Whether it's your local county fair, or big state fair- the season for all things fair is upon us!
Here's a few pics from our previous visits to Tennessee fairs. I'll be sharing more from this season soon. 



Farmall tractor at the fair





Bunny at the state fair





Ferris wheel ride at the fair





Horse at the county fair





Fair food


Happy fair season! Stay cool and hydrated out there!



Ah, Summer! How we love you. When you aren’t here we dream of your warm days and perfect star filled nights. We long for juicy peaches and messy popsicles. July is half over and we still happily look forward to summertime fun like swimming, taking road trips, picnics at the park, family cookouts, gardening, morning trips through the farmer's market and bonfires, just to name a few. The one thing we don’t plan and dream of is summer chores. Today I'm sharing 15 chores you can tackle in 15 minutes or less to help you get back to enjoying this amazing season quickly.



15 chores to tackle in 15 minutes or less



I don’t know about you, but at my house, once the kids are out of school my chore time increases. From sticky kitchen tables and counters to the ever present need to sweep up tracked in grass and dirt, I felt like I could not keep up until I made this one simple change


When I'm home, I take a break from work every 30 minutes or so and do a quick chore. Taking these mini-breaks helps me be more productive, helps increase my energy while decreasing my seat time and helps lessen my chore list when I do switch gears and stop working for the day. You’d be surprised how much you can get done in 10 - 15 minutes! 



Fold towels and stack in like sizes for a more organized linen closet


Here are 15 quick chores that I do. Feel free to copy my list to get you started.


  • Fold a load of laundry, put it away and start a new one.
  • Sweep the kitchen and mud room floor.
  • Wipe down bathroom counters and mirrors.
  • Water plants on front porch.
  • Clean out trash in car.
  • Go through mail and recycle junk mail.
  • Dead head flowers and pinch back herbs.
  • Check pantry supplies for weekly meal plan.
  • Dust a room and put away discarded items.
  • Unload dishwasher.
  • Wipe down kitchen table and chairs.
  • Clean out Frig drawers or organize shelves.
  • Clean photo frames in the hall.
  • Update coupons.
  • Wipe down glass doors.


Clean one portion of your frig weekly to keep it tidy




If you work away from home all day, you can still use this list to tackle your chores. Taking a break every 30 minutes to do something you enjoy like sipping a cool drink while reading will help you feel re-energized once you do return to your chore list. 


Be sure to delegate some of your chores to your kids if they are old enough and especially if they find you mid-task and tell you they are bored! I always find a task my daughters can handle. Just remember to be good to yourself and step away from work too so you can fully enjoy this special season.



Please share in comments: What is the toughest area of your home to keep clean? For me, it's the bathroom counters!



The walking trail at our local park has a lovely shaded area







Trees reach for the sun







Taking in all that nature shares Linda. Tera, Melissa








 AcaciaTrees in bloom



Please share in comments: Does your local park have a walking trail too?
Happy Friday dear readers! You know how much I love kicking off the weekend by sharing a giveaway with you. Today I've partnered with several bloggers to bring you a comfy, perfect for a lazy Saturday morning style giveaway- Summer sleep pants in an assortment of cute characters! 



Summer Pajama pants giveaway


Each of these pajama pants have an adorable and just plain cool character. From Minnie Mouse, Ariel to the cool Batman pajamas, there is a color and pattern sure to please everyone.



Welcome to the Summer Character Sleep Pant Wardrobe Giveaway Event!

Sponsored by: Richard Leeds International

Hosted by: Southern Mom Loves


With the summer heat in full force, we thought you could use some cool new PJ pants! These character sleep capri pants from Richard Leeds International are made of soft, 100% cotton to help keep you cool all summer long, and are available in Mickey, Minnie, Ariel, Minions, Dory, Eeyore, Hello Kitty, TMNT, Batman, Wonder Woman, and more.

Holly from Southern Mom Loves reviewed these new sleep pants (available at Walmart.) You can see her full review here, and then enter to win a full summer sleep pants wardrobe below!


Summer character sleep pants giveaway

  • 1st Prize: 1 (One) winner will receive one of each sleep pant design for a total of 11 pairs of sleep pants!
  • 2nd Prize: 2 (Two) winners will each receive 5 pairs of sleep pants!
  • 3rd Prize: 5 (Five) winners will each receive 3 pairs of sleep pants!
  • 4th Prize: 16 (Sixteen) winners will each receive 1 pair of sleep pants!

