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3 Peas in a Pod Has 500 Posts!

I am entering to win this lovely basket of goodies from 3 Peas in a Pod. They are celebrating their 500th post, so I'm entering for a chance to win. Now I have to answer the following questions:

MOM Tag
1. Typically, what time do you wake up?

Whenever our 19 month old wakes us up...anywhere between 6am and 7:30am.

2. On a good night, what time are your kids in bed?

The 19 month old usually goes down at 9pm (any earlier, and he would be waking us up at 5am or earlier!) and the 14 year old usually goes to bed at 10pm (he's homeschooled).

3. How long have you been a mommy?

If you're including womb time, I've been a mommy for just over 15 years.

4. How old were you when you became a mom?

23 at his birth.

5. What is your favorite kids T.V. show?

Between the Lions

6. What is your least favorite kids T.V. show?

Teletubbies

7. What is your favorite chore?

You mean we're supposed to have a favorite chore? Isn't that an oxymoron? Ok, I guess mine would be doing laundry.

8. What is your favorite meal to cook?

Enchiladas and Spanish rice.

9. What is your least favorite meal to cook?

Anything that takes too long and has too many ingredients.

10. What is your kids favorite meal?

The 19 month old is still eating baby food (tactile issues), and the 14 year old's favorite is fajitas (Mom-made fajitas!).

Really though, my 14 year old pretty much says that every meal I fix is his favorite!

11. What is your favorite thing your husband does with your kids?

Loves them, teaches them about being real men, gets down on the floor and plays with them.

12. What are 5 things that make you smile when you are being a mom?

When my 14 year old does something well,

when my 14 year old does a chore without being asked,

when my 19 month old comes running to me at full tilt,

when my 19 month old giggles,

and when they both give me hugs.

13. If you could take your kids anywhere, where would it be?

On a roadtrip across the USA, visiting historical sites, state parks, small towns, and more. I would love to visit some of the restaurants we see on the Food Network!

14. When was the last time you went out without your kids?

May 30th..for a girl's night out.

15. What is your favorite pastime/activity to do with your kids?

Reading to them...going fishing with my 14 year old.

16. Name one thing you said you would never say as a mother.

I can't think of anything.

17. Name something you do, that your mom did.

Homeschool.

18. What is your favorite quality your mom has?

Compassion

19. What is your favorite kids book?

Any Laura Ingalls Wilder book (I know...they're older kids' books, but my mom said that I was reading them when I was 5...seriously!)

20. What is your favorite advice for new moms?

Take a nap when your baby is napping!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

21. What is your most heartbreaking moment as a mom?

When my 14 year old was born, he was only born with 1/2 a heart. He has had two major heart surgeries, and 5 strokes because of it. (Before he was 3). That was pretty heartbreaking. Other than that, it's when my kids disobey willfully, or are disrespectful.

22. What is your most joyful moment being a mom?

Seeing my boys accomplish new things, or seeing them asleep. It's a tossup.

23. When was the last time you told one of your kids you loved them?

I told the 14 year old last night at bedtime, and told the 19 month old this morning while he was taking his bottle.

24. When was the last time you were told?

Last night. :-)

So there you have it!

A Summer Bargain.

Wanted: Imaginative, creative people seeking a home for advertising their place of business. Pay: varies per spot. Available: NOW!

We are offering a discount on our ad spots when you purchase three months! For the summer, we are offering 10% off your ad spot, when you purchase a summer slot, for the months of June, July, and August.

Spots available are as follows (with the discount already showing):

Link Listing (a link with your shop name, to your shop, can be found on the right hand sidebar) -- $13.50 for three months.

125x125 Button Ad Spot (linked to your shop, can be found on the left hand sidebar) -- $27.00 for three months.

125x250 Button Ad Spot (linked to your shop, can be found on the left hand sidebar) -- $48.60 for three months.

Etsy Mini Ad Spot (this features your top eight items from your Etsy shop--which you can actually manipulate by making whichever items you want, your featured items in your shop. This can be found on the left hand sidebar.) -- $54 for three months.

If you are interested, please email me.

Have a great day!
Angie

Tutorial: Make This Sweet Tea Towel Apron

Isn't this a fun apron? I Stumbled Upon the blog, called "My Spare Time", that shows you how to make your very own tea towel apron. Just click on the link for a tutorial.

Friday Feature No. 15 -- Featuring Across The Pond

Happy Friday! It's been kind of a long week, as we have been adjusting to having an 18 month old around. We are still going to bed at our normal time, but I think that's going to change soon! I've just been wiped out during the day! My hubby is the best hubby in the world though, because he has been taking care of things like doing dishes when they start to pile up on our little tiny counter. I'm so blessed, because he already does SO much for me! He took the little guy with him, when he took our 14 year old to his jujitsu class on Tuesday. He knew I needed a break. Isn't he wonderful??? We've been buying a lot of meals "out" lately too. Like fried chicken and potato wedges from the grocery store deli. Or Papa Murphy's pizza. I'm trying to get better about getting a "real" meal on the table, and I actually did it today! I made teryiaki chicken thighs, steamed rice, and cumin roasted broccoli. And we actually sat down to the table together as a family (sans the little guy of course) and ate together. Amazing, I know!

