Sit and Sip Saturday Links

Image by @rhettmaxwell

I am tired. Whew. This week has been tough. The first full week of focusing on new priorities. Or newly focused priorities. Parenting is hard work. Nuff said. For now anyway.

And my poor brain is getting foggier and foggier it feels! I'm officially 36 weeks pregnant and I feel like I just can't think straight. It would be funny, if it weren't so frustrating. I'm a wee bit stressed about the things I'd like to have done before little Alec arrives, the chance of those things actually getting done getting smaller, and my inability to pull it together and think straight, for crying out loud! Ahem.

Thank the Lord for His new mercies every morning. I'm definitely in crisis mode here--and to be honest, today I've not been following my own advice well at all. Whew. Again. I'm so glad for fresh starts!

Here are some goodies from my reader this week--though I haven't been doing much reading. And I'm not convinced that what I've read has really made it past my corneas into my brain. See above.

But maybe for those of you who aren't 36 weeks pregnant, this stuff will stick with ya better.

Organizing Your Domain
50 Ways to Streamline Your Life @ Life as MOM
How to Make It Easy for Someone to Watch Your Kids @ The Happy Housewife

Health and Nutrition
Watch Out for These Health Busters @ Simple Mom

Father's Day!!
Ideas for Father's Day @ GirlTalk

Nurturing Your Children
The List--Children's Literature We Love @ Simple Kids
I've found great encouragement and stuff to think about in the series that Christin at Journey to a Gracious Woman and Sarah Mae at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee have been writing. They've been writing about discipling and training our children--a subject pretty heavy on my mind of late. Check it out by visiting their blogs and poking around. There are several posts.

Stewarding the Finances
100 Different Ways to Save $100 This Year @ Money Saving Mom
A Surefire Way to Get Rich Quick @ Simple Mom (OK, this doesn't really fit here, but...I wasn't sure where to put it, OK?)

Enjoy, ladies, and have a wonderful, restful weekend!

Sit and Sip Saturday Links

Image by *spudballoo*

This past week has truly been a week of evaluation. I'll be sharing more about that on Monday. In short, I did the performance review I talked about, and it was both painful and encouraging--as I predicted it would be. The links below reflect that I've been spending much less time online (which is a good thing).

The first links here from the GirlTalk blog aren't from this week, but they are some of the best posts I've ever read about the importance of the job of raising our children. So, I'm posting these again, because they've been very encouraging to me as I've pored over them again this week. Please, please read them if you haven't before!

Nurturing Your Children
Pay Attention series (part 1, part 2 and part 3) @ GirlTalk
A Mother's Responsibility, Love pt.2 @ Journey to a Gracious Woman

Organizing Your Domain
Organizing Your Vehicle @ I'm An Organizing Junkie
Simple Solutions for Stain Removal @ Simple Kids
13 Ways to Save Time in the Kitchen @ Mommy's Idea Book
Household Shortcuts and Handy Hints @ Serene Journey
How to Form a Habit @ Holy Experience
Making Summer Plans: A Step-by-Step Guide @ Organizing Your Way
50 Ways to Streamline Your Life, Part Six @ Life as Mom

Sit and Sip Saturday Links

Image by ^riza^

Well, we're still on vacation. And today is our big day trip to the beach to celebrate a sweet niece's fifth birthday!

Since I've been unplugged for most of the week, I really haven't been reading many blog posts. So, I don't have any posts to share with you from the current week.

However, I do want to invite you to check out my links page and visit some of my favorite blogs. There are some real gems on there!

And if you'd like, you can also check out past Saturday links here.

Enjoy your day and your families!

Sit and Sip Saturday Links

Image by fasteddie42

We're kicking off the first day of our staycation today!! And actually, we have had the opportunity to go away for the weekend to a family camp, so it's not completely and totally a staycation. We'll be back tomorrow, but I still won't be around here much during our vacation week--I'm definitely planning to stay unplugged as much as possible. There will still be a few posts around here that I've got scheduled to post, so please enjoy those!

Stewarding the Finances
Making Your Own Homemade Cleaners @ Money Saving Mom
Inexpensive Graduation Gift Ideas @ Like Merchant Ships (in the comments!)

