Archive for the ‘The M Challenge’ Category

Teaching Kids About Giving & Gratitude

Thursday, December 12th, 2019

From our marriage & parenting contributor, Mary Carver.

Teaching Kids about Giving & Gratitude MomAdvice.com

It’s hard to teach our children about giving and gratitude in everyday life, but when the busy holiday season arrives, we can find some special ways to express gratitude for what we have. Spend time this month teaching kids that an attitude of gratitude and giving feels good.

 

My daughter has always been annoyingly observant.

This means, first of all, that you cannot have “for grown-up ears only” conversations around her, make promises (or threats) you don’t intend to keep, or expect her to simply forget about the slightly traumatizing or embarrassing event from last week. (I know. Typical, right?)

But it also means that as a two-year-old, she recognized the insanity of the suburban grocery store situation.

One day after picking her up from the babysitter, I said, “Okay, Annalyn, we’re going to go to the store now.”

As we drove down the highway, she asked, “What store?” and I answered, “HyVee.”

All was well – until we pulled into the parking lot and started walking toward the store.

Toddling along, holding my hand, she looked up and shouted, “NO! No, Mommy! This is the wrong HyVee!

She was just two years old, but already she was realizing that in this suburban setting, we can find a grocery store on just about every corner.

Of course, as she was also learning, not all grocery stores are created equal.

For example, the big box store where we usually buy groceries is a smaller version of the big box store a few more miles down the road.

When it was first converted to a superstore with groceries, I was super excited.

Driving fewer miles to buy groceries was a definite plus, but I was also relieved to shop in a store slightly smaller than the Atlanta airport.

Until I couldn’t find the right peanut butter. Or deodorant. Or soy milk.

See, it turns out that we traded miles of walking for a smaller selection.

That makes sense, of course, and isn’t the end of the world by any measure.

But you wouldn’t have known that from my initial reaction.

“What the heck? How could they have all these other salsas but not the one I want? What is wrong with this store? Stupid store.”

Talk about first-world problems!

And…talk about setting a bad example!

We live in a small house in an old, deteriorating neighborhood.

Nearly every room in our home is broken in some way, and my car drives like it’s one gear shift away from a failed transmission.

Every holiday, date night, birthday party and new outfit stresses out my budget and me.

And we carry a much higher balance on our credit card than I like to admit.

However, by the standards of a huge majority of people in this world, we are wealthy.

Not just comfortable, but rich.

 

How, then, do I teach my young kids a healthy perspective on all our blessings, as well as a grateful and giving heart?

We do it by talking about having a grateful heart, reading stories about thankfulness and sharing, praying before meals and thanking God for all He’s given us every night before bed.

We send thank you notes for gifts, and when it’s appropriate, I point out how much more we have than others – and how that means we must share with others. (Okay, fine, sometimes it’s more frustration than an appropriate teachable moment. But can you blame me, when I hear the words, “Is that all?” for the umpteenth time in one back-to-school shopping trip?)

But we also fight the occasional case of the gimmes (often prompted by the arrival of an American Girl catalog…SIGH…!) by giving our time and resources to help others.

The holidays bring up lots of opportunities to help others in a special way, but giving back is something we can do in our own lives, in every season:

 

We can make meals and deliver them.

We can order pizza or pick up chicken and deliver it.

We can send a thank you note.

We can send a gift card or a gas card.

We can proofread her resume – and explain LinkedIn.

We can take baby clothes to a friend.

We can pick up a Sonic slush on the way.

We can keep extra gloves and granola bars in the car for those in need.

We can sit and visit and listen and laugh (and maybe cry, too).

We can pack up the kitchen and the boxes and the truck.

We can unpack the truck and the boxes and the kitchen.

We can order another pizza or fill up her freezer.

 

Teaching Kids about Giving & Gratitude MomAdvice.com

 

Helping friends in a real, tangible way is important to me.

And just as important is teaching my children that this is what we do.

We don’t just talk about it or feel bad about it; we don’t just toss out platitudes or empty promises.

When we hear about a lost job, a scary diagnosis, another round of the flu, a last-minute move, a no-good, very bad, terrible day, we can do something.

We can help.

We can give out of our abundance; we can love.

And somehow, between a not-quite-daily gratitude journal and sponsored kids and thank you notes and meals dropped off for a sick friend, my girls seem to be learning a little bit about giving and gratitude.

At least until they find the next overpriced toy catalog in the mail…

 

How do you teach your kids about giving and gratitude?

 

 

Teaching Kids About Giving & Gratitude MomAdvice.com

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How to Make a Homeless Care Package (Free Printable Supplies List)

Tuesday, December 10th, 2019

How to Make Homeless Care Packages from MomAdvice.com

Blessing bags for the homeless are such a beautiful act of kindness for those in need. Today’s post will show you how to make homeless kits for those in need. These hygiene kits are handy to keep in your car, for those that live on the street, or can be given as gift bags for your local homeless shelter. Be sure to print out our free printable supplies list for your homeless care kit.

One thing that you may not know about our family is that we are really passionate about caring for the homeless.

Creating a homeless care package (also known as a Blessing Bag) can be one fantastic way that your entire family can be involved in caring for those in need.

Today we want to provide a checklist of supplies for the homeless bags, a local resources sheet you can print out (if you are in our area), and some tips for involving the whole family in this project.

After all, homeless gift bags are a great idea to help teach your children kindness.

These homeless packs have been replicated by so many people and are the perfect activity for volunteer organizations you may be part of.

By involving others, you can alleviate some of the expenses by asking everyone to bring the materials to craft these bags.

Distribute the list and allow each attendee to bring travel size items, food, socks or bags to help the homeless in your area.

How to Make Homeless Care Packages from MomAdvice.com

I also appreciate that these homeless care packages can be prepared for your local shelters or kept tucked away in the trunk of your car for those you may see on the street looking for your help.

I love feeling armed in these situations and these kits are a simple way to show how much you care.

Over the past couple of years, I have also had the opportunity to work at our local food bank and food pantry. What many people don’t realize is that many of these items cannot be purchased using food stamps.

Items that are not food (like toothpaste, paper products, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, etc…) are not eligible and that is why these items are often in high demand at church community pantries.

It is why these are the items that I choose to donate to our shelter each year.

