Showing posts with label winter

Enjoy a delightfully scented home with Goose Creek Candles

in , , , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Thursday, December 27, 2018

It’s been a couple of years since we had a real Christmas tree and one of things I miss the most is the heavenly scent of a fresh tree all season long. I was delighted to receive my first candle, Balsam Fir, from Goose Creek Candles just in time to enjoy at Christmas and beyond. I’ve been burning this candle all day and I have a delightfully scented home! I’m excited to partner with this made in America candle company as part of their blogger program for the next year and want to introduce them to you today and share my thoughts on my first candle from them.

Our Delightfully Scented Home: 


Enjoy a delightfully scented home with Goose Creek Candles #brandpartner

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Save time & money by dry cleaning fabrics at home with Dryel

in , , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Friday, December 21, 2018

Happy Friday and happy first day of winter. Our middle Tennessee weather has decided to match the season by turning cold, wet and windy overnight. There is even a slight chance of a flurry or two later today! We love seeing the snow, but don’t care for the bone chilling temps. A week or two before winter truly sets in, I get out my family’s winter coats, check them for wear, missing buttons and stains. I usually have at least one coat I need to run to the dry cleaners, but I got to save time and money this year by dry cleaning them at home with Dryel.


Save time & money by dry cleaning fabrics at home with Dryel #ad

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Come out of Hibernation with Avon’s End Of Winter Giveaway

in , , , , , , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Friday, March 02, 2018
Happy Friday and happy March! If we can make it through the winter portion of this month, we will be rewarded with the lovely spring-like weather we all long for before we greet April, so let’s all celebrate today and be thankful! I’m thankful for so very many things right now- the fact that my family has not been adversely affected by the flooding rains we’ve been getting.

 I’m thankful for my ability to work at home as a blogger and as an Avon Representative!  That’s why today showing love to both my challenging, yet rewarding work at home jobs by sharing Avon’s The End of Winter giveaway with you. Lastly, I’m thankful for you- YES, you! Thank you for being part of my community!  Now to the giveaway. 



The End Of Winter Giveaway: Hosted by Avon


Avon End of Winter giveaway #ad #AvonRep
source

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Wordless Wednesday: Winter was here

in , , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Wednesday, January 18, 2017




out exploring our land beyond the fence line






I wonder how many snows this tree has seen #gardening #land






Sun on the pond winter was here


Please share in comments: Is your yard covered in snow and ice?
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Vicks Winter Wellness Care Package Giveaway

in , , , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Thursday, November 03, 2016

Before we know it, the cold and flu season will be here again, so now is the time to restock your families care package supplies. I have relied on Vicks VapoRub for years and years, taking the advice of my Mom to always have a tub on hand for sniffles and stuffy noses. Today, I'm partnering with a great group of bloggers who want to make sure you are prepared for the cold and flu season too.




Vicks Winter Wellness Care Package





Welcome to the Vicks Winter Wellness Care Package Giveaway!

Hosted by: Southern Mom Loves



One winner will receive a Vicks Winter Wellness Care Package (ARV $131) to help you stay well and feel better all though the winter. Holly from Southern Mom Loves received a Vicks winter wellness care package and came up with her 6 Best Tips to Avoid Getting Sick. Check it out here.



The care package includes:
  • 1 Vicks® Mini Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier
  • 1 Vicks® SmartTemp™ Wireless Thermometer
  • 1 Protec Humidifier Antimicrobial Cleaning Fish
  • 2 packages of Vicks® VapoPads
  • 1 Vicks® Humidity Monitor
  • 1 2-pack of purse-sized Puffs Plus® Lotion
  • 1 Vicks® VapoRub™ Topical Ointment


Enter below, and good luck.
Terms:

Giveaway begins on 11/3/16 at 1:00 am CST and ends on 11/25/16 at 11:59 pm CST. Must be 18 years or older, open to US residents only (void where prohibited.) Once winners are confirmed, they will be added to the Winner's List here.





Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household, per IP 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. Southern Mom Loves 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.
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Ten Succulent plants for your indoor garden

in , , , , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Friday, October 28, 2016
At the beginning of each season I promise myself that this will be the season I have a garden to be proud of.  My flowers will bloom glorious bloom after bloom, my herbs will never wither or go to seed and my succulents will remain perfectly pleasing to the eye. Then reality sets in and I muddle along with an okay garden space- but my succulent game is strong so I can take heart. 


