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I wanted to get everyone into the winter holiday spirit before kicking off December. However, I didn’t just want to post classic Tree Hugging posts. That said, with a little help from the rest of the channel, I rounded up a huge list of killer holiday (and eco-friendly) posts.

Sit back, browse, read, and linger in the holiday bliss!

Remember, no matter the treat or recipe, you can always green it up by exchanging organic and natural ingredients for conventional.

50 Cute and Tasty Christmas Cookie Ideas

Cherry Dot Cookies

Organic Holiday Cookies!

Hey It’s Sugar Cookie Day – worth it for the pretty snowy cookie image alone.

Bacon Nut Stuffing – don’t forget, pork is a high pesticide food item, so buy organic if you make this dish.

Top 10 Turkey Tools

Pumpkin Cheesecake – one of my personal favorite treats.

What Else Is In Your Beer? AND Vegan Beer & Wine – I know beer and wine do not make a meal, but hey, they are treats, and if you have a drink, you may as well get the best.

Don’t forget to green up your holiday crafts by using recycled materials when possible.

Making Festive Ice Wreaths

yo-yo Christmas tree ornaments

Easy Christmas Crafts for the Kids

24 Things To Make – A Crafty Christmas Countdown

Beautiful Christmas Wreath Ideas You Can Create Yourself

Quick and Easy Christmas Wreath Idea – Snowflake Wreath

Homemade Recycled Holiday Luminaries

Embroidered Christmas craft how-tos

Christmas in July Crafts for Kids

Christmas sewing & crafting tips and tricks

Free holiday projects from around the bead-osphere!

Free Holiday Projects

Favorite Christmas tree ornament tutorials, free patterns & ideas

50 Holiday Things You Can Make Yourself

Thrifty Christmas Crafting

Homemade Christmas Ornament Ideas: Pinecones

How to Make a Candy Christmas Wreath

Make Your Own Pop Up Christmas Card

Green up your homemade holiday gifts by using recycled materials and natural and organic ingredients when possible. You can apply this thinking to almost any homemade gift idea.

Homemade Eco Gifts You Can Make for the Holidays!

Fabric Covered Journal Tutorial

How To Make Your Own Bath Salts

A Gift You Can Make With Your Children~ Hot Chocolate Mix Jar

Make Your Own Solar Light!

DIY Eco Chic Soap

Make Your Own Oilcloth Bags

Cheap Christmas Spa Basket Gift – Heating Pads

When it comes to green holiday tips you can do a lot; be a smart consumer, save energy, reuse items, and way more.

Turn Cereal Boxes into Gift Boxes

Green Product Review: Green Christmas Book

Tips on Staying Healthy During the Holidays

Green Christmas Shopping – 3RLiving Exclusive Discount to Unplugged Living – 3R Living has the coolest green gear, and now, you can score it for less.

• Meaningfully Frugal Christmas Tip #1
• Meaningfully Frugal Christmas Tip #2
• Meaningfully Frugal Christmas Tip #3
• Meaningfully Frugal Christmas Tip #4
• Meaningfully Frugal Christmas Tip #5

How To Reduce Your Winter Heating Bill

Weatherization Assistance Programs

Easy ways to save money when gift shopping online (conserve gas, stay at home and shop).

The First Snowfall – A Day for Fun and Quilting Inspiration

Snow! Snow Everywhere!

25 Reasons To Get Outside During Winter

Christmas Tree Coat Stand

Eco-Friendly Christmas Trees

Decorating Your Holiday Table – with the goodness of soy

Christmas Lights

Decorating Your Coffee Table for Christmas

Great Kitty Stocking Stuffers – recycled tins, natural kitty treats!

15 Unique Christmas Gifts – many recycled!

Steal This Christmas Gift Please!

Kitten Christmas Pictures – you know me; NOT a pet fan. So if I’m posting kitten pictures, you can bet your hide they’re flippin’ adorable. Even I was moved.

Best Holiday Books, 2008 – kid friendly! Use the library or share with friends to be extra green with holiday books.

