Archives for April 2016

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #70

 

Image-Sundays-Best-Mothers-Day

Welcome to Week 70 of Mother 2 Mother’s Sunday’s Best Linkup. This will be the last week of our Happy Mother’s Day celebration. We’re looking for crafts, recipes, party ideas, decorating inspiration, gift ideas, love stories and anything else you would like to post to celebrate mom.

We also welcome other recipes, crafts, DIY, home makeover, gardening tips, SEO & blogging information, sewing projects, patio and deck makeovers, front porch makeover ideas, organization tips, ideas for backyard parties and makeovers and more. Blow the dust off your old posts and link those too. They’re great for inspiration.
Just link up whatever post you would like to share. We would love to have parenting tips, DIY projects, homesteading, homeschooling, makeovers, cocktails, 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. Be sure to tell your friends they will want to join the festivities too.

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.

The Reader’s Choice post(s) will be determined by the post(s) with the most clicks. We will be adding the winner to our Sunday’s Best featured bloggers.

All posts linking to Sunday’s Best will be promoted on Twitter.

In addition to the reader’s and hosts selections, a post for our monthly themes will be selected and featured each week as well.

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 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 to/follow our blogs:

Mother 2 Mother: Please subscribe to my blog on the right, like my
Facebook Page, follow me on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, BlogLovin or 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.

 

Mother 2 Mother Blog

Sundays Best Featured Blogger

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:

I selected How To Build a Potting Bench from The Summery Umbrella 

 

This potting bench will make the perfect gift for the home gardener. You can make it from reclaimed materials too.

Kim U. selected 12 Hummus Recipes from Super Mommy Club 

 

appetizer recipes, hummus recipes

 

and

Kim M. selected DIY Yard Yahtzee from Nap Time Creations 

 

kids activities, games for kids

The Post With The Most Clicks:

Farm House Front Porch Entry from Worthing Court Blog

 

spring decorating ideas, front porch makeovers

and

The Favorite Theme Posts

Happy Mother’s Day

Herb DIY Gift Ideas from Oh My Creative 

mother's day gift ideas, kitchen herb ideas, mother's day gift ideas

 

Congratulations to our featured bloggers! All of the posts were great, and I appreciate each of you linking up. We have so many great posts that it gets difficult to choose a featured blogger. I would like to invite all of you back to linkup your post(s) again, it could be selected next 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. Be sure to connect on social media.

 


Tips For Buying Porcelain and Ceramic Tile Flooring

 

home improvement, flooring updates, porcelain floor ideas, ceramic tile ideas

Are you thinking of installing new flooring?  I replaced all of the flooring in my home several years ago. I replaced all of my carpet with hardwood, installed porcelain in my kitchen, and ceramic tile and vinyl in the bathrooms.   

I banged my head a few times during the selection stage, but the end result was spectacular.  My biggest frustration was running from store to store to bring home samples.  I have a solution for this problem, check out GoHaus.  GoHaus sells luxury flooring from engineered luxury wood to porcelain. 

Although I purchased hardwood flooring, I’m going to focus on porcelain and ceramic tiles today.  I selected porcelain for my kitchen flooring and ceramic and vinyl flooring for my bathrooms. My kitchen takes a beating, especially during the summer and fall.  I’m a kitchen gardener and I love to entertain my large family, so my kitchen is used to can, pickle and make jams from my garden harvest in the summer and large pots of deliciousness for my family. Here’s are things I considered before I purchased my kitchen flooring:

  • That it be able to take high traffic
  • That I be able to clean it with ease
  • That it have low water absorption (When I’m using my canner for preserving, it splatters water)

After careful consideration I decided on glazed porcelain. My flooring makes me happy, I smile when I work into my kitchen. I know that it will last for decades and it looks great. Your floors should make you smile too. GoHaus has beautiful porcelain flooring  for you to choose from. Head over and check it out.   

Did you know that porcelain comes in 3 finishes.  Glazed, Color Body and Through Body.  Here’s some insight on these finishes:

  • Glazed – Glaze protects the porcelain from water penetration and stains. There are more designs to choose from in this category. You can find patterns that model wood, stone or solid color combinations. 
  • Color Body – Color body porcelain tiles are created colored stains from the glaze surface throughout the body of the tile. The color remains consistent throughout the tile; however, the surface design does not continue throughout the tile body.
  • Through Body – Through body tiles does not  have the protective layer of glaze. This type of flooring relies on the density of the material for protection from water penetration and stains, although a sealant can be added.  This type of flooring is color fast, so you don’t have to worry about it fading over time. 

