Rhonda Gales, Author at Mother 2 Mother Blog

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #61

February 27, 2016 by Rhonda Gales 4 Comments

Welcome to Week 61 of Mother 2 Mother’s Sunday’s Best Linkup. SThis Wis the first week of our Luck of the Irish theme. This week we’re looking for crafts, recipes, party ideas, decorating inspiration, gift ideas, love stories and anything else you would like to regarding Saint Patrick’s Day.

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.

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, 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.

Starting this week, we will be eliminating the voting option on the posts. 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.

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 Mint Chocolate Martini from Delightful E Made

cocktails, happy hour drink ideas, date night cocktails

Kim M. selected St. Patrick’s Day Floats from Hoe Cooking Memories

fun kid's food, kids party ideas

Kim U selected Thin Mint Truffles from The Gold Lining Girl

no bake dishes, st patricks day dessert

The Readers Selected:

Blueberry French Toast Cupcakes from Spoonful of Flavor

The Favorite Theme Posts

Luck of the Irish

Over the Rainbow St. Patrick’s Day Drink Ideas from Oh My Creative

12 St. Patrick’s Day Leprechaun Bait from Life Anchored

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.

An InLinkz Link-up

Filed Under: Sunday's Best Linkup Tagged With: blog hop, linky party, social networking

Preschool Activities Matching Game

February 23, 2016 by Rhonda Gales 1 Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on preschool activities. Does your child love cupcakes and ice cream cones? Who doesn’t love these delicious treats. My educational matching games is designed to help stimulate the mind of preschoolers. Our preschool activities, matching games, will also entertain your child. Most importantly, they will help them recognize differences and similarities.

Check out my preschool activities:

Additionally, I’m a big advocate of early childhood development. I believe it is essential in a child’s education. Matching items/objects helps to develop a child’s logic and make connections. Also, it also helps to develop the desire to learn and builds a solid foundation for success. Early childhood development puts children on a clear path for success in kindergarten and beyond.

Unfortunately, my granddaughter will be starting kindergarten in the fall. It’s unfortunate because I wanted my babies to stay babies forever. Yes, it is hard to believe that my 2 pound 10 ounce preemie is thriving and about to enter school. So, I’ve started creating a series of preschool activities to help with her educational development.

Furthermore, our Cupcake Matching game is filled with brightly colored and delicious cupcakes. They are sure to grab the attention of any preschooler. As a result, feel free to print this worksheet and whip up a batch of cupcakes. As a matter of fact, you can ick up a few from your favorite bakery if you’re short on time. They will be perfect to reward your little student for doing a great job. You can reward yourself too. I love this game already.

It is important that preschoolers use their thinking skills. Matching items is a great way to accomplish that goal. Drawing lines to connect the pairs to each other will help children sharpen their fine motor skills. Help them match pairs at home with this fun preschool activities sheet. Children love figuring things out. You may also like our Super Hero matching preschool activities sheet.

Download the preschool/kindergarten sweet treats here. Please leave us a comment below, and let us know how you’re helping your preschooler and kindergartener to develop logic and problem solving skills

Filed Under: Printables Tagged With: educational activities for kids, preschool activities, preschool games

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #60

February 20, 2016 by Rhonda Gales 8 Comments

Welcome to Week 60 of Mother 2 Mother’s Sunday’s Best Linkup. This is the first week of our Luck of the Irish theme. This week we’re looking for crafts, recipes, party ideas, decorating inspiration, gift ideas, love stories and anything else you would like to regarding Saint Patrick’s Day.

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.

We would like readers to select their favorite posts. Voting will start at noon every Friday until mid-night. We will be adding the post with the most votes from our readers to our Sunday’s Best featured bloggers. Be sure to have your blog readers and social media followers head over to vote for your post on Fridays.

