Hot Toys for 2012: Heelys
New Heelys Swift style have removable wheels My boys have been fussing on and on about Heelys for some time now but I really didn’t have a clear idea why. Initially, I dismissed it. As we live in the country, dirt roads are plenty, opportunity to skate on concrete is not. When our town built a […]
Hot Toys for 2012: Klutz Books
Are they books or are they toys? It’s a bit difficult to niche Klutz into any one category. There may be a need to create a new category, one just for Klutz’s creative play options and the sheer joy their entertaining products offer for children and adults alike. My favorites are the DIY style craft […]
Hot Toys for 2012: Grow with DuneCraft
My love of nature and all the beauty produced by our wonderful earth is something I always like to share with my children. Each year we garden together and work on the farm, but though I have many plants indoors and out selected more for their aesthetic properties, I had yet to involve them in […]
A Fresh Take on Turkey with San-J Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Turkey Meatballs are perfect for a quick tasty dinner or for any holiday gathering! Turkey Meatballs Makes 8 Servings Ingredients 2 pounds ground turkey 1 ½ cups fresh white bread crumbs ¼ cup yellow onion, chopped ½ cup San-J Asian BBQ Sauce 2 eggs, beaten 1 Tablespoon fresh Italian parsley, minced 1 ½ cups San-J […]
Hot Toys for 2012: HearthSong Gift Card
When I need ideas for gift-giving, I’m also on the look-out for quality toys that inspire creative play. That’s not always easy to find in one spot, though. Many stores offer a hodge-podge of wonderful items, but it’s nice to be able to visit an online retailer like HearthSong, who is committed to recommending top-notch […]
Nix the Myths About Having a Frugal Christmas
What holds you back from setting or keeping your goal of having an inexpensive Christmas? Everyone likes to save money, but, somehow the idea of doing so during Christmas time is enough to make even the bargain shopper take pause. Even with holiday sales and Black Friday deals, it’s easy to let guilt or insecurities […]
Holiday Craft Idea: Duct Tape DIY Crayon Roll
Every holiday season I look for simple craft idea suitable for stocking stuffers or to have on hand for impromptu gifts. This year I found a new favorite in the Scotch Duct Tape DIY Crayon Roll. It’s super simple to create and makes an adorable present for any child on your holiday gift list. The […]
Hot Toys for 2012: Hallmark Interactive Story Buddy
Jingle the Husky Pup warmed our hearts from the time we saw his adorable, plush face smiling up at us from his Hallmark Interactive Story Buddy box. But when he stared “talking” our hearts melted straight to mush. This little cutie certainly found a permanent spot in our rural home! You see, even though Jingle […]
How Will You Get Involved on Giving Tuesday?
We’re all familiar with the terms “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday,” but how about “Giving Tuesday?” Haven’t heard of it? Well, neither did I until recently, but I’m super glad I did, because I think it’s a lovely day worth cheering about! Giving Tuesday is a new movement to celebrate giving and encourage more, better […]
Hot Toys For 2012: Triple Talk
My favorite board games to purchase for our family are ones that have some type of educational aspect. Whether it’s using logic, memory recall, or offering enhancement of their math skills, I’m certainly in favor of adding fun, new learning-friendly games to our collection. I was slightly hesitant, wondering if Triple Talk, a fast-paced card […]
Custom Treat Boxes with Cricut Mini
In looking for a clever way to package my holiday treats, I didn’t need to look any further than my new Cricut Mini. Using the online Cricut Craft Room design software (or a cartridge,) you can easily select the shapes, styles, size, and embellishments you want to piece together a custom treat box that will wow […]
Whole Wheat Salted Caramel Nut Bars
Only 6 ingredients are needed for this delicious holiday treat! My grandmother used to make amazing caramel cashew bars for the holidays. Over time, they turned into caramel mixed nut bars (likely because mixed nuts were a favorite of my father’s at holiday time.) Now, to me, nothing speaks of fall harvest and holiday cheer […]