Ok, so we have a winner for our giveaway from Threaded Nest: blueviolet. Congratulations! Andrea, thank you so much for being a featured guest, and for doing such a great giveaway!

Today's feature is going to look a little familiar. Hubby said he likes the big individual pictures, instead of the EtsyMini, so I'm going to try going back to that. It's a little more time-consuming, but we're going to see how it works. Let me know what YOU think, will ya?

We are featuring Casey from Across The Pond. Casey isn't literally from "across the pond", but her husband is, and she has a passion for London. Here is my interview with her:

TDB: How and when did you get started crafting?
Casey: My mom has always made things, and I picked the crafting bug up from her at a young age. I've tried my hand at just about every craft there is over the course of my life so far! I've been really into photography since high school, scrapbooking since my daughter's birth 8 years ago, and jewelry for about a year.

TDB: I see from your profile that you are a teacher. What do you teach?
Casey: I am an elementary school teacher and I taught 4th grade for seven years. My son was born last August and I am staying home with him right now, but I am teaching writing classes for kids and tutoring privately on the side.

TDB: What started your passion for London?
Casey: I spent half my sophomore year of college in London for a study abroad program. I met a lovely English gentleman in a train station shortly after my arrival. We were inseparable from the very beginning. Right before I left London to come back to the States, he asked me to marry him. Eight months later, he moved here and we tied the knot. We've been married ten years now and we have two beautiful children, and we go to London to visit his family often. It's like a home away from home for me, and so many wonderful things got started there, so I wanted acknowledge that with my newest endeavor at Etsy!

TDB: Do you sell anywhere other than Etsy?
Casey: Not at the moment, but I'd love to start doing craft shows in the near future.

TDB: If you could learn something new, what would it be?
Casey: Although my husband is from London, he also comes from Turkish heritage. It is a beautiful culture, and I would love to learn to speak the language. I attempted in the past and let it fall to the wayside. Maybe I'll try again soon!

TDB: Who or what is your inspiration in crafting or in life?
Casey: I get a lot of my inspiration from other artists! Seeing the wonderful things people create awakens my own creativity. I'm also inspired by the materials I'm working with. I just love gorgeous paper, fabric, ribbon, beads...it's almost like an addiction. I love planning my creations through and seeing it all come together.

TDB: What is your all-time favorite movie?
Casey: Hmmm...I'm not much of a movie buff. I'll have to go with Forrest Gump. :-)
****************************************************************
Casey is giving away this fun Aralie Gardens Carved Rose Ring (Retail value=$13), in the winner's choice of color.
To enter: Simply visit Casey's shop, and come back here and comment about your favorite item in her shop. One entry per person please. This giveaway is open worldwide. Please make sure we have a valid email address or other way to get ahold of you. Deadline for entry is Thursday, June 5th at Midnight PST.

PS...If you are interested in being featured in a Friday Features or Tots on Tuesdays segment, or you know someone who SHOULD be featured, please email me and let me know!

No Holes for your Photos

I stumbled upon this great find for photos. These are called MagTacks, and they allow you to pin photos up (with a thumbtack), without putting a hole in the photos. Pretty cool, huh?!

Birdies All Around on Spool Sewing

I stumbled upon these fun birdies on Spool Sewing, a blog about sewing a quilting. There's even a pattern so that you can sew these sweet little birdies yourself.

Wordless Wednesday Featuring BlueSaphire

Tots on Tuesdays No. 14

Happy Late Tuesday. How was your Memorial Day weekend? Ours was fairly quiet. Hubby worked on Saturday, then we went to church on Sunday. It was our new little guy's first time and he was a little overwhelmed, but he did very very well. So many people wanted to love and hug on him, because there are a LOT of people who have been praying for him to come into our lives for a LONG time now. Yesterday, we went over to the in-laws to spend some time. It was a nice time, and the little guy is getting more and more used to being over there.

Well, I don't have a featured artist or shop for today's Tots on Tuesdays segment, because I've run out of people on the calendar! So, if you sell great and fabulous items for little ones, and would love to do a giveaway and be featured, we'd love to hear from you.

For now, I will feature a few of the items that I have been loving from Etsy shops, as I look for things for our new little guy.

We bought this darling giraffe from Cookie Dough, and were her first sale on Etsy!

This slouch bag from Punky Kidz makes a great looking diaper bag, and can be used as a regular carry-all purse or bag after the need for a diaper bag has passed.

I just love Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum from Redmag.

How fun is this onesie from Relly Beans??!!

I adore this fun little nautical shorts set from Silly Pants.

Want a Great Shopping Bag?

Look no further than Show Pony. (If you click on "shop" inside her website, it will take you to none other than an Etsy shop!) These great "vintage shoppers" are perfect for a quick trip to the grocery store. Just click on the pointing fingers to see the other designs.