Archives for December 2016

Choosing The Perfect Pet For Your Family

 

 

how to choose a family pet

 

So, your family is ready for a pet. There are hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs…the list goes on. How are you supposed to decide what the perfect pet is for your family?   Stop worrying, this guide can make choosing the perfect pet easier.

Consider The Age Of Your Children

The first thing you’ll want to consider is the age of your children. This is important for a number of reasons.  Can your kids help take care of the pet?  This will help make the children responsible and give them the pet is ‘theirs’ too feel. Also, some pets are great with older kids, but not so much with younger kids.  Make sure you know what’s best for your kids before you decide.

Take A Look At How Much Space You Have

The amount of space you have will play a big part in the kind of pet you decide to get. If you want a nice big family dog like a Labrador, you’re going to need lots of space. It needs to be able to run around and play with space to spare. If you have limited space, choosing a smaller pet is best. It isn’t fair on the pet if you don’t take this into account.

Look At Your Finances Carefully

You must make sure you can afford the essentials for your new pet. This includes food, treatment from places like https://www.petcarerx.com/frontline-plus-for-dogs/10884, toys, and other important things. You should never get a pet if money is limited.  Committing to your pet means ensuring you can spare the money it takes to keep them healthy and happy.

Research Pet Breeding

Researching different breeds of different animals will give you a good idea of what type of lifestyle they are suitable for.  If your family is active, a pet that likes to stay active is best. Lazy pets won’t be the best choice for an active family, and a lazy family certainly shouldn’t pick an energetic pet.  You should also take a look at their temperament. Considering things like this ensures that you’re the perfect match.

 

how to select a family pet

 

Going To View Different Pets

When you have a good idea of the type of pet you want, you can go to view different pets. Although you can’t tell much when they’re young, if they show a slight interest in you, this is a good sign!

Buying From A Reputable Source

Last, you must make sure you’re buying your pet from a reputable breeder or source. Some pets are poorly bred and looked after before they are sold.  As a result, this could lead to problems for the owner later on.  Be smart about where you buy your pet.  Make sure they are healthy and happy.

When you consider our tips, choosing the perfect pet for your family will be less difficult. It’s all too easy to choose a pet just because they look cute. Always make sure they suit your family, home, and lifestyle before making the final decision. Thanks for reading and come back soon!

Gift Ideas For Babies This Christmas

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on gift ideas for babies.  Trying to figure out what gift to buy a baby can leave you feeling stumped.  Especially, when it comes to buying a Christmas gift.  So, we have put together a list of possible gift ideas that will help make your shopping trip easier.  

 

Here are a few gift ideas for babies and be sure to check out our Christmas morning tips:

 

Christmas gift ideas for babies

 

 

Sentimental Gift

Also, an item that can be kept and treasured is a nice option. It might not be able to be used in the here and now, but it’s a lovely item that they will appreciate when they grow up.  Sites like this have lots of things to buy for a baby so you could browse for inspiration.  It could be a special photo album, a piece of art or some kind of trinket.

A Gift Certificate 

Last, you can’t go wrong with a gift certificate as an idea gift for babies at Christmas. The parents could use the gift certificate for sales after Christmas.  A gift certificate can also be used toward a larger purchase that the parents were planning on buying.  Alternatively, you could purchase a gift certificate for sites such as Amazon. This gives them a wider selection of things to choose from.

 

 


 

 

A Donation To Their Savings Account

Many parents set up a savings account for their baby.  Instead of buying a gift, you could make a monetary donation.   Parents could use the donation toward their child’s education or an that the baby needs in the future.  It’s something that will make a substantial difference to their lives, and all of these smaller contributions add up over the years.

Baby Clothes

All parents need baby clothes.  A sweet outfit with booties and a hat wouldn’t cost much.  However, they grow so quickly.  Chances are the parents will be going through clothes like crazy.  Baby clothing of any kind will be useful and well used.

We hope you find our gift ideas for babies helpful.

7 Christmas Morning Items You Need

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on preparing for Christmas Morning Items You Need.  The only time I remember my daughter or grandchildren getting up at 6:00 am willingly is on Christmas morning. When the light penetrates the windows, it’s time to get up.  Knowing that Santa has left gifts under the tree is too exciting to stay in bed.  No matter how late you were up putting gifts together or wrapping presents,  you head downstairs to see the excitement on their darling little faces.

 

 

Christmas Morning Items

 

 

Christmas Morning Items You Need:

 

Once the gifts are under the tree, we head off to bed for that much needed hour or two of sleep.  Other things are needed besides gifts on Christmas morning.  So, we have prepared a list of Christmas morning items for you.  Be sure to check it twice before you head to bed:

Batteries – Check the size of the batteries needed for any toys or other items before you wrap them and make a list.  There’s nothing more frustrating to a child than not being able to play with a toy on Christmas morning because there’s no batteries.

Scissors – Put your scissors in a place where you can find them.  Mine disappear like socks in the dryer.  You may need them to get toys or other gifts out the box.

Trash Bags –  I always have large trash bags on hand for wrapping paper or pieces of boxes ripped apart on Christmas morning.  Kitchen trash bags are too small for the mounts of wrapping paper and boxes that we leave behind.

Notebook or Paper and Pencil – Use these to keep track of who gave the kids and you gifts and what you received so you can write a thank you note.  Thank you isn’t a thing of the past in my home.

Tools – Make sure you can find your Philips and Flathead screwdrivers to remove covers from toys if needed.  You may also need a wrench or pliers. Kids have little patience on Christmas morning.  Everything is fair game, and they want immediate access.

