Saturday, November 30, 2013

Blog Hop Blitz Week #13

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happinessplunge.com

Welcome to football overload.

Welcome to Week #13!

Hope your Thanksgiving was awesome! 

Had a chance to get any crafting done? Cook up a new recipe? Write a new, rockin' blog post? 

Here's your spot to showcase what you got! 

Here's our team:


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Terri & Shawna
Easy Life and Party Planning


Betty
A Gut and a Butt
Blog...Twitter...Pinterest

Now, on to the hoppin! Well, almost...

Take a look at our Most Valuable Bloggers (MVBs) from last week's hop:
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Positive thinking can change any situation, it's a great character trait for all. Readers have an opportunity to win a copy from Create With Joy.

Delicious Kale Cranberry salad! Maria from Music Teaching and Parenting shared a wonderful, light salad, perfect, especially after your Thanksgiving feast!

Anne from Anne's Blog is so creative and helped get us into the Christmas spirit with her whimsical cards.

Each of our Most Valuable Bloggers (MVBs) have been pinned to our Football Blog Hop Blitz Pinterest board. Football fan or not, check out our wide range of pins.

Be sure to share our button, letting everyone know where you're linking up this football season.


Blog Hop Blitz


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Saturday, November 23, 2013

Blog Hop Blitz Week #12

Welcome to the most versatile blog hop around! This is the hop where fellow bloggers can post tailgate recipes, DIY decor projects or best posts of the week.

Football love not necessary. Why? Because we're the spot you come to when your husband/boyfriend/significant other is overdosing in football. You get to step away, hang out with us for a bit, then go watch that game! Or if you prefer, just hang out with us!

Welcome to Week #12.

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Give a nice shout out to our team:

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Terri & Shawna
Easy Life and Party Planning


Betty
A Gut and a Butt
Blog...Twitter...Pinterest

Told you our hop is versatile, better yet, let's have our Most Valuable Bloggers (MVBs) tell ya:

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Thrift for Today showcased awesome DIY tips. Be sure to check her out Fridays when she gives us her Five on Friday .

Vashti gave us some Thanksgiving history, it's always good to know both sides of a story. 

What a great list from Beautiful Solutions! Great items that can be picked up from eBay and put right into a Christmas stocking!

Each of our Most Valuable Bloggers (MVBs) have been pinned to our Football Blog Hop Blitz Pinterest board. Football fan or not, check out our wide range of pins.

Be sure to share our button, letting everyone know where you're linking up this football season.


Blog Hop Blitz


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get the InLinkz code

Friday, November 22, 2013

Five Minute Friday: FLY

My inner critic has been busy this week, time to finish that voice off with Five Minute Friday.

Five Minute Friday


Want to join in on one of the most cleansing ways to enter your weekend? Check out the awesome Lisa Jo Baker for details.





My timer is ready, my fingers are ready...TYPE!

Today's word is FLY.

In the words of Lenny Kravitz:

"I want to get away, I want to get away. I want to FLY away."

Exactly the way I felt this week.

We were the victims of a home invasion last week.

Total violation.

As I struggled to wrap my brain around what happened and how we move forward, I wanted to bolt up and jet away!

No one was hurt, we were actually coming home from church.

The thieves made off with all of the electronics. No problem.

One other thing was in danger of being taken. Our peace.

So, instead of physically flying away (yeah, like I am Superman!), I flew into prayer.

I purposely aimed myself right into God, flew right into him.

I thank Him that He is our Shield, our Buckler. We trust in Him.

I will gladly fly into Him any day.



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Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Lordy, lordy, glad to be 40 + Birthday Giveaway

Lordy, lordy, I'm glad to be 40.

Ok, well, I will be when it happens. At the time of this post, "it" happens in 10 days.

I imagine an 18 year being happy about turning 18. It represents freedom.

Or a 21 year old being happy about turning 21. It represents being of drinking age, if you're into that sort of thing.

Why am I happy about turning 40? To me, it represents life leveling out. Let me explain.

Sure, I could freak out about early signs of menopause, the sound my knees make after a strenuous workout, trying to read the teeny, tiny print on a bottle (who ever came up with teeny, tiny print?) mammograms, saying stuff like "back in my day", or this muffin top that I am busting my butt to shrink. Notice I didn't say get rid of completely.

