Do You Need Help?, Well Help Is Here!.... #homemakers #moms #parenting #overwhelmed

Dear Homemaker,
Are the inmates running the asylum?
I hear you. Sometimes I look around my house and wonder how things got so out of hand.
When I was a little girl, I dreamed about getting married, becoming a mommy, and having my own home.
I imagined a home that was more than just 4 walls, a roof, and a mortgage.
I wanted to make a special place that was a magical mash-up of:

• a school,
• a playground,
• a refuge,
• a boo-boo “fix it” station,
• a “you can do it” pep rally, and
• a safe place for personal expression, sharing and growth.

And then real life happened…
…laundry, diapers, stretch marks, and never-ending meal prep… money worries, gritty floors, soap scum, and the stain that won’t come out of my son’s favorite shirt… holiday stress, and teaching my daughter to read (and master long division)… a husband who works long hours (or maybe does not), a kid with the sniffles, stomach aches and a fever… and a secret dream to run my own little business from home.
And that’s why Erin and Stephanie created the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle… because as rewarding as it is, homemaking is hard work and it doesn't always come easily.

I can’t wait to tell you all about it!

To help you nurture the beauty and productivity in your home and family relationships with proven, simple, and effective tools that really give you a boost as a homemaker – help, inspiration, tips, encouragement, resources at your fingertips…

… the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle is just for you.
It is a complete library of carefully selected eBooks, eCourses, audios, online conferences, and printable packs designed to help you turn your house into a home… without all the overwhelm.

What’s in the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle?

The first step in putting together this collection was to find the critical homemaking skills that you need to transform your house into a home.
Here they are:

• Cleaning… create a healthy, toxin-free home
• DIY/Homemade… fun and frugal ways to express your personal style
• Devotionals and Faith… take a break from the daily grind to renew yourself
• Finances… build a budget that works
• Cooking and Meal Planning… serve easier, tastier meals in less time
• Holidays and Special Events… brighten up old family traditions and create new
• Homeschooling… homeschool with grace and ease
• Marriage… heat up your marriage
• Motherhood… find peace, balance & joy in mothering
• Organizing… conquer the clutter and simplify your life
• Pregnancy and Babies… enjoy a healthy pregnancy and prepare to nurture your baby
• Health and Wellness… soothe aches & pains with natural remedies
• Working from Home… hone your talents, live your passions and earn money to help your family

… a complete library of 99 eBooks and eCourses to help you nurture the beauty and productivity in your home and family relationships.

Are there too many books in the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle?

Let me ask you a question.
Have you ever taken your family out for a buffet dinner… and then been disappointed when you couldn’t eat every single morsel on display?
Of course not!
Sure. There’s that first, breath-taking moment when you see and hear and smell the amazing meal spread before you… and you think, “Where will I even start?”
But that’s the thing… because you do start… with something.
Maybe it’s a tender flaky biscuit, or a piece of delicious roast beef, or maybe you’re like me and start with a piece of pie (mmm, blueberry or apple with whipped cream)?
So relax, enjoy, and start anywhere you like. Come back to the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle “buffet” as many times as you like. It’s all here for you.

Is the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle worth it?

In a word… yes!
To be absolutely certain, Erin and Stephanie asked questions, tried techniques and just about drove themselves crazy making sure that the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle was the very best homemaking resource anywhere.
They dug through hundreds of websites and connected with dozens of authors and teachers.
And then we all worked together to make these resources the most affordable possible.

And They Were Delighted to Help…

The result? This collection is a fraction of the price of what someone would pay for each resource individually!

For a short time, the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle… a complete library of:

• 76 eBooks
• 6 eCourses
• 1 audio download
• 2 online conferences, and
• 14 printable packs

…99 carefully selected resources designed to help you nurture the beauty and productivity in your home and family relationships… is only $29.97. (A total value of $984.74.)
That breaks down to 30 cents per book.

Your 30-Day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee

If for any reason, you decide that the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle is not for you, then please send an email to customerservice@Ultimate-Bundles.com and we will refund 100% of your investment. No questions asked.

Don’t Forget the Bonuses…

Of course, no Ultimate Homemaking Bundle would be complete without the generous, inspiring gifts donated by companies that understand homemakers like you. Every gift is yours to keep and enjoy.