How to Make a Homeless Care Package from MomAdvice.com

I wouldn’t be truthful if I didn’t tell you that my husband inspires me every day with his giving heart. Last winter, he was coming home late from work because he would see people in need and run to stores to get them supplies and gift cards.

That is his heart.

That is why I love him.

If there is one thing I firmly believe in, it is that giving should be a family affair.

We have to lead our children by our example.

I want my children to remember that what made our family special is that we always gave with our whole hearts.

My kids assisted in every aspect of this project.

My son came with me and did the number crunching on a good old-fashioned calculator, my daughter helped sort and organize all of the items we bought, and both kids helped fill the bags with all of the necessary items.

Here Are My 3 Essential Elements to a Great Homeless Care Package

Feed Their Needs

One of the greatest gifts you can give to someone who is homeless is personal hygiene items and food to nourish their bodies.

Begin by picking up items that will satisfy this area in their life first.

Simple items like shampoo, a razor, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, deodorant, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb, a bar of soap, and tissues are all great items to keep on hand.

Food like granola bars, crackers with peanut butter, beef jerky, trail mixes, dried fruits, and a bottle of water are also great items to tuck into your bags.

If you have the funds, small denominator gift cards (we did $5 Walmart gift cards) can also be great to give so that they can pick up a meal or item(s) they might need.

How to Make Homeless Care Packages from MomAdvice.com

Provide Warmth

We live in Indiana and the winters here are brutal for homeless people.

I can’t imagine how cold it would be to stand on the streets without the proper items

I need for warmth.

Add items like thermal boot socks, gloves, scarves, and hats to your gift bags.

Items like these may seem out of your financial reach, but I found all of these at the dollar store and the sets of gloves were a mere $.50 each.

Feed Their Souls

I am sure it goes without saying, but feeding someone’s soul is just as important as feeding their needs.

You can feed their souls in a variety of ways depending on your families beliefs and resources.

We created a local resources list (available for local residents to download) that they can tap into for further resources in our town.

A note that lets them know that they are on your prayer list, a note of encouragement by your children, or a scripture that you find comforting can also be excellent additions.

If these are not enough ideas, I encourage you to spend a bit of time browsing through the comments on this post.

Many people regularly volunteer at their shelters and food banks and have some great ideas to help.

Please also know, that we are real people (sometimes that doesn’t seem that way on the website, am I right?) and we did OUR personal best to put these together so we appreciate your KIND words on this post and definitely encourage you to share your own must-have items in a care package while being respectful of others in these comment threads.

How Do I Order My Homeless Care Package Supplies in Bulk?

Did you know that you can purchase items from Dollar Tree IN BULK.

Looking to save even more? Consider using this incredible rebates app to get cash back on ALL your holiday purchases.

We were able to place a bulk order with Dollar Tree and pick up the items we needed for these kits from our local store.

Don’t have room in your car?

No worries!

They can ship all the items directly to you.

How cool is that?

What Our Readers Suggest Adding to Your Hygiene Kits for the Homeless

I love seeing what contributions YOU recommend for these packs! Here are some of my favorites you shared!

“My husband and I travel a lot when he’s working on contract.

I save all the little complimentary shampoos, conditions, soaps, etc and when I have quite a few saved, I sew up pretty drawstring bags, divide the items I’ve save between the bags and then donate them to our local women’s shelter.

I’ve also started adding toothpastes and toothbrushes that I purchase to the bags.

Many times women arrive with nothing but the clothes on their back and this way they can be given their own personal care kit. I make each bag different so that they don’t feel like they are getting something that is assembly line, but something that was made just for them.”

“Many homeless also have dogs.

Perhaps you could add some things like treats, small pouches or pop-top cans of food, grooming supplies and toys.

And with the winter months coming, both owner and pet need to stay warm and dry…some large trash bags to put on the ground to keep from getting wet and even colder.

And I have seen fleece throws just recently at Walmart for like $2!”

“I currently make and deliver hot chocolate to a few homeless people I see on my way home from work (I work in downtown Chicago) and I pass out cold cans of pop in the summer.

I also make plates of food from leftovers after work luncheons and pass them out after work. (I don’t consider this stealing because I know that by 4:30 anything left in the kitchen will be thrown away.) I

know it isn’t not much, It won’t make a huge difference in the world, but it might make a world of difference to the person I’m helping.

Thanks for the list. I’m glad to see there are others out there who are concerned for the homeless and actually do something about it.

I hope the care package(s) I pass out, make the receiver(s) feel loved, thought of and cared for.”

“This is a wonderful idea! I got so excited when I saw this-I immediately began to think of other items that might be added, such a bar of soap or bottle of body wash, plastic glass and mug, plastic cutlery and plate, tissues, pen and notebook, small clock, personal wipes, instant oatmeal packets, instant soup packets, hot chocolate packets, instant noodle packets, towel, facecloth, thermal blanket, and in the summer, a sun hat, sunscreen, inexpensive umbrella and a fly swatter!

Many of these things can be found on sale, at Walmart, and the dollar store. They don’t have to be bought all at once and do lend themselves as a project for a family, like yourselves, or amongst a group of friends, a Sunday School class, a school class or a Brownie troop.”

“You might also check with your school district if they have children.

All our local schools have a homeless liaison who works to get food, clothing and housing for homeless families.”

“I regularly carry around coupon books from various restaurants, but this goes even further.”

“As truck drivers, my husband and I see many people standing on the exit ramps of the interstate highways.

We give ziplock bags with toiletries, (in a separate bag) and foods like you mentioned, plus single serve packages of oatmeal, grits, hot cocoa, ect. I add pack of sugar, jelly, peanut butter, plasticware, napkins, whatever we get from the take out and fast food restaurants.

I also pick up dollar store gloves, hats, socks, ect. We have added stamped postcards, Christmas cards and candy canes in season.

Notepads and pens are welcomed as are throws we get at thrift stores.

We were giving the gift books from the fast food places, but now they’ve gone to gift cards.

Chapstick is a good idea, as are deodorants, comb, sanitary items for the women, (yes, we see homeless women and children too).

We give small toys, stickers and tattoos for the kids. We stay in motels a lot and always ask housekeeping for extras.”

“I love this post. I am in the middle of coordinating a SOCKS party here in Nashville.

We are getting the big, thermal socks, and filling them with different items for the homeless.

