My WAHM Plan : spring

Showing posts with label spring

Welcome Spring $100 Amazon or PayPal eGift Card Giveaway

in #Earth day, Amazon, giveaways, March, Mother's Day, Paypal, spring, spring break, by Linda A Kinsman, Thursday, March 13, 2025

I'm back from a little unexpected spring break (hello spring allergies), to join in with some fab bloggers to welcome spring with an awesome giveaway! Winners can select a $100 Amazon or PayPal eGift Card. How cool is that? Join us in celebrating all things spring.

Welcome Spring!

Spring Flowers in frame

Do You Dream of Growing Flowers? Read The Cut Flower Handbook

in #AD, books, flowers, spring, spring gardening, by Linda A Kinsman, Friday, February 21, 2025

Much of the country is still dealing with the last winter storm that had us using terms like “polar vortex” and “record-breaking snowfall”, but for those of us who garden, we’re counting down the days until spring arrives! If you dream of growing flowers by the armful like me, today’s book review for The Cut Flower Handbook by Lisa Mason Ziegler is for you.

Select. Plant, Grow, and Harvest Gorgeous Blooms!

The Cut Flower Handbook

Sourdough Bread Delivery Subscription Box for Mother's Day

in #AD, #WildgrainKitchen, brunch, foodanddrink, gift ideas, Mother's Day, sourdough bread, sourdough subscription box, spring, by Linda A Kinsman, Thursday, April 28, 2022

For all who celebrated Easter, I hope you had a wonderful day. Easter to me, is the beginning of the spring get together season. From Easter dinner, to simple family movie and game nights to pot-luck family style dinners, this is the season to welcome all to our home.

One way I love to welcome my family and friends here in any season, but especially now, is with the delightful aroma of fresh baked bread, but with warmer weather calling me outdoors, I can’t always find the time to make our family favorite, sourdough bread from scratch. Thankfully, I’ve found the perfect Sourdough Bread Delivery Subscription box for Mother's Day and beyond.

Sourdough Bread!

Freshly baked and sliced sourdough bread

Gardenite Garden Nozzle hand sprayer review & giveaway

in #AD, #Gardenite, Garden, hose, sprayer, spring, watering, by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, April 10, 2018

For many of us across the United States, it may still look and feel like winter with snow on the ground. Even here in the south, I’m covering my Clematis and Peony bushes while praying that we will see our last freeze or frost warning of the season soon. Our fickle spring weather may be keeping us from working in our gardens, but we can use this time to get our gardening tools in order. It’s time to clean those shovels and trowels and replace any worn tools. Here in my garden, I’m starting the growing season with a new garden hose nozzle sprayer from Gardenite.

Gardenite Garden Nozzle Hand Sprayer:

Gardenite Garden Nozzle Hand Sprayer review & giveaway #ad

Light bladder leakage won’t keep me from my gardening goals

in #AD, #PoiseMoment, Garden, gardening, goals, LBL, protection, spring, by Linda A Kinsman, Friday, March 30, 2018

Yesterday started out like many spring mornings, with grey skies and a light, gentle rain. Nothing like the previous night's storms that broke off a big branch of my just blooming Hawthorne tree! As I stood at my window and surveyed the damage, the quote "A goal without a plan is just a wish" by Antione de Saint Exupery was top of mind.

Planning out my Gardening Goals:

I pulled out my brand new garden journal, deciding to write my gardening ideas and goals down this year. There's lots of hard work and lifting ahead, so I'm not going to let light bladder leakage (LBL) keep me from my gardening goals!

Poise® helps me keep my #gardening goals #ad #PoiseMoment

Do you need a soul refresh this Spring?

in refresh, renewal, small business, spring, thrive, WAHM Tip Wednesday, wahmtips, work at home mom, by Linda A Kinsman, Friday, March 23, 2018

Happy Spring everybody! Oh, how I’ve longed for this season to arrive. Truthfully, I long for spring to arrive every year because it is the season of renewal- from our gardens to our homes. This post was supposed to be part of my new series WAHM Tip Wedneday, but I decided to wait until spring, the season of renewal had arrived to share it! We are all ready to open up the windows, chase some dust bunnies, do some gardening and welcome in this beautiful season. Before we do that, why not take a day or two right now when spring is fresh and brand new to refresh our soul?

Spring Soul Refresh #wahm #blogger #selfcare

Wordless Wednesday: Signs of Spring

in flowers, Garden, nature, spring, trees, wordless wednesday, by Linda A Kinsman, Wednesday, March 07, 2018

Bradford Pear Trees #nature #trees

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!

