Picture Books that Adults Will Love, Too!

Reading is an important skill. Parents who want to raise an avid reader need to take the time to read lots of stories to their children. It is also a good idea to let your child see you reading. Children often imitate the behaviors they see their parent’s doing. Check out some of these children’s books that adults will love, too! Reading books with your child can be a rewarding experience. It is a nice way to spend time together and share a hobby that you both enjoy. Things can become a bit maddening, however, when a child insists upon … Continue reading

Learning to Love Your Body

We all know that motherhood comes with a price. Your body goes through a remarkable transformation as it prepares to grow another human being. If you are like most of us, you probably have a few battle scars to show for it. I’ve gotten used to my tiger stripes, but I still struggle with my post-pregnancy body. It’s been almost 5 years since I had Logan and I’m still not to my pre-pregnancy weight. I envy my friends who walk out of the hospital looking like a model in their size 2 jeans again. When I left the hospital I … Continue reading

Extended Love Day Travel Deals

February is a notoriously slow period for the hotel industry.  This translates into a golden opportunity for frugal travelers looking to save a bundle on a much-needed romantic escape.  Just because Valentine’s Day is over, doesn’t mean you can’t sneak away with your sweetie on a luxurious weekend trip without breaking the bank. Many hotels around the country are extending their Love Day-themed deals through the end of the month, including: Coronado Island Marriott Resort and Spa:  The upscale property is offering a money-saving deal dubbed the “Coronado Island Romance” package.  It features deluxe accommodations in a bay view room, … Continue reading

In the Name of Love

I heart all of the heart-shaped scrapbook embellishments that line the shelves of my local craft store.  Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to spread the love you have for your favorite people, places and things.  Of course, there is no better place to document that adoration than in a love-themed scrapbook.  Whether you are looking to craft layouts featuring treasured Valentine’s Day sentiments or you simply want a place to store inspirational love-themed mementos a memory book is a terrific option. To help spice up your heart-astic pages consider the following: Lollipops:  Create heart-shaped lollipops from patterned or plain … Continue reading

Love Between the Pages

… or sheets… or blankets… or flannel footie jammies. There’s no better excuse to snuggle up with your child than storytime.  And there’s no better type of book to curl up with as we countdown to Valentine’s Day than a love-themed read. As February 14th nears, consider cuddling up with your little sweetie and embracing these kid-friendly Love Day titles: Splat the Cat:  Funny Valentine The black furball with a heart of gold is at it again.  Splat wants to give his teacher a special Valentine’s gift and enlists the help of his friends to execute his plan, but will … Continue reading

Coupons for the Meat Lovers!

Most of the time, when I put together a blog of grocery coupons, it contains printable coupons from all over the store. This time, however, the focus is on meat. I suspect this is connected to some upcoming football games. Vegetarians might want to skip this blog. Meat lovers, on the other hand, won’t want to miss out on these coupons! Coupons.com is featuring coupons for products that come from Hormel. They also have several coupons for meat products that are for other brands. If you use all the coupons in this batch, you will save $11.55. Hormel has a … Continue reading

Love Your Pet but Not the Cost? How to Reduce the Cost of Raising Your Best Friend

Have you ever taken the time to calculate how much your furry or feathered friends are costing you each month? There is food, vet care, that regular application of flea and tick protection, grooming fees, litter or bedding, and of course toys, treats and equipment such as carriers, cages and the like. Depending on where you live and how eco-friendly or upscale you want to go with food and supplies, expect to pay up to $1,500 for a cat and $2,000 for a dog during the first year. Rabbits, hamsters, birds and fish are somewhat less expensive. Let us take … Continue reading

Love Your Kids More Than You Hate Your Ex

My baby brother is leaving on an LDS mission to Paris, France tomorrow afternoon. This is a bittersweet time for everyone, as we won’t see him for the next two years, but no one will experience these feelings quite as deeply as his parents, well at least one of them. When Bryan opened his mission call five months ago his father refused to be there. Not because of Bryan, but because the event would take place at Bryan’s mother’s home where he has spent the majority of his childhood years growing up. Though I’m not sure Bryan would admit this, … Continue reading

Why Your Ancestors Looked So Serious

Take a close look at the oldest family photos that you have. Or, walk into an antique store and browse through some really old photos. Why aren’t these people smiling? There are some really good reasons why they looked so serious in photos. Today, you can take your family to JC Penney, or Sears, or a number of other places, and have a family portrait taken. The photographer is going to encourage your family members to smile. You will probably be instructed to “Say cheese!” It is difficult to say the word “cheese” without smiling. It takes a second (or … Continue reading

A Business Opportunity For The Craft Lover

If you love all things crafty, you may be wondering whether there is a home – based direct sales business opportunity out there that does not involve candles, makeup, or cookware. An opportunity that is more your style, something fun and creative that has to do with crafting, perhaps. The good news is that there is just such a business opportunity, and it’s called Stampin’ Up!. Stampin’ Up! is a thriving business built around rubber stamps. Their vast array of exclusive stamp designs are offered for sale along with stamping and scrapbooking supplies and accessories. Individuals who sell Stampin’ Up! … Continue reading