We’ve been fortunate to have my dentist donate the toothpaste and floss, and McDonald’s donated 1,000 Cards for a free dollar menu item.

We also have tons of shampoo, conditioner, and soaps from hotels.

We’ll stuff it with snacks, hand warmers, and other items (many on your list).

We are getting together for our SOCK party and letting the kids stuff the socks and make the tags, which will say “I care”.

The kids are excited and I love what it’s teaching them. Thanks for inspiring others to give back!”

Aren’t my readers incredible? Just think of the possibilities with this one!

God has been so good to us, but 10 years ago we were in a very different place than where we are now.

My husband was unemployed for almost an entire year, our financial situation was a house of cards, and my heart was in a bad place.

Although I don’t like to admit it, I wondered what my purpose on this earth even was.

I never have forgotten that dark place and it is why we still try to be so careful with the resources we have been given and why I have such a tender place in my heart for those who are struggling.

If you would like to read more about it, I encourage you to read my book where I share how we recovered from this difficult financial period in our life.

Being careful though doesn’t mean that you can’t be a giver.

There are fantastic ways to give, both big and small, around the holidays.

Be sure to check our list of ten painless ways to give back to charities to help you get started.

I call these smaller ways to give the, “scraps of life giving.” I have talked a lot about that with my partnership with Pure Charity as well!

We want to help you give back to your community! Here are some resources to do just that!

Grab our Free Homeless Supply Checklist for your your care packages.

Don’t just click on the picture, head to this link to grab a full-size PDF version!

Grab our Local Resources List for your care packages (if you don’t live in Michiana, you can use this as a template for your own sheet)! Don’t just click on the picture, head to this link to grab a full-size PDF version!

Looking for more great ways to give back? Here are a few other great ideas!

diy no sew hand warmers

cabled ear warmer pattern diy cabled ear warmers

diy chunky knit blanket pattern

How do you give back in your community? How do you teach your kids to be givers?

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

this post contains affiliate links.

How to Make a Homeless Care Package from MomAdvice.com

How to Make Homeless Care Packages from MomAdvice.com

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Ear Warmer Headband Knitting Pattern (VIDEO)

Sunday, November 24th, 2019

How to Cable: Knitted Ear Warmers For Those In Need from MomAdvice.com

Learn how to knit this chunky cable knit headband. This is the perfect beginner pattern to learn how to cable. The best part? No cable needles required! Use this free knitting pattern to make these gorgeous ear warmer headbands for women that can keep those ears warm in the fall and winter.

As a knitter, I am often intimidated by things that look too complex.

I find myself gravitating towards things that I think will be easier and not even considering things that I think will take me out of my knitting comfort zone.

Cabling was one of those things for many years. It looked far too complex and I can barely handle the basics of knitting.

Here’s the thing.

It is truly one of the easiest things you can do in knitting especially when you know a few of my favorite tricks for cabling quickly.

Today I want to show you how to cable and how this project can benefit someone in need.

Ear Warmer Headband Knitting Pattern Close-Up Different Colors

This is the time of the year where the homeless and those in need really need us.

When the temperatures drop and you are in that cold-in-your-bones zone, you are welcomed by the warmth of your home, maybe a fire, and a hot drink to settle in with when you arrive home.

What if you had nowhere to escape?

Worse yet, imagine you were out in the cold without the warmth of a hat, gloves, or a scarf.

Let’s think of the children whose families can’t afford these simple luxuries of warmth.

You can’t knit a hat?

I get it!

Those double-pointed needles are a pain in the rear, aren’t they?

That is why I thought a simple knitted headband would be a great option for gift-giving and for a quick gift to share with those in need.

In fact,I highly recommend knitting a few of these for your homeless care packages to keep in your car.

Here are a few questions that I get asked a lot when it comes to knitting!

Bluprint Craft Box for Knitting

I Want to Learn to Knit. Where Can I Learn How to Knit?

Want to learn how I learned how to knit?

A good friend taught me.

She had all of her friends over that wanted to learn and I was one of the only ones that took this skill and has never stopped.

I am also pretty darn lucky because my mother-in-law is a knitter and has helped me through many of my more complex problems.

If I didn’t have these resources, I would take courses online that fit with my schedule.

Here are 5 of my recommendations on how to learn to knit. If you want to give your family a gift idea, consider asking for a gift card to cover your classes!

Skillshare

Honestly, this is going to be your most affordable option for knitting courses and I use my membership ALL THE TIME.

The best part is that you don’t have to be limited to just knitting.

This platform has classes for EVERYTHING. I have been taking an amazing weaving course through this that has helped me get started on my loom.

For business, I have been learning how to work on technical aspects of my site.

I can’t recommend it enough. In fact, this link should give you two months of free classes to get you started.

Bluprint Classes

I ask for Bluprint classes almost every Christmas (and for my birthday) and absolutely love them.

I have taken courses on knitting, cake decorating, and even food photography classes so I can do a better job showing food off for you here.

They are constantly running specials so it is easy to find an affordable class. If you like them, they also offer unlimited monthly class memberships too.

All Free Knitting

If you are on a budget, you can use this free resource to learn to knit. This is still set up as an organized course series, but costs you zero bucks.

YouTube always helps, as a great assistant, when using free online classes. I still pull up videos all the time to learn more complex stitches.

Bluprint Craft Box Subscription

Again, this is one of those fantastic gift ideas to ask for.

Bluprint (formerly Craftsy) curates incredible craft boxes that give you the supplies and everything you need to get started with a craft project.

They send you supplies, instructions, and everything you need to try a new craft. You get sent four boxes a year to learn new craft skills.

The best part?

It also includes a premium subscription so you can take unlimited online classes too.

How Do I Pick the Right Yarn for My Knitting Projects?

The yarn aisle can be very intimidating to new knitters. I can’t tell you how many times I have assisted fellow craft store shoppers with finding the right yarns for their projects.

Yarn can be light and delicate or super chunky and bulky (like the project that we are doing today).

Without getting TOO technical, the Craft Yarn Council assigns numbers to yarn that tell you what type of weight they are (you can see their detailed chart online) and these numbers can range from 0 (which would be perfect for knitting lace) all the way up to 7 (which would be used in a pattern like this chunky knit blanket I made).

At the top of the pattern, you should see what yarn weight category is recommended. While this pattern did call for 7, I felt like it became too wide and turban like (for my head) so I used a bulky weight of 5.

