Archives for April 2015

Turn It Up Tuesday – #84

April 28, 2015 by Rhonda Gales

Welcome to Mother 2 Mother and the 84th week of Turn It Up Tuesday! Be sure to enter our Paypal Giveaway. This is the last week of April…and the last week for our Just to Say Thank You Giveaway!!!!

Last week, we had an awesome time on Turn It Up Tuesday with 315 links – another amazing week! We’d like to thank each and every one of you for making every week so amazing! Keep sharing your amazing posts with us here on Turn It Up Tuesday!

Turn It Up Tuesdays is all about being happy, excited, energetic…and having fun! Link up your favorite posts (old or new) and meet some awesome bloggers in return! Link up your funny stories, DIY posts, recipes, mommy moments — anything at all. We want to laugh, be entertained, be inspired, and have a good time!

Thanks so much to everyone that joins us each week and makes this blog hop the best that it could be!

SPONSOR OF THE MONTH

Our sponsor for April is Great Escapes Travel Agency.

Great_Escape_Ad_Epic_Mommy_Adventures_Blog_3

Great Escapes Travel is a full service travel agency specializing in Leisure and Group Travel.
We plan land based vacations, cruises, destination weddings, and honeymoons to U.S. destinations, as well as the Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico.

At Great Escapes Travel, we are not mere order takers who book your trip and then leave you on your own. We are “Escape Artists”. As Escape Artists, we act as an adviser and a resource for our clients. We take the time to talk with our clients to really get to know them. Then we are able to create the perfect vacation experience created just for them. We provide personalized service that is tailored to meet each of our client’s needs. We work with our clients every step of the way – before, during and after the trip. We make ourselves available to our clients by phone, text, email, and Facebook. And we guarantee that someone will respond to you within 24 hours.

Are you looking to get your blog or website in front of numerous people per week? Do you enjoy Turn It Up Tuesdays? Interested in having your blog or website featured for an entire month?
Then, sponsor Turn It Up Tuesday for a month by clicking here!

Welcome the lovely ladies of Turn It Up Tuesday!

(from the top – left to right)

And welcome our awesome guest hosts for April!

(from the top – left to right)

Mionna from Just Mi! | Kori from Just Another Mom | Cathy from Brand New Mom Blog | Rachel from Rae Loves | Free from Couponin Diva

(not pictured)

Minnie from The Country Cooking Queen’s Weight loss and healthy eathing blog | Christina from Super Mommy-n-Me

Interested in being a guest host for the month or becoming a permanent co-host?

Complete the form here! Monthly guest hosts will be chosen on a first come first-serve basis.

Here are the Featured posts from last week!

Kori chose 7 Powerful Pinterest Tips from Tabler Party of Two. “I chose this one because I’m trying to learn more about Pinterest and this post was very practical as far as the advice that she gave.”

Jillian also chose this post. “I am always looking for more tips to master Pinterest and this post is seriously full of them!!”

Kimberly (Being a Wordsmith) also chose this post. “Andrea’s post has some great tips about using Pinterest to attract traffic to your blog. I am always looking for new ways to improve this method of social media.”

Kori chose Bite Size Beignets from Lou Lou Girls. “I was born in New Orleans, famous for it’s beignets so when I saw this post, I was drawn to it instantly. I can’t believe how easy that recipe is!”

Cream Puffs with Strawberry Cream Poster

Lisa chose Cream Puffs with Strawberry Cream from A Sprinkle of This and That. “Cream puffs with Strawberry Cream inside. Enough said! I can’t wait to make these!!”

Lisa chose Kids, Social Media and Bullying – What Should A Parent Teach? from Not Your Ordinary Psychic Mom. “I love this post! Informative and every parent needs to read it and share with their children. Social Media bullying is now the new old bullying and it needs to be stopped and we need to better educate our children about it. Great post.”

Mari chose Ways to Enjoy a Simpler Lifestyle from Little House Living. “I love things that will allow me to stay present and enjoy each moment. When I began to practice Yoga and Meditation a few years ago focusing on breathing, just breathing was an awesome freedom. We take our breaths for granted, so her tips really made me smile and enjoy the read.”

Mari chose Succulent cuttings from Sum of their Stories. “I couldn’t pass on Julie’s share because if you visit my blog you will see I am obsessed with Succulent Plants!!!! They are easy to maintain and multiply and a lovely addition to brighten any room in your home. This post made me get up and work on some more cuttings! Thanks Julie!”

Workplace outside in the sun with a break memo

Free chose Why You Need to Take a Break from Just Another Mom. “As a mom to two toddlers my life is always on go mode. I always want to relax but never take the time to do so. I know I need a break.”

Free chose How to Customize Jetpack Related Posts from The Lady Errant. “I love learning how to do something new for my blog and making the most of the things that matter most to me and my blog.”

Jillian also chose this post. “Personalizing my blog as much as possible, will help me build a brand. This post has taught me how to personalize my Jetpack “related posts,” which is something I had no idea could be done!”

Ginger also chose this post. “I have jetpack but I rally had no idea how to use it. This post was very informative and I will definitely be referring back to it.”

Zografia chose The Kitchen – Back to the Future Style from Family and the Lake House. “I wish our kitchen was as beautiful as this one! I love the backsplash!”

Zografia chose 5 Fun Cleaning Games to Play with Your Kids from Cornerstone Confessions. “Our 18 month old loves cleaning and helping when i cook. These games will come in handy!”

