The Holidays are coming!!

Despite the warm weather and slow start we are getting into the academic year--The holidays are coming. Check the calendar for yourself: It is now Autumn. Are you ready? Do you want to avoid the aplnning mistakes you made last year? No last minute gift buying for the really important person that you forgot. No more running out for last minute pizza for cranky kids that had enjoyed a day of holiday festivities, so much so that their frazzled mom forgot dinner. I am working toward these things and have a great tool to get me there.

I have you told you the past few years about how much I LOOVE Sheri Grahams 12 week- Holiday planner.  I still do:) I am a slow learner and each year I utilize more and more aspects of this great planner.

Honestly, just HAVING a holiday planner has helped me so mcuh. Sheri has thought of so many things that I woudlnt have and somehow she managed to organize them all in. Things like doubling meals in October and freezing for those busy nights of Holiday parties sounds so clever but is worth its weight in gold when actually planned out and written down. Sheri's keeps your eyes on Christ and serving your family. That organization, encouragement, and focus is precisely what your holidays need.
If you join me and start using this great planner October 1st you too can:


-Have Your Christmas Gifts planned, bought and wrapped by the first of December
-Have Your Christmas Letter written and ready to mail around Thanksgiving
-Plan Your Holiday Menus so you don’t even think about it when Thanksgiving rolls around
-Have Enough Time to give Homemade Gifts to your friends and family
-Have all Your Baking Supplies on Hand when You Need Them
-Have Your Gifts Shipped In Time for Christmas


Here is what's in the 12 Week Holiday Planner to create such magic?
-Blank Monthly and Weekly Calendar pages for Planning Your Holidays
-Weekly “To Do” Lists – Shows You exactly what needs to be Done Each Week
-Thanksgiving and Christmas Menus Forms
-Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Recipe Card Forms
-A Holiday Self-Evaluation Form – Prioritize So You Celebrate Your Ideal Christmas
-Shopping Lists
-Items to Do This Week  (Giving you a Ready Made Plan  from the first week of October til Christmas)
-Christmas Craft and Gift Ideas
-Memory Making Ideas for the Family
-Holiday Journal Pages

USER-FRIENDLY: Forms, Plans, Pages and Tips.

you can view some sample pages HERE

(I am an affiliate for this planner, because I really really believe in it. I will earn a commission for any purchases made from links listed in this post. )

Hellman's: Head to Head Chicken Dish Challenge

I have a confession: I LOVE MAYONAISE. I have tried making my own. But honestly, I do like Hellmans best.  
I been known to slather chicken breasts with mayo and maybe bread crumbs. For awhile, I did this one to two times a week:) Sometimes I added lemon. Apparently, I need some new ideas.

My realization (and confession) are very timely:

Helmmans is hosting a live Facebook challenge--Chicken Challenge - a series of head-to-head chicken dish challenges to help moms diversify their dinner routine


disclaimer: Im sharing this event as part of the one2one network. All opinions are my own--yours may differ.

What: Hellmann's Live Chicken Challenge

Where: Live stream at Facebook.com/Hellmanns
When: Tomorrow, Sept. 20th at 12:10pm EST
Who: Celeb dad and actor Mark Consuelos, renowned chef Tim Love and lifestyle expert Sissy Biggers

Head over to Hellmans Facebook page:  for more details and to join in on all the fun.

Mat Kearney- Young Love

I was asked to review:

Young Love by Mat Kearney

 You can purchase the album here on Itunes

I had heard his songs. They are all over the radio and in stores. Catchy, uplifting tunes.
According to wikipedia, his songs have been featured on " the following television series: 30 Rock, Dirty Sexy Money, Kyle XY, The Unit, Without A Trace, Laguna Beach, The Hills, Bones, Jericho, Friday Night Lights, Wildfire, What About Brian, South Beach, 8th & Ocean, One Tree Hill, Scrubs, The Closer, NCIS, Life Unexpected, Grey's Anatomy and The Vampire Diaries. His song "Runaway" is featured on the Soul Surfer movie soundtrack.".

The thing is that, honestly, I never REALLY listened. When I did, I was impressed. There is an honesty and brilliance about his music. He is a person I'd want to know and share a cup of coffee with. Someone Id welcome into my home.

I enjoy this obvious hit:
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But what took me a minute to catch on too was that he's talking about life with his new bride and working out all the kinks and rhythms:
 "Singing, hey mama, don't want no drama

Just a kiss before I leave
Hey lady, don't say maybe
You're the one that I can believe
Hey lover, don't want no other
Finger for my ring
I was also touched, and inspired by:

Rochester.
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You can read the lyrics HERE
He prefaces the song explaining it is his father's story. There is something so real and profound and honest about it. It's a story of breaking familial cycles. Of wanting more for your kids and family. Of one man's struggle and the hope found in the yes of a child and then becoming the man he wanted to be for him. It's not sad and doesn't make you angry: somehow he took this story and told it in a true and inspiring way. Love that.

Honestly, this CD has been playing in our kitchen, our living room, and our vehicle since it came in the mail. NON-STOP. It is good. It is fun. It has depth and appeals to everyone.


http://bit.ly/YLWidget