During my holiday off time, I made plans to share more homemaking posts here on the blog like I used to do with my weekly chore prompts.  If you want to have a cleaner, more organized home in 2017, please visit each week for project inspiration! In an effort to go as green as possible with my cleaning, I'm continuing my partnership with Grove Collaborative so you can get a fresh start in 2017 and save on Mrs. Meyer's products too!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small percentage of sales earned on each fresh start bundle sold via my referral link. 

#ad Mrs. Meyers fresh start bundle sale

Going green is something I’ve been working on for a while, but it’s taken some time as I finish off old products and introduce new greener ones. If you’ve ever bought a brand new cleaner only to realize you have a half-used bottle hanging out in the back of your cabinet, then you know what I mean!

Fortunately, this new customer offer from Grove will help get us off to a great start. The set includes a super cute enamel cleaning caddy stocked with supplies from Grove Collaborative and Mrs. Meyer’s. It’s a chic and easy way to keep all my products organized and close at hand, whether I’m pulling it out to clean the kitchen or toting it up to the kids’ rooms. How much more excited would you be about scrubbing the stove if all your supplies were organized in something this pretty? I certainly am. 



I was thrilled to see that the caddy came with a Mrs. Meyer’s dish soap, hand soap, and the brand new hand lotion too. Mrs. Meyer’s soaps were some of the first natural products I switched to, and they’ve been a sink-side staple ever since. I always wanted a matching lotion for my Mrs. Meyer’s hand soap, and now they just released it! The lotion is wonderfully rich and smells amazing — perfect for post-dishwashing hand care! (The lemon verbena scent is my favorite, but you can’t go wrong with the honeysuckle or lavender either.)  

#ad Mrs.Meyer's fresh start bundle on sale!


The kit also comes with these Grove Collaborative walnut scrubber sponges. They’re actually made from crushed walnuts, so they’re non-scratch and non-toxic. I stashed one by the sink and one in my cleaning caddy, and I know I’ll be ordering more.

I’m looking forward to stocking up on more great supplies from Grove Collaborative throughout the new year. Grove Collaborative makes creating a greener, more organized (and beautiful!) home effortless and affordable.

 Sign up and Save:


Once you sign up, Grove will ask you a few questions about your home and recommend products you’ll love from brands like Seventh Generation, Method, and Mrs. Meyer’s (don’t miss their house brand too!). They deliver everything you need right to your doorstep, on your schedule so you never run out. I’ve been a member for almost a year, and I’ve been so impressed with the quality of their products, the fabulous customer service, and how easy the whole process is. 


Right now, when you sign up for Grove and place your first order of $20 you’ll get this Fresh Start offer for free:
  • Free Mrs. Meyer’s hand soap
  • Free Mrs. Meyer’s dish soap
  • Free Mrs. Meyer’s lotion
  • Free Grove Collaborative Enamel Cleaning Caddy
  • Free Grove Collaborative Walnut Scrubber Sponges
  • Free shipping

If you’re already a Grove customer, you’ll get a free Mrs. Meyer’s hand soap with your next order when you use my link


#ad Mrs. Meyer's fresh start bundle with #freebies


Choose your favorite scent — honeysuckle, lemon verbena, or lavender — when you check out. These brand new lotions are only available at Grove, so don’t miss out on your chance to try them! The offer ends Sunday January 15, 2017 at 6pm PT and supplies are limited.



Here’s how it works:

1. Sign up for Grove Collaborative here . You will receive the Fresh Start Kit for free when you sign up!
2. Answer 4 quick questions about your home that Grove Collaborative will then use to customize your first basket -- this takes under 30 seconds!
3. Once you’ve answered the questions, you can finalize your basket of products to suit your household needs by adding or removing items.
4. To receive this offer, your order needs to be a minimum of $20. Choose the combination of products and scents you love and receive in your first box.
5. You made it! Click Finish & Pay and place your order.

Once you have submitted your Grove order, you’ll be signed up for the free 60 day VIP trial. For 60 days, you’ll save even more with free shipping, free gifts, price matching, exclusive sales and personal service. (I decided to keep the VIP membership after my trial ended, and I can say it’s well worth it! It has paid for itself in free shipping alone.)



