Nativity Puppets

    Can you believe that Christmas is right around the corner? This is, by far, my favorite time of the year. I just love all of the sights, scents, and sounds of the holidays. It just feels like such a warm and inviting time and I do believe that it helps to bring out the good in people. Everything about the holidays also lends itself to some creative and colorful arts and crafts. One of my favorite memories from my childhood was my grandmother's Nativity which she put up every Christmas Eve. Those fond memories were the inspiration for this project. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Nativity Finger Puppets Supplies needed: -stretchy gloves in your choice of color - peel and stick felt nativity stickers (found at