Olde Westport Spice Company

chili recipes, chili

 

It’s chili and soup season.  Olde Westport Spice Company is a 33-year-old spice manufacturer that is still going strong. This online company operates a small plant in Goodland, Kansas, and knows a thing or two about spices, seasonings and soups. This family owned and operated company was originally founded in the Kansas City area and has stayed true to its mission of making custom spice blends for main meal dishes and appetizers as well as nearly 20 varieties of dry soups. The products are available online at www.oldewestportspice.com; at food-related craft and trade shows throughout the Midwest; and at gift and gourmet food shops. Olde Westport’s spice blends and seasonings include Italian, Cajun, Taco, Fajita, Chili, Jalapeno, Beef Sauce, Salsa, Garlic and many more. All of the products use quality ingredients for a balanced flavor that compliments meats, pastas and vegetables. The company also invented dry soup mixes that are simple and easy to make including Antonio’s Minestrone, Country-Style Creamy Potato, Chipotle Black Bean, Creamy Broccoli and Cheese, Kansas City Steak & Ale, Gold Coast Garlic Pasta Alfredo, Mesa Flats Chicken Enchilada, New Orleans Red Bean & Rice, Southwestern Tortilla, White Chili Soup and more. Olde Westport Spice and Trading Co. is owned and operated by Bill and Judy Petersen, who along with their daughter, Ann Myers, also own and run a restaurant (Westport Grill) in Goodland featuring the products. Bill first custom created all of the spices and seasonings in the kitchen of his home. Today the company has a manufacturing facility where Bill still researches and develops new recipes and dishes for future products.

CHAMPIONSHIP CHILI SPICE BLEND – This championship spice has helped chili creators win 12 state and national championships throughout the years and all over the US! But what is most important to us about our Olde Westport Chili Spice Blend is that our customers love to use it in their chili whether it’s for a national championship cook-off challenge or simply for their own family in their cozy kitchen on a cold winter’s night. We’ve heard from countless customers that our attention to detail and quality is what makes this chili spice blend stand out above the competitors. We know you might put beans in your chili or maybe you add apples and sausage or perhaps you have a special recipe that is top secret but starts with thick-cut bacon… however you concoct your chili we hope you’ll try our chili spice blend.

GOLD COAST GARLIC SHAKE – Gold Coast Garlic Shake spice blend is truly one of those special blends of garlic, herbs and spices that our customers use in sour cream dips, sprinkle over steamed vegetables, fresh vegetables from your garden, garlic mashed potatoes or steak on the grill. There are more than 50 recipes in the Olde Westport Gold Coast Garlic Cookbook that will give you lots of ideas for quick simple meals with that high-end restaurant flavor. A garlic experience you will never forget. Check out the Olde Westport web site for a few recipes and placing orders.

Enter usfamilyguide to get 10% of your purchase. Have you used Olde Westport Spices?  If so, what are your favorites?  If not, check out their selection and leave a comment on what spices you would like to try. 

 

 

 

Bulu Box Promotion

Bulu Box, healthy eating, healthy snacks

Are you trying to get healthy? I am and the perfect partner in the pursuit of a healthier you is the Bulu Box.  It’s like having a personal trainer and a nutritionist as a best friend. Each month, a box of healthy discoveries is shipped right to your door for just $10 per month. You learn about that month’s 4-5 premium samples.  So, try each one and see what fits into your individual healthy lifestyle. Most importantly, shipping is always free and you can cancel anytime your subscription anytime.

Also, if you share your opinion on each month’s samples through a quick survey, Bulu will give you 50 Rewards Points (that’s $5!).  So exciting, because you can use the points in the store to get more of your favorites.  Furthermore , you can get a 3 Month Subscription for just $15 (regularly $30)! Use code WOWZA .

Head over and check them out. Stay tuned to my review of the Bulu Box.  Vitamins, sports nutrition, diet, and healthy snacks are a few of the options to choose from. It’s great for family, there’s a women’s, kid’s and men’s categories.

 

 

 

Moscow Ballet Performs The Nutcracker

Image-Moscow-Ballet-Nutcracker1

 

I love the ballet. I’ve big a fan since my daughter starting dancing 25 years ago, and I am excited to share that the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker is coming to town!  The Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker s coming to Baltimore Dec. 18-19! My Readers Can Save on Tickets Now with this exclusive offer from US Family Guide.  The Nutcracker is one of my favorite ballets, and we have a special offer for our readers for the ultimate holiday tradition.  The Nutcracker is the perfect holiday family outing. Right now you can receive the Deepest Discount of the Season (up to $30 OFF!) with this exclusive PROMO CODE for US Family Guide Readers: CODE: JOY  CLICK HERE for ShowTimes and Ticket Information. Order your family’s tickets today and fell free to share this exclusive savings with your friends.
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Kim Cattrall’s Parenting Advice

Image-Defining-Motherhood

How do you define motherhood?  I read an article on-line that discussed an interview with Kim Cattrall from Sex and the City week that has me baffled and a little annoyed I may add. I thought I would share this post with you, and maybe you will understand why. For some reason Kim Cattrall believes that she is a parent, but she has no children. How does that work?

In her words, “I am not a biological parent, but I am a parent. I have young actors and actresses that I mentor. I have nieces and nephews that I am very close to.” She goes on to say that there are ways to become a mother and you don’t have to have your name on the birth certificate. She also stated that she didn’t change diapers, but she helped her niece get through medical school and she helped her nephew get through a rough time. She considers those motherly things. Hang tight, I’m picking myself up off the floor. I’m wondering if I got the mothering thing all wrong.