I hope you'll take advantage of this great offer and come back each week as I help you keep on track with your homemaking in 2017. Because you can't cute clutter!


Please share in comments: Which Mrs. Meyer's scent will you choose?
I have received information and materials from Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc., McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division. The opinions stated are my own. This is a sponsored post.
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WinOverWinter #CollectiveBias


We got our first snow of the season this weekend in the greater Nashville Tennessee area. Some of our neighboring states would scoff at the small amount of winter precipitation we received (2 inches or less), but in our hilly communities, that’s enough to shut us down. 


Getting active in the garden to #WinOverWinter doldrums #ad


Thankfully, my girls hadn’t returned to school from winter break so we were able to get out and enjoy the prettiness Mother Nature provided.  The girls loved walking and playing around in the winter wonderland, snapping photos as they went and a host of them were of me getting active in the garden to win over winter doldrums. 



Getting healthier is a top priority for me and my family this year. We’ve all made a plan to move more by embracing some of our favorite outdoor activities and for me that means more gardening! I don’t want to wait until spring to get out in the fresh air and thankfully, living on acreage means there is always something to do in the garden, no matter the season.  Over the course of the weekend, I bundled up, went outside and found ways to move.



Get Active:

1. I picked up all the sticks and downed branches from a recent storm. As you can see from the photo above, I've got a nice pile started!


Time to fill the birdfeeders again #WinOverWinter #ad


2. I checked on all the bird feeders I have throughout my garden and found, not surprisingly they were all empty again! 



3. I walked down to the pond and back up through the trees across our large yard several times each day. 



Walking in snow is a good workout! #WinOverWinter #ad



I walked and moved a lot and it felt so good being active and outside! But once I got inside each afternoon, boy did I ever feel the chill and little aches and pains of over doing it in the snow and ice! Fortunately, I had just restocked one of my must have winter toolkit products, Ultra Strength BENGAY® Cream on my recent shopping trip at Target



Ultra Strength BENGAY® Cream to #WinOverWinter @Target #ad


Have you ever tried it?  I'm really happy with the way this product works and I found the light, minty scent refreshing. What’s great about the ultra-strength cream is that it has three pain relieving ingredients, more than any other BENGAY® product. 


Here are some key facts you should know:  


Ultra Strength BENGAY® Cream temporarily relieves the minor aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with: simple backache, arthritisstrainsbruises and sprains. For adults and children 12 years and older. Use only as directed.  Please visit Target.com to learn more about this product and be sure to follow Target on Facebook for special offers and promotions.



My #WinOverWinter toolkit #ad


After my busy weekend of gardening and communing with nature, it was nice to come inside and warm up with a nice mug of peppermint tea. Having Tylenol 8 hr. and Ultra Strength BENGAY® Cream on hand to combat my achy muscles helped me power on through my day and will remain in my winter toolkit



Getting active in the garden is helping me win over winter doldrums and allows me to enjoy curling up with a good book and relaxing all the more. No matter how you and your family get active this winter, be sure to remember to stretch before you start and be fully present in the moment!


Relaxing after a day of gardening #WinOverWinter #ad



Please share in comments: What is your favorite winter outdoor activity? How do you and your family #WinOverWinter doldrums?


I can’t tell you how happy I am that my first blog post of 2017 is one that aligns with my desire to become more active and healthy this year. I don’t make resolutions; I make plans and set goals to better myself so I can be my best self for my family, friends and business partners. In order for me to make these positive changes, I needed to start with my breakfast habits and go from there. When I don’t feel like eating regular breakfast foods, I can still eat a healthy breakfast, thanks to belVita breakfast biscuits. They are an excellent way to power your day! 






Serve tasty #belVitaBreakfast Biscuits shop #belVitaWalmart #ad



If you’ve never tried belVita Breakfast biscuits, you will be pleasantly surprised at their great taste and how well these small packages stay with you. Believe it or not, belVita Biscuits give you four hours of steady nutritious energy when you serve them with fruit and a dairy product like milk or yogurt. That’s one easy way to get through the morning!




Our current favs of #belVitaBreakfast Biscuits! Find your fav #belVitaWalmart. #ad



These tasty biscuits aren’t just for breakfast either; my girls love to nosh on them before an afternoon choir or theatre rehearsal, too. Because belVita breakfast biscuits come in individually wrapped packs, they make the perfect grab-and-go snack. I can put one in their lunch box, or they grab one and toss it in their backpacks, and they are all set. 