What is a Yarn Lot Number and Why Should I Care About It?

For small projects, you might not need to worry about this as much, but you can still end up with two balls of yarn with the same color name, but NOT be the same color.

Why?

Yarns with the same dye lot number were all dyed at the same time. Dying is a chemical reaction and that can make items dyed at different times turn out differently, even if the dye recipe was identical from one dyeing session to the next.

I could go into crazy details, but I don’t think it is important for this project.

What you should know is that it is almost impossible to get an exact match between yarns dyed in different dyeing sessions.

I am not talking about just pretty artisan yarn either, I’m talking about the big brands, like Lion Brand or Red Heart, can also have completely different dye jobs.

It happened to me once when I was whipping up a pom-pom wreath for the holidays.

Make sure that the yarn you get has the same lot number on the package (you can usually just find it by purchasing your yarn all at one store).

If you don’t, you could end up with unintended variations in your finished work.

I Have Arthritis and Hand Pain. What Can I Use to Minimize My Pain While Knitting?

If you are just stopping by from Pinterest, you might be unfamiliar with my story. I have chronic pain in my hands and elbows from a connective tissue disease.

For three years, I stopped knitting because I just couldn’t get my fingers to cooperate.

I am back to knitting (which I’m incredibly grateful for) and these are the tools that helped.

Curable– This app has been transformative for my pain. It uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help you retrain your brain and the pain signals it is sending. It has done more for me than anything else because I am learning to reroute the bad signals to my hands. This takes time and practice, but I’m thankful for a drug-free way to reduce my hand pain.

Oval Ring Splints– Oval rings can act as supporters to your fingers and are one of my most relied upon tools through hand pain. Since they are made from plastic, they can fit/not fit based on weather conditions and inflammation. I recommend one of these sets because it allows you to switch sizes based on the swelling in the joints.

Arthritis Compression Gloves– Compression is your BFF when you have chronic pain and compression gloves are so helpful for arthritis or for Raynaud’s Syndrome. I find that it restores warmth to the tips of my fingers and also feels very comforting to have them compressed.

Ergonomic Knitting Needles– While I haven’t made the investment in these (yet), I do think that this is one more thing you could explore to improve your comfort levels.

Take breaks, as needed, and be patient with yourself. I know how frustrated and sad I was about this. I hope these suggestions can help you as much as they have helped me.

Ear Warmer Headband Knitting Pattern

How to Cable: Free Knitted Ear Warmers Pattern from MomAdvice.com

Supplies Needed

Any Bulky Yarn (My top preferences for this project are the Lion Brand Hometown USA & Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick)

US 11 Bamboo Needles

US 10 Double-Pointed Needles (you just need one!)

Optional: Stitch Counter (to help you stay on pattern)

How to Cable: Free Knitted Ear Warmers Pattern from MomAdvice.com

(video below)

Trying to show you how to cable in a picture tutorial was a little impossible so today so I thought I would do a video.

I am so terrible at videos so please forgive me.

I’m off to a conference this week where I am hoping to learn more about doing these better for you all- it’s one of those work challenges I need to learn to tackle.

I know how helpful it can be to show these techniques in a video. Scroll to the end of this post to watch!

This cable is called a Shadow cable.

In this pattern, we will be bringing three stitches in front with our double-pointed needle and three stitchescabled laterbehind our work.

This cabling adds a double layer of warmth in this pattern and I’d love for you to scroll down to the bottom so that you can see how I do this.

How to Cable: Free Knitted Ear Warmers Pattern from MomAdvice.com

Cable needles look like this and I have a ton of them.

I hate them.

I usually lose my stitches and I find it difficult to transfer stitches especially when it comes to bulky yarn.

You can certainly buy them,but I recommend just doing a double-pointed needle one size down from the work to grab your stitches.

I am a big fan of bamboo because they grip the yarn so well especially when moving stitches around.

It’s the only type of needles I knit with!

Ear Warmer Headband Knitting Pattern from MomAdvice.com

Ear Warmer Headband Knitting Pattern from MomAdvice.com in Red

 

Not only are these quick to knit (they shouldn’t take you more than two hours!), but I think they look pretty fashionable too. I have noticed that many stores are now carrying these in their hair accessories.

Can we also acknowledge how cute the girls have it these days with hair accessories?

The aisles are filled with gorgeous patterned headbands, head wraps, turban headbands, and hair clips.

It has been so fun seeing the revival, for my daughter, of those adorable scrunchies and wide headbands.

I bet your tween or teen girl would love this homemade gift!

For gals with long hair, ear warmers are a dream for keeping your locks in place.

For ponytail days, you can just pull your hair through a hair band and still have warm ears.

I gave them a test run on the most miserable weather day which is ALWAYS, ALWAYS Halloween.

My husband was freezing, but I was delightfully warm thanks to these cozy ear warmers.

The cabling really adds a double warmth to them.

For particularly rotten Indiana days (I know they are coming), you can layer this under your hat for extra ear protection.

Ear Warmer Headband Knitting Pattern from MomAdvice.com in Blue

Ear Warmer Headband Knitting Pattern from MomAdvice.com

 

 

 

Can you just imagine the warmth you can give this season to someone in need?

This little project is fast to memorize and easy to execute with a good audiobook (can I recommend our books section to you?) or with a great big Netflix binge (I’m sure you can find loads of recommendations on my 3 Little Things list).

Thank you to Nancy Ricci for sharing her beautiful Vanessa Headband Pattern for free with the Ravelry community- I am so honored to share her pattern with you today!

SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM FOR THE PATTERN AND TUTORIAL!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This post contains affiliate links.

Love this knitted gifted idea? Here are a few more posts I think you will love!

DIY Chunky Knit Hygge Blanket diy chunky knit blanket (big fat hygge free blanket pattern)

7 easy scarves and cowls to knit this fall 7 free patterns for scarves and cowls to knit this fall

How to Make Knitted Wine Hats & Scarves Wine Toppers how to knit wine bottle hats & scarves for hostess gifts (great way to use scrap yarn!)

knitted coffee cozy sweater tutorial how to make a knitted sweater coffee cozy (these make fun teacher gifts!)

Free Knitted Ear Warmer Pattern Download HERE:Vanessa Headband Pattern by Nancy Ricci

Check out my video below to see just how easy it is to cable with your double-pointed needle!

