This Mom's Confessions

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The Christmas Season Is Upon Us Wrap-Up

Filed Under: Thankful Things Tagged With: , , , ,

Happy Saturday all and here we are in the middle of December.  Christmas is only in a little over 2 weeks from now!

Time is flying once again.  Thanksgiving, Black Friday and even Cyber Monday are all a distant past right now.  

But since it is indeed Saturday, I am sharing Ten Thankful Things of the Week, including a recap of Lily’s party and more!

1.  Black Friday Shopping with my mom.  Seriously, all the wonderful deals I got for Christmas presents, as well as a few surprises for myself.  Thanks to Victoria’s Secret, I was able to get Pink Sweatpants normally $40 for $25.  And I splurged on the Pandora Limited Edition Black Friday Charm, because I was so good and hadn’t bought charms from Pandora or Trollbeads in almost year’s time. 

Pandora Black Friday 2013 Charm

2.  I also did a bit of online shopping for Kevin’s Christmas gifts through Best Buy’s Black Friday sales and procured him the games on his Christmas video gaming list!  And I also took advantage of my affiliate’s special from Glossybox on 20% off for Thanksgiving Day weekend with re-upping my subscription with them.


3.  Maybe a bit selfish, but as Kevin reminded me, we truly don’t do much for ourselves during the year, so to treat ourselves once in a while is definitely something that is allowed now and again.

4.  Early Friday evening found us putting up and decorating our tree as a family and adding the new gingerbread people ornament I bought earlier in the day for us.  The girls were seriously excited and just couldn’t help but want to help with every ornament and bow we put on the tree!

Gingerbread People Ornament 2013

5.  Saturday night found us in good company with two of our close friends.  We had dinner and then dessert with them.  

Raspberry Tart

6.  The innocence of a child when given a gift and telling the person who gifted it that she would have rather gotten the gift her sister got.  Yup, Lily still doesn’t have any filters at 3 years old and as much as she shouldn’t say certain things, she is still too little to know the difference at times.

7.  Late Saturday night, I got to read more and finish up the sequel (Emma’s Secret, by Steena Holmes) to the book I have been reading stay tuned next week all about these books.

Emma's Secret, by Steena Holmes
Emma’s Secret, by Steena Holmes

8.  Sunday morning, Kevin made us egg sandwich breakfast with some leftover rolls we had and even had bought bacon to try to make “bacon lattice”, which seriously looks so pretty for bacon!  Even Emma loved it and went to town on it! 

Bacon Lattice

 

Emma Eating Bacon Lattice

9.  For amazing blog friends like Lanaya at Raising Reagan, who sent me not one but two personalized puzzles for my girls to help do a review for her company Reagan’s Toy Chest (stay tuned for the review this week).

Lily and Her Puzzle

10.  Having Kevin home this Friday for another long weekend, as he had a few more vacation days to play with at the end of the year.

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Now if you missed a moment of this week’s blog articles, here is a recap~

Time to Confess!!

On Monday, I cleverly displayed how you can use the microwave to cook a whole homemade meal (dinner and dessert) in a mere few minutes, here.  I also proudly co-hosted Epic Mommy’s Blogiversary giveaway.  To enter, click here.

On Tuesday, overzealously shared the week’s PINcentive Blog Hop, which has the best of the best as far as posts this side of Pinterest.  For more, click here.  I also happily linked up for the first with Jen Kehl’s Twisted Mix Tape with my very own memory laden Christmas playlist here.  Was able to offer a cyber week daily discount from Tiny Prints (that I also took advantage of) here.

On Wednesday, I co-hosted the Twitter Hop and to link up, click here.  Also, loved being able to bring you all a bit of a funny, lighter story courtesy of Lily and also a new PicMonkey post over on J9 Designs, for more on this click here.

On Thursday, I was able to share the next daily deal of the day for Tiny Prints, to see what it was for click here for more.  Also, got to give a behind the scenes look at an event fit for a princess at our local Disney Store we attended with the girls, to see all about it, click here.

