I periodically like to pick some of my favorite Etsy items and post them.  Why?  1.  Because I love supporting other Work at Home Moms (not that I know that all these sellers are “moms”.. but you know what I mean.  2. I am just plain addicted to Etsy – what can I say! 

So here are my picks this week!

Handmade Wood Shelf with Vase Key Hooks

If you’ve visited my www.themenumom.com blog then you should know why I love this…   I adore that color!  I would totally buy this if I had somewhere to put it…But I don’t… so perhaps it will go live with one of you!

It’s time for our Blog Frog Community Round-Up!

Here’s what’s happening this week in our community
http://www.theblogfrog.com/581761/forum
Won’t you join us?

Do You Can?
http://www.theblogfrog.com/581761/forum/43033/do-you- can.html

Christmas in July – Gift for You
http://www.theblogfrog.com/581761/forum/42700/christmas-in-july—gift-for-you—only-until-july-31.html

Spaghetti Sauce Recipes
http://www.theblogfrog.com/581761/forum/42499/spaghetti-sauce-recipes.html

What’s for Dinner
http://www.theblogfrog.com/581761/forum/26247/whats-for-dinner-.html

Low Tax / Tax Free Back to School Shopping
http://www.theblogfrog.com/581761/forum/43031/low-tax—tax-free-back-to-school-shopping.html

Christine Steendahl
“The Menu Mom”

When I found this resource from Red Robin, I knew I had to share!  It is really good!  Included are of course some really fun recipes (created by kids) along with cooking with kids tips, and even stranger safety information to share with your kiddo’s.  This is a free resource you don’t want to miss!  

50 Gourmet Burger Creations From Kids Across the Country

Enjoy!

Christine

Have you hopped over to the Blog Frog Community yet?  Here’s what happening there this week:

Bridal Shower/BBQ Recipes & Ideas

Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes

Favorite Summer Salad Recipes

Meals to Take to Others

Your Most Desirable Recipe

How to Incorporate Your Kids Into the Kitchen

Traveling Meals – What To Take on a Trip

Of course you can also start your own topic as well.  We’d love to have you join us! 

Christine

I just found the best site – had to share!  If you ever have a friend in need and you would like to help by organizing meals, this is a really great FREE site!  You set up a calendar, notify friends/family, and it keeps everything organized. 

Being a part of a woman’s Bible Study Group, and a pastor’s wife, I find myself organizing meals for other families fairly often.  I can’t wait to use this service!  It will make it so much easier that emailing back and forth.  I hope you find it useful one day as well. 

http://www.takethemameal.com

C-

The catastrophic earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12th has resulted in unfathomable chaos and devastation for hundreds of thousands of children and families.  Thousands who didn’t lose their lives, lost everything else – I can not even come close to imagining.  I know there have been please everywhere to help.  Maybe you have already given, maybe you can not give, but maybe you just haven’t taken the moment to do so. 

Unfortunately, there are also those who take advantage of such situations, and it is hard to know where the best place is to donate.  The FBI is warning of several Haiti charity scams that have popped up in the wake of this earthquake. 
http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/wayoflife/01/13/haiti.charity.scams/
They are suggesting that donations only be made to organizations monitored and rated by CharityNavigator.org and The American Institute of Philanthropy.

Both of the above organizations have given Compassion International their highest approval ranking. Compassion International is the only non-profit in it’s category to receive eight consecutive years of four star rating from CharityNavigator.org.
Links regarding Compassion International’s financial integrity:
http://www.compassion.com/about/financial/default.htm
http://www.compassion.com/press/currentnews/charity-navigator-awards-compassion-highest-rating-8th-year-in-row.htm

Therefore, if you are looking for a safe place to give, Compassion International would be a great place. 

Oh my goodness, I could just scoop that little boy up!

HOW DONATIONS WILL BE USED: All funds raised in response to the Haiti earthquake will be used immediately to provide for Compassion-assisted children and families affected by this crisis. Any funds raised in excess will be stewarded by Compassion for additional and future disaster relief efforts.
You can provide immediate relief today.
• $35 helps provide a relief pack filled with enough food and water to sustain a family for one week.
• $70 gift helps care for their needs for two weeks.
• $105 helps provide relief packs filled with enough food and water to sustain two families for two weeks.
• $210 gift helps care for two families’ needs.
• $525 helps provide relief packs filled with enough food and water to sustain 10 families for two weeks.
• $1,050 gift helps care for 10 families’ needs.
• $1,500 helps rebuild a home.
• $2,100 helps supply 20 families with the basics for three weeks.