 #belVitaBreakfast Biscuits are tasty and pretty! #ad Try them! #belVitaWalmart.


While we usually buy the Blueberry or Golden Oat flavor biscuits at Walmart, we were really excited to see all the new flavor options like Strawberry Yogurt and Vanilla Yogurt Crème. This week we bought Vanilla Yogurt Crème, which we found to be delightfully crunchy, sweet, and delicious!



#belVitaBreakfast Biscuits are on the cracker isle at Walmart. #belVitaWalmart #ad


There’s also these new flavor choices: belVita Breakfast Biscuit Bites in Cinnamon Brown Sugar and belVita Breakfast Biscuits in Toasted Coconut.  The next time you’re shopping at Walmart, head on over to the cracker aisle and look for the belVita Breakfast Biscuits section. I think you’ll love the selection and the price per box. Be sure to check out your Ibotta offers to save even more on the tasty, convenient belVita Breakfast products.  



#belVitaBreakfast Biscuits new flavors at #belVitaWalmart. #ad



Want to try before you buy? You are in luck! Visit your local Walmart on Saturday, January 7th for exclusive savings, tastings, and more. Want to know if your store is participating? Just head on over to Walmart here and check your store.



Here’s to our health and happiness as we start the new year.  I hope you’ll try belVita Breakfast Biscuits to help you power through your day too!


Wordless Wednesday Treasuring family time

in , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Wednesday, December 28, 2016
It's the last Wordless Wednesday post of 2016. I hope you are treasuring family time today right on through to the new year!


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Kinsman's #Nashville
Treasuring family time



Get home décor inspiration from Santa's house this holiday

in , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Friday, December 23, 2016
This guest post from the folks at Zillow is such a happy, festive one. I hope you enjoy checking out Santa’s home décor and the Zillow listing.



More than harried shopping and hanging stockings, Christmas is about spending quality time with family and friends. Invite relatives to feel merry and bright in your home by taking inspiration from Santa's house



Zillow Santa's house listing
Source 


Create a cozy mantle filled with lush greenery, spruce up your table with gold embellishments or incorporate treats into your decor with fresh-baked cookies.


Expanding your trimmings beyond the Christmas tree is one of the many ways to make your home festive this holiday season. 



Festive centerpiece at Santa's house
Source


If you’re looking for projects to work on with your family, consider mixing up some cookie dough or crafting holiday ornaments



Holiday decor and cookies at Santa's house
Source

Curious to see the inside of Santa's house? Take a look to discover how Santa and Mrs. Claus indulge all year long. Hint: Their gourmet kitchen features an oven with 12 different cookie settings!


Here's a handy infographic to save so you can easily capture Santa's look for yourself!



Zillow Get Santa's loo infographic


I'm loving all the pops of red and the greenery through out Santa's house! I will be incorporating several items to my holiday decor now.


Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from us and all the folks at Zillow!



Please share in comments: Which home decor look will you borrow from Santa's house?

We are in the home stretch, friends! With Christmas just 5 days away, I thought it was the perfect time to share an easy, tasty cookie recipe that doubles as a great last minute hostess gift or a special show of appreciation to a teacher, bus driver or neighbor. 


Peanut butter toffee cookies make perfect gifts #recipe


I love baking from scratch whenever I can, but sometimes this busy work-at-home mom needs to streamline the baking process, too and that’s when I turn to premade cookie mixes. Mixes like Betty Crocker's help me keep calm and whip up a batch or two of these easy Peanut Butter Toffee cookies in no time. Trust me when I say, these cookies are so quick and delicious, nobody will believe they aren’t from scratch!


Here’s my quick and easy recipe for Peanut Butter Toffee Cookies. 


Ingredients:


  • 1) 17.5 ounce peanut butter cookie mix
  • 1) 8 ounce bag English toffee bits (found in baking aisle of most grocery stores)
  • 3) Tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2) Tablespoons water
  • 1) Large egg


easy peanut butter toffee cookies you'll love to give #recipe




Directions:


  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line cookie sheets with parchment paper. In large bowl mix oil, water and egg in peanut butter cookie batter until no longer grainy.
  • Gently fold in toffee bits.
  • Shape dough into 36 small balls or make drop cookies like I did by gently sliding off tablespoon-size dough balls onto parchment paper.
  • Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes for regular size cookies, or 9-11 minutes for large cookies.
  • Allow to cool.


