This Christmas was hard. I was really sick with the flu and I had to rely on my husband and daughters to do the lion’s share of holiday preparations. When you are so sick you can do little more than take medicine, rest and accept the loving help your family is providing; you have a lot of time to pray and reflect on your life and the year coming to an end. One of the greatest sorrows of 2017 was losing my mother in law. Not having her sweet presence with us this Christmas was a challenge. She was missed! I feel like I honor her by sharing today's tips. They come from personal experience of helping my family navigate the stresses and challenges of family caregiving while we helped care for my mother in law before her passing earlier this year.
This Christmas was hard. I was really sick with the flu and I had to rely on my husband and daughters to do the lion’s share of holiday preparations. When you are so sick you can do little more than take medicine, rest and accept the loving help your family is providing; you have a lot of time to pray and reflect on your life and the year coming to an end. One of the greatest sorrows of 2017 was losing my mother in law. Not having her sweet presence with us this Christmas was a challenge. She was missed! I feel like I honor her by sharing today's tips. They come from personal experience of helping my family navigate the stresses and challenges of family caregiving while we helped care for my mother in law before her passing earlier this year.
Shine Bright this season with gifts that multiply Hope + Giveaway
in #ad #ShineBright, #WVGiftCatalog, children, donate, families, gifts, giveaway, help, Hope, by Linda A Kinsman, Friday, December 08, 2017
Christmas is by far, one of my favorite times of the year. I love the crisp air on my face and the scent of Christmas trees. I love steamed up windows while I bake holiday treats. I adore all the traditions of the holiday! Most of all, I love that I am secure, loved, safe and happy. My future, my world is full of hope and promise. I want to do my part to extend these feelings to other families, especially children by partnering with World Vison’s Shine Bright the World needs you program to help spread hope this holiday season. I snapped this photo last winter and I remember feeling so blessed and thankful for my life. I want to spread that kind of love and cheer from my little corner of the web today!
Immaculate Gluten-Free Sea Salt Caramel Chocolate Chunk Cookies
in #AD, #recipe #ImmaculateBaking, Caramel Chocolate, Chunk, cookies, desserts, Gluten-Free, Holiday Baking, Sea Salt, by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, December 05, 2017
Happy belated National Cookie Day! I hope you enjoyed baking and eating a variety of cookies yesterday, just like I did. Since we are in the beginning of the holiday baking season, I thought I’d try my hand at making some gluten-free cookies for my family and friends who need this option. While these cookies are semi-homemade; I was delighted with the way they turned out and so was my family. They couldn’t wait to try them when they got home since the heavenly scent of fresh baked treats greeted them at the door.
The happiest time of the year is upon us and I am ready to enjoy
all the magic filled events I can with family and friends. This is the time of year to say yes to party
invitations, whether it’s a bonfire (our personal favorite thing to host), a
cozy potluck, or an afternoon filled with rooting on the home team either at
home or tailgating. You really should say yes more to this kind of fellowship,
even if it’s a spur of the moment invite. Don’t worry about what to bring! Tis
the season to serve up smiles with readymade appetizers like the delicious
party trays from HORMEL GATHERINGS.
ADORED 365-day devotional for young women book review & giveaway
in #AD, #AdoredByGod, #FlyBy, book review, Christian, daughters, giveaways, parenting teens, by Linda A Kinsman, Friday, November 17, 2017
Happy Friday! If you’ve been reading my blog for long, you know I love posting giveaways on Friday’s. It just feels like the perfect way to end the week. Today, I’ve partnered with Flyby, to share a beautiful book with you; ADORED 365-day devotional for young women book. If you are raising a teen daughter like I am, this Christian based devotional book may be a perfect Christmas gift, so please enter my giveaway after reading my review.
