DIY Winter Wreaths

Ideas for what to hang on the front door now!

Source: wildallium.co.uk via Mikki on Pinterest

     This will probably be the winner since I already seem to have many of the supplies.

Source: google.com via Mikki on Pinterest

      The post that accompanies this tutorial is quite cute to read!

Source: threepugsandababy.com via Mikki on Pinterest

     Hilarious blog post!

Source: sadiepriss.blogspot.com via Mikki on Pinterest

     Really elegant, but I'm not sure how easy it would be to find the supplies.

Source: teachcraftlove.blogspot.com via Mikki on Pinterest

     This is not a tutorial, but I love the idea that it is also a house number display.

Source: teachcraftlove.blogspot.com via Mikki on Pinterest

      I think this one is my favorite. So pretty!

What do you think? I'd love to see or hear your ideas too.

I need "Google+ for Dummies!"

It was easy enough to join up, easy enough to create a fan page. But I for one am having a really difficult time with the transition from GFC to Google Plus!

For one thing, I love my Google Reader, and I actually scan the posts that come up on my iGoogle widget. However, there is no similar widget for G+ (there is a G+ widget, but it doesn't function as a stream). Therefore, in order to read the stream of posts from those whose circles I follow, I'll need to visit Google Plus in addition to my iGoogle page. I can't see myself doing that on a daily basis.

Also, I noticed that you lovely folks who clicked my G+ widget and placed me in your circles appear to be absent from mine, even though I specifically remembered "circling you." After hours of trial and error and google investigation, I think I have an explanation. I currently have it set up for you to put "Mom's Best Nest" fan page in your circles. If I follow you back while on that page, I can put you in my Mom's Best Nest fan page circles. However, if I do it while visiting your page and clicking YOUR G+ button, I end up adding you to my personal G+ account, Mikki Atmomsbestnest. ARRRRR...

I am seriously considering deleting the fan page and simply directing everyone to my personal G+ page. The thing is, it's so new, that I really can't tell what the implications of that would be. There's VERY little help to be found by Googling, too. Or I might scrap the fan page and start over if I find there's a better way to do it. I've also thought of creating another email to use just for subscribing via RSS feeds, sort of like my own reader, and forgetting about Google Plus altogether.(sigh)

In the meantime, if you hear of a "Google Plus for Dummies" tutorial, please send it my way!

Flock Together Blog Hop 12/27

Welcome to the Flock Together Tuesday Blog Hop!

No rules! This is a button list, but you DON'T NEED to have a button to participate! Linky Tools will create one for you in a couple of easy steps. Simply...

1. Click on "Click here to enter" at the bottom of this post and follow the Linky Tools directions. In step 4, I recommend selecting "Auto Crop" and "From Web."
2. Click through the blogs and follow the ones you love in whatever manner you prefer (Google+, RSS, GFC, Twitter, Facebook, etc.). Kindly pass on the ones you don't.

If this is all new to you, click here. If your goal is to find friends and gain followers, may I recommend that you also:

• Set a goal to find and follow a minimum number of blogs that interest you.
• Check back throughout the day to visit late entries They just may be your cup of tea!
• Leave a comment if you follow, and consider following back those who follow you.

This week's "Fine Feathered Friend" and guest host is

I started this blog to share the crafts and other activities I do with the girls. I have since expanded my blog to include books we read, recipes and working in the kitchen with the girls, science observations, photo challenges, blog hops, giveaway opportunity information and linkys, and free information that I feel will be of interest to other homeschooling moms/moms of young children. I enjoy linking up to various blog memes and carnivals, sharing with others and gathering great ideas to use with the girls. I have just recently ventured into the realm of reviews and giveaways. READ MORE >>

My Christmas Prayer for You

Source: Creationswap

Lord,

fill our hearts with

JOY

for the hope that Your birth brought to mankind,

LOVE

for You, family, friends and strangers, and 

PEACE

that enables us to resist greed and striving during this season.

Amen

Merry Christmas!

Barely Homemade Cookie Recipes: Quick and Easy

Christmas baking got pushed to the last minute this year! Blessedly, I found these recipes on Pinterest that made preparing Christmas treats a breeze and provided great fun as my 3 year old and I made them. I was too rushed to manage a "photo shoot," but you can click the link below the pictures to go to the recipes.