Stacey chose Rocky Road Cookie Bars from Lou Lou Girls. “These look absolutely wonderful! For me there is nothing better than chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts! Thank you so much for sharing!”

Ginger chose DIY Movie Theater Sign from Lou Lou Girls. “I have a movie themed party coming up and this would make a great decorative touch.”

Titles-I-Would-Have-So-Owned-If-I-Wasnt-1

Kimberly (Being a Wordsmith) chose Titles I Would Have So Owned, If I Wasn’t “Mom” from Laugh Out Loud Mommy. “Brittany gave me a good laugh at her numerous character roles before she was a mom. I found myself wondering which ones I would “so own”!”

Tina chose DIY Stenciled Hot Pad Holder from View from the Fridge. “What a wonderful idea, I love this tutorial,nice and easy😃,thanks for sharing.”

Tina chose Easy Popsicle Recipe: Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Popsicles from Gym. Craft. Laundry. “I love these protein popsicles. A great way to treat yourself!Thanks for sharing.”

Natasha chose Teaching Kids About Money from Three Kids and a Fish. “What a great idea to take your child to the bank to build a relationship with money! I’m definitely going to have to do that with my son. Thanks for sharing!”

14-Different-Ways-to-Increase-Your-Blogs-Pinterest-Traffic-FB

Natasha chose 14 Different Ways to Increase Your Blog’s Pinterest Traffic from MBA SAHM. “I’ve been looking for ways to increase my Pinterest traffic, and these are definitely some great tips to help me on my way. Great post!”

The-Absolute-Best-Thing-About-Blogging-200x300

The post with the most clicks is The Absolute, Best Thing About Blogging! from Earning & Saving with Sarah Fuller.

Stop by and show some love to our featured bloggers this week! I’m sure they’d all appreciate it!

If you were featured above, feel free to share the badge below with pride on your blog or website!

<div align="center"><a href="http://epicmommyadventures.com" title="Epic Mommy Adventures" target="_blank"><img src="http://epicmommyadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/200pxturnitupbuttonfeature1_zps09bd5c75.png" alt="Epic Mommy Adventures" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

And the Best of the Best is…

We have a tie for 1st place…

7 Powerful Pinterest Tips from Tabler Party of Two

How to Customize Jetpack Related Posts from The Lady Errant

And a tie for second place…

Rocky Road Cookie Bars from Lou Lou Girls

5 Fun Cleaning Games to Play with Your Kids from Cornerstone Confessions

Show some love to our Best of the Best bloggers this week!!!!

Best of the Best Bloggers – make sure to showcase the button below on your blog!

<div align="center"><a href="http://epicmommyadventures.com" title="Epic Mommy Adventures" target="_blank"><img src="http://epicmommyadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/200pxturnitupbuttonbest_zps00692ef1.png" alt="Epic Mommy Adventures" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Giveaways!

This month, we did something a bit different with our giveaway! Each week this month, we selected one entrant to win $50 Paypal cash! You increase your chances of winning by stopping by each week and entering to win!

The winners from the 1st 3 weeks of the Just to Say Thank You Giveaway have been announced!

Week 1 Winner: Kelly L.

Week 2 Winner: Carrie from The Frugal Foodie Mama

Week 3 Winner: Stephanie K.

There is still 1 more chance to win this week before our Just to Say Thank You Giveaway officially ends…make sure to enter to win!

This week is our Instagram week – so be sure to follow the host, co-hosts, and guest hosts below for your chance to win $50 Paypal cash!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
So now that you’ve met our Sponsor for the month, our hosts and guest hosts, our Featured, the Best of the Best, and checked out our Thank You $50 Paypal Cash Giveaway,

let’s get started!

– Show some love to your hosts and co-hosts simply by following them on social media and leaving a comment so they can follow you back.

– Link up as many posts as you’d like! The more, the merrier!

– Check out some of the other posts and make some new friends!

– Grab the button below and showcase on your sidebar! Invite your fellow bloggers to join the fun!

<div align="center"><a href="http://epicmommyadventures.com" title="Epic Mommy Adventures" target="_blank"><img src="http://epicmommyadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/200pxturnitup1_zps05216d89.png" alt="Epic Mommy Adventures" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Link up your posts, make some friends, and earn the chance to be featured or become the Best of the Best on Turn It Up Tuesday! We will feature the favorite posts each week! **Disclaimer: Adding your link to this link party gives permission to Epic Mommy Adventures, along with co-hosts, guest hosts, and participants of Turn It Up Tuesday, to share your posts and pictures via social media and as features, roundups, etc. with an explicit link back to the original source.**

An InLinkz Link-up

Interested in reading all of our favorite posts on Turn It Up Tuesdays – past or present? Or do want to know if your post was featured before we go live next week? Follow Natasha Peter’s board Featured on Turn It Up Tuesdays! on Pinterest.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: social networking, Turn It Up Tuesday

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas For Mom

April 27, 2015 by Rhonda Gales

So, everyone will in search of Mother’s Day gift ideas. So, today I’m sharing shopping tips on Mother’s Day gift ideas. It’s so important that we honor our mothers. But, many people get tired of giving and receiving the same gifts for Mother’s Day?

As a result, do you want to do something unique and memorable, but lack innovation? No worries, because I have come up with a few great Mother’s Day gift ideas. These ideas will lead to an unexpected and exciting Mother Day with a little ingenuity. No flowers, chocolates, or dinner at a local restaurant on my list. Just unique ideas that will be sure to please.