Parmigiano Reggiano tomato and spinach Tortellini salad Recipe
in #AD, #ParmesanAmbassador, Parmigiano Reggiano, Recipe, salad, sides, spinach, sweepstakes, tomato, Tortellini, by Linda A Kinsman, Friday, November 10, 2017
In an effort to shake up dinner time here, I’ve been giving some of my staple recipes a creative twist. Sometimes I’ll add a different sauce or vegetable; or I’ll try a different cooking method. When I received a lovely assortment of Parmigiano Reggiano as part of a blogger ambassador program, I knew I had to make something that would allow the “King of Cheese” to shine! I think I was successful with my Parmigiano Tomato and Spinach Tortellini Salad Recipe. I’m happy to I’ll share it and some interesting facts about Parmigiano Reggiano and their sweepstakes with you today.
Wish Big. Give Big with Avon's Holiday Gift Guide
in #ad Holiday, Avon, bath & body, beauty, candles, colorful, cozy, fragrance, gift, gifts for her, gifts for him, gifts for home, guide, holiday decorating, home decor, jewelry, by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, November 07, 2017
Hello my friends and happy November! It is a rainy day here in middle Tennessee and all this grey has me looking for ways to cheer up my home and blog, so even though it is a little early for me, I'm going to share Avon's holiday gift guide now because it is full of happy colors and savings! I hope you enjoy looking at all the pretty and useful products Avon offers.
On a hot summer day, I received an unexpected package that contained a book and a tee-shirt that changed my way of looking at situations for the better. You see, the fates smiled upon me and I had received a complimentary hardbound copy of WONDER- a New York Times bestseller book by R.J. Palacio and the softest t-shirt on behalf of Lionsgate. My special thanks to them for that package and the surprise Halloween goodies as well. If you haven’t met and been moved by Auggie Pullman yet, read on to learn about the book and the movie WONDER! All opinions expressed are 100% my own.
A post shared by Linda Kinsman (@ismilefirst) on
Scary movies abound this time of year with Halloween rapidly approaching. I'm not much for gore and guts, preferring a more Hocus Pocus style of movie and I know I'm not alone in my desire to laugh more and scream less. I think laughing truly is one of life's best medicine's and that's what makes Tyler Perry's Boo! movies such a hit. I'm excited to partner with today's sponsor to offer up this fun Boo 2!A Madea Halloween movie swag prize pack for those of us who love to laugh!
source |
Same Kind of Different as me movie sneak peek + giveaway for 2 Fandango tickets
in #AD, #SameKindMovieL3, acts of kindness, Fandango, giveaways, movie, by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Are you a fan of Renee Zellweger? How about Greg Kinnear? If you said yes to one or both of those questions, chances are you like feel good/drama movies too. I think you are going to like the movie I’m getting ready to tell you about since it’s since it features both Renee Zellweger and Greg Kinnear. They are both very talented actors, who in my opinion, play their respective parts so effortlessly that you become emotionally attached to their characters. I think we will remember them as Ron and Debbie Hall after watching Same Kind of different as me in theaters starting October 20, 2017.
How Nature walks help me get back in shape & Own My Greatness
in @dependbrand #OwnYourGreatness FamilyLife, #AD, health, nature, walks, weight loss, by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, October 10, 2017
I have always loved being outside. I love to feel the sunshine and wind on my face. I adore snapping photos of the abundance of beauty in my surroundings, whether I’m in the middle of a park, or walking the fence line on my land. I love gardening, especially flowers and herbs. But truth be told, I’ve let my activity levels decline over the last year. I’ve come to the point in life that health and happiness go hand in hand, so I’m adding nature walks to my routine this fall to get back in shape and feel great again. Read on to discover how and please join me!
Tacos are on my weekly family menu plan in one form or
another. The recipes vary to keep things fresh, but one thing is for sure- we
are a taco loving bunch! To celebrate National Taco day (today!) and taco
Tuesday, we made Shredded Chicken Verde tacos with refried beans and Spanish
style rice. Thanks to today’s sponsor, Uncle Ben’s, you too can serve up a
plate of tacos, beans and Spanish style rice quickly and if you upload a photo
of your rice dish, you could win 15 thousand dollars for you and your school a
30 thousand dollar cafeteria makeover!
