Blogger’s Favorite Things Giveaway!!
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Blogger’s Favorite Things Giveaway!!

ByMariel

After the smashing success of last year’s Favorite Things Giveaway, we are back for another round. That’s right-we have gathered up our favorite things to give away, and YOU have the opportunity to win them! Not only is this giveaway a fantastic way to drum up gift ideas for anyone and everyone on your list this year, it is a great Wish List Idea Generator for yourself as well. Every single giveaway basket is chock full of fabulous, tried-and-true, favorites and gift ideas. Even if it’s a treat, always fun to give to a friend with a note that says, “Enjoy one of my favorites” for Christmas, birthdays, or just because.

Come check out my Favorite Things Basket, enter to win it, AND enter to win baskets from all of my bloggy friends!

Everyone is Special ~ November 2013 Inspiration
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Everyone is Special ~ November 2013 Inspiration

ByMariel

Happy Sunday!!

I just finished reading a wonderful book to my kids. Have you heard of the book, Wonder by R.J. Palacio? I really had no idea what to expect from it, just that it must be good, with thousands of five-star reviews. Turns out, we loved it too! It’s the story of a young boy, with a serious facial deformity. He has avoided public schools, up until the 5th grade, when he hesitantly decides he’s ready to give it a shot. As expected, there are some rough moments for him, and some moments that are downright horrible. But, the book is filled with tender moments and great examples of love.

Contributor Spotlight and ‘Your Great Idea’ Link Party

Contributor Spotlight and ‘Your Great Idea’ Link Party

ByMariel

On Saturdays, I’m spotlighting the wonderful contributors I have here at ‘Or so she says…’. I really, really love my gals. They’re all super talented and great to work with, so it’s easy to brag about them.

Today, I want you to meet Jana. She cooks and blogs with her daughter, Kyla, and they make a fabulous team. Every once in a while you find a certain blogger that seems to have similar taste buds as you. Jana is one of them. Click ‘full article’ to read all about her, check out the great ideas from the link party, and share a few of your own!

Soft Pretzels www.oneshetwoshe.com
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Bonnie’s 4-Ingredient Soft Pretzels

ByMariel

So, I recently shared a recipe for Broccoli Cheese Soup and I promised that I would share the soft pretzel recipe that was in the picture. Today’s the day. I’ve already bragged about my sister-in-law, Bonnie, who is one of the many that supply me with delicious recipes, but this is another one of hers. (Other Bonnie recipes: Gingerbread Crumb Cake, Favorite Cinnamon Rolls, and Death by Special K) I first had these soft pretzels at a family gathering. She served them with a big pot of soup, and I had to have the recipe… along with everyone else. I love how there are only four ingredients and they’re all things I have on hand. Plus, the kids loved helping out on this one, shaping their own pretzel, painting on melted butter, salting…

adoption tips

My 6 Tips for Finding the Right Adoption Agency (she: Brenda)

ByMariel

When we started to look at adoption as a way to build our family we sought out people we trusted. First, it was my friend who had just adopted her second child. She had been through the whole thing twice and I knew she could help Brad and I start this exciting journey the right way. She talked to us about the agency she went through. We felt comfortable with this agency and even more comfortable hearing her experiences so we began (this was in 1998). Not soon before we started the adoption process, an agency wide group was being formed to help support couples as they adopt.

Contributor Spotlight and ‘Your Great Idea’ Link Party

Contributor Spotlight and ‘Your Great Idea’ Link Party

ByMariel

For the next several Saturdays, I’m spotlighting the wonderful contributors I have here at ‘Or so she says…’.  I really, really love my gals.  They’re all super talented and great to work with, so it’s easy to brag about them. Previous Brags: Cathy of Lemon Tree Dwelling, Brooke from Blissful Roots, Lauren from The Thinking…

family traditions
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Family Tradition Ideas ~ Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas (she: Mel)

ByMariel

Hello! I’m Mel from So Festive! and today I’m going to share with you my favorite holiday traditions for the Fall and Winter.