I selected Sinter Ceramic Tile for my master bathroom, and Through Body porcelain tiles for the others with vinyl flooring.  I’m thrilled with the end result.  If you decide to purchase ceramic tile, I suggest a heat mat under your flooring if you’re a cold natured person and be sure to consider how slippery it will be when wet.  I went with vinyl flooring in the other bathrooms, my grandchildren and guests use them and their safety was a major consideration.  Here’s a list of the most common types of ceramic tile:

  • Sinter
  • Klinker
  • Terracotta
  • Majolica
  • Mosaic

Hop over to the Ceramic Tile section at GoHaus and check out their selection.  You can request up to 6 free samples of flooring without using your credit card.  Don’t you love this perk. Most stores charge for samples.  Do your homework and make sure you love your selections. 

Note:  I have been compensated for this post; however, all opinions are my own.

 

20 Flowers To Use In A Wildflower Garden

First, summer is around the corner.  And if you’re like me you can’t wait to get outside and start working in the garden. I have found that there’s nothing prettier than a wildflower garden.  Not only are they beautiful, but they attract birds  and butterflies.  As a result, I love sunflowers in my garden.  They can be used in a wildflower garden, but there are so many flowers that can be used in addition.  Be sure to check out my other gardening tips too.

 

 

garden wildflowers

 

 

Flowers for a wildflower garden:

 

 

  1. Coneflowers
  2. Red and Yellow Poppies
  3. Black Eyed Susan
  4. Zinnia
  5. Shasta Daisy
  6. Cosmos
  7. Coreopsis
  8. Autumn and Lemon Queen Sunflowers
  9. Turtle Heads
  10. Fireweed
  11. Blue Aster
  12. Cornflowers
  13. Texas Blue Bonnet
  14. Sweet William
  15. Wild Petunias
  16. Four O’Clocks
  17. Blanket Flowers
  18. Butterfly Weeds
  19. Wild Golden Glow
  20. Marsh Marigolds

 

 

growing wildflowers

 

 

Sowing or planting any or all of these flowers will result in a beautiful garden.  Furthermore, wildflowers look great even among grass and weeds.  However, I do recommend that you remove as much grass and weeds as you can from the area where you will be sowing your seed. This will give the seeds an opportunity to  sprout and grow a strong root system.

Also, before you purchase your seed or flowers know the difference between annuals, biennials, and perennials.  So, here’s a straight forward description of each:

  • Perennials  – Most of the wild flowers listed are annuals, Cosmos, Poppies, Cornflowers, and will return year after year.  They bloom abundantly and will drop lots of seeds before dying   More plants will grow the following year.
  • Annuals –  You will have to purchase annuals yearly. Marigolds, petunias, geraniums are popular annuals.
  • Biennials –   Biennials will sprout one season but not bloom until the next year. They self-seed, so more and more plants will sprout in the spring. Black-eyed Susan and Sweet Williams are examples of biennials.

 

Finally, regardless of whether you’re planning a cottage garden or just a small spot in your backyard, plant plenty of flowers.  Most importantly, there’s nothing better than being able to enjoy the fruits of you labor.  And bringing fresh cut flowers into the home.

15 Signs That You’re In Debt

Are you swimming in a sea of debt?  Do you spend more time trying to figure out how to pay your bills than you do relaxing and enjoying life?  If so you may be swimming in a sea of debt.   Living beyond your means can cause stress, deception, and robbing Peter to pay Paul.  Here’s a few signs that you’re in debt, and you need to assess your spending habits.  It may be impossible to live debt free, but curbing your spending can be empowering.  

 

debt elimination

 

 

  1. You live from paycheck to paycheck.
  2. Your savings account has a zero balance and your checking has a minus figure.
  3. You can’t remember the last time you paid your bills timely.
  4. Your friends always foot your bill on Girls Night Out and you’re comfortable with it.
  5. Bill collectors are calling and you tell the kids to tell them you’re not home.
  6. Hiding from family and friends because you haven’t repaid them.
  7. Arguing with your husband or significant other about money or lack of money.
  8. You have lost all hope of having an emergency fund.
  9. Your blood pressure numbers are higher than your credit score.
  10. Watching the Griswolds in National Lampoon’s Vacation is as close to a vacation as you will get.
  11. Ignoring health symptoms because you don’t have health insurance and can’t afford the bill.
  12. Thinking it would be easier to get to the moon than save money.
  13. You and the kids look like a million dollars, even though your accounts are set to zero.
  14. If your children asked for financial advice you wouldn’t be able to guide them.
  15. You search your cup holders, sofa and the washer for change.

Last, along with advice from a financial planner, my post 15 Tips To Save Money, has great tips on how you can take small steps to start saving money. It’s never too late to turn your finances around and start climbing out of debt. Additionally, here are a few others tips:

  • Become committed to leave your debt behind and make better decisions.
  • Check out Dave Ramsey’s book Your Money Or Your Life.
  • Stay on track, and stay focused on the signs that you’re in debt.
  • Get to the bottom of your overspending. You could possibly be trying to fill a void with your overspending.   