Color of the Month- October 2017 -Raven Black
in #Halloween, black, cats, Color of the month, decor, inspiration, raven, by Linda A Kinsman, Monday, October 02, 2017
Happy October everyone! September flew by in a blur of activities and I never got my September color of the month blog post up. I feel bad about missing it, but in all honesty, I was so burned out (see last post here), that I wasn't sure if I even wanted to post these anymore. Then, a magical thing happened over the weekend- my inbox overflowed with positive "bloggy" things and I had to make the decision to sulk and give up on blogging, or suck it up and come back swinging. I chose the latter. So, without further ado, I wanted to get my color of the month post up ASAP so I can add to it (and so can you!) all month.
For October, I was inspired by all the pretty Raven black I've been seeing everywhere, including both my cats! While they aren't full raven black cats, they both have the prettiest black fur!
Normally on a Wednesday, I would be sharing a Wordless Wednesday post showcasing what I’m enjoying in my life. From felines to flowers, I’ve done a lot of WW sharing over the last seven years. Yep, My WAHM Plan is seven years old this month and instead of celebrating its longevity to the fullest- I’m going to share a part of my life most bloggers fear sharing. I’m burned out.
I’m tired, oh, so tired of all the moving parts of blogging for an income. Income is the reason for this post today my friends. I earn extra cash every week with my side hustle business Avon! Read on to learn a little history of My WAHM Plan and earning then and now.
I’m tired, oh, so tired of all the moving parts of blogging for an income. Income is the reason for this post today my friends. I earn extra cash every week with my side hustle business Avon! Read on to learn a little history of My WAHM Plan and earning then and now.
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Happy Friday and happy fall everyone! Indian summer is in full swing this week here in the Nashville Tennessee area, but that won’t stop me from picking up pumpkins and gourds this weekend. While I’m driving all around town, I’ll be listening to this complementary CD I received from Flyby for today’s post and giveaway. I’ve been a fan of Matthew West for a while now, so I was thrilled to add his latest to my CD collection.
Wordless Wednesday: Fall Flowers
in Daisy, fall, flowers, Garden, Mums, wildflowers, wordless wednesday, by Linda A Kinsman, Wednesday, September 13, 2017
There is no mistaking the beauty and allure of a vibrant
Chrysanthemum this time of year. They can
be found everywhere from nurseries, to farms markets and even school
fundraisers have Mums for sale and I am a willing buyer. Mums are one of the
few flowers that can be both annuals and perennials depending on what variety
you buy. If I’m lucky enough to find “hardy Mums” the perennial variety, I’ll
plant them in my flower beds this month. If I find annuals, they will go in
containers. In order to have more variety in my garden this fall, I wanted to
grow beyond Mums and found three plants perfect for fall planting I’d like to
share with you today.
Sedum Blooms |
Happy Friday and happy September everyone! September is a month of promise and new beginnings for me. We have settled into our school routines, the weather will finally turn cooler and I start my fall busy work schedule. Actually, this blog will turn 7 years old later this month. That is worth celebrating!
With all the positives in this month, there is one event that I will never forget- September 11, 2001. I was at home with my two year old daughter when my husband called to tell me the news. I was stunned and horrified and scared, right along with the rest of America. We will always remember 9/11!
I happily teamed up with TetherGroup to bring you this amazing giveaway today. I will receive the prize pack offered in the giveaway to thank me for my time. No other compensation given. All opinions are my own.
Avon offers two ways to help with Hurricane Harvey Relief
in Avon, care packages, donate, FamilyLife, help, hurricane Harvey, Red Cross, by Linda A Kinsman, Thursday, August 31, 2017
For over 130 years, Avon has been
a company that cares about women, our families our communities, our health and
our livelihoods. Today Avon is offering two ways to help with hurricane Harvey
relief. As a proud Avon Representative, I naturally wanted to help, but that
isn’t my only reason for this post. I’m also a flood survivor. As a teenager, my family lost everything in a
flood. Our home, our cars, our clothes, our food, our security. My heart goes out to each and every single
person who has been touched by hurricane Harvey. This post is for you. Avon is
here to help you. I am here to help you. My family and I stand strong with you.