Camera and Batteries – Make sure you have your camera battery charged.  If you’re not using a DSLR, make sure you have camera batteries on hand.  You don’t want to miss a precious memory because the batteries are exhausted or you forgot to charge the camera battery.

Phone Charged  –  My phone starts ringing early Christmas morning.  Between texts, calls and posting on social media, I need my phone to fully charged.  I also have a land line, so that phone needs to charged as well. 

Be sure to check the my list twice.  The most wonder time of the year requires organization.  Capturing memories is just as important as showing love and appreciation during the holiday season.  Besides, changing out of nice warm pajamas to search for a 7-Eleven on Christmas morning is depressing.

You may also like Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Toddler Girls or Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Toddler Boys.

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #101

Sunday's Best Linkup

Welcome to Week 101 of Mother 2 Mother’s Sunday’s Best Linkup.  We are continuing our Wishing You a Happy Holiday Season theme this week.  Christmas is around the corner.  Christmas trees will go up next week.  Moms will be looking for decorating ideas, recipes, shopping tips, tablescapes, craft ideas and more.  It’s the most wonderful time of year, and we want you to celebrate with us. 

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 hot dog roasts, and more. Blow the dust off your old posts and share those on our linkup too. They’re great for inspiration.

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 our linkup post 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 Rhonda’s Sunday’s Best Pinterest Board and Kim M. pins the weekly featured bloggers to her Sunday’s Best Pinterest Board too!

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 Linkup featured bloggers.

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

In addition to the Post With the Most Clicks, 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 Linkup host, please contact me for details at rhonda@mother2motherblog.com or email one of our other hosts.

Your Sunday’s Best Linkup Hosts Are:

mother 2 mother sunday's best co-hosts

Rhonda at Mother 2 Mother ~•~ Kim U. at Pinterested Parent ~•~ Kim M. at Life in a House of Testosterone
 

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

Mother 2 Mother: Please like Rhonda’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, BlogLovin, or subscribe/join her blog on the right sidebar 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.

Snag a Button!

Last, please help us grow by placing our button on your sidebar. Please let your readers and followers know by placing the Featured Blogger banner on your site.

Sundays Best Linkup Sundays Best Featured Blogger

Your readers may want to join the party too! For those who have a Link Party list/directory, please add us. We appreciate your help in promoting the linkup with Re-tweets and shares. Now, let’s party!

Kim U. selected Popsicle Stick Sleds from Clean and Scentsible

Christmas crafts

Rhonda selected Holiday Hot Cocoa Bar Cart from A Thoughtful Place  

 Christmas Hot Cocoa ideas

Kim M. selected Peppermint and Whipped Vodka Hot Chocolate from Home Cooking Memories

  hot chocolate recipes

The Post with the Most Clicks

9 Worst Holiday Shopping Mistakes from Happy Humble Home

 Christmas shopping tips

Our Favorite Theme Post(s) –  Wishing You a Happy Holiday Season:

Sugared Fruit Center Piece from Garden Matter

Christmas Center Piece Ideas

and

Santa Beard Christmas Countdown from Across the Blvd.  

 Christmas Countdown Ideas

 

and

Paw Print Ornament from Busy Being Jennifer

Pet Ornament Ideas

 

Congratulations to our featured bloggers! All of the posts were great, and we deeply appreciate each of you participating on Sunday’s Best Linkup.  We have so many great posts that it gets difficult to choose a featured blogger. Finally, your hosts would like to invite all of you back to link up your post(s) again … you 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 and be sure to connect with others on social media!


Quick and Easy Potato Soup Recipe

 

potato soup recipe

 

Winter is around the corner, and that means soup and comfort food in my home.  Potato soup is one of my favorite soups.  It’s thick, creamy and hearty.  I especially love it on cold, snowy days.  The fireplace is blazing, the curtains are open displaying nature’s beauty and  I’m wrapped in sweats, flannel and socks.  Yep, that’s how I roll on cold snowy days.

My recipe is simple, but so delicious.  Here’s what you need:

  • 2.5 pounds of Yukon Gold potatoes
  • 1 can of evaporated milk
  • 1 pint of heavy whipping cream
  • flour
  • butter
  • small onion
  • pepper
  • Salad Supreme
  • Lawry’s season salt

 

potato soup recipe

 

First, cut the potatoes into large cubes.  Dice the onion into small pieces.

Next, rinse the potatoes and add them along with the diced onion into a bowl.

Add three – four tablespoons of flour to the potatoes and onions.  Mix and coat the potatoes thoroughly.  Add salt and pepper to the mixture to taste.   Set the potatoes aside for 10 – 15 minutes.

 

potato soup recipe

 

Melt 2 – 3  tablespoons of butter in a large pot.  Once the butter has melted, toss the potatoes and onions with the melted butter as shown below.

 

potato soup recipe

 

Add water to the pot until the potatoes are barely covered.

Next, add the can of Evaporated milk and the pint of heavy whipping cream to the pot.

 

20161130_192014

 

Mix the potatoes, milk, and cream thoroughly in the pot.

Slowly add the Lawry’s Season Salt and Salad Supreme throughout the cooking process until you reach the desired taste.  (I also use Salad Supreme in my mashed potatoes and stuffing recipes too).  I love the stuff, lol.

Simmer for 30  – 45 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

 

potato soup

 

This potato soup recipe is a rich and decadent dish.  Personally, I think this dish tastes better after sitting for several hours or as leftovers the next day.  The flavors seem to melt together when it sits for awhile, creating a bowl of deliciousness.  Top with favorites like shredded cheese, chives, or bacon.  Hot buttered biscuits or rolls are the icing on the cake for potato soup recipe.  I hope you enjoy!