      24 total winners will be sent fun Character Sleep Pants in randomly chosen designs from the styles shown above, in their Women's size as they state it in the Giveaway Tools widget below. (ARV $518!) Enter below, the odds are fantastic!


      Giveaway begins on 7/8/16 at 1:00 am CST and ends on 7/29/16 at 11:59 pm CST. Must be 18 years or older, open to residents of the US only. Once confirmed, the winners will be added to the Southern Mom Loves Winner's List.


      Entry-Form

      Good luck!


      Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household, per address. All entries will be verified. Void where prohibited by law. Winner will be contacted by email; Please add southernmomloves@gmail.com to your whitelist. Richard Leeds International will be responsible for prize delivery to the winner. This giveaway is in no way administered, sponsored, endorsed by, or associated with Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest, or any other social media platform.

      Contact Holly at southernmomloves@gmail.com if you have any additional questions or comments, or would like Southern Mom Loves to organize your next giveaway.

      My kids aren’t special needs kids, so it may surprise some readers that I would want to read this very personal journey of two kids diagnosed with regressive autism written by their mom and dad. I don’t have anything in common with these parents, save the fact that I am a parent of two children.  I’ve never walked a mile in their shoes- and that is exactly why I felt moved to accept the offer to review this powerful book as part of the FlyBy bloggers group. Simply put, I wanted to learn about this very important topic and have always found books to be excellent teachers. 



      Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.



      One day there will be no autism, book review, giveaway


      We tend to stay in our own little comfort zones as parents and as people. Sure, we try to say and think all the politically correct things to parents with kids who are differently-abled, but do we ever truly know what one hour of one day feels like to the parents or the kids living with special needs? 

      From The day of deep breaths that Rachel so eloquently shared in the first chapter to the way Andrew unpacked Psalm 130 in the chapter entitled What to do with suffering, all the way through the book to Marriage on Fire; I was drawn in to this book as a willing student.

      I wanted to learn about their journey so that I would be prepared to be a better person when presented with people in my life walking this path. In a few short years, I may be blessed with grandchildren- and what if one of them is autistic? I now have a helpful guide book of sorts, thanks to the Wilsons.


      The life we never expected by Andrew and Rachel Wilson book review


      About The life we never expected by Andrew and Rachel Wilson:

      “What do you do when hard or painful circumstances turn your world upside down, resulting in a life you never expected? Andrew and Rachel Wilson grappled with this question after both of their children were diagnosed with regressive autism. Refreshingly honest, this book explores the highs and lows of raising children with specials needs, reflecting on the broader question of how to cope with suffering of all kinds. Sharing personal stories from their lives and encouragement rooted in the truth of God’s Word, Andrew and Rachel highlight lessons they’ve learned related to fighting for joy and thriving in the midst of trials—ultimately pointing readers to Christ, the One who promises to make all things new.”


      God's Purpose


      Sometimes life throws you a curve ball and the Wilsons share what it means to live a life they never expected. They share their sorrows, pain and triumphs in unique and Godly ways. Reading this book taught me a few things about myself as a parent and as a Christian. I think it may reach you in a spiritual and healing way, whether your child has special needs or not. 


      I love my kids most


      I invite you to learn more about this book the authors and their sweet kids Zeke and Anna by checking out the book on Amazon.



      My final thoughts:

      Whether you are parenting a child with special needs, or know somebody who is- I think this book is very well written, powerfully honest and open and helpful, not only in guiding us through the day to day aspects of life, but how to live more honestly and openly in your walk with Christ as well.  




      Win it:
      Thanks to today’s sponsor, #FlybyPromotions, one lucky reader will receive a paperback copy of The Life we never expected. #lifeweneverexpected



      The life we never expected book review and giveaway





      Terms: 

      No purchase is necessary to enter using the Rafflecopter from below.  My WAHM Plan is not responsible for prize fulfillment. Winners will be notified by email used on entry form and have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. 
      Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. This giveaway is not associated with nor endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, or any other social channel.

      Good luck!






      a Rafflecopter giveaway


      Please share in comments: 

      If you win this book will you keep it for yourself or gift to to a loved one?

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