• Choose 1 FREE Online Class from Craftsy (Select from 24 of Their Most Popular Classes – Up to $60 Value)
• 1 FREE Kids Discovery Box from Green Kid Crafts ($19.95 Value)
• FREE $15 Credit to Hope Ink PLUS 2 FREE 8×10 Art Prints ($71 Value)
• FREE 90-Day “Good Deal” Subscription to She Plans Dinner ($15 Value)
• Choose 1 FREE Stylish Spring Scarf from Deborah & Co. ($20 Value)
• FREE $80 Healthy Moving Class Credit ($80 Value)
• FREE 90-Day Pro Membership to ListPlanIt ($30 Value)
• FREE 65 Tyndale Rewards Points to Be Used for a FREE Book or Towards Any Book of Your Choice ($15 Value)

Now It’s Your Turn

I think Laura Ingalls Wilder said it best…
“Just as a little thread of gold, running through a fabric, brightens the whole garment, so women’s work at home, while only the doing of little things, is just like the golden gleam of sunlight that runs through and brightens the whole fabric of civilization.”
The proven, simple, and effective skills you need to transform your house into a home are all waiting for you in the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle.
This is your chance to get all the love, support, guidance and inspiration you need to nurture the beauty and productivity in your home and family relationships with proven, simple, and effective tools that really give you a boost as a homemaker.

But time is running out! The Ultimate Homemaking Bundle will only be available from 8:00 a.m. EST on Monday, April 20 until 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, April 27.

 

After that, the shopping cart closes and the deeply discounted price is gone.
Act now!

Click here for more info or to buy now.

Best wishes and happy homemaking!

Read the fine print about this bundle and read the answers to frequently asked questions about the bundle.

I do receive a monetary commission (that helps my family)from each purchase, see my disclosure policy for more information.

I am in love with this awesome bundle!! ordering mine right now! I can't believe it's only $29.97, wow!

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" 

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRY DAY

National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day – January 3

Recognized by the National Confectioners Association and celebrated by millions of people across the country, January 3rd is National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day.

It is almost impossible to eat just one of these chocolate covered cherry candies that have combined two favorite flavors into one delicious treat. The candy often times is made with a sweet liquid center and in some cases has a liquor filling center.

Known to many as a “mid winter pick-me-up” chocolate covered cherries, also called chocolate cordials, can be either store-bought or homemade. There are also many recipes that mimic the flavor of the long known and well loved candy.

In the 1700′s in England, cherries were enclosed in chocolate with a little kirsch (cordial) liqueur. After finding their way to America, they were well accepted with the little bit of alcoholic cordial surrounding the fruit that had been dipped in chocolate. Although originally made with the liqueur, cordials/chocolate covered cherries are more commonly made with a sugar syrup flavored with cherries. The pitted cherries that are used have been cooked in sugar syrup and jarred.

Enjoy your day sharing some chocolate covered cherries with your friends and try one of the following “tried and true” recipes:

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chocolate-covered-cherries

http://www.food.com/recipe/chocolate-covered-cherry-cake-69460

http://www.food.com/recipe/chocolate-covered-cherry-fudge-148285

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chocolate-covered-cherry-cookies

I can recall eating these yummy treats at Christmas when I was a child, can't wait to make them myself. I really never thought about making them at home, just bought them at the store. The cookie recipe looks divine, I might try that first.....mmmmmm.

Going to order many of my baking supplies from Soap.com, have you ever tried them?
Here is a coupon for you.
Save 15% Off Your First Order at Soap.com. Enter Code: SOAPAFF15 (Max Discount $15)

Code: SOAPAFF15

Santa Bread, Warm Yummy Golden Goodness

Golden Delicious Santa Bread!

I saw this recipe on a facebook post and thought is was super cute and easy to make for a holiday get together. I like the Quick Tip below, but some of you might be avid bread makers. Enjoy! 

Ingredients:
4 to 4-1/2 cups bread flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup butter, cubed
2 eggs
2 raisins
2 egg yolks
2 to 3 drops red food coloring

**Quick Tip: Instead of stirring up homemade dough, start with 2 loaves of purchased frozen bread dough and turn them onto a lightly floured surface. Take a small portion of one loaf and add it to the other loaf, making it slightly larger. Then begin shaping the Santa with the dough following the previous instructions.**

Instructions:
You will need a large bowl.

