Holiday Worksheets

It is no secret that I love things holiday themed. I decorate for each and every holiday every year. I also love a good holiday craft or really anything holiday themed. Also as someone who works in education, I love pulling in the theme to anything educational for the kids. We try to make sure some of our activities are educational as well as fun during the holidays. The great people at Education.com have shared this fun tracing activity with me.

Grab a pencil and practice your handwriting and spelling with this fun St. Paddy's day word tracer. Check out Education.com for other fun spelling resources!

I love any sites that provides us additional resources for our kids and educational ones too! Be sure to check them out for lots of fun holiday themed activities. 

Commercial Palm Trees

The generous people at Commercial Palm Trees contacted me right before the holidays to try out some of the great residential products they offer. Talk about having great timing, I was just removing all the annuals from the large pot by the front of our house and trying to figure out what I was going to do with it. (Way to heavy to move anywhere for the winter months). A quick peak around the website and I found this (now sold out):

It comes in a 12 pack so I figured it would be enough to fill my pot. A few weeks later the package arrived, it did not look like a lot in the box..... (I was a little nervous at this point).

But the product looks great so I took the girls outside to put them in the pot. All finished, and I still have extras too!

I love how realistic and festive they look, the best part they are made to be outdoors so they are really surviving well, as winter has finally come to visit us. Check out all the things that the Commercial Palm Trees people have to offer.

***No compensation was received for this post. I received the product to review but all opinions are my own.

Holiday Cards

It's that time of year again! I personally love a good holiday card, and love sending them out. We have a list that just keeps growing over the years and I am sure to update it with new addresses each Fall (Thank you Google Drive for keeping it safe!).

I think designing Holiday cards is always fun and challenging at the same time. The nice folks at Minted.com shared with me this great article on planning your Christmas card outfits.

Also they shared these fun infographics about how cards differ across the country.

I don't think I have every done a kids only card...

I do think its funny when we get photo cards and the people do not have kids (#momlife)

Well that is not surprising to me!

Thanks to Minted.com for the fun infographics and be sure to check them out and use Promo Code "SNOW" this weekend to Save 15% off all your Holiday Cards!

Spring Holiday Decor

I love decorating for any holiday (and all holidays, just ask my Hubby). But I am also picky about my decorations and I like them to look a certain way. So I was loving all the wooden signs for the holidays and loved the idea of reversible ones, this was my inspiration

* I would link to this item but it is gone from Etsy.

I had hubby cut me some blocks from wood in the garage (luckily he saves all his extra wood). Then the girls and I went to AC Moore with a gift card for craft paper. Lucky for us it was on clearance and we scored 2 huge books!

Then a little Mod Podge on the paper/wood and let it dry.

They I made letter stencils (printed out a font I liked in the right size and cut them out) and made the letters with permanent markers.

Decor done!

Happy Galentine's Day

So I am a little early, but I LOVE this concept of Galentine's Day. Galentine's Day is February 13th and is a day to celebrate our BFF's and all those ladies that make life easier for us. The ladies and I will not be celebrating on the 13th, we have something planned for later in the month already, but I wanted to share so easy "DIY" Galentine's Day ideas with you all.

Fun Cocktails are a must for a Girls Night. Here are a few of my favorites:

White Wine Sangeria

Red Wine Sangeria

Can you see the theme here?

Also I love a good at home mani/pedi with my girls. Honestly I cannot say enough about Sally Hansen Miracle Gel for the best at home (easy on the nails) gel mani.

This is not a paid response, I just seriously love this polish it totally last for a while and my nails are so much healthier from it. And with 80 colors to choose from there is no time to get bored! I think the best way to celebrate with my girls is a fun low key night.

What is your Galentine's Day ideas/plans?

My ideas for this post were inspired by Eventbrite, you can use them for all your party planning needs

How to Eat Healthy for the Holidays

Here are some great tips on eating well as we are now in the Holiday Season full swing!

Thanks to the people at Kremer Eye Center for the great tips.