Ten succulent plants for your indoor garden



If you’ve never known the joy and beauty of a succulent garden, then why not give it a try as our Indian summer days slowly ebb into winter?  Maybe it’s already more like winter where you live- all the more reason to start this easy indoor garden full of succulents! 



What is a Succulent Plant?


Succulent plant leaves



Succulents are fairly easy to identity because of their leaves and stems. The most widely recognized succulent is probably the Aloe Vera plant and my personal favorite the Jade plant. The Jade plant in the photos above is 10 years old and was born from clippings my mother in law took from her mother’s Jade plant.  I treasure this Jade plant because it is an heirloom; one that I can pass on to my daughter’s when they move to their first place. I’ve started several pots of Jade from this one and will be doing a quick tutorial soon. Another thing I adore about Jade is it produces delicate white or pink flowers once a year!



Jade plant pink flowers



Succulents would be a perfect first time plant for teens, or anybody that loves having greenery around them but forgets to water their houseplants because succulents are drought resistant and require very little water or hands on care. Just read the care tag and put your plant in the correct light and you are almost guaranteed success with your indoor succulent garden!


The one drawback of succulents is choosing the right one for your personal tastes and your homes lighting. Some points to consider before buying succulents:

  • Low levels of natural light and cooler temperatures mean you’ll need to adjust how much water and fertilizer you give.
  •  
  • Some plants adapt to hanging planters and terrariums better than others.
  •  
  • Some succulents can even be toxic to your indoor animals.



As you can see, while succulents may be easy to grow, you need to do your homework first. That’s why UncommonGoods, one of Brooklyn’s favorite online retailers of home and garden decor, has researched and compiled a list of 10 best succulents to brighten up your home this fall and winter.


Ten best succulent plant infographic



I was happy to see my favorite succulent, Jade second on the list. I think I will add a Mistletoe plant to a hanging basket in my bedroom and I love the look of the string of buttons plant. 



I adore growing and spotting succulents wherever I go. I saw this beauty at my grocery store and had to share a pic on Instagram. 






You will find a huge succulent fan following on IG, so hop on over and follow me and UnCommonGoods there.


Please share in comments: Which succulent plant from the infographic would you like to grow in your indoor garden?



Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way to share this information today. I just love succulents and UnCommonGoods was kind enough to ask me to share that love via their infographic. 
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Warm up your family with Caserecce Pasta & Red Sauce

in , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Sunday, January 10, 2016
Pasta is a passion with my family and is on heavy rotation at our dinner table.  When we shop, we’re on the lookout for unique pasta shapes to try at home and when dining out, at least one in our family of four will order a pasta dish.  My husband and I enjoy recreating favorite pasta dishes at home so last night I made a favorite to warm up my family- Caserecce pasta and Red Sauce. I even added some meatballs for good measure.  Thank you to Ragu for sponsoring today’s post and inspiring me to pass on my family traditions.

Warm up with Caserecce Pasta & Red Sauce #recipe #simmeredintradition




You’ll find Caserecce Pasta and Red Sauce on many restaurant menus, but don’t let that intimidate you. With a planning and a good Red sauce like Ragu, you’ll be serving up smiles in no time! Here’s my list of ingredients for you to make a shopping list from.

Ingredients to make Caserecce Pasta & Red Sauce #recipe


Ingredients: Serves 6

  • 1 container Caserecce Pasta
  • 1 small white or yellow onion
  • 1 large clove garlic
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh Rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 24 ounce Ragú Red Pasta Sauce. (I used Chunky Tomato, Garlic & Onion) 
  • 1 pound Italian style meatballs (optional)
  • Freshly shredded Romano or Parmesan to garnish (optional)

Directions:

In a large skillet, add olive oil on medium heat until warm. Add onions and minced garlic and sweat until onions are translucent. When my family smells this, they know I'm cooking up something good! 

Sweating onions and garlic

Meanwhile, in large pot, bring water with a drizzle of oil of your choice and a pinch of salt to boil. Once boiling, add pasta and cook according to package directions.  As with most pasta dishes, Caserecce is best served Al dente.  


Once your onions and garlic are ready, add your Ragu pasta sauce. I usually put just a little water in the jars to get out every last bit of sauce and stir it in along with the salt, pepper and Rosemary.  Let your sauce simmer for about 6 minutes, then add your meatballs. You can either add meatballs you’ve made, or pre-made meatballs now, just make sure they aren’t frozen.

