will be. When I had my first child some 19 years ago, I thought I had to be perfect. I scoured the floors with a toothbrush practically, my house was always so clean. Until one day my smiling happy baby boy crawled over my pristine clean kitchen floor and ate a dead fly. I cried and thought I was going to poison him because he ate that poisonous carcass. He looked up at me smiling lovingly

.... laughing at me with a semi-toothless grin and said "momma play". That was when I knew that being perfect was not the answer, providing him lots of love and attention was all he needed. The time I spent scrubbing that darn floor could have been better spent playing with him. As mothers we get so caught up in worrying about what others think about us, how we parent, how our children look, how they act and so on......
In reality God gives us these blessings and he gives us the tools and wisdom to know their every need, want, and desire as infants, children and as they grow. Seeking His guidance should be all you need as a mom, not the guidance or approval of others. Praying daily for you children makes a huge difference in your relationship with them, try it!

Back to my Confessions of a Homeschool Mom (since I got off track a bit there) :

• I am not perfect (and never will be)
• I am not the supermom you think I am (nope, just a mom like you)
• I sleep til after lunch some days ( ha ha, since I can) 
• I stay up way to late at night since I can't get anything done when kids are up
• My kids sleep late almost everyday (and stay up way too late)
• My house is a disaster zone  (bet your house is a mess too)
• My dust bunnies have orgies at night and party all night long
• Some Days we play all day instead of doing school (so what)
• I am impatient at times ( most all the time anymore)
• I am an organized wanna be mom ( I want to be organized and try but fail)
• I watch episodes of "Hoarders" to motivate myself to clean 
• I hate laundry folding and would rather make the kids do it
• I make my daughter empty the dishwasher because I hate that chore too
• I spend way too much time online (and so do my kids)
• I have a huge book fetish and can't give them up --even the little baby books
• I have ADHD most likely too.........Squirrel!!
• I have depression and yes I take medication now ( its ok)
• If I did not take my medication, I might just smother my husband in his sleep (just kidding---maybe)
• I have been known to secretly hide Pepperidge Farm cookies and not share (oh my)
• Some times on Facebook, I would like to ask friends if they have a life besides sharing pictures all day long.....ohh did I say that.
• Yes, I slept with and married one of my ER patients ( the one I want to smother at night--lol) 
• Lesson plans, who uses those? I teach by the seat of my pants (but my kids learn just fine)
• I am the worst record keeper (in a box it goes...at least I keep them) 

Yes homeschool moms can be imperfect, but our house is a house of love, care and understanding. Kids are learning life skills every day and growing in knowledge. Thats all that really matters. 

Homeschool Health & Science: Soda's Evil Twin

We are learning how to eat cleaner, read labels, cut out sugars and how big business markets soda and fruit juice's. Teaching kids now will lead to good choices in life.

Source: a-health-blog.com via Health on Pinterest

Leslie

Have a blessed day at your house.

Tuesday Tips~~ Laundry Cheat Sheet

Hello Tuesday, how about lets do some laundry today with this Homemade Cheat sheet for your favorite laundry products. Check out  Jillee HERE for more great printables for your home.
What is your favorite homemade laundry product, do you make your own or buy off the shelf?

                                                                   Source: onegoodthingbyjillee.com via Jillee on Pinterest

A Berry Sweet and Baked Day~

 

This recipe can be redone in a variety of ways, try blackberries or rasberries maybe? I like almond milk, but have used coconut milk before. Greek yogurt is so much higher in protein, and adds to the smoothie consistency. Play around with your smoothie to make a healthy snack for yourself or your family, kids love the color.

Blueberry Boysenberry Smoothie

• 1 cup milk of choice (I used unsweetened almond milk)
• 1/3 cup plain greek yogurt
• 2/3 cup frozen wild blueberries
• 1/3 cup frozen boysenberries
• 1 Tbsp chia seeds
• 2 Tbsp old fashion oats
• 2 tsp honey

Puree all ingredients in a blender and enjoy!

Recipe credit to http://www.tasteofhealthygoodness.com/2012/02/snack_attack/#

This delicious treat can be made Sunday night and then eaten all week long as breakfast. Just cut a piece and heat up. What a mommy timesaver! Yummy and healthy.