I am good with not having a perfect, Victoria's Secret model's body.

See, that's just it.

I am choosing to rock the fact that:

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  • I am comfortable in my own skin
  • I made it to 40
  • I don't feel old
  • I am in great health 
  • I have the best husband in the world
  • I have the best kids that many moms wish they had
  • I have a growing career
  • I no longer need the stamp of approval from people



Fact is, who says 40 is the age when you realize certain things? It could be at any age.

We all grow at different rates. So, for you, your life may have leveled out at 25, or 32. You may still be waiting for it to calm down!

Guess what, that's ok because there are some awesome lessons to be learned on the journey. I know it doesn't feel like it during the chaos but believe that it's shaping who you are and who you will become.

Yes, even at 40, you can transform yourself. 

Hope you're happy about whatever age you currently are or about to be.

Let me help you boost that enthusiasm a lil bit more with a GIVEAWAY.

So, it's my birthday (or it will be in 10 days) and I'll give away stuff if I want to!

Enjoy my 40 for 40 birthday giveaway! Since I am turning 40, I am giving away 4 gift cards in increments of $10.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Policy
Periodically, this blog hosts giveaways intended for fun and an incentive for the readers. These events may be self-sponsored by the blog owner or may be sponsored by another individual, business or corporation. This may or may not be plainly stated in the actual giveaway.  If you need further clarification, please ask.
All giveaways, unless otherwise stated, will follow these guidelines:
~hosted and winners chosen via Rafflecopter, Random.org or PromoSimple.
~are hosted with the intent of adding a bit of fun to this site and in no way are meant to be a form of gambling or sweepstakes.
~open only to individuals in the continental USA, 18+.
~will start and end on dates listed on each specific contest.
~each winner will have 48 hours to claim prize, after being notified via the email they used to enter the contest. After 48 hours, if there is no response, another winner will be chosen.
~If giveaway is self-hosted, site/blog owner agrees to mail prize to winner(s) within 14 days.
~If giveaway is sponsored by an outside entity, then winner will abide by their prize fulfillment periods, which may be as long as 180 days, depending on the company. I carefully select the companies I work with. Since we live in an online world, many things can occur. If a vendor chooses to not fulfill a promised prize, I cannot be held liable or responsible. I will diligently work to have the company make good on their promise, but this outcome is not guaranteed. Hopefully, this will not be an outcome we will have to explore.
·        All giveaway entrants agree to be honest; Entrants may be disqualified at my discretion if fraud is detected.
·        The winner(s) is responsible for any tax liability resulting from any prizes.
·        Any and all giveaways may be promoted on Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, email or other social network sites. This is a means of promotion only. This is not to be misconstrued as Twitter, Facebook or other social network sites being responsible for any particular contest.
·        Winner(s) assumes all responsibility if they desire additional clarification, prior to entering the giveaway or at the conclusion of the contest.
·        Various hosting methods for giveaways may be used, including Rafflecopter. These applications gather email addresses for verification. When entering a giveaway, you are granting permission to have your email added to our mailing list. You will get a verification/confirmation email, which gives you an opportunity to decline or unsubscribe at any time.
·        Now, go have fun with this giveaway, all the best to you and thank you for reading!


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Saturday, November 16, 2013

Blog Hop Blitz Week #11

****Before I give you our weekly football blurb, we've altered the hop a bit****

Now, you can link up your Twitter, Bloglovin, Pinterest, Facebook and Google + profiles! Giving us all the opportunities to connect with other bloggers and give some hits to our social media sites. 

Now, on to business...


No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you. Yes, the same question is being asked from last week. 

What do these two teams have in common?


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Yes, they're both in Florida!

But, what else do they have in common?

Woo hoo, both of these teams have finally won a game!

It's Week 11!

Say hello to our team:


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Terri & Shawna
Easy Life and Party Planning


Betty
A Gut and a Butt
Blog...Twitter...Pinterest

Our hop is the most versatile hop around! Don't believe us, take a look at our Most Valuable Bloggers (MVBs) from last week's hop:
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Just in time for the holidays, Bakewell Junction shared a delicious recipe for Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie.

