Farm Rich giveaway winner

The Farm Rich coupon giveaway has ended!

Thank you to all that entered!

The winner (Sue H....) has been emailed!

Wordless Wednesday: Rebecca Then and Now

6 years ago today....

Today.....

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY REBECCA!

Today's post brought to you by the letter B

Today's post is brought to you by the letter....B....as in BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!!!!!!!

That describes my life over the last week or so. Work has been crazy busy. Thanksgiving was BUSY (especially because I had to cook the bird!) (more on that later). We had Rebecca's birthday luncheon on Saturday (more on that later). Bill was sick Friday-Sunday. Back to work yesterday. Baking cupcakes this morning before work, so I can decorate them after work for Rebecca to take to school tomorrow for her actual birthday. Trying to get some Christmas shopping done without going bankrupt. Posting baby items to sell on eBay.....the list goes on and on....I have many posts in my head---real life, some book reviews, and a cool product review and giveaway! Now just have to find the time to do it and to live my crazy busy life!

Here is to another BUSY day!

Farm Rich Products (and a GIVEAWAY!)--UPDATED!!!!

My kids are ALWAYS hungry! Rebecca and Jacob both are going through growth spurts and they always want something to eat. I don't mind them eating as long as what they are eating is mostly healthy-- because these are the types of foods that allow them to stay fuller longer, while providing them energy they need to play and do the things that a 6 year old and a 3 year old do. At the same time, our family schedule is crazy busy and so I don't have a lot of time to prepare from scratch foods and snacks for the kids or the family.

Enter Farm Rich snacks and appetizers!

Farm Rich offers a wide variety of pure yummy snacks, including mozzarella cheese sticks, mozzarella bites, queso cheese bites, mini pizza slices and jalapeno peppers just to name a few, that all allow for families to have wholesome, yummy snacks that don't take forever and a day to prepare.

I was excited to have the chance to try the mozzarella cheese sticks! My children love cheese and since the weather has gotten colder, I was excited to give them a warm treat that included their beloved cheese.



The bag

Made 8 cheese sticks for snack time; ready for the oven



Pure yumminess and can be served with a variety of dips. We chose to have ranch dressing with ours.

Up close of gooey, cheesy yumminess!

The verdict was that these were a HUGE HIT! Rebecca loved them, especially dipped in ranch dressing. I LOVED the gooiness of the cheese and that they were super easy to prepare.

There is a LOT of cheese sticks in the bag. I fixed 8 for us that day for a snack, and then had enough for 2 light lunches later in the week. It was a great value for the money. I will definitely be buying more for the freezer for our family!

TO BUY:
If you want to buy some for your family, Farm Rich has a product locator on their website to allow you to find your favorite snack at your local store.

WIN IT:
Farm Rich has offered a Living Better One Day at a Time blog reader the opportunity to receive 2 FREE Farm Rich product coupons (just like I received) so that you can also try out a new favorite.
All you have to do to enter is fill out the rafflecopter form! (Contest is open to US residents only. I am not responsible for prize distribution fulfillment--sponsor of prize is. Winner will be emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or new winner will be picked!) Good Luck!

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO GET THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM TO LOAD OR TO WORK, PLEASE JUST LEAVE A BLOG COMMENT ON WHAT YOUR FAVORITE FARM RICH SNACK IS, FOLLOW ME ON GFC, AND/OR LIKE FARM RICH ON FACEBOOK. PLEASE LEAVE A SEPERATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY. THANK YOU!

CONTEST ENDS 11/29/12 AT 11:59 pm est.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclaimer: I was provided with free product coupons in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was received. All opinion expressed are my own.

Get a free card from Treat.com!

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An example of one of Treat's cards. This would be really cute for Grandparents!

Whether saying thanks for Thanksgiving, wishing a best friend a holiday birthday, or simply sharing the holiday cheer with a just because card, Treat lets you create a one-of-a-kind card that is sure to impress.


Another cute card from Treat. This would be great for a special kid!

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And another example of a card from Treat. I LOVE this one and will be ordering one for each of my kids!

I LOVE the selection that Treat.com offers!

As a bonus to my readers, Treat.com has offered each of you a FREE greeting card TODAY (Nov.19) and TOMORROW (Nov. 20)! Just use the code: TREATBLOGR when ordering! (This is good for ONE card!)