Combine 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt.
Heat the milk, water and butter to 120°-130° in a small saucepan.
Add to dry ingredients. You need to beat just until moistened.
Beat in the eggs until smooth.
Stir the remaining flour in to form a stiff dough.
Turn onto a floured surface.
Knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top.
Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Turn onto a lightly floured surface.
Divide into two portions, one slightly larger than the other.
Shape the larger portion into an elongated triangle with rounded corners for Santa’s head and hat.
Divide the smaller portion in two halves.
Shape and flatten one half into a beard.
Using scissors or a pizza cutter, cut into strips to within 1 in. of top.
Position on Santa’s face. Now twist and curl strips if desired.
Use the remaining dough for the mustache, nose, hat pom-pom and brim. Shape a portion of dough into a mustache.
Flatten and cut the ends into small strips with scissors.
Place above beard.
Place a small ball above mustache for nose.
Fold the tip of hat over and add another ball for pom-pom.
Roll out a narrow piece of dough to create a hat brim; position it under the hat.
With a scissors, cut two slits for the eyes and after that insert raisins into the slits.
In separate small bowls, beat each egg yolk.
Add red food coloring to one yolk; carefully brush over the hat, the nose and the cheeks.
Brush the plain yolk over the remaining dough.
Cover loosely with foil. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes.
Uncover; bake 10-12 minutes longer or until golden brown.

Source: tasteofhome.com

Top Pet Safety Tips This Halloween : Learn With Us

Great information from PetMD.com :

Halloween can be a festive and fun time for children and families. But for pets? Let's face it, it can be a downright nightmare. Forgo the stress and dangers this year by following these 10 easy tips.

1. Trick-or-treat candies are not for pets.

All forms of chocolate -- especially baking or dark chocolate -- can be dangerous, even lethal, for dogs and cats. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning may include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures. Halloween candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar and subsequent loss of coordination and seizures. And while xylitol toxicity in cats has yet to be established, it's better to be safe than sorry.

2. Don't leave pets out in the yard on Halloween.

Surprisingly, vicious pranksters have been known to tease, injure, steal, and even kill pets on Halloween night. Inexcusable? Yes! But preventable nonetheless.

3. Keep pets confined and away from the door.

Not only will your door be constantly opening and closing on Halloween, but strangers will be dressed in unusual costumes and yelling loudly for their candy. This, of course, is scary for our furry friends. Dogs are especially territorial and may become anxious and growl at innocent trick-or-treaters. Putting your dog or cat in a secure room away from the front door will also prevent them from darting outside into the night … a night when no one wants to be searching for a lost loved one.

4. Keep your outdoor cats inside several days before and several days after Halloween.

Black cats are especially at risk from pranks or other cruelty-related incidents. In fact, many shelters do not adopt out black cats during the month of October as a safety precaution.

5. Keep Halloween plants such as pumpkins and corn out of reach.

Although they are relatively nontoxic, such plants can induce gastrointestinal upset should your pets ingest them in large quantities. Intestinal blockage can even occur if large pieces are swallowed. And speaking of pumpkins …

6. Don't keep lit pumpkins around pets.

Should they get too close, they run the risk of burning themselves or knocking it over and causing a fire.

7. Keep wires and electric light cords out of reach.

If chewed, your pet could cut himself or herself on shards of glass or plastic, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

8. Don't dress your pet in a costume unless you know they'll love it.

If you do decide that Fido or Kitty needs a costume, make sure it isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict movement, hearing, or the ability to breathe or bark and meow.

9. Try on pet costumes before the big night.

If they seem distressed, allergic, or show abnormal behavior, consider letting them go in their “birthday suit”. Festive bandanas usually work for party poopers, too.

10. IDs, please!

If your dog or cat should escape and become lost, having the proper identification will increase the chances that they will be returned. Just make sure the information is up-to-date, even if your pet does have one of those fancy-schmancy embedded microchips.

 

We love our furbabies and wanted to learn more about taking care of them at Halloween, thank you for learning too!