Organizing Your Domain
So Much to Do, So Little Time: Part 6, The Importance of Focus @ Organizing Your Way

Nurturing Your Children
Be Intentional with Touch @ Simple Kids
Kids in the Kitchen: 11 Tips for Cooking for Kids @ Mommy's Idea Book
Choosing Good Books for Your Children @ Steady Mom

Healthy/Natural Living
Eczema: Solving the Underlying Causes, Part 2 @ Keeper of the Home

Creating a Sanctuary
Family Traditions: 10 Ideas to Get You Started @ Simple Mom

Sit and Sip Saturday Links

Image by saotin

This week has definitely been a little crazy! Whew. One of those kinda weeks. I'm sure you know the kind. If you've had a similar week, I hope you are able to get some time alone with God and find refreshment and refocus. Do that first--and then enjoy these links. They're great info, but nothing can replace time with our Lord.

Serving Our Savior Through Hospitality
Tea Bag Place Cards @ the homespun heart
Table Setting 101: How to Properly Set a Table @ Homemaker Barbi

For Your Woman's Heart
16 Ways to Rejuvenate @ Mommy's Idea Book
7 Little Indulgences--Very Little Guilt @ Serene Journey
Sustaining Contentment @ Making Home

Organizing Your Domain
Spring Cleaning Party: Toys, Toys and More Toys @ Organizing Your Way
Harried and overwhelmed is not the way it has to be @ I'm An Organizing Junkie

Stewarding Your Finances
Summer Family Fun for Free @ Money Saving Mom
Simple Ideas for Generosity--Even on a Tight Budget @ Money Saving Mom
5 Tips to Reducing Recipe Costs @ $5 Dinners

Feeding Your Family
Lemon Curd Bars @ The Nourishing Gourmet
Better Barbeque Sauce (stevia sweetened) @ Nourishing Days
High Five Recipes: Justus' Shaved Ice @ Heavenly Homemakers

Sit and Sip Saturday Links

Image by House of Sims

Doesn't that picture above make you want a tall cool glass of REAL lemonade? I've found an acceptable substitute is mixing water with a few tablespoons of lemon juice and a few squirts of agave nectar. Add ice. Yum. I'm an instant gratification girl that way, you know. Find something yummy to sip and enjoy these links!

Healthy/Green/Natural Living
Gardening in Small Spaces @ Passionate Homemaking
Choose Superfoods Over Supplements @ Nourishing Days
Healthy, Natural Pregnancy: Prenatal Vitamins @ Keeper of the Home

Stewarding Your Finances
How to Figure Ingredient Costs for From-Scratch Recipes @ Tammy's Recipes
Save Money on Paper and Ink @ The Happy Housewife
Off Track? Get Reacquainted With Your Finances @ Small Notebook

Feeding Your Family
Tangy Lemon Curd (Honey Sweetened and Dairy Free) @ The Nourishing Gourmet
Decadent & Healthy: Chocolate Ganache Frosting @ The Nourishing Gourmet

Organizing Your Domain
Free Printable Kids' Toy Labels @ I'm an Organizing Junkie
50 Ways to Streamline Your Life, Part Four @ Life as MOM
Tips for Family Vacation Planning, Part 4: Playing it Safe @ Mommy's Idea Book

Creating a Sanctuary
Decorating to Declutter: Creating an Organized and Beautiful Space @ Organizing Your Way
It Doesn't Have to Be Perfect to Be Beautiful: The Ebook @ Nesting Place

Especially for Mother's Day!
A Weary Mother's Day @ GirlTalk
Who Says We're Just Moms? @ Mommy's Idea Book
Biblical Descriptions of Mothers @ Making Home

Giveaway
See Kai Run Giveaway @ Beautiful Calling

Sit and Sip Saturday Links

Image by ktylerconk

Hokey Smokey! OK, I've got a TON of links here today! Wowzers. There was so much good stuff that came my way and I couldn't decide which of these not to include. So, you decide what you wanna read!

