Joyful Socks Mom: January 2010

1/26/10

Valentine's Countdown: Week #1 Mommy & Me Crafts

Counting down to Valentine's Day with Mommy and Me Crafts

Here are some super fun crafts to do preparing for Valentine's Day. The day we celebrate love and our love one for another. I chose some crafts from around the blogosphere that would be fun, economical and adorable. Make sure to post comments and let us know how your projects turned out!

Give you plain envelope a make-over. Make this Fancy Valentine Envelope to hold all your special valentine's messages.

Decorate your house or party with these simple but adorable Heart Garlands

Crochet is my favorite. You know I'll be done creating this adorable Crochet Heart Garland in no time flat

. . . race you Victoria! lol. *grin at my inside joke*

Try these adorable Heart Photo Garlands. It would be a perfect gift for grandpa & grandma!

This super cute, super easy Valentine Wreath will brighten any entrance!

Enjoy your crafting and have a blessed week!

Heather Mac
Senior Crafter
www.TheMacRak.com
www.themacrak.blogspot.com

1/22/10

Family Time Friday: How about Woodshop Class?

Woodshop anyone?

Lowe's Home Improvement is having a free kids clinic on Saturday, January 23rd from 10:00am-11:00am. Kids will get to build a Tic Tac Toe board. Online registration is required, and these events tend to be pretty popular so you'll want to sign up early here.

I also recommend showing up a few minutes early to make sure your children get a space and don't have to wait long if this is a popular event at your local Lowe's store. These events fill up fast at our local store so we always leave home with plenty of time.

Additionally, some Lowe's may not be participating, so I recommend calling your local Lowe's Home Improvement store in advance.

Enjoy the family-funning!

Be sure to list your comments below if your family was able to enjoy this FREE Family Time Friday event

-or-

Tell us about your Family Time Friday ideas!

Be blessed.

Heather Mac

http://www.themacrak.blogspot.com/

1/20/10

Wacky Science Wednesday: Beat the Homeschool Hum-Drums!

WACKY SCIENCE WEDNESDAY

What does The Scout have cooking in the lab today?

It has been raining all day and The Scout is getting cabin fever! The best remedy for a boring day and the homeschool hum-drums . . . Wacky Science, of course!

Here are some science experiments that The Scout will be doing today to get rid of the boring homeschool blues. Join us and post your results!!!

Wild and Wacky Colors

This experiment will give you a real color explosion!

Fun with Gas

Give your lungs so serious exercise with this experiment.

Rocket Launcher

Give your kids a head start as Rocket Scientists!

Sink or Swim?

This is an easy kitchen experiment, done in a flash!

Slime

Get your kid's attention with slimy science!

Thanks for stopping by Wacky Scientists . . . see you next week!

Over & Out,

The Scout

1/18/10

The Mac Attach: A Keepers Prayer

The Keepers Prayer: I pray, Oh Lord, let my entire day be for Your glory alone. Let me have Your strength to fight my flesh and to keep my priorities straight. Please help me to remember that caring for and helping my husband and our precious children is more important than getting everything done that is on my to-do list. Please help me to do only what is necessary today and to be a kind and patient wife and mother. Give me the grace, mercy and strength to overcome my weaknesses. Keep me from a prideful or haughty spirit. Keep in me, Oh God, a humbled spirit! Please help me to be more concerned about the condition of my heart than the condition of my home or life! Teach me and let me always surrender in obedience to Your disciplines and chastisements. Let them be as beautiful to me as Your commands, precepts and promises. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Heather Machttp://www.themacrak.blogspot.com/ *The Mac Attach is my weekly feature writing on the "plan of action" the Lord has given to me. I gladly share it with you in the hope of edifying and encouraging you in your own daily walk with God.* - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Join the journey to Refresh and Restart with my favorite blogs
Fresh Year, Fresh Start
Drawing nearer to God, our husbands and our children in 2010. How are you starting out?
http://www.krististephens.com/2009/12/fresh-year-fresh-start.html

1/7/10

THRIFTY THURSDAY with The Frugal Lady: Groceries & More!

The Frugal Lady: A Keeper At Home

Greetings Frugal gals and pals!

The Frugal Lady is back with a bang and starting the new year off with more savings for my readers. This year, more than ever, it is time to learn good stewardship. I do not profess to be flawless in this area, but I do have the resources and a passion to bless others with my talents and knowledge in saving for your family and God's blessings.

I have had several friends and family members request to know some of my secrets to savings, especially in the area of grocery shopping, over the years. This year I committ to blog about and give you all of my resources, tips and secrets . . . that is, if you committ to follow. A frugal mom is made only out of passion to help her family. You don't have to be an organizing junkie, a math wiz or an all around super-mom to make this work. Just a lot of prayer, a little guidance and some planning! Tah-dah, you will be a Frugal Lady too!