Christmas Party Game Idea – Family Tree

Green Holiday Gift Guide: Great Books for Kids

Holiday Lights Video

[Image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

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.

Heather at A Creative Journal shares her first memory of firecrackers with a view from Australia.

Christine at Mad Cropper remembers Guy Fawkes Day, a day celebrated in New Zealand with lots of fireworks. Find out why Guy Fawkes is celebrated by the English and most commonwealth countries. It is indeed a blast from the past!

Mary Emma at Quilting and Patchwork, provides a quiz for her readers.  See how many of the quilt designs you can connect with historical Americana – events, objects or people.

Marye at Baking Delights reflects on just how much menu’s have changed over the years while at Kettle and Cup she shares a modern twist that many are sure to love with her Non-Alcoholic Long Island Iced Tea.

Kelly Saunders at Thrifty Mommy shares her favorite 4th of July memory.  Check out the surprise.

Char and Christine continue Camp Weary Parent with this weeks Patriotic activities:  Star Spangled Rocket and a week full of other fun projects.

Marcie and Mary Emma are blasting through books with Fourth of July and summer recommendations at One Book Two Book. Make sure to check out Fourth of July Books for Teens and The 10 Best Fourth of July Picture Books

Linette at Robust Cooking shares 10 Healthy 4th of July Dessert Ideas.  At Mother Earth’s Garden she calls out the old saying about corn – “Knee high by the fourth of July.”  At She Knows Parties, she shares fond memories of her summers and holidays as a child.

Karen at Thrifty Mommy has a very special reason to celebrate the fourth.  Check out the photos as she shares one of the most memorable nights in her families’ lives.

Christina at SoloMother shares her own experiences of celebrating the 4th of July in the nation’s capital.

Susan at PlayLibrary shares her memories of playing the classic game of Zimm Zamm during her family’s annual July 4th barbecue celebration.

Eliza at Babylune reflects back on early holiday celebrations with baby on board and looks to this years celebration – their first out of the military.

And finally, there’s Gayla at MomGadget – Without fail, each year her memories race back to an earlier time when life was much simpler and she’d celebrate her summer holiday with relatives down in the holler in the hills of Kentucky – this year – she shares a Bluegrass Kinda Fourth of July.

To all our readers in the U.S. – we wish you the happiest and safest of holidays – and everyone else, thanks for allowing us to share our own memories with each of you.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Kelly told you about her most memorable July 4th and now I’ll share mine.  If you read her post, then you’ll know they have similarities.  Mine is different though because 1)  I did the pushing and 2)  I have the pictures.  lol

And here we have . . . Alligator’s birth day!!!!

My mom said I should name her Liberty Belle.  lol  That would have been a cool name though.

This picture is not great, but we did have an awesome view from the hospital.  I believe we were on the 4th floor.

Here she is at home, just a few days later.  She’s a bit pink and peeling because she decided to be a few weeks late. 

Alligator is pretty excited that she gets to see the fireworks every year on her birthday.  Happy 5th Birthday to my Little Miss Independence!

What’s your most memorable July 4th?

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Some have taken a very creative approach and painted a portrait with words as they stroll through windows of time, life and their spiritual growth, while others share actual images of what they see on a day-to-day basis.

We do hope you’ll enjoy this month’s gift to our readers.  Now push open the shutters and experience the world in the way we see our world . . .

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Mary Emma Allen at One Book Two Book shares a view from her window that entertains and delights her grandchildren.

Also at One Book Two Book, Karen shares the sweetest view of her kids playing on the deck and how the two youngsters deal with the heat.  I’m thinking they’ve got the right idea!

Linette, one of our resident super bloggers is sharing views on three blogs.  The first is a beautiful view of her back yard that she’s sharing on She Knows Parties – it looks inviting – the only thing missing is my lawn chair and a cold iced tea.  Next, on Robust Cooking she shares a photo of her window herb garden – solid proof that she takes her cooking very seriously.  Last, on Mother Earth’s Garden she shares a beautiful view from her front porch.  Truly an images that makes you feel right at home.