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How to Bargain Shop For Kid’s Clothing

Today, I’m sharing tips on how to bargain shop for kid’s clothing.  It‘s amazing how much children grow in a year. Have you noticed that problem with your children? Kids grow out of pants, shirts, shoes and it happens quickly. At least 2 – 3 times a year I find myself going through my grandchildren’s clothing or asking their mother what kind of clothing they need to get through the summer, winter and the school year. Unfortunately there’s nobody to pass hand me downs too in the house for either, so I look for ways to shop wisely and within my budget.
Kid's shopping tips

How to Bargain Shop for Kid’s Clothing:

 

I’ve found ways to cut down on clothing expense and the children look fabulous.  Just walking into a store at any given time and just purchasing clothing is not an option for me. I shop on a budget and I want quality. Here’s 7 ways while shopping for kid’s clothing that have helped me cut down on expenses:

  1. Purchase clearance items  – I purchase coats, tees, jeans, shorts, sundresses etc. in a bigger size for the next season.
  2. Shop sales – You can score some great buys during the holidays too. Check on-line and your local advertisements for sale items.
  3. Free shipping and discounts – Not paying shipping costs or getting a discount on your order can help cut down on expenses.
  4. Shop thrift and consignment shops – I send tons of clothing to thrift shops that are in excellent shape. Others do the same.  So check them out.
  5. Don’t purchase designer items unless you’re getting a huge discount – Kids outgrow them too quickly, and you will rarely get your money’s worth.
  6. Check out neighborhood yard sales – You can find bargains on jeans for boys to play in and adorable dresses for girls.  If you have a newborn, I’ve seen tons of baby clothing that look brand new.
  7. Check out on-line yard sales – I’ve seen great deals on local Facebook sites too.
I don’t recommend purchasing used shoes for children nor do I think everything has to have a designer label. I would rather save my money for week-end activities and educational items for my grandchildren instead of having them dressed in designer cloths and too broke enjoy life.  We hope you enjoyed our tips on how to bargain shop for kid’s clothing.
 
What savvy tips do you have on how to bargain shop for kid’s clothing.  We all want to save money.  You may also like: 8 Back to School Shopping Tips

Tips To Plan Your 4th of July Festivities

4th of July festivities

 

Planning your 4th of July festivities can be stressful, right?  The 4th of July is one of the biggest summer celebrations for most of us during the summer. So, if you’re like me you want to serve great food, have plenty of drinks, play games, and put on a great fireworks display. However, hosting family gatherings can get overwhelming.

I have learned over the years to plan my summer celebrations and make lists to ensure I don’t forget anything. Here’s a few other tips that have helped make my 4th of July festivities successful:

Plan Your Menu

Meats – First, if you’re serving food that will take longer to cook, start cooking those foods on your grill or smoker at least an hour before the guest are scheduled to arrive.  Also, burgers, hot dogs and sausages can be started shortly after guests start arriving.  Because they don’t take as long to cook, reserve them for later.  For my 4th of July festivities, you will always find these items on my grill/smoker:

  • Burgers
  • Hot Dogs
  • BBQ Chicken
  • BBQ Ribs
  • Sausages

Side Dishes – Next, I fix as many of my cold dishes the night before and refrigerate them.  Furthermore, I start anything that I can fix in the crockpots on low the night before too. The house smells great in the morning.  I love getting everybody excited about the day and their mouth watering for great food.  Here’s a few ideas for side dishes:

  • Potato Salad
  • Macaroni Salad
  • Deviled Eggs
  • Pasta Salads
  • Steamer Meat
  • Baked Beans
  • Corn On The Cob
  • Green Beans & Corn
  • Greens
  • Grilled squash and zucchini
  • Salad -(I set out various bottles of salad dressing for guests to choose from)
     
Veggies/Chips and Dip – Also, I make a dip for veggies and a dip for chips.  If I serve a salad, I don’t do a veggie tray.  But, I do make this Spinach Dip for my vegetable tray when I do make it.  It goes well with crackers too.

Fruits – Additionally, everybody likes something refreshing on a hot summer day. I love to put a fruit salad together or do fruit skewers.

Desserts – Berries are big in the summer.  As a result, I do several trifles this time of year using fresh strawberries.  Be as simple or elaborate as you would like.  But, I have been known to do a tray of brownies or cupcakes and little cups of ice cream too.

Drinks – It’s important that everyone stay hydrated.  Because liquids are important, make sure you have plenty of water and drinks.  If you’re serving alcohol, beer and cocktails, please have a designated driver for those indulging.

 

4th of July festivities


Plan Your Games – Also, I make sure I have plenty of activities for the kids and adults.  Here’s a few 4th of July ideas that I have used in the past:

  • Patriotic Crafts for the kids
  • Sack Races
  • Turn on the sprinkler
  • Have a water balloon fight
  • Use printables/coloring pages for the kids
  • Horseshoes
  • Badminton or Croquet
  • Bingo
  • Cards
  • Charades

Solicit Co-Hosts – Most importantly, I have learned that I can’t do everything and do it well.  As a result, I ask my family to help with keeping the food flowing, grilling, assisting with children’s crafts, games, music etc. Things go much smoother and it takes some stress off me when I have help.

Last, I like to decorate on a budget.  So, I head to the Dollar Stores to buy items that I didn’t pick up on clearance the prior year.  If your crafty make your own center pieces and luminaries to add festive touches.  Also, the Dollar Store sells festive plates, napkins, mini flags etc.  Don’t forget to head to Michael’s or AC Moore for paint and other supplies that you can’t find at the Dollar Stores for the kid’s activities.

Finally, I hope these 4th of July festivities will help you remove some of the stress of entertaining.  And, I hope they help you plan a great backyard BBQ with family and friends.  Also, what are some of the dishes you prepare or activities you use to entertain guests?

You may also like: 9 Kid’s Patriotic Craft Ideas



21 Must See Girl Flicks

Do you have a stash of girl flicks?  If you don’t have one, you should start a collection. I love watching old  movies either with the girls, family night or on the week-ends while I’m relaxing. While I was dusting off my collection of old DVDs and VHS movies, I thought about the good times I had watching them with my daughter when she was growing up. I love looking back on those days, and I’m so glad I created those memories for her and me. 
 