 

 

Inspirational Quotes – Colors

Image-Inspirational-Quote-Colors

Inspirational Quote – Remembering

quotes, inspirational quotes

Amazing Tips For Decorating Your Child’s Bedroom

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on decorating your child’s bedroom.   Decorating can be complicated if you don’t have a plan.  Aside from filling it with toys, you have to consider many factors in designing their personal place for play and sleep.

First, toddlers spend a huge part of their lives in bed. The National Sleep Foundation recommends toddlers sleep for 11-14 hours. Older children will need less. Quality sleep is important to their mental and emotional development. One way to make sure they get adequate slumber is by designing a room that suits their need for sleep and play.

Likewise, their room should not only be a place where they get sufficient sleep, but also a venue for playing, learning and developing intimacy with their parents and siblings.

 

 

decorating kids rooms tips

 

Tips for Decorating Your Child’s Bedroom:

 

Ensure safety of your child

Also, your toddler is just starting to develop their motor skills.  As a result, they are prone to injuries.  There are toys and other things inside their room that are dangerous.  Additionally, some can be health hazards. Aside from being toxic, these things might also choke them. Make sure your toddler’s room protects them from harm, and not the other way around.

 

Be cozy

Next, the bedroom should be designed to make sleep come easy.  While decorating your child’s bedroom, the furniture and accessories should be placed in a way that they can sleep comfortably. Likewise, the walls and furniture should be painted with calming colors. Another thing to consider is to buy the most comfortable mattress for them. A Gel Memory Foam Mattress is recommended for comfort.

 

Spark creativity

Bedtime stories fuel your kid’s creativity.  So, make their room a part of their dreamland. Their bedroom should be a venue to fuel their personal fantasy. If they like astronomy and space explorations, stuff their room with glow in the dark stars and spaceships.

 

 

decorating kids bedrooms

 

 

Encourage learning

Besides enhancing their creative flair, your child’s room should help boost their intellect. Books and art can stimulate their desire to read and learn. Art can stimulate their desire to draw, color and paint.

 

Include play area

Another thing to consider when decorating your child’s bedroom is providing a play area.  Play is very important in a child’s development both mentally and physically.  Playing allows children to build better behavior, become team players, grow as active adults, boost learning, and increase their happiness.

 

Empower your child’s talents and interests

By age 2 to 3, your toddler is showing signs of their talents and interests. You can help them nourish their gifts. One way to do this is by designing their room to cultivate their interests.

 

Make Your Kid’s Bedroom a Venue to Learn

Aside from developing the talents of your child, you can also influence them to become an achiever and succeed in life through their room. Design their room so that it will improve their self-responsibility and self-esteem.  One way to do this is to provide storage boxes to place their toys after playing. Through this method, teaching them how to tidy up and to organize their things will help them become responsible and help with self-esteem.

 

Be Creative in Setting Up Your Kid’s Room

 Additionally, listen and watch your toddler so you can learn what they like.

 

Keep Their Bed Free From Clutter

By now you should teach your child the value of sleep by making sure that their beds are free of clutter. If possible, set aside an area to play, watch TV or eat away from their bed.

Toddlers and kids learn best by experiencing their environment.  So, consider our suggestions when decorating your child’s bedroom.  Provide a room designed to enhance their growth and development.

 

Note: Ethan Wright is a health enthusiast who believes every great day begins with a good night sleep. He is currently a researcher and writer for Bedding Stock. When not wearing his writing hat, you will see him traveling to places with his journal.

 

 

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #69

 

Image-Sundays-Best-Mothers-Day

Welcome to Week 69 of Mother 2 Mother’s Sunday’s Best Linkup. We are continuing our Happy Mother’s Day theme this week. We’re looking for crafts, recipes, party ideas, decorating inspiration, gift ideas, love stories and anything else you would like to post to celebrate mom.

We also welcome other recipes, crafts, DIY, home makeover, gardening tips, SEO & blogging information, sewing projects, patio and deck makeovers, front porch makeover ideas, organization tips, ideas for backyard parties and makeovers and more. Blow the dust off your old posts and link those too. They’re great for inspiration.
Just link up whatever post you would like to share. We would love to have parenting tips, DIY projects, homesteading, homeschooling, makeovers, cocktails, 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. Be sure to tell your friends they will want to join the festivities too.

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.

The Reader’s Choice post(s) will be determined by the post(s) with the most clicks. We will be adding the winner to our Sunday’s Best featured bloggers.

All posts linking to Sunday’s Best will be promoted on Twitter.

In addition to the reader’s and hosts selections, a post for our monthly themes will be selected and featured each week as well.

