Recommendations

  • Love It – Cuisinart CPB-300 Compact Portable Blender & Chopper

    My husband bought me a Cuisinart Blender a little over a year ago and I LOVE it!  He got me a Cuisinart CPB-300 SmartPower 15-Piece Compact Portable Blending/Chopping System and it has been a huge hit with the whole family.  The best part is it is compact and comes with four 16 ounce single smoothie cups as well as a bigger blender.  I will often whip up a quick smoothie for myself for breakfast or a snack as I am walking out the door.

    I have used this blender A LOT and it has held up very well (its still in great condition).  Before this one I went through 2 KitchenAid Blenders which were much bigger and I didn’t use them nearly as often because it was harder to clean.  I cannot say enough good things about this blender.

    I have made a lot of different recipes with this Cuisinart.  The fruit smoothies are my favorite!  I have enjoyed experimenting with smoothies and  have discovered how easy it is to make smoothies at home.

    The girls will often request a smoothie for a special treat or snack too (so I am not the only one who loves the Cuisinart Blender).  I have included some of our favorites smoothie recipes.

    Smoothie Recipes

    Product Specifics

    • Sleek electronic touchpad with LED indicator lights
    • Powerful 350-watt motor
    • High, Low and Pulse controls
    • Standby mode; safety interlock and auto stop features
    • BS housing with stainless steel front pane
    • BPA-free Tritan 32-oz. blender jar, 8-oz. chopping cup, and set of four 16-oz. travel cups
    • Patented ultra-sharp stainless steel blades
    • Two interchangeable blade assemblies: blending blade and chopping blade
    • Recipe Book
    • Dishwasher safe
    • Limited 3-year warranty

     

    Blender

     Are you ready for a smoothie?

    “Love It” is a series of posts on items that I use regularly in my household that I love!  There are some items in our daily lives that make life more enjoyable, efficient, or just plain fun.  I will be sharing with you some of the products that have been given to us (or to me) that have made it to the top of my list.  It’s my way of giving a huge thumbs up!

  • Breathe of Heaven by Amy Grant

    Breath of heaven,
    Hold me together,
    Be forever near me,
    Breath of heaven.
    Breath of heaven,
    Lighten my darkness,
    Pour over me your holiness,
    For you are holy.
    Breath of heaven.

    Do you wonder as you watch my face,
    If a wiser one should have had my place,
    But i offer all i am
    For the mercy of your plan.
    Help me be strong.
    Help me be.
    Help me.

  • Free Audio Book: “God is In A Manger” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

    For the month of December Christian Audio is offering a free download of an audio book .  This month the audio book is God is In A Manger by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

    These stirring words are among forty devotions that guide and inspire readers as they move thematically through the weeks of Advent and Christmas, from waiting and mystery to redemption, incarnation, and joy. Supplemented by an informative introduction, short excerpts from Bonhoeffer’s letters, and passages from his Christmas sermons, these daily devotions are timeless and moving reminders of the true gift of Christmas.  (information from Christian Audio)

    If you have been wanting to a book to listen to throughout the day or while driving then this is a great opportunity to get a book for free when you download it from Christian Audio in December.   Make sure to submit your order by December 31,  2012  to get your free audio book.  Thanks Christian Audio!

  • Love It – BluApple

    I am very excited to share with you a little item that has saved me a lot of time, energy, and money over the past year while helping our family eat healthier! I have been asked many times how I can purchase marked down fresh vegetables and fruits without them going bad within a day or two…..well, I am going to share my little “secret” with all of you.  If you love to eat fresh fruit and vegetables, but wish they would stay fresh longer I have stumbled upon something that will really brighten your day! 🙂

    When I got the BluApples I was a little skeptical, to say the least.  How can these little blue apples really help extend the life of my fresh fruits and vegetables?!  Do they really work?  Is it worth the cost?  And many more similar questions.

    I waited for a few weeks and found an amazing deal on these little BluApples.  I was able to get these free (only had to pay $3 shipping).  Unfortunately, I haven’t seen that deal again otherwise I would stock up on some for my family and friends.  Either way these little apples have more than paid for themselves MANY TIMES OVER!

    Our family loves to garden, buy fresh fruits and vegetables, however, when our fridge is full of produce sometimes fruits and vegetables would go bad before we had a chance to eat everything.  The BluApples extend the life of our fruits and vegetables (even ones that I buy which are already on the “edge”) for weeks!  These BluApples really do preserve the produce and help the items last much longer!

    I used to clean out my fruit and vegetable drawers out about once a week.  Now I do it once a month and sometimes longer because the items in the drawer are staying fresh. Enough of my raving, here are some more facts about this neat apple:

    • 2 Bluapples – Last for 3 Months Each – Additional Absorber Refills Available Separately (Our BluApples lasted longer than 3 months, typically lasted 5 to 7 months)
    • Prolongs freshness and storage life of fruits & vegetables
    • Made In USA
    • Put in refrigerator crisper drawers
    • Place in the fruit bowl on the counter or anywhere you keep fruit
    • Pays for itself dozens of times over in the the first year alone
    • Extend storage life of your produce (up to 3 times longer)
    • Average household can save up to $600 per year

    How Do The BluApples Work?

    • Ethylene gas is given off naturally by fruits and vegetables as a signaling mechanism in order to coordinate uniform ripening. However, once concentrated in your refrigerator or other storage areas, the presence of ethylene gas continues to speed up ripening and hasten spoilage.
    • The BluApple is designed to provide effective ethylene gas absorption for three months in a typical home refrigerator produce bin or storage container.
    • The active ingredient does not “wear out”, but continues to absorb ethylene until it has reached its capacity.