Mary Emma Allen, at Quilting and Patchwork, tells us how she was influenced by her mothers’ view from a kitchen window, as well as suggesting views for quilters.

Marye at Baking Delights shares details of some of her favorite views throughout time and from some of her favorite windows in her massive farmhouse where she lives now.  Check out the veggie garden she has in her front yard.

Susan at Play Library shares a view from her car window as she and her husband go out to dinner for their anniversary.  Susan happens to live close by Disney World and is doing a fine job at making me jealous.

Trench – our resident Superhero on who spends his time tracking down crime both on the internet at My Crime Space and crimes of passion in the real world at Psycho for Love shares a figurative view of what life looks like from his windows.

Marcie at A Child Chosen shares a glimpse through the “types” of windows in her life as an international adoptive mother and more.

Peggy at Junk Creation shares an adorable image of Goslings on Parade as they waddle their way by Peggy’s window.

Our newest Lifestyles member Rachel comes on board her first channel carnival with an adorable detailed view of her new window with her fur baby, Louie.  Stop over and say hello at Drinks After Dark.

Lastly, Gayla shares a beautiful sunset in rural Indiana as it rests on full display behind the farm across the road on MomGadget.  It’s one of her favorite parts of living in the country.

Thanks to Gayla for putting together the blog carnival for us.  How’s your view?

image: Karen

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

In the U.S. we are preparing for the official launch of summertime with our Memorial Day Holiday coming up this next weekend.

To welcome the most beloved season, b5media Lifestyles Channel decided to usher Summertime in with a very special tribute to The Good Old Summertime.  A special thanks to Gayla for putting together this month’s blog carnival. 

Mary Emma Allen at One Book Two Book reminds you to check our your local library for their summer reading programs which can be great fun for youngsters, parents, and grandparents.

Be gone foul wasp!  Noreen Crone-Findlay at Hankering for Yarn has designed a crocheted fake wasp nest to trick the wasps and yellow jackets into staying away from her home. Let’s hope it works!

Elizabeth at Career and Kids shares tips for those busy potluck and picnic days at work and home.  And on GenBetween she also shares 10 warm weather tips for aging adults.

Kadi Prescott of Supernanny Rules discusses the importance of continued learning during those long summer breaks from school.

Deborah Ng at Simply Thrifty paints a beautiful portrait of life as a kid in the 70’s in Queens with Dining Al Fresco in the Summers of My Youth.

Cyndi Lavin of Jewelry and Beading wants her readers to win a beautiful medallion, just in time for some summertime beading fun.  On Layers Upon Layers you’ll learn some digital effects to give your summertime pictures some zip!  And nothing beats crisp tangy salads for summertime eating.  Busy Family Meals has a special salad dressing giveaway.

Christine Gooding at MadCropper While she is about to enter her own winter months, she joins in our project with memories of her own summers as a child.

Heather at Chocolate Bytes has two recipes that say “summertime” to her first, chocolate zucchini cake and how about whipping up some Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream to top it off?  If you hop over to The Food Bowl, she offers tips on heat stroke prevention for your pets.

Sherry at Inside Motherhood discusses taking her daughter to the market and explaining to her how it’s better to support locally grown farm foods rather than importing food as a bit of an educational field trip.

Christina at Solo Mother share’s a bit of a then and now as she discusses Sunday rituals as a child and those of today with her own child.

Maricar at Keeping the Castle shares a wonderful guest post by Jeff Wilson of the DIY Network where he discusses simple steps to an amazing deck makeover.

Karen at Thrifty Mommy shares two very popular classic posts – 15 Summer Cooking Tips and 10 Thrifty Ways to Deal with Mosquitos

Peggy at Junk Creation shares how to make a Vacation Scrapbook Planter from a Sour Cream Container.

Tracee at BlogFabulous shares a rather memorable experience during potty training.  Any mother of boys will be able to relate to this one.

Katelyn from Stamping Mad has created a mixed media collage to remind herself to take time to enjoy the wonderful summer weather.