*** No compensation was received for this post.

Frugal Holiday Ideas

So we all like to do fun things for the holidays, but also do not love how expensive they can get. In our house we like to look for fun and inexpensive ideas for the holidays. Here are are few of our favorite activities this time of year.

Seeing the lights at the farm

This is a favorite for us that started when my oldest was only a few months old. The best part is everyone has a farm or place that gets all decorated for the holidays that you can enjoy. If you do not have any places like this, you can always visit the local mall they are always decorated for the holidays.

Going to the city to see the decoration
We also like to take the girls into the city to see all the decorations and festivities. We live close to Philadelphia so it is an easy (and cheap- kids are free) train ride in and then we can walk all over the place and see the decorations for free. Here is my oldest at the light show at Macy's in Center City

Baking Holiday Cookies
A super fun activity for us (and a nice way to give gifts) is with holiday baking. We get all the family together and have a large baking party for Christmas each year. The girls love the time with cousins and the snacks!

Walking the neighborhood to see light
My last fun and frugal holiday activity is walking around our neighborhood to see all the lights. It is always fun to go for a drive or walk and see how people decorate. This is the easiest time of year to get my girls to walk the dog all the way around our neighborhood.

Feel free to share any ideas you have for inexpensive holiday fun!

Once the holidays are over, tools like these can make managing your money a breeze.So check them out!

San-j Sauces for the Holidays

I have frequently talked about my love of my San-J Sauces on the blog, so I wanted to share some fun ways to use the sauces in your holiday planning. Our house hold current favorite is the Orange Sauce, so I am highlighting that a little today.

This  Brussels Sprouts and Fennel Orange Salad makes a fun an festive addition to your holiday table. 

 I can't wait to make this for Christmas Eve, along with  Matcha Pesto Pasta to add a little spice to our Italian Christmas Eve party. 

What fun new ideas are you trying this holiday season?

*** No compensation was received for this post, but I was sent a few bottle of Orange Sauce to try out some new recipes. 

San-J Sauce Review

The wonderful people at Naturally Savvy again provided me with some new products to try from San-J Sauces. As a household that LOVES Asian food (and healthy ones) this was a great opportunity. We are know to throw together a quick fried rice to use up extra veggies all the time! Especially after the holidays, we find a quick stir fry is a great use for holiday veggies. 

This time around we are sampling the Gluten Free Tamari sauce. 

SEASONED BY EXPERIENCE. For 200 hundred years, San-J has been perfecting the fine art of brewing Tamari soy sauce. All San-J Tamari is naturally brewed for up to six months using traditional methods passed down for eight generations. Made with 100% soybeans and no wheat, San-J Tamari has a richer, smoother, more complex taste than regular soy sauce which contains 40-60% wheat. We do not add MSG or artificial preservatives. San-J Tamari is certified kosher and Non-GMO Project verified. All San-J Tamari is now certified gluten free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization. Look for the Certified Gluten-Free logo on the label.

From exotic stir-fry dishes to your favorite meatloaf, the rich yet complex taste of San-J Tamari enhances the flavors of food naturally. Experience the taste of an ancient Japanese art in your cooking tonight.

We love these sauces and the high level of flavor they provide. I fee this sauce really spiced up our stir fry and was hubby, baby, and toddler approved!

** No compensation was received for this post, the sauce was provided to facilitate the review, all opinions are my own. 

Make your July 4th BBQ Extraordinary!

Looking to take your 4th of July celebration from ordinary to extraordinary? Make Suddenly Salad® your specialty! By using quick and easy stir-ins, Suddenly Salad can be whatever you make it: a simple side dish, star of the backyard BBQ, or a crowd-pleasing main course. With seven delicious flavors, there’s a Suddenly Salad mix for everyone and for any occasion. Simply follow the instructions on the box, or visit SuddenlySalad.com for delicious recipes.

Try our Red, White & Blueberry Pasta Saladrecipe for your 4th of July BBQ. Join in the fun by blogging about Suddenly Salad mixes and share your experience making Red, White and Blueberry Pasta Salad for your 4th of July celebration!

“Disclosure: The information has been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.”