    This would be a wonderful gift for any cook in your family.  It really does WORK (and BluApple is not paying me to say it either).  Your Mom, wife, sister, friend will probably come back to you in a couple months thanking you again for this gift.  Hey, they even make you a special meal out of some the fresh produce just to say thanks!

    You can pick up the BluApple Ethlylene Gas Absorbers – Starter Pack of 2 – Refrigerator Fruit & Vegetable Preserver on Amazon for around $9.95 with two packs of or many major retailers. If you have a Swagbuck Amazon Gift Cards you can even get this it for free!  You’ll love it!

    “Love It” is a series of posts on items that I use regularly in my household that I love!  There are some items in our daily lives that make life more enjoyable, efficient, or just plain fun.  I will be sharing with you some of the products that have been given to us (or to me) that have made it to the top of my list.  It’s my way of giving a huge thumbs up!

  • Good Morning by Mandisa & Tobymac

    It’s a good morning!
    Wake up to a brand new day
    This morning,
    I’m stepping, stepping on my way
    Good morning,
    You give me strength,
    You give me just what I need
    And I can feel the hope that’s rising in me.
    It’s a good morning

    Slow down, breathe in,
    Don’t move ahead
    I’m just living in this moment
    I’ve got my arms raised, un-phased
    Jump out of bed
    Gotta get this party going
    I went to bed dreaming,
    You woke me up singing
    Get up, get up, hey!

    Now I’m smiling, and I’m kissing all my worries goodbye
    Got the feeling, if I spread my wings I might even fly
    You are my truth, my way
    Give me the strength to say
    Get up, get up, get up
    Cause it’s a good morning, hey

  • Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

    I just finished leaving the book Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls.  This series was one of my favorites growing up as a kid.  The girls loved it so much that they begged to start reading the second book in the series right away.

    The book is about a little girl named Laura Ingalls who grew up to write the Little House books.  She lived in a snug little log house deep in the woods of Wisconsin in the late 1870s with her Pa, Ma, older sister Mary, and baby sister Carrie.

    This is the first book of the series and a great one to read to your kids. We have an older version of the book (from when I was a kid), but the story is exactly the same.  They even have a picture every few pages that the girls enjoyed looking at as we read together.

  • Free Ebooks: eReader Girl

    Do you enjoy a finding free or discounted ebook deals?  Crystal at MoneySavingMom has launched a new website called eReaderGirl  where women can go to find free or discounted ebooks!

    Whether you have a Kindle or Nook this site will be a great resource for finding books to read.  Even if you don’t have a Kindle or Nook you can download an app that allows you to read them on your cell phone, tablet, or computer.

    The eReader Girl tells you about free ebooks available each day as well as discounted ebooks.  The ebooks are categorized by different genres.  They even have Children’s books listed for you.  Many of the ebooks you will find listed on the website will be free for a limited time so please make sure to double check the price prior to completing your order.

    You can follow eReader Girl on Twitter or Facebook too.  I am super excited about this website because our family loves to read books and can be often found reading together.  It is always a real treat finding a favorite book or one I have been wanting to read listed for free or at a great discount.  Hope you enjoy exploring this neat new site!

  • Song: “Light Up the Sky” by The Afters

    When I’m feeling all alone and so far to go
    The signs are nowhere on this road guiding me home
    When the night is closing in
    It’s falling on my skin
    Oh God will You come close

    Light, light, light up the sky
    Light up the sky to show me You are with me
    I, I, I can’t deny
    Oh I can’t deny that You are right here with me
    You’ve opened my eyes so I can see You all around me
    Light, light, light up the sky
    Light up the sky to show me You are with me

    When stars are hiding in the clouds
    I don’t feel them shining
    When I can’t see beyond my doubt
    The silver lining
    When I’ve almost reached the end
    Like a flood You’re rushing in
    Love is rushing in

    So I run straight to Your arms
    You’re the bright and morning Sun
    To show Your love, there’s nothing You won’t do

     

  • Book: Giant Storybook Treasury by Richard Scarry

    The girls love Richard Scarry’s Giant Storybook Treasury and can often be seen toting it into the van to read as we drive around town.  Our family has spent some extra time in doctors office these past two weeks and the girls brought this book along for the adventure (to give you an idea of how long we were in the waiting room, we read the entire book and then some….).

    The book contains 12 classic stories in one book.  One of the best parts of the books is its great illustrations with colorful pictures of pigs, cats, foxes, and more.  Some of the stories in this book:

    • Mother Cat’s Busy Day
    • The Firefighters’ Busy Day
    • Miss Honey’s School Bus
    • Mr. Gronklers Busy Day

    The girls have enjoyed this book for a long time (even before they could read).  If your looking for a fun and fascinating book this is a great one to check out.

  • Song: “Always” by Kristian Stanfill

    Every time I hear this song I am encouraged.  I have been driving a lot more lately so the girls and I have spent some extra time in the car.  It is always great when the kids join me in singing praise and worship songs while driving.  A couple weeks ago we sang this song in church as well.  May it be a blessing to you too!

    My foes are many, they rise against me
    But I will hold my ground
    I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
    My help is on the way, my help is on the way

    Oh, my God, He will not delay
    My refuge and strength always
    I will not fear, His promise is true
    My God will come through always, always

    Troubles surround me, chaos abounding
    My soul will rest in You
    I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
    My help is on the way, my help is on the way

    I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
    I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
    I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
    I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
    From You Lord, from You Lord