BONNIE STICKS

Source: javacupcake.com via Mikki on Pinterest

http://javacupcake.com/2010/11/chocolate-dipped-pretzel-rods/

Ok, I've renamed these in honor of my Grandma Bonnie! On many a road trip, the following scene would unfold...

1. At the initial fill-up, Grandma would go into the convenience store and purchase a fairly large assortment of snacks.
2. Once the trip began, she'd dig out a snack, perhaps salt and vinegar potato chips. After munching a while, she'd put them away and enjoy the scenery.
3. Within 15 minutes or so, she'd say, "I need something sweet to get this salty taste out of my mouth," and she'd dig in her little treasure store for some candy. Eventually, she'd pack it up and resume sightseeing.
4. Shortly thereafter, we'd hear her say, "I need something salty to get this sweet taste out of my mouth."

It was quite humorous to us! Oh, how I love her. Anyway, I was thinking as I made these that no matter which end she starts eating, her snacking needs are covered! I can hardly wait to share these with her!

ROLO TURTLES

Source: twigandthistle.com via Mikki on Pinterest

http://www.twigandthistle.com/blog/2009/04/homemade-turtles/

I'm afraid I've given away the secret to these barely homemade cookies! Please click the picture (here and on Pinterest when it takes you there) so that the author of the original post gets credit. One bag of Rolos made over 4 dozen cookies! I advise placing the newly-made cookies in the frig until they harden back up. Way too good and way too easy!

Mr. Bean's Christmas Fun - LOL!

Flock Together Blog Hop 12/20

Welcome to the Flock Together Tuesday Blog Hop!

No rules! This is a button list, but you DON'T NEED to have a button to participate! Linky Tools will create one for you in a couple of easy steps. Simply...

1. Click on "Click here to enter" at the bottom of this post and follow the Linky Tools directions. In step 4, I recommend selecting "Auto Crop" and "From Web."
2. Click through the blogs and follow the ones you love in whatever manner you prefer (Google+, RSS, GFC, Twitter, Facebook, etc.). Kindly pass on the ones you don't.

If this is all new to you, click here. If your goal is to find friends and gain followers, may I recommend that you also:

• Set a goal to find and follow a minimum number of blogs that interest you.
• Check back throughout the day to visit late entries They just may be your cup of tea!
• Leave a comment if you follow, and consider following back those who follow you.

This week's "Fine Feathered Friend" and guest host is Dawn at

(CLICK HERE)

I am a mother of two beautiful boys. I am the wife to the most amazing man, a daughter to a wonderful Mom, a sister to two dysfuctional brothers, an aunt to five, & a friend (I think)! I love my children, my Sweetheart, my family & God. & I continuously thank God for my many blessings. READ MORE>>

Flock Together Blog Hop 12/13

Welcome to the Flock Together Tuesday Blog Hop!

No rules! This is a button list, but you DON'T NEED to have a button to participate! Linky Tools will create one for you in a couple of easy steps. Simply...

1. Click on "Click here to enter" at the bottom of this post and follow the Linky Tools directions. In step 4, I recommend selecting "Auto Crop" and "From Web."
2. Click through the blogs and follow the ones you love in whatever manner you prefer (Google+, RSS, GFC, Twitter, Facebook, etc.). Kindly pass on the ones you don't.

If this is all new to you, click here. If your goal is to find friends and gain followers, may I recommend that you also:

• Set a goal to find and follow a minimum number of blogs that interest you.
• Check back throughout the day to visit late entries They just may be your cup of tea!
• Leave a comment if you follow, and consider following back those who follow you.

