Friday Fragments 8/16/13

1. School is here and I am so not ready for it! I really enjoyed summer school and it was nice to have paycheck during the summer . Next summer though,  I'm either going to take the summer off or work a job that is not school related.

2. This year I will be working with high school special education students. This is a big change from working with elementary students. I think this is going to be a good change. I'm just a little bit nervous about it. 

3. I will be working close to Corkgrinders. It's a new coffee shop/bar in the area. It's a lot of fun to hangout there. If your ever in the Baytown area you should check out Corkgrinders. Look for a review of Corkgrinders coming soon!

4. My cat has been acting even weirder than normal the past few days. She's decided to become a lap kitty. She just sits in my lap and purrs. I can't tell if she's just decided to be more affectionate since her self imposed exile in the cat room or if somethings wrong with her. I hope it's the former instead of the latter. 

5. Sophie is not sure what to think of the cat again. She's been in her cat room so long that when she does come out our dachshund gets so excited and scares the cat back into her room. When will Sophie learn that a 13 year old cat doesn't want to play. 

6. I've decided to do more artsy/craftsy stuff again. It really makes my soul happy when I create things. I'll post some pics of them soon. I'd love to know what you think

7. I'm taking a quilting class Sunday. I'm super excited about it but also SUPER nervous. I just barely took my sewing machine out of the box. Not to mention we have a photo shoot that morning and a baby shower that afternoon so I'm gonna be running around like a crazy woman. Say a prayer for me Sunday I'm gonna need it! 

8. Oh yeah! I am in the process of switching my blog over to WordPress. If you have any advice, tips, suggestions, I love to hear them. 

Well that's it for my Friday Fragments. Do you have any plans for this weekend? I hope you have a safe and wonderful weekend!

 

Six Sisters' Stuff Book Review

I am reviewing this book for Deseret Book. I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.

 About the Book: 

Building Families One Meal at a Time: Six Sisters Release New Cook-Craft-Create Book

With busy schedules, after-school activities, late workdays and long commutes, is sitting down to a family dinner still possible?

The authors of Six Sisters’ Stuff (Shadow Mountain, ISBN: 978-1-60907-324-4, $21.99, March 2013) 

In their debut cookbook, the sisters (yes, six biological sisters— Camille, Kristen, Elyse, Stephanie, Lauren, and Kendra) show families just how simple putting dinner on the table can be. From Baked Chicken Fajitas to Slow Cooker Pot Roast Sliders to Mini Oreo Cheesecakes, Six Sisters’ Stuff has nearly 100 easy-to-follow recipes that use ingredients commonly found in your pantry. Each recipe includes easy-to-follow instructions and photographs that eliminate any guess work. 

Six Sisters’ Stuff evolved from the sisters’ blog SixSistersStuff.com, that began in February 2011 out of their love to cook, craft, and create. After years of living close to one another, they suddenly found themselves living in different parts of the country and used the blog to stay in touch and share ideas. In just two short years, SixSistersStuff.com has quickly become one of the most popular food and craft blogs, receiving on average 5 million page views per month, with over 130,000 Facebook fans and more than 190,000 Pinterest followers (as of 2/7/13).

Six Sisters’ Stuff also includes a collection of simple and inexpensive craft ideas – how to make hand puppets, felt bows, decorative wreaths, and more – plus lists of fun family activities for road trips, entertaining rainy-day ideas, healthy snack suggestions, and even some recommendations for cheap date nights. This family-focused cookbook is really more of an idea book to help families create fun, lasting memories together.

My thoughts: 

I have been a fan of the six sisters' for a while now. I was really excited to find out they were coming out with a book and that I got to review it. This is more than a cook book. It has recipes along with craft ideas,  time saving tips, a spring cleaning check list and so much more! There are some adorable craft ideas in the book that I am going to make soon. I also love the 50 fun date ideas, 14 days of Valentines, and 101 Fun, Easy and Cheap Indoor Activities for Kids.  I choose to make the Six Sisters Chicken Bacon Ranch Taquitos for my family. They were quick and easy to make. My family and I loved them!  I love how the Six Sisters recipes are quick and easy so you can spend more time with your family. I recommend this book to anyone who wants wants quick easy tasks so they can spend more time with their family!

Join the Family Dinner Challenge  

 

According to Pew Research , only about half of families make dinner a daily ritual and another third eat together a few times a week. Roughly one in 5 families (20%) eat together only occasionally or never. In conjunction with the book’s release, on March 4, 2013, SixSistersStuff.com will launch a 4x4 Dinner Challenge. Families are encouraged to eat together as a family at least four times a week for four weeks. Families can register online at www.SixSistersStuff.com and receive meal tips, ideas for family activities, and helpful recipes to assist in making this challenge a reality. “We grew up knowing the importance of feeding our families a home-cooked meal and sitting down to eat it together,” said Camille, the oldest sister. “Even the busiest of people can make the food and project ideas we share, which will give you even more time to spend with your family and loved ones.” 

Giveaway promotion is available with this tour!

1) Like the Six Sister’s STUFF facebook page and comment that they are joining the 4x4 Dinner Challenge
https://www.facebook.com/SixSistersStuff

2) Click the 4x4 Family dinner banner on the website www.SixSistersStuff.com (on the right sidebar) and leave a comment that they are joining the challenge.

Note: I'm always happy to do product reviews. If you're a company and want me to review your product, simply e-mail me at the e-mail address on the sidebar to the right.

 

 

Crafty or not so much

January is National Crafting month. If you're like me-every month is National Crafting month. If I had my way-every day would be national crafting day! Evil laugh. I love to craft! I just find it fun and to be honest-therapeutic. I have to be so logical , practical so left brained at work. Not so when I'm crafting! The right brain completely takes over! Yeah baby! Those of you know me-know that I am VERY Right brained! LOL 

Webster's dictionary defines crafting as an an art, trade, or occupation requiring special skill, especially manual skill. Crafting can be anything from knitting, sewing, scrapbooking, painting, making models  and so much more. My favorite is paper crafting and drawing. I could spend hours and hours making scrapbook pages or cards. Yes basically cards.  I love to look a names on our church's prayer list and send them cards. I believe it blesses me as much as it blesses them!  

If you haven't ever tried crafting I suggest you try it. It's such a great way to relax (unless you're extremely left brained like my hubby-in which it stresses him out-BIG TIME) and let your creative juices flow. 

Do you craft? If not is there some craft you'd like to try?