help lick leukemia

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lick leuk

Most of you know we lost a son to Leukemia, and I want to do everything I can to make sure no one else has to go through what we did. We try to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society whenever possible.

Sometimes this requires hard tasks like going shopping at the Gap with a 30% off coupon. (Jason has only run a marathon to raise money…..slacker!!)

Ladies, will you join me in this effort from July 30th to August 2nd? I know it is asking a lot from you to have to go to Gap, Banana Republic or Old Navy AND save money at the same time, but please join me in this wonderful cause.  ;)

wfmw – dfw staycation

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wfmwbannerkristen

staycation_header_

In my last WFMW I shared my ideas for turning our house into a Ho(me)tel. This week I want to share some of the fun (& discounted!) things to do in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

I’m just highlighting a few below, but you can use these sites to view many more events: Dallas Child, Fort Worth Child, GoCityKids, DFW Area Moms, Guide Live

Fossil Rim – discount Wednesdays – only 12.50 for 12 & up, $5 for kids

Hawaiian Falls Moms get in free on Mondays before 12

Farmer Duck Tour Thursdays from 10:00-11:30  My kids had a ball!! They got to do chores that a child from long ago would do: grind grain & feed the chickens, wash clothes by hand, milk a “cow”, plant & water the garden. After a covered wagon ride around the property, they took off their shoes & played in the creek. $5, free for parents

Ride the McKinney Trolley (free) to the Dallas Museum of Art (free on Wed in July or 1st Tues of every month) or the Dallas World Aquarium (fantastic!! worth the price)

Ringling Bros. Circus – most area libraries are giving away free tickets for their Summer Reading Program

Things to do in Fort Worth: Fort Worth Stockyards, Fort Worth Botanical Garden, Kimball Art Museum, several Coupons

Things to do in Grapevine: Great Train Robbery, The Monty Python Madness Charity Festival, Open-Air Market, Friday Fireworks, Gaylord Texan Summerfest, Rainforest Cafe click on Maya for a $10 coupon good until July 31st

Some ways to find discounts:

  • check websites carefully for printable coupons. Sign up for their emails – lots of times they will send you a coupon for joining
  • request a visitors guide Dallas / Ft. Worth
  • ask your bank or credit union if they sell discounted tickets
  • buy an Entertainment Book. We used ours several times, and you can also print coupons from their website.  

Do you live in the DFW area? Please share your favorite things to do!

Run on over to We Are That Family for tons of great tips!

curriculum clean-out

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Photobucket

Homeschool Creations is hosting a fun Curriculum Clean-Out blog carnival. You can give away items you don’t need, and win some new items-that-you-probably-don’t-need-either-but-are-fun-because-they-are-new! HA!!

The fun starts Monday, August 2nd, so stay tuned!

pw’s tasty kitchen

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tasty kitchen

I am such a huge fan of Pioneer Woman’s recipes. We loved The Best Lasagna.Ever., and her Olive Bread earned a permanent spot on our New Year’s Eve menu.

She now has a Happy Cooking Community called Tasty Kitchen!, Members can share their own tried-and-true recipes,and they look fantastic. Run on over & take a look!

wednesday didn’t work for me

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A big Sorry! to all of you who stopped by for the DFW Staycation ideas that I promised in last week’s WFMW. We are having dsl issues & hope to have it all ironed out soon. Check back this Wednesday!!

glory revealed 2

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GRposter_b

This is for all my fellow Gomers ;-) (hmmm…except I would imagine that if you are a Gomer, then this is old news to you & your CD shipped today too! ) Ok, so this is for all you non-Gomers! LOL

The new Glory Revealed II album released today and mine has already shipped!! My kids love the first one, and I expect the second one to be just as enjoyable.The song lyrics are pulled straight from scripture. My heart swells to watch my sweet 4 y.o. daughter dance around the living room while singing the Word of God.

Here’s a little info:

“Mac Powell has once again teamed up with author/speaker David Nasser to produce 12 new worship songs that blend roots-driven music with Biblical truth designed to musically stamp the word of God on the heart of listeners. In addition to Mac, vocalists include Casting Crowns’ Mark Hall, Amy Grant, Sara Evans, Shane & Shane, Natalie Grant, Brandon Heath, and Tenth Avenue North’s Mike Donehey.”

There is a free autographed art print available while supplies last.

wfmw – stay-at-home hotel

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We have decided to take a staycation this year instead of taking a trip. We will be able to do a lot of local activities with the money that would have been spent on gas & lodging. I really want to make some fun memories for my family, so I’ve decided to turn our house into a Ho(me)tel.

Here are some of the fun ideas I want to try:

~ Towel Origami Our towels might be too thick to do this for each child, so I think I will buy a thin white towel & just leave a different animal on the bathroom sink every morning.

~Fold the ends of the toilet paper into a point (each night) or try my hand at toilet paper origami

~ Put a basket of small soaps & shampoo samples in the bathroom

~ Label bedroom doors with hotel numbers

~ Make Do Not Disturb Doorknob Hangers

~ Get breakfast ready the night before with these yummy Bed & Breakfast Recipes

~ Offer a wake-up call to my daughter’s cell phone

~ Check out some DVDs from the library that we haven’t seen, or rent from Redbox

~ Create a mini bar in the bottom drawer of the fridge & stock with small bottles of water & soft drinks

~ Print off menus & flyers for the places we are going & put them in a folder

~ Have stamps & pens on hand – we are going to buy some cheesy tourist postcards from the gift shops & mail them to relatives (especially funny since they all live here too!)

Do you have any more ideas for me? Please share!!

Tune in next week when I share some great staycation ideas for the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Run on over to We Are That Family for tons of great tips!

wfmwbannerkristen

wfmw – best ever strawberry cake

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wfmwbannerkristen

I have a confession to make … we ate this for breakfast this morning! It wouldn’t still be good by the weekend (when we normally have dessert), and it’s got to be healthier than Froot Loops, right?

This my mom’s lovely recipe. The strawberries in the cake make it dense & moist, and the icing is thick like cheesecake. It is so delicious!!!

Best Ever! Strawberry Cake

1 strawberry cake mix

3 eggs

3/4 cup oil

3/4 cup water

10 oz. frozen, sliced strawberries (thawed & drained)

Mix together for 2 minutes on med speed. Pour into a greased and floured 9 X13 pan and bake @ 350 degrees for 30-35 mins.

Cool.

Icing

2  8oz pkgs of cream cheese (softened)

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter (softened)

1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix together until blended. Frost cooled cake.

This is much better made ahead of time and refrigerated for several hours, or even better, overnight.

Run on over to We Are That Family for tons of summer recipes!