Watching old movies is good for the soul? They make you laugh, cry and remember the time period when those movies were popular. For me, I remembered where I lived when I watch certain movies. Things were said or done when I watched them with family or friends. The last time I watched a few of the old movies, I remembered the old townhouse that I l lived in before I purchased the home that I live in today. I remember everything about that house and neighborhood so vividly. As you get older, you realize that so many things change. Unfortunately, we can’t stop change but we can always reminisce.  
 
I’m always adding to my collection. I check out the movie boxes in stores like Wal-Mart, Big Lots, Kmart and don’t forget yard sales. I have grabbed quite a few of my favs for $5.00 at these places. I also look for them used on Amazon. There’s a shipping cost of $3.99, but if I can get the movie in good to excellent condition for a few bucks it’s worth it. 
 
Here’s a few of favorite girl flicks from my collection:   

1. The American President – I love any movie Michael Douglas is in. Annette Bening stars in this movie as well as Martin Sheen and Michael J. Fox.  Who says the President of the United States can’t pursue a beautiful woman and run the country at the same time. That is exactly what happens in The American President, but not without hitting a few bumps in the road. My favorite line in the movie is Michael Douglas telling Annette Bening how he manages to give a woman flowers and be  President, “Well it turns out I have a rose garden.”

2. Baby Boom – Diane Keaton another great actress plays her role perfectly in Baby Boom. Diane stars as a Manhattan executive who inherits a baby. She buys a house sight unseen in Vermont and leaves Manhattan to raise Elizabeth, but not without problems. The house has so many issues that it nearly breaks her financially and causes her to have a nervous breakdown. She gets her bearings and decides to come up with a plan to sell the house and move back to Manhattan. In the mean time she makes homemade apple sauce for her little picky eater and decides to try selling a few jar in one of the country stores. It’s a hit. She starts selling the applesauce as all natural gourmet apple sauce and babies across the country love it. She also falls in love. Will she stay in Vermont or will she return to Manhattan? Best line in the movie Diane Keaton, “I can’t have a baby because I have a 12:30 lunch meeting.”
  

 

3. Boomerang – I normally don’t take pleasure in other people’s pain, but I don’t have a problem with a player when he gets played. That’s is exactly what happens when things are reversed and Robin Givens who is Eddie Murphy’s boss in the movie plays him like a fiddle. Yes Robin Givens dishes out the same treatment to Eddie Murphy that he has dished out to women over the years. Murphy finds her treatment humiliating. She leaves him in love and in despair. Halle Berry tries to help Marcus through his pain. They become close. Will he go back to Robin Givens or stay with Halle Berry? The best line in the movie is Halle Berry to Eddie Murphy, “What do you know about love? What could you possibly know about love? You know, I’m sick and tired of men using love as if it’s some disease you just catch. Love should have brought your ass home last night.”  Funny movie.   

 

 

4. Driving Miss Daisy – One of my favorite movies with Morgan Freeman who plays Hoke, an African American chauffeur in the movie. Jessica Tandy is Miss Daisy and Dan Aykroyd plays her son. Morgan Freeman is hired by Dan Aykroyd to drive Miss Daisy’s, Jessica Tandy, after she wrecks her car. Jessica Tandy is not receptive to the idea for various reasons and makes her feelings know in various way. She soon grows fond of Freeman. A wonderful relationship is formed. She teaches Freeman to read and tells him that he is her best friend. The story line also touches on racial tension in the country. You have to get the tissues out a few times for this one. It touches your heart. My favorite line in the movie is Dan Aykroyd telling Jessica Tandy, “You’re a doodle, Mama.”

5.  Fatal Attraction – I have one word to say about this movie, Psycho!  As far as I’m concerned this movie has to be Glenn Close’s best performance. She has an affair with Michael Douglas who is a married lawyer with a child. His wife, Ann Archer, is out of town with the kid for the week-end. Douglas thinks he can return to his normal life, but Close has other plans for them. She wants to take things to another level, and she does. She tells Douglas she’s pregnant. He wants nothing to do with her and tries to that make that clear. She can’t process it and she’s not willing to accept that heart breaking news. She breaks into their home, kidnaps the kid and tries to kill his wife. This movie will have you on the edge of your seat no matter how many times you watch it.  My favorite line in the movie is Douglas to Close, “I’ll pity you… I’ll pity you. I’ll pity you because you’re sick. Close – “Why? Because I won’t allow you treat me like some slut you can just bang a couple of times and throw in the garbage?”

6. The Body Guard – What a team, Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. Hold on for a second, I need to make the steam off the TV screen.  Great performance and sound track for this movie. Whitney Houston stars as a singer in this movie who is receiving death threats and is being stalked. Her manager hires former CIA Agent Frank Farmer, Kevin Costner, to protect her. Houston and Costner get close and sleep together. Costner finds it hard to protect her because he’s emotionally involved, so he breaks off the relationship. Houston defies his strategies to keep her safe, but learns that she must rely on him to keep her safe. Great performances by both.  My favorite line in the movie is Kevin Costner to Whitney Houston, “I’m here to keep you alive, not help you shop.”









7. Legally BlondeI loved Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde. She plays a dizzy blonde who is dumped by her boyfriend. She’s crushed, she expected him to ask her to marry him before he heads off to Harvard Law School. She decides to join him at Harvard, hoping that he will take her seriously and they can rekindle their relationship. She finds out the he is engaged to his old girlfriend. After she comes to term with the fact that he will never take her seriously, Witherspoon decides to complete her journey through law school for her. She gets serious about her grades and lands a position on a team of law students who have been selected to defend one of her rich sorority buddies. Witherspoon ends up being the head lawyer, guided by a senior attorney on the team, and wins the case. She also wins the heart of the senior lawyer who guided her. Funny movie!  My favorite line in the movie, “Don’t stomp your little last season Prada shoes at me, honey.”

