Do you send Holiday Cards? It's a Shutterfly Giveaway!

I know some people who take the holiday family photos regligiously every year, color-coordinated, ordered, signed, stamped and addressed right after Thanksgiving...

And others who send online cards.  Or no cards at all. 

There's a lot of in between.

I love sending Christmas cards...but as I mentioned in the Do's & Don'ts of Holiday Cards, I haven't been able to afford them the last couple of years.  But, when I have, I've always used Shutterfly.  And Shutterfly has an amazing variety of cards.


If you're more of a Feliz Navidad:






Or a Happy Hanukkah:







Or a traditional Merry Christmas:







Or a more generic Happy Holidays:






Or a Happy New Year:






Do you send cards?  Do you want to?
I'm giving away a promo code for 25 free cards...to three different readers!

Leave me a comment below for your first entry, and let me know which card is your favorite from Shutterfly's Christmas Cards or other Holiday Cards.
For an extra entry you can tweet or mention this on Facebook.

I'll choose three winners by next Friday, November 4th!!


Are you a blogger? Want a chance at 25 free cards this holiday season? Register here: http://goo.gl/DDw7Q

The Do's & Don't of Christmas Cards

I love sending and receiving Christmas cards.

Here's one of our old cards:



Holiday cards are an excellent opportunity to see old friends and how their families have grown, to see the new babies and growing kids. It gives me a warm feeling to hear from family and friends...and to send them some love in return. However, there are some definitely Do's & Don'ts when preparing your holiday cards.

• Do display modesty.  Don't boast that your toddler has created an algorithm to rival Google's.
• Do include highlights of your year.  Family update letters are usually a blast to read and catch up on everyone's antics.  Don't share major news that might be depressing.
• Don't use the cards as a chance to push your political or relgious agenda on others. But it is OK to send a religious card.
• Do send out cards early or late, it doesn't matter the timing...as long as it's not BEFORE Thanksgiving. 
• Do use the opportunity to be creative! Include photos.  Don't spend a fortune on your cards...it's tacky and offensive during these economic times.

And in my opinion, you can't go wrong using Shutterfly for your holiday photos.  I've been using them every single year to make mine, and I haven't been disappointed once. I've also made photo calendars each year of my children to send to grandparents, had photos put on coffee mugs for special gifts and even had photos put on special boxes and made into canvass paintings.  If I had my way, I'd make every gift a Shutterfly gift, because I love turning photo memories into gifts.

Here's another one of our old Christmas cards made from Shutterfly:





They have so many adorable and inspiring designs...and you can add one photo or multiple photos and add your own message. And, I've always received them timely and in excellent condition.


Sadly, since separating from my husband and being a full-time working mom, I haven't been able to afford Christmas cards the last two years.  But, this year, I'm so excited because Shutterfly has offered me a chance to make free cards AND offer 3 of my readers an opportunity to win 25 free cards from Shutterfly!


I can't wait to get started on this year's cards!  My first step will be dragging the boys and the dog outdoors and giving my mom the camera to take our photo. It might be easy and quick...it might be long and torturous. but no matter what, I'm making memories and traditions with my children for years to come. 

Are you a blogger? Want a chance at 25 free cards this holiday season? Register here: http://goo.gl/DDw7Q”



Have you received some bad Christmas Cards?
Are photo cards your favorite?

Love at First Bark

This is Annie.

Four years ago, we adopted Annie from the DFW Lab Rescue organization. 

She was an older dog (not a puppy), with an unknown past, 

but she'd obviously had training, she sat on command, shook hands, 

walked well on a leash, and was house-broken. 

She's the best decision we've ever made! 

Don't underestimate the power of a pet in your life!

I grew up on a ranch around tons of animals, 

and when we adopted Annie, 

it was finally my chance to share a love of animals with my boys.  

And love Annie they do. 

I was excited when I had a chance to read and review Love at First Bark 

by Julie Klam for BlogHer Book Club and Penguin Books.  

The author shares a few of her rescue stories and bits about her life.

It's a quick, easy read, especially if you like dogs, and I enjoyed it.  

But, I'll admit, no matter how huge a dog lover I am...

I don't understand the passion and energy some people put into animal rescues. 

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE animals, 

but I've never felt the need to do so much for them on the same level as the author.

However, when you decide to get a pet, please adopt!
There are so many animals out there who need homes.
Rescued animals have lived a harder life and need love.
Donate, adopt, foster.