The Sunday’s Best Posts are:

I selected Travel Nursery Wooden World Map from Simply Darrling

nursery themes, travel themes, nursery ideas

Kim M. selected Chicken Parmesan from Embellishments

Kim U selected Rustic and Modern Home Décor Signs from Kenarry

chalkboard signs, rustic signs, home decorating

The Readers Selected:

Asian Chicken Salad from Love, Pasta, and A Tool Belt

The Favorite Theme Posts

Cupid’s Arrow

Dinner For 2 from The Dempster Log Book

12 Perfectly Romantic Desserts For Two from The Frugal Foodie Mama

10 Lobster Dishes for Lovers from Marilyn’s Treats

An InLinkz Link-up

Filed Under: Sunday's Best Linkup Tagged With: blog hop, linky party, social networking

Black History – African American Red Sox Baseball Team

February 19, 2016 by Rhonda Gales 4 Comments

We’re celebrating Black History at Mother 2 Mother this month. I decided to celebrate my home town’s Black History this year. I selected the African American Red Sox baseball team that played in my neighborhood when I was growing up. My father, 6th from the left on the top row, along with many of our neighbors were a part of the Red Sox baseball team.

Unfortunately, I didn’t see my father play. I was a baby, but I remember his stories. The Red Sox was a black baseball team that operated from the 1930’s until the late 1960’s. My father played second base during the forties and fifties for the team. This picture was taken in 1946, a year before Jackie Robinson integrated American baseball. I remember my dad talking about members of the team who were now our neighbors or who visited him during summer visits to our small town, Shepherdstown, WV. I didn’t encounter a lot of discrimination when I was growing up, but it was prevalent during my father’s generation. I was oblivious to the hard times he faced. He only spoke of the good ole days.

Hall of Famer Maury Wills, who played for the Dodgers, played against my dad and his teammates before heading to the pros. Maury Wills was from the Washington, DC area. He would visit my dad and other Red Sox players when he was in the area.

I remember going to see the Red Sox play in my neighborhood on Sunday afternoons in the 1960’s, yes they were still going strong. Members from the 1946’s team were the coaches. One of my brothers was the bat boy and our cousin kept score. One of the coaches lived several houses up from us and drove the local garbage truck. He was a happy man, he always whistled when he walked through the neighborhood. You didn’t have to peep out a window or door to see who was whistling that happy tune, everyone would say there’s “Charlie Butts.”

Everyone looked forward to the game on Sundays. The neighborhood had a ritual, Sunday School and/or church, a change of clothes, something to eat, and off to the game. This went on for years during my childhood. After the game, you headed home to a dinner of fried chicken, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, greens of some sort, homemade rolls or biscuits, Kool-Aid for the kids and iced tea for the grown ups. You could count on it. If the ladies/moms finished dinner early they would join the crowd on the ball field.

During this time, I still wasn’t aware of segregation. The neighborhood butcher, who was Caucasian was a member of the team as well as 2 other players from a neighboring town. As children we weren’t limited on who we could play with or where we could go in the neighborhood, and my parents never discussed their struggles. On Sundays we cheered on the team win or loose. The Red Sox were heroes in the neighborhood. I remember when they stopped playing in the early 70’s. I never knew why, I just knew they stopped playing ball on Sundays. Now when I look back on it, they formed teams that were integrated. I believe that ended the Negro Baseball League in our area.

This picture of dad and his team members and friends was given to us after my father’s death in 1998. My heart broke into a hundred pieces that day. The Bishop who did his eulogy told my family not to be discouraged. My dad was a great man and a leader in the community. He told me that one day my heart would heal. He also told me that my dad had helped groom him as a man and a baseball player. He gave the family a copy of this photo. My father was a humble man, we had no idea this picture existed. Many years later the same Bishop and my cousin named after my father gave an interview about the Red Sox baseball team to a history class at our local University. They donated their uniforms and gloves to a museum that is now telling the story of this African American team.

For years I couldn’t think about my father without my heart aching. It was just too much for me to bear. I am so thankful that my heart has mended and I can share a bit of my father with you.