 

8. Maid In Manhattan – Jennifer Lopez stars as a maid, Marisa, working in a posh hotel. She is a single mother raising a son, and is working hard to get promoted. Her son often spends time at the hotel until she finishes her shift. A co-worker convinces her to try on a guest’s designer Dolce & Gabbana coat. Mean while her son has met and bonded with senatorial candidate Christopher Marshall, Ralph Fiennes. Her son wants to go for a walk with the candidate and seeks out his mother to obtain permission. She’s wearing the Dolce & Gabbana coat, and is mistaken for the socialite who’s room she is cleaning. She decides join her son and the candidate on their walk, and the candidate quickly falls for her. She continues to hide her identity and tries to avoid him, but he continues to pursue her. She is eventually exposed, but love conquers all and proves that dreams really do come true.  My favorite line in the movie is the candidate telling Caroline, who he mistakenly invites to lunch thinking she was Marisa, “The first lunch was a mistake. A second would be complete torture.”

 

9. Two Can Play That Game –  Vivica Fox, Morris Chestnut, Wendy Racquel Robinson, Monique, Bobby Brown, and Anthony Anderson star in this movie. Vivica Fox, an Executive, and Morris Chestnut, an attorney, are dating. Their relationship is threaten when it seems Morris Chestnut is crossing the line to straying. Vivica Fox considers herself to be a relationship expert and claims to know all of a man’s tricks. She develops a plan to get Morris in line. Let the battle begin. Funny movie with an all star cast. My favorite line in the movie is Anthony Andersonn, ” The CIA ain’t got shit on a woman with a plan!”

 

10. Monster In Law – Jane Fonda makes her return in Monster In Law along with Jennifer Lopez, Wanda Sykes, and Michael Vartan. Jane Fonda is a newscaster that has been replaced with a younger less intelligent girl newscaster. Wanda Sykes is Jane Fonda’s assistance. To put the icing on the cake after she is replaced her son, Michael Vartan, falls in love with Jennifer Lopez. Michael is a doctor, Jennifer is a dog walker, artist, and yoga instructor. Jane Fonda does everything in her power to sabotage their relationship. She fears losing her son to a younger woman. She works to make Jennifer’s life hell and almost succeeds, until Jennifer decides to fight back. Hilarious movie.  My favorite line in the movie is Wanda Sykes to Jane Fonda, “Fix your hair. You look like a damn cockatoo.”

11. An Officer and a Gentleman –  This is where I fell in love with Richard Gere.  Long before Pretty Woman. I do love a man in a uniform. Richard Gere stars with Louis Gossett Jr. and Debra Winger in this movie. Richard Gere plays an Aviation Officer Candidate who doesn’t see eye to eye with his training instructor Louis Gossett Jr. He also engages in a relationship with Debra Winger as he struggles to complete his 13 week training as a candidate. He’s been warned about the local girls who get pregnant or pretend they are pregnant in hopes of marrying a Navy pilot. He keeps his heart guarded, he doesn’t plan on being around longer than his 13 weeks. After graduating from the program, he plans to move on with his life and become a US Navy pilot. His heart won’t let him, he can’t leave without the woman he tried so heart not to fall in love with. Beautiful teary eyed ending.  My favorite line in the movie is Debra Winger talking to Richared Gere, “You know something, you ain’t nothing special. You got no manners, you treat woman like whores and if you ask me you got no chance of being no officer.”

 

12. Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion – Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino star as Romy and Michele in this comedy. They’ve been Besties since high school and they’re heading back to their 10 year reunion, but not before they reinvent themselves. Neither have been ambitious, so they’re not pleased with who they are or what they’ve accomplished in the last 10 years. They borrow a friend’s jaguar and head to Arizona to celebrate with old schoolmates. While in route they decide that they will tell class-mates that they invented Post its. Mira Sorvino wants to take credit on the invention and thinks Lisa Kudrow should take credit for them being yellow. Lisa thinks that is an insult to her intelligence and by the time they arrive at the reunion they aren’t speaking. Making it through the reunion and living up to the Post it scheme proves difficult. Will their friendship survive? My favorite line in the movie, Mira Sorvini mocking the movie Pretty Woman – “Aw, look, poor thing – they won’t let her shop. Yeah – like those salesgirls in Beverly Hills aren’t bigger whores than she is.” 




13. Waiting to Exhale – An all star cast stars in Waiting to Exhale. This includes the late Whitney Houston, Loretta Devine, Angela Bassett, Lela Rochon, Gregory Hines, Michael Beach and Wesley Snipes. This story revolves around 4 African American women who share friendships through divorce, affairs with married men, an unwed pregnancy, and single parenting. They truly demonstrate that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. My favorite line in the movie, Loretta Devine to Gregory Hines, “Would you like to have dinner with us tonight? It’s just leftovers. Collard greens and corn bread, some candied yams, a little potato salad, fried chicken, peach cobbler and a few slices of ham.”

 



14. Sabrina – Harrison Ford just gets sexier with age. Harrison Ford, Julia Ormond and Greg Kinnear star in the remake of Sabrina and do an excellent job. The movie revolves around the Larrabee family and their million dollar business. In the movie Julia Ormond is in love with Greg Kinnear; however, Julia’s father is the Larrabee family’s chauffeur. Although Julia is in love with Greg, Greg likes to play the scene. Sabrina is not on his radar. She decides to accept an internship at Vogue and travels to Paris. Once competed, she returns home a new woman in more ways than one. She attracts the attention of both David Larrabee and his older brother Linus. She also finds out that her father, the chauffeur, is worth $2.5 million dollars. Who will win Sabrina’s heart? My favorite line in the movie is from Julia Ormond to Greg Kinnear, “They say you think morals are pictures on walls and scruples is money in Russia.”