Pan seared potato bacon and green onion salad recipe

Wordless Wednesday: Spring blooming trees

in apple, blooming, Garden, gardening, hawthorne, landscaping, pear, spring, trees, by Linda A Kinsman, Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Bradford Pear bouquet #spring #blooming #trees

3 Free gardening apps to try this spring

in bees, butterflies, flowers, Garden, gardening app, growing season, hummingbirds, spring, vegetables, by Linda A Kinsman, Friday, March 03, 2017

I am counting down the days until spring officially arrives later this month. I know I’m not alone in this count- down to March 20^th. My friends and I are watching for and taking note of all the markers that spring is on its way. Here in the south, there is a riot of beautiful Daffodils in yards everywhere, the Tulip trees are blooming and the Bradford Pear trees are budding. Since we gardeners are in a bit of a holding pattern for now, I thought I’d share 3 free (and fun!) gardening apps I’m going to try out this spring to help us pass the time until we can really get out there and garden!

3 free gardening apps to try this spring

1. My first app choice will help all of us who have ever walked through a park or lovely garden setting and thought what is that flower? Aptly named- What’s that flower, this app will help you identify flowers by color, habitat, and even number of petals. Cool right?

What's that flower app

What’s that flower app will narrow down your options to a couple dozen, and then you just scroll through that list until you find the right flower. Once your flower is found, you can read about it and see if it will work in your garden space/home. Android users can download app here. This app isn’t available on IOS yet, so I suggest trying Garden Answers app. It looks like it has similar features. Download here.

DIY Gardening Tiips App

2. My second app just may add a serious amount of phone time to my schedule because it covers so many topics I find interesting. The DIY Gardening Tips app helps you find great gardening and DIY tips that you can easily use. Plus it has tons of useful information for vegetable gardens, something I want to explore more this year. There’s tips on flowers and herbs and even garden design! This app is available for Android here and IOS here.

BeeSmart app

3. My third choice is Bee Smart App. In a time when our bee populations are dwindling at an alarming rate, I know all gardeners share my concern and passion to help aide the bee by planting flowers and shrubs they like. What attracted me (pun intended) to this app was their mission statement: The BeeSmart™ Pollinator Gardener is your comprehensive guide to selecting plants for pollinators specific to your area. Never get caught wondering what plants to buy again! I like the sound of that and it looks so easy to use. Just plug in your zip code and hit enter! If you want to get bees, hummingbirds and butterflies in your garden this spring, download Bee Smart here for Android and here for IOS.

I hope you'll give at least one of 3 free gardening apps a try this spring. If you do, please come back here and let me know your thoughts in comments and be sure to share a gardening app you like in comments too!

Which app do you think you are mostly likely to try and why?

Keep baby comfortable this spring #DreftSpring Giveaway

in #DreftSpring, baby, blankets, cleaning, clothing, gentle, laundry, spring, by Linda A Kinsman, Friday, April 29, 2016

It’s Friday and you know I love being able to offer great giveaways on this special day, but this Friday feels more like a Throwback Thursday because I’m working with Dreft this week. Smelling that heavenly “baby” scent brought back a flood of special memories for me! I remember taking great care with my girls clothing, blankets and Lovie’s back then, and now I’m honored to be working with Dreft again to pass this love of Dreft’s scent and gentle cleaning on to other Moms with little ones.

This post and giveaway were made possible by iConnect and Dreft. I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Dreft, babies, gentle, hypoallergenic, laundry, blankets,

Did you know that Dreft is the number 1 baby laundry choice of pediatricians because it’s gentle and hypoallergenic on baby’s skin? Dreft has been trusted for over 80 years! Now Moms can enjoy that beloved scent longer by switching to stage 2 Active baby Dreft and by adding the new Dreft Blissfuls in wash scent boosters to any load of laundry! I recently washed some of my girls’ stuffed animals before re-packing them for storage and I couldn’t get enough of that delightful scent.

Dreft Blissfuls help extend that beloved Dreft scent!

Back when my now teen daughters were babies, I used Dreft newborn on all of their laundry. I didn’t want their clothes to be uncomfortable on their skin, especially during the warmer months. Here in the south, humidity plays a huge role in how we feel in our clothes. Combine that with warmer temps and all the allergens floating around and you’ve got a recipe for skin irritations, especially with baby’s sensitive skin!

Dreft baby laundry products

Dreft has teamed up with Mom and pediatrician Dr. Dyan Hes to talk more about spring allergy season and how we can help keep our baby’s protected and comfortable this time of year.

