a little weekend reading

via

Summer's here and I thought I'd get back into sharing some good reads on the weekends.  Here are some inspiring summer ideas, from what to do with the kids on those summer days to what to eat and drink.

1.  100 free things to do with your kids this summer from Digital Reflections.

2.  101 ways to embrace summer from Organizing Your Way.

3.  Here are some great ways to make a tastier glass of water on those hot and humid days from The Yummy Life. 

4.  This not so traditional fruit salad looks so yummy...gotta try it from Two Peas and Their Pod.  

5.  Sidewalk chalk is popular this time of year.  How about using it to jazz up your photos from Modern Parents Messy Kids.  

A Little Weekend Reading: Valentine's Edition

etsyvialovingthislifeonpinterest

Valentine's Day is right around the corner.

  We don't usually make a big deal out of it around here, but after seeing these ideas this may be the year that we do.  

1.  I love popcorn and white chocolate, so I will be trying this valentine confetti from Nest of Posies.  Great for gifts too.

2.  With 3 kids and the price of babysitters these days it's been forever since we've had a date night, and going out for Valentine's Day hasn't happened since we were dating.  But, not to worry I found this cute idea for a date night at home that I think will be special.  Check it out at Eat Drink Chic. 

3.  These chocolate covered pretzels look so pretty.  They'd make nice festive treats for the kid's lunch boxes.
  5 Minutes for Mom shows you how to make them. 

4.  A yummy and pretty desert for that date night at home from Tami's Kitchen Table Talk. 

5.  8 ways to make Valentine's Day more meaningful for your family from Simple Mom.  

6.  Cute ideas for child-made Valentine's.  So adorable.  Check them out at Playful Learning. 


Inspired?  I know I am.
Enjoy your day!

A Little Weekend Reading

source

We'll call this weekend reading the all-natural health edition.

I've had a growing interest in natural health for a few years now.  Lately I've been doing a lot of research on the internet and watching some really informative documentaries to help me to make better choices for optimum health and to feel better.  Today, I wanted to share some articles that have jumped out at me.

1.  Immune system need a boost?  Try these 12 boosters from My Blessed Life.

2.  Be more informed about what's in the food you're eating.  Check out this list of the top 10 scariest food additives from Yahoo Health.

3.  Feeling sick and tired?  Try these simple ways to cleanse and detox from Keeper of the Home.

4.  5 foods women should be eating as recommended by Katie at Simple Organic. 

5.  5 more foods for optimum health and to avoid the flu, also from Simple Organic.

6.  4 ways to knock out your cold using things you already have on hand from Green Your Way.

7.  We all know that we should drink more water for better health.  Here is a list of benefits to drinking lemon water from My Favorite Things.

7.  The waste your body eliminates can tell you about your level of health.  Check out this interesting and easy to read poster I found at The Wellness Warrior.  Don't worry, no real pictures, just drawings. 

Here's to a healthy 2012!

A Little Weekend Reading

source

It finally snowed here...yay!  Not a lot, but enough to get a little excited about.  Hopefully you're enjoying a nice winter weekend where you are as well.  Sitting by the fire and reading is definitely on the to-do list for me this weekend.  Here are some great reads and tips I've found from around the web.    

1.  Is there a statute of limitations on being a crummy friend?  I loved this transparent post from
 Only A Breath.

2.  Too much noise in your life and not enough quiet?  Read about the discipline of solitude and why it's so important for our spirits over at (in)courage.

3.  Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  Here are some free printables to help you spread the love from
Tip Junkie.

4.  These olive oil candles look so easy to make and you probably have most of the supplies already on hand, plus they're clean burning.  Check them out at Little House on the Prairie Living.

5.  My husband's parents gave us a gift certificate to a butcher for Christmas.  So after we did a little meat shopping, I made this easy pork roast from The Pioneer Woman.   My hubby loved it.

Enjoy your weekend friends!

A Little Weekend Reading

via

I'll subtitle this the New Year's Resolution Version.


  Make some new goals?
  Me too.
  Here are some links that may help the both of us.

1.  Eating better one of your goals?  Did you over indulge on holiday sweets like I did?
  Head over to Simple Organic

and find out why and how to give your body a sugar break.


2.  How about exercise?  Here are 10 muscle building tips from Real Women's Fitness.


3.  Need a total money makeover?  Check out these baby steps from Dave Ramsey.


4.  Need to get organized?  here are 10 everyday solutions to help from Organizing Your Way.


5.  Want to read more this year?  Need some ideas?  Check out the book lists of over 90 people over at The Nesting Place. 


6.  Want to go green and save money too?  Check out these easy recipes for natural homemade cleaners from Simple Organic. 


7.  Want to have more joy?  Take the "Joy Dare" and count 1000 gifts in 2012.  Find out how at A Holy Experience.

Enjoy your weekend and happy reading!

A Little Weekend Reading

It's New Year's Eve, a time of reflection on the past year and a time of looking ahead to a fresh, shiny new year of possibility.  These posts below have helped me to reflect and also set my heart on what's ahead.  Maybe you'll find them helpful too?  
  


1.  Want to reflect on your 2011 before you begin 2012?  Here are 20 questions you can use over at (in)courage.

2.  Working on new habits and consistency?  You might want to check out this free daily planner from A Holy Experience.

3.  Please don't miss it, wrote Sara Frankl, a blogger who is now in her heavenly home.  She wrote this on her final birthday earlier this year.  Read her words
 over at (in)courage and live wide awake to the ever-present blessings in your life.


4.  Choose one little word to sum up what you want for your life in 2012?  Ali Edwards shares the concept and her little word over at her blog.

Enjoy your time ringing in the New Year!

