Our Mommyhood

If you’re thinking about adding some kid-friendly attractions to your backyard, rest-assured that many additions you can make to the back yard are perfect for do-it-yourself projects. The sandbox may be the most basic, but necessary accouterments of childhood. Luckily, it is easy enough to make your own backyard sandbox with just a few tools. If you don’t have a miter saw or a circular saw, some home improvement places will cut lumber to the necessary lengths. Before you put the sandbox together, mark the area with marking paint. You can dig out as little as 4 inches to ensure you get all the grass roots out, or you can go a little deeper if you want to have more sand.

Cooking up delicious Christmas treats doesn’t have to take a lot of time, money or dishes. These fudge treats are making microwaves everywhere happy. To create these adorable fudge treats you will need the following ingredients, simple cookie cutters and non-stick spray.

Every season I clean out my closets and donate my unworn clothes to the charity shop. My rule of thumb: if I haven’t worn it in six months, out it goes. When looking in my jewelry box for something to wear a few mornings ago, the thought occurred to me that I’ve never done the [...]

Usually this time of year brings on thoughts of what we’re going to buy the family, and what we want ourselves this Christmas. I think it’s important to not lose sight of what this time of year is really about. Shouldn’t it really be about giving back to others less fortunate and helping those in [...]

I know… I know… it is way too early to start thinking about Christmas! Every year I want to make my decorations and gifts, but I wait too late to start. This year I am planning early! Besides, the craft stores are already full of Christmas project ideas. Just walking into a craft store will inspire any crafter to start planning now.

With the growing use of computers and television it seems as though children are spending less and less time outside. If you would like to see your kids playing outdoor games rather than video games, you may want to consider creating a “child-friendly” yard area. Below are a few ideas that can get your children and their friends outside and give them a deeper appreciation of their natural surroundings.

Homemade Roasted Salsa recipe. Now that I have two kids and dinnertime is more about making something quick, easy, and healthy than about taking the time to truly cook, I find myself cycling through a list of easy, kid-approved favorites.

Despite there being many differences between humans and insects both often share a common space: the home. Unfortunately when insects reveal themselves to humans people generally attack with harsh chemicals spraying poisons in the air that kill the little critters but also create serious health risks for the entire family.

How to make your own wedding bouquet from accessories from Charming Charlie.

I am pretty sure you will love her art as much as I do. Don’t miss her blog too, she has some funny and interesting stories as life as a lawyer, chef, advisor, hair dresser, accountant, nurse and even a designer – just to name a few of her many roles as Mom.

How a young mom found herself knitting and why it isn’t just for grandmothers anymore.

Lucinda Watrous, Staff Writer, My Baby Clothes Boutique Have a new baby in the home? Making your own baby food is a quick, easy and economical way to make sure your baby gets all the nutrition he or she needs. All you need is a selection of fruits or vegetables, some storage containers and something [...]

By Betsy, Editor, Funky Mama Bird (@funkymamabird) Like a lot of parents of toddlers I know, we are in the thick of potty training just now. I don’t know how it’s going for the rest of you, but my kid is stubborn. Kid has a bladder of steel and will actually hold all of his [...]

By Brooke, Staff Writer, Baby and Sofia (@babyandsofia) Since becoming a stay-at-home mom one year ago, my priorities have seriously shifted.  Now that I have been able to focus my energy on taking care of my family, I have found that my life has taken a new route.  I have been able to perfect my [...]

By Anne, Guest Writer, Sugar Bowl Mix (@SugarBowlMix) My girls say this delicious, creamy and simple-to-make chocolate fudge is “crazy good.” Caroline, my eight-year-old, helped me make this, but the recipe is great for younger kids, too. Kids can unwrap the butter and chocolate, pour the sugar, stir the mixture at various stages and smooth [...]

By Natalie, Contributor, Mommy of a Monster and Infant Twins, (@mommyofamonster) Valentine’s Day gifts don’t have to cost you a fortune; there are some really easy, inexpensive gifts that your kids can make (and so can you!) to give to special people in their lives. This year Tater (my three year old son) wants to [...]

By Mama M., Staff Writer, My Little Life (@5CrookedHalos) I often get asked, when out with my brood, “How do you do it?!” At which point I want to sit that person down, get out an anatomy book and explain, “Well, you see, when two people love each other sometimes they hold one another in [...]