Feeding Your Family
Healthy Homemaking: Homemade Condiments @ Keeper of the Home
Dark chocolate pudding, from scratch @ Tammy's Recipes
Mmm...Handmade Corn Tortillas @ Beautiful Calling
It's Hot Outside--Ya'll Need Some Sweet Tea! @ Life a warm cup of coffee

Organization and Productivity
Tips for Family Vacation Planning, Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 @ Mommy's Idea Book
Spring Clean: How to Put the Voom Back in Your Vacuum @ Small Notebook
7 Tips For Cleaning Your Kitchen As You Go @ Serene Journey

Healthy and Green Living
Concerned About the Swine Flu? Do Your Research & Boost Your Immune System @ Nourishing Days
7 Immune Boosters in Light of the Swine Flu @ The Nourishing Gourmet
Eczema: Solving the Underlying Causes, Part 1 @ Keeper of the Home
Natural Stain Remover & Cleaning Agent: Hydrogen Peroxide @ Passionate Homemaking

Loving Your Husband
On Marriage: How to Win a Fight @ Journey to a Gracious Woman
One Way to Increase Passion In Marriage--Live Simply @ Simple Mom

Creating a Sanctuary
Setting the Tone of Your Home @ We Are THAT Family
Tablescapes: Budget Table Settings That Look Expensive @ Homemaker Barbie
Craigslist Savvy: How to Buy and Sell to Decorate Your Home @ Small Notebook

Relationships
8 Ways To Share Your Opinion Effectively @ Like a warm cup of coffee
Ways to Encourage Our Children to Love Each Other @ The Happy Housewife

Mother's Day!
Playday Thursday: Homemade Mother's Day Gifts @ Mommy's Idea Notebook
How to Make a Beginner's Lace Sachet Bag @ CraftStylish
Simple Mother's Day Non-Gift Ideas @ Serene Journey

Sit and Sip Saturday Links

Image by Capture Queen ™

I'm especially looking forward to the next week of giveaways over at Laura's blog! How fun! I'm still trying to think of something to give away. Hmmmm. Anyone up for a teething toddler? Completely kidding. I think.

Giveaways!!
Mother's Day Giveaways @ 5 Minutes for Mom
Springtime Giveaway Carnival @ Heavenly Homemakers
The Overdue Apron Giveaway @ Beautiful Calling

Organizing Your Domain
50 Ways to Streamline Your Life, Part 3 @ LifeasMOM
Are You a Multi-Tasking Mom? @ The Happy Housewife
10 Ways to Get Motivated @ Organizing Your Way

Simplifying Your Life
Great Gifts for Kids That Don't Involve "Stuff" @ Small Notebook
Keep the Kids Busy Without Television @ The Happy Housewife

Healthy and Natural Living
Benefits of Lacto-Fermentation @ The Nourishing Gourmet
A New Non-Dairy Milk Alternative: Hemp Milk @ Passionate Homemaking
Healthy Homemaking: Naturally Female @ Keeper of the Home
E-book Release--Healthy Homemaking: One Step at a Time @ Keeper of the Home

Stewarding Your Finances
Ultimate Recipe Swap: Meatless Main Dishes @ LifeasMOM
The Emotional Benefits to Becoming Debt-Free @ Simple Mom
Town Hall for Hope Recap: Change Begins With Me @ Money Saving Mom

Sit and Sip Saturday Links

Image by *Susie*

This week has been busy and slow at the same time. Busy in the sense that I've been working hard to get life back on track after a busy weekend and slow in the sense that everything is moving more slowly now that I'm into my last trimester. (Woohoo!)

I didn't have a whole lot of time for blog-reading this week, but these posts are those that I either enjoyed or have on my list to read, because they look so good! Enjoy!

Stewarding the Finances
5 Foundations of Personal Finance, #4: Give Generously @ Small Notebook
5 Foundations of Personal Finance, #5: Learn to Invest @ Small Notebook
11 Cheap (and free!) Toys for Young Children @ simple mom

Organizing Your Domain
50 Ways to Streamline Your Life, Part 2 @ LifeasMOM
Making Your Home a Haven: Evening Routine @ Tammy's Recipes
So Much To Do, So Little Time: Part 5, the Importance of a Routine @ Organizing Your Way
The Hurrier I Go, the Behinder I Get @ Mommy's Idea Book

