Holiday Gift Giving: MonogramOnline Personalized Gifts + Promo Code
If you are looking for a monogram or personalized item for someone on your list check out MonogramOnline.com! When it comes to fine monogrammed and name jewelry, MonogramOnline.com is in the top of its class — from silver and gold necklaces shaped into first names to cufflinks etched with initials. But that’s not all the gift-focused website is about – its huge selection of monogram-ready wares include, but are not limited to, iPhone cases, kitchenware, to sporting goods. There is something for everyone!
They currently have a promotional code that will give you an additional 45% OFF! Go to Monogramonline.com to order your personalized gift today! The promo code is good through December 31, 2014.
Promo Code: BLOG45
They have beautiful monogrammed items for that someone special on your gift list! Check out what they have to offer and save! You can find the perfect gift for anyone on your list whether it be for the upcoming Holidays, a Birthday, Anniversary, Wedding, or another other special occasion!
3D Printed: Heart Puzzle
Super cool heart puzzle my husband made for me with his 3D printer.
While I was away Jake made me a 3D printed heart puzzle, love my man! It was a sweet surprise when I came home! He is so thoughtful! The “flowers” or gears on the heart rotates around and when all of them are aligned it looks like the heart in the pictures. Super cool! The girls thought it was fascinating too!
The pieces had to be printed in several settings and then he clipped them together to form the puzzle. So thankful for my man. He is always doing things to brighten my day! Love him!
What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
I have a lot going on this week so it is important to stick to the menu. There are a lot of extra activities and Holiday projects that need to get done this week. Hopefully, having the menu will help us stay on track and use our time efficiently. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Pork Entree): Spaghetti & Meatballs, Garlic Bread
- Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Hamburgers, Green Beans
- Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Chicken Quesadillas, Fresh Salad
- Thursday (Pasta or Seafood Entree): Baked Tilapia, Steamed Vegetables
- Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting
I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef or seafood entree and so forth). It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned. I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.
Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family. On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home. As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes. If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).
As a family of four our life can get busy. What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget. Our family typically eats 6 to 7 dinner meals at home a week. We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat. Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family. Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day. Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends. The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety. We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.
Photo by Liz
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week flew by so quickly I barely had time to blink. December is flying by too fast. Although I was able to get a lot accomplished this past week I need to put-it-in-gear and prep for the upcoming Holidays, including finish decorating and getting gifts for those on my list this year. Not to mention Christmas cards, wrapping, and more…. With everything that has been going on these past few months I feel like I am falling behind. It’s time to catch up and get some Holiday and year end activities done this week!
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
- Read the book Wonder’s First Race by Joanna Campbell to the kids – getting closer, we’ve had a lot of after school activities and homework last week
Plan one special activity with the family– we met our cousins and went through the Journey to Bethlehem which was amazing!Prepare for Upcoming Winter EventsSpend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with HomeworkAttend After School ActivitiesLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforePlay a Game with the Kids- Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items – I made a little progress, but not enough to cross it off the list
Dr. Appointments for Kids
Personal Goals
Drink 8 glasses of water each dayContinue my YouVersion plan(s)Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – it is still taking me more than one day
Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week- Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later) – did not do it this week
Clean House (Focus – Suitcases Unpacked & Put Away from Wedding / Thanksgiving Trip)- Organize Chaos (Focus – Snack Bins Refilled) – got about half of it done before getting pulled away to other activities
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool and Leaves) – it rained again so we were not able to get this done
Pet Care (Focus – Hay Feeder Filled)
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsRespond to Inquiry – Business Relation EmailsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attentionWork completed for clients
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car – working on it
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt) – working on it
Pay Bills & File Paperwork- Earn some Creative Cash – working on it
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget – had to go to more than one store due to specific dietary items that were needed and I went over budget because I haven’t went grocery shopping for a couple weeks
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read the book Wonder’s First Race by Joanna Campbell to the kids
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Prepare for Upcoming Winter Events
- Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
- Attend After School Activities
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items
- Dr. Appointments for Kids
- Finish Decorating for Christmas
- Send out Christmas Cards
- Complete Our Christmas Shopping
- Start Wrapping Gifts
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)
- Clean House (Focus – House Decorated & Christmas Bins Back Up in the Attic)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Clean Out the Pantry)
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Blow Leaves Off Deck)
- Pet Care (Focus – Skipper a Bath)
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Work completed for clients
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt)
- Pay Bills & File Paperwork
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
Free Ebooks: Jingle All the Way, Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Cookies, Easy Recipes for Christmas Cooking, Hearty Soups, and more!