Visit our Knitting section for more great ideas and be sure to friend me on Ravelry! You can also pick up my beautiful knitted boot cuff kit in stores RIGHT NOW! Happy knitting!

Ear Warmer Headband Knitting Pattern from MomAdvice.com

Ear Warmer Headband Knitting Pattern from MomAdvice.com Header

 
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Overnight Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal

Thursday, November 21st, 2019

Overnight Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal from MomAdvice.com

Apple season is one of my favorite produce seasons and one of my favorite snacks. Try this slow cooked honeycrisp apple oatmeal that you are going to love for a warm and satisfying breakfast on chilly fall mornings. The best part about all of this though, is my incredible tip for getting creamy oats that won’t burn or stick to your slow cooker.

Have you tried cooking steel cut oats in your slow cooker yet?

Today I wanted to share some tips for making the perfect overnight crock pot apple cinnamon oatmeal for the perfect fall breakfast for entertaining or just for a healthy way to start your day.

I love steel cut oatmeal, but it takes a LONG time to create steel cut oats. Not only that, oatmeal requires constant stirring over medium heat to achieve their best flavor and have a tendency to burn when not monitored.

Today I wanted to share some tips for making steel cut oatmeal in your slow cooker and the one SHOCKING tip for creamier slow cooked oats.

I promise, it’s a game changer.

How to Make Overnight Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal

Overnight Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal With Sliced Apples On Top

What’s the Difference Between Steel Cut Oats and Rolled Oats?

Rolled oats and steel cut oats come from the exact same whole cereal grain. The difference is really in how they are processed.

In whole form, they are known as “groats” and both types of oats are separated from their hard outer “hull” for our store shelves.

Here’s where those differences between the two types of oats really come into play. The rolled oats are steamed, to prevent cracking, and then they are rolled through the mill to be flattened.

Steel cut oats are, basically, chopped into pieces rather than going through that process of being flattened.

Overnight Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal from MomAdvice.com

Are Steel Cut Oats Gluten-Free?

Many of our readers are pursuing that gluten-free life so I’m thrilled to tell you that steel cut oats ARE gluten-free…well, pretty much!

If you are celiac, oats can be processed in factories that are also processing wheat, barley, and rye.

If you are celiac, look for steel cut oatmeal that clearly discloses that on the label to be sure that you are not exposed to any of these allergy triggering ingredients.

Overnight Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal from MomAdvice.com

Overnight Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal from MomAdvice.com

Do Steel Cut Oats and Rolled Oats Have the Same Nutritional Value?

Did you guys know that I went to school for dietetics?

Questions like this are my love language.

Often, when it comes to discussing processed foods, we immediately have a knee-jerk reaction that it isn’t good for you.

Can we all blame the Whole30 and Paleo movement for this? Hahaha!

Seriously, in MOST cases, processing means that the food has lost its nutritional value, but that is not the case when it comes to steel cut oats and rolled oats.

In fact, steel cut oats, rolled oats, and quick oats all have the SAME nutritional value.

I do find that steel cut holds up better in an overnight dish, but am thankful quick oats offers the same benefits if I need a nutritious breakfast or lunch.

Honeycrisp Apples

What Types of Apples Should I Use For Overnight Oatmeal?

Often when it comes to baking, I reach for a Granny Smith apple.

When researching different varieties of apples that are best to bake with, I discovered that the Honeycrisp Apple and the McIntosh apple were both great varieties to choose when baking.

Overnight Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal double-boiler method in slow cooker

How Do I Prevent My Slow Cooker Oatmeal From Getting Burnt or Overcooked?

I admit that I have never had good success with overnight oats.

The oats were usually burnt or overcooked and I always had a hard time getting my slow cooker clean after a batch.

That is why I am so excited to share with you this easy technique to create a double boiler right in your slow cooker:

  • Find a oven-proof dish that you can place inside of your slow cooker and spray it well with a little cooking spray.
  • Place your oatmeal ingredients right inside of the dish and then, using a liquid measuring cup, pour water around the dish to create a water bath. It doesn’t need to be really full, just an inch or so.
  • Set your slow cooker to LOW and you will have perfectly creamy oatmeal with no burnt spots every single time.

Overnight Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal from MomAdvice.com

Once you try this tip, you won’t make your oatmeal ANY OTHER WAY.

I promise you that you will will yield a creamy pot of oats every time.

How Can I Prepare This Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal in My Instant Pot Instead?

I would recommend going to this recipe for details on making steel cut oats in your pressure cooker. I haven’t tested this one out yet, but I’m looking forward to giving it a try!

Slow Cooked Honey Crisp Apple Oatmeal
 
Author: MomAdvice.com
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
This recipe can be personalized according to your family’s dietary needs or what variety of apple is on sale at the grocery store. I loved preparing this one with almond milk! Try my technique for creating your own double-boiler to get a creamier oatmeal!
Ingredients
  • 1 cup steel cut oats (NO substitutions)
  • 3 1/2 cups milk (or milk substitute)
  • 1 Honeycrisp apple, diced
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Spray your slow cooker with cooking spray or brush with melted coconut oil.
  2. Place the steel cut oats, milk, honeycrisp apple, butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla extract into a slow cooker, and stir to combine and dissolve the sugar.
  3. Cover the cooker, set to Low, and allow to cook 6 to 7 hours (for firm oats) or 8 hours (for softer texture).
  4. Top with a little extra brown sugar, milk, or a drizzle of maple syrup.
 

 

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Looking for more great breakfast ideas? Check out these recipes to inspire your next morning meal!

chicken pesto frittata recipe (so good to make ahead for a big crowd)

sausage & vegetable frittata( great for anyone on a more restricted diet) Easy Sausage & Vegetable Frittata-3

Meal Prep: Breakfast Sandwiches Recipe from MomAdvice.com meal prep these freezer breakfast sandwiches

Make-Ahead Smoothie Packets from MomAdvice.com make these make-ahead smoothie packets for your freezer

Make-Ahead Breakfast Burritos from MomAdvice.com make these breakfast burritos for your freezer

How to Make a Breakfast Bar from MomAdvice.com don’t want a cook? no biggie! try this hack for an easy breakfast bar

Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls or just bake a roll of cinnamon rolls and shape into a christmas tree. done.