If you would like to learn how you can
partner with Avon today, read on please.
Send college kids care packages that nourishes body and soul
in AD, care package, college, FamilyLife, love, students, support., by Linda A Kinsman, Friday, August 25, 2017
August is a bittersweet month for families with college bound kids. While we are extremely proud of their hard work and scholastic accomplishments that got them accepted into their college of choice; the thought of actually leaving our kids in a dorm room can be heart-wrenching.
We moved our daughter to a local university campus two weeks ago and I’m still adjusting to not having her sweet presence at home every night! I know that we are lucky to have her attend a local college, but like many parents, we were searching for a way to offer our support and encouragement in a tangible way and I found it with SoulFeed. Read on to discover how you can send care packages that nourish body and soul.
We did a lot of back to school and dorm room shopping over the last few weeks, which led to my color of the month post being shared a little later than I wanted. The upside is I discovered the perfect color of the month to share because we saw it everywhere! From velveteen throw pillows to cute dresses, a deep, rich, warm and inviting Burgundy has me longing for crisp fall days.
Is your skin feeling the effects of summer heat? If you live someplace that's hot (and most all of us do now that it's August), it may be time to change up your beauty and skincare routine. During the summer, I find myself using fewer products and spending less time primping and prepping. In fact, if you were to drop by my house, you’d most likely find me running around barefaced. Letting your skin breath is the first step to a better beauty day, the second is to pick multi-tasking products that are easy to use. Burt’s Bees + Grove Collaborative make it easy to find fuss-free natural products.
Happy August and happy Wordless Wednesday! This post isn't going to be wordless though, since it needs a little explanation. Since I've been on a summer schedule here on the blog, posting about once a week, I thought it would be fun to show you what I've been doing offline besides being with my family.
Ah, summer, how we love you! The season full of family traditions like road trips and sleeping in since there’s no school; eating ripe, juicy, summer fruits that drip down your chin and eating out instead of cooking in a hot kitchen. Recently when we got hungry for a good home-style meal we didn’t have to cook, we headed to our local Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen to let them do the cooking while we cooled off.
Happy Saturday readers! Someday's are just too hot to be outside for long now that we've reached the dog days of summer. Why not stay cool inside and check out some cool shows on Netflix? Don't have it you say? Well today is your lucky day then. I've partnered up with a great group of bloggers to bring you this awesome giveaway for 6 months of Netflix! That will help you beat summer boredom.
Nanny to Mommy is a member of the Netflix #StreamTeam and receives complimentary products as such. All opinions are her own.
Six Months of Netflix Giveaway Event!
Hosted By: Nanny to Mommy
Sponsored By: Netflix
"Netflix is the world's leading Internet television network with over 44 million members in more than 40 countries enjoying more than one billion hours of TV shows and movies per month, including original series. For one low monthly price, Netflix members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments."
Did
you know that Avon, the iconic beauty brand has a line of gorgeous home decor?
If you answered no, you are not alone! Most people categorize the Avon name
with beauty, skincare and maybe fragrances, but the New Avon LLC offers
savvy shoppers so much more. That’s why I’m excited to share their current
sweepstakes for gorgeous dinnerware and decorative accents with you.
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July is a hot and humid month here in the southeast so wearing breathable cotton clothing is a must and my go to color? All white. According to Farrow & Ball, the craftsmen in paint & paper:
“All White is exactly what it says! Unusually, it contains no other pigment except for white, creating the softest most sympathetic color without the colder blue undertones of a brilliant white.”
When you live in a house for almost a decade, you tend to
accumulate a lot of stuff. Not just new stuff, either. With every home my
husband and I have purchased, we’ve brought boxes from our previous home to go
through later. Later is now for me!