The price to download these books is currently $0.00 (although the price may change at any time, please confirm prior to downloading). The ebooks are specifically for Kindles, however, you can click here and download the free application that allows you to read Kindle ebooks on your PC.
Download a free copy of Jingle All the Way by Tom Shay-Zapien
Download a free copy of Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Cookies – Make Impressive Holiday Treats by Dennis Weaver
Download a free copy of Easy Recipes for Christmas Cooking by Rosanne Hewitt-Cromwell, Sheila Kiely, and Paul Callaghan
Download a free copy of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Download a free copy of The 12 Days of Christmas by Xist Publishing
Download a free copy of Hearty Soups – A Collection of Homemade Soups by Dennis Weaver
Download a free copy of Quirk Books D.I.Y. Gift Guide by Homemade Quirk
Download a free copy of How To Memorize the Bible Fast and Easy by Adam Houge
Download a free copy of Making Costume Jewelry – An Easy & Complete Step by Step Guide by Janet Evans
Download a free copy of My Life and Work by Henry Ford
It’s The Most Wonderful Time…
Savoring Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Famous Chocolates
A box of delicious goodness has arrived!
Chocolate is a special treat at our house! I love pretty much anything chocolate so when I was sent a box of Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Famous Chocolates to try I was delighted. All Mrs. Cavanaugh’s chocolates are made with fresh ingredients without preservatives. The chocolates were rich, fresh, and melt-in-your-mouth-delicious!!!
In my package I received a 9 oz. box of the “Most Famous” chocolates as well as 4 chocolate bars:
- Roasted Almond Dark Chocolate Truffle
- Almond Coconut White Chocolate Truffle Bar
- Candy Mint Milk Chocolate Truffle Bar
- Caramel Chocolate Bar
My family has really been enjoying Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Chocolates! All of the ones we have tried have been delicious! The four of us split the Roasted Almond Dark Chocolate Truffle, it was rich and creamy. We have tried several of the “Most Famous” Chocolates from the box as well and all of them have been amazing.
If you are looking for a great Holiday gift to share with family, friends, or co-workers and they love chocolates you can send or share a box of Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Famous Chocolates with them!
The best news is you will receive extra chocolate with the Buy 1 lb Get 1 lb FREE of Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Chocolates when you use the promo code below on your order! Go to Mrs. Cavanaughs to order your chocolates today!
Use Promo Code: usfamily14
What’s your favorite kind of chocolate?
We brought our chocolates to share with family over the Thanksgiving Holiday, however, they got placed in the back of the van and I forgot to take them out with all the wedding activities that weekend (thankfully it was a cold week)! On the long drive home from Indiana the box of chocolates were discovered so we opened up the box to try them out!
Ready to taste something out of our box of chocolate goodness!
More information about Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Chocolates & Gifts:
- Like Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Facebook Page
- Follow Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Twitter Feed
- Pick up your favorite treat or learn more on Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Website
A special thanks to US Family Guide and Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Chocolates for sponsoring this post! Any specific product information was provided by US Family Guide and Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Chocolates, however, the opinions expressed in this post are our own. We received complimentary products for sharing information and our family’s experience.
Free Ebooks: Christmas Around the World, Sneezing Christmas Tree, Merry Christmas Little Hoo, Little Piano Book, Growing Herbs, and more!
The price to download these books is currently $0.00 (although the price may change at any time, please confirm prior to downloading). The ebooks are specifically for Kindles, however, you can click here and download the free application that allows you to read Kindle ebooks on your PC.
Download a free copy of Christmas Around the World – Recipes & Customs by Zu Barnes and Rodney Miles
Download a free copy of The Sneezing Christmas Tree by Aaron Kerr
Download a free copy of Merry Christmas, Little Hoo! by Brenda Ponnay
Download a free copy of Little Piano Book – Fun, Step-By-Step and Easy To Follow 60 Lesson Song and Beginner Piano Guide to Get You Started (Book & Videos) by Damon Ferrante
Download a free copy of Growing Culinary Herbs by Nicolette Goff
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Download a free copy of How to Crochet – 16 Quick and Easy Granny Square Patterns by Prime Publishing
Playing Bananagrams
Brina reading me the directions to the Bananagrams game
Our family enjoys games! The kids are always up for playing a game. Occasionally when we get done with homework early or have a little extra free time we try to find ways to have fun. One of the things the kids will often ask me to do is play a game with them.