Unique Mother’s Day gift ideas:

1. Photo Blanket – First, I loved this idea and it’s great for any occasion. Gather a few of mom’s favorite photos or yours and have them added to a nice warm blanket for mom to snuggle in. Great for chilly evenings and week-ends or just to display. Great conversation piece too. Order two, you may want to keep this one.

2. Wine Club Membership – Next, is mom a wine lover? How about a membership to the Wine of the Month Club or a wine gift basket. Furthermore, two bottles of wine per month will be shipped to your front door or a fine wine gift basket delivered. This would be a perfect gift for me, as I’m a lover of wines especially red wines. You may also want to check your local winery to inquire about a custom basket for mom or membership.

3. Breakfast in Bed – So, how about serving mom breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day? Fortunately, any week-end will do for this Mother’s Day gift idea. Serve her breakfast in bed for a month? For example, serve a bowl of fresh fruit and a croissant. Also, yogurt with her favorite coffee is good or go ahead and whip up a full fledged breakfast starting with fresh squeezed juice. Follow that up with bacon, eggs and toast. Print up a few certificates and place them in a gift box. When mom needs a break, let her turn in one of her coupons for breakfast Saturday or Sunday morning.

4. Afternoon Tea – Next, invite a few of mom’s friends or family member over and serve them tea and biscuits or tea sandwiches. Maybe they would like a sconce or bite size desserts too. Nothing fancy, just a fun and relaxing day with the girls.

5. Latte Machine – About how this, purchase a Latte machine and whip up a few Lattes. Rather than running out for a special treat, she can brew her own in the comfort of home.

6. Massage – Get mom a gift certificate for a massage. I have one every year for my birthday, and I swear by them. The Swedish Massage is my favorite. They rub and roll all my stress away from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. Additionally, you may be able to find a masseuse who makes home visits.

7. Dinner for Two – Make her favorite meal at home. One of my best memories of Mother’s Day was a home cooked meal, and I didn’t have to cook it. I’m not sure if it was truly the taste or the thought that made it so delicious.

8. Happy Hour – Invite a few of mom’s friends over for cocktails and be their bartender. Also, add a designated driver for the evening. Offer a buffet of wings or shrimp, cheese and crackers, vegetables with dip and fresh fruit. She will love you for it, and so will her friends. This is a great Mother’s Day gift idea.

9. Cleaning Service – Another idea, I have cleaning service once a month and it is heavenly. My house is cleaned from top to bottom, and I lightly maintain it during the rest of the month. Best gift ever.

10. Magazine Subscription – I love being able to sit in my favorite chair on Saturday mornings and flip through my favorite magazines, Bird and Blooms and People, while sipping a cup of coffee and watching the news. Birds and Blooms not mom’s thing, just subscribe to mom’s favorite magazine. Be sure the first copy is available in time for Mother’s Day.

11. Coffee Club Membership – Another Mother’s Day gift idea is a membership to a coffee club. I had membership a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Most of all, a different flavor of coffee is shipped each month.

12. Manicure/Pedicure – Get mom a gift certificate for a manicure and pedicure at a local nail salon. Not only is it relaxing, but summer is around the corner. She will want to have her tootsies ready for sandals.

13. Salon Gift Certificate – Another good idea is a gift certificate. Moms often sacrifice to ensure everyone else has what they need. So, why not get her a gift certificate to a local salon for a hair cut or color. I guarantee, it will be welcome.

14. River Boat Cruise – Another Mother’s Day gift idea at the top of my list is a day cruise. So, if you live near a riverboat took a dinner cruise. Also, let mom play the slots for a few hours or just enjoy the cruise and dinner.

15. Gift Card – Last, a gift card for a small shopping trip or on-line excursion is always welcome. Fortunately, gift cards can be used by mom to purchase that item she’s been eyeing for a while. It give her freedom to use it on what she wants when she wants.

Finally, I hope you have been inspired by my Mother’s Day gift ideas. Most importantly, select an idea or two for your mom or yourself. In conclusion, I highly recommend them. Especially, since I have indulged in the majority of the ideas. What’s your favorite idea on the list? Please leave a comment.

Filed Under: Life-Thoughts Tagged With: gift ideas, Mother's Day, mother's day gift ideas

Inspirational Quote – Will Smith

April 25, 2015 by Rhonda Gales

Filed Under: inspirational quote, Uncategorized Tagged With: Printables

18 Mother’s Day Crafts

April 25, 2015 by Rhonda Gales

18 Mother’s Day Craft Ideas For Kids

It is hard to believe that Mother’s Day is around the corner. First, I’ve been searching for a few kid’s Mothers Day crafts to make with my grandchildren. I think kid’s Mother’s Day crafts are the perfect gift for their mother and their other grandmother. Fortunately, I found quite a few adorable Mother’s Day crafts that would be perfect gifts for this special occasion.

I always try to find a variety of craft ideas to offer the kids. I never know what will inspire them. One day they love markers and crayons, the next day it could be finger paints. So, I look for projects that require materials that I have on hand or that I can purchase from the Dollar store. You how much I love that store.

Anyway, I wanted to share my roundup of kid’s Mother’s Day crafts with you. I hope that you will be inspired to make a few gifts with your children or grandchildren:

1. Picture Flower Pot – The Daily Craziness. So creative! First, who would think to add pictures to a flower pot. I love the thought of creating the flower pot as shown, and than placing a pot of tulips inside of it. Also, the pot of tulips can be planted in the yard on or after Mother’s Day. Furthermore, the pot can be used in the summer for herbs. Mom and/or grandma can place it in the kitchen window.

