3 in 30 Challenge- June update and July goals

In June I accomplished these 3 goals:

1. I finished the quilt for my daughter.    2. Clean up the laundry room area.

Before!

AFTER!  :)

3. I found 4 good freezer meal recipes, but did not make them as I originally planned because I'm waiting for some ingredients from the garden. But I made a new recipe plan!  Here are my goals for July:  1. I need to write some thank you cards and some letters to MAIL!2.I'm going to clean up the back door area and desk.  Plants will stay, but it will look neater (I hope!).

3.I'm going to workout 15 days this month with my new DVD coming- Jillian's 30 Day Shred.  Yikes!  I've never done her workouts before. I am so excited about the things that I'm accomplishing here in the 3 in 30 challenge. If you are not part of this group, then think about 3 things you want to do and do them. We are here to encourage you on your journey!

8 Weeks to a Less Cluttered Home by Keeper of the Home

I've been meaning to tell you about this all week. Stephanie at Keeper of the Home has a great challenge that I'm taking. If you know me, I love to clean and I am always ready for a cleaning challenge if it will help enhance my life! So for 40 days or 8 weeks Stephanie has made an easy way to declutter your home.  Go to Keeper of the Home and download the free printable for the 8 week challenge.  Basically, spend 30 minutes a day in one area each day and get rid of 10 things.  By the end of 40 days, you will have done a lot of decluttering and have 400 less things!  Ha, I look forward to the transformation.  I will be on vacation for a week in there, but I might double up some days.  Will you join too?  It starts Monday, July2.

Check out all the encouragement on  Facebook.
.

MadeOn Lotion- FREE shipping!

Now is your chance to try some products from MadeOn Lotion!  Renee has a unique product that is a hard lotion bar that melts in your hands and makes your skin so smooth.  I just ordered my first BeeSilk Lotion Bar and I am ecstatic to receive it!  So look around and see what products you want to try and order today.  Enter "freeship" for free shipping until Sunday night!

Coupon Code: freeship

Ends: Sunday, June 24

Click here- MadeOn Lotion

Simply Orange Juice Company Review

  

I was so excited to try the new flavors from Simply Orange-Simply Cranberry Cocktail and Simply Lemonade with Mango.  I was very pleased with the taste of both of these juices.  I really like the twist of adding mango to lemonade which made it more sweet than tart.  The cranberry cocktail also had a very fresh and delightful flavor.  I liked that I could use the smaller size to bring with me in the car as I go on many errands around town.  But I would have to say my favorite was the Simply Lemonade with Mango.

Simply Orange has a great website that gives lots of information on each of their products and even some recipes to try.  Simply Orange is a company that makes all their juices not from concentrate so they have the freshest and most natural taste.  These juices are quality products that are available in grocery stores.  Be sure to snag one for your summer fun today!

Simply Cranberry Cocktail and Simply Lemonade with Mango are premium juice drinks that are made with all-natural ingredients and use only not-from-concentrate juices. They’re perfect to share while entertaining friends and family or to enjoy when stealing a moment just for you!

The new beverages are available nationwide in the chilled section of the grocery store, and sold in the iconic 59 oz. Simply carafe. Simply Cranberry Cocktail is also available as a 13.5 fl. oz. single serve size to be enjoyed on busy, on-the-go days.

Simply Cranberry Cocktail sets a new standard in great cranberry taste by starting with not-from-concentrate cranberry juice.  As the sole nationally available brand to do so, it can only be found in the chilled section of the grocery store to ensure its natural, fresh cranberry flavor. With its deep red color and just the right balance of sweetness and tartness, the taste of Simply Cranberry Cocktail is deliciously distinct.

 Simply Lemonade with Mango mixes the sweet, smooth taste of mangoes with the delicious taste of Simply Lemonade to create a great new flavor combination. This new twist on an all-time favorite is sure to please palates of all ages.

 

Find Simply Orange:

Website: Simply Orange Juice Company

Facebook: Simply Orange

 

 

*This product was provided to me by coupons free of charge by Simply Orange Juice Company for the  purpose of this review. This is my honest opinion of this product and no monetary compensation was received for my opinion.*
 

 

 

 

 

My Foundation Music Review from Vineyard Worship and Giveaway!