The making of a good red sauce with Ragu #simmeredintradtion

The great thing about using Ragu red sauce is that it has such a great flavor, it doesn’t require any fussing with. My pasta dishes turn out perfectly each time.  Assunta Cantisano, the founder of Ragu; sure new what she was doing with her recipe when she started out way back in 1937! This sauce is truly #simmeredintradition and I’m proud to serve it to my family and friends.  Plus, as a work at home mom and entrepreneur, I was fascinated to learn about her and this beloved brand. I invite you to read her story here. 

Continue to simmer your sauce while you make your sides. 

Simmering red sauce for pasta

I usually serve sourdough garlic bread and a large salad with my Caserecce Pasta & Red Sauce, but this dish also pairs well with roasted vegetables or whatever you have on hand.  

In less than 50 minutes, you’ll be serving up a hearty meal that will warm your family from the inside out and just may start a new tradition of serving pasta often as well. 


Mangia!


Please share in comments: What is your favorite pasta in red sauce dish? Is this a family recipe that's been handed down to you? 


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Wordless Wednesday- Fall skies

in , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Wednesday, December 09, 2015
As we head towards Christmas and temperatures drop, gray skies like this one seem to rule the day.
Gray skies in Fall
But I have found beautiful, abundant, hard to take in colors at sunrise:
Beautiful Sunrise in December
And at Sunset:


Beautiful Sunset in December



Which color palette do you prefer?
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January gardening middle Tennessee style

in , , , , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Admittedly, there isn’t a whole lot to do in our winter garden, but when the mercury starting rising to a high of 60 yesterday in middle Tennessee, I had to get out there and do something!


I started raking leaves out of the front flower beds again. That was a nice little job, since we have several large pin Oaks and Maple trees in our front yard. Actually, it was a good workout, even though I know I’ll never win the battle of the leaves.  Some of the trees are already showing signs of new growth. 


buds on trees in January #Nashville area MyWAHMPlan.com



Next, I swept the front porch and noticed some new growth coming up in my succulent. I never over winter this plant, she prefers to live year round on the front porch. She’ll be stunning by April again.


new growth in succulent planter MyWAHMPlan.com



Since I had out the broom, I cleared the corner of the flower bed that the rake never works in and swept the walkway.   I know this is another thankless task as the leaves are just going to blow over it again and right back into my flower beds, but it made me feel good knowing I’d done it.


swept walkway MyWAHMPlan.com


After I’d raked and swept up, I had played a nice round of pick up sticks. Some I walked to the burn pile, some I dragged, but I got them there, working up a nice, healthy sweat along the way and loving the feel of the warm sunshine on my face. 



I couldn’t help but notice on my many trips back and forth to a centralized spot in our vast back yard known as the burn pile, that our hedge line was teaming with birds.  I tried to capture the birds playing, but after a few failed attempts, I gave up stalking them and just stood and admired their beauty. It didn’t take much of a walk along the fence line to find the bird’s lunch spot.


berries for birds MyWAHMPlan.com



A few steps more and I was at our pond, which had lots of air bubbles on the top, letting me know our frog population hasn’t diminished by much in winter.



our pond in January MyWAHMPlan.com


Standing there feeling the sun on my face, the wind lightly blowing through the trees and bushes, the birds chatting at the berries, all was right in my world. This gardening ladies soul saw and felt the New Year in the best possible way. 



I knew I might be tempting fate, because the weather man assured us our warm weather wouldn’t last, but as I walked past the corner where my heirloom Iris’ bed is, I took a peak to see if there was any signs of life- and sure enough, there was Iris fronds staring back at me.


Iris fronds in January MyWAHMPlan.com


My stomach growled, letting me know my gardening time was done, so I stood up and  headed back towards my beautiful, perfectly imperfect red ranch house content.



Please share in comments:

How does your January garden look? What planting region do you live in? We are in a nice, temperate 7. Don’t know your planting zone? Reading my post here can help you find out. And hang in there, spring begins in just 58 days!
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Winter Weather Closes Schools in middle Tennessee

in , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, December 10, 2013

We watch the evening news, hoping the bad weather will be close enough to warrant the happily awaited call from the school district announcing school closings. But, bedtime comes and the call still hasn’t come in, so the girls put on their PJ’s inside out and hang a sock on their bedroom door in an effort to bring on their heartfelt desire for snow!


MyWAHMPlan.com
Source
The sleet starts tinkling off the roof and deck by 11pm- but still no call. The children are nestled all snug in their beds with visions of snow balls dancing in their heads- but the snow didn’t come. Just rain, sleet then ice.