Filed Under: Life-Thoughts Tagged With: baseball, Black History, organized sports

My Winter Sow Seed List

February 16, 2016 by Rhonda Gales 2 Comments

Are you wondering what vegetable seeds you can winter sow? You’ve come to the right place. So, stay awhile and check out my list of best seeds to winter sow. I started my winter sowing my seeds last week. I can now check that off my backyard vegetable gardening to do list.

My bottle greenhouses are sitting on my deck waiting for the perfect opportunity to germinate. My list is not all inclusive, I’m sure there are many others that can be added to the winter sow list. I live in zone 6B. So, I select plants that will grow in my zone. Some plants do well in some zones, but not in others. So be selective of the plants that you choose to grow.

Because I have a short growing season, it’s important that I give my plants a head start in the garden. As a result, I start my seeds early so I plant out by Mother’s Day at the earliest and Memorial Day at the latest. By mid-June my garden is fully planted. I water and nurture the plants so they can establish a good root system.

I’ve been successful with some seeds and not so much with others. I love the thrill of seeing what emerges each year and watching the plants produce. Here’s my winter sow list:

Spicy Globe Basil
Genovese Basil
Greek Oregano
Italian Oregano
Sage
Thyme
Rosemary
Cilantro
Zucchini
Squash
Collard Greens
Lettuce – Salad Bowl, Romaine, Butter Crunch, Black Seeded Simpson
Spinach – Noble
Cabbage
Cauliflower

Also, the following tomatoes found a place on my list to germinate inside this year: Roma, Amish Paste, San Marzano, Cherokee Purple, Black Krim, Hillbilly, Yellow and Pink Brandywine, Tiffin Mennonite, Mortgage Lifter, German Johnson, Paul Robeson, Early Girl, and White Wonder tomatoes inside.

Unfortunately, not all of them will germinate successfully. As a result, germinate enough seeds to ensure you produce enough plants for the garden. There have been times when I have attempted to sow a variety a second time if it doesn’t germinate. So, allow enough time for this step if you want a certain variety. Additionally, I sowed belle, cayenne, and jalapeno peppers. Stay tuned, I’ll be posting updates on the germination journey.

Finally, I hope my winter sow seed list has helped you decide what seeds you will be winter sowing or sowing inside. Again, it is not all inclusive and you will need to check your zone to ensure your seeds are compatible. In conclusion, I suggest that you order a few catalogues to browse through the winter and make a decision based on your research. I love looking at the catalogues and checking out the new varieties of tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and more. Stay tuned for future gardening posts.

Filed Under: Nature-Gardening, Vegetable Garden Tagged With: vegetable gardens, winter sowing

Why You Should Winter Sow Seeds

February 14, 2016 by Rhonda Gales 4 Comments

Today, I’m sharing tips on winter sowing seeds. Starting plants indoors is at the top of my backyard vegetable gardening list. As a matter of fact, I started about 25 heirloom tomato plants under grow lights. I’m hoping to get my garden in early this year and possibly get some plants in the garden twice. My stash of canned tomatoes, sauce, corn, green beans, peppers and herbs is getting low.

Did I mention that my tomato sauce is kid approved? My grandchildren and son-in-law love it. My daughter uses it in recipes that call for red sauce, and trust me there isn’t a morsel left on the plate. One of my brothers requests it for his deer baloney during hunting season. After taking inventory, I realized that I needed to replenish my stock if I plan to share it. So, I’m going to winter sow seeds and grow others under the grow lights for my summer garden.

Here’s a few good reasons why you should at least try winter sowing:

1. Cost Effective – Winter sowing can be done cheaply. For example, plastic containers, duct tape, a utility knife, seed starting mix and outdoor space is basically all you need. A single plant at a garden center will cost $2.00 – $4.00. Things can get expensive if you’re trying to plant a garden to feed a family over the winter at that price.

2. Saves Indoor Space – Indoor germination requires space. Once the seedlings germinate they require a warm space with proper lighting. Many gardeners don’t have space inside their homes for this endeavor. As a result, they resort to direct sowing in the garden or purchasing expensive plants at the garden center. Furthermore, you can use your deck, shrubbery beds, backyard tables, backyard benches, your garden, the options are limitless. I don’t recommend concrete areas unless you have a bedding of straw. Your plants won’t appreciate a cold bottom from the concrete.