This album has a rich sound that is sure to capture the hearts of students and set them on fire for God.  The songs are relevant to the character of God and how students need to seek Him for everything.  The music is exciting and entertaining, but with a strong message that points to God.  I love that there are many different artists that perform on this album. I think it gives variety, but also sends the message that they are unified in sharing the Good News about the one true God. 

About the album:
MY FOUNDATION was recorded LIVE at the Cultivation Generation conference. The mission of this conference is to connect students with a powerful worship experience that is rooted in bringing people together for the purpose of sending them out.

Cultivation Generation was founded by Jeremiah Carlson, who is also the lead singer and songwriter of The Neverclaim which is featured on the album. Other contributors include notable Vineyard worship leaders and songwriters Anabeth Morgan, Stephen Lampert, David Linhart and Jesse Meyer.  

Website: www.vineyardworship.com 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DiscoverVineyard

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/vineyardmusic

iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/preorder/cultivation-generation-live/id519159951

Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/vineyardmusic/featured

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Win it:  I am having a giveaway for this download music album.  Open to anyone and giveaway ends Tuesday, June 26.  

To enter: Be sure to click on all the links before filling out the entry form.

1.(NEW)  Make a comment about my review in the comments below (you must then fill out the entry form for your entry to be counted!)

2. Be a follower on my blog

3. Subscribe to my blog by email (link on blog)

4."Like" The Knowlton Nest on Facebook (link on my blog). 

5. Post about this giveaway on another site (your blog, facebook,twitter, etc) (1 entry for every site- see share buttons below) 

Entry for Music Download of My Foundation

A Recipe Plan!

Are you like me?  Do you find tons of great recipes from all over the web and flit about feeling no closer to using good recipes than when you started?  Well, I have a plan!  I'm so excited.  I love recipes and I love cooking, but I can never get organized to use the recipes that I find.  I end up making the same things over and over.

Here is my plan:

Week 1- Find all the recipe sites that I use and bookmark them using Pinterest.

Have you used Pinterest yet?  I just love it.  I use it mostly for bookmarking great recipes, teaching ideas and more.  It really is handy!

Week 2 and following- Spend one week on each website browsing, bookmarking and possibly making some recipes!  I'm going to try to organize them on my Pinterest board according to type of food like main meal, snacks, dessert, breakfast, etc.

I also have a ton of recipe ebooks that I need to browse as well.  Someday I will get something organized!

I hope to keep you updated as I go through this journey!

My first stop will be Finding Joy in My Kitchen: I just drool everytime I click to her site!

Source: joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com via Shonda on Pinterest

Booking It: June 2012

 

 For the past month I have been slowing down my reading because I have a lot of other things that I'm trying to accomplish. However, at this moment I have my nose in 4 books, but I only finished one this last month!

I'm hooked up with Life As Mom.

Hiding God's Word- John 1:1-14 (Vlog)

I am still amazed at how quickly and easily I am able to memorize God's Word. I found that this particular passage was very good to know as it explains clearly that Jesus is God and he came to earth to save people, but people rejected him. But for those who received him he gave them the right to be children of God.  I was at a seminar this weekend and the speaker said that we are either a friend or enemy of God.  Which would you like to be?

John 1:1-14

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Word Became Flesh

1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³  All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴  In him was life,^[a] and the life was the light of men. ⁵  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. ⁸  He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
⁹  The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹ He came to his own,^[b] and his own people^[c] did not receive him. ¹² But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, ¹³ who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

I am linked up with Do Not Depart.

Summer Fit Learning Book Review and Giveaway!

Summer Fit     Preschool to Kindergarten: Prepare Preschoolers Mentally, Physically and Socially for Kindergarten is the perfect answer to keeping kids busy, active and current as they go throughout their summer.  Summer Fit helps to "prepare children mentally, physically and socially for the grade ahead."  This resource is based on national standards and is teacher recommended.