Compassion blog: http://blog.compassion.org
Compassion on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/compassionintl
Crisis Update Page: 
http://www.compassion.com/sponsordonor/crisisupdates/crisis-advisory-earthquake-hits-haiti.htm

C-

With New Year’s Eve approaching, drunk driving always comes to the top of my head.  It seems particularly in our area, it is an issue.  Whenever our family goes out walking, there are always several beer cans & cases on the side of the road – it really is a sad issue. 

Let’s be dedicated to being safe this year! 

In all honesty, I don’t drink – never have, probably never will – it’s just not something I choose to do.  I’m just as happy with a mocktail – Pina Colada please!  However, the majority of our friends do drink, and I don’t have a problem with a drink or two.  I do have a problem with excessive drinking and with drinking and driving.

In 2008, nearly 12,000 people in the U.S. were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes – and during the periods around Christmas and New Year’s, this number was particularly high, with 316 people killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes.  In 2007, 162,493 women were arrested for a DUI, an increase of almost 29% since 1998.  You can’t help but wonder if lives could have been saved if people thought twice before getting behind the wheel.

Take a look at Emily’s Story:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) and the Ad Council are asking everyone to drive smart this holiday season and to pledge not to drive buzzed.  You can also play an interactive game which demonstrates the difference between buzzed and drunk.  You can also follow Buzzed Driving on Twitter and Facebook. 

While at holiday events, it’s easy to lose track of a drink here or there – but this can be fatal.  This holiday season, please keep you and your family safe.

Have a safe and happy New Year, and remember that buzzed driving IS drunk driving.

C-

YUMMY! 

It’s Christmas Cookie Baking Season! I just love homemade Christmas Cookies – It is nice to have an assortment sitting out on Christmas day for friends & family and it is also fun to take a plate over to your neighbors or co-workers. Nothing beats a simple, cost-effective gift that comes from the heart! This year Susanne, “The Hillbilly Housewife” is hosting a virtual cookie exchange that I didn’t want you to miss! I shared a couple of my favorite recipes for it, and there are a few others I just can’t wait to try! Such as: Aunt Bab’s Tiny Green Wreaths & Fudgie Buddies – those two look like nice easy ones the kids would like to help with!

Head on over to the Virtual Cookie Exchange to see what kind of goodies you find! There is bound to be a new favorite waiting for you!  Let me know what looks yummy to you!

C-

Hey, I just got word that there is an opportunity to win a Zhu Zhu Pet tonight if you are interested.  I thought I would mention it since I just wrote about them a couple days ago.  Here are the details:

Don’t forget to take part in the #ZhuZhuPets Twitter party tonight! You and your kids will have a blast tweeting about the hottest toy out there.

Zhu Zhu Pets™/MomSelect Twitter Party

Date: TODAY! Monday, November 9, 2009
Time: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. EST
Location: #ZhuZhuPets
Host: @MomTalkRadio (Maria Bailey, Founder of MomSelect)
During the jam-packed Zhu Zhu fest, we’ll be giving away over 25 Zhu Zhu Pets™ hamsters, as well as awesome habitrail pieces and accessories.  Kids are welcome to tweet alongside Mom!
For those of you new to Twitter, here are some tips on attending:

1. If you don’t already have a Twitter account, sign up for one at Twitter.com. It’s extremely simple and a great way to connect with other moms and Zhu Zhu Pet fans.
2. Make sure you are following the party hosts- @momtalkradio, @resourcefulmom
3. Follow the instructions tweeted out by the party hosts to enter the contests and participate in the scavenger hunt
4. Keep up with the conversation by searching for the party hashtag #zhuzhupets and make sure you include it in your tweets as well.
5. Grab your little ones and chime in about what you love about Zhu Zhu Pets!
6. Have fun!!

Let us know you’re coming by clicking HERE to RSVP. Your registration will count as an additional entry to win a Zhu Zhu Pet™ hamster and fun accessory! And because we know that you do a great job of spreading the word, tweet the details of the party until 7 p.m. today for additional entries.
We’re so excited to party with you and your family! Feel free to contact Amy@bsmmedia.com with any questions.

Warm Regards,
Your Friends at MomSelect.com and Zhu Zhu Pets™

We’re going to try to stop in – maybe I’ll see you there!

C-

My good friend, Susanne, is the owner of the Hillbilly Housewife.  She just told me this morning about something spectacular she is offering her newsletter subscribers – we’re talking REALLY good!  But you have to be a subscriber!  I don’t want you to miss out, so please quickly head over there and sign-up.  The newsletter subscription box is on the left side of the page near the top.  Have fun!

C-