Thanks to Jennifer at Tree Hugging Family for putting together this terrific round-up!

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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]

Karen was right.  We love giveaways here at Thrifty Mommy.  You guys always come out of the woodwork to comment and enter to win our stuff.  We hope you can enjoy and use what we offer for free.  So the winner of the Weight Watcher’s Cookbook is Katherine Frazier.  Congratulations, Katherine!  Let us know what you decide to cook.

Karen and I want to thank you for joining us on our Bloggy Giveaway journey. We are having a ball reading all your comments and can’t wait to see who wins the Debt Terminator Kit, Land’s End Backpack, and our Weight Watcher’s Cookbook. But a lot of the contests around the Lifestyles Channel are ending today. So I thought I would let you know what was going on around the channel so you didn’t miss out on something you might want to win.

Blog Fabulous

Mama Gena’s Owner’s and Operator’s Guide to Men

Contest Ends: Sunday Aug. 3

Empowering Girls: So Sioux Me

You’re Amazing, A No Pressure Guide To Being Your Best Self

Contest Ends: Sunday Aug. 3

Hankering for yarn

Running several contests

Contest Ends: August 3

Chocolate Bytes

1 copy of “The Essential Chocolate Chip Cookbook”

Contest Ends: Thursday, July 31st

The Food Bowl

2 copies of “Take Our Cat, Please!” A Get Fuzzy collection

Contest Ends: Thursday, July 31st

Weary Parent

EZSchoolSupplies.com school supply pack - enough to outfit the average school age kid

Contest Ends: Thursday, July 31st

Inside Motherhood

Hoover WindTunnel™ Self-Propelled Vacuum

Contest Ends: Thursday, July 31st

Quilting and Patchwork

A novel, Sarah’s Patchwork by Stephanie Grace Whitson, from the Keepsake Legacy series

Contest Ends: Fri., Aug. 1

Quilting and Patchwork

A book, What I Learned from God While Quilting, by Ruth McHaney Danner and Cristine Bolley.

Contest Ends: Thurs., July 31

Inside Fatherhood

Your Baby Can Read! Starter DVD and Word Cards

Contest Ends: July 31

Play Library

Conducting NINE Giveaways

Contests End: Aug. 1

Babylune

The Book of Calamities

Contest Ends: Aug. 1

The Disney Traveler

Conducting TWO Giveaways

Contests End: Aug. 1

BrandCurve

CNN.com Headline T-Shirt of your choice

Contest Ends: Aug. 1

Women on Business

Copy of “Can This Elephant Curtsy on Cue? Life Lessons Learned on a Film Set” by TV and Film Producer Danielle Weinstock

Contest Ends: Aug. 1

Home Biz Notes

Mary Emma Allen’s Children’s Anthology, Tales of Adventure & Discovery, that she wrote and illustrated

Contest Ends: Aug. 5

MomGadget

Dooney and Bourke PDA Cell Phone Case

Contest Ends: Aug. 1

Babylune

A is for Atticus

Contest Ends: Aug. 1

I love the Bloggy Giveaways! So to go along with the theme of giving away things, I have given away all my post baby weight! I am officially the same weight as when I got pregnant with Turkey Butt 4.5 years ago. That makes me very happy. Granted, I have a little more flab <wink> to get rid of. My post baby body is not the same as my svelte (yeah right) prebaby body. But I am happy with the way things are going.

So I wanted to give away a brand new Weight Watcher’s Cookbook. It has

• over 500 fab recipes
• easy cooking tips and how to’s
• the basics of the 1.2.3 success program

I hope you find time to leave a comment in order to get entered into the giveaway. All you have to do is leave a comment. Feel free to tell me what your fave foods are and what you would cook with the cookbook. The giveaway will end on August 3rd so don’t wait to get your entry in. If you are a first time commenter, welcome to the family and we hope you will stay a while. Your comment will be approved ASAP and we look forward to hearing from you.

While the writers of the b5media Lifestyles Channel may be scattered about globally, one thing we all have in common is a celebration of fireworks.  I hope you’ll enjoy our blast from the past.

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.

This month’s Lifestyles carnival theme is “Blast from the Past”.  We’re focusing on the 4th of July or similar type holidays in other countries.

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?

In celebration of the June 20th summer solstice, b5media is having The Great Blog Off.  Participating b5media blogs from the Lifestyles, Business, and Entertainment channels will post content at least once per hour for each hour of the day. 

This is the first time since 1975 that the summer solstice hasn’t occurred on June 21.  On this day, the daytime hours are at a maximum in the Northern hemisphere and night time is at a minimum.  It is officially the first day of summer.

The great blog off begins at 12:01 am on June 20th.  Each blog channel will be accepting charitable pledges for a charity that they have chosen. 

Stay tuned, as we will be having articles from guest writers.  Enjoy!

The Lifestyles Channel has already given you a glimpse inside their world by sharing where they blog and now they’re sharing another intimate part of life by sharing the views from their windows.

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 . . .

——————–

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

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

Second in our series on our local blogs in the Lifestyles Channel here at b5 is Anna at Widow’s Quest.  Anna has taken the uncomfortable and made it beautiful.  Death and the loss of loved ones is a tough thing.  I should know as of late.  So I wanted to introduce you to Anna and show you why she blogs.

Q:   How long have you been blogging?

A:   3 years, yet it seems like yesterday.

Q:   With all the other blogs out there, why Widow’s quest?

A:    I actually write 5 blogs on all areas that I am passionate about. Widows Quest is my favourite as it is my way of expressing my grief but hopefully in a way that is positive and will help others through their grief. Grief can happen in all sorts of ways - breakdown of a marriage, losing your job and of course through the death of someone close. My aim is to help people who suffer the feelings of grief no matter what the cause.

Q:    Is there a particular favorite method you use to deal with grief?

A:    Blogging has been a huge help. I often find it hard to talk…I am a private person and was brought up to believe I should be able to “cope” with whatever life throws at me. Blogging has helped me express my grief by helping others. I think it is the helping others that has given me the confidence to face my new world.

The other key factor has been exercise. It is so important to look after your body through grief. Your heart is hurting and exercise helps the heart cope with the emotional turmoil. I try and walk each day…it is not only great for your health but it also gets you out and about - helps you get back into life.

Q:     What is the most touching story you have heard at Widow’s Quest?

A:    I remember it clearly. I wrote a post and someone e-mailed me saying “I was so down yesterday. I went and bought several bottles of tablets and 2 bottles of vodka, I just could not face life without my husband. As I sat down to write a letter I put on the computer and I read today’s post on Widow’s Quest…. today I am alive - still hurting badly, but alive. Thank you for giving me hope, thank you for literally saving my life.”

I cried for a few moments, emailed the lady and developed a friendship. It really did show how powerful blogging can be.

Q:    If you could tell someone hurting right now one thing, what would it be?

A:    Each person is very different in how they cope with their grief. However, I would say that although you feel alone, you are not alone. If you have no family or away from friends there is always the community at Widows Quest that understand and care enough to help you through this time.  The hurting is your heart’s way of coping with the pain, it is normal, it is natural. Together we can rebuild your heart and help you find a new life…will it be the same - no, but you can find a new happiness, one that is really worth fighting through the pain for….

Thank you, Anna, for all you do.