Inspirational Quotes – Think
June 13, 2016 by 3 Comments
Pentex Camera Cleaning Pen
June 11, 2016 by 4 Comments
I was given the opportunity to review the Pentex Camera Cleaning Pen and I accepted. I’m an amateur photographer who has a lot to learn about taking pictures and maintaining my equipment, so I thought the pen would be a great place to start in learning how to clean my camera.
The pen arrived in a blue velvet pouch, which is perfect for keeping track of the pen. It’s the perfect size for carrying in your purse or camera bag. I removed the pen from the pouch and put it to use. It has a retractable brush, which is so soft. Have no fear of scratching your camera or lens. It does a great job in removing the dust from the lens and camera. I decided to use on my binoculars and phone as well.
You can see the pen in the picture, it has tools on both ends. The brush on one end and a carbon cleaning pad on the other. I keep my camera lens covered with a cap when not in use to minimize scratches and dust. I started with the brush. I dusted the camera all over and removed the cap to clean the lens. I was amazed at how dirty it was. I followed the lens brush cleaning with the carbon cleaning pad. My mouth fell open, the lens was glowing. It was smudge and dust free. I grabbed all of the lens for my camera and went to work. I cleaned the view finder and every nook and cranny on the camera.
Another thing that I like about the cleaning pen is that it does not require additional cleaning fluids. The carbon cleaning pad is patented, environment friendly, non-toxic, and alcohol and ammonia free!
I highly recommend this cleaning pen for both professional and amateurs photographers. This pen would make a great gift for photographers, Christmas, birthday or any time.
Note: I received the Pentex Camera Cleaning Pen in exchange for the review; however, all opinions are my own.
Help Your Child Defeat Bedtime Monsters
June 11, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Is your child afraid of the dark or they have bad dreams? The scary monsters are real for children. They hear noises, see shadows on the wall, hear the wind blowing or their imaginations get the best of them and they become frightened. I used to watch my grandson constantly look at the front door, especially when it got dark. They have a window on one side of the front door so you can see onto the front porch. I could see that he was scared when he looked over. My grandson is no longer afraid, but my daughter is afraid now. Today, we’re sharing parenting tips on bedtime monsters.
Both were afraid of the dark in my home and in theirs. They also liked for me to lie down with them until they fall asleep. Of course I was happy to accommodate my little darlings, but as parents we can’t always do that. We need every free hour to finish or to do list or just to relax from the day for a few minutes before we head off to bed. My goal was to make sure they were able to go to sleep without being afraid before they started school. I believe it is important that children sleep in their own beds and have a designated bed time during the school year. If you have the same believe, here’s a plan to help you reach this goal:
1. Use Night Lights – Using night lights takes away the fear of the dark.
2. Read Bedtime Stories – Reading or telling a story relaxes children and takes their mind off their fear.
3. Tuck Them In – It’s important that kids feel safe and secure. Put them under the blankets, give them their favorite stuffed animal or night time toy, tell them you love them and whatever else you do to make them feel safe.
4. Take Their Fears Seriously – Don’t tell children that they are being silly or laugh at them. Fear for all ages is real.
5. Calm and Reassure – Hug them and make them feel safe. Discuss the wind, shadows or whatever is bothering them and let them know that other children are afraid too. Tell them that it’s a shadow and explain shadows. Explain how the wind blows and moves tree branches etc. They need to learn what’s happening so they can think about your conversation when things are happening, and that they are not alone .
6. Monsters Are Temporary – Your child will out grow their fear of monsters, the dark, the wind and anything else that frightens. My grandchildren stopped being afraid at the age of 5. We still use nightlights. Big kids still need to be able to see at night. They go upstairs alone at night now. They just turn on the lights and head up. We still haven’t talked them into turning them off when they come back down, but at least they’ve conquered their fear.
We hope our tips on defeating bedtime monsters was helpful. You may also like: How to Teach Your Children Manners.
Sunday’s Best Linkup – #76
June 11, 2016 by 10 Comments
Welcome to Week 75 of Mother 2 Mother’s Sunday’s Best Linkup. We’re continuing our Father’s Day celebration this week. Our theme is World’s Greatest Dads. I sure miss my dad who’s in heaven, and would give anything to spend another minute with him. I’ll be celebrating him in memory. We’re looking for crafts, recipes, party ideas, decorating inspiration, gift ideas, and anything else you would like to post to dad.
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
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.
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 Paint Lamp Shades from Inspiration For Moms
and
Kim M. selected 11 Habits To Keep A Clean House from Clean and Scentsible
and
Kim U. selected DIY Scrabble Tile Coasters from Simply Darrling
and
The Favorite Theme Posts
The World’s Greatest Dads
Father’s Day Container Gift from Purple Hues and Me and Me
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.