Disclaimer: I have been compensated for this post in the form of free greeting cards. However, I have ordered from Treat.com and Shutterfly.com in the past and have ALWAYS been pleased with my purchases. All opinions are my own.

Sunday Night Chit Chat

Time once again for Sunday Night Chit-Chat...hosted by our friend Carla!
To play along simply start your post with a photo or quote... Copy and paste the starters and link up to Carla so she and others can visit you and see what you've been up to!

SO HERE GOES:



Rebecca lost 2 teeth this week. I told her she could tell Santa that all she wants for Christmas is her two front teeth! :)



What are you.....

Reading?

 

Watching?

 

 Listening to?

The dishwasher is running.
Benjamin is cooing and gooing.
Rebecca and Jacob are laughing at the TV.
  

Cooking/Baking
I made pulled pork for dinner. It was really good.  

I hope to make pumpkin muffins this week AND I was talked into cooking a 24 lb. turkey for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday.

Happy you accomplished this week?

I ordered a couple of things for Christmas for Bill this week.
I got a review order put in (Look for a giveaway soon!)
Figured some things out at work.
Paid all of our bills for the month and we are not broke. LOL

 

Looking forward to next week?
Thanksgiving Day! Spending time with family. Eating good food!
 

Thankful for today?

 A low key weekend for me. Bill has been SUPER busy with deadlines at work so this weekend I spent most of it at home and just chilled. Took a couple quick cat naps.

Bonus question:

You're handed a round trip plane ticket to anywhere in the world for a weekend and $1000 cash. The catch? You have to go alone, right then & there with only whatever you have on hand. Do you go? Where would you go?

 I would go. I would go visit Australia and meet up with 2 friends of mine that I have met online and known now for over 4 years that help keep me grounded, but I have never met them in real life. Would LOVE to do this!
 

So there you have it. A little glimpse into my world on this Sunday night! Hope everyone has a wonderful week and remember to link up to our wonderful chat host Carla! :)

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home-- Days 8 AND 9

photo credit

I am following along with Money Saving Mom on her "4 Weeks to a More Organized Home (Simplified)" series!

Basically each day (minus the week of Thanksgiving, starting Nov 5) she will post an assignment to help you get more organized that should only take 30 minutes or less to complete.

I have been thinking about doing a major declutter and organization of our home before Christmas so this is coming at the right time!
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Today is day 10, but since I didn't get day 8 done until yesterday and day 9 not done until this morning, today is really day 8 AND 9.

Yesterday morning, I finally got around to doing day 8's assignment. It took me all of 5 minutes to clean out a dresser drawer. Then last night, I was EXHAUSTED. Things were CRAZY at work with a couple situations that I am still trying to make sense of. Home has been crazy. After I finally got home and got the kids in bed, I had just enough energy to pick up books off the floor, and put the pans in the sink to soak and I went to bed. I still am tired today but am going to move forward.

So without further ado....

The assignments and how I did:

::Get dressed in something that makes you feel great {there’s something about dressing in clothes that make you feel great that just gives you more energy and zest for life! }

DONE: Yesterday's outfit of choice was: jeans, turquoise t-shirt topped with a long brown sweater, brown socks and brown flats and a turquoise and brown necklace with a turtle on it. I put my hair up in a ponytail again today.

::Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no more than 5-7 specific things you want to accomplish today.

DONE: On my list of to dos for yesterday, I accomplished all of them, including mailing off completed HEAP application and fixing our kitchen faucet to increase our water pressure. :)

::Set the timer for 10 minutes and go through your messiest dresser drawer. Remove items you no longer love, need, and/or wear. Quickly organize the remaining items.

DONE: I cleaned out my shirt drawer.

Before

After

::Wipe down all the door handles in your home. You can use a damp rag with a little disinfectant on it or a cleaning wipe. If you have younger children, they’d probably enjoy joining you in tackling this project!

DONE: I have 22 door handles in my house in case any one was wondering! :)

::Clean your light switch plates. You can use a damp rag with a little disinfectant on it or a cleaning wipe. If you have younger children, they’d probably enjoy joining you in tackling this project!

DONE: This was needed as Jacob has been playing with the light switches for the past week or so since he has gotten tall enough to turn them on and off. And since we are counting I have....17 light switches in our house. :)

It feels so good to get little stuff like this done each day! I am so enjoying this series!
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Are you working on organizing and cleaning your home? How are you doing?

Celebrating and Savory a Simple Christmas Ebook winner

The winner of the ebook "Celebrating and Savoring a Simple Christmas" by Crystal Paine is.....