This week's "Fine Feathered Friend" and guest host is Sarah at

I am a 21 year old wanna-be Southern Belle. I was born in North Carolina, raised in Alabama, then transplanted back in North Carolina by my Marine Corps Veteran husband. We have been married for a little over 2 years now. I'm a little old fashioned, but with a modern twist. I do not have any children, yet, but I do have one very cute, cuddly fur baby. I am almost finished with my Associates degree after almost four years of college? I try not to think about it... The worst part, I really have no intention of being a career woman. Don't get me wrong, I work to support my family as much as possible, and that's what the degree is for, but my ultimate goal in life is to have beautiful babies and raise them. Call it instinct? A need to pro-create? haha.. But anyway.. luckily, I have found myself a husband that believes the man is supposed to provide for his family. I like to coupon, not so much in the extreme sense, but I like catching a good deal. I like saving money. I'd rather find a cute top at good will than a cute top at Belk. Did you know, sometimes you will find things at goodwill that still have the tags on them? Okay, I'm drifting.. back to the subject... I like to pretend that I am creative, so you might see me getting a little crafty, or doing things myself (DIY?) I like to pretend I'm a good cook, so occasionally you might see me post a good recipe I've found and mastered. Oh, and beyond babies, my ultimate goal right now is to lose weight. I'm about 75 pounds too fat, and I'd like to be down to about 150 pounds. I struggle daily with avoiding chinese food and mountain dew, so this is a work-in-progress. Thanks for reading this, and I hope that you will stick around to learn more about me! READ MORE >>

Flock Together Blog Hop 12/6

Welcome to the Flock Together Tuesday Blog Hop!

No rules! This is a button list, but you DON'T NEED to have a button to participate! Linky Tools will create one for you in a couple of easy steps. Simply...

1. Click on "Click here to enter" at the bottom of this post and follow the Linky Tools directions. In step 4, I recommend selecting "Auto Crop" and "From Web."
2. Click through the blogs and follow the ones you love in whatever manner you prefer (Google+, RSS, GFC, Twitter, Facebook, etc.). Kindly pass on the ones you don't.

If this is all new to you, click here. If your goal is to find friends and gain followers, may I recommend that you also:

• Set a goal to find and follow a minimum number of blogs that interest you.
• Check back throughout the day to visit late entries They just may be your cup of tea!
• Leave a comment if you follow, and consider following back those who follow you.

This week's "Fine Feathered Friend" and guest host is Angela from

I was a wife. Now I’m a girlfriend. I am a mom. Now I am also a grandma. I used to prepare taxes, now I sell insurance. I like Harley’s, but own a Mustang. also like to recycle and try to take care of our world, so there is something here for my grandkids to enjoy later. I enjoy my life with my family and friends. We play games, work on puzzles, plant things, read books, watch movies, plan trips, find good places to eat, and fun places to go. Oh, and a few things I don’t like to do. I don’t like to cook. I am not a shopper either. I’m not a morning person, but being a responsible working woman I am up and on my job first thing Monday – Friday. I do like Saturday morning yard sales, but you will find me closing them down instead of starting them up. I love the "Put it all in a bag for a dollar” offers you get when everyone is hot and tired and ready to close down. READ MORE >>

50 lbs in 3 Months: Nicole's DIY Weight-Loss Plan

Before 

After

My friend, Nicole is a real inspiration, having lost 50 pounds in approximately three months! This is her story.

Nicole's weight problem was primarily the result of the emotional toll of four miscarriages. The weight eventually affected her mobility and caused foot pain. Her doctor advised that she wear foot braces to deal with the problem and indicated that surgery may be inevitable. Dissatisfied with either option, she decided to see if losing weight would help alleviate the problem.

I was under the impression that  Nicole had followed a plan prescribed by her doctor, but it turns out that she did this all by herself. She decided to apply the same guidelines she used feeding her daughter to feeding herself. She thought, "If I wouldn't allow my daughter to eat half of a bag of Oreos, then I probably shouldn't either."

Here are the nuts and bolts of her program:

• PORTION CONTROL: She serves herself her meals on her daughter's toddler's plates in order to control the portion sizes.
• WATER, WATER, and more WATER: She tries to drink a glass of water before each meal. She also fights temptations by drinking water and sips between each bite.
• FRUITS & VEGGIES: While not limited to fruits and vegetables, she allows herself to eat as much of them as she likes.  
• CUT IT OFF AT 6 PM: She stops eating around 6 PM.
• INDULGE ON LIMITED OCCASIONS: She allows herself to eat a small portion of her favorite indulgences on occasion.
• NO EXERCISE: She isn't adamant about this, but did mention that her weight loss occurred without additional exercise.

Nicole has lost over 50 pounds in the last three months. She no longer has trouble walking and enjoys being more active with her daughter. She's very humble about the entire experience and only discusses it if asked. I truly wish that you could have seen the radical metamorphosis my colleagues and I have witnessed. Using what little I knew about the plan before this interview, I have lost 3 pounds, and that was over Thanksgiving! Now that I know the entire "program," I am looking forward to letting the weight melt off me too :)