3. Nature Does The Work – Once you place your containers outdoors, you let nature take its course. The rain, snow, light and moderation of the temperature will help germinate the seed and cause the plant to grow at the right time. Once spring arrives, you will have to take the top off the plants and give them water, separate or thin them and prepare them for spring/summer planting. How easy is that!

4. Doesn’t Require A Light System – Nature will provide all the light that your plants will need when you use the winter sowing method. Indoor sowing requires grow lights or some type of fluorescent lighting system. I have an indoor system and it works great; however, if you have to spend money to set up a system why not go the free route.

5. Doesn’t Require Hardening Off – The rigid, mild, and warm temperatures prepare seedlings for movement to the garden. When you sow seeds indoors you will have to get your plants adjusted to being outside. This requires you to harden off your plants. Gradually expose your plants to shade, sun and nights before transplanting them in the garden will be necessary.

Once I complete my winter sowing seeds list, I will be posting a list of seeds you can outdoor sow successfully too. Start gathering your jugs and containers, you will have plenty of time to start your winter sowing too. You may also like My Winter Sow Seed List.

Filed Under: Vegetable Garden Tagged With: gardening tips, home gardening, vegetable gardening, winter sowing

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #59

February 13, 2016 by Rhonda Gales 6 Comments

Welcome to Week 59 of Mother 2 Mother’s Sunday’s Best Linkup. This is the last week for our Cupid’s Arrow theme. Next week we will be starting our Luck of the Irish theme. This week we’re looking for crafts, recipes, party ideas, decorating inspiration, gift ideas, love stories and anything else you would like to share surrounding love.

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.

We would like readers to select their favorite posts. Voting will start at noon every Friday until mid-night. We will be adding the post with the most votes from our readers to our Sunday’s Best featured bloggers. Be sure to have your blog readers and social media followers head over to vote for your post on Fridays.

The Sunday’s Best Posts are:

I selected Carrot Cake Donuts from Healthy Helper Blog

healthy snacks, doughnut recipes, lifestyle

Kim M. selected Dollar Store Valentines Day Party Ideas from Lou Lou Girls
valentines day party ideas, valentines day ideas, valentines day crafts

Kim U selected Coconut Macaroons from All She Cooks

desserts, macaroons

The Readers Selected:

Absolute Best Brownie Recipes from Dreaming of Leaving

The Favorite Theme Posts

Cupid’s Arrow

Strawberry Shake Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich from Little Miss Celebration

Valentines Toffee from Bakewell Junction

Valentines Plate from Grandma Ideas

An InLinkz Link-up

Filed Under: Sunday's Best Linkup Tagged With: blog hop, linky party, socialnetworking

Preschool Valentine’s Day Activities

February 7, 2016 by Rhonda Gales 4 Comments

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on Preschool Valentine’s Day Activities. There will be more candy, roses, teddy bears, kisses, and cards received than you can count. Valentine’s Day has become big business. Don’t get me wrong, I love receiving roses, teddy bears and all the other gifts received on February 14. However, a quiet day/evening at home with a glass of wine is the perfect gift for me.

However, lets not forget about the kids. Because Valentine’s Day isn’t just for adults. Even though it was many years ago, I loved Valentine’s Day when I was in school. I remember making Valentine’s boxes for cards and bringing treats for the class party. Nothing has changed. Now, I make treats for my grandchildren and their classmates. Kids love receiving lunch box notes, candy hearts, cards and doing Valentine’s Day Activities. You can also plan a school party, play games, watch movies at home, and just have fun with them. As a result, I developed these Preschool Valentine’s Day Activities sheets for your little one.

So, the Preschool Valentine’s kids printables are fun, bright, and educational. These activities are perfect for homeschooling moms or moms who want to give kids additional homework or fun activities.