Nachos are awesome at anytime! Tumbleweed Contessa knows this, it's what she shared last week.

Loving Krystal's Kitsch's Thanksgiving table decor! There's a freebie here, so get it for your Thanksgiving Day setting!

Each of our Most Valuable Bloggers (MVBs) have been pinned to our Football Blog Hop Blitz Pinterest board. Football fan or not, check out our wide range of pins.

Be sure to share our button, letting everyone know where you're linking up this football season.


Blog Hop Blitz


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get the InLinkz code


Friday, November 15, 2013

5 Minute Friday - TREE

It's Friday, time to get our timers out and pound away at the keyboard for 5 Minute Friday.

Five Minute Friday

Never heard of 5 Minute Friday? No worries, it's all good! Take a look at the background story of how this awesome Friday event got started and the purpose of spending 5 minutes releasing, dumping, whatever you want to call it.

Today's word focus is TREE.

Timer set...GO!

Trees are amazingly strong, with roots spreading far and wide.

It takes years for a tree big and strong.

Reminds me of life.

How over the years, we learn so much. We somehow stand strong in the midst of any type of storm. The rain beats down on us, but yet we stand.

Now in that standing, we may waver and sway back and forth. We may even get a twig or branch snapped ever so often.

But yet we stand.

You know how when a tree is cut down, you can see the rings in the tree stump? Those rings are insight to how long that tree has been "alive". Think about everything that tree has seen or been through.

Ever wonder how the things we've seen or been through is displayed?

I know sometimes I don't display the things I've gone through in the best manner, but just like the biggest tree, I am still standing.


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Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Smile! - 3 tips for fantastic fall family photos

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photo to the right, our 2012 fall photo
The leaves have changed colors. Daylight savings time has ended. The air is a bit more crisp. Time for fall family photos.

My family and I just wrapped up our session. I let out a sigh of relief because I usually get worked up about this. If you can relate, here our 3 big tips that can ease your fall family photo anxiety:

Price:

Fall family photos aren't just about appearance. Price is important. But you don't have to spend big bucks to get a quality photographer.

Check out Craigslist. Yes, Craigslist. There are many freelance photographers looking for jobs. Type your photography wants/needs and post. You are sure to be flooded with photographers vying for you to say yes to them. Be sure to carefully screen your top picks, google them, ask them for references or view their portfolio.

Last year, we went with a photography student. She was experienced and her asking price was reasonable. Our price included all pictures on a CD. This way, we were not limited in the way we wanted to use our pictures.

This year, I found a great package deal on Groupon, for under $30. It's a professional photography company that contracts with photographers across the United States. The photographers meet the clients in outdoor locations with beautiful backdrops. I'm excited to see the finished product!

Outfits:

Pick a color scheme already! Gone are the days when each person's shirt had to be the same color. Or everyone wore the same pattern.

Instead don't be afraid to have colors that pop. Fuchsia, mustard, royal blue colors give that extra pop to pictures.

Now, don't go having everybody dress in those colors! Have at least one person's outfit stand out, usually the mom or a small kid. Use the fuchsia, mustard, royal blue or whatever color you choose, as an accent color. Maybe mom's scarf has hints of fuchsia. Or baby girl's tights are a mustard color. Color accents are easily done with moms and girls, guys need a little convincing when adding color.

Take a look at how this beautiful family added accent colors and how they played the color game from one stand out outfit:

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giovannalou.blogspot.com

Bold colors not your thing? You can make neutral colors work as well.

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http://www.polyvore.com/family_fall_what_to_wear/set?.svc=copypaste&embedder=0&id=38037331

This color scheme has some pop to it, look at baby girl's tights, leopard print! Mom's scarf choices are made of a great print as well.

I gathered ideas from Pinterest, many photographers put together "what to wear" boards that are very helpful and help you think outside the box.

Be sure to use items you already own, no need going out to buy things you've seen on a Pinterest board! This way, not only are you saving money on the photographer session but on clothing expenses as well.

Relax?

Ok, alright, go ahead, relax.

It's only a picture, right? Yes, it's only a picture. Relax, you want your true personality to shine through. Up-tightness can show through a picture!

