JL's P.S. Fest 12/13/08

p.s. I think FishMama's idea of using ice cubes to water a tree is brilliant!

p.p.s. Jen's suggestion for an Exersaucer alternative looks great for families on the go!

p.p.p.s. I think Judy's craft idea for empty yogurt bottles is one of the cutest things I've ever seen!

p.p.p.p.s. Make sure you stop by all this next week and check out our Bloggy Progressive Dinner!!!

JL's P.S. Fest: 12/6/08

p.s. These Candy-Cane Cookies shared at A Simple Walk sound yummy and festive!

p.p.s. Amy's latest baby blanket that she knit up looks so cozy... I really need to get better at knitting!

p.p.p.s. This post on Simplifying Christmas over at Life As MOM was a great reminder to enjoy the season... without being preachy.

p.p.p.p.s. Happy 3rd Blogiversary (a day late) to Angie at Baby Cheapskate... hers was the first blog I EVER read! Excellent material over there... make sure you stop by with well-wishes for her!

p.p.p.p.p.s. Here's another great post on the beauty and simplicity of the Christmas season at Amy's Finer Things... great ideas!

p.p.p.p.p.p.s. I think the whole concept behind Style Klutz is brilliant! I really enjoyed her tips for walking in high heels this week!

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Happy St. Nicholas Day! Did you get any treats in your shoes this morning?

Where is JL's P.S. Fest 11/22/08?

Oh, I could answer that with a whole litany of excuses... my week was full of "transition" meetings and therapy for C, I caught an obnoxious "sneeze your brains out" kind of a cold germ, I actually got to go on a date with my husband last night and that fact clouded my brain...

But, really, in the end it comes down to this... I failed to copy fabulous links this week, even though I did read some great stuff. I'll do better!

In the meantime, if you didn't get a chance to catch this week's guest posts, I encourage you to do so. Four brave women with amazing, often dramatic, stories to share took the time to put together some great writing. These stories aren't all "sunshine and rainbows" but they show a lot of hope and determination and, for me, help me to count my own blessings. You can find them here, here, here, and here.

This upcoming week, I'll be:

• continuing "My Story..."
• sharing my granola bar recipe (by popular request)
• drawing the last basket winner
• asking for your help-- I have a car seat question!

JL's P.S. Fest: 11/15/08

p.s. Well, first and foremost, Happy Birthday to my daddy! Have a great one! (btw, when I asked A. what he wanted for Christmas the other day, he said- without hesitation- "Papa!" :))

p.p.s. This post over at Frugal Chick.net reminded me how much I adore this tool for cleaning my floors!

p.p.p.s. With my recent obsession with vinegar, I loved reading about this use for peroxide over at Here's the Diehl.

p.p.p.p.s. I love a good soup recipe... and the Apron Queen's looks like one I could whip up with what's on hand!

p.p.p.p.p.s. My boy adores a good cornbread... this one from Mimi's Jewel Box of Tips and Treasures has a nice festive touch!

p.p.p.p.p.p.s. These Christmas crafts shared by One Krusty Mama look like a great way to spend a chilly day with the kiddos...

What great links have you found interesting this week?

JL's P.S. Fest: 11/8/08

p.s. This site keeps us entertained on many a gloomy November day-- fabulous tracing pages!

p.p.s. This free 8" X 10" photo deal (which expires later today- hurry!!) at Walgreen's, shared by Heather, enabled me to get my hands on the portrait shown below in record time!

p.p.p.s. Since I wrote about using up Jello this past week and using up Kool-Aid a couple months ago, I like this recipe for play-dough from Lisa at As Thyme Goes Buy.

p.p.p.p.s. I spend a LOT of time in my apron! I find this toile bib apron at Rick Rack Attack absolutely adorable!

p.p.p.p.p.s. Like Lisa @ Blessed With Grace, we have enjoyed these fabulous board books for years!

(That's little C, second to the left, and our son all the way to the right- aren't they so cute hand-in-hand with all their cousins from their mommy's side??)