By Shannon, Staff Writer, My Baby Clothes Boutique In the new age of text messages, computer chats, email etc. our mailboxes are turning into lawn ornaments. How many handwritten cards have you received lately? This Valentine’s Day, show the ones you love how much you care with handmade gifts. Scrapbooking paper, stickers and so much [...]

By Signe, Staff Writer, My Baby Clothes Boutique Need a great hostess gift?  If a bottle of wine seems about right for your Merlot-loving sister-friend, but you are looking for something a little more personal or unique, try your hand at this fun wine-lover’s craft. Materials Needed Empty wine bottle (and might I suggest that [...]

By Brook, Staff Writer, baby and sofia (@babyandsofia) Instead of the traditional “Merry Christmas” (“Buon Natale”), Italians usually say “Happy Holidays,” (“Buone Feste”).  Being a predominately Catholic country, this phrase is used to describe the two major Christian holidays of the season – Christmas and the Epiphany – as well as the New Year. When [...]

By Betsy, Editor, Funky Mama Bird, (@funkymamabird) I come from a long line of chefs. My great-grandfather was the head chef at the two hotels open on Cape Cod at the beginning of the 20th century. His daughter, my grandmother, went on to become a chef who wrote cookbooks, a weekly recipe column and hobnobbed [...]

By Nicole, Contributor, The Sleepy Time Gal Although I absolutely love organization and routine and thrive on it with four children under the age of five, some days require a little bit of spontaneity and the unexpected.  Especially in the long winter months ahead. So recently I pulled out something I had been holding onto [...]

By Alicia, Guest Writer, A Beautiful Mess (@ProjectAlicia) I often ask people if they scrapbook, both inside and outside of the blogging realm and 90% of the time the answer is no. Hold that thought for just a second. We live in an interesting time; you can plug a memory stick or a card into [...]

By Nicole, Contributor, The Activity Mom (@TheActivityMom) I must admit that I’ve become a regular customer at the dollar store; I love finding things to use with my children to make learning fun and I really love when they are only a dollar. Here are a few “must haves” from the dollar store that can [...]

By Mama M, Staff Writer, My Little Life (@5crookedhalos) For the longest time, I resisted it, denied it, refused to believe it. But, this my friends is a Mommy Must Have. A 7 quart, enameled cast iron dutch oven. This one happens to be Food Network brand (but my, oh my do I have my [...]

By Julia, Staff Writer, It’s Not Like a Cat (@notlikeacat) Our fridge is bursting with organic produce from our farm share and I had finally planned ahead enough to thaw some chicken. I was excited to make dinner and amid the usual baby-tending and toddler-wrangling was imagining what I was going to throw together with [...]

By Signe Whitson, Staff Writer, My Baby Clothes Boutique Here in my neck of Eastern Pennsylvania, we have this wacky little tradition (township-enforced policy, to be exact) of trick-or-treating on the Friday night before Halloween. As a Baltimore native, this makes about as much sense to me as celebrating the 4th of July on the [...]

By Kristi, Contributor, Live and Love…Out Loud (@TweetingMama) Halloween is just around the corner and I couldn’t be more excited. Not! Don’t get me wrong; I get an incredible amount of much joy from watching my children laugh, smile, enjoy new experiences and celebrate old traditions. But Halloween? Not so much. Somewhere between the hellish [...]

By Dana, Guest Writer, My 3 Little Ducks (@my3littleducks) I love the ending of a good movie. Not the normal movie ending, but the tasty little tidbits that some directors give after the movie ends; a glimpse into the future of the characters you just fell in love with for two hours. The best movie ending [...]

by Brook, Contributor, Baby & Sofia (@babyandsofia) I have taken on the green movement in the same way that many women treat their full-time jobs.  I research to find the best eco-friendly products and do-it-yourself projects. I recycle.  I avoid chemicals and plastics. I shop at the co-op instead of the grocery store. I only [...]

By Shandal, Contributor, My Life in 3D (@Shandal) PB&J, chicken nuggets, toast with jelly, french fries, bananas, apples, pizza, pancakes, fruit snacks, and nachos. Sound familiar? Surely my 3 year old isn’t the only stubborn toddler out there who will not budge off of this short, precise menu.  He is so unwilling to try other [...]

By Betsy, Contributor, Funky Mama Bird (@funkymamabird) It’s a hot summer day and the toddler has run you into sweaty circles. He’s bored, you’re bored and you’ve run out of things to do. Never fear; in your house this minute are some inexpensive supplies that you can use to create some fun, outdoor activities for [...]

