W@HM, Legos, Toddlers, Free Children's Books :: Links for Your Enjoyment

I love reading what other bloggers have to say.  Here are a few I've read this week that I want to share with you:

• Finding your passion and turning it into an income can be tricky.  Simple Mom shared how working from home requires passion and finding your 'element.'  I think blogging is my 'element.'  Jury's still out on if I can earn an income from it!

• My older boys really got into Legos this year. As soon as I learned there is a free Lego magazine I signed them both up! I can't wait to surprise them with the first issues!

• With 3 older children also vying for my attention it's easy to overlook my 2 year old at times. Sarah Mae wrote a great reminder 10 minutes with a toddler is often enough to satisfy their need for attention.

• Summer reading programs will be kicking off soon. Here's one for free children's books at Borders. Do you know of other free books for summer reading?

Did you read a great blog post this week?  Please share the link.  I'm always looking for a great blog post to read.

Links for Your Enjoyment

I love reading what other bloggers have to say.  Here are a few I've read this week that I want to share with you:

• The Frugal Flamingo shared 8 Signs you need a menu plan.  I laughed as I read because I relate to all 8 signs!  
• This link is for my husband.  Sweet, go to Tip Junkie and use these free printables so the kids can color/make me something for Mother's Day.  I promise to act surprised!  :) 
• My friend, Amy, shared how she uses a Hospitality Journal to plan activities in her home.  I love the idea and hope to use it in the future!
• She also shared how to evaluate and reflect on a hospitality event after it's over.  Having a place to record what worked well and what didn't is a great idea!

Did you read a great blog post this week?  Please share the link.  I'm always looking for a great blog post to read.

Links for Your Enjoyment :: April 30, 2011

Links I thought you might find useful or fun:

• I'm not the only one who loves Apologia's Exploring Science curriculum.  Grateful for Grace wrote a detailed review of Apologia AND is hosting a giveaway for your pick of books.  Better hurry, giveaway ends May 1. 

•  Like Chili's Grill and Bar Restaurant on Facebook and sign up for their email newsletter.  On most Tuesdays over the last few months they have been posting/emailing a Kids Eat Free coupon.  I just wish I could use the coupon every week.  :)

• In the last month, FOUR women I know have given birth.  I'm tempted to make gifts for them using the tutorial for homemade nursing covers from Tip Junkie.

• Public, private, charter or home, there are a lot of choices for schooling these days.  The most successful students are those that are home schooled.  Before you throw rocks, follow the link and see what the author has to say.  I think you'll end up agreeing with her.  :)

• Paper Coterie is officially launching their new site on May 4 with an open house.  Join in the fun and receive $40 to spend on photo books, photo calendars, home decor and other photo products during the open house.

Links for Your Enjoyment, 2.1.09

Hi! The week's links are pretty thin. I haven't had much time this week to read blogs. I'm hoping to do that soon!

Family Life: Friends and Family

• Military Communication Part 2: Military Care Kits at Experiencing Each Moment. (GREAT idea!!)
• Calling all Christian Single Bloggers at Being Single. (I know most of my readers are mommies but if you are a Christian single, or know one, please check out my IRL friend, Michelle. She and I spent a lot of time together in college. Unfortunately we haven't spent as much time together since college - just too many miles between us but I still count her as one of my best friends in the whole world!)
• Prayers of Sixth and Trinity at Singing New Songs. (Powerful and beautiful post about prayer.)
  
• Dad's Birthday at The Robins Nest. (My family is in Arkansas. I am in Rhode Island. You can find entire restaurants that specialize in fried catfish there. You can not here. My loving family likes to tease me. Blogs have allowed them to stoop to a whole new level.)

Have your relatives ever found creative ways to tease you?

Links for your enjoyment, 1.25.09

Welcome to Links for Your Enjoyment, 1.25.09 Edition.

I've reorganized my "Thought Topics" or labels or tags; whatever you want to call them. I wanted the list to better describe what I write about.

I also categorized Links for Your Enjoyment by applying the same "Thought Topics" labels. I hope this helps you find the links that interest you.

What do you think? Do they describe the posts you've read here on SMB? Can you easily find a post on a topic that interests you?

Home Management: Weekly/Monthly Menus and Misc. Food

• Freezer Friday at Frugal Menu Mamas. (I'm wanting to do more freezer cooking this year. This post has great ideas and recipes.)
• Meal Planning Part III at Life @ 7000 Feet. (The last in her series on how she plans and prepares meals for her family. See last week's Links for Your Enjoyment if you missed the first two posts.)
• Starting a Freezer Cooking Co-op at Frugal Menu Mamas. (I like this idea! Does anyone else do this? Anyone in Rhode Island interested?)
  

Family Life: Just Me

• It's Not My Thing at Yes, and So Is My Heart. (I feel the same way!)
• The SAHM Adventure at Reading to Know. (Great post about being a SAHM!)

Family Life: Friends and Family

• Ship Departing... at Experiencing Each Moment. (Great pictures of her husband's ship deploying. Look for the picture of her son and husband silently expressing their love to each other.
  

Family Life: Books

• Sometimes you have to buy the book at Econobusters (Links for an online book sale. Free books? I'm there!)

Family Life: Faith

• A New Year's resolution that keeps on giving at Virtue Alert. (One of my goals for this year is to read through the Bible. I'm using the same Bible she describes. I really like her idea for journaling.)

Blogging: Miscellaneous

• Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival is Next Week! at Bloggy Giveaways. (Actually, they start tomorrow. Visit this site to find the Mr. Linky then take the tour to sign up for giveaways. Last year I won two - a JoAnn's gift card and a book. And be sure to come back here for the first ever Stephanie's Mommy Brain Giveaway!)
• Top Tips for Beginning Bloggers at Tip Junkie. (Good ideas for those still learning about their blogs or thinking about getting into blogging.)
• Your Blogging Questions Answered and Part 2 at Tip Junkie. (She answered one of my questions and linked to me!! It was a fun blogging week for me!!!)
• Linky Interwebby Awesomeness 1.21.09 at BooMama. (I'm one of the "sweet bloggy friend[s]"she's talking about. I'm very excited about this opportunity. More about that in a couple of weeks.)

Links for your enjoyment, 1.18.09

About to fly away...

The Homemakers Haven: How to Participate at A High & Noble Calling. (Every Monday she will post a cleaning challenge/carnival for you to participate in. If you are looking for motivation in ordering/cleaning your home this just might be it.)

2009 New Year's Cleaning Grand Plan Challenge at Organized Home. (Another weekly cleaning challenge.)

On Reading - A Reader's Diary at 5 Minutes for Books. (A great idea for helping you process and remember the books you read.)

Meal Planning Part 1- Purpose at Life at 7000 Feet. (I love to read about how/why other people plan meals!)

Meal Planning Part 2 at Life at 7000 Feet. (She has great ideas. We're both menu/meal plan, just use slightly different systems.)

Link-Tastic: The Filing System Edition at Org Junkie. (DID YOU SEE SHE LINKED TO ME?! I am beyond excited!)

Pretty Please with Sugar on Top at Life at 7000 Feet. (I couldn't agree more!)

Links for your enjoyment, 1.11.09

Best of 2008 Countdown #5! at No Time for Flashcards. (This is a really fun blog for preschool/toddler activities and crafts. This link will take you to a home made race track. Something my boys would enjoy.)

Best of 2008 Countdown #2! at No Time for Flashcards. (Now I know what to do with broken crayons!!)

Memorable Verses for Children at Heart of the Matter. (A great way to memorize scripture with your kids. Same idea as here, just different verses.)

The Importance of an Emergency Fund at Econobusters. (We saved 3 months living expenses through the course of 2008. I can't recommend this practice enough!)

MOPs Moment: Predator Proofing Your Children at Experiencing Each Moment. (A topic all moms wish we didn't have to think about. An director at a camp for abused children spoke to Alicia's MOPs group and gave them valuable information, including a link to a 55 page PDF workbook.

Links for your enjoyment, 12.28.08

Christmas Card Bloopers Carnival by Sarah at Real Life. (Should be funny!)

Podcast with Amy Roloff from Little People, Big World Part 1 at 5 Minutes for Mom. (I haven't listened yet but I hope to.)

Podcast with Jon Gosselin from Jon & Kate + 8 at 5 Minutes for Mom. (I haven't listened yet but I hope to.)

12 Days of Blissmas Cookies Day 10: Scrumptious Shortbread Cookies at Blissfully Domestic. (I hope to try these soon.)

Lucy Maud Montgomery Reading Challenge by Carrie at Reading to Know. (Who doesn't love Anne?!)

I've included 2 carnivals this week. Even if you don't blog you can stop by these and read what others have posted.

Do you enjoy these weekly links? Have they been helpful or enjoyable to you? I read a wide variety of blogs, is there a topic you'd like me to link to more often?

Links for your enjoyment, 12.21.08

Sweets for the Season 2008: Simple Peanut Butter Fudge by Heather at Home Ec 101. (I MUST make some of this!)

Free Coloring Pages for Kids by Katie at Blissfully Domestic. (Free! Need I say more?)

Buggy Tic-Tac-Toe by Suzanne at Heart of the Matter Online. (You must look at this simple to make game!)

January 2oth one month from today by Alicia at Experiencing Each Moment. (She shares her experience of seeing President Bush Sr, President G. W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush at her "little" brother's graduation from Texas A & M. Great pictures, quotes and video!)

Links for your enjoyment, 12.14.08

10 Sites to download free children's books at Heart of the Matter {Online}. (Free books?! Need I say more?)

Sweets for the Season 2008: Vanilla, Cranberry, Almond Biscotti at Home Ec 101. (Oh. My. Word. These sound delicious!)

Links for your enjoyment, 12.7.08

Radical Womanhood, by Carolyn McCulley at Reading to Know. (I've seen this book reviewed in a couple of places. I'm intrigued and putting it on my reading list for '09. The author of the book also has a blog, Radical Womanhood.)

There are endless ways to ... by No Time for Flashcards. (She has many cute and clever ideas for activities with toddlers/preschoolers.)

My Interview Story by The Bargain Shopper Lady. (Encouraging story about asking God for your dreams.)

Freezer Cooking Links by Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie. (I've dabbled in freezer cooking or once-a-month cooking. It's a great way to save money, time and energy. I'm hoping to do more freezer cooking.)

The Bathroom Door Letter by Alicia at Experiencing Each Moment. (Hilarious!)

Links for your enjoyment, 11.30.08

Thanksgiving Rightly Addressed by Dawn at The Homeschool Post. (Who did you thank on Thursday?)

Are you kidding me?? at Starry Sky Ranch. (I couldn't agree with her more.)

Why Do I Homeschool? by Stephanie at Heart of the Matter. (She beautifully articulates our reasons for home schooling.)

Links for your enjoyment. 11.23.08

Our (Long) Toy Story... by Susan L at High Desert Home. (A timely post by a grandma about the toys she used/uses in her home. Quality over quantity.)

I need a t-shirt... by Melissa at 320 Sycamore. (A list of comments moms of 3 or more hear often!)

Introducing Twaddle-Free Books... for Moms! by Simple Mom. (She's starting a book club. 6 books in 2009. This fits well with one of the goals I'm considering for next year. More on that in a few weeks.)

Radical Womanhood: Feminine Faith in a Feminist World by Lisa at 5 Minutes for Books. (This looks like an interesting and thought provoking book. I'm putting it on my 2009 Reading List.)

I'm in limbo and I'm not very limber... by Meredith at Life at 7000 Feet. (I don't think I'm limber either.)

Loneliness--a curse or a gift? by Sally at I Take Joy. (She writes about feeling lonely without support systems. Boy, can I relate!)

Links for your enjoyment, 11.16.08

9 Tips for Taking Great Family Portraits by Simple Mom (lots of links to other sites with tips for digital photography!).

Clutter control: 11 tips from a true expert by Org Junkie (I hate clutter! I'm blessed to live with a pack rat. One day I will have my basement completely clear of clutter!!).

Cool Off Your House Fever with a Long term Financial Plan by Simple Mom (Great ideas!! Much wisdom here!)

WholeHearted Mother Conferences 2009 in NC, CA, and TX and Colorado Springs and Raleigh, NC Mom's Conference Coming! by Sally at I Take Joy (if I could go I absolutely would!!!).

Midnight Comfort by Lara at Singing New Songs (a sweet poem describing a common scene in the life of a mom to little ones. I inadvertently put this in last week's post when I meant to put it in this one. I should explain that I keep a Links post saved and update throughout the week as I read blogs I want to share with you).

House-Home... by Susan at High Desert Home with hat tip to {Olive Tree} (great article about what makes our houses into homes. Challenging and encouraging!).

Links for your enjoyment: 11.9.08

Election results by Amy at Singing Mommy (Remembering that God is in control of the next four years and determines our rulers and leaders is a comfort.)

Playing the part of provider to bring life and beauty by Sally at I Take Joy (I recently commented to Joel that we can add another thing to our "We are Weird" list. We sit down for supper at our table every night as a family. Even the weekends.)

Holidays by Hand: Celebrate the Season with Your Sewing Skills by Simple Mom (I've been looking for Jesse Tree ornaments to buy and can't find any. She makes me want to make mine. Then I remember the newborn and the thought passes.)