 

 

Quote Of The Day: HOPE September 10th

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day 2013~~

Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, believe me I know first hand that it will not fix the problem. As a survivor of several suicide attempts when I was younger, and a woman living with depression for many years now, I can tell you that it will solve nothing. The number one cause of suicide is untreated depression, there is hope! Treatment can make your life feel real again. Much of your suffering is unnecessary. If you or a friend of yours is thinking of ending the pain, it is not a secret to keep. Help is just a call away

1-800-784-2433

1-800 -Suicide

 

 

Keep communication open with your kids and spouse, educate yourself about signs and symptoms of depression and suicidal ideations. It might just save a life.

 

Quote Of The Day: Saturday Happiness

Has anyone ever left you alone to make you happy?

Quote Of The Day: Friday Nuts

How many nuts do you claim? Most days I feel like the only nut in a sea of sweet and sour swirling around me.

Doing Laundry: Where is that darn Laundry Fairy?

I think out of all my mommy jobs at home the laundry has to be one chore I hate the most. What about you? The laundry fairy has let me down so many times over. That pile of socks, towels and underwear seems to reproduce nightly. Even with some of the most up to date washers and dryers in my laundry room, the laundry fairy just can't get the job done. Sometimes she just needs some help. Just where is that darn laundry fairy at anyhow??

Make your own laundry soap with this recipe that works great and saves a great deal of money yearly:

Homemade Laundry Soap:

{find all ingredients at Walmart or order online at Amazon}

Ingredients

• 1 cup Borax
• 1 cup Super Washing Soda
• 1 Bar Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar Soap

Instructions

1. - Grate a bar of soap onto a plate with a cheese grater. Then add all the shavings to pot of water on the stove. Stir continually over medium heat until your soap fully dissolves.
2. - Next, fill a 5 gallon bucket ½ full of hot water from the sink. Then add in your melted soap from the pot on the stove, plus Borax, and washing soda.
3. Stir well until all powder is dissolved {My kids love to help me stir. Use extreme caution though b/c it’s boiling hot!}
4. Fill the remaining space in the bucket to top with additional hot water from the sink. Stir all the ingredients in the bucket well.
5. Fill an empty laundry jug ½ full with the result of this concentrated recipe. Next, fill the remaining space in your laundry jug with water. This recipe will gel. Shake before each use. (will gel)
6. -Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
7. Enjoy!

Just Do It! Homeschool Them! #atozchallenge

So you feel the tug on your heart to homeschool you kids? Maybe for several years now you have thought about it, prayed about it, almost started to do it and something held you back.

I am telling you now Just Do It!

You will be blessed and your family bond will grow stronger. It is not an easy road, and you will face days that are frustrating, tearful and gut wrenching. But, joy, laughter and raising lifelong learners will overshadow all the bad days.

I started out trying to resist the direction that God was leading our family's life. For at least 3 years I felt that God was leading me down the homeschool path, but I refused to listen to his call. We tried private Christian schools (2 different ones) and I started to realize, as our 3rd child came along, that paying for an education when I could do the exact same thing at home was just not making much sense.

We embarked on a homeschool journey, taking a leap of faith and trusting God to lead and guide our education. We have been so blessed because we followed God's will for our family.

So if you are feeling that pull, like something is missing from you children's education, maybe some prayerful time with The Lord will lead you down the path you are seeking.

 

 

 

February is National Wild Bird Feeding Month~ taking care of our feathered friends

My girls this week have been busy feeding our bird friends and a few squirrels in the learning process. We have saved and recycled with some of these cool ideas. As a homeschool of course it is a month to learn.
                    
Celebrate the wonder and joy of our feathered friends by celebrating National Wild Bird Feeding Month! Unlike a lot of special days, this holiday is actually official. In 1994, Congress proclaimed February as National Bird Feeding Month to encourage people to feed, water and provide shelter for wild birds, especially during the winter months. Get your kids together and make your own homemade bird feeder crafts with these great ideas!

From http://funfamilycrafts.com/tag/bird-feeder/


                         

Simple wire and cereal feeder, shape into hearts or any form you wish, add some ribbon and hang up.

                             


Cut and hollow out oranges into halves, punch 3-4 holes evenly around the "cup" string twine to hang, fill with favorite seed mix. We also used apples cut in halve and covered with peanut butter, then dipped into sunflower seeds.