 

15. Steel Magnolias – What do you get when you have Dolly Parton, Sally Fields, Daryl Hannah, Julia Roberts, Olivia Dukakis, and Shirley MacaLaine? Fabulous!  Everyone of these ladies gave a stellar performance in this movie. They will make you laugh and they will make you cry as the prepare for Julia Roberts’ wedding day and all the festivities that go along with it. They also come together for the birth of Robert’s son and her death after her kidney transplant fails. My favorite line in the movie is Dolly Parton, ” Honey, time marches on and eventually you realize it is marchin’ across your face.”   

16. Why Did I Get MarriedAnother great Tyler Perry movie starring Tyler Perry, Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, and Tasha Smith to name a few. The movies revolves around four couples, who are also best friends. The rent a house in the mountains for a week to help work out any marital problems and answer the question “Why did I get married?” It ends up being a bumpy ride, the couples don’t make it a week. Ugly revelations are spewed from one having a sexually transmitted disease and giving it to her husband, a husband having an affair with his wife’s cousin, one wife being called stupid for not have a child seat belted in correctly and the child dying, to another having her tubes tied and her husband not knowing. I loved it. My favorite line in the movie from Tyler Perry, “You women are so used to losing that you don’t even realize when you have won!”





17. Working Girl –  Harrison Ford teams up with Melanie Griffith and Sigourney Weaver in Working Girl. Melanie Griffin is trying to work her way up the corporate ladder. She shares an idea with Sigourney Weaver who plays her boss. Sigourney tells Melanie that she discussed her idea, but the executives didn’t buy it. Melanie Griffith finds out that Sigourney plans to pass the idea off as her own.  She contacts Harrison Ford to hear her idea and help her sell it. He agrees. They also feel an attraction for each other and mix business with pleasure. Things get sticky, Sigourney Weaver has her hooks in Harrison Ford and wants to take things to the next level. He’s not buying, he’s into Melanie Griffith.  Melanie and Sigourney butt heads over Melanie’s idea, but Melanie is able to convince the executives that the idea was hers. Sigourney is fired, and Melanie and Jack continue their relation.  My favorite line in the movie is Melanie Griffith telling Harrison Ford, “I am not steak. You can’t just order me.”



18.  Pretty Woman – Richard Gere and Julia Roberts are magical together.  This movie made Julia Roberts a star. Julia Roberts stars as a prostitute who is picked up by Richard Gere on Hollywood Boulevard driving a Lotus.  He initially asks her to spend the, which turns into a week which turns into a lifetime. I could watch this movie over and over, which I do. Nice soundtrack and also stars Jason Alexander as Gere’s lawyer and Hector Elizondo as the Beverly Wilshire hotel manager. My favorite line in the movie is Julia Roberts to Richard Gere, “I want the fairy tale.”





19.  Something To Talk About  –  Stars Julia Roberts, Robert Duvall, Dennis Quaid, Gena Rowlands, and Kyra Sedgwick. Julia Roberts discovers that her husband, Dennis Quaid, is having an affair. They separate and struggle to keep their marriage together. Robert Duvall and Gena Rowlands play Julia Roberts’ parents who own a horse hunting and jumping farm also have problems. My favorite line in the movie is Julia Roberts asking, “Yeah, I just want to ask how many people here has NOT had sex with my husband?”



20.  Touch & Go – Stars Michael Keaton, Maria Conchita Alonso and Ajay Naidu. Michael Keaton stars as professional hockey player who is mugged by a local gang. He catches gang member Ajay Naidu, and takes him home to his mother, Maria Conchita Alonso.  Alonso offers to take Keaton to lunch for his troubles. He accepts and they become close, but not without a few struggles. Ajay Naidu follows him to an away game as a stow away on the bus and Maria Conchita Alonso is attacked by one of the gang members. Keaton returns to confront the gang member who attacks her. He brings her home from the hospital, sets her up in her own business and takes their relationship to another level.  Nice ending to an unlikely love story, great love story. Favorite line in the movie, Keaton telling Naidu, “I’m going to knock on all of the doors with your head.”  

21.  Gloria –  This movie is more of a drama than a love story. I love Gena Rowlands, so any movie she plays in is a girl flick for me. Rowlands stars as a girlfriend of a mobster in Gloria. She ends up with the son of an accountant and his wife who have a hit placed on them. The accountant is an informant for the feds, but he’s also an accountant for the mob. The wife knows they’re going to die, so she asks Rowlands to take the children so they can live. The daughter won’t go with Rowlands, but the son goes with her. She vows to protect the little boy at all cost. Gena Rowlands to the mob, “You let a WOMAN beat ya, huh?”

These are fun movies to watch no matter your age. It’s nice to see some of the veterans actors at their best. Hope you can find 1 or 2 that peeks your interest or that you already love enough to curl up and watch again. Are any of the movies listed one of your favorites? If not, what’s one of your favorite girl flicks?  Stay tuned for my list of all time favorite movies, which is a series of drama, additional girl flicks, and westerns. Yes, I said westerns. 




Blogging Tips from Professional Blogger – Life In a House of Testosterone

professional blogging tips

Welcome to Blogging Tips From Professional Blogger Part II.  Today I am interviewing the witty Kim Miller from Life in a House.   Kim will continue to enlighten us with blogging tips and tricks for those who wish to grow their blog.  Lets begin the interview:

1. I’m always looking for a blog that makes me laugh and a blogger who keeps it real. We connected and bonded immediately, so I would like my readers to get a glimpse of who you are.  Please tell them a little about yourself and your blog.