I was compensated for this BlogHer Book Club review but all opinions expressed are my own.

The things I want to do to Mason Jars

I've always had a thing for jars.
Call it what you will...a lust, a fetish, an unhealthy fascination...
(Remember when I shared my mom's fetish?)


This is the first time I've admitted it, said it out loud.


I LOVE glass jars.
And I want to do things to them.



Things like this



(glow paint in a jar, it's genius!)





and this




(A photo in olive oil!)





And this.




 (hanging jars!)




I could keep showing you example after example after example of what I want to do to jars.



(flowers in jars!)




I can't stop.  Help me.


 (so many jar ideas!)



What about you? Have you done things to jars?
Do you want to do things to jars?

I'd rather fly the plane than jump out of it

I'd rather be behind the camera lense than in front of it.
I'd rather write the play than be a star in it.
I'd rather report on an event than be in.

Does that make me anti-social?
Shy?

Signs I might be anti-social:
I'm always "unavailable" to chat on Facebook.
I rarely answer my phone
I'd rather be reading a book than shopping

I guess that cinches it.
I'm anti-social.

Although, Wikipedia says this:  In common English vernacular; anti-social is often used to describe those perceived to be excessively introverted, an incorrect though increasingly common usage. The correct term for an introverted person who is "not social" would be asocial; asocial means "avoidance of society" while antisocial means "hostile toward society".


OK, maybe I'm more asocial...


What are YOU?

GasX does not cure Appendicitis

My 14 year-old son was home sick for two days last week with a virus, when he developed pain in his abdomen that wouldn't go away.

He thought it was gas.

However, after 6 hours of pain and no relief from GasX (they have these neat little thin strips that you dissolve on your tongue), we moved to Plan B: The Emergency Room

Turns out he had appendicitis, and less than 12 hours later...surgery to remove it.

The lesson I have learned from all of this?
GasX does NOT cure Appendicitis. 

Have you had your appendix out?
(I still have mine. Is it a ticking time bomb?)

How to be an American Housewife

Confession: I was embarrassed to be seen hauling this book around. 

However, my only chances to read this week were during my son's football practice 

and at the hospital while my other son had an emergency appendectomy.  

(it's been a crazy week!) 

I didn't want people to think I needed advice being an American housewife. 

I know that's silly. 

Let's face it, every housewife has different challenges 

but some definitely have more than most, 

and this book showcases two very different "housewife" experiences. 

The story is told from the perspective of two women, a mother and daughter.  

The mother, Shoko, was a Japanese war bride 

who moved to the USA with her American husband. 

She chronicles her experience as a housewife in America.

The other part of the story is told from her daughter's perspective, 

her grown up daughter, Sue, who was born and raised in the U.S.

What I really enjoyed about this book was the insight into Japanese culture. 

And insight into how a Japanese woman was treated in the U.S. 

following World War II. 

There are secrets and betrayals. 

Family intricacies. 

Romance and love. 

What really brought the story full circle for me, 

was when the daughter returned to Japan on her mother's request. 

That was my favorite part.

Join in on the How to be an American Housewife discussion!

I was compensated for this BlogHer Book Club review but all opinions expressed are my own.

Tweets that made me smile

Texas Monthly Magazine tweeting about birds on the capitol building in Austin. 
Just made me smile.

I'm not a birder.
Are you?

Have you seen anything on Twitter lately that made you smile?

If you want to follow me on Twitter, if you want to follow Texas Monthly.

Mystery Science Project

my 9th grader had to turn in a science project last week.

Wanna guess what it is?

Lunch Wars

I just finished reading Lunch Wars by Amy Kalafa for BlogHer Book Club. 
It's not a sweet, feel-good kind of book.
It's a get-up-and-do-something, make-a-difference-in-your-children's-lives kind of book.

Ultimately, it's about educating ourselves, making all parents aware, and then doing something about it. And, by IT, I mean, NUTRITION.  Specifically, nutrition in our schools.

Reading this book made me want to dwelve deeper into my children's school lunch program.
I have one son in elementary school and one in high school.
And both boys tend to bring their own lunches to school, although they will occasionally go through the line and buy something in the cafeteria.

Our school district seems very upfront about school nutrition.
They post the menus on the district website and send them home each month with the kids.
On the website you can find out the nutrient info for each item on the menu.

So all school districts do this?
I'm not sure.