2. Button Bouquet – Pinterest. Sorry, but I was unable to locate the craft on the site referenced. It seems pretty simple to make, so bring out that jar of buttons, make a pretty bow and a few stem. Finally, start gluing. I think the kids will have fun placing the buttons to make the bouquet.

3. Heart House – Crafty Morning Great way to show mom how much you appreciate the home she has made for you. A few craft sticks, buttons, cut out heart, some glue and you’re good to go.

4. Hand Print Flower – Nifty Mom. Simple enough to make with a toddler, finger paints and some card stock.

5. Teacup – Mr. Printables. It’s actually an invitation for to a tea party. But it was so adorable I thought it could be adapted as a Mother’s Day gift. What’s better than a tea party invitation from your son or daughter.

6. Hand Print Vase – Love Bugs and Post Cards. Also, this could be a fun project. Coming up with reasons why the kids love mom or grandma and tracing little hands can be a great way to start a Saturday.

7. Watering Can Mother’s Day Card – Crafty Morning. This project is at the top of my list. I will be changing the blue hearts with water drops. This blogger has several other Mother’s Day projects on her site, so be sure to check them out.

8. Mother’s Day Coupons – Penny Pinching Mom. I love this idea. You print the coupons, color them, and than give them to mom. The coupons are for 1 breakfast in bed and 2 loads of folded laundry. How cute is that.

9. Mom Deserves A Hand – Happy Home Fairy The card is a free printable. Head to Bath & Body and let the kids pick out their favorite scent for mom. Clever idea.

10. Bottle Cap Flower – Crafty Morning This is an easy craft to make in little time. You will need to collect beer bottle caps, stock card, glue and a Sharpie. I saw this card on another site with a twist, the word MOM had been added to the top 3 caps for a personal touch.

11. Love You Bunches – Crafty Morning Next, this craft is perfect for toddlers. It requires finger paints, stock card, and the joy of sticking your thumb in the paint. I would suggest making dots on the stock card and using the dots as a guide for the shape.

12. Folding Craft Stick Flowers – Danielle’s Place I loved the idea of the gift folding and being wrapped with a simple ribbon. My initial thought was to put a magnet on the back and stick it on the refrigerator after grandma or mom opens it or hang it with a pretty ribbon. Be creative.

13. Fingerprint Flowers – Crafty Morning Fortunately, we found a few crafts for adorable for little fingers, And you don’t need a lot of materials to complete the project. If you don’t have scrapbook paper, stock card or construction paper should work.

14. Picture Monogram – BHG Mother’s Day crafts allow us to get creative. So, creativity will help make this a great gift. You can use either M for mom, G for Grandma or Gigi, or N for Nana.

15. Lion Card – Crafty Morning This little card will be easy to make with a fork, marker, a piece of stock card. And you can get the eyes from your local craft store. I actually found a bag of eyes at the Dollar Tree for a buck.

16. Love You To Pieces – Clip Zine. If you’re like me, there’s always a puzzle laying around with missing pieces? Recycle it and make this adorable gift for mom or grandma.

17. Hand Print Towel – This Simple Home. Cute! This is a great idea for Mother’s Day, Christmas or a birthday present.

18. Hand Print Bouquet – Simply Sweet Teaching Last, but not least. I love the idea of using hand and foot prints in children’s art. Also, hand and foot prints can be framed. Furthermore, the prints can created on a background other than black. I do love adding the year to the print though.

Finally, we hope that you will think our kid’s Mother’s Day crafts will make great gifts too. They’re actually quite inspirational. Pick out one or two and start crafting with the kids. Please leave me a comment and let me know your favorites.

Filed Under: Crafts, Spring Tagged With: kid's activities, kids crafts, Mother's Day

This Grandma Doesn’t Wear Depends

April 23, 2015 by Rhonda Gales

Why do people associate grandmas with being old, gray haired, and wearing Depends? Now I may have a few gray hair, but this grandma doesn’t wear Depends. I’ve have some issues when I have coughed or sneezed, but when I do reach the point where I need Depends, will Depends define who I am? I think not.

Here’s a picture of me that was taken of me last year during a promotion that I did for JC Penny’s Portraits, and the second picture with my daughter approximately 5 years ago at a family function. Do I look like an old, gray-haired woman who’s peeing on herself in either?

So you’re wondering what prompted this post, right? Another blogger, yes I said another blogger. Long story short, I was complimenting her and the fact that I liked various things about her site. As the conversation progressed, she stated that she had quite a few grandmas who visited her blog and she didn’t know why. She gently invoked Depends in the conversation. My initial response was is she trying to throw shade? I’m so glad that I have matured and handle things much differently than I did in my 20s, 30s even 40s because:

1. I’m the queen of reading your ass and it ain’t pretty. Yeah, Bye Felicia!

2. I would have left you with your mouth hanging open and words burned so deep into the recesses of your brain, you would be shaking your head for the rest of your life trying to get rid me.

However, I don’t see a need to go there anymore so I responded by laughing and stating that I have a few creaks and some other things going on, but I wasn’t close to Depends. I also stated that I was on her site because I was looking for the same things that she and other mothers were looking for with their children. Do our positions or the differences in our ages change that?

I further stated that my responsibilities with my grandchildren are no different from her raising her children. When my grandchildren are in my care and custody, I raise them as if I gave birth to them. It is my job to guide and lead them in the right direction just like their parents. The only difference between their parents and me, I have more money. She seemed to get it after that, but did it really require an explanation?