    

A unique pumpkin feeder is created easily with small pumpkins or gourds halved and cleaned out inside. Use twine to string up, place the leftover pumpkin seeds inserted into the flesh around the edges I think adds a neat touch and seeds for them to eat.

Recycle your cans into cute and colorful bird nesting or bird feeders, painting with a nontoxic paint and adding ribbon to them.

What is the best food to give your feathered friends? Our NC bird friends love sunflower seeds and safflower seeds, in addition to suet with peanuts and millet.
I learned a ton of great information here at The National Bird Society site Here www.birdfeeding.org/nbfm.html

Different bird species have different food preferences. To learn more about the bird seed preferences of your favorite species, view the NBFS Wild Bird Food Preferences for your region.

Bird Seed

There are nine types of seed commonly found in bird seed blends: black-oil sunflower, cracked corn, Nyjer^®(formerly known as thistle), red milo, safflower, striped sunflower, sunflower hearts (also known as sunflower chips or hulled sunflower), white proso millet, and whole peanuts (peanuts out of the shell and split in half). Of those seed types, four have been shown to be most attractive to birds: black-oil sunflower, Nyjer^®, sunflower hearts, and white proso millet. Learn more about what bird seeds birds like best.

Meet Your Bird Seed

What bird seed attracts the greatest variety of birds? What bird seed helps you attract new species of birds to your yard? Meet your bird seed to find the answers.

Bird Behavior and Bird Seed Preferences

A bird's behavior can tell you its bird food preference. Learn how to determine the bird seed preferences of the wild birds visiting your yard.

Other Bird Food

Other bird food offered at feeders includes suet, nectar, fruit, and insects. Suet is very attractive to a wide variety of species including woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, Carolina Wren, and Tufted Titmouse. Suet comes commercially packaged or can be purchased from the butcher. Commercially packaged suet can be fed year round. Nectar is offered to hummingbirds and orioles. Nectar should be provided in a ratio of 4 parts water to 1 part sugar. Nectar can be made at home, and purchased commercially in powder or liquid form.

© Roger Mayhorn

Many species of birds are frugivorous. Providing apples, bananas, oranges and raisins can help attract species such as orioles and mockingbirds. Insects, particularly mealworms (flour beetle larvae), are readily consumed by a large variety of insectivorous birds such as bluebirds. By offering these additional wild bird foods, you may increase the variety of birds visiting your backyard, thereby enhancing your experience.

Top Ten Bird Feeding Tips

Use these ten simple steps to enhance your wild bird feeding experience. Click here for a printer-friendly version of the NBFS Top Ten Bird Feeding Tips. 1. Bird feeding is for people who love watching birds - Always place your bird feeders in places where you can readily and frequently see the birds you are feeding. 2. Start with the basics - Black-oil sunflower in a tubular feeder is a very effective combination for attracting a large number of birds to your yard. 3. Attract more species by adding additional types of feeders and seed - Try Nyjer® in a tube feeder, and mixtures of black-oil sunflower, hulled sunflower, and whole peanuts in hopper and platform feeders. 4. Don't forget about alternative foods and water -Suet, fruits, mealworms, nectar and water may attract species of birds not found at traditional offerings. 5. The bird species in your yard change with season of the year - The birds visiting your feeders in summer may be very different than those in winter. Provide the feeders and food best suited to your seasonal suite of birds. 6. Make your yard bird-friendly - Provide birds with habitat, food, water, and nest boxes so birds will use your yard year-round. Bird feeders near larger trees and shrubs often have more bird visits. 7. Keep the birds safe - Reduce window collisions, keep birds safe from outdoor cats, and clean your feeders. Move feeders to within 3 feet of windows, remove hiding places of cats, and keep feeders free of debris and filled only with seeds birds will eat. 8. Use binoculars and a backyard bird guide to learn more about your birds - Learning more about birds by using the tools of the birdwatcher provides you with a greater appreciation for your feathered friends. 9. Take your hobby to the next level - Explore your local, state, and national parks and refuges. You will see bird species you can't see in your yard. 10. Enjoy feeding the birds! - Contact the NBFS anytime you have questions about bird feeding or for assistance in enhancing your bird feeding experience!

If your Homeschooler wants to learn more about birding visit the NBFS website or we are working on Zoology I Apologia's Flying Creatures of the 5th Day. Available via Amazon or or booksellers.

Happy Birding!