JL's P.S. Fest: 11/1/08

p.s. I'm excited to try these homemade dryer sheets shared at Cents To Get Debt-Free...

p.p.s. Erin's guest post on Getting Press for Your Blog found at blogcoach is chock-full of fantastic tips!

p.p.p.s. While it is not my choice, I found this post by Erin on daycare refreshing and insightful.

p.p.p.p.s. The other day I told you about my passion for Christmas decorations... Wildwood Mama's creative use of a tree-topper is something I'll have to think about!

p.p.p.p.p.s. Since I really don't like sweet potatoes, this recipe posted at Heavenly Homemakers may be just the ticket to work them in...

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I absolutely love all the fresh, great ideas I get from all of you! Thanks!

JL's P.S. Fest: 10/25/08

p.s. These Thai Turkey Tacos shared at Newlyweds! look like a nice change of pace!

p.p.s. On the topic of food, this Homemade Samplin' Platter looks dangerously delicious... good stuff happening over at A Simple Walk!

p.p.p.s. We've been stocking up on lots of free Jello and salsa thanks to this tip at Money Saving Mom!

p.p.p.p.s. I loved Matt's reflection on his little girl growing up over at The Playpen...

p.p.p.p.p.s. I love the idea of this DIY Stain Spray shared at Blue Castle... I make all my own household cleaners and need to venture into the laundry realm...

p.p.p.p.p.p.s. Jennifer's explanation of how she is able to stay home is great (Hint: Like most of us stay-at-home moms, she's not "lucky".)

JL's P. S. Fest 10/18/08

p.s. While I can't claim to always buy local or organic, I thought this cartoon shared by Candace was pretty thought-provoking...

p.p.s. This Pizza Braid recipe that Amy shared looks delicious... and beautiful!

p.p.p.s. As a Yankee who has lived in the South, Shannon's note to Yankees about the word "y'all" cracked me up...

p.p.p.p.s. These Bake-Ahead Egg Patties seem like sheer genius to me... thanks to Julie for sharing the idea!

p.p.p.p.p.s. No doubt about it, this Italian Cheese Bread recipe created by Tammy is my go-to dish for every family gathering I attend. Everyone loves it!

p.p.p.p.p.p.s. Don't forget to email me (micropreemies (at) yahoo (dot) com) if you're interested in writing a guest post to appear mid-November!

JL'S P.S. Fest 10/11/2008

p.s. These Peanut Butter Pear Muffins look different, but tasty! A good use for the masses of pears hanging from my tree right now...

p.p.s. Heather's sweeps listed over at Freebies 4 Mom have become my 4 pm tradition!

p.p.p.s. I absolutely adored Monica's idea for a Family Music Night. I know my kiddos would have a blast!

p.p.p.p.s. We may have to try this Orange Plunge-sicle recipe from Ryann since it's supposed to be in the mid-80's this weekend... HOT!

p.p.p.p.p.s. Jennifer F.'s reflection after Mass is a beautiful post that made me think...

JL's P.S. Fest: 10/4/08

p.s. Playing hot dog dress-up entertained my kids for a very long time! (It entertained me too...)

p.p.s. This Yoplait Giveaway hosted at Relishing the Dirt would be a good prize for both Mom and kids!

p.p.p.s. This is the pattern for the dish cloths I've been cranking out...

p.p.p.p.s. Amy's granola bars are a hit in this house! Check out how I grease the pan if you missed it on Tuesday...

p.p.p.p.p.s. I love Jennifer's way of celebrating the anniversary date of her preemie son's homecoming date as a special kind of birthday...

p.p.p.p.p.p.s. FishMama's muffin recipe is my new go-to berry muffin recipe. I even used it for my mother-in-law's blueberry birthday muffins!

p.p.p.p.p.p.p.s. (We will be having a blast having a picnic with Ryann's family today! Hopefully I'll get some pics of the two micropreemie girls together to share with you all.) edited: Boo hoo to the cold virus! No picnic today, but we have plans for a holiday baking extravaganza in the future...