Being a grandmother is quite a prestigious position and one that I will wear with honor even when I reach the Depends stage. As a grandmother I want to tell you a few things that you should not do with me:

1. Assume that I’m old and gray and ready for a rocker. I have a lot of fire inside of me and I’m not close to throwing in the towel and rocking the rest of my life away just yet.

2. Assume that I’m technically challenged and not cool. I have a smart phone, text, use a camera phone, have an SLR digital with long range lens, a laptop, a tablet, a GPS in my vehicle, flat screen TVs, and any other electrical gadgets on the market that I feel I want to buy and can use them.

3. Assume that I don’t have any obligations to my grandchildren. I’m just as obligated to my grandchildren as my daughter and son-in-law. I contribute to their upbringing, clothing and shelter too. I would die for those babies, wrap myself around a pole and shake my groove thing if I had to so that I could take care of them. Thank goodness, I don’t have to resort to those tactics. I know you’re as happy about that as I am.

4. Assume that I don’t know the likes and dislikes of my grandchildren or the latest on the market. I know their favorite cartoon characters, favorite TV channels, latest clothing fads, what sneakers are cool, up on the movies and games, know the great vacation spots, and can make their favorite foods and treats. More so than my 30 year old children. That’s right, they look to me for the information because they don’t know. They love coming to Mawmaw’s too. My grandchildren don’t want to go home because my house is the bomb.

5. Assume you can say or do whatever you want to me. No you can’t, so be prepared to get a response that you may not like if you don’t come correctly. I require the same respect that I give you.

As bloggers networking is important, we can all learn from each other. As bloggers and human beings, we all want to connect, build a following and interact. I really don’t think any of us want to talk to ourselves when we write and publish a post, so isn’t our goal to connect with readers and to share what we’ve written? I believe that we have the same goals as parents and grandparents.

I understand having a target audience, and  a niche. Quite frankly, I write about what I love which is family, gardening, crafts, quotes and motivating others. My target audience is parents who are in the age range of 20 – 60 who are looking for parenting tips/advice, ways to save on food expense, budgeting, a little motivation and lots of laughs. Not once have I wondered why anyone was on my site because of their perceived age or position in life. I have worked hard to make Mother 2 Mother warm, inviting and inclusive! Everyone is welcome.

You may also like: Creating Family Traditions

How To Establish Boundaries For Grandparents

Filed Under: Life-Thoughts Tagged With: grandparents, parenting tips, raising children

How To Make Bird Seed Cookies

April 21, 2015 by Rhonda Gales

Winter is here and feathered friends will be hunting for food. So, we want to share our recipe for DIY Bird Seed Cookies. Now is the time to assist mother nature in feeding your backyard. My grandchildren and I spent the week-end making bird seed cookies. The grandchildren had fun, and the birds think they’re delicious. Check out my other posts on attracting backyard birds before you leave.

Making birdseed cookies is a great activity to do with the children on a rainy or cold winter day. It gets kids involved in nature, and provides an opportunity to discuss school, friends, or any other subject that your children are interested in. Furthermore, the bird seed cookies are full of protein to help keep our backyard friends warm and their tummy full during the winter.

Once the cookies are made, it provides an opportunity for kids to bird watch. Grab your binoculars and a camera, and let them start a scrap of the birds that visit. It also provides an opportunity for them to do research on what birds they are seeing.

Having the kids select the cookie cutters for the project is fun. Have each child pick out a favorite cookie cutter shape and than get to work. Here’s what you will need:

- 3/4 Cup flour
- 1/2 Cup water
- 1 Envelope unflavored gelatin
- 3 TBS Karo corn syrup
- 4 cups of wild birdseed
- Mixing bowl
- Wax paper or non-stick spray
- Cookie Sheet
- cookie cutters

bird seed cookies

This is recipe for DIY Bird Seed Cookies:

Place all of the ingredients in a bowl except the bird seed and mix until well combined.
Mix in the birdseed gradually.
Spray your cookie sheet with the non-stick spray or line with the wax paper.
Place the cookie cutters on the cookie sheet.
Pack each cookie cutter with the birdseed mixture. (Pack the cookies tightly. You want the cookies to be thick).

bird seed cookies

So, we used my spring cookie cutters, which include a birdhouse, bird, and the sun to create the treats. However, use whatever you have on hand. The kids will enjoy using whatever you have. Nothing is off limit. Once the cookies have been created, use a straw to make a hole at the top of each cookie. Allow the treats to harden over night before you set them out for the birds. You can place them in the freezer to help things along. You can also store them in the freezer for future use. Unfortunately, these cookies don’t do well in the summer. The summer heat will make them moldy and they will fall apart easily.

Once the cookies have set, lace a piece of twine through the hole of each cookie so you can hang them. Place them on tree branches and bushes, and go bird watching. My grandchildren think the cookies are cool, and enjoy watching the birds eat the treats through the windows. Cold, snowy days with a warm fire make the best bird watching days.

So, be sure to make extra. You can keep them in the freezer and use them to feed your backyard birds during the winter. Don’t forget to make a few for friends who love to bird watch too. They make great gifts.

You may also like: How To Bring Backyard Birds To Your Feeder or Audubon Birds.

Filed Under: Backyard Birds, Nature-Gardening Tagged With: backyard birds, feeding backyard birds, seed for wild birds

Turn It Up Tuesday – #83

April 21, 2015 by Rhonda Gales

Welcome to Mother 2 Mother and the 83rd week at Turn It Up Tuesday! Last week, we had an awesome time on Turn It Up Tuesday with 364 links – another amazing week! We’d like to thank each and every one of you for making every week so amazing! Keep sharing your amazing posts with us here on Turn It Up Tuesday!