Buying a new vehicle is a long and sometimes, highly frustrating task. Beyond all the hype of TV commercials and radio spots from local car dealers, we all want a place that will answer all of our questions quickly and honestly. After a recent trip to the shop, we are thinking it may be time to trade in my beloved minivan and so starts our questions.
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Cars.com I will receive a promotional item to thank me for my time. All opinions are mine.
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Give your grad a gift card for stock with Stockpile + $5 freebie
in #AD, #HappyInvesting #GiveStockpile #GiveStock #Investor #honestreview, card, FamilyLife, gift, grad, by Linda A Kinsman, Friday, June 30, 2017
Talks about money, whether the topic is earning it, saving
it, or spending it have been in heavy rotation the last couple of weeks here at
our home because oldest has graduated from high school and will be attending a
nearby university in the fall.
Change your look and hairstyle without cutting your hair
in #AD, #Divatress, beauty, family life, FamilyLife, Hair, hairstyles, wigs, by Linda A Kinsman, Thursday, June 29, 2017
The hair we were born with can bring on a complex set of
feelings. We love it or hate it by
turns. Get 5 women or girls in a room and ask them to talk about what they like
or dislike about their hair and you’ve got a fantastic conversation starter. That conversation could last for an hour as
each takes her turn sharing a hair story. Until recently, I hadn’t considered adding
a wig to my hairstyle story, but thanks to today’s sponsor, Divatress, I’ve
learned their products make it easy to change your look and hairstyle without
cutting your hair.
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Divatress. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.
Color of the Month- June 2017- True Red
in color, decor, design, diy, fruit, inspiration, Red, strawberries, summer, watermelon, by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Hello my friends! I've missed you. I took some much needed time off from writing and creating here to get my family and I prepped for summer, which officially starts tonight. Hello summer! Today I'm seeing red, a beautiful true red inspired from crazy good summer fruit like strawberries and watermelon. Take a look at my Color of the month for June inspiration and collab board below.
Wordless Wednesday: Night Lights
in bonfire, deck lights, decor, FamilyLife, lights, moon, night, by Linda A Kinsman, Wednesday, June 07, 2017
Max, an all American hero dog is back again to save the day in a new adventure film for the whole family in Max 2: White House Hero. This movie is out on Blu-ray from Warner Bros Home Entertainment on DVD, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack On May 23, 2017 & Digital HD now. I’m excited to be able to share this movie and giveaway with you today thanks to my partnership with TetherGroup and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
Please note: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed in this blog post. The opinions I share are my own and no further compensation was given. It is my pleasure to share great movies and giveaways with you.
Two unique ways the USO supports military families
in baby showers, Memorial Day, military, reading, support, USO, by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Host a fun and tasty movie night with G.H. Cretors popped corn
in #AD, Arrival, family, food, G.H. Cretors, Moonlight, movies, night, Oscar nominated, popped corn, snacks, teens, by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Our schedules have been fairly non-stop this month with both
of our daughter’s graduating from either middle or high school. When we do get
to spend time together at home, one of our favorite ways to spend family time
is watching movies.
Independent film Urban Hymn movie review
in coming of age, drama, Independent film, lifestyle, movies, music, review, Urban Hymn, by Linda A Kinsman, Saturday, May 20, 2017
We love watching movies from a variety of genres, everything from Sci-Fi to Disney animations we will watch with an open mind. In my opinion, having an open mind is necessary when reviewing any movie; most especially when the film is a un- rated independent film like Urban Hymn. Thanks to my partnership with Level 33 Entertainment, I received a complimentary early screener copy of Urban Hymn to facilitate today’s review. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.
Organize your closet in an afternoon with simple accessories
in #AD, closet, decor, homemaking, organization, parenting teens, Style, by Linda A Kinsman, Thursday, May 18, 2017
Spring cleaning
continues this month at Casa Kinsman and while I feel like I’m making headway
in some areas (hello recycling bins
filled to the brim!), I’ve just started on closets. Oh, closet organization, how I avoid you, until now. When my friends
over at Tidy Living ask if I would like to work with them on their May
Madness spring cleaning sale, I
happily said yes because I knew I couldn’t let my closets stay messy. With the
help of two cool clothing accessories I received from today’s sponsor, I was
able to organize the messiest closet in one afternoon. Here’s how I did it.