Getting Crafty
How to Make a Felt Baby Toy with a Crinkly, Crackly Recycled Surprise! @ CraftStylish

Biblical Womanhood
Single OR Married: Intimacy=Not a Sliding Scale, But a Step @ Making Home
Tune-Up Tuesday: Down Days--Where to Focus? @ Beautiful Calling

Healthy Living
High Five Recipes: Crispy Cheese Crackers @ Heavenly Homemakers
Get Up, Get Moving, and Get Sexy, Part 1 and Part 2 @ Mommy's Idea Book
Cooking Healthy Food with Young Children @ The Nourishing Gourmet

Nurturing Your Children
Teach Your Child to Read--Charlotte Mason Style @ Journey of Discovery

Loving Your Husband
Help! We Just Can't Seem to Communicate @ simple mom

Sit and Sip Saturday Links

Image by exfordy

Oooh, LOTS of yummy finance links this week! I'm such a nerd.

Stewarding Your Finances
Did You Forget to Put That In Your Budget? @ Mommy's Idea Book
5 Foundations of Personal Finance, Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 @ Small Notebook
Free Blue and White China Notecards @ Merchant Ships
The Art of Negotiating--A Crucial Skill for a Frugal Lifestyle @ simple mom

Feeding Your Family
Honey Whole Wheat Bagels @ Heavenly Homemakers

Natural, Healthy, and Green Living
Guest Post: Three Herbal Healers @ Passionate Homemaking
Eczema: Bringing Relief to the Discomfort @ Keeper of the Home
3 Easy Ways to Garden with Your Kids @ simple mom
Filling Those Easter Baskets @ Heavenly Homemakers
Not Getting Your Beauty Sleep? @ Mommy's Idea Book

Organizing Your Domain
Time for MOM: 50 Ways to Streamline Your Life @ LifeasMOM

Loving Your Family
The Importance of Family Rituals @ simple mom
Family Fun: 6 Meaningful Easter Traditions @ LifeasMOM
Study Your Husband! @ Making Home

Sit and Sip Saturday Links

Image by _overanalyzer

There are a couple of super-de-duper looking crafts that showed up in my reader this week--they look like they would make cute and frugal gifts. And I do love cute and frugal!

Creative Inspiration for Your Sanctuary and Life
How to Make an Apple-Print Tote Bag by CraftStylish
Easy Hooded Bath Towel by Make and Takes
My Top 10 Biggest Decorating Mistakes by Nesting Place

Stewarding the Finances
The Little Things Make a Big Difference by Recipes and Deals via Money Saving Mom
Being Generous While Living on a Budget by Three Blondes and a Red Head via Money Saving Mom

Organizing Your Domain
How to Stop Procrastination in Its Tracks by Mommy's Idea Book
Why Do We Say Yes When We Really Mean No? by simple mom
10 Steps to Make Shopping with Kids Easier by Mommy's Idea Book

Natural and Green Living
Natural Sunscreen Choices by Passionate Homemaking
The Food and Behavior Connection with Children by The Nourishing Gourmet
Favorite Natural Baby Care Solutions by Frugal Granola

Feeding Your Family
How to Select and Cut a Pineapple by $5 Dinners
How to Make Peanut Butter by Heavenly Homemakers
Top 10 Reasons You Shouldn't Plan a Weekly Menu by Organizing Your Way

Serving Our Savior
Family Bible Readings for Holy Week by Passionate Homemaking

Sit and Sip Saturday Links

Image by Majlee

I'm not sure if anyone loves these posts as much as I love putting them together, but I do love it, so there you have it! There is so much great stuff that landed in my feed reader this week. Browse through whatever piques your interest and enjoy your Saturday morning!

Organizing Your Domain
3 Steps to Less Clutter in the Kids' Rooms by Small Notebook
Streamline Your Morning Beauty Routine by LifeasMOM
20 Tips for Finding Your Routine with Kids by simple mom
Quiet Time Bins by Keeper of the Home

Feeding Your Family
Fluffy Whole Wheat Biscuits (dairy free, soaked, vegan) by The Nourishing Gourmet
Kitchen Tip Tuesdays: Green Smoothies by Tammy's Recipes
Healthy Recipes Your Kids Will Love (without gluten, dairy or soy) by simple mom
High Five Recipe: Popcorn Chicken by Heavenly Homemakers

Nurturing Your Children
Scripture Memory with Preschoolers by Lambs in His Arms
Pay Attention series (part 1, part 2 and part 3) by GirlTalk (If you read nothing else on this list--make SURE to read this series. Wow. Very convicting for me!)