Farley at Behind the Vines is preparing for some summertime wine tasting.  The only thing left to do is decide on a destination.

Sandy Mitchell at Robust Cooking shares 9 Quick Vegetable Grilling Tricks and if you hop over to her other blog All Holiday Cafe, she shares 10 Ways to Save Money on Summer Holiday Travel

Susan Gunelius at Play Library shares fond memories of her younger days spending hours in the family pool and flashes forward to today and the fun and affordable pool toys that are available.

Chloe Findlay-Harder at Tangled Thread shares a tutorial on how to make a cooling bandana to help relieve those super hot dog days of summer.

Linette Gerlach at Mother Earth’s Garden shares tips on Creating an Outdoor Space to escape to for relaxation and at She Knows Parties, Linette shares a Party Punch Decorative Ice Ring for a cool refreshing treat on a hot summer day.

Noel Bautista at Unplugged Living enlightens us on solar cooking options as an alternative to traditional grilling methods.

Last, at MomGadget, Gayla takes a stroll down memory lane as she lists some of her personal favorite dishes and flavors of summertime.  Almost the entire collection is a tribute to her grandmother who, summer after summer, taught her about tradition, gardening and the wonderful flavors Mother Nature provides us during the season.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our tribute to the wonderful season of summer and for our readers living in the U.S., we wish you all a wonderful and safe Memorial Day Holiday.

image by Karen

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

I don’t have a laptop and I don’t have room for a desk in my house. We have a small nook in the kitchen where the kitchen and living room meet, so we have put the computer on the floor, the monitor on top of a small filing cabinet, and the keyboard on a tv tray. There isn’t room for a comfortable roll around style office chair, so I use a dining table chair. I keep asking myself, ‘Why am I showing this?’.

Hopefully, one day I’ll be able to afford a laptop computer. I probably won’t be purchasing one anytime soon, because that would involve getting into debt. In the meantime, this unattractive system is working ok . . . well, other than the back pain from the chair. lol Now you see where I work from every day. I’m going to hide now.

images: Karen

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

I feel privileged to have been raised in the 80’s.  It was a much simpler time.  There were no cell phones, no internet, and no texting.  What would today’s teenagers do with themselves?  lol

I hope you’ll take this walk down memory lane with me.  It is so funny.

The picture to the right was taken in Spring 1989.  I was standing with my brother before he went to prom.  I am sparing him some embarrassment by keeping him out of the picture.  Don’t you love the big hair? 

As best as I can recall, these things are from the 80’s.  The late 80’s were my most favorite.  Perhaps that’s because I was a bit older then.

Movies:

• Top Gun
• Pretty Woman
• Beverly Hills Cop
• Pretty in Pink
• Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure
• Blue Lagoon
• Teen Wolf
• Superman
• Terminator

Music:

• Bon Jovi (I still love Bon Jovi!)
• Poison
• Def Leppard
• Madonna
• Paula Abdul
• Belinda Carlisle
• Tiffany
• Debbie Gibson
• New Kids on the Block hahahahaahah
• George Michael
• The Bangles

Click below to read more.

Fashions (oh, the pictures are so funny):

• big hair – Yes, I had a few perms and bangs that I curled back with the curling iron.
• neon colored clothes
• tight rolled jeans – Hahahahaahaha, this still makes me laugh.
• Swatch watches
• skinny ties
• mullets
• rat tails
• parachute pants
• leg warmers
• lots of bracelets
• big earrings
• Members Only jackets
• bright make-up

Shows I watched:

• The Cosby Show
• Facts of Life
• Who’s the Boss?
• Gimme a Break
• Family Ties
• Dukes of Hazzard
• Little House on the Prairie
• Saved by the Bell
• Full House
• Family Matters
• Different Strokes
• Press My Luck (game show)
• Charles in Charge
• Knight Rider – You can get these on dvd now.
• Scarecrow and Mrs. King
• Magnum P.I.