Hi there everyone! I’m the slightly crazed mom and owner of Life in a House of Testosterone. I am a 48 year old mom to three beautiful children – April (1988), Jonathan (1999), and Tre (2003).  I live on the outskirts of Richmond, VA with The Man Thing (aka hubby) and our four-legged daughter, Mollyanna. (supposedly
she’s the menfolk’s dog since THEY are the ones who wanted her and THEY are the ones who swore that they would walk, feed, and groom her every single day – ha!  I can count on one hand the amount of times that has happened in the 5 years we’ve owned her!
)

As for me – I grew up in Cressona, PA,  little town not far from Lancaster and Hershey.  Born and raised in the country,  I grew up on my grandparents farm (Sunnybrook Farm).  I married April’s  father and moved to Jacksonville, NC when I was 19.  We lived there for 7 years before her  father and I divorced. He went off to Parris Island, SC to become a drill instructor, and April and I packed our bags and moved to Richmond with a
girlfriend of mine and her four boys.  I have a brother and sister who still live back home, both of my parents have passed away so its just the three of us and our families.

I’m a glass is half-full kind of gal.  An  Aquarius if you’re wondering about my astrological sign.  My due date was Valentine’s Day.  However, I arrived early.  Furthermore, I couldn’t stay put for 3 more days.  I have a bit of a daredevil streak in me  and I’m willing to try most anything at least once.  You want me to go cliff diving or something equally dangerous, you’re going to have to supply me with generous quantities of Pink Moscato.  A girl has to have her limits!

Life in a House of Testosterone has been a labor of love for the past 11 years. Today actually – April 11 – is my 11th year blogging.  I started out on LiveJournal, then moved to Blogger.  When I was on blogger, I named my blog The MAD White Woman.  However, in 2012 when I decided to become a professional, full-time blogger, I changed the name to Life in a House of Testosterone.  The following year I made the leap to a self-hosted WordPress blog and haven’t looked back.

2.  Life in a House of Testosterone is very diverse. You blog about recipes, promote giveaways, review products, and participate in link parties and Blogger OPPs. What is your strategy for obtaining items for reviews, giveaways and sponsorships?  Also, how important is it for bloggers to participate in link parties and what are the benefits for them?

I hate being put into a niche, because life is not black and white.  It’s messy and all over the place.  My life deals with a million different things each and every day. Why should your blog be just one aspect of your life?    So, another one of my blogging tips is to write about anything and everything.  Oh gosh … when I became a professional blogger – I was absolutely dying to be a part of the review/giveaway circuit.  I mean, how cool is it to have companies sending you stuff for free to review?  So, I paid attention, and I watched the bloggers that I wanted to be like to see how they were getting their stuff.  I  would send out emails to these companies and nothing. Nada. Zip. So I asked a friend of mine (a fellow blogger) how she got started. She told me three key things to remember:

(1) Don’t be discouraged when it feels like every response is a “no” because the very next one could be a “yes” for a campaign that you REALLY wanted to be a part of;
(2) Network – look for Facebook Groups that share blogger opportunities, sponsored posts, set up Google Alerts for keywords like “bloggers wanted” and
(3) Never give up.

I was rejected by several pretty big name companies over the past two years.  This year I have the pleasure of being a part of the Chick-Fil-A Moms as well  as the HP Smart Mom Panel. I receive several gift cards usually every other month for free menu items at Chick-Fil-A in exchange for sharing our purchases on social media and telling our family and friends what we think of their food.

Hewlett Packard was kind enough to send each of the moms on the panel their new HP-Envy 5660 all in one printer to review earlier this year.  I was also accepted as a Best Buy Blogger right before the holidays last year. The work that I’ve done with them earned me enough to afford the iPod Touch 5th Generation that my son wanted for Christmas (over $240 with all that he wanted). Where did I purchase it? Best Buy, naturally!

The next two companies on my radar are Microsoft and to become a Disney Social Media Mom. If it is the last thing that I do on this earth, I will have an expense paid press trip to Walt Disney World and Epcot Center in Orlando, Florida before I die. My best advice that I can give to you is don’t give up. If you want to work with a particular company – Do Your Research. Find out who their PR (public relations) person is. Call them, email
them, find out what events they have coming up that may be in your area that you can attend. Google them! Follow other bloggers who have worked, or are currently working with that company. Ask them how they got the chance to be a Brand Ambassador, or to be a part of their panel. Most bloggers will be happy to tell you! Follow them on social media, literally become an online stalker of the companies that you want to work with, interact with them, share their Facebook posts, re-tweet their tweets, do whatever it takes for them to notice you.

Above all else though – Be Sincere. Another one of my blogging tips is to not go after a company just because of what you may or may not get from them for free. You have to have a genuine desire to work with them, love their products and actually own a few or use them on a daily basis, and be willing to tell them when they miss the mark with a product in a professional and courteous manner.

Another blogging tip,  you MUST network.  Even just 5 or 6 years ago when I was blogging – “networking” meant that you had to visit your favorite blogs every day and comment on the new posts.  However, with all of the social media avenues available to bloggers now that’s not necessarily the “formula” any longer. Follow their Facebook pages, give their posts a +1 on Google+ and leave a comment.  Also, double-tap to like that silly photo of their dog on Instagram.
Act as though they are already a family friend that share a cup of coffee with.  If you aren’t sure who you should be cultivating a relationship with – Google what you’re interested in!   Another blogging tip, if you like DIY projects, do a search for “DIY bloggers.”  If you want to get more specific, google “Virginia DIY bloggers” to find bloggers in your state.  They might post on social media that they are attending this week’s wine tasting at the country club. That’s your opportunity to attend the same event, introduce yourself, and make a new friend.
Here’s another blogging tip, you do NOT need to follow 3000 different bloggers.  I am currently in the process of putting together The Ultimate Blogger List (which closes for submissions on April 30, 2015).  It will be helpful in finding bloggers in your particular niche or field of interest.  The list includes the blogger’s name, their blog name and URL, the city and state that they live in.  Additionally, what they blog about. Once the list is closed, I’ll be sharing a copy of it with those bloggers that have requested a copy.  It is going to be a fantastic starting point for building your network of fellow bloggers.  I’m super excited about it! If you haven’t already added your blog – go do it now!