If you are giving cookies as gifts like I am, get your cookie container ready while the cookies cool. I prefer using Ziploc containers because they are sturdy and reusable, which truly comes in handy this time of year! Sometimes, I even receive my container back with a goody inside as thanks

easy peanut butter toffee cookies you'll love to give #recipe



I’ve found that a dozen cookies fit perfectly in the 1.25 quart size plastic containers. Sometimes you can get lucky and find the holiday containers, but if not, you can decorate your container as festively as you want.  It really is a simple and easy way to spread kindness and cheer at this special time of year!


I hope you enjoy these cookies and all the joy that this, the most wonderful time of the year, brings.



Merry Christmas from middle Tennessee!

Merry Christmas from us to you!



SF Bay Gourmet Coffee review and giveaway

in , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Monday, December 12, 2016

It is no secret that we are a coffee loving family here. My husband and I enjoy regular blend coffee that we buy at our local grocery store during our work week and that is perfectly fine. On the weekends though, we like to treat ourselves to a cup or two of specialty coffee roasts and flavors, so when SF Bay Coffee invited me to review their coffee and host a giveaway, I was only too happy to oblige. 

I received complimentary product to facilitate today’s post and giveaway, however, all opinions and love of a good cup of coffee are my own. 


mornings need coffee try SF Bay Gourmet #giveaway


I love learning about small family owned businesses like SF Bay Gourmet Coffee  based out the San Francisco Bay area.  Not just because I grew up near this area of northern California, but also because I know from first-hand experience all the hard work and dedication to takes to keep small businesses going! Both my husband and I have years of experience in the small business industry so, I applaud the Rogers Family on a job well done. 


About SF Bay Gourmet Coffee and the family behind it:

SF Bay Gourmet Coffee logo



Established in 1979, the Rogers Family Company's steadfast mission is to search out the world's finest Arabica varieties and roast the richest, most flavorful coffees available anywhere while making the world a better place at the same time.



Growing Coffee for Good!

SF Bay Gourmet Trolley


SF Bay Gourmet Coffee stands for premium, sustainable, fair and direct trade coffee and tea at prices you'll love! SF Bay Gourmet Coffee likes to say their products are grown for good. Their Community Aid Program has restored thousands of acres of rain forest by farming only with shade grown farms, and planted their own coffee on our own organic farms!  Their mission to help their communities and the world at large is something my family and I support. 


Coffee Choices:


SF Bay Gourmet Espresso Roast was my choice #giveaway



SF Bay Gourmet coffees come in regular, Espresso and decaf varieties in flavors like Amaretto Milano, Caramel Crème, Chocolate Almond, and Chocolate Raspberry, Cinnamon Crumb Cake, Dark Habits Dark Chocolate Caramel and more. 




My Thoughts:

I chose the Espresso Roast to try because my husband prefers a full-bodied cup of coffee without added flavoring and we were not disappointed in this smooth, easy on the stomach coffee.  We really could “taste the difference” with SF Bay Gourmet Coffee.  This roast pairs well with breakfast or brunch, and I found myself wanting to make a coffee cake to serve alongside this coffee when holiday company arrives- it’s that good!



I want to purchase the Dark Habits Dark Chocolate Caramel coffee next and experience some of their East India teas. The Apricot Orange herbal blend caught my eye as did the Earl Grey loose leaf tea. They offer a Java Perks club and affordable prices, making this a fantastic company to shop with this holiday. I invite you to learn more about them here and by following them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.



Win It:

Win a bag of SF Bay Gourmet Coffee on My WAHM Plan


Thanks to today’s sponsor, one lucky reader will receive 1 bag or single serve box of SF Bay Gourmet coffee in your choice of flavor.


Good luck!


Terms: 

No purchase is necessary to enter using the Rafflecopter form below.  My WAHM Plan is not responsible for prize fulfillment. Winners will be notified by email used on entry form and have 48 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. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Please share in comments: If you win, will you keep this coffee yourself, or gift it?

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