Maureen, Guest Writer, Tatter Scoops (@tatterscoops) As a mixed couple coming from two very different cultures, my husband and I already knew we’d be facing some minor adjustments after we got married. But nothing really prepared me for the different motherhood ‘wisdoms’ my country held for me and our son. Since the day my family [...]

by Megan M., Contributor, All A Bunch Of Momsense (@taxmegan) I love beautiful images in blog posts. The sparkling eyes of children as they play. Nature in all of its glory. Vibrant, colorful plates of food to accompany a recipe. Pictures bring to life the joy, and chaos, and laughter that is our every day. [...]

By Toni, Contributor, Hemp and High Heels (@tonisue) One of my favorite things about reading other people’s blogs, is finding new recipes. I am a recipe addict. I love searching for and trying out new dishes. But, I have one major complaint that no one seems to be addressing: Taking pictures of food. Oh man, [...]

Have you seen all that the DIY Club has been up to? Our blogging friend Cheri from “It’s So Very Cheri“– who has guest posted for us before — continues to deliver (with her super crafty friends) a monthly challenge with HUGE prizes.  And the prize list continues to grow! To read the July rules, [...]

By The Activity Mom, Guest Writer Being a Mom is a busy job! There are times that I need to get something done like clean a bathroom, load the dishwasher, or take a phone call and I need a way to keep my kids happy AND busy while I do that. Sound familiar? Here are [...]

Ever since I started my new job 7 months ago, I’ve been working strange hours (afternoon into evening). Because of this, my eating schedule and habits have been completely thrown out the window.

By Honey B, Contributor, “The Honey B“ (@thehoneyb) I’m always completely intimidated by people who love to cook. Our Mommyhood confession: I am not a cook. I hate cooking. And I have had more than my fair share of cooking disasters, a long list that may or may not include something I’ve cooked that made [...]

I am, by no means, a professional cook…I’m sure The Pioneer Woman would have a more comprehensive list than me…but I’ll give you my “must haves”.

There is nothing like the taste of home-grown veggies! Fresh, pure and full of flavor…store-bought produce just can’t compete.

I can no longer spend an evening with my family without ending up covered in food.

This didn’t used to be the case. Sometimes I went out and ate a whole dinner without getting a bit of it on me. That was a rarity, even before children, but occasionally it did occur.

A little over a month ago, my Beachbody Coach introduced a meal replacement drink to me called Shakeology. It’s loaded with 70 healthy ingredients. It’s supposed to help you lose weight, feel energized, improve your digestion and regularity, and lower cholesterol.

Once upon a time… quite a while ago… I spoke about this “tradition” on my personal blog. This “game” has become something incredibly meaningful to my family.

Memphis is home to the World Championship Bar-B-Que Cookoff Competition on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River every May. I was raised in a family that competed every single year in this competition. For five days every May, my life revolved around the mighty god Pork.

That is why everyone’s jaw hit the floor a year ago when I announced that my household would all become vegetarian. The next day.

Our featured recipes from last week, and your chance to add yours to this week’s blog hop!

Our first “Meal Planning Menu” blog hop is now underway! Visit this post to add your recipe link and get a chance at having your blog– and your recipe– highlighted in next week’s segment!

So I’m all into the Weight Watchers thing. I’m going to the meetings as planned, and I’m obsessed with getting the 10% key ring, and the charms for 25lbs, 50lbs, Lifetime, etc. Obsessed. The immortal phrase from What About Bob comes to mind- “gimme gimme gimme, I want, I want, I need, I need.” I’m actually hoping if I apply those thoughts towards a key ring instead of Twinkies, I might have a shot at the key ring!

Starting Sunday, March 28th, we’ll be adding a new feature to our weekly “In The Kitchen” section… and you will be the star! It’s a great way to bring more traffic to your blog, share your talents, plus learn about other great recipes!

By Toni

I am fortunate enough to have in my possession a Second Edition (Fourth Printing) of the “Betty Crocker’s Picture Cook Book” that is in mint condition. It is from the year 1956, when women didn’t have the luxury of such things as washing machines and dish washers. In it, I found a page titled “Special Helps” with all sorts of fun tidbits to help the modern woman of the fifties make her day run more smoothly. I thought if they worked for the ladies of the fifties, whose to say it wouldn’t work for the modern woman of today? The gems I found are such as: