‘Tis the season everywhere, for giving.  I have noticed alot more giveaways around the blogosphere this week and alot of Christmas spirit!  There has also been some sadness and I want to start off with that.  If you haven’t heard, Dewey from The Hidden Side of a Leaf , passed away last week.  There has been so much discussion on this topic since we heard the news.  I myself have......
[Show More]

This article by Chris Brogan caught my attention and got me thinking about our own community of British Parent Bloggers. I’ve highlighted some of the points that could help us Promote Other Peoples Work and Link If you spot an article you love or you refer to something that someone else has said, link to it. Comment Visit other blogs regularly and get involved in the conversa......
[Show More]

I’ve written an article on leveraging your blog posts, visitors and emailsR 30;here 217;s an excerpt and a link to read the rest. Today I realised something simple which may change my blogging in the future. Over the past two and a half years I have continually failed to leverage every opportunity. If you want to blog for more than just fun you need to make the most of every post, ev......
[Show More]

JC handmade: lavender/herb bags crafting nature ideas crafty fall roundup sublime stitching: embroidered napkins bella dia: handprint turkey softie storque: patchwork trivet table centrepiece martha stewart: paper turkeys plum pudding: nature sculpture Amy Butler: fabric leaves pattern maple leaf coasters acorn wreath [pictured] leaf votives (candle holders......
[Show More]

We are so thankful that you have joined us throughout this year for our chic picks, hip contests and fabulous deals! Enjoy your family and have a bountiful and happy Thanksgiving tomorrow.  If you are looking for some fun fall crafts to occupy the kiddos, we recommend: Construction Paper Hand Turkey with a Twist from a Video Tutorial via MOMformation (my daughter loved how the Turkey w......
[Show More]

Just some quick links and fun stuff I found around the web this week: First off, please don’t forget to enter my current giveaways over on my other site: A Lexen Healthy Juicer ( enter by 11:59 pm EST on November 22nd).  And I’m also giving another one away here at Mom of 3 Girls as well! A $10 gift certificate to Build-A-Bear Workshop ( enter by 11:59 pm EST o......
[Show More]

So, you know how I told you that I was distracted from NaNoWriMo by a shiny contest? And I entered my post about pumpkin pie and World of Warcraft? (Two things, strangely enough, that are rarely written about at the same time.) Well… I won! Well, me and one other person . The judge couldn’t decide between our two posts. Because one was funny, and one was serious and hear......
[Show More]

Not only has the Double Musky Inn been lauded for having fabulous Cajun food with an Alaskan seafood flair it’s had rave reviews in Bon Appetit magazine and newspapers across the country. But we Alaskans don’t need any fancy paper to tell us how great our favorite roadhouse is–this isn’t your white-shirt-and-tie experience, the log cabin setting is true to it’s Alas......
[Show More]

Thanks to supportive comments, a good night’s sleep, and a happy, sunny Thursday, we’re all doing a lot better here today.  I had to laugh, though, when I came into the living room this morning and saw a mound of books.  While I had been coping with my negative emotions, JediBoy was coping in his own way.  With “flu ff.” The mound contained 21 Sesame Street picture book......
[Show More]

As we get to this most craftiest time of the year, I am busy making lists of crafts I want to do. Of course, I have to add all these new craft ideas to my list from last year… which was added to the list from the year before that…  It’s turtles all the way down. My biggest priority this year is to get an advent calendar made for the Vivid Girl before December 1. Here are some ......
[Show More]

Are you full? I often ask this question to my children when we are finishing a meal, wanting to make sure everyone has had enough to eat. At Thanksgiving dinner, I can easily get full; usually a little too full! Thanksgiving is a time that we contemplate things for which we are thankful, or full of thanks. There are so many things that fill my life with richness and joy, I should be thankful and f......
[Show More]

“Mom, what’s good about mosquitos?” My kids ask this on a regular basis, because I taught them to look for a good   purpose for everything .  We’re still debating what purpose mosquitos serve beyond spreading disease and feeding bats.  Of course, I do understand natural selection, and the mosquito question is one of the smaller evils that can stump us, but I still t......
[Show More]