Things about me:

• I had the Bonkers commercial memorized.  I still do.  My husband just found this out a few months ago.  He thinks its hilarious and asks me to recite it for others.
• I had a 110 camera with a snap on flash.
• I have never seen PeeWee’s Playhouse or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
• I had 4 Cabbage Patch dolls.  Actually, I still have them.
• I used to make those earrings out of the plastic that you could melt.  Now I wonder if there would be a recall on that stuff.
• In the early 80’s, I watched the movie Annie over and over again.  It’s not that it was favorite, it’s just that’s the one kids’ movie we had on VHS.
• I had acid washed jeans and I tight rolled all my pants.
• I used to make lots of friendship bracelets.
• We had a computer that played video games.  The keys were flush with the keyboard, so you had to push really hard to get them to work.  Mainly we used it to play Pac Man and Space Invaders.

Sorry I don’t have more pictures to share.  My pictures are mostly from the 90’s from when I was older.  I guess most of my 80’s pics were taken by my parents and are in their albums.

What memories to you have of the 80’s?  Join the party and share.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Eliza, the new writer for Babylune, gives us 50 Things I Wish I Knew About Breastfeeding.  Some people can tell you what breastfeeding is like.  You can read books and educate yourself as much as possible, but there are still some things that you don’t know until you go through it yourself.

Maricar at Keeping the Castle has 50 Springtime Recipes.  I’m always looking for a new recipe to try and Maricar has given us a nice selection.

At Thrifty Mommy, we get a thrill out of saving money.  To help you do the same, we have 50 Helpful Thrifty Mommy Articles, 50+ Ways to Keep Us From Wasting Food, and 50 Ways to Save Money on Your Grocery Bill.

Marcie at A Child Chosen gives a list of 50 adoption blogs.  Some are written by first time parents, those dealing with infertility, and others are written by parents who have experienced international and domestic adoption.  There is a such a wide variety in the list.

If you’re like me, you have a major weakness for chocolate.  I’m pleased to say that Chocolate Delights shares 50 easy chocolate snacks to make and 50 things you can do with chocolate.  Click on over to decide what your next treat will be.

This one’s for all you pet lovers.  The Food Bowl gives us 50 pink pets for breast cancer awareness and 50 ways to keep your pet warm.

Kerri from Marriage Actually has 50 encouraging bits.  These are words, phrases, or activities to share with your spouse or those you love.  I’m sure all of our relationships would be better if we took a few minutes this week to use some of these.

Noreen at Hankering for Yarn is an accomplished fiber artist and designer.  Noreen has a list of 50 books, leaflets, and magazines in which her work has been published.

Deb at Simply Thrifty also loves to save money.  I like to drop by often.  I think it’s great that Kelly, Deb, and I can all write about saving money, but have different perspectives and ideas. Deb’s lists are 50 things you can make from scratch and 50 things to do with ramen noodles.

Chloe at Tangled Thread tells us 50 reasons she likes to make things.  Some of these include ways to save money, reasons to make your own clothes, or just for the fun of sewing.

Do you have a list of 50 things on your website?  If so, feel free to leave your family-friendly link below.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Thanks for including us.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

In celebration of the upcoming holiday, the b5media Lifestyles Channel participated in their own little carnival, hearts and flowers, hugs and kisses…

Because of nasty weather and the horrible flu bug going around and the recent server outage, some of the channel wasn’t able to participate. But when it comes to something like Valentine’s Day, the most recognized day of love, I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have everyone join in.

Now, won’t you take a little stroll with me around the channel to see some new Valentine goodies our bloggers are dishing up just for you?

Cyndi from Layers Upon Layers shares a beautiful handcrafted plaque that packs a punch and if you’re not into throwing a punch, how about jewelry. That’s always a nice option – especially when it’s handmade.

Widows Quest offers tips to help cope during the holiday or anniversary when the loss of a loved one might feel a bit more difficult.

Katelyn at Stamping Mad has created a special Valentine’s Greeting especially for her readers.

Sandy at All Holiday Cafe pauses to thank her 6th Grade English Teacher for giving her the love of words.