This is a sponsored
post on behalf of Tidy Living. I received information/product to facilitate
my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.
Color of the Month - May 2017 - Fern Green
in Color of the month, decor, Fern Green, Garden, May, mood boards, Pinterest boards, by Linda A Kinsman, Friday, May 12, 2017
May is a beautiful month for anyone who loves nature. Flowers are blooming, birds are singing, bees are buzzing and there is greenery everywhere and in a myriad of shades to adore.
A tote bag that gives hope this Mother’s Day
in Avon, FamilyLife, gift idea, give hope, kids, mom boss, moms, Mother's Day, sanctuary, support locally, wahm, by Linda A Kinsman, Monday, May 08, 2017
Mother’s Day is almost here and I just had to share a great
gift idea that I recently discovered while working my other job as an Avon
Representative. I know most of you have heard of this iconic beauty brand, but
do you know the giving side of Avon?
The Avon Foundation for Women
launched its Speak out against Domestic Violence program back in 2004. One
of its main pillars is to fund shelters across the United States that provide safe spaces for women and children in imminent danger where
they can heal emotionally and physically, move toward self-sufficiency, and
learn positive coping skills.
Source |
5 ways to help on National Shelter Pet Day April 30th
in dogs, donate, free adoption, help cats, Nashville, National Shelter Pet Day, pets, volunteer, by Linda A Kinsman, Friday, April 28, 2017
Having pets and treating them like family is fairly common
all across America and yet, our shelters are at capacity year round; especially
no-kill shelters, which is where we adopted both our indoor cats. We love and adore
our fur babies and we couldn’t imagine our lives without them. While we can’t
adopt another animal at this time, we are going to help on national shelter pet
day, which is on Sunday April 30th this year. Here are some ways to help in your community.
Happy Earth Day readers! It’s a grey, semi-rainy day here in
middle Tennessee, but that won’t stop us from doing a few things in our own
piece of good earth. I’m weeding my front flower beds in between rain drops
while enjoying my Primroses and thinking about how best my family can reduce
our footprint for our Earth Day cause this year.
Easy Al Fresco Dining with Good Food Made Simple
in #AD, Al Fresco, dining, family, fun, Good Food Made Simple, mealsandmains, by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, April 18, 2017
April is the perfect time of year to clean off your deck, porch or patio and take mealtime outside. In the south, the first burst of pollen has subsided, it’s not too hot and the bugs aren’t matching us bite for bite yet, so we call that a win. Today, I want to share how easy Al Fresco dining can be with our sponsor, Good Food Made Simple combined with a healthy dose of spontaneity. There’s a giveaway too!
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Good Food Made Simple. I received information to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.
Color of the Month - April 2017 - Lilac
in Color of the Month - April 2017 - Lilac, flowers, Garden, by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, April 11, 2017
I adore lilacs of all colors and varieties, but there is just something so nostalgic and perfect about the classic light purple lilac. I'm singing its praises for my April color of the month once more.
Pan seared Potato, Bacon and Green onion Salad recipe
in bacon, bbq, bonfire, food, graduation party, green onion, potato salad, Recipe, spring, by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, April 04, 2017
My daughters and I are in the midst of planning their graduation parties. In May, my oldest will graduate from high school and my youngest will graduate from middle school. While both are causes for celebration on their own, my girls have decided to have a combo BBQ/Bonfire with both sets of their friends. That means cooking good food and lots of it, but we don't mind that. You can’t have a BBQ without serving salads, so I’m going to make this tasty no mayo potato salad recipe I’ve been perfecting for a decade. I think you are going to like my pan seared potato, bacon and green onion salad as much as we do!