3. What social media platform do you prefer for promoting your blog content and why?
Ugh, that’s a tough one. I’m one of those  perfectionist types with a bit of manic ADD thrown in for good measure – and I  think I have to be everywhere simultaneously. I had a falling out with Facebook  several months (a year?) back and decided to just ignore it and use Google+  exclusively.  I had a lot of interaction at first (again,  networking with others you are interested in, reading their posts and sharing).  But, I began to notice that a lot of the posts weren’t personal.  They were basically automated posts from the bloggers that I followed when they published a new post.  I wasn’t getting the same level of interaction that I did on Facebook. So, I went back to Facebook. I like the groups because conversations are threaded and you can really get a lively discussion going on certain topics.  Furthermore, I also have been trying different ways to engage my readers on my fan page as well as my personal page.  You are more than welcome to send me a friend request!  I only turn down those creepy guys floating in the middle of the ocean on a raft looking for a “soulmate” to share their raft with. Keep moving buddy!) and not just automatically publishing a post to my Facebook page but actually writing a few sentences about the post and asking a question.

If I had to pick a social network – I’d say Facebook with Twitter and Pinterest tied for second place. Ironically, 45% of my traffic this month has been from StumbleUpon (which I hardly ever use).  Since the beginning of the year though – my traffic has been primarily from Pinterest, Facebook, and StumbleUpon and pretty evenly distributed as well.

4. Driving traffic and getting readers and followers to share blog content is essential for blogging success.  Commenting on blog posts is also recommended. Can you explain to readers why these steps are important and what your plan of action is to get followers/readers to share your content?
Really Rhonda? You had to put me on the spot like this? I hate trying to get people to comment on my blog. I have literally gone months without one single comment. Do you know how frustrating that is?!?
Then it dawned on me. Why are they going to share (let alone take the time to read) anything that I am writing, if I’m not commenting and sharing what they are writing?  I think I’ve tried every social share and commenting system out there to see what the magic solution was.  If nothing else, the one thing I’ve learned as a blogger came from being a reader and commenter myself.

 Keep your blog design SIMPLE, clean, and easy to read.
  • Don’t have a crazy mix of colors, or fonts that are hard to read.
  • Don’t have flashing doo-dads and snow falling and music playing that will slow your blog’s load
    time and piss me off because I have to wait for all the bells and whistles to catch up.
  • Turn off the $#%!*# captcha that nobody can read and ends up having to try three or four times till
    they finally get it right just to leave you a comment that reads, “Great post.  Thanks for the advice.”
  • Give me a menu! Where can I find your recipes? How do I get in contact with you? How do I find out
    more about you or the XYZ product I saw you became an independent consultant for on Facebook the other day?
  • It all boils down to four little words that apply to most everything, “keep it simple,
    stupid!”

Now, because it is the most annoying,  pain in the ass feature on the face of the planet, I have to vent about this
next item.  If two seconds after I arrive on your blog to read your post a pop-up appears in front of my face and won’t let me finish reading the article until I subscribe to your newsletter or follow you on Facebook – I’m outta there.  And, trust me I won’t be back.

Especially if the article sounded really good because then it just pisses me off even more that I’ve read the first paragraph and can’t get to the rest of  it until I answer your stupid box.

The kiss of death is filling out box one to make it go away and then having another box pop up from the bottom to advertise something, click the “x” to make that go away and three seconds later ANOTHER box pops up? I’ll never be back to your blog. If I really like your style of writing or your humor, I’ll read your stuff in Feedly or Bloglovin but I will never visit the blog itself again.

Finally – your commenting system. MAKE MY LIFE EASIER – PLEASE! I want to leave you a  comment and tell you how much I enjoyed your post. If I have to enter my name,  my email, my website address, leave my comment, fill the captcha out three or  four times, choose my latest post, log in with my Facebook account all before I can hit publish and post my comment – you’ve lost me. Especially if I then see “your comment will be visible after approval.”

All I heard on my WordPress commenting system were crickets chirping.  I re-installed Disqus comments after the last WordPress update and I am absolutely ecstatic that I did. I have been receiving at least 5 to 20 comments daily on posts.  And, I do my best to ensure that I respond to each and every one of them.

5. You have a significant following on all of your social media sites. What tips can you give readers who wish to increase their followers?

The best blogging tip is to Talk To Your Readers and Followers.  Interact with them, laugh with them, cry with them, poor your heart out to your readers – be Human.  It’s what makes YOU unique!

You may also like: Professional Blogging Tips – Part I

 

When Kim is not blogging on a House in a Life of Testosterone or promoting the Brand, she spends time with her 3 children and husband in Richmond, Virginia.

 

Blogging Tips From On The Scene With Mrs. Kathy King


This is the first interview of a series that I will be doing on Mother 2 Mother.  First, my goal is to  provide resources and information that will assist beginner bloggers and others who wish to grow their blog. Hopefully, the tips will help bloggers who are interested in turning their hobby into a professional site.  My interviews will be with Professional Bloggers who have already achieved this  goal, and are willing to share a few tips and tricks to help others succeed.

Today I’m On the Scene with Mrs. Kathy King.  Let’s begin the interview:
Question 1 – Please tell our readers a little about yourself:
 
Mrs. Kathy King – “I’m just me. It’s only by the grace of God I’m even where I’m at.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be blogging.  One of the reasons why I blog is so I can be home with my daughter. When I first started blogging I had just changed my job.  I’m a corporate girl, I got laid off.  I was making six figures, so I figured that it would be better for me to learn how to save money now that I had lost my job. This was after 2008, I didn’t know if the market would ever allow me to make six figures again. I made a conscious effort to learn how to save money.”

