Have you ever realized that it was somebody’s birthday, but did not have a card on hand? I am always running into that problem. So, I decided to make it easy on myself and keep a card making basket handy in my art closet. Whenever I see some card stock on sale, I pick up a package. If I find a great sale at the local craft store, I grab a stamp or two, some ink or some paints to add to my card basket. Then, when an occasion pops up that I am without a card for, I just take out the card basket and whip up a beautiful little card. People love things that are homemade, because they have more thought put into them. My kids have learned this little card trick and created their own card baskets. Whenever a friend or family member has a birthday,... [Read more]

My blogging buddies here at the B5media Lifestyles channel, have done some awe inspiring posts on how to celebrate Independence Day. I’d like to thank Heather, for creating this list of blogs posts! Marcie at A Child Chosen, shares her reason for loving the 4th of July, with a sweet and reminiscent post about her anniversary. Heather at A Creative Journal, writes about using holiday memories as a writing prompt. Chloe of Tangled Thread shares a few festive fireworks and needlework patterns. Kerri and Cory at Marriage Actually talk about why having a shared past is one of the best parts about being married. Christine at Mad Cropper remembers Guy Fawkes Day, a day celebrated in New Zealand with lots of fireworks. Find out why Guy Fawkes... [Read more]

In honor of the Fourth Of July, I have put together a small list of  sites that offer free stuff. Enjoy! Free Grants For All Free Samples Free Ice Cream Free Virtual Hair Styles Free Cruises  Free Lightbulbs Free Dog Food Free T-shirt Free Wine Guide Free Fruitista Freeze Free Wilson Golf Balls Free Giveaways For Cool Mommy Gear [Read more]

There are very few things that I enjoy doing as much as eating and cooking Sunday dinner. I am blessed to have many family members who can make every meal taste gourmet, even though it probably came from a simple recipe. We are all gifted with the talent of cooking, but the greatest of these was my great grandmother, Irene Schleicher. My great grandmother was the owner of a restaurant and a catering business and boy could she cook! Her greatest gift to the grand kids (besides setting a shining example of what a true Christian walk is,) was teaching us her cooking secrets. Luckily, I got some of those secrets handed down to me, before she went to Heaven. Great grandma believed in everything homemade. Yes, it took more time, but “that... [Read more]

It seems to me that one of the biggest problems we face today is our societal adoption of the “Bigger, Better, More” theory. Many people who practice this way of living end up unable to satiate their desires and become generally unhappy with life. A shift in focus can sometimes be the greatest avenue to finding happiness. I had to learn this the hard way, when we moved from a wonderful neighborhood, for the sake of saving money. Yes, we downsized and it was a smart financial move. However, we traded many of the things that we enjoyed, for the sake of a better financial situation. We had a safe, established neighborhood with great residents. We lived five minutes from my mother, who I am very emotionally close to. We left a... [Read more]