What are your favorite holiday breakfasts to share with loved ones?

Overnight Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal from MomAdvice.com

Overnight Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal from MomAdvice.com

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March: No Spend Challenge Results (Week 2)

Friday, March 16th, 2018

march no spend challenge

I can’t believe I have already breezed through the second week of this No-Spend Challenge and things have been going so well.  I am really recognizing my spending impulses and a lot of it seems to have to do with the power of suggestion (helloooo, Instagram)  and when I have pockets of free time that have me heading over to my computer to do a little online shopping.

no-spend challenge

no-spend challenge (the birthday boy’s favorite cake- snickerdoodle cake!)

It was my husband’s birthday week and I had disclosed at the beginning of the challenge that I wouldn’t be skipping his celebration dinner just because I wanted to save a little money. We went to his favorite fancy spot and had a wonderful meal that we savored together. I never take for granted what a good life it is when you get to spend your life with your best friend.

When I began really getting the hang of cooking, we have found that we really don’t enjoy dining out anymore, unless it is somewhere really spectacular. I wouldn’t say our dining out budget has been cut down necessarily, but that we now would rather pay for one really incredible meal rather than four disappointing inexpensive meals.

It was a fabulous night and there was no need to buy anything special to wear thanks to that well-equipped capsule wardrobe.

red sparrow

I have a MoviePass, but I always am trying to coordinate with other people to go and see a movie. I have never gone to the movies by myself, but I was dying to see Red Sparrow (my husband was not) so I decided to have an impromptu movie date by myself.

You know what? It was awesome!

My INFJ heart was very happy AND I absolutely loved the film.

I packed a snack in my car to enjoy on the way home and avoided the concessions stand to hold to my challenge.

Boy, that popcorn smell almost had me caving!

no-spend challenge

Dining at home is never a biggie, but I have gotten in a bad habit of just buying groceries impulsively and not really looking in our pantry and freezer. These chicken breasts became this delicious dish and a forgotten bag of potatoes made the perfect side dish.

We enjoyed this with some belly-laughs over this new Netflix series. It made me thankful to see other people #nailingit like me when it comes to baking.

no-spend-challenge-3

Do you follow bloggers because you love seeing all the new things they have gotten? I know that there are certain accounts that I follow because it seems like they always have the latest thing.

I realized this week that creatively, it is MUCH more challenging to inspire people WITHOUT buying things.

I have to think a little harder about what I have been putting out in the world and how to inspire people without spending money. I have always been committed to good living on a small budget, but am I always sharing in these ways?

I needed a little Spring for our mantle, for example, and shopped the house to create a cute little rainbow of books for the mantle.

My hubby declared this the MOST Pinterest-y thing I have ever done and I am not ashamed.

We have so much here- why do I feel I need to buy things to inspire other people?

no-spend challenge

This week I have been more busy than usual and haven’t been sitting at my computer and instead found myself with three wonderful dates (at my house- #nospendchallenge, you know!) with three amazing women that inspire me so much.

I love entertaining, but sometimes it feels more convenient to just go out rather than clean up our messes (or, heck, let people witness our messes) and open our home up…warts and all. We remodeled our home with the intention of sharing our home with others and we should be doing just that.

What a blessing to have the space to do it in and to share it with others.

One friend brought me this book (I can’t wait to dig in), another brought me this beautiful plant, and another brought all the appetizers and wine for a fun night in my little shed. Hostess gifts were savored so much more this month!

California Typewriter

We ended the week with a pajama-date today and watched this phenomenal documentary on typewriters (available on Hulu).

If you have a free afternoon this weekend, it is such a good one. I will admit, it had me feeling a little melancholy about my love/hate relationship with technology. I love sharing here, but I struggle with too much technology in my life.

I am sure I will have lots to learn when I detach from social media a bit next month!

Next week I am traveling for business so I will have some expenditures with business travel, but I’m hoping to continue the mindful approach to spending, just as I have been doing these past two weeks.

Follow My No-Spend Journey

No-Spend Month Intention
Week 1

Money Spent- $299 (groceries) $140 (birthday dinner for my hubby- an approved expenditure)

Memberships Used During Week 1-

Scribd- 0

Gym- 2 classes

CycleCast- 1 session

MoviePass- 1 movie

March: No Spend Challenge Results (Week 1)

Thursday, March 8th, 2018

march no spend challenge

Haven’t you always wanted to read someone’s diary?

Oh, wait…is that just me? In all seriousness, I’d love to share with you my weekly reflections from my month of intentions.

Since March was designated as my no-spend challenge month, I thought it would be a great one to share with you as I embrace this month of getting my spending habits back on track. Truth be told, the savings will be used for our Spring Break trip and I’m hoping that we won’t feel the pinch at all from taking a vacation.

The first week is no big deal because, honestly, how hard is it to do for one week?

Here is what I learned from week 1:

No-Spend Challenge Results

Week 1 of the No-Spend Challenge

Day 1- I’m going to be honest and tell you that I had expected the launch of this challenge to start with an expense. I had planned to take my neighbor out for her birthday dinner (after she had taken me for a fantastic birthday meal where I claimed I had coupons, but actually did not) and I was going to add this feast to my monthly expenses since it had been planned.

I received a text though that said she would prefer just meeting for a glass of wine and had been eating out a lot lately.

She suggested that it might be better to just hang out in my She Shed.

I offered to make her a birthday dinner though and discovered three sweet potatoes, a bag of Brussels Sprouts, a bag of spinach, and just enough arborio rice to make a risotto dish. Balsamic roasted veggies, risotto cooked in white wine and vegetable broth, and a cranberry & almond salad were all birthed from the pantry that had nothing.

It was delicious and, upon a generous amount of wine, she did confess that she saw I had planned this challenge and refused to sabotage my first day out of the gate.

What a great friend, right?

Surprise, surprise, I made it through day 1 without an expense after all.

Day 2- I am at the gym and get a peek at my girlfriend’s amazing boots she is wearing.

“Where did you get those?”

“TJ Maxx! Can you believe they are water resistant and everything?”

“Oh, I need those.”

I begin to contemplate how I can swing by TJ Maxx on the way home from the gym and then remember my no-spend commitment.

I arrive home and glance at the dusty basket filled with oodles of boots…

Three pairs, just for me, that are water resistant.