A Little Weekend Reading

via

Ok, so the weekend is practically over and I'm just getting to sending this out.  But, weekend reading or not, I found some good ideas and still wanted to share.

We've been busy here finishing up the decorating, painting ornaments, and baking cookies.

  So that's why I've been quiet on the blog.

Lots of fun with the boys, but honestly I'm exhausted!

 Here are some links you may want to check out in this last week before Christmas...

{just click on the colored text}

1.  Kids want to make a gingerbread house?  Check out these little cuties made from graham crackers, hot glue and assorted candies from Under the Sycamore.

2.  Wonder what to give Jesus for His birthday?  Read this from A Holy Experience.  It will challenge you.  I was challenged and have been amazed at how my boys pore over this catalog deciding what to give Him.  After all, He's the one who should be getting the gifts.

3.  Want to go on a Christmas tour of homes without paying any money or leaving your house?  Check out the Christmas decor of over 500 people who have linked up over at the Nesting Place.  I'm hoping to take some pics of what we've done around here and jump in on the tour myself. 

4.  I don't have any little girls {sigh}, but if I did we'd make these easy and super cute Christmas ornaments from Meg over at Whatever.

5.  How creative are these self portrait ornaments from eighteen25?  They are an instant keepsake that you can display all year-round.  I'd love to try them.

6.  Ok, this is just silly and nothing to do with Christmas but made me laugh out loud.  You may have seen some of the "Hey Girl" photos with Ryan Gosling before, or maybe not.  Either way, here's a collection of them over at Joy's Hope with crafty quotes attached.

Enjoy this week friends!  

A Little Weekend Reading

love protects. love defends. love restores. love empowers. 

Hello sweet friends!

Here are a few things from around the web that I thought were worth mentioning this week.

1.  As you're buying gifts and giving this year, would you consider the children out there in the world...in our country...some in our own neighborhoods, who are enslaved in a life of sex trafficking?  Read Jamie's post over at Simple Homeschool about a wonderful organization that brings awareness to this horrendous reality and also helps to bring freedom and hope to those who have been trapped in this modern day slavery.
  Maybe, at the very least, you can help with your prayers?
Click here to read about Love 146.

2.  Need some simple, homemade gift ideas?  You will love these personal care and food items to make and give...and maybe even keep for yourself from Keeper of the Home.

3.  What is it you truly seek?  That's the question for the desperate over at Chatting at the Sky.

4.  These white chocolate covered Oreos look so yummy and festive.  Perfect addition to your sweets tray at Christmas.  Check them out at Cupcakes and Crablegs.

5.  I've always wanted to make my own fudge.  These would make sweet little gifts.  Cookie-cutter fudge, so cute, from Betty Crocker.

Enjoy!

A Little Weekend Reading

source

Hello friends!
Hope you've been enjoying your holiday weekend.

Here are some of the best reads, ideas, and even a freebie I found around the blogosphere this week.

1.  Christmas DIY projects...28 of them from the Inspired Room.

2.  Be an encouragement in season and out from (in)courage.

3.  Do less be more and a dayspring special sale from The Nester.

4.  I'm loving this free app to count one thousand gifts and beyond from A Holy Experience.

5.  Here's a super easy and yummy crockpot recipe I tried this past week...only 3 ingredients (I didn't use the brands she suggested...I just used what I had on hand and it was so good) from the Mommy Diaries.

A Little Weekend Reading

source
I know, I did an owl for last week's weekend post, but I couldn't resist those big eyes...too cute.



I'm sorry I haven't been around here this week. I've been knocked out with sickness for part of the week and busy with the boys' schools for the other part.

  Starting to feel better and ready to get back to this little space.

  For now I just wanted to share some good reads for the weekend with you.

  But, I'll definitely be back tomorrow with a fun holiday idea.

See you then.


Click on the links in blue below and enjoy!


1. I love this mom advice from a veteran mom about making time to connect with your child's heart
 from Sally Clarkson at I Take Joy.

2. An imperfect, flexible, do-able meal blueprint and a yummy artisan bread recipe
  from The Nester.


3. 9 toxins to remove from your life
  from Keeper of the Home.


4. A cute, impromtu, romantic marriage moment in the middle of Trader Joe's
 from Jumping Tandem.

5. Word strengtheners: free printables
 from Ann Voskamp.

A Little Weekend Reading

source

Here are a few interesting things from around the blog world that I found this week.

Click on the links below and enjoy!  

1.  "How are you, really?" from from (in)courage.

2.  Keep your family healthy during the cold & flu season with these tips and all-natural remedies from Keeper of the Home.

3.  The pursuit of art in your everyday from Chatting at the Sky.

4.  Hope for the weary mom at the M.O.B. Society.

5.  A printable advent chain from Christmas Your Way.

6.  Pretty DIY glitter trees from Landee See Landee Do.

Enjoy your weekend friends!

A Little Weekend Reading

via

I've been enjoying a few days of rest after posting everyday for the 31 Days challenge .
  Been doing a little more reading than writing and wanted to share a few things I came across on the web.
Click on the links below and enjoy!

1. This is a good one to print and give to your child's teacher from 100 Days of Real Food.

2.  Inspiring.  Ephesians 3:20 in action.  If you're believing for something, read this awesome story of provision for adoption from AshleyAnn Photography.

3.  Need some effective time management?  Try this from A Holy Experience.

4.  Want some tips for reducing holiday stress before it starts?  Read this from Finances Your Way.

5.  I love this Food Network show!  It's not just good cookin', but a fun family ranch experience with beautiful scenery and yummy food.  Check out The Pioneer Woman.

Enjoy your weekend friends!