Preschool Valentine’s Day Activities Include:

Coloring page
Spot the difference
Tracing
Connect the Hearts

Print these activities, prepare a Valentine’s Day snack and let them have enjoy the day.

Isn’t Valentine’s Day Bear adorable. He would make the perfect companion for a cupcake treat made by you and the kids. So, grab a box of crayons and start coloring with our preschooler. It will make a great memory. Finally, I’m sure your preschooler or kindergartener would love these activities. We have a coloring page, match, tracing, spot the difference and a draw a line activities. Download the activities here.

Filed Under: Printables Tagged With: educational activities for kids, kid's activities, valentine's day

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #58

February 6, 2016 by Rhonda Gales 11 Comments

Happy couple holding hands in knitted mittens. Close up

Welcome to Week 58 of Mother 2 Mother’s Sunday’s Best Linkup. We’re continuing our Cupid’s Arrow theme this week. We’re looking for crafts, recipes, party ideas, decorating inspiration, gift ideas, love stories and anything else you would like to share surrounding love.

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.

We would like readers to select their favorite posts. Voting will start at noon every Friday until mid-night. We will be adding the post with the most votes from our readers to our Sunday’s Best featured bloggers. Be sure to have your blog readers and social media followers head over to vote for your post on Fridays.

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

My beautiful co-hosts Kim U. and Kim M. have returned from a much needed break. We’re ready to get the New Year start.

The Sunday’s Best Posts are:

I selected Chocolate Cherry Mocha Brownie Bites from Healthy Helper Blog

desserts, baked goods

Kim M. selected Chocolate Almond Butter Granola Clusters from Little Miss Celebrate

desserts, granola bar recipes, healthy recipes

The Readers Selected:

15 Ways to Ways To Connect from Janine Huldine

The Favorite Theme Posts

Cupid’s Arrow

Valentines Day for Kids from Grammie Time

Felt Filled Metal Hearts from Little Miss Celebration

An InLinkz Link-up

Filed Under: Sunday's Best Linkup Tagged With: blog hop, linky party, social networking

African American Inventors in America

February 4, 2016 by Rhonda Gales 3 Comments

February is Black History Month. Today, I’m sharing Black Inventors In America and their inventions. There’s some controversy as to whether or not there should be a Black History Month. Some people believe that there shouldn’t be a month that focuses on one race’s accomplishments. However, some people believe that many accomplishments by African American’s in America have been diminished or simply not recognized. As a result, I believe that we should continue Black History Month.

Black Inventors:

It’s important that children of color learn about everyone’s contribution to our country. They need to have role models and leaders in science and math as well. Our country is great because of diversity. Diverse people made a contribution this great country. This includes Black Inventors and Artists. They invented the street mailboxes, adhesives, spark plugs, and more. I believe as parents and grandparents, it is our responsibility to teach our children about American’s history and that includes Black History. Schools don’t have an extensive program on Black History.

As a result, I developed this fun and educational match games for older children. The goal is to match the Black Inventors to their Inventions. The kids may know some of the Inventors/Inventions, but they may have to Google others. This is a great way to have a family discussion. And, for your children to further their education on Black Inventors. You can discuss how the invention is used in your home, their grandparents home or society in general. Turn it into a fun, educational game. It’s perfect for a road trip too. Visiting the National Museum of African American History is a great way to learn about African American in this country.

I’ve included an Answer Key. Print both the challenge and answer key here. Have fun with the kids, and be sure to check back for additional Black History posts.

Filed Under: Education, Printables Tagged With: Black History, black history facts, Black Inventions, educational activities for kids

Preschool Activities Matching Game

Check out my preschool activities:

Black History – African American Red Sox Baseball Team

My Winter Sow Seed List

Why You Should Winter Sow Seeds

Here’s a few good reasons why you should at least try winter sowing:

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #59

Preschool Valentine’s Day Activities

Preschool Valentine’s Day Activities Include:

African American Inventors in America

Black Inventors:

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