Wordless Wednesday: Fair Season

in , , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Wednesday, July 27, 2016
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!


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15 chores to tackle in 15 minutes or less

in , , , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Monday, July 18, 2016

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!
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Wordless Wednesday: A walk in the park

in , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Wednesday, July 13, 2016



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?
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Summer Character Sleep Pant Wardrobe Giveaway

in , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Friday, July 08, 2016
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.
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      The life we never expected by Andrew & Rachel Wilson book review and giveaway

      in , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Thursday, July 07, 2016

      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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      Summer party side dishes made easy with Suddenly Salad

      in , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Thursday, June 30, 2016

      Invitations to summer events, potlucks and neighborhood block parties seem to show up weekly now that summer is here, and each time you receive an invitation, do you automatically think What will I bring? Sometimes the invitations are spur of the moment and you may not have time to cook something from scratch, but don’t fret! Your next summer party side dish can be made easily with a box or two of Suddenly Salad on hand. Thanks to today’s sponsor, Publix and Suddenly Salad, I’m going to have a #SuddenlySaladSummer filled with great food, fun, family and friends! All opinions are my own. 




      Suddenly Salad pasta goes pairs perfectly with hot dogs #Summer



      Even though I love cooking from scratch, when it comes to the laid-back flow of summer living, I’m more than happy to serve up semi-homemade sides from time to time. I grew up watching my mom say yes to summer family invitations because she kept a supply of side dish ready staples in our pantry and one of her favorites was the classic Suddenly Salad pasta salad. She would jazz it up with cucumbers and a healthy amount of Italian dressing and it was always a crowd pleaser.  



      I loved learning helpful entertaining and cooking tips from my mom, and thinking of her making this side dish reminded me of a tip on seeding cucumbers before serving that will take your summer salads to a whole new level of tasty goodness.  



      Cucumbers are wonderful in pasta salads


      How to De-seed a Cucumber:

      Simply peel cucumber, slice it in half width-wise and then slice those pieces in half, lengthwise. Next, hold slice of cucumber vertically, take a teaspoon, and gently spoon out seeds by working down the length of the cucumber slice. Voila! No more pesky seeds! Not only does this make your salad more appetizing, removing the seeds makes cucumbers easier to digest.



      Side dishes made easy with #SuddenlySaladSummer



      Following in my mom’s footsteps, I try to keep my pantry stocked with side dish staples too, and thankfully, we can get $0.75 off (with the purchase of 3 Suddenly Salads) in July when shopping at Publix or your favorite retailer!  If you have a Publix loyalty card already, you know it’s so easy to load savings onto your card and have them ready when you checkout. Now, everydaysaver.com it's easy to grab the coupons and use them anywhere you shop. 


      Click here to grab your coupon now!



      This week I decided to try two different Suddenly Salad pasta salads ‒ Creamy Italian and Caesar.  My family was excited to try the Caesar first so I whipped it up for dinner in record time. It was an instant hit served with hot dogs.




      Add a spring of Rosemary to Caesar Suddenly Salad



      I decided to make my Caesar side dish original, not creamy, so I added oil and water and tucked a sprig of fresh rosemary in the bowl for an added touch of flavor and color. If your family likes a creamy pasta salad, you can simply add a ½ cup of mayo and a teaspoon or two of milk and this tasty #SuddenlySaladSummer is transformed into a creamy summer party dish you’ll be proud to serve. 
      Win It:

      Thanks to today’s sponsors, one lucky reader will win $15.00 PayPal cash transfer.  You’ll be able to stock your pantry with several types of Suddenly Salads! Entering is easy- just go to the Suddenly Salad site by clicking HERE, then come back and tell me in comments which recipe you want to try and which Suddenly Salad product you’ll need to buy to make it. That’s it! You'll be enter to win. 


      Terms: Important, please read!

      • No purchase is necessary to enter. Open to United States residents 18+. Must have a valid email address AND PayPal account to enter. 
      • Must leave a thoughtful comment about Everydaysaver.com ( like which coupons would you use and why) with same valid email address to for entry to count.  
      • My WAHM Plan is responsible for prize fulfillment. 
      • Giveaway will run until 12 am 7/12/16 and winners will be randomly selected via Random.org using emails in comments.  
      • Winners will be notified by email used in comments 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.


      Good luck and happy summer!

       Winner selected!!!

       Congratulations to Julie Wood! Your comment number was randomly selected as the winner via Random.org! An email has been sent to you! 
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