Christina from SoloMother pays tribute to all those who have enriched the lives of both she and her son, made them laugh, made them feel safe, loved, wanted.

Deb Ng shares a funny little poem she’s written for her husband and his amazing and a little more than Simply Thrifty habits.

Hankering for Yarn and Noreen is sharing a family tradition this holiday by sharing a design and tips on how to make a spool knitted Valentine.

Chloe from Tangled Thread has decided to give felt sweethearts this year for Valentine’s Day, not candy ones.

Marcie at A Child Chosen has a delightful idea for a candy-free alternative to creating a fun Valentine for kids.

Peggy, one of our newest channel members has created a very special Valentine to our planet Earth via Tree Hugging Family.

Julie from Declutter It is thinking of her husband on Valentine’s Day with a funny little poem that could be from the spouse of anyone who spends too much time on the computer. And if you swing on over to Play Library, you can check out some very funny Valentine quotes that are sure to bring a smile to your face.

If a romantic comedy is what you have in mind this Valentine’s Day, check out the list of movie titles Thrifty Mommy has compiled and while you’re there, why not drop off a few of your own favorite titles too!

If you’re parenting teens or tweens, be sure to check out the list of Valentine activities for kids of all ages at Weary Parent. You’ll find a fun assortment of treats, crafts and more that Char has graciously put together.

Farley shares a somewhat intimate letter to the object of her blogging affection on Behind the Vines.

Joshua at Junk Creations has come up with an amazing, recycled style Valentine for his lovely bride and is sharing his creativeness with all of us. I wonder if his wife knows how much we appreciate his artistic talents?

The newest edition to Supernanny Rules pays tribute to her husband with a quirky little poem that is tells it like it is.

Heather has taken her Creative Journal and used it as a space to share a Haiku from the heart for her own love this holiday of love.

Our very own Lifestyles channel Super Hero, Trench, has written a very special poem to the Attorney General at My Crime Space, while at Psycho for Love, he shares his views on why there should be an Anti-Valentine’s Day and shares his thoughts on how people should let those they love know they love them all year long.

Jennifer at Offbeat Homes has created a special offbeat Valentine greeting especially for her readers.

Mary Emma Allen at Quilting and Patchwork suggests seven ideas for Valentine’s Day cards, gifts, and activities quilters can use to make this a special occasion.

Heather at Chocolate Bytes has gotten clever in how to drop hints for her husband when it gets to be February 13th and he hasn’t got a clue what to get her.

Noel at Unplugged Living offers up a special greeting to his wife and son with a surprise announcement for his readers.

Marye at Baking Delights takes us along for a walk down memory lane to a time when she decorated her first cake ever. Speaking of memory lane, while you’re there, check out the flashback to our very own G.I. Jane and how she handles those who try to steal her thunder.

Sasha at Dating Dames shares her own Top 5 Heart Gifts. This list might come in handy for those who are stumped for ideas.

Maricar at Keeping the Castle has created a special card for all her readers. Cupids got nothing on our Queen of the Castle.

Kerri Aldrich of Marriage Actually was one who was down with the flu and since her Valentine took such good care of her while she was sick, she was inspired to write a bit of poetry.

Elizabeth, otherwise known to many as BusyMom, shares a special love note from her heart to her readers on both GenBetween and Career and Kids.

Linette Gerlach at Mother Earth’s Garden is getting prepared for Spring and has taken a bit of a break from gardening tips and tales to share a little Valentine poem and Herbal Folklore with all of you.

Christine Gooding, our virtual wedding planner shares lots of Valentine Wedding Proposal ideas for all you men folk who have the ring, but not the words.

And what better way to end our trail of Valentine wishes… Tracee Sioux of BlogFabulous is like having our very own Energizer Bunny sometimes. Tracee has put together her own little shopping list of thank yous to the love of her life…

I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine’s Day holiday and if you can’t be with the one you love, share it with those who love you, right here on b5media Lifestyles.

MWAH!

Post from: Thrifty Mommy