Treat Million Card Giveaway

Just in time for Father's Day, the wonderful people at Treat greeting cards are offering a free card* to all new Treat customers through this link. They have some of the most fun cards and tons of other fun gifts too. Be sure to check them out before this offer expires it is a great way to get something special for the Dad's in your life and get something FREE :)

*Offer expires 6/17/2013 (11:59 P.M. PT).  Offer is good for one (1) free greeting card using the code TRT9X98EE9  at checkout.  Postage may apply.  Customer must be a first-time Treat customer.   Offer is valid for one-time redemption per billing address.  Cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with other offers, discounts, promotions or credits.  Offer is not applicable to previously placed orders.  Offer is only valid on www.treat.com and does not apply to purchases made from the Treat Cards for iPhone app.  Offer is not applicable to Treat Card Club, gifts, or third party or partner websites.

Happy New Year.... start with a deal!

Happy New Year everyone. I hope that 2013 is off to a great start for you all. Although 2012 had its highs and its lows over all I think it was a good year in our house. That said I am so excited to see what 2013 has to offer. We started it off great spending some time with new friends in our neighborhood and are continuing with a party this weekend to celebrate Hubby living in the US for 20 years!

Ok on to my other favorite thing about the New Year.....Christmas deals! I ran to the Wegmans the other morning before work to grab a few things for the party this weekend, when I saw wrapping paper on CLEARANCE!

200 square feet of Christmas paper for $2, I could not leave without it!

What is your favorite thing to buy after Christmas for the next year?

Wreath of Balls

Has anyone else become obsessed with the Christmas Ball wreaths on Pinterest? Well I have been and this year for the first time I was not going to be able to purchase my Christmas wreath from my co-worker (downside of switching jobs this summer). So I was planning on buying a wreath when I saw all the  Christmas Ball wreaths. Off to Target we went and I got Christmas ball (on sale) (non-breakable plastic ones - which I totally recommend for this project). This weekend I collected all my supplies together and started working:

I also had some craft glue to attach the tops to some of the balls that came loose. Then I just made a circle with my hanger and started putting the balls onto the hanger. Finally I checked in my craft box for some ribbon and added that to the top of my wreath. (Side note don't you love when you finally have a use for something you just HAD to save?)

Here is my final product:

I am quite happy with it since it really just came together on its own.

What is your Pinterest holiday project of the moment?

Small Business Saturday

I am a huge fan of my American Express card, because we get great deals and some amazing cash back. I know that some places do not accept AmEx and that apparently they charge a huge fee to small businesses, but they are one of the sponsors of Small Business Saturday each year. Small Business Saturday is a favorite event in our house. I first learned about it 3 years ago when a small business near us ran a special if you used your AmEx that day. Also if you register your AmEx at the Small Business Saturday webpage you get a $25 credit if you spend $25 at one location!

Of course you know that I would be all over that! Since Hubby and I each have an AmEx we where able to sign up for 2 of the $25 credits. After much debate (and a crazy day on the Saturday after Thanksgiving) we decide to order food from 2 local places for dinner and to have on Sunday to eat (and as it worked out the rest of the week too!) Here is the haul, and with our credits this was all less then $5!

We had a ton of food, not all healthy, but this was about 5 meals for us! And we realized the pizza place near us does a pasta dinner with soup, salad and bread for about $13 (which is more then enough to feed us all - seriously it was over a pound of pasta, yes we did weigh it.)

Thank you Small Business Saturday  can't wait to see you next year!

Tiny Prints for my Tiny Miss

Don't you just love when other bloggers do a giveaway? Its even better when you win that giveaway! Back in October my friend Preppy Girl Meets World did a giveaway with Tiny Prints for holiday cards. I love Tiny Prints because they are a division of Shutterfly but have a LOT more kid friendly prints and ideas. I always forget to check Tiny Prints, but I am going to put them on my must check list from now on!

Anyway in typical me fashion I became totally distracted by the site and instead of saving the gift card for our Holiday cards, I got more stationary for Little Miss!I found about 12 that I liked and made Hubby pick one.