“My hobby, couponing, turned into an actual site; however, things changed. I started reporting the best deals, anything that was family friendly that moms could enjoy. “It took me about six months to grow my following from 1 follower to 16,000 on Facebook.”

“In 2013, I started going to actual blogger conventions; however, my passion had changed. My true passion is my family, and my daughter.  After going to a couple of amazing blogger conventions which I recommend anyone who wants to be successful blogging, they have to invest time to go to blogger conventions. If they don’t have the money they never know what God can do because in 2013, I didn’t have the budget to afford it, but I noticed where some of the places where giving away scholarships.  I applied to the different scholarships and two of the places I wanted to go I actually received scholarship funds. You never know what God can do.  I was blessed to go.”

“I did something that most bloggers fear, fear. So, I decided to change my site. By this time I had already invested 2 ½ – 3 years into my site, and I decided I don’t want a Deal Blog. I’m going to change my entire name. I went from being a Deal Blogger to actually putting myself in front of my audience.  Because I was in marketing, I think that the more you put yourself in front of your audience and the more you. Brand your blog as yourself, the better of a Brand you get.  I was in marketing for years before starting my site.  So I know that it was important to put yourself in front of your audience because it helps to establish a relationship and build a brand.”The huge risks were:

1.  Would my fans like it?
2. Would they be receptive?
3. Would they think I had an ego?

“By the end of 2014, my fans loved it. My user engagement increased and my fan loyalty increased.  People like seeing a real face, a real woman in front instead of just being behind a blog name.“
Question 2 – Where you already on WordPress? There’s a debate going on as to whether bloggers can be successful on the Blogger platform.
 
Mrs. Kathy King – “In  the beginning of my blog I started off on Blogger. Because of my Marketing
background I wanted to change for these reasons:

1.      You get better SEO
2.     Better capabilities
3.     You own the database
4.     Better opportunities

Most people stay on Blogger for these reasons:

1.  They don’t want to spend the money
2.  Fear
3.  Their blog is a hobby

If you want to make your blog a business, you should move to WordPress.  I started on a VPN server and than as my site grew, I was blessed to move to a Dedicated server.”
 
Question 3 – Share your  experience when you attended the World Premiere of CinderellaI
followed you on Facebook, and my favorite pictures where when you were on the red carpet and the one with you standing beside Cinderella’s ball gown.


Mrs. Kathy King – “Cinderella is every girl’s dream. Everyone wants to see their Fairy God
Mother. It was one of the most amazing experiences that God could have ever
given me. It was a very diverse group of bloggers that attended.  At the end of the day, Cinderella is
universal.  J.C. Penny provided hair
stylists, a makeup artist and light hor d’oeuvres.  They accessorized you; it was the first time
that I was sponsored and Sydney’s Closet, a major dress company, sent me the perfect dress. It was amazing.”
Question 4 – How do you connect with Brands?

Mrs. Kathy King – There are several ways to connect with Brands:

1.   Add yourself to CISION
2.  Send them a letter. Provide your stats. Look  professional from your posts.
3.  Follow Brands on Tweeter. Their social media people live on Twitter.
4. Brands are watching you. Start writing about Brands that you like. Not everything has to be given to you.

“A touchy subject is to charge. Your time is valuable.  Make sure everything you do on your site
benefits your fans and your home. Make sure you value yourself. Do I charge for everything? I do not, but I now have a clear understanding of the time it takes for me to do a social selfie, send out a tweet, write a sponsored post or video. Therefore, I charge and schedule my time accordingly.”Make sure your blog works for you. What does money look like to you?  What does payment look like to you?  I even charge to tweet. I’ve become more of a helpful tips kind of site instead of a product
review site. If you have questions on whom you can charge or not change email me at me@MrsKathyKing.com. “

“Get an editorial calendar and write in series.  For example, I write several Cinderella posts.  I have several Easter posts and I like them. You have to have your own voice before you follow other bloggers because you just end up copying them. That’s not fair to them and that makes people not like you.

Make your theme work for you. With events, Disney is  something I do for fun.  The DVDs are  something I do for my fans and I have a 2 year old.  So of course owning a DVD collection is a  great thing to do.”
Question 5 – What advice would you give bloggers on how to promote their on-line presence on
Facebook and Twitter?


Mrs. Kathy King – “The reason why Facebook and Twitter are my biggest followings is because Facebook
was the number one social media when I first started, so that’s what I focused on building. Twitter was the second venue, so those were the two things I focused on building. Although in the end I should have focused on Twitter
instead of Facebook.”
  • Facebook is about engagement. It’s about sharing other people’s information. Become more of a
    curator.  Share videos and people’s stuff.
  • Twitter is about engagement too. Talk to people and retweet with other bloggers.
  • Pinterest is about being consistent. Pin popular pins. Make sure your pins are being shared
    too. Invest in blogger social media groups. Groups that like to share each other pins and tweets.
  • Instagram is about sharing pictures.
  • Growing your fan base isn’t about getting your fan base
    right out the door. It takes time.
 Question 6 – If you had 2 minutes to give new bloggers advice, what would it be?
Mrs. Kathy King – “Don’t get stressed because you don’t know what your own voice is, because it
takes time. Know your worth and do not sell yourself short. If you want this to be your full time job, have the courage to go in there with a price because you never know if they’re willing to pay.”

Kathy is a Social Media Strategist, Pro Blogger & Influencer. When she is not blogging or promoting Brands On The Scene With Mrs. Kathy King, she enjoys spending time with her husband Matt and their 3 children. Kathy and her family reside in Long Beach, CA.






Mother’s Day Gift Ideas For Mom

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:

 

 

gift ideas for Mother's Day

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

gift ideas for Mother's Day

 

 


 
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.

 

 

 

gift ideas for Mother's Day

 

 

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.

 

 

Mother's Day gift ideas

 

 

 

 

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.

 

Mother's Day gift ideas

 

 

 

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.