No Spend Challenge

Day 4- I know a lot of people get buried in weekend spending, but my homebody nature really pulls through on the weekend.  I have been discovering I had quite the stockpile in our freezer so a night of mussels was on our agenda for our usual pizza night.

It’s been ages since I made spaghetti sauce, relying upon the jar for convenience, and I was reminded the beauty in a homemade sauce for a spaghetti side.

It really is the little things.

A couple of months ago, I had splurged on this expandable coffee table and it is now our favorite weekend spot to have dinner and watch a show together.

 

When We First Met

Date nights were spent catching up on Netflix- yes, we are that fun!

The original programming from Netflix has really been delivering so it was easy to do a movie night at home together and this one was adorable. Many times I find myself running over to Redbox or the library for movies when we have PLENTY to watch already at home.

Seriously, you should see how long my list is.

No Spend Challenge

Day 5- Since we were eating our way through our pantry, I thought I’d give gluten-free pizza dough a try to see if I can’t replace that take-out pizza moving forward. I wasn’t willing to chance it on two pizzas because gluten-free flour is expensive.

Surprise, surprise, I NAILED IT! I was so proud of myself that I made several more, just to make sure I could share a really good recipe with you.

It must be elastic pants weekend.

Day 6-7- It was really fortunate timing that I figured out a supplement that could help with my pain management just as this challenge was beginning. (P.S.- I promise to share more tomorrow!) so I was able to keep to a consistent gym routine which gave me the opportunity to socialize and to get in some good endorphins.

I dusted off my stationary bike and got back to using my CycleCast app so even in moments I was working out a lot, I still felt like I was a part of something.

Overall, week one was AWESOME and I can’t wait to what else I learn in the next three weeks!

Money Spent- $0

Memberships Used During Week 1-

Scribd- 1 audiobook

Gym- 3 classes

CycleCast- 1 session

MoviePass- 0 movies

March Intention: No-Spend Challenge

Thursday, March 1st, 2018

march no spend challenge

I feel like it is January 1st instead of March 1st with all this excitement about setting monthly intentions. For March, I have challenged myself to a no-spend challenge. I had shared about no-spend challenges in my book and in an article on our site,  but was inspired again when I read (again) this transformation article from my dear friend, Shanna. I happened to be on Facebook when she shared that she was planning to tackle another challenge recently and I love hearing that this had become a part of her yearly routines.

You know how your spending habits increase as your salary increases? Our expenses have definitely expanded, since we worry less about money, and I know that we could be saving so much more.

As soon as I shared my no-spend challenge with my family, the first thing my daughter said was, “Does that mean you won’t buy us any groceries?”

Yeah, I should probably review what a “no-spend” month looks like.

no spend challenge

What Spending is Allowed?

Gas

Groceries (I am also going to be looking with a critical eye at how much we have been spending in this category because I, honestly, haven’t been very good about paying attention)

Normal Bills & Memberships (including normal business expenses)

My hubby’s birthday meal (I am not going to be a Scrooge if he wants to go out)

What Do I Plan to Do Differently This Month?

No dining out (OUCH- that should save A LOT)

Use up what is in our freezer and pantry- we have a lot of ingredients that I haven’t been putting to work

Be MORE thoughtful about my grocery purchases and get back to ALDI

Go over our current spending and see where we can cut corners

Get back to using Mint to track what’s happening in our accounts

Use the memberships I have (gym, Netflix, Hulu, CycleCast, Spotify, Scribd, & MoviePass) and REALLY analyze if these are being used enough to justify the monthly expenses

Work on my taxes- we can’t leave for Spring Break until this is in order

NOT make frivolous purchases for Spring Break & Easter

NO Kindle deal buying- I do love a cheap book purchase

I am really looking forward to sharing my results from this financial fast and and I’m excited to see how much we can save this month. It will be a great way to reset this year for our family. If you want to follow our adventures, you can catch me on Instagram documenting through their Instagram Story feature and a little on my feed too.

I am also journaling my experience to share with you at the end of the month. Stay tuned for my reflections on this one.

Would you like to join me this month? Leave a comment below (because I can’t pay for a link list subscription- hahaha!)

This post contains affiliate links that help our site! Thank you for supporting me! xoxo

 

 

My Year of Living Intentionally

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

a year filled with intention from momadvice.com

I got a few messages wondering how I am doing over here. You guys never cease to amaze me in how intuitive you are when I’m going through a rough patch. It’s been such a frustrating process of working really hard to feel better, but hitting depressing hurdles that send me back to square one.

Honestly, my body hasn’t been cooperating with my 2018 plans.

Last night, in the wee hours of the morning, I started thinking about what drives me and how to get control of that drive in my life. Typically, this reflection happens in January, but if I waited until next year than I would be missing out on improving my life in the next upcoming months.

I started jotting down things that I struggle with and what I’d love to see myself do better at. I love seeing long lists of monthly intentions from others, but I’m going to be really proud to put one intention out in the world each month and accomplish it. Setting intentions helps give my days more purpose and I love seeing what good things can come from intentional living.

Blogging has a way of holding me accountable and I thought I could journal what I learn each month as I’m working my way through these intentions. If they are things you struggle with too, maybe you might want to join me?

Here are the monthly intentions that I want to work through this year and why.

Living With Intention Monthly Challenges

march no spend challenge

March- No-Spend Challenge

It’s been awhile since my last no-spend challenge and March is the perfect month for it. I’d love to spend some time evaluating my spending habits, resist the urge to buy a bunch of stuff for our Spring Break trip, and to get our tax paperwork in order. I feel like we have been hemorrhaging money and I’m hoping this challenge will remind me how to do better with our family finances.

April Stop the Scrolling Challenge April- Stop the Scrolling Challenge

April is THE WORST for me because I start the comparison game with the Spring Break trips and often get so consumed with that, I fail to enjoy our own break. While I can’t completely detach from social media, there is no reason to spend my days endlessly scrolling. I’m going to try to reel this one in, especially since this tends to be an unhealthy habit for me in April.

I’d also love to go social media free for the first week of April to get the most out of our family trip.

may get moving challenge from momadvice.com May- Get Moving

I can use my illness as an excuse all I want, but I can still be moving in some way, even if I’m not doing a full-out workout. May is when I tend to start the summer slack so I thought this would be a perfect time to remind myself to get moving.