On this particular day Brina wanted me to play Bananagrams with her. I finished up dinner prep work while she got the game set up and read the game directions to me. We had a great time playing the game together!
It is important to me to take the extra time whenever possible to stop all the “busy work” that I need to do around the house and play with the kids. I am thankful for our time playing together, the great laughs we shared, and for some wonderful conversations that took place during the game that day. It was so worth it!
Love It – Neato XV Signature Pro Vacuum (Robotic Vacuum)
Last year for Christmas my husband got me the most AMAZING gift ever!!! Seriously!!! I LOVE our Neato XV Signature Pro! It has been the best gift that continues to be a blessing in our busy household.
I never thought I would get so excited about a vacuum….until I had this one! The Neato XV Signature Pro is a robot vacuum that has been a huge time saver for our family. I absolutely love coming home to freshly vacuumed floors! It makes me so happy! 🙂
If you are looking for the perfect Holiday, Birthday, Anniversary, Wedding, or another gift for that special someone I cannot recommend this vacuum enough. We have been using it for a year now and it is still going strong as well as a huge help when it comes to cleaning around the house.
I have been asked for more information and some feedback from various family members, friends, and guests who have seen our vacuum! I LOVE the Neato vacuum Jake got me for Christmas! As long as the girls pick up their little items like toy necklaces, bouncy balls, etc…. it works beautifully. Occasionally, it doesn’t make it all the way back to the charger, but that isn’t very often.
Jake did quite a bit of research prior to picking the vacuum he got for me – Neato website. He choose the Neato Signature vacuums because they are more advanced and have a more powerful motor than the other ones. The ‘Signature” line is the one you’ll want to go for if you are looking at getting one. He got the Neato XV Signature Pro for us which has been awesome! The Signature ones only come in black.
The Neato XV Signature Pro has an extra brush and filter (which gives you two types of brushes) – it basically adds the Pet & Allergy Upgrade Kit, but really any the Signature vacuums would work because they have the better motors.
The Roomba’s are really popular too, but after reading a ton of reviews my husband went with the Neato (and I am glad he did). Amazon has a lot of reviews which were really helpful if your trying to decide between different ones.I LOVE our vacuum!!!! 🙂
I am not sure how well it works on the hardwood floors, but it has been AMAZING on our floors (carpet, tile, and linoleum)! It has worked awesome for the carpet. The kitchen floor gets more stuff on it so I still have to spot clean, mop, and do the edges at times, but it gets the majority of items off the floor. It does a great job downstairs on the tile too. I still need to do the edges with a broom or vacuum every couple of weeks, but otherwise it does everything for me. Occasionally, it will miss something, but overall it is pretty thorough. I love having clean floors!
The only real problem we’ve had so far is the first battery wouldn’t hold its charge for more than 30 minutes and it should last an hour or so. We emailed them right away and got a new battery within a couple days. Every once in awhile it will get stuck on an item (usually in the kids rooms) or lost, but that doesn’t happen very often. I seriously have considered running it daily because I love having the clean floors. Right now, we have it scheduled to vacuum 3 times a week, but you can have it vacuum any time in between those scheduled times as well.
It does take it longer to vacuum than if you did it yourself, but it saves you time in the long run because you don’t have to do it yourself. If company is coming soon it would be quicker to do it by hand or better yet plan ahead to have your Neato XV Signature Pro vacuum earlier in the day so it is it clean before company arrives. One positive result so far – the girls have been keeping their rooms cleaner and more picked up because they don’t want “Runner, Runner” (the name given to our Neato vacuum) to eat their toys, ha!
I know you’d love it too! It really is wonderful, now if we can only get a robot to cook meals, clean toilets, etc…! Never thought I would be so excited about a vacuum cleaner, hehehe! If you have any additional questions you can comment, contact me or check out the Neato website.
Honestly, the biggest negative is the initial cost of the vacuum. However, if you are already in the market for a vacuum it really is worth it. Also, I have seen it listed on “deal” sites and Amazon has been known to have it on sale as well. If you have some Swagbucks accumulated you can use them to help purchase your Neato XV Signature Pro from Amazon too!
Hope you enjoy having freshly vacuumed floors as much as I do! Now I am off to clean something else while our robot vacuum takes care of the floors for me! Happy Cleaning!!!
“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!
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