Here are a few great tips from Dr. Dyan Hes to keep in mind this spring.

1. Shade the sun: The long awaited spring season means increased outdoor time for parents and their babies. When heading outside, don’t forget to practice appropriate baby skin safety.

For babies 6 months or older. If your baby is 6 months or older, liberally use sunscreen. Also, avoid exposing your baby to the sun during peak hours — generally 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — and dress your baby in protective clothing, a hat with a brim and sunglasses.
For babies younger than 6 months. If your baby is younger than 6 months, keep him or her out of direct sunlight. Protect your baby from sun exposure by dressing him or her in protective clothing, a hat with a brim and sunglasses.

2. Protect Problem Skin: Heat is a common trigger for eczema and as the weather warms up, there are a few things you can do to help prevent flare ups of such skin irritations.

The sun is strongest between the hours of 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. so try to shield baby from direct sun exposure during those times. There are also apps available that can inform you of the hottest part of the day – which can be helpful for parents as they plan any outings with their little ones!

3. Load up on liquids: Staying hydrated during the spring months is important as baby gets more active outdoor time and sun exposure.

Start with the inside and ensure children get enough to drink throughout the day. Infants should nurse or take a bottle often; older kids should tote a sippy cup or reusable water bottle. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and smoothies in your child’s diet too.

Want to learn more? Please join @Dreft on May 9^th from 9-10pm EST as they host a Twitter party with Dr. Dyan Hes! She will be sharing her tips to ensure your baby is happy and healthy this spring allergy season! Please RSVP to let us know you'll be joining us!

I've loved my walk down memory lane and I feel confident that when my girls pull their baby items out from storage, they will still be able to smell and feel the gentle care that Dreft provides.

Win It!

#DreftSpring giveaway prize pack

Thanks to our sponsors, one lucky reader will win a Dreft Hypoallergenic Package Dreft product prize package which includes 1 Dreft Newborn, Active Baby, & Blissfuls and a Gender neutral hypoallergenic blanket.

Cuddly blanket in #DreftSpring giveaway package

This sweet snuggle blanket from Brooklyn Bamboo is so soft, lightweight and comfy, I’m tempted to use it now summer napping with my big girls!

Terms:

No purchase is necessary to enter using the Rafflecopter from below. My WAHM Plan is not responsible for prize fulfillment. I will mail a coupon to each winner. Winners will be notified by email used on entry form and have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. This giveaway is not associated with nor endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, or any other social channel.

Please share in comments: Do you have a favorite blanket or stuffed animal that your baby loves(d) that you are saving for your them?

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wordless Wednesday White Clouds, Blue Skies

in Blue Skies, color, nature, scenes, sky, spring, White Clouds, wordless wednesday, by Linda A Kinsman, Wednesday, April 27, 2016

White fluffy clouds blue skies

White clouds in dark blue sky road scene

White whispy clouds in blue sky

Comments welcome!

How to pick the best floral fragrance for you

in beauty, floral, flowers, fragrances, spring, by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Happy Tuesday and happy spring, everyone! It’s a frosty 36° here in middle Tennessee this morning, making me shiver and be glad none of my flowers have started blooming yet. I may not be gardening today, but I can still talk about flowers of the floral fragrance kind! Since yesterday was National Fragrance Day and I’m an Avon lady, I thought it would be helpful to share a quick tutorial on how to pick the best floral fragrance for you this spring.

how to pick the best Floral Fragrances for spring

Finding a new fragrance for you or to give to someone can be challenging! You walk into the fragrance department at your favorite shopping spot and your senses are assaulted. Overpowering scents fill your nose, shiny bottles in an array of colors and sizes twinkle on glass shelves and the ever-present associate is there to spritz you with the latest scent from the current pop star fave of the moment. Hopefully my tutorial will have you shopping for fragrances with confidence, whether you shop at the mall or with me and Avon!

Understanding the 6 types of floral fragrances:

1. Romantic Florals are soft, delicate and feminine. These romantic florals are characterized by lush bouquets that have sweet and powdery notes with hints of musk or warm amber. Sound like you? Try Forever, which has hints of pink pepper, orange blossom and sensual musk.

Forever a romantic floral fragrance

2. Oriental Florals have hints of spice mixed with amber and woods, which give oriental florals an exotic allure. Sound like you? Try FarAway ‒ dreamy florals, softly spiced amber and inviting wood.