Stewarding Your Finances
A Simplified Story of Our Economic Crisis by simple mom
Town Hall for Hope by Money Saving Mom
How to Save Money When Eating Out by Money Saving Mom

Creative Inspiration for Your Sanctuary and Life
keeping it all together :: the family board by SouleMama
Skirt Pattern by Grace Violet

Sit and Sip Saturday Links

Image by miyukiutada

The more you get to know me, the more you'll see how I have a penchant for things green, simple and frugal. My favorites from my reader definitely reflect that this week. I have a touch of granola in me, though, to be honest, I wish I had a bit more! Baby steps, right?

Nurturing Your Children
Biblical Foundations for Child Education, Part 1 and Part 2 by Passionate Homemaking
Shaping and Shepherding by GirlTalk
Heart-work and a Holy Calling by GirlTalk
Anticipating Easter by the homespun heart

Feeding Your Family
High Five Recipes: Peanut Butter Honey Fudge by Heavenly Homemakers

Green and Natural Living
Treating Earaches and Infections at Home by Homemaker's Cottage
Year of Composting by Small Notebook
Price Comparisons on Homemade Cleaners by Keeper of the Home

Simple Living
The Fine Art of Making Choices (hint: it's usually not good versus evil) by Simple Mom
Where Simplicity and Frugality Intersect by Simple Mom (guest post written by Like Merchant Ships)

Creative Inspiration for Your Sanctuary and Life
Purses by Grace Violet
simple spring sewing by soulemama

Sit and Sip Saturday Links

Image by chefranden

I love birds. They display God's glory to me through the beauty of their song and appearance. A mug of something warm in my hand, birdsong floating through the window, and some good reading material--that's my idea of a lovely morning.

Here's my favorite finds that landed in my reader this week:

Serving Our Savior
The Gospel for Busy Moms from GirlTalk
Gospel Food from GirlTalk

Loving Your Husband
Prize Your Husband from GirlTalk
Changing My Husband: Whose Job Is It? from Homemaker's Cottage

Nurturing Your Children
When a Latte Just Won't Cut It: Mama Burn-out from Barefoot Mama

Stewarding Your Finances
Mind Over Money from LifeasMOM
Buying a Newer Car with Cash from The Happy Housewife

Feeding Your Family
Garlicky White Bean Soup with Dark Greens from The Nourishing Gourmet

For Our Women Hearts
Modest Fashion Week from The Stay-At-Home-Missionary
Finding Balance: Creating Space for Solitude from Simple Mom

Creative Inspiration for Your Sanctuary and Life
oh-so-many-hats from Soule Mama
How to Make Wall Art with Vintage Fabric and Buttons from CraftStylish

Sit and Sip Saturday Links

Like they say in the south, "Grab you a chair and some sweet tea and sit down for a spell."

I'd prefer coffee this morning, though.

Here are some of my favorite links from this past week:

Organization and Productivity
Getting More from Your Address Book from Small Notebook

Stewarding Your Finances
Needs vs Wants from The Happy Housewife

Natural and Green Living
Battle of the BPA-free Sippy Cups from Keeper of the Home

Feeding Your Family
Nourishing Food Panel: Healthy & Frugal Tips from The Nourishing Gourmet
How to Make Mozzarella Cheese from Heavenly Homemakers

Creating a Sanctuary in Your Home
Idea Book :: For Your Home from The Nesting Place
Simple Details: Beautify What You Have from The Inspired Room

Nurturing Your Children
Taking Back the Day from A Path Made Straight

Serving Our Savior
And finally, if you read nothing else, I'd love for you to visit this blog. Baby Jonah is a little guy that weighs heavy on my heart these days. I'd love for you to learn about him, join the Facebook group and pray like you've never prayed before on behalf of Jonah and his mama and daddy.
Williams Family Blog

Image by Seamus Murray