Here is the lovely cards that arrived last week

Thank you to both  Tiny Prints and  Preppy Girl Meets World!

Do you buy stationary for your kids? (and send thank you notes for them or let them write there own?)

Recycle your Christmas Lights and Save

I am not sure how many people know this (I have missed it the last 2 years!), but for the beginning of November Home Depot offers coupons if you bring in used or broken Christmas lights to replace them with LED's! This year I was prepared and had the date on my calendar, so 2 weekends ago Hubby and I checked the lights (they all worked :( ) and decided which ones we wanted to switch to LED. We knew the icicle lights on the front of the house need to be replaced, because 1 strand was already an LED (the old strand burned out last year and I had to get new ones, the day we put the lights up). So we measured the length and went to the store with our old lights in hand (plus an extra set just in case!).

See the deal that they offer is 1 coupon per set you recycle up to 5 on one receipt. The coupon this year was $5, $4, or $3 off depending on which lights you bought. We were able to get the following for under $25!

There are 3 boxes of the icicle lights that were $3 off and 1 box of the Martha Stewart lights that were $4 off! The icicles are that cool white or "blue" light that I needed to match the ones we have. The Martha lights do not even look like LED's but are red and white something that Hubby and I have always wanted to be able to decorate our pole out front like a candy cane!

This was a great buy for the lights and I highly recommend checking Home Depot next November to save on your lights too! (You can also check after the holidays too, but they never have the ones I want on sale!).

Father's Day Menu Ideas

Looking for the perfect gift for the father figure in your life this Father愀 Day? Instead of shopping for an expensive gadget or another necktie, give him something he惻l really enjoy. Celebrate this Father愀 Day by spending quality time together! Here are a few ideas from UnitedHealthcare on how you can make this Father愀 Day really special for your favorite guy. Host a Backyard BBQ For the grill master in your life, a BBQ is a fun way to celebrate Father's Day and prepare a nutritious meal. Invite family and friends over to try some of these recipes: Citrus Pasta Salad Grilled Cheesy Garlic Potato Packet Mediterranean Grilled Snapper Grilled Italian Turkey Burgers Fruit Salad with Strawberry-Poppy Seed Vinaigrette Grilled Portabella Mushrooms with Herbs Chicken Salad Pita Sandwiches Fresh Tomato and Cucumber Salad Pack a Picnic Enjoy the beautiful June weather with a relaxing picnic! Pack a basket full of some favorite treats and new options. Here's a list that will get your mouth watering: Grilled Pesto Chicken Packs Mediterranean Turkey Bagelwiches Caesar Chicken with Orzo Barbecued Pork Sandwiches with Slaw Angel-Fruit Parfaits Grilled Chicken Breasts with Cucumber-Peach Salsa Chicken Fruit Salad Stock the Fridge Make his day by stocking the fridge full of healthy staples combined with his favorite snacks. Clean out his fridge with help from this Refrigerator Audit, and while you're there use this Kitchen Safety list to re-arrange the kitchen so it's safer and more accessible. Now that you're feeling inspired for Father's Day, visit the Solutions for Caregivers website to download these recipes, find more tips, and learn about providing care for a loved one.

My Holiday Wish List

If you remember from a few weeks ago here, I decided to take the Bliss 6 Weeks of Bliss Challenge to get back into blogging. This week the question is what health or wellness goal tops your list this holiday. For me this is an easy one. I want to get back to a regular workout routine. Since I have gone back to work I am finding it hard to take care of the baby and myself at the end of the day. I have this great DVD I was doing while on maternity leave that was really helping take the baby weight off, but I just don’t have time (or energy right now) to do it anymore.

My wish for this holiday is that we are able to get into a good routine and that I am able to have time for me again. Any mom with any ideas or advice out there?

Red Hot Holiday Trends

I wanted to share this list of top holiday desserts I got from My Blog Spark and Betty Crocker yesterday!