Far Away an Oriental Floral fragrance

3. Fruity Florals are bursting with the scent of delicious fruits. These scents add an everyday sweetness to your fragrance wardrobe. Sound like you? Try Luck, a fragrance with sparkling citrus and luscious berries wrapped in creamy white florals, rose petals and sandalwood. (Luck was also a CEW Insiders Choice Beauty Awards Finalist!)

Luck- a fruity floral fragrance

4. Fresh Florals are clean and crisp, reminiscent of a just-bloomed spring garden. Sound like you? Try Haiku Kyoto Flower ‒ full of velvety violet leaf and white peony with soft cotton musk.

Haiku Kyoto Flower- a fresh floral fragrance

5. Woody Florals add depth and warmth. They are enriched with earthy notes of sensual woods. Sound like you? Try Candid, with sparkling bergamot, blooming tuberose and sensual patchouli.

Candid- a woody floral fragrance

6. Flower Gourmand is a sweet treat. The dessert of scents, floral gourmands have delectable notes like rich crème brûlée. Sound like you? Try Outspoken Party by Fergie, a mix of pink peony with luscious raspberry.

Outspoken Party - a Flower Gourmand fragrance

Changing your fragrances with the seasons is a fun way to add a layer of confidence to your wardrobe. I hope that this tutorial will help you pick the best floral fragrance for you this spring. Would you like a free sample of an Avon fragrance? Join my customer mailing list here!

Which type of floral fragrance would you try first and why?

Wordless Wednesday: Trees abloom

in gardening, Nashville, nature, pear tree blooms, spring, by Linda A Kinsman, Wednesday, March 16, 2016

When does a simple walk to your mailbox turn into a nature trip? When the day was as gorgeous as yesterday was here! Our row of ornamental Pear trees called to me. I must be part bee!

Pear Trees in bloom, gardening, nature, blooms, Nashville

Look up through the branches, nature, blooms, trees, Nashville, gardening

Beautiful blossom bouquet

Please share in comments: What's blooming in your yard?

Color of the Month April 2015- Lilac

in blooms, color, Lilacs, spring, by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Spring might have officially arrived on March 20th, but in my mind spring really arrives when the final threat of a freeze comes and goes. Here in middle Tennessee that's early April. I know it's really spring when my Lilacs bloom! So to honor spring and my dear departed Grandma who always allowed me to play and pick her Lilacs to my hearts content- I give you April's color of the month!

Here's a picture of one of my Lilac Bushes.

Lilacs, spring, blooms, gardening

And here's my Pinterest board for the month. I hope you like it and will remember to get out there and smell the beautiful spring blooms around you. Dig in the dirt a little. Laugh in the sun a little. Spring is the time to renew your soul!

Follow Linda A.'s board Color of the Month - April 2015 - Lilac on Pinterest.

Please share in comments: Do you have Lilac bushes in your yard?

Walnut Topped Sugar Cookies made easy with #NestleTollHouse #CookieDoughSheets #ad

in baking, cookies, dough, Easter, easy recipe, snacks, spring, sugar, by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Thank you to Nestle Toll House for sponsoring today’s post and inspiring me to create delicious cookies with Nestlé Toll House Rolled & Ready Cookie Dough Sheets! All opinions and love of cookies are my own.

The winter thaw is happening slowly around our region and spring is just around the corner! I was happy to welcome spring into my kitchen by trying out the new Nestle Toll House Spring Sugar Cookie Dough Sheets. Whipping up a sweet spring treat has never been so easy, or delicious!

walnut, sugar cookies, Nestle Toll House

Fresh from the oven Walnut Topped Sugar Cookies

I’ve been a fan of Nestle Toll House cookie dough’s for ages, so I was thrilled to see these rolled and ready sugar cookie dough sheets on my last trip to the grocery store.

sugar cookies, easy, rolled dough, baking

They come with 2 sheets per pack, plenty to make a couple dozen sugar cookies in a hurry. I usually make homemade sugar cookies, so having never used Nestle Toll House Spring Sugar Cookie Dough Sheets before; I headed to their website for inspiration. I was not disappointed!

There are so many delicious looking recipes there. You should check it out. I decided to put my own personal spin on their Pistachio Sugar cookie recipe by using chopped Walnuts instead since that’s what I had on hand.

Folks- these cookies are so delicious and so simple to make. If you've got younger kids that are just starting out in the kitchen, this would be a great baking recipe for them! Anybody, even non- baking types, can whip these babies up in no time.

Here’s what you need.