Comment #4: Amanda!

Congrats and you have been emailed!

Celebrating and Savoring A Simple Christmas ebook--- giveaway!

Many of you know that I am following along on Money Saving Mom's 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home series.

Did you also know that Money Saving Mom is one of my FAVORITE blogs to read?

Did you know that Money Saving Mom author Crystal Paine, just released her new ebook, Celebrating and Savoring A Simple Christmas?

This book is jam pack full of tips on EVERYTHING to make your Christmas enjoyable and simple for YOUR family!

Some of the topics she covers are:

Organizing your Christmas list

Making and sticking with a Christmas budget

Freezer cooking for the holidays

Making memorable family activities

Simple and inexpensive homemade gifts

Getting your home in order (including a 2 hour cleaning list)

Savoring the meaning of the season

THIS IS A GREAT EBOOK!!!!

TO BUY:

TO WIN:

24 HOUR GIVEAWAY!

Crystal Paine is generously giving away a copy of her Celebrating and Savoring a Simple Christmas ebook to one of my readers. 

TO ENTER: Just leave me a comment on what you plan on doing to make this Christmas great for your family.  (Please also leave your email address so I have a way of contacting you if you win!)

This contest is open to the US and will close at 10:00 PM EST on November 14, 2012. I will draw the winner by Random.org, and they will have 48 hours to respond to the email notification that they won.

GOOD LUCK!

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home--- Day 7

photo credit

I am following along with Money Saving Mom on her "4 Weeks to a More Organized Home (Simplified)" series!

Basically each day (minus the week of Thanksgiving, starting Nov 5) she will post an assignment to help you get more organized that should only take 30 minutes or less to complete.

I have been thinking about doing a major declutter and organization of our home before Christmas so this is coming at the right time!
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Today is day 7.

Today's assignment and how I did:

::Get dressed in something that makes you feel great {there’s something about dressing in clothes that make you feel great that just gives you more energy and zest for life! }

DONE: Today's outfit of choice is: black short sleeve shirt (has a crocheted top half), jeans, black and grey socks, black shoes, and a silver necklace. Actually pulled my hair back in a pony tail today as I was HOT at work yesterday so we will see if this helps.

::Set the timer for 15 minutes and vacuum the main living areas of your home.

DONE: Kind of.....You see I don't have any carpet in my house. NONE. The house we are renting has either hardwood floors or lineoleum throughout. So I did sweep the main living areas, but not with a vacuum, but with a broom! :)

It feels so good to get little stuff like this done each day! I am so enjoying this series!
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Are you working on organizing and cleaning your home? How are you doing?

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home--- Day 6

photo credit

I am following along with Money Saving Mom on her "4 Weeks to a More Organized Home (Simplified)" series!

Basically each day (minus the week of Thanksgiving, starting Nov 5) she will post an assignment to help you get more organized that should only take 30 minutes or less to complete.

I have been thinking about doing a major declutter and organization of our home before Christmas so this is coming at the right time!
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Today is day 6.

Today's assignment and how I did:

::Get dressed in something that makes you feel great

Today's outfit is: jeans, dark red tank top, black sweater, cross necklace, black shoes and socks. :)
I find that I feel better about what I am wearing if I add a necklace to it.

::Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea and create a list of weekly goals.

MY WEEKLY GOALS:

• Complete and mail off HEAP application
• Pay remaining November bills
• Farm Rich review and giveaway posted on blog
• Read at least 1 marriage book
• List at least 2 things on ebay
• Read at least 1 book a day to each child

::Set the timer for 10 minutes and run through your home and quickly pick up everything that’s out of place and put it away.

DONE-- Thankully the house wasn't too bad, as Hubby helped me get it clean yesterday. :)

::Set the timer for 10 minutes and clean out the inside of your vehicle. Remove all trash and clutter. If you have time, use a vacuum attachment to vacuum all the seats and floors out.

I actually did this last thursday as Friday Hubby was traveling with a coworker to cover a tournament game. I didn't think that his coworker should be subjected to the craziness of having 3 kids and only 1 car, so I cleaned it out last Thursday! So was ahead of the game! :)

It feels so good to get little stuff like this done each day! I am so enjoying this series!
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Are you working on organizing and cleaning your home? How are you doing?

Green Giant Seasoned Steamers WINNER!