Here's Monday's meal at the elementary school:

Meatball Sub
Chicken Nuggets
Wheat Dinner Roll
Ham and Cheese Sandwich
Egg Chef Salad
Wheat Dinner Roll
Cheesy Broccoli
WG Soft Bake Pretzel Rod
Fresh Tomato
Fresh Cucumber
Sliced Peaches w/Juice
Fresh Grapes
Orange Juice 100%
Butter Sugar Cookie
1% White Milk
MILK, Skim, Chocolate
Skim Milk
Ketchup Packet PC
Mustard Packet PC
Mayonaise Packet PC
ItalianDressingPacket PC
Ranch DressingPacket PC
Margarine

And here are the nutrients:

ELEMENTARY-Lunch

Monday, Sep 26, 2011

Recipes	Calories	Cholesterol mg	Sodium mg	Dietary Fiber g	Iron mg	Calcium mg	Vitamin A IU	Vitamin C mg	Protein g	Carbohydrate g	Total Fat g	Saturated Fat g
Meatball Sub	335	37	976	3.40	4.06	264.82	281	3.00	21.86	34.19	12.18	4.92
Chicken Nuggets	180	20	450	2.00	1.80	40.00	0	0.00	13.00	14.00	8.00	1.50
Wheat Dinner Roll	120	0	200	2.00	1.08	10.00	0	0.00	4.00	22.00	1.50	0.50
Ham and Cheese Sandwich	250	33	1025	2.00	2.49	75.00	150	0.00	15.28	29.43	7.28	3.43
Egg Chef Salad	130	75	195	0.89	1.19	242.57	2306	18.68	10.04	2.58	9.08	5.18
Wheat Dinner Roll	120	0	200	2.00	1.08	10.00	0	0.00	4.00	22.00	1.50	0.50
Cheesy Broccoli	61	9	252	1.91	0.47	128.34	774	25.58	4.55	4.70	3.08	2.16
WG Soft Bake Pretzel Rod	70	0	65	1.00	0.72	0.00	0	0.00	2.00	14.00	0.50	0.00
Fresh Tomato	16	0	5	1.09	0.24	9.07	756	11.52	0.80	3.56	0.18	0.03
Fresh Cucumber	6	0	1	0.19	0.11	6.24	41	1.09	0.25	1.42	0.04	0.01
Sliced Peaches w/Juice	37	0	7	0.00	0.00	0.00	220	0.88	0.00	8.79	0.00	0.00
Fresh Grapes	38	0	1	0.51	0.16	7.92	57	2.26	0.36	9.71	0.20	0.06
Orange Juice 100%	50	0	15	0.00	0.00	0.00	0	42.00	1.00	13.00	0.00	0.00
Butter Sugar Cookie	160	10	140	1.00	1.08	0.00	100	0.00	2.00	29.00	5.00	1.50
1% White Milk	102	12	107	0.00	0.07	305.00	478	0.00	8.22	12.18	2.37	1.54
MILK, Skim, Chocolate	130	5	200	0.00	0.36	300.00	500	1.20	8.00	24.00	0.00	0.00
Skim Milk	83	5	103	0.00	0.07	299.07	500	0.00	8.26	12.16	0.20	0.14
Ketchup Packet PC	11	0	85	0.13	0.03	1.35	42	0.59	0.10	2.61	0.02	0.00
Mustard Packet PC	4	0	75	0.21	0.06	2.62	2	0.01	0.16	0.46	0.19	0.01
Mayonaise Packet PC	78	4	67	0.00	0.02	0.89	6	0.05	0.12	0.19	8.64	1.31
ItalianDressingPacket PC	28	0	130	0.09	0.02	1.21	40	0.14	0.03	0.51	3.00	0.45
Ranch DressingPacket PC	63	4	95	0.02	0.03	2.71	7	0.03	0.12	0.51	7.08	1.05
Margarine	30	0	30	0.00	0.00	0.00	300	0.00	0.00	0.00	3.00	1.00

(Sorry, my formatting cut off the protein, carbs, total fat & saturated fat amounts, but they are there!)




Authors like Amy Kalafa should be applauded for not only taking the time to see what the problem is and offering solutions...but also for bringing it to our attention.  Let's face it, as parents, we don't always have time to make sure every aspect of our children's lives are the best they can possibly be. Sometimes we need the extra help.  The extra info.  The nudge to make a change and make a difference. It takes a village people, and we're all in this together.

This was a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.