Ingredients:

Sugar cookies topped with chopped Walnuts

1. Package (16 oz.) Nestlé Toll House Rolled & Ready Sugar Cookie Dough Sheets (found in the refrigerated section of grocery stores)
1/3 Cup coarsely chopped Walnuts
2 Tablespoons all- purpose flour (to flour cutting board)
1 Tablespoon cooking oil (to grease cookie sheet) or line with parchment paper

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 9-10 minutes

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place sheets on lightly floured cutting board.

Sugar cookie, dough sheet, cutting board,

Using a pizza cutter or pastry knife, cut cookie dough sheet into thirds lengthwise and then each third into 4 or 5 pieces. Don’t stress on precision cuts. The cookies will look and taste fine.

Sprinkle each cookie with chopped Walnuts.

Gently press into dough.

Sugar cookies with chopped Walnuts

Place each cookie piece 2 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheet.

sugar cookies, topped with Walnuts, baking

Bake for 9 to 10 minutes.

Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes.

Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Enjoy!

I decided to serve these cookies paired with fresh fruit and a glass of milk to my girls for an after school snack and they were a huge hit!

sugar cookies, after school snack, fresh fruit,

If you are ready for spring time and Easter baking, I invite you to visit the Nestle Toll House website and check out all their delicious looking recipes and dessert ideas. You are sure to be inspired by one or more of their tempting treats, just like I was.

Please share in comments: Do you have a favorite Nestle Toll House cookie dough or recipe?

Color of the Month March 2015- Emerald Green

in accessories, color, design, Emerald Green, fashion, landscapes, spring, by Linda A Kinsman, Monday, March 09, 2015

Spring will arrive in just 10 short days! I can’t wait for the world to awaken all around us in varying shades of beautiful, lush greens. In honor of this season, I chose Emerald Green as March’s color of the month. Not only will this color be seen in our landscapes- we will be seeing it in our wardrobes and homes as well. Dark green is having a moment this spring and I say embrace it and welcome Emerald Green into your life.

#Emerald Green March, Spring, color, wardrobe, home,

And here's my Pinterest board for the month. I hope you like it and will be inspired to add Emerald Green to your world this spring.

Follow Linda A.'s board Color of the Month - March 2015 - Emerald Green on Pinterest.

Please share in comments: Do you own anything Emerald Green? If so, what is it? I have jewelry, because Emerald's are my birthstone.

3 local Gardening resources you may be overlooking

in Almanac, Farmers, Garden, local, resources, spring, when to plant, by Linda A Kinsman, Friday, April 11, 2014

By all accounts spring is officially here in middle Tennessee so I should be out there digging in the dirt, happily planting flowers and veggies. And trust me, I really want to be doing just that- but I know better. I’m in a gardening holding pattern waiting for that last frost warning to come and go.

spring, signs, birds, Robin #garden

You see, I am a firm believer in all the old farmers and gardeners around here. The ones who read the weather patterns and can tell you if we’ve gone through the Dogwood winter, or the blackberry winter, or whatever winter remains well after the calendar says spring has begun.

I wasn’t always a believer though. When we first moved to the Nashville area in the 90’s, I still had a west coast gardening mentality and I lost a few plants before I decided I best take heed.

There are several good resources for you to find out the true planting and growing season in your area.

Naturally, you can Google it, but you may not get an in depth answer. You can buy a Farmers Almanac, which I would like to do some day- but let’s face it, I’m not a farmer, and so the almanac isn’t exactly riveting reading for me. You can listen to your daily weather forecast, but most TV stations cover a large viewing area, so again, you may not get the best information for your specific neighborhood.

So what’s a gardener to do? So glad you asked. Go hyper local for your information.

tree, leaves, spring

1. Go to your local Co-Op, Nursery or Farmers Market and ask questions. There will always be somebody there happy to answer them.

2. Join a local Gardening club or befriend a neighborhood gardener. I have two lady gardening friends who give me extra plant starts almost yearly. I pay it forward when I can.

3. Get to know your neighborhood. While you are driving from point A to point B, take notice of who is doing what in their yards and gardens. For instance, I noticed the lady who has a lovely border of Buttercups, Irises and other early spring bloomers out in her beds every morning when I went by to take my daughter to her early Glee practices.

I’ve also noticed that 3 of the local vegetable gardens I admire in the summer have tilled but not planted. And I’m betting if I were to stop and chat with the owners, I'd learn that they’ve had their seeds started for weeks and have been tending to them, just waiting for the last frost to come and go.

Please share with me in comments, what are you planting this year?

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