 

The lucky winner of the Green Giant Seasoned Steamers Prize pack is:

 

LIBERTY B. (mindomatter76@.....)

 

Liberty, you have been emailed. You have 48 hours to respond or I will choose a new winner!

 

Thank you everyone for entering!

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home---Day 5

photo credit

I am following along with Money Saving Mom on her "4 Weeks to a More Organized Home (Simplified)" series!

Basically each day (minus the week of Thanksgiving, starting Nov 5) she will post an assignment to help you get more organized that should only take 30 minutes or less to complete.

I have been thinking about doing a major declutter and organization of our home before Christmas so this is coming at the right time!
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Today is day 5.

Today's assignment and how I did:

::Get dressed in something that makes you feel great

Today's outfit of choice: jeans, long sleeve black t-shirt, long black sweater and black shoes.

::Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no more than 5-7 specific things you want to accomplish today.

My goals for today:

• Parent- Teacher conference
• Deliver snack stuff to school
• Lunch date with Billl
• pick up books from library

::Set the timer for 10 minutes and remove your couch cushions and clean out any crumbs, toys, or other miscellaneous items you find. Use an attachment on your vacuum to vacuum the cushions, underneath the cushions, and all crevices of your furniture. Spot clean the fabric, if needed.

It wasn't too bad. There were a couple of small toys but that was about it under the couch cushions. I did take the covers off the couch cushions and they are currently in the washing machine. Benjamin apparently had a blow out in his diaper while our friend was babysitting them this afternoon for us, so I had to spray and wash the covers. (That is life with a kid in diapers though!)

Before

After

 
::Set the timer for at least 15 minutes and do something you really enjoy and that relaxes and rejuvenates you. If you need ideas, here are a few: read, write, call a friend, pray, exercise, bake, play with your children, laugh with your husband, stop by the bookstore and browse the book selection, work in the garden, or take a nap! Take some time to just stop and enjoy life today!

Today Bill and I had to go to my daughter's school for a parent-teacher conference. It was good. We also took the opportunity to have a friend babysit the kids during this and we went out to lunch at our local Mexican restaraunt BY OURSELVES!!! This is something that we haven't done since before Benjamin was born (he is 7 months old!). It was so nice to enjoy adult conversation and enjoy yummy food! Then we went to the library and spent a little bit of time browsing. I feel so good right now and refreshed and am ready to get back into housecleaning and other responsibilities!

It feels so good to get little stuff like this done each day! I am so enjoying this series!
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Are you working on organizing and cleaning your home? How are you doing?

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home---Day 4

photo credit

I am following along with Money Saving Mom on her "4 Weeks to a More Organized Home (Simplified)" series!

Basically each day (minus the week of Thanksgiving, starting Nov 5) she will post an assignment to help you get more organized that should only take 30 minutes or less to complete.

I have been thinking about doing a major declutter and organization of our home before Christmas so this is coming at the right time!
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Today is day 4.

Today's assignment and how I did:

::Get dressed in something that makes you feel great

Today I am wearing jeans, a pink tanktop, topped with a long brown sweater. I love the combo of browns and pinks!

::Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no more than 5-7 specific things you want to accomplish today.

My to do list for today:
1. Find all paperwork for HEAP app
2. Get supplies together for MIL b-day present
3. Make and email snack schedule to work
4. One load of laundry
5. Do today's assignments

::Set the timer for 15 minutes and do a quick-clean of your most-used bathroom (if you have more than one bathroom!).

Our main bathroom wasn't too bad. A few towels and bath toys on the floor. I picked those up and put them away. Went through the bath toys and threw out a few that were old and/or were squirting out stuff with the water. I replaced shower gel and shampoo for my hubby. And wiped out our sink and bathtub. I also straightened up the toothpastes.

Before

After

::Set the timer for 10 minutes and quickly clean out underneath your beds and furniture. Remove clutter and trash and put it away or throw it away. If you have more time, move the furniture (if possible) and vacuum underneath.

OH MY WORD!!! I didn't realize how much STUFF was under our couch and under our computer armoire. There was a ton of kids' toys under both. We have hardwood floors and so there is nothing to stop small toys from getting kicked under the couch or the armoire. But now they are both clean underneath. I did not do our beds as I do the kids' each time I change their sheets and Bill and I do not keep anything under ours.

Here are the "treasures" found under the couch-- LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the expression on Jacob's face...when I got all the stuff out, he was like "wow! treasures!" LOL! LOVE that boy!