Do you know Scribbit ? Michelle does a great job of documenting her adventures in motherhood. If you haven’t done so, check out her blog. She posts something every day–sometimes it’s about food. Sometimes it’s about the kids. Sometimes it’s about our “Great Land” here in Alaska.  I think she should travel more around the state. There’s ......
[Show More]

I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Kansas, to be with my mom while my dad had surgery.  He has an aneurysm on his aorta, which is scary enough, but even scarier since he managed to postpone the surgery for 5 months longer than his doctor recommended.   He has had 3 heart bypass surgeries, and he was scared that he wouldn’t make it through another major surgery.  They were able to d......
[Show More]

Fun and trendy… these would make great gifts for women on you r list!......
[Show More]

The power of the internet is truly amazing. One simple post in 140 characters or less can go viral and potentially launch a product or destroy a reputation. Apparently, JessicaGottlieb tweeted a message about Motrin’s webad targeting moms. Little did Jessica Gottlieb know she started something that turned B-I-G very quickly. Motrin’s Mom-Alouge webad is seen as offensive to......
[Show More]

Because there’s no rhyme or reason to what caught my eye (and ear) this week… 1) My students ~*love*~ this song: 2)  EdibleR 30;Pilgrim …Hat s (many thanks to Michelle at Scribbit!) 3)  Kelli shares how to make corn husk dolls at There is No Place Like Home 4) The EduBlog Awards are now open for nominations (categories inclu......
[Show More]

…with crafty goodness! ~ Crafty Carnival shares free Christmas printables : A letter to Santa and tags/toppers for home baked cookies and reindeer food… ~ Ga-Ga for Garlands shares a “Giving Thanks” pennant style banner in time for Thanksgiving… ~ Michelle at Scribbit shares a pretty cute Thankgiving Turkey Mitt (you can figure out how to make it as......
[Show More]

“I am going to stop running through my life.” I said these words out loud in my walk-in closet where I sifted through the worn-out clothes and wished for replacements. The fall ritual of shifting the old season’s clothes to the back and bringing the new season to the front had left me wanting. Other expenses would come first this year, and I would need to make do. Before I even......
[Show More]

These are some of my favorite posts from the past week.  Enjoy. My Favorite Ways to Save Money - Scribbit finders and keepers - one plus two I was wrong about the election - Sweatpants Mom Stuffed Jumbo Pasta Shells - Robyn’s Online World A letter to my sons - Lawyer Mama Chicken pot pie  - BeanPlate    This is a new blog from Melanie at BeanPaste , which is alrea......
[Show More]

I know, I know. This morning I was all “Dude, I’m doing NaNoWriMo and you won’t see me for a month! Like, I am just writing my novel and that’s it. No household chores, no bathing, no voting, no nothing if it has nothing to do with my awesome book.” But then I spotted a contest. Something shiny off the novel-path. And I was distracted. And I entered it. (By the ......
[Show More]

 My effort: I could survive for 25 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor Talented Hubby’s effort: I could survive for 1 minute, 16 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor Created by Bunk Beds.net I’m doomed…. (Hat tip ~  Scribbit !) Update: I made Talented Hubby have a go.  I think it was his strategic ‘raptor pun......
[Show More]

  Hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween!! I had to leave town just to get away from all thecandy. My body is made up of 50% sugar right now. Actually the hubby wisked me away overnight so that we could have a little hubby/wife time as a reprieve from all our mommy/daddy time. When you start calling your husband Daddy more than his name, you need a getaway. So I am a little late on ......
[Show More]

Photo by  *Solar ikon*   I really enjoyed what I’ve been reading this week. They are all related to what I want to do in my home :  Keep Our Lives Simple Living Simple Saturdays- Ditching Discontentment  by Keeper of the Home (one of my new favorites) Decorating “Sme corating!& #8221; by A Place Called Home (found via Like Merchant Ships , thanks Meredith!......
[Show More]

Looking for some last minute spooky fun (besides trick-or-treating, of course)? Halloween Books: Head to the Library to read one of Debbie’s Best New Halloween Books for Kids Halloween Internet Fun: Send Spooky e-Cards from the World Wildlife Federation ; Find out your Vampire Name Halloween Recipes: Having a party? Make one of these Terrifyingly Tasty Treats using th......
[Show More]