Bloomsy Box Review
June 6, 2016 by 2 Comments
I was contacted by Bloomsy Box to review a bouquet of their flowers in exchange for a review. I love fresh flowers in my home so I accepted; however, all opinions are my own.
Bloomsy Box delivers fresh bouquets of flowers to your home weekly or monthly depending on the plan that you choose. There are 3 monthly options: Bloomsy S, L, and M. The prices are $39.99, $43.99 and $48.99 respectively. The weekly options are: Bloomsy W and Bloomsy WW. The prices are $38.15 and $41.00 per week respectively. Each category has designated flowers that will be shipped directly to your home, business or vacation. You get a surprise bouquet of one single variety per week or month depending on your plan. No ferns, baby’s breath etc. will be mixed with the flower choice. The arrangements are simple, but elegant.
The Bloomsy Box was delivered by FedEx. I became excited, I opened the box and there was a beautiful box of sunflowers just waiting for a vase. They were secured in the box and wrapped in Kraft Paper. Each head of the sunflowers was secured with netting. I removed the bouquet from the box and the netting from each of the sunflowers and placed them in a vase. I waited and waited for the sunflowers to open; however, they never reached that goal.
Bloomsy ships their bouquets overnight to ensure they are fresh and the flowers are in bud form with the intention of them opening within 3 days. Humm……… Disappointed, I decided to approach the problem as a customer rather than a reviewer. I took this step because I wanted to check out the customer service so I could see exactly how this particular problem would be handled. Their motto is, “If you’re not happy, we aren’t either! That’s why we guarantee your satisfaction–or you don’t pay for your bouquet.” I put them to the test and they delivered.
In about a week, FedEx delivered another box from Bloomsy Box. I eagerly opened the box and to my surprise I found 20 Spray Red Roses. I searched their site and the bouquet is called Confident. I love roses as much as I love sunflowers. They quality and all were buds. I become excited again and placed the roses in a vase. Within 3 – 4 days the buds started to open. They lasted for about a week. It was a slow, enjoyable process and it made up for the sunflowers not opening.
If you love fresh flowers in your home, but don’t have time to garden year round Bloomsy Box is recommended. It’s also a great idea to have fresh flowers in your office, if you’re a manager these would make a great gift for a co-worker or employee, how sending to a friend or neighbor each month. The possibilities are endless. Head over and check out their selections. The bouquets are beautiful.
Alice Through The Looking Glass Activity Pack
June 5, 2016 by 1 Comment
In Disney’s “Alice Through the Looking Glass,”Alice returns to the whimsical world of Underland and travels back in time to save the Mad Hatter.
“Alice Through the Looking Glass” reunites the all-star cast from the worldwide blockbuster phenomenon, including: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska and Helena Bonham Carter along with the voices of Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen and Timothy Spall. We are also introduced to several new characters: Zanik Hightopp (Rhys Ifans), the Mad Hatter’s father and Time himself (Sacha Baron Cohen), a peculiar creature who is part human, part clock.
Alice Kingsleigh (Wasikowska) has spent the past few years following in her father’s footsteps and sailing the high seas. Upon her return to London, she comes across a magical looking glass and returns to the fantastical realm of Underland and her friends the White Rabbit (Sheen), Absolem (Rickman), the Cheshire Cat (Fry) and the Mad Hatter (Depp), who is not himself. The Hatter has lost his Muchness, so Mirana (Hathaway) sends Alice on a quest to borrow the Chronosphere, a metallic globe inside the chamber of the Grand Clock which powers all time. Returning to the past, she comes across friends – and enemies – at different points in their lives, and embarks on a perilous race to save the Hatter before time runs out.
Disney is giving kids a treat with coloring pages, a maze, spot the differences printables, and book marks. This pack will keep them busy for hours.
One of my favorite movie quotes is “I knew who I was this morning, but I’ve changed a few times since then.” – Lewis Carroll. I can relate, can you? Be sure to set some time aside to go enjoy this family movie and print the activity sheets to get the kids excited before you go.
Sunday’s Best Linkup – #75
June 4, 2016 by 12 Comments
Welcome to Week 75 of Mother 2 Mother’s Sunday’s Best Linkup. We’re continuing our Father’s Day celebration this week. Our theme is World’s Greatest Dads. I sure miss my dad who’s in heaven, and would give anything to spend another minute with him. I’ll be celebrating him in memory. We’re looking for crafts, recipes, party ideas, decorating inspiration, gift ideas, and anything else you would like to post to dad.
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
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.
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 Antique Hutch Makeover from USS Crafty
and
Kim U. selected Grapevine Cup and Saucer from Plum Perfect and Me
and
Kim M. selected The Importance of Reading Together from Reviews, Chews and How Tos
and
The Favorite Theme Posts
The World’s Greatest Dads
Dad’s Day Delights from Marilyn’s Treats
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.
