This new devotional from Dr. Tony Evans and his son Jonathan Evans will provide both single and married parents with a resource tool to maximize those family devotional times, such as the dinner hour or bedtime. The family virtues–based devotional provides 52 separate topics, one for each week of the year, and five devotionals within each topic that will guide devotional times Monday through Friday.  This is a wonderful way to build a spiritually strong family week by week, day after day—a perfect way to head into the weekend. Topics range from the basics of the faith—such as salvation, spiritual warfare, prayer, forgiveness, and discipleship—to essentials of living as followers of Christ: money, prayer, family, friends, and priorities. The subject matter is simplified so even young children can grasp important concepts. This is a perfect resource for busy families. My Thoughts:   I love devotionals. Devotionals are a great way to reflect upon the word daily and give you...

Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party! is on tour and making stops at Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA and City National Civic Auditorium in San Jose, CA. I am so excited to take the kids to this show.  It brings back so many memories for me.  I grew up watching Sesame Street.  Now granted I was an adult when the Tickle Me Elmo craze happened I was so happy to get my hands on one of those coveted hot toys of that time.  I think we still have a Tickle Me Elmo in the attic somewhere.  In fact I'm sure of it.  Remember Maria?  Remember Gordon?    These are Sesame Street friends from way, way, way back in the day.  I can't wait to see all our favorites Sesame Street friends live and in person!  Jump to the beat on Sesame Street at an all-new, interactive show that unfolds on one of the world’s most famous streets. It’s the funniest, furriest party in the neighborhood! Jump to the beat with your friends on Sesame Street! Introducing...

The digital rewards site Swagbucks is offering big payouts during their December "Swago" promotion starting Monday, December 4th at 9am PT and running until Monday, December 11th! Swago is just like bingo, but in this case you're filling out squares as you earn points on their site for doing things you already do online. If you're thinking of trying Swagbucks, this is a great chance to learn all about how the site works and earn bonus points while doing it, meaning you can get more gift cards faster.  Here are a few tips: Each square on your Swago Board will contain an action item to complete. They can be anything from getting a search win, completing a survey, or just visiting one of our popular stores!   Once you complete the action item in a particular square the square will change color signifying the action item is complete.   You have until 12pm PT/3pm ET on Monday, December 11th to mark off as many squares as possible so use your time...

This post is sponsored by SC Johnson.  All opinions are my own. #ZiplocHolidayUAI One of my earliest Christmas memories is sitting on my grandma’s living room floor stringing popcorn with the classic western “Gunsmoke” blaring in the background. I’m sure we ate more popcorn than we strung on the tree, but that never seemed to bother my grandma. Unlike my grandma, I don’t pop corn on the stovetop. I like the convenience of popping corn in a microwave. It’s quicker and there’s no mess to clean up. It’s a tradition I’ve shared with my kids and one I hope to share with my grandkids one day. Packing popcorn in a holiday @Ziploc brand Snap 'n Seal container with the instructions for paperbag popcorn plus a holiday note, shares the tradition that can be passed on to others in the hope that they make it a tradition in their home. Paper bag popcorn is a super easy way to start on your popcorn garland and a great way to make sure everyone gets a bag of their very own to ...

Now that the Holiday Season is upon us, Swagbucks is marking the occasion with "Holiday Beverage" Collector's Bills! "Collector's Bills" are special SB point values with designs that you win randomly while searching the web with Swagbucks' Yahoo-powered search engine. Collect all 6 and you get an additional SB Bonus! Once you've collected enough SB, you can redeem them for gift cards to stores like Amazon, PayPal Cash, and many more! Here's all the information for this week's Collector's Bills: Search the web   through the Swagbucks search from   Monday, December 4th through  Sunda y, December 10th , and when you get a search win, you may get a special Collector’s Bill valued at either: 4 SB 6 SB 9 SB 11SB 14 SB 22 SB When you get a Collector’s Bill you’ll receive the value of the bill and the bill will be added to your “Collector’s Bills” ledger. Collect all 6 Collector’s Bills and you’ll instantly earn a   20 SB Bonu...

I've heard it said that the kitchen is the heart of the house and I couldn't agree more.  I have so many memories of standing in the kitchen while my mom was preparing dinner and chatting about the happenings of the day.  Or sipping coffee with my grandma in her Kentucky home.  She had one of those peculator coffee pots and one of those ceramic cow shaped creamer bowls on her dining room set.  Our dinner table holds so many memories. Author Bri McKoy shares in her book Come and Eat  the power of the table.  Her writings reminds me of the song, At the Table  by Richard Smallwood.  Smallwood writes whatever you are seeking is at the table where the feast of the Lord is going on.  Think about it.  There's peace at the table.  There's hope.  There's joy.  There's pain.  Everything is at the table. 12 chapters and 12 interesting perspectives on how the table shapes relationships.  Overall a great read that warms...

Disney Pixar presents Coco, playing in theaters nationwide. Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history. To celebrate the launch of the movie, Disney Pixar created a Pan de Muerto and hot chocolate recipe to share.  First, check out this trailer from Coco. Now on to the recipes.