Books for Boys by Carrie at 5 Minutes for Books (I think Will would like both of these. I know his daddy would like the spy book.)

Thanksgiving Ideas are available weekly as free PDF files at the Vision Forum website.

Midnight Comfort by Lara at Singing New Songs (a sweet poem describing a common scene in the life of a mom to little ones).

Links for your enjoyment. 11.1.08

I didn't write anything new last week (all but one of last week's posts were scheduled ahead of time) but I am reading what comes into my Google Reader. Hopefully I'll find a few coherent minutes this weekend to write about Samuel's birth.

In the meantime, here are a few links I thought you might enjoy.

It all comes out in the wash... by Meredith at Life at 7000 Feet. (She describes her system for taking care of Mt. Laundry. I agree with her that the system you use isn't as important as having one.)

Make your own seasoning blends: 7 unique recipes by Guest Writer at Simple Mom. (These sound fantastic! I can't wait to try the one for taco seasoning. It's so much cheaper to buy spices in bulk and make your own blends like this than buying those little packets that are mostly MSG anyway.)

Links for your enjoyment, 10.18.08

Children's Classics - Newbery Medal Winners by Jennifer at 5 Minutes for Books. (Check out the Mr. Linky if you are looking for book recommendations by other readers.)

Do not fear, for I am with you! by Sally at I Take Joy. (A good perspective on fear and anxiety given the current state of our economy. I felt challenged and encouraged for the role I play in my family and my influence on the other (soon-to-be) 5 people in my home!)

From a mother's heart by Lendy at Live, Laugh, Love...with boys! (A letter from an adoptive mom to her sons' birthmom. This is a real life friend of mine who finalized her adoptions this year.)

Back at hotel by Beth at The LPM Blog. (I'm totally bummed I couldn't attend the event in Connecticut on Friday night. Beth has a great prayer for all of us in this post. It really spoke to me.)

Nurture Your Kids Creativity and Independence with an Art Box by guest writer at Simple Mom. (Great idea!)

Stories that touch your heart! by Sally at I Take Joy (A look at suffering through the words of a favorite fiction author.)

Links for Your Enjoyment, 10.12.08

On Reading: Book Recommendations by Jennifer @ 5 Minutes for Books (If you are looking for book recommendations read this post and follow the links. Also, this site is all about books for all ages.)

It's Not Fair!! by Julie at Homegrown Blessings (I enjoyed her sarcastic commentary on the current state of our economy and culture.)

HPV Vaccine by Charity at Cardiff Central (Follow her links.)

How is your read aloud voice? by LindaFay at Higher Up and Further In (A good reminder.)

I'm mad too, Eddie by Jennifer at Snapshot (O how I agree!!!)

Links for your enjoyment. 10.5.08

On Reading: Do you censor yourself? by Jennifer @ 5 Minutes for Books. (Interesting and thought provoking.)

Different isn't bad, it's just different by Dawn @ Wherever He leads we'll go (A beautiful post by my real life friend, Dawn.)

Enjoy a Simple Christmas with a Well-Planned Budget by Simple Mom, (The holiday season is coming soon. Great ideas to get you thinking. We've budgeted gifts for years but I've never thought to budget for all the other holiday stuff.)

Anyone know of a good Hot Wheels body shop? by Vicki @ Virtue Alert (no doubt this, or something similar, lies in my future as a mom of THREE boys.)

Pushing through hard things... by Meredith @ Life at 7000 Feet (A post to make you think.)

There is a Rescuer by Amanda @ Baby Bangs. (AMEN!)

Links for your enjoyment. 9.28.08

Here are some blog posts by other bloggers I thought you might enjoy reading.

Seed and Bread by Beth @ The LPM Blog. (My bread? My children. January 2002, after 4.5 years of marriage I very much wanted children. I can just imagine God's delight with each of my prayers knowing that within a 5.5 year span he would give me not one but FOUR children!)

Like an Oyster by Sarah @ In the Midst of It. (I've had my own grains of irritation this week. I wish I'd handled them all with thoughtfulness and grace.)

Stuff and Things by Sally @ I Take Joy. (I'm currently reading her The Ministry of Motherhood: Following Christ's Example in Reaching the Hearts of Our Children. More about that in a few weeks when I've finished. This post lists her conferences. I wish I could attend one!!!)

Someone's Watching by Jennifer @ Snapshot (I think I may need an accountability partner. Pushing past mediocrity is a challenge.)