 

Trend: Double Desserts

Taking two desserts and mixing and mashing them together is one of our favorite trends. Things like pie shakes, cookie stuffed cookies, and pie-filled cupcakes deliver a whole new kind of delicious. It´s a 1+1=3 kind of thing.

Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Cookies

Pie, meet cookie. Cookie, say hello to pie. When two all-time favorites come together, you get Pumpkin Pie Cookies, the star at your next holiday cookie exchange.

Trend: Boozy Baking

From booze cakes to cocktail pies, bakers everywhere are bringing the bar into the kitchen. A titch of tequila or a skosh of scotch whiskey adds a serious shot of fun and flavor for the over 21 crowd. We´re loving these boozy baked goods!

Recipe: Boozy Bourbon Chocolate Cupcakes

Taste for yourself what the buzz is all about! A bit of bourbon, a hit of coffee liqueur and some vanilla vodka-spiked frosting make these sophisticated chocolate cupcakes the ultimate "holiday helpers."

Trend: Color. Flavor. Fun.

Traditional baked goods are being transformed with bright colors and playful flavors. With a little creativity and imagination, no one can resist this happy, fun food!

Recipe: Cake Batter Cookie Stackers

Take sugar cookies to a whole new level of delicious! Kids and adults will love these cake batter flavored cookies with colorful frosting, and lots of sprinkles! Stack `em up and watch `em go.

Trend: From Cave to Kitchen

Forget the man cave. Today guys are in the kitchen making (or at least appreciating) really good food. Big food. Really good, big food that´s stacked and stuffed with the flavors they can´t resist.

Recipe: Mantastic Fried Chicken `n´ Waffle Sandwich

Here´s a new take on chicken `n´ waffles - made better with beer, bacon, and bourbon. It´s the ultimate manly man meal.

Trend: Skinny Cocktails

Here´s the skinny! Drinking high-calorie cocktails is so last year. The modern mixologist is shaking things up with light & flavorful cocktails.

Recipe: Skinny Clementine Martini

Add some clever sparkle to your next party. Enjoy these natural, light martinis made with fresh juice, high-quality liquor, and a splash of club soda. Lower calorie cocktails never tasted, or looked, so sweet. Cheers!

Trend: Better Than Bought

From canning to candy making, there´s a renewed interest in handcrafted foods. This season, homemade food gifts are just the right thing to show your care and creativity.

Recipe: Cajeta Caramel Fudge

Create the perfect combination of flavor and crunch with this homemade candy. Rich chocolate fudge layered with cajeta caramel, cashews and a sprinkle of sea salt-a recipe to impress.

Trend: Veggie Love

Once just tolerated, vegetables are now celebrated. Omnivores and herbivores alike have discovered that veggies offer variety and great taste, and are feeling the love.

Recipe: Sweet Potato Hummus

Hummus with fresh sweet potato packs even more plant power. Add a delicious blend of smoked paprika, coriander, and cumin to make this flavorful dip.

Trend: Shareworthy & Allergen-Friendly

Allergen-friendly foods may be free from things like nuts, dairy and eggs, but shouldn´t be free from flavor. Thankfully, we´re seeing new foods and recipes that can be enjoyed by everyone - whether you´re allergy-sensitive or not.

Recipe: Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread

Gather everyone around the table to enjoy this moist and delicious pumpkin bread. Made with no nuts, no dairy, no eggs, and no gluten - no kidding!

Trend: D-I-Y for D-O-G

Man´s best friend deserves man´s best effort. That´s why making your own dog food is one of the latest canine crazes! This year, homemade dog treats are at the top of fido´s list.

Recipe: Dog Bark

This treat will make your dog sit up and beg for more. Make the bark by melting carob chips and peanut butter then top with your dog´s favorite ingredients - bacon and cheese. Bow WOW!

Trend: Food Craft

The kitchen is the new craft room. With food as their medium, clever cooks are making amazing edible food crafts that are as good to look at as they are to eat.

Recipe: Chocolate Coal Lumps

Naughty or nice, everyone will love these easy cho-coal-late treats. Cocoa Puffs® cereal dipped in melted chocolate and marshmallows create these tasty stocking stuffers.