Ideally, 3-5 days a week, I’m going to be intentionally moving…even if it is just a walk around the block.

june declutter like a boss

June- Declutter Like a Boss

Despite all appearances, there is a lot of clutter in our house and I’d love to reign it in. Closets, pantry, dumping spots (for us it is the laundry room & garage) all could use some organizing.

I also am queen of abandoned projects so I’d love to get a few of those done during this month of organization.

new year in july challenge from momadvice.com July- New Year in July

I love to make New Year’s resolutions…and then abandon them.

This month will be the perfect time to revisit what I put out in the world and try to actually check a resolution (or two) off my list.

august be creative challenge

August- Be Creative (For Myself)

I would love to get back to being creative and I have plenty of tools to do it. There are a few items on my crafting bucket list and I’d love to set the intention to actually do something creative for myself each week.

put down the wine challenge from momadvice.com

September- Put Down the Wine

I love sharing drinks with friends and with my husband over the summer, but it quickly becomes a nightly habit after enjoying it so often in the warmer months.  I’d love to do a dry month and see what I can learn from a month without my wine.

october better start better sleep from momadvice.com

October- Better Start Better Sleep

I know how much better I feel with good sleep and a great morning routine. I’d love to focus on that by getting my sleeping habits back on track. I have the tendency to sabotage myself by hopping on my phone at night or staying up too late with a good book. I’d like to see if I can feel better by being intentional with better sleep habits.

november connect with people challenge November- Connect With People

I’m an INFJ and I have the tendency to REALLY introvert when the months get colder and my body isn’t feeling as good. I’d love to set the intention that I will work harder to connect with people in my life during this challenging time.

december self-care month from momadvice.com December- Month of Self-Care

The holidays run me down (as I am sure they do you too!) and I would love to be more intentional about self-care during this challenging season. It won’t be extravagant luxuries like spa days, but setting intentions AT HOME to take care of myself.

I’m really excited to share with you what I learn from these challenges, starting with a discussion tomorrow about my No-Spend March. I think it is the perfect month to reset before our spring vacation, don’t you?

I’m hoping with a goal each month that I can start feeling like the old me again!

a year filled with intention from momadvice.com

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Easy DIY Summer Time Capsule for Kids

Tuesday, June 14th, 2016

Make a memory for your kids (and you!) with this fun summer activity!

Make an easy summer time capsule- a great activity for the whole family!

This year has flown by for our family and it’s hard to believe summer is so quickly upon us.

Each year I’m more desperate to hang on to our summer and our memories together.

My kids are hitting the teen stages and I treasure each moment with them so much more as they get older than I had ever imagined.

I want to share with you a fun summer time capsule ornament that your children can hang on the holiday tree or can be the launching point of a fun family mealtime together this summer.

Have you ever had your kids create a time capsule?

I am telling you, it is so much fun and gives you a glimpse, as a parent, into what is important in their lives.

How to Make A Summer Time Capsule

Make-A-Summer-Time-Capsule

Supplies Needed

Directions

1. Tell your child at the beginning of the summer to begin gathering small items that represent their fun-filled summer!

To get them brainstorming, consider gathering a representation of their favorite crafts, board games, building activities (puzzles or building blocks), beach finds (pretty sand or shells), or items found on nature walks.

Tell them you want this capsule to really showcase what they were passionate about that summer so they can create a really important collection for their capsule.

Make-A-Summer-Time-Capsule

2. Have your child jot down 5 things that they love about summer.

Guide them with a gentle writing prompt to explain why they have included these items in their capsule to represent them.

For example, “I love seeing my mom cry when I take all of her money in Monopoly.” Of course, that would be YOUR child, not MY child (*ahem*).

Don’t forget to have them include the date somewhere on this sheet so you can keep track of the years!

3. Fill an ornament with their trinkets and the facts about their summer.

Snap shut at the seams.

If you are concerned about longtime storage, you can secure with a little hot glue along the seams.

4. Use permanent marker to write your child’s name and the date somewhere on the ornament.

Make-A-Summer-Time-Capsule

In our family, we are all about board games, building blocks, finding seashells at the beach, and my daughter has developed a strong love for finger knitting this year. I love this representation of who she is at nine!

Don’t let the time capsule fun end at summer.

We incorporated this same time capsule idea in our NYE celebrating as a family, but selected a few things that represented our favorite moments of the year.

Over a celebration dinner, we each twisted open our capsules to share our favorite moments together.

I remember that night well because I learned so much about my kids and some of the things they included surprised me.

I guarantee you will learn a lot during the big time capsule reveal and make some beautiful memories.

For a summer capsule, this same idea would be fun for a family s’more night or as a fun ending to a sundae party together.

Celebrate the end of summer in a new way and remember to get your kids thinking now because beautiful collections that represent them take time!

I hope you enjoy this fun craft together and please be sure to let us know if this becomes a part of your own family traditions as it has become such an integral part of ours!

Easy DIY Summer Time Capsule for Kids from MomAdvice.com.

*this post contains affiliate links- I only recommend what I love though!

 

Don’t miss these other great ideas from MomAdvice.com:

 

How to Make Fluffy Slime

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M Challenge Giving Syllabus Notebook 11.25.15

Thursday, November 26th, 2015

M CHALLENGE FOCUS ON GIVING Syllabus

As a wrap-up of each month’s M Challenge theme, we will be using the last Notebook of the month as a sort of “Cliffs Notes” edition of the challenge – a place where you can find a list of all the articles we’ve published for the challenge, as well as more inspiration and links from the web around the challenge theme. Our hope is that this will be something that you can refer to in the future as well as catch up on in case you’ve missed anything!

November M Challenge: Focus on Giving

Other Links: Ideas for Giving

Picasso Printable via Lia Griffith

Source: Lia Griffith

 

Free printable: The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away ~Pablo Picasso

Blessing Bags: give a blessing bag to someone in need. Keep a stash in your car.

A Friendsgiving master plan for stress-free hosting.

Simplify Christmas gift giving.

A “gifts that give back” 2015 holiday gift guide

How to be generous even if you’re broke.

75 military care package ideas.

20 volunteer date ideas.

24 ways to volunteer with kids.

I hope you enjoyed our M Challenge syllabus notebook, a collection of the Mom Advice articles and gathered links all around the month’s challenge focus. Nothing brings me more joy than to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!