Cyber Monday -- Giveaway!!!!

I promised that I would announce another giveaway today!

I recently tried a liquid dish soap and laundry soap from the Eco-Store. They are plant based and there are no harmful chemicals in their products.

I have to say that I am quite impressed with these products.

I would love to give a lucky reader a $25 gift certificate for the Eco-Store.

I have several ways that you can earn an entries - please leave a comment for each entry.

Follow this blog
Follow my photography blog
Subscribe to the Eco-Store Newsletter
Post about this giveaway on your own blog, linking back to here (this counts as 2 entries)

Couldn't be easier than that!!


ETA: This giveaway will end at noon on December 7th!!

It may be Black Friday......But come back on Monday!

On Monday I will be posting a great giveaway!! I know you will all be at your computers anyway for Cyber Monday--- make sure you stop by here!

Oh and -- Happy Birthday Grandma!

Today I am thankful for MANY things!

First off today I want to say that I am so grateful to all of the men & women serving our country at home and abroad. I am thankful for the firefighters and police officers that are working today to help us keep safe.

My fireman is working today and I will miss him, but I am grateful that he and so many others are willing to give up their time with their families for the safety and secutiry of others.

So go hug a fireman today (just not mine -- I am quite selfish)....

I also am thankful for good food! We are so lucky to live in an area where we have safe food to eat.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful for.....

Clean Sheets..... I love getting into bed at night when there are clean sheets on the bed!

Today I am thankful for....

Books. I love to read. I really enjoy the Anita Stansfield books. I love a good romance -- nothing smutty. After watching a couple of movies, "Becoming Jane" and "The Jane Austin Book Club" I plan on reading the Jane Austin books.

Which one should I start with?

Today I am thankful for....

My great neighbor that has my little man come to her house for a little preschool. He loves it and I appreciate the small break!

Today I am thankful for...

Genesis 2:2-3

2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made

I am thankful for Sunday's. I am thankful that our Father in Heaven set aside a special day for rest. With the Fireman's job Sunday's are no always without work, but our hearts are in the right place and we know that we will be blessed by doing the best we can at keeping the Sabbath day holy.

Today I am thankful for....

Fresh produce!!!!!! Today was co-op day!

Today I am thankful for.....

My great friends. I am lucky enough to live where I do and have some great friends in my 'hood. Thank you all (you know who you are) for always being there for me.

Today I am thankful for.....

My sisters. We haven't always gotten along, but I do love them and I am proud of their accomplishments and I cry with them at their failures. We have had lots of fun together!

Today I am thankful for my............

Dishwasher! Seriously people we would be eating off of paper plates if I didn't have a dishwasher. I know MANY people who don't have them and I admire them for their skills in the dishwashing by hand department.

--- ok this one is actually for Wednesday!!!

Today I am Thankful for......

My great parents. They do so much for me. Love you guys!

Today I am Thankful for......

Pinching Your Pennies. I have saved SO MUCH MONEY by planning my grocery shopping trips and my back-to-school and holiday shopping with the help of PYP!

Today I am thankful....

My Religion. I am proud to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am grateful that we live in a country where we are allowed to worship how, where or what we may.

Today I am thankful for.....

The seasons. I count myself lucky to live where I do and to be able to enjoy the 4 seasons!

Now --- BRING ON THE SNOW!!!!

Frugal Tips for the Holidays...

For the past couple of years I have been using Pinching Your Pennies' online forum to help me with my Christmas shopping. It really is Better Than Black Friday Without The Lines!!!

The Fireman and I never seem to have enough money during the holiday season. It seems there is always a car repair, medical bill, or some other annoying thing there to eat away at the budget.

I am always on the look out for great gifts and I do try to put a lot of thought into what I am getting. I love to give gifts and I wish I could do more, but if wishes were raindrops we would be fish.... (hehehe)

Anyway, what are some of your budget savvy Christmas ideas?

I found a great blog post to share...... But please give me more ideas!!!

Today I am thankful for......

A nice warm home.... Especially when I know that there are many people living on the streets.

FREE Toys!! Perfect for the holidays!!!

Ebeanstalk is a website dedicated to selecting great, safe learning toys and toys for a 1 year old. They rely on the opinions and feedback of bloggers and moms around the country. Also their team of child experts help to pick out unique toys...but you be the judge!

Take a picture of your little one playing with a toy, and email the picture to emily@ebeanstalk.com. It's just that easy.

Be 1 of 10 lucky winners to win a $50 gift certificate at ebeanstalk this holiday. Entries will be chosen on their cuteness-level.

Privacy ensured! Entrants will not be spammed. Do not send your address for privacy purposes - just email and the FIRST name of your child.

For everyone: All blog readers will receive a 10% discount at ebeanstalk of any purchase. Enter the code ebeanstalk100 at the cart!

Today I am thankful for....

2 great women who trusted me enough with their babies.....

Egg Harbor Bread

I made this bread on Tuesday. It was so yummy! It was pretty easy - even though there are 5 risings. This makes a great sandwich bread! I think this is my new go to bread recipe! Thanks Norah!!!

Egg Harbor Bread
Bernard Clayton's New Complete Book of Breads

3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon salt
2 1/2 cups hot water (120-130 degrees)
2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
5 to 6 cups bread flour, approximately
2 packages dry yeast
1 egg, beaten, mixed with 1 tablespoon milk

2 medium loaf pans, greased

In a bowl dissolve sugar and salt in the hot water. Stir in the butter and set aside.
Measure 3 cups flour into the mixer bowl and add the yeast. Blend. Slowly pour in the liquid, using the mixer flat beater. Beat for 2 minutes.

Add flour 1/2 cup at a time. Attach the dough hook and add the flour to form a soft mass.

Add flour if necessary to make a soft, elastic ball that will form around the revolving dough hook and, at the same time, clean the sides of the bowl. Knead for 10 minutes.

The dough has 5 risings before it is made into loaves-the first time for 30 minutes, and 15 minutes each for the remaining 4.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside until dough doubles in volume, about 30 minutes.
Turn back the plastic cover and punch down the dough with extended fingers. Turn the dough over. Replace the plastic wrap and set aside for 15 minutes.
At 15 minute intervals, punch down the dough 3 more times.

Turn the dough from the bowl and allow it to rest for 4 or 5 minutes before dividing into 2 pieces.
Shape each piece into a ball. Flatten with the palm into an oblong roughly the length of the loaf pan. Fold lengthwise, pinch the seam together, tuck in the ends, and drop into the prepared pans. Press down with the hand to force the dough into the corners.

Cover the pans with greased wax or parchment paper and put aside until almost triple in volume. The dough should rise 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches above the rim of the tin in about 50 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees about 15 minutes before baking.

Brush the loaves with the egg-milk wash, and place the pans on the middle or lower shelf of the oven. Bake until the loaves are a golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes, and test done when rapped on the bottom crust with a forefinger. For a deeper overall brown, remove from the pans and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and allow to cool on a metal rack before slicing.

Today I am thankful for.....

My great kids. I have so much fun playing with them and teaching them. I love watching them try new things and experience new adventures.

Seeing Is Believing

Last year we did this and it was so fun! My kids were excited to the pictures of Santa actually in our living room on Christmas Eve.

This is great for kids of all ages!

Today I am thankful for....

My husband. He works so hard to provide a good life for us. A life where I am able to stay home and be a great mother (try) for my kids.