Summer Fit provides a 10 week program that includes reading, writing, math, fitness, nutrition and values.  There are also additional online resources for book reports and educational games at www.summerfitlearning.com.  Each week begins with an overview of what your child will learn that week academically (reading, writing, math) , physically (exercise and sports) , and socially (values).  There is also an incentive contract that allows the child to a make a goal to work for.  And there are boxes to check off for each day for the three areas of mind, body and values.  Each day takes about 20-30 minutes and it's fun!  There are a great variety of activities and so many ideas that your child will not even realize they are learning.

The SUMMER FIT workbook series aims to create fun learning experiences to help children retain and carry over knowledge from the previous school year. Additionally, by presenting a “whole body” approach with lessons and activities that focus on the body and the brain, Summer Fit helps parents and children capitalize on the mental and social benefits of physical exercise. “Summer should be a time for children to step away from their computers and televisions and exercise their brains and bodies naturally,” says series creator George Starks. “Kids should reconnect with themselves, their families and their friends on a personal level. They should be outside playing, but also brushing up on academic skills from the previous year, or those that they may find more challenging than others. They should also read and apply other classroom skills in enjoyable and entertaining ways.”

I was able to review the P-K level.  I noticed that the workbook started off easy and moved to more challenging near the end, but kept a steady upward learning curve that would not frustrate your child.  The activities are interesting, fun and educational.  Your child will not only review reading, writing and math, but will also add fitness, nutrition and values.  All the fitness ideas are easy to do, but help kids get moving.  I especially like the "Just for Fun" boxes with extra activities to do like measuring things around the house.   As a former teacher and now a mother, I would recommend keeping your kids fresh with learning during the summer with Summer Fit.  There are workbooks available for P-5.

Be sure to visit Summer Fit Learning on Facebook.



*This book was provided to me free of charge by Media Guests for purpose of this review. This is my honest opinion of this book and no monetary compensation was received for my opinion.*



Win it:  I will be giving one of these Summer Fit Learning books away (winner's choice of grade level).    Open to US and giveaway ends Wednesday, June 13.

To enter: Be sure to click on all the links before filling out the entry form.

1.(NEW)  Make a comment about what grade level you would like from Summer Fit Learning (P-K, K-1, 1-2, 2-3, 3-4 or 4-5) in the comment section below (you must then fill out the entry form for your entry to be counted!)(required)

2. "Like" Summer Fit Learning on Facebook. (required)

3. Be a follower on my blog

4. Subscribe to my blog by email (link on blog)

5."Like" The Knowlton Nest on Facebook (link on my blog). 

6. Post about this giveaway on another site (your blog, facebook, twitter, etc) (1 entry for every site- see share buttons below) 

DON'T FORGET- fill out the entry form after making a comment!  Comments only count if you have filled out the entry form.

Entry for Summer Fit Learning

 

Apple Valley Natural Soap Giveaway!

  I just love soap and Apple Valley Natural Soap is having another giveaway for a $50 gift certificate!  Go to Apple Valley Natural Soap to enter. Giveaway ends June 6 at midnight.

3 in 30 Challenge- May update and June Goals

So in May I accomplished all 3 of my goals, but I have to admit that I did them in the last two weeks!  I really wanted to get these done because I have NEW goals for June!

1.So, I sewed together all of my squares and here is the finished block.  My goal for June is to finish the quilt!

2.  I went through my ugly pile of recipe books and wrote down 30 recipes (on cards) that I can easily access.  I want to also make a Google Doc with all my recipes, but that will be another time.  At least now I have some recipes that I can work with instead of trying to sift through a pile of papers!

3. I cleaned and organize my bathroom. I spent one morning and took everything out and threw a bunch of garbage and recycling away.  It is much better.  Now I can remember to use up some of the fun trial sizes!

Before

I know it doesn't look like much of a change, but I was able to put things together in a more orderly fashion.

After

June Goals: 

1. It's time to clean up the laundry area!  I have so many products that I forget what I have.  Time to organize it.

2. As I said earlier I need to finish my baby quilt! I have to put on a border and backing and stitch it up. I haven't done this in SO long! I'm just winging it with my own pattern, but using this as a guide:

Source: blessingsoverflowing.com via Shonda on Pinterest

3. My goal is to make 4 freezer meals this month. I'm going to use ideas from Money Saving Mom and Pinterest.  I am trying to get more lunches and dinners in there.  I love cooking!