This week we will be giving away $50 cash on Paypal. Be sure to enter before you leave. You could get lucky.

Thanks so much to everyone that joins us each week and makes this blog hop the best that it could be!

SPONSOR OF THE MONTH

Our sponsor for April is Great Escapes Travel Agency.

Welcome the lovely ladies of Turn It Up Tuesday!

(from the top – left to right)

And welcome our awesome guest hosts for April!

(from the top – left to right)

Mionna from Just Mi! | Kori from Just Another Mom | Cathy from Brand New Mom Blog | Rachel from Rae Loves | Free from Couponin Diva

(not pictured)

Minnie from The Country Cooking Queen’s Weight loss and healthy eathing blog | Christina from Super Mommy-n-Me

Interested in being a guest host for the month or becoming a permanent co-host?

Complete the form here! Monthly guest hosts will be chosen on a first come first-serve basis.

Here are the Featured posts from last week!

Jillian chose The Fairytale Wedding and the Nightmare Marriage from Kiddie Matters. “I chose this post for two reasons, the first is the author’s story. It is such a great reminder how much work goes into a marriage, but about how worth it is!! The second reason is the author’s writing is just beautiful. The way the story ebbs and flows, and the descriptions used, are lovely. It held my attention to the very very end, which is hard to do nowadays!!!”

Natasha also chose this post. “What a great post!!! It shows the real life of marriage after the great wedding. This is a beautifully written post that will truly show the ups and downs of relationships. A must read!”

Rachel also chose this post. “Yanique gets really personal and details some struggles she has faced early in her marriage and I can completely relate! I love how she realizes that giving in to her fears could hurt a marriage and that she gets a wake up call to let her know that all marriages are different.”

This post also received the most clicks.

Jillian chose Filofax Organization – A Peek Inside My A5 Aqua Saffiano from Mama’s Got It Together. “What can I say?? I am obsessed with all things planners! I see a post like this pop up into the link-up and I am draw to it. 🙂 I like this one because it is showing just another way to organized your life, and I am definitely into that!”

Lisa chose grilled cheese heaven from Dreaming of Leaving. “This wonderful Round-Up of Grilled Cheese had me drooling. I love a good grilled cheese sandwich and now more reasons to expand that love! I can’t wait to try them all.”

Lisa chose 25 Amazing Muffin Recipes from All That’s Jas. ” I am always trying to think of different ways to make muffins and not stick to the same recipes I make. This is perfect. Muffins are perfect to make ahead and freeze so I need to clear some space for many of these delicious muffin recipes from this Round-Up.”

Mari also chose this post. “Can’t go wrong with such an awesome selection of muffins.”

Kori chose S’Mores Stuffed Cookies from Fitness Food Diva. “I love S’mores and I love baking. I’ve seen a few boxed mixes but I’ love to be able to bake from scratch whenever possible.”

Silvie also chose this post. “This recipe really grabbed my attention because we are S’More-A-Holics in my house. This is now our favorite cookie recipe!”

Kori chose 3 Reasons We Choose to Homeschool from Year Round Homeschooling. “I chose this one because we’re in the midst of beginning Tot School and thinking about homeschooling beyond that. It’s nice to read why others have chosen this path.”

Rachel chose Clean Eating Blueberry Avocado Muffins from Divas Run for Bling. “These muffins look so delicious and the fact that they will fit into my healthy eating plan is the cherry on the top. Blueberries and avocado are so good for you, why not combine them for breakfast.”

Free chose 5 Essential Productivity Apps for Work at Home Moms from Wife Mom Geek. “I have a hard time staying focused and tend to stray from tasks that I need to get done. These productivity apps will help me get in line.”

Free chose Part Two-Build A Blog Community. from View From In Here. “As a blogger I’m always looking for ways to grow my community and be the best blogger I can be.”

Mionna chose Social Media & Privacy: Where Do You Draw The Line? from All of Life’s Little Adventures. “As a blogger we have to be somewhat public. I’m a very private person, so although I’m “public”, I watch what I do. This post really brought some things I hadn’t thought about to my attention! I plan on taking some of the recommended items into serious consideration within the next few weeks.”

Mionna chose Double Bacon Cheeseburger with Mini Onion Rings recipe from Summer Scraps. “I LOVE onion rings!! I like this post, because I never thought about making mini onion rings!! I’ve spent so much money over the past couple of weeks buying onion rings. This recipe reminded me that I wanted to start making them at home!!”

Kimberly (Being a Wordsmith) chose 30+ Delicious Low Carb Side Dishes from Wife Mom Geek. “My husband is always asking for a vegetable side dish to go with whatever I make for dinner. This post gives me some great ideas to whip up!”

Kimberly (Being a Wordsmith) chose My Daughter’s Birth Story Told Through An Infographic from Confessions of a Ninja Mom. “Infographics always catch my eye and this one did so even more! Every mother has a unique story about the birth of their child. Seeing it this way is pretty creative.”

Zografia chose Gold Striped Feature Wall from Albion Gould. “Every house needs an accent wall. If it is shines a bit it’s even better!”

Natasha chose 10 Reasons to Keep Blogging from Budget Girl. “There are so many times where I have lost my motivation with blogging, but I just keep going back. This post is a great reminder why I love blogging!”