On Friday, back with another FTSF with the sentence to finish being, “One of my favorite childhood memories is…”, to link up please click here! 

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Weekly Holiday Shopping Affiliate Offers (Always Check My Sidebar for More, Too!)

Tiny Prints~

It you missed any of the offers this past weeks, they are allowing you to get in on them one last time with Friday – Sunday: 35% Off ALL Gifts (Ornaments, iPad Cases, iPhone Cases, Mugs, Desk and Wall Décor, Personalized Notepads, Custom Self-Inking Stamps, Acrylic Trays and more!) 

Just use the promo code: STEAL1206.

Here are the two that I used this past week, take a look below!

 

  • Crazy 8~

Saturday: 

Crazy 8 Daily Deal: BOGO accessories

Sunday: 

Crazy 8 Daily Deal: BOGO Skirts/Skorts


  • Cardstore~

50% off Holiday Cards & Invites at Cardstore! Use Code: CCN3125, Shop Now!

50% off Holiday Cards and Invites at Cardstore! Use Code: CCN3125, Valid through 12/8/13. Shop Now!

  • Adidas~

There are so many great deals at adidas right now, not to mention free shipping and returns during this crazy holiday season which is such a bonus! The 30% Off Winter Jackets sale is live, Climalite tops are reduced to $15+ and accessories are 30% off! Use these text links below to checkout whatever sale catches your eye! These sales are timed perfectly for you to find the best gifts this holiday season:

  •  Blogging Design Needs~

Don’t forget to check out my web design company for specials running at J9 Designs for all your web design needs, plus we offer Paypal’s Bill Me Later, too!  And also, check out a brand new PicMonkey Santaland Theme article to help with all your holiday designing/editing needs!
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Disclosure Final

 

Please Visit my Sponsor of The Month:

One Click Is All It Takes!!

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About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sara says

    Love the gingerbread ornament. I have been hinting to Tommy I want one that has all 4 of us. Now if I wait for him to buy one it will never happen.

    Bacon lattice =genius. I gotta try that!
    My recent post Little Lion – 7 Months

  3. lrconsiderer says

    Heheheh I'm so glad there are more lovely pictures here. I do enjoy them.

    That bacon looks like EFFORT! Wow! I'm impressed. Glad you all enjoyed it.

    The gingerbread ornament is ADORABLE 😀

    • Janine Huldie says

      Try my best with the pictures and will admit I used my iPhone more this week to take pictures and it is much more convenient, but definitely not as good as my Canon. The bacon was totally all Kevin and think he did a good job, but seriously I would just cook it regular and call it a day! And totally love our new Gingerbread ornament!! 🙂

  4. Sandy Ramsey says

    First, I can never let my son see this picture with the bacon or he will want to move in with you! That is amazing and something I may have to try. I love the gingerbread ornament, that is way too cute! I bet the girls love it!
    I just put Emma's Secret on my list of books to read so thanks (to you and to Kate!).
    Have a great weekend with your family!
    My recent post TToT: Christmas Decorations, Bargain Books and Clean Floors

    • Janine Huldie says

      I promise I won't show him Sandy!! But seriously, Kevin outdid himself on this and Emma truly had her own square all for herself! As for the Gingerbread ornament, the girls were so excited and now I can't wait for them to the Tiny Prints ornament I ordered with their picture on it this past week. Totally my pleasure and maybe we can try to share with each what we are reading, because it sounds like we are truly int eh same boat on this one. Have a wonderful weekend, too!! 🙂

  6. Billybuc says

    I should be hanging Christmas lights outside today but it's too friggin' cold. LOL I think next weekend will be the perfect time for that activity. Today is hot chocolate by the computer. Have a great day Janine.

  8. pfchico says

    The ornament is great, the bacon lattice looks incredible & your children are just beautiful Thank you Janine for stopping by today. You are always so kind with your comments. I am now following you on Google+, Twitter & Bloglovin.
    My recent post Build A Felt Snowman

  9. susanzutautas says

    I've been wanting to make that bacon lattice and glad to see you did. I've nIot even started my Christmas shopping yet. I think I'd best get started and stop procrastinating.