At 5am, we get the school call that my husband and I knew had to come because we saw the icy sheen on our road before we finally fell asleep.
We turned off the alarms and snuggle down for some precious, indulgent sleep-in time. Secure in the knowledge that as small business owners, we only answer to ourselves if we don’t make it into work on time.

We are blessed in that way- and we know it. I still remember clearly working for a boss who didn’t care how treacherous the commute – if he could make it in, we were all supposed to make it in. Ditto, my husband’s boss, who had a big 4 wheel Jeep that could have made it through any type of weather.

As we watched the news this morning and saw all the wrecks from people spinning on ice not just here, but all across our great Nation- I stopped and said a prayer for all the Moms and Dads who had to be out in this mess for their job.  Our wee bit of ice is rapidly melting in the sun, but I know by the evening commute- some of our country roads will be slippery again.

I pray and think “But for the Grace of God go I.” I know that could easily be me out there, along with my husband- slipping and sliding and worrying our way to a job we have to get to if we want to eat.

I pray for everyone’s safety.

As I look over at my beloved children- safe and warm with me, while I hear my husband working in his shop, I tear up a little- overcome with my Blessings. 
Getting the call that schools are closed are no big deal here for us, we welcome them! But I know, for some families they are a hardship. I feel sorry for each and every one of them and vow again- not take this moment or my life for granted.

This post- although very heartfelt- is part of my job. Is there a guaranteed paycheck waiting for me on Friday? No. 
But- I wouldn’t trade being home safe and warm for a paycheck- unless I had too. And then I would hope somebody would pray for my safe return home too.

I bid your safe travels and warmth and happiness on your return home today and if you are blessed like me to be at home- stop a moment and take it all in. Capture the moment and enjoy!

Please tell me in comments what winter weather do you have today!
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Winter and Happiness

in , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Our Pond Winter 2010
　
　　
　
Tomorrow is the official 1st day of Winter and I couldn't be happier! Not because I love snowy, blustery days. Not because tomorrow is the shortest day of the year and I can start counting the days until spring arrives. Not solely because of the joy and happiness the Holidays bring.

No, finding my  happy with this season most all of us dread, required some thinking.
Just reading the definition of winter puts me squarely on team anti-winter. Look at those Synonyms and you'll see what I mean.　


win·ter/ˈwintər/  



Noun:
The coldest season of the year, in the northern hemisphere from December to February and in the southern hemisphere from June to August.
Adjective:
(of fruit and vegetables) Ripening late in the growing season and suitable for storage over the winter.
Verb:(esp. of a bird) Spend the winter in a particular place: "birds wintering in the south".

Synonyms:		noun

adjective
verb. hibernate. wintry - hibernal - winterly - brumal . cold

　

While slathering on extra strength hand lotion last night to ease my drying hands ( that only get worse each day of this season), I decided to make a list of all the reasons I have to be happy and thankful this winter. If you are on team anti-winter, maybe a list is in your future too!
　

My List:


　
1. The girls are on Winter break from 12/21/11 until 1/5/12. Just having them home all day makes me smile! I enjoy their company immensely.

2. Getting end of year business tasks done feels good! Don't dread the shred is my motto as I clean out my filing cabinet and start a new storing and organizing method.

3. Dry skin gives me a good excuse to try new lotions! Maybe I'll write a review or two.

4. Christmas at home. Just the four of us. The girls in their new jammies all day. Traditions. Love. Harmony. Peace. Jesus. Food. Smiles. Laughs. Santa.

5. New Year. New Beginning. New Ideas. New directions. Wiping the slate clean is a good thing on so many fronts.

6. My youngest daughters birthday.

7. New cabinet jobs for my hubby. He's at his happiest when he's making sawdust.

8. New friendships. I've been invited to join some local groups and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to broaden my circle.

9. Free time. I have more of it in this season. I get crafty, I read more novels, I log on much less, I daydream about spring and how to design my flower beds, I laugh and sing and play with my kids more. I stay up late and watch sci-fi movies or talk and laugh with my hubby more. I connect more.

10. I have a really good feeling about 2012. Deep in my bones optimisim. The last few years have been hard and stressful for so many of us. Most of us truth be told, but I am a firm believer in the power of a Positive Attitude.

I am happy Winter is here because it forces me to slow down, think, be more present and in the moment.
Sure the weather outside may be frightful, but I'll welcome spring well rested and refreshed.
　
Happy Winter, Merry Christmas and Happy, Happy Holidays one and all!
I am so very thankful for all of you who read, comment and visit my blog.

Please let me know what you are thankful and happy for this season!
　
　
 
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