My A type personality causes me to be a drill sergeant around picture taking time. So, here are some of my do's and don'ts on picture taking day:

Do make sure that outfit color schemes are somewhat coordinated.

Don't annoy everyone with tips on how to smile or how to fold their hands. 

Do make sure that everyone is ready on time. 

Don't get so annoyed with everybody not following your rules that you are now uptight. 

Do what you can to get everybody in a good mood, even yourself!

It's only a picture!

Does your family take annual photos? Ever had any that would be akwardfamilyphotos.com worthy?


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Saturday, November 9, 2013

Blog Hop Blitz Week #10

What do these two teams have in common?


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Duh, they're both in Florida!

Ok, so you're right. But, what else do they have in common?

What's that, yeah neither have won a game this season!

Welcome to Week #10.

This is the Blog Hop Blitz, where we are banishing football widows and instead linking up our best tailgate recipes, DIY decor, or our best posts of the week.

Here's our team:
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Terri & Shawna
Easy Life and Party Planning


Betty
A Gut and a Butt
Our hop is the most versatile hop around! Don't believe us, take a look at our Most Valuable Bloggers (MVBs) from last week's hop:

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The ladies over at Easy Life and Party Planning shared a tasty, quick appetizer, a great addition to any type of party!

If you have kids, you know exactly what Tales of an Old Mom is talking about! She gave us a quick glimpse into her life with a small child. 

Work week lunch ideas were shared by Daily Dose of Del Signore

Each of our Most Valuable Bloggers (MVBs) have been pinned to our Football Blog Hop Blitz Pinterest board. Football fan or not, check out our wide range of pins.

Be sure to share our button, letting everyone know where you're linking up this football season.


Blog Hop Blitz


Saturday, November 2, 2013

Blog Hop Blitz Week #9

If the former Secretary of State can find solace during the football season, so can we!


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The NFL's "It's My Team" campaign from last season showcased women sporting some fashionable NFL gear. This allows us to kill 2 birds with 1 stone: shopping and scoring points with our guys!

Welcome to Week #9! My how time flies when you're posting your tailgate recipes, DIY decor and best posts of the week.

Here's our team:
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Terri & Shawna
Easy Life and Party Planning


Betty

A Gut and a Butt

Our hop is the most versatile hop around! Don't believe us, take a look at our Most Valuable Bloggers (MVBs) from last week's hop:
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Bloggers unite! Bouncing Around With Baby showed us how to add an Instagram to Facebook. Helpful tutorials are always a win win, bloggers are always looking for ways to enhance our blogs or our social media pages. 

The fall season is perfect for chili. In Him We Live and Move and Have Our Being shared a painted desert chili mix recipe.

We can always count on Coach Daddy to bring some sporting wisdom to the hop! Each Friday, he enlightens us with his 5 for Friday: Ask Daddy segment, questions asked to him by his 3 little girls.

Each of our Most Valuable Bloggers (MVBs) have been pinned to our Football Blog Hop Blitz Pinterest board. Football fan or not, check out our wide range of pins.

Be sure to share our button, letting everyone know where you're linking up this football season.


Blog Hop Blitz


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Alright, let's do this!


Friday, November 1, 2013

Five Minute Friday: Grace

Only 5 minutes, seriously?

Five Minute Friday

So, the awesome Lisa Jo Baker does this 5 Minute Friday post, where she gives us one word to write about for 5 whole minutes. Yes, only 5. Trust me, when you get going, it's hard to stop once the timer goes off!

Go ahead, go get your timer, cause here we go...

Today's word: GRACE

It's sufficient for me. Sometimes, though, I forget. Or is it just me get trying to operate in my own power. He said that His power is made perfect in weakness.

I get tired though.

Day in, day out. Hurdles to jump, walls to knock down. I am only so strong.

In my own power, that is.

He reminds me though. I thank Him for those reminders.

I am stubborn and a recovering control freak. I like things done my way, in my own timing.

But He nudges me. Sometimes, I feel Him nudge me hard. I know I can hear him, as if someone, flesh and bone,  is physically in the room with me.

I still get tired though. Sometimes it's just too much.

That is, until He nudges me. Until He reminds me about His grace.

I gotta stop trying to do this stuff in my own power. The grace is there and it's up to me to accept it.
.
****Timers off!*****

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