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COUPON & FLYERS

Start following some coupon blogs for your area - - - they know what they are doing! You can use their suggestions for shopping and also find plenty of printable coupons. Follow the links below and start today.

Couponing 101 - - - This is a great resource! Check out these latest post and get your grocery planning done in a jiffy!

KROGER: Here are Kroger buys for North Texas for this week

http://www.couponing101.com/2010/01/kroger-deals-16-112.html

COUPONS: Here is a preview of this weeks coupons in the Sunday paper

http://www.couponing101.com/2010/01/coupon-preview-110.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Couponing101+%28Couponing+101%29

WALMART: Here are your WalMart deals - but hurry they change on Saturday!

http://www.couponing101.com/2010/01/walmart-deals-152010.html

SAMPLES, FREEBIES & More - - -

My mailbox is always full of savings, coupons, samples and freebies. You never know what my be waiting for you.

FREE Pop Tart Sample http://www.poptarts.com/moms/RegisterInsider.aspx?p=web

Thanks, FrugalCouponLiving

FREE Winter Olympics Calander http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-spectator-guide/souvenirs/freejournal-survey-monkey_197752OE.html

Thanks, ClippinWithCarrie

FREE 12 Month Subcription to Savuer Magazine

http://www.mercurymagazines.com/pr1/101/101316

Thanks, FrugalCouponLiving

How to save when eating out from ALotOfSavings.com

http://www.alotofsavings.com/2010/01/frugal-friday-how-to-save-when-eating.html

Sara @ Fiddle-de-dee! Has an awesome post of coupon organization. Remember you don't have to be a perfect organizer, just willing to give some time to planning ahead, and you'll be set.

http://www.fiddledeedeemom.com/2010/01/coupon-organization-tips.html

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Be blessed and share what the Lord has imparted to you! Have a very frugal week and join in next week.

The Frugal Lady

http://www.themacrak.blogspot.com/

1/4/10

Manic Mommy Monday: A Prayer for Silence . . . Let it begin with me!

As the beginning of the year has come to each one of us, we stop and reflect on those resolutions that need to be made. We think about the reorganizing that needs to be done. We dedicate ourselves to a new way of thinking and a commitment to break all old, distasteful habits. I set forth on the same adventure here in my own home . . . but where to start?

I will begin my journey in 2010 to the tune of this very simple, very profound, very NECESSARY prayer.

I saw this quote on a T-shirt sometime ago and thought it the perfect gift . . . For myself!

"Dear Lord,
Keep your arm around my shoulder . . .
and your hand OVER MY MOUTH!"

Holy Yahweh, You are almighty and may You alone reign in my heart, in my mind and may only Your blessed words issue from my ever moving mouth. Lord, thank you for Your mercy and patience with an ever babbling child that I can tend to be. Grant me Your grace in learning to be still and silent. Thank you for all You have done to quiet my spirit and mind.

In Jesus' name - Amen. Amen.
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Join the journey to Refresh and Restart with my favorite blogs
Fresh Year, Fresh Start
http://www.krististephens.com/2009/12/fresh-year-fresh-start.html

Heather Mac
http://www.themacrak.com/
http://www.mombooksmartstore.com/

Menu Plan Monday: Making Breakfast FIRST!

And we are stocked up and ready to roll this week with an updated menu!

We are keeping with some new eating styles that I started with the family last year and trying a new approach this year.

We are changing the main approach to eating for health reasons. I believe that the breakfast meal should be the largest and most important meal. We have a tendancey as a busy family to eat it and run. I am getting up a full hour early this month to try our new Breakfast Experiment. Eat breakfast like "royalty", Eat lunch like a "prince" and dinner like a "pauper". We will now be making breakfast the principle meal of the day. I believe this will help with energy levels and digestive issues. Will give it a go and let you know.

Be sure to check out more great menu plans and recipes at Organizining Junkie. Stop by and post your menu plan link today!

B = Breakfast, S = Snack, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Monday -

B: Eggs & Ham Benedict on Whole Wheat english muffin, sliced oranges, fruit tea & milk

S: Apple w/ Iced Water

L: Leftovers

D: Turkey Soup w/ Rice, Hot Tea (Lemon Ginger)

Tuesday -

B: Turkey Sausage, Poached eggs on whole wheat toat, bananna w/ tea & milk

S: Granola w/ Iced Water

L: BBQ Chicken, Noodles & Green beans w/ fruit tea

D: Beans w/ Cornbread Hot Chamomille Tea