  12. babygatesdown says

    I love the bacon lattices! And so did my husband. I've hopefully now inspired him to make breakfast …. 😉

    The gingerbread family decoration is beautiful too – and so great that you got to get a lot of shopping in when the sales were on!

  13. day-with-kt.com says

    I love y'all's new personalized ornament!!!
    And, I think it's great that you got yourself a couple of things while doing your shopping – I tend to do the same thing (except this year when I haven't even started my shopping!).
    Those lattice bacons are awesome – what fun!
    Enjoy the rest of your Saturday!!
    My recent post True Love and Some Saturday Funnies

  15. Kelly says

    Hope your weekend is going smooth!

    Love all the pictures and yes! Christmas is looming! Oh my gosh – where does the time go?

    I'll have to check out Glossy Box!

  16. lizzy allan says

    I love your gingerbread ornament and your bacon lattice looks so great – what a creative idea! You're probably not going to believe this, but I'd never heard of Black Friday before! It's amazing all the things I've learnt over the last few months about American culture from reading blogs! It's a bit like being an exchange student in the US of A! lol I should be taking notes! Glad you had a great time shopping 🙂
    My recent post Getting my social butterfly wings back on

    • Janine Huldie says

      Lizzy, I have known and probably taken for granted knowing about Black Friday pretty much all my life, but I have only since having kids in the last few years taken advantage of it, but will say the sales are incredible and seriously you get such great deals on this one day a year. Thank you so much and seriously hope your weekend has been good so far!! 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Totally love the innocence still at this age of both my girls. And believe me in her thought she totally didn't say a thing wrong, but do want to teach not to say something like that as she grows up. And glad you are going to try the bacon lattice and hope you enjoy, too!! 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Brittnei, I know Lily has a way of making me giggle even when I probably shouldn't. She just has such spunk and seriously never ceases to amaze me. Hope you try the bacon lattice and heading over to linkup with you in a a moment now!! 🙂

  21. dianeroark says

    Janine,

    I am amazed with your giveaways, discounts, all your blog hops, and so much more. No wonder why your blog is so successful. You are non-stop and amazing!

    We think a like. I have been wanting to try bacon lattice. Unfortunately, we had hamburgers yesterday and was planning to fix the bacon lattice but forgot. NEXT TIME!

    I pray God will continue to bless you and everything you try on https://www.janinehuldie.com
    Diane Roark http://www.recipesforourdailybread.com
    My recent post “RoundUp Review” Week End 12/07/13

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thank you so much Diane for saying that and seriously I just love being able to offer all I can to my readers, because to be honest I truly am always looking for a great deal, so being able to pay it forward makes my day. As for the bacon lattice, all Kevin on this one, but seriously was a huge hit, but love that we were so on the same page with this one. Hope you get to try it the next time and hoping god blessing you too now all you do try now, as well!! 🙂

  25. stephanie2006 says

    How awesome the puzzles are! I bet the girls loved them!!

    I'm glad you had fun at Lily's birthday. And yes, they'll say things like that.. Embarrassing for us in the moment, but somehow the innocent honesty is refreshing and heart-warming.

    The ornament is really beautiful! And the new deals, how awesome! Reminding me to head out and finally buy hubby's gifts 🙂

    Have a wonderful new week!!
    My recent post RIP My Purse

    • Janine Huldie says

      Totally true about them embarrassing us for the moment, but definitely end up laughing and getting a smile out of it by the end! And hoping you get your hubby's gifts. I think I pretty much am done with mine unless something last minute comes up now 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      We used it again to make grilled goat cheese sandwiches last night and they were awesome!! Happy to share and Lily was talking about you on Thursday by the way. She lost her mittens at school and in the car ride, she told me that she had to tell Aunt Gloria that she indeed lost her mittens the next time she saw you! I had to explain she wouldn't be seeing you for awhile, because you were away, but that she could tell you on the phone when you called!! 🙂 xoxo!!

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