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 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 to/follow our blogs:

Mother 2 Mother: Please subscribe to my blog on the right, like my
Facebook Page, follow me on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, BlogLovin or 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.

 

Mother 2 Mother Blog

Sundays Best Featured Blogger

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:

I selected Cookie Sheet Chalkboard from Little Miss Celebration

chalkboard ideas, DIY

 

Kim U. selected Vintage Sheet Quilt from Busy Being Jennifer

Image-Vintage-Sheet-Quilt

and

Kim M. selected Vertical Pallet Herb Vegetable Garden fromWorld Market

 

gardening, vertical gardening, creative gardening

 

The Post With The Most Clicks:

Mudroom Reveal from The Dempster Logbook 

Image-Mudroom-Reveal

and

The Favorite Theme Posts

Happy Mother’s Day

Mason Jar Flowers For Mother’s Day from Worthen Court Blog

mothers day gift ideas

 

 

Congratulations to our featured bloggers! All of the posts were great, and I appreciate each of you linking up. We have so many great posts that it gets difficult to choose a featured blogger. I would like to invite all of you back to linkup your post(s) again, it could be selected next 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. Be sure to connect on social media. 

 


Little Tikes Grill and Accessories Give Away

 

 
kids grills, kids summer activities Image-little-Tikes-Grilling-Accessories

Summer is around the corner and families everywhere will be firing up grills.  BBQing is an American pastime.  There’s nothing like  good food, family, friends and fun.  Little ones like to cook too.  We’re going to help them by giving away this Little Tikes grill and accessories. 

Your toddler will have years of fun with the gas grill and accessories. The Little Tikes Grow ‘n Grill has two stages to grow with your child from toddler to preschooler.  Just like a real gas grill with dual grill, lid, sink and side burners. The grill has a starter button and clicking knobs.  It comes with:

  • 1 pair of tongs
  • 1 spatula
  • 1 hamburger and bun
  • 1 hot dog and bun
  • 1 bottle of ketchup

The accessories come with 20 pieces.  The BBQ set comes with two burgers, two hot dogs, corn on the cob, ketchup, mustard and more. The set is appropriate for ages 3+.

Make this grill set and accessories yours by entering below:

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Here’s the rules: Please subscribe to my blog or follow me on social media. For additional entries, tweet the give away or leave a blog comment. The winner will be selected by Raffle Copter and notified via email.  Please make sure your email address is correct.  If not, you will be disqualified and another winner selected. The prize will be shipped directly to the winner, so once you are notified you will be required to forward your shipping address to Mother 2 Mother. 

The give away is open to US Resident 18+ only.  Please allow sufficient time for processing and shipping of both items.  Mother 2 Mother wishes all of participants good luck.  We hope you’re little one enjoys the grill and accessories, and thanks to everyone who participates. 

 

Finding Dory Printables for Kids

Today, I’m sharing Finding Dory printables. The movie will be in theatres June 17, 2016.  So, be sure to mark your calendar.  You won’t want to miss Dory’s next big adventure.

 

finding Dory printables

 

 

 

Finding Dory Printables:

 

ABOUT THE MOVIE: Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory” welcomes back to the big screen everyone’s favorite forgetful blue tang, Dory (voice of Ellen DeGeneres).  So, Dory is living happily in the reef with Marlin (voice of Albert Brooks) and Nemo (voice of Hayden Rolence).  Dory suddenly remembers that she has a family out there who may be looking for her.  As a result, the trio takes off on a life-changing adventure across the ocean to California’s prestigious Marine Life Institute.  The Marine Life Institute (MLI) is a rehabilitation center and aquarium.

Next, in an effort to find her mom (voice of Diane Keaton) and dad (voice of Eugene Levy), Dory enlists the help of three of the MLI’s most intriguing residents.  One which is Hank (voice of Ed O’Neill), a cantankerous octopus who frequently gives employees the slip.  Also, Bailey (voice of Ty Burrell), a beluga whale who is convinced his biological sonar skills are on the fritz.  Last, Destiny (voice of Kaitlin Olson), a nearsighted whale shark.

Furthermore, after deftly navigating the complex inner workings of the MLI, Dory and her friends discover the magic within their flaws, friendships and family.   Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo,” “WALL•E”) is the director.  Also, it is co-directed by Angus MacLane (“Toy Story OF TERROR!”), and produced by Lindsey Collins (co-producer “WALL•E”).  Disney•Pixar’s  “Finding Dory” swims into theaters June 17, 2016.

Last, mark your calendar and make it a family affair.  In the mean time, enjoy our maze, coloring and connect the dot pages below. You can download the pages here.

 

Image-Finding-Dory-Maze Image-Finding-Dory-Coloring-Page5 Finding Dory activities, connect the dot printables, coloring printables

 

I hope that you will print the Finding Dory printables as adorable as I do, and you will print a few for your kids.