Blueberry Baked Oatmeal

adapted by The Curvy Carrot
from Super Natural Every Day by Heidi Swanson
via Annie's Eats
makes 6 servings
nutritional value will vary depending on the fruit and ingredients you use

ingredients:

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, divided
1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup maple syrup (I used sugar free)
1 cup milk (I used skim)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2-3 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced
1 cup blueberries or raspberries, fresh or frozen, divided

directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375F.

2. Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish. In a medium bowl, mix the oats, half of the walnuts, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine. In a liquid measuring cup, combine the syrup, milk, egg, butter, and vanilla.

3. Spread the sliced bananas in a single layer over the bottom of the baking dish. Top with half of the berries. Sprinkle the dry oat mixture over the fruit in an even layer. Pour the liquid ingredients evenly over the oats.

4. Sprinkle the remaining nuts and berries over the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the top is browned and the oats have set. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe and photo credit: http://www.sohowsittaste.com/2012/06/blueberry-raspberry-baked-oatmeal.html

Enjoy and have a Berry sweet day today!

 

 

The Motherhood: my secret weapon

In What State are you trying to survive? Here are our local chapters located in states listed, find your place to call home. Lets help each other out this year through this journey called surviving motherhood.

The Mommies Network currently operates local chapters in 32 states. We have 21,882 active members network-wide.

For those moms who do not have a local chapter in their community, we welcome you to join the National Chapter.

Find Your Local Chapter:

TMN Chapters by State
• Alabama
  • BirminghamMommiesserving Jefferson and Shelby County
• Arizona
  • PhoenixMommiesserving Phoenix and surrounding areas of Maricopa County
• Arkansas
  • LittleRockMommiesserving the greater Little Rock area
• California
  • NorCalMommiesserving Northern California from South Valley California north to the Oregon border
  • OceansideMommiesserving Oceanside, Carlsbad and Vista, including Camp Pendleton
  • SantaBarbaraMommiesserving Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties
  • SCValleyMommiesserving Santa Clarita Valley and surrounding areas
  • SLOCountyMommiesserving San Luis Obispo County
• Colorado
  • ColoradoSpringsMommiesserving Colorado Springs
• District of Columbia
  • NorthMetroDCMommiesserving Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties and surrounding areas
  • NoVaMommiesserving Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Arlington Counties and surrounding areas
• Florida
  • FortLauderdaleMommiesserving Broward County
  • JacksonvilleMommiesserving Jacksonville
  • KeyWestMommiesserving Key West and the Lower Keys
  • SEGeorgiaMommiesserving Camden, Brantley, Glynn, Wayne, and Charlton counties in Georgia, and Nassau county in Florida
  • SWFloridaMommiesserving Lee and Collier Counties
  • TampaMommiesserving Hillsborough and southern Pasco Counties
• Georgia
  • AtlantaAreaMommiesserving Atlanta and surrounding areas (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Cherokee, Paulding, and Bartow counties)
  • ForsythMommiesserving Forsyth County
  • GwinnettAreaMommiesserving Gwinnett, Barrow, Walton, Hall, Clarke, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Madison, and Jackson Counties
  • SEGeorgiaMommiesserving Camden, Brantley, Glynn, Wayne, and Charlton counties in Georgia, and Nassau county in Florida
• Illinois
  • StLouisMommiesserving the greater St. Louis area
• Indiana
  • CincinnatiMommiesserving Cincinnati and surrounding areas
  • IndyMommiesserving Indianapolis and Lafayette area
  • LouisvilleMommiesserving Louisville and surrounding areas
• Kansas
  • KCMommiesserving Kansas City and surrounding areas
• Kentucky
  • CincinnatiMommiesserving Cincinnati and surrounding areas
  • LouisvilleMommiesserving Louisville and surrounding areas
• Maryland
  • BaltimoreMommiesserving Baltimore, Howard, Eastern Carroll and Northern Anne Arundel Counties
  • ChesapeakeMommiesserving Harford and Cecil Counties
  • FrederickMommiesserving Frederick, Washington and Western Carroll Counties
  • NorthMetroDCMommiesserving Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties
• Massachusetts
  • MerrimackValleyMommiesserving areas around Concord and Manchester, including northern Mass
• Michigan
  • NWMichiganMommiesserving Antrim, Charlevoix, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska & Leelanau Counties
  • ToledoAreaMommiesserving greater Monroe, Michigan and greater Toledo.
• Missouri
  • KCMommiesserving Kansas City and surrounding areas
  • StLouisMommiesserving the greater St. Louis area
• Nebraska
  • MyOmahaMommiesserving Omaha and surrounding areas
• Nevada
  • VegasMommiesserving Las Vegas
• New Hampshire
  • MerrimackValleyMommiesserving areas around Concord and Manchester, including northern Mass
• New York
  • BuffaloMommiesserving Buffalo and surrounding areas
  • HudsonValleyMommiesserving Mid-Hudson Valley Area (Ulster, Dutchess, Columbia, Putnam and Orange Counties)
  • RochesterMommiesserving Rochester and surrounding areas
  • SaratogaCountyMommiesserving Saratoga County
• North Carolina
  • AlamanceMommiesserving Alamance, Caswell, Western Orange, Person and Granville Counties
  • AshevilleMommiesserving Buncombe County
  • CentralFoothillsMommiesserving Alexander, Catawba, Burke,Caldwell & Iredell Counties
  • CentralPiedmontMommiesserving Rowan, Cabarrus and Stanly Counties
  • CharlotteMommiesserving Charlotte, Pineville, Matthews and Mint Hill
  • CrystalCoastMommiesserving Carteret, Onslow, Jones and Craven Counties
  • FayettevilleMommiesserving Sandhills area: Cumberland, Hoke, Harnett, Moore, Lee, and Chatham Counties
  • GreenvilleMommiesserving the Greenville area including Pitt, Martin, Lenoir and Greene Counties
  • HighCountryMommiesserving Ashe, Avery, and Watauga Counties
  • JohnstonMommiesserving Johnston and Northeast Harnett Counties
  • LakeNormanMommiesserving the Lake Norman Area
  • NorthPiedmontMommiesserving Davidson, Davie, and Randolph Counties
  • SWPiedmontMommiesserving Gaston, Cleveland and Lincoln Counties
  • TriadMommiesserving Guilford, Forsyth, Stokes, and Rockingham Counties
  • TriangleMommiesserving Durham, Wake and Eastern Orange counties
  • UnionCountyMommiesserving Union and Anson Counties
  • WilmingtonMommiesserving Wilmington and surrounding areas
• Ohio
  • CincinnatiMommiesserving Cincinnati and surrounding areas
  • ClevelandMommiesserving Cleveland
  • ColumbusOHMommiesserving Franklin, Delaware, Licking, and Fairfield Counties
  • ToledoAreaMommiesserving greater Monroe, Michigan and greater Toledo
• Oregon
  • PortlandMetroMommiesserving Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas Counties
• Pennsylvania
  • BuxmontMommiesserving Bucks and Montgomery Counties
• South Carolina
  • CharlestonMommiesserving Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties
  • UpstateSCMommiesserving Greenville and Spartanburg Counties
  • YorkCountyMommiesserving York County
• Tennessee
  • ClarksvilleMommiesserving Montgomery County
  • KnoxvilleMommiesserving Knoxville and surrounding areas
• Texas
  • CentralTexasMommiesserving Central Texas including Austin, Fort Hood, and San Antonio areas
  • ElPasoMommiesserving Greater El Paso Region
  • HoustonAreaMommiesserving Houston and surrounding areas
  • MidessaMommiesserving Midland, Odessa and surrounding areas
  • NorthDallasMommiesserving Collin and Denton Counties
• Utah
  • SaltLakeCityMommiesserving Salt Lake, Davis, and Utah Counties
• Virginia
  • FredericksburgMommiesserving Stafford, King George, Westmoreland, Spotsylvania and Caroline Counties
  • HamptonRoadsMommiesserving southside of Hampton Roads
  • LynchburgMommiesserving Appomattox, Amherst, Bedford and Campbell Counties
  • NoVaMommiesserving Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Arlington Counties
  • PeninsulaMommiesserving Peninsula Area of Hampton Roads
  • RichmondMommiesserving Richmond and surrounding areas
• Washington
  • KitsapMommiesserving San Juan Islands and Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Pierce Counties
• West Virginia
  • CharlestonWVMommiesserving Kanawha, Putnam, and other southern WV counties
• Wisconsin
  • MilwaukeeMommiesserving Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties

Welcome to the best support network for moms, hands down!

That's my secret weapon, my local chapter here in North Carolina is http://centralfoothillsmommies.com, I have been a member since 2007. The support and long term friendships I have built are priceless. It's we're I go online to start and end my day, many times throughout the day.
Find your secret weapon today!