Abigail and the Jungle Adventure Book Review
June 3, 2016 by Leave a Comment
I was given the opportunity to review this book and readily accepted the opportunity. In return, I was furnished a copy of the Kindle ebook; however, all opinions are my own.
Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on our suggested children’s books. I reviewed Abigail and the Jungle Adventure book review. It is the first book in the Explore the World series. Abigail is the star in the series. In the Jungle Adventure she is staying with her grandparents for Christmas while her parents are on a business trip. While her grandparents are napping, she heads off to the attic to explore. There are boxes full of all kinds of things, but what catches her eye is a shiny object hiding under a blanket.
To her surprise, a red bicycle is hiding underneath. The bicycle has a basket with a book. She dusts off the book and opens it. There are pictures of the jungle, the North Pole, the Himalayas, the Sahara desert and more. On the last page was a letter telling the reader to think of the place they want to visit and repeat, “Take me there, let me see, show me where I want to be!”. She was to repeat this 3 times.
She did, and to her surprise she was on the bicycle and riding over the Amazon Jungle. During her adventure she meets an Indian boy named Nuka. They become friends and she visits his village. She meets his granddad and his friends, but even in story books all things come to end. Abigail must return home. She repeats the magical words and returns to her grandparents just in time for dinner.
She tells her grandmother about her adventure, but her grandmother just shakes her head. Her granddad winks and smiles and Abigail winks back. She was already planning her next adventure.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and I’m so happy to have this book on our list of suggested children’s books. The book is appropriate for children ages 2 – 8. My granddaughter is 4, so she loves for me to read to her. My grandson is 8, he is able to read to her as well. It makes a great anytime book. I love that the authors are involving characters of different cultures into the stories. I believe that children should see children who look like them, but they should also see those who look different from them. It allows them to ask questions and understand diversity at an early age.
The book is easy enough for both preschoolers and older children to understand. It keeps them interested through the adventure. The illustrations are bright and fun as well. I received the ebook; however, it is available in paperback.
I highly recommend this book. Put it on your suggested children’s books list. I’m looking forward reading the other 2 books in the collection, Abigail and the Sahara Adventure and Abigail and the North Pole Adventure. Head over to Amazon and download your purchase of Abigail and the Jungle Adventure.
How To Control Backyard Garden Pests
June 2, 2016 by 1 Comment
Gardening is one of the best remedies for the mind. There are many benefits attached to it like enjoying outdoors, getting some physical activity, and growing nutritious fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, there’s a few downsides to backyard vegetable gardening. How to Control Garden Pests is major issue in gardens. We’re going to share a few tips today on how you can take preventive measure on controlling them. And, how to fight them when you encounter them in your garden.
One of the important aspects of maintaining a garden is to nourish and protect your plants. It is also natural for gardeners to use pesticides to protect their plants from pest attack. Most of the pesticides have harmful chemicals, and it affects your health and the environment as well. Find preventive pest control methods that will keep your plants healthy. You have to put in some extra efforts to follow them, but in the end, it will all be worth it.
- Organic gardeners recommend natural pesticides like soaps, vinegar, neem oil, and row covers. Chemical pesticides can protect plants, but the majority of the garden has vegetables that are edible. Plants inherit these chemicals. Consuming the chemicals can become dangerous. Dust and pyrethrum solution extracted from daisy flowers are good natural pesticides. By spraying the solution from time to time, plants are protected from insects, such as flies, fleas, ants, and aphids.
- If you see any bacterial and pest infestation, you must act on it immediately to prevent it from spreading. Cut off infected part of the plants and throw away the damaged fruits or vegetables. Do not add them to the compost heap. Regularly check your garden for pests and don’t forget to look under the leaves as well.
- Heat will dry plants and kill them quickly. So build a greenhouse to protect your plants from the harmful radiations. Cold weather also hinders the growth of plants.
- Next, apart from shade and shelter, mulch can protect your plants to a great extent. It also reduces general garden maintenance activity, retains water, decreases evaporation and encourages vigorous growth of plants. Do some research and find out about mulch variations that can be used in all temperature conditions.
- Drinking water in the morning has many health benefits for humans. Same applies to plants. Watering early in the morning ensures that the roots are hydrated enough to bear the heat of the day. This is the only way to protect plants from sunburn. Sometimes a second watering is also a good idea if once wasn’t sufficient.
- If you’re late at planting seeds, or you live in a place where it is warm throughout the year, plant the seeds deeper. Warm temperature and direct sunlight can dehydrate the top soil quickly. So by planting seed an extra inch or two deeper will prevent the root systems from drying.
Last, you cannot entirely protect your garden from changing weather conditions, pests, and plant diseases. But, as a gardener, you have to experiment with gardening protecting tactics so that you can find out the one that is suitable for your garden.