Traditions are a great way to create wonderful family memories and to break up the monotony of everyday life. Traditions will give you and your families something to look forward to. And you know what? They don’t have to be elaborate, expensive, or complicated.

Here are some of my favorite family tradition ideas:

halloween music

A Teacher’s Favorite Music for Halloween (she: Teresa)

ByMariel

As I have been making lesson plans, I thought about all of you! Many are moms, aunts, grandmas, maybe even sister’s to younger siblings. No matter what, most of us have young children somewhere in our lives so I thought I would share some of my musical knowledge with you! I love to try out my songs on my little nieces and nephews to see what they think first!

I love it when my students get excited about the classical music I play for them. I always play something for them when they walk into my class and then when I am finished they tell me how it made them feel or what it made them think of. This is great for kids because sometimes it helps them to express emotion and it also gets their imaginations working! Afterward I tell them a little about the piece.

Contributor Spotlight and ‘Your Great Idea’ Link Party

Contributor Spotlight and ‘Your Great Idea’ Link Party

ByMariel

Ruthie is a force to be reckoned with in the food blog world. She’s kinda quiet, super-duper-duper nice, thoughtful, generous, and all those good things. When it comes to blogging, improving her skills, and getting the job done, she is on fire. She could already cook like a rock-star to begin with, but THEN she goes and signs herself up for culinary school! I admire that. She knows how to cook a mean dish, but at the same time, she is a mom of many and considers health and family friendliness in her recipes.

Come read more about my lovely contributor, Ruthie (and my favorite recipes from her blog!) and check out this week’s link party (and my top picks!)…

My New Favorite App: Remembary

My New Favorite App: Remembary

ByMariel

When I was little I used to write in my journal all the time. I think I filled up like seven of them. Then I got married, had kids, and sadly I stopped journaling. It’s always been one of those thing that bums me out. I really want to do it but just can’t seem to find a quiet moment or the time to squeeze it in. I’ve always believed that keeping a journal is an awesome form of therapy, which I clearly need. But also, I would love for my posterity to have the option of learning about my life, family, and crazy thoughts. I’ve been getting into family history lately, learning about my ancestors, and how neat would it be if I had a journal from each one! Being realistic with myself, I know that at this time of my life, I will probably not find the time to put pen to paper on a regular basis. BUT, I found a favorite app that I super-duper love, that is making journaling easy for me.

Broccoli Cheese Soup www.oneshetwoshe.com
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Broccoli Cheese Soup

ByMariel

So, this recipe has actually been shared on the blog before. I’ve been trying to go through some of my old ones with super crappy pictures and update them, so they actually LOOK good, besides just taste good. I recently updated a great recipe for Chicken Alfredo. Today it’s our favorite Broccoli Cheese Soup. I love making this soup for several reason… 1. I love soup. 2. I love broccoli. 3. I love cheese. 4. It uses REAL cheese. 5. It’s delicious. Five good reasons, I would say. And, now is the perfect time to bust out those soup recipes. Be sure to add this to your collection! (Oh, and 4-ingredient pretzel recipe to come!)

Halloween Ghost Pancakes (she: Michelle)

Halloween Ghost Pancakes (she: Michelle)

ByMariel

Hi everyone! I’m so honored to be here guest posting on Or so she says!! Thank you to Mariel for inviting me! My name is Michelle and I blog over at Creative Food. My blog is all about presenting food in a fun and creative way for my daughter, Eliana.

Today I’m sharing this fun and easy breakfast I made for Eliana: Halloween Ghost Pancakes!! We love to make fun shaped pancakes in our house. My daughter absolutely loves them and she loves to help mix the batter and watch everything come together! While they might look difficult to make, they are actually not too difficult and whenever I have some extra time I enjoy making her some fun shaped pancakes. We recently made Candy Corn shaped pancakes and I decided why not make some more simple Halloween pancakes for her.