And the "treasures" under the computer armoire---

I am glad that is done. I really should add a weekly clean out under the couch to our list of things we should do.

It feels so good to get little stuff like this done each day! I am so enjoying this series!
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Are you working on organizing and cleaning your home? How are you doing?

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home--Day 3

photo credit

I am following along with Money Saving Mom on her "4 Weeks to a More Organized Home (Simplified)" series!

Basically each day (minus the week of Thanksgiving, starting Nov 5) she will post an assignment to help you get more organized that should only take 30 minutes or less to complete.

I have been thinking about doing a major declutter and organization of our home before Christmas so this is coming at the right time!
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Today is day 3.

Today's assignment and how I did:

::Get dressed in something that makes you feel great

::Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no more than 5-7 specific things you want to accomplish today.

My goals for today:

Find all paperwork that goes with HEAP application
Read at least 1 book to each child
Get supplies together for MIL b-day present
Go snack shopping for work
Do at least 1 load of laundry

::Set the timer for 10 minutes and do a quick-clean of your bedroom: Do a quick clean-up, make your bed, and vacuum, if you have time.

My bedroom isn't too bad, but I cleaned off surfaces and made our bed. Looks much better now.

Before (from one angle)

After

Before (from another angle)

After (from another angle)

::Set your timer for 10 minutes and do a quick clean-out of your freezer. If you have a deep freeze, don’t worry about cleaning it out unless you have extra time today.

My freezers weren't too bad, as I did a grocery shop this weekend. So no pictures of them. In the interest of full disclosure... I did empty a box of waffles and threw the box away. That was about the extent of my freezer cleaning today!

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Are you working on organizing and cleaning your home? How are you doing?

I got a haircut!

This weekend, I decided that I had enough. I haven't had my hair cut in over a year. I was probably 2-3 months pregnant with Benjamin when I last had it cut. So it was time.....

Here is the before:

Here is the after....

I had a total of 11 inches cut off! My head feels so much lighter. I love it. Jacob keeps asking me "what happened to Mommy's hair?" LOL

Here is another look....

 

I think it is perfect because it is short enough for me to wear down and still long enough to pull back out of my face when I am doing something with the kids or am going to work.

What do you think? How do you wear your hair?

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home--Day 2

photo credit

I am following along with Money Saving Mom on her "4 Weeks to a More Organized Home (Simplified)" series!

Basically each day (minus the week of Thanksgiving, starting Nov 5) she will post an assignment to help you get more organized that should only take 30 minutes or less to complete.

I have been thinking about doing a major declutter and organization of our home before Christmas so this is coming at the right time!
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Today is day 2.

Today's assignment and how I did:

::Get dressed in something that makes you feel great {there’s something about dressing in clothes that make you feel great that just gives you more energy and zest for life!}

Today I dressed up a little. Was feeling a little down and with the arrival of "Aunt Flo" for the week, I felt like something had to make me feel a little better. So I wore black dress pants and a nice pink shirt. I also wore my breast cancer awareness necklace that was made by a friend who is currently battling this horrible disease.

::Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no more than 5-7 specific things you want to accomplish today.

The things I wanted to accomplish today are:

• Find all paperwork that I need to complete HEAP application
• Make copies of said paperwork
• Fill out HEAP application and have hubby sign
• Get supplies ready to make Mother-In-Law's birthday gift from kids
• Read at least 1 book to each child today
• Exercise for at least 20 minutes

::Set the timer for 10 minutes and do a quick-clean of your kitchen: wash the dishes/load the dishwasher, clear off the counter tops, and, if you have time, wipe down the counter tops and the outside of the cupboards with wet rag or cleaning cloth.

Did this.  My kitchen wasn't too bad to start. But when I went to wipe down the outside of the cupboards the bottom ones were gross. I even wiped off the side of the fridge because it was nasty too. Guess I never look that close to the ground when I am doing cleaning.

Before

After

Before (Gross!)

After (Much better!)

::Set the timer for 10 minutes and do a quick clean of your refrigerator. Remove all the contents that are past their prime, wipe down the sticky spots, and re-organize things so they are easier to get to.

I had already done this over the weekend as I had to do a major grocery shop. But I did move a few things around today, as leftovers were getting in the way of other stuff.

before

after

Feels good to be doing a little something each day for organizing and cleaning house. Hope I can keep up the momentum!

How are you doing? Are you cleaning and/or organizing your home?