Zografia also chose this post. “After so many problems with my host and so much disappointment, this one is a must read!”

carrot-cake-whoopie-pies-with-cream-cheese-buttercream-21-pin-682x1024

Ginger chose Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies with Rum Cream Cheese Buttercream from The Gold Lining Girl. “I love whoopie pies and I love carrot cake. This is a perfect pairing and the rum cream cheese buttercream sounds amazing!”

broccoli-pesto-mushroom-grilled-cheese-title

Ginger chose Broccoli Pesto Mushroom Grilled Cheese from Dizzy Busy and Hungry. “I am always looking for new ways to incorporate pesto into a dish. This is definitely one I will be using!”

April chose $200/Month Menu Plan for Our Family of 5 (Post #3) from Thrifty Frugal Mom. “After finding out that I have almost doubled my grocery spending, I need to accept these tips.”

April chose Inspiration from The Crafty Side of Sarcasm. “I had a long and hard week. I need some inspiration.”

Silvie chose Sloppy Joe Cups from A Sprinkle of This and That. “My boys love sloppy joes but my 3 year old always has a hard time eating it without making a HUGE mess. We tried this recipe and he ate them no problem!”

Rhonda chose Stunning Strips On Walls from HomeDecorDesigns.com. “I’ve wanting to do a makeover on my foyer. I love the idea of making an impact with the unexpected. I think strips on one of the walls will do.”

Tenns chose Strawberry Lemonade Popsicle Recipe from Logan Can… “I’m a huge strawberry-lemonade fan and these Popsicles look so delicious and refreshing. I’ll definitely have to give them a go this summer.”

Tenns chose Schedule Pins to Pinterest with Tailwind from My Family Mealtime. “I’ve only heard of Tailwind vaguely, so it was nice to see a post so detailed about it. I’ll definitely have to check it out!”

Mari chose Mini Nutella Cinnamon Rolls from Three Kids and a Fish. “Love a nice warm roll in the morning.”

Tina chose It’s A Wrap from Quinton Wench. “I love this bracelet,looks amazing!!Makes me want to learn how to crochet!! Thanks for sharing!”

Tina chose Cherry Blossom Foam Flowers – DIY from Purple Hues and Me. “Amazing craft, so simple and so beautiful!!I want to try this with my daughter.Very creative!”

Stop by and show some love to our featured bloggers this week! I’m sure they’d all appreciate it!

If you were featured above, feel free to share the badge below with pride on your blog or website!

<div align="center"><a href="http://epicmommyadventures.com" title="Epic Mommy Adventures" target="_blank"><img src="http://epicmommyadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/200pxturnitupbuttonfeature1_zps09bd5c75.png" alt="Epic Mommy Adventures" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

And the Best of the Best is…

10 Reasons to Keep Blogging from Budget Girl

The Fairytale Wedding and the Nightmare Marriage from Kiddie Matters

Show some love to our Best of the Best bloggers this week!!!!

Best of the Best Bloggers – make sure to showcase the button below on your blog!

<div align="center"><a href="http://epicmommyadventures.com" title="Epic Mommy Adventures" target="_blank"><img src="http://epicmommyadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/200pxturnitupbuttonbest_zps00692ef1.png" alt="Epic Mommy Adventures" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Giveaways!

This month, we’re going to do something a bit different with our giveaway! Each week this month, we will be selecting one entrant to win $50 Paypal cash! You will increase your chances of winning by stopping by each week and entering to win!

The winners from the 1st two weeks of the Just to Say Thank You Giveaway have been announced!

Week 1 Winner: Kelly L.

Week 2 Winner: Carrie from The Frugal Foodie Mama

There is still 2 more chances to win in Week 3 and Week 4 of the Just to Say Thank You Giveaway…make sure to enter to win!

This week is our Bloglovin week – so be sure to follow the host, co-hosts, and guest hosts below for your chance to win $50 Paypal cash!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
So now that you’ve met our Sponsor for the month, our hosts and guest hosts, our Featured, the Best of the Best, and checked out our Thank You $50 Paypal Cash Giveaway,

let’s get started!

Show some love to your hosts and co-hosts simply by following them on social media and leaving a comment so they can follow you back.

Link up as many posts as you’d like! The more, the merrier!

Check out some of the other posts and make some new friends!

Grab the button below and showcase on your sidebar! Invite your fellow bloggers to join the fun!

<div align="center"><a href="http://epicmommyadventures.com" title="Epic Mommy Adventures" target="_blank"><img src="http://epicmommyadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/200pxturnitup1_zps05216d89.png" alt="Epic Mommy Adventures" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

An InLinkz Link-up

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: social networking, Turn It Up Tuesday

Guest Post – 5 Frugal Ways To Update Your Home

April 20, 2015 by Rhonda Gales

Spring is here – finally! And with all of the new life and green breaking through the gray of winter, it’s time to celebrate. Spring brings a fresh perspective, a new beginning. Jump on board by freshening up your own surroundings. It’s time to update your home for the season. There’s no need to spend a lot of money. Take on a few
simple projects to enjoy a brightened home and a brightened future.

Here are five frugal ways to update your home for spring:

1. Hit the Yard Sales – There’s nothing like scanning a good yard sale on a crisp Saturday morning in April. Yard sales are the perfect places to score a big ticket item at a fraction of the price. Be on the lookout for hidden gems among the clutter. Vintage dishes make great wall art, and mirrors add light and depth to any room. Glance at your local paper for upcoming sales and plan your route to get the most bang for your buck. Don’t forget to take cash, and have a vehicle for hauling all of your amazing finds.

2. Freshen With Paint – A new color for your front door or your favorite decorative accent can add a little life back into your home. Don’t be afraid to go bold with your choice; you can always repaint it later. For a more dramatic update, try a new color on the walls or kitchen cabinets. All white is trendy now, but you can spice it up with an unexpected pop of color, like a bold green or fiery red on an accent wall.

3. Plant Some New Greens – Plants can be an inexpensive way to add color to the outside (and inside) of your home. Annuals tend to be a little cheaper than perennials, but a combination of both will mean you’ll be investing in your greenspace for years to come.

Try hanging a planter from your front porch, and you’ll see an instant boost in your home’s curb appeal. If space is a little more limited and a full garden isn’t your calling, try adding a few flowers to some pots at the front entrance of your home.

4. Move Things Around – One of the easiest and least expensive ways to get a new look in your home’s décor is to switch some things around. Move artwork to a different room or try a new arrangement of your favorite collection. Swap out pillows on your couch or bed, and weed through your bookcase.

If, through this process, you find that pieces of your décor are in need of replacing, you can make a list of what you need and start to budget accordingly. For extra savings, check out home décor wholesales online for some fresh spring décor.

5. Your Pictures – If the pictures on your walls haven’t been changed out in a few months – or a few years – it may be time to display new ones. Break out your digital camera so you can go through pictures of events that happened in the last year.

Ordering prints online is easier than ever now, so you can customize your prints to fit the frames you have on hand. No pictures you’d like to print? Do an impromptu photoshoot with your family.

Updating your home for spring doesn’t have to wreck your
budget. Try these five frugal ways to boost your home’s décor in no time!

Savannah Hemmings is a personal stylist and lifestyle blogger with a
passion for beautiful spaces and great deals. To read more of her tips on home
decor and fashion, check out her blog SincerelySavannah!

Filed Under: Life-Thoughts Tagged With: budget shopping, decorating ideas, spring cleaning

Learn Blogging Tips and Tricks From Pro Bloggers

April 19, 2015 by Rhonda Gales

blogging tips, tips from pro bloggers, blogging tricks

Are you interested in growing your blog and social media followers? Are you interested in taking your blog from a hobby to a Brand? Do you want to learn how to create great blog content? If the answer is yes, you won’t want to miss my upcoming interview series with 4 pro bloggers.

I will be asking the pros to share tips and tricks on how to increase your social media followings, how to take your blog from a hobby to a professional website, and everything in between. These professional bloggers will be getting down in the weeds and sharing useful information that you can immediately apply to your blogging endeavors. Be sure to mark your calendar for May 4, the first interview will be live and filled with helpful information on how you can grow your blog too.

Filed Under: blog information, blog tips and tricks, blogging, blogging resources, Uncategorized

Sunday’s Best – #16

April 19, 2015 by Rhonda Gales

Welcome to Week 16 of Mother 2 Mother’s Sunday’s Best Linkup. We’ve started our April Showers theme. April Showers Bring May Flowers, but they also cause us to spend lots of time indoors. We’re looking for indoor activities for kids, Mother’s Day ideas, recipes, crafts, DIY, home organization tips, summer garden preparation tips, SEO and blogging tips. Anything that we can work on during those rainy days. Blow the dust off your old posts and link those too. Don’t have posts that fit into the theme, link up whatever post you would like to share. We would love to have parenting tips, DIY projects, homesteading, homeschooling, and your posts on family and life. Your linkups and giveaways are welcome here too. Anything goes, as long as it’s family friendly and you may linkup as many posts as you would like.

Each week your hosts will select their favorite post and it will be featured the following week. An image from your post will be used on my blog the following week with a link back to your blog. Be sure to check back to see if you’re a Sunday’s Best featured blogger. All Featured Bloggers will have their posts Pinned to the Sunday’s Best Pinterest Board.

If you are interested in becoming a Sunday’s Best host, please contact me for details at rhonda@mother2motherblog.com or email one of our other hosts.

Your Sunday’s Best Hosts are:

Rhonda – Mother 2 Mother Kim U. – Pinterested Parent Kim M. – Life In A House of Testosterone

Here’s the rules, please connect with us on social media before you leave or subscribe/follow to our blogs:

Mother 2 Mother: Please like my Facebook Page, follow me on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, BlogLovin or subscribe/join my blog on the right before you leave.

The Pinterested Parent: Please like Kim’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Bloglovin before you leave.

Life In A House of Testosterone: Please like Kim’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Bloglovin, or Instagram before you leave.

Last, please help us grow by placing our button on your sidebar. If you are selected as a Featured Blogger please let your readers and followers know. They may want to join the party too! For those who have a Link Party list/directory, please add us. I appreciate your help in promoting the linkup with Re-tweets and shares. Now lets party!

The Sunday’s Best Posts are:

Kim U. selected Tips To Keep The Love Alive In Your Married Life from Family, Daily Living & Style

I selected Attracting, Supporting, and Enjoying Wild Backyard Birds from Ramblings Of A Bad Domestic Goddess

Kim M. selected – Grilled Cheese Heaven from Dreaming of Leaving

Congratulations ladies! All of the posts were great, and I appreciate each of you linking up. I would like to invite all of you back to linkup your post(s) again, it could be selected this week. While you’re here take a minute to visit these great blogs. It’s a great way to meet and connect with new bloggers. Be sure to PIN or share any posts that you like, we all appreciate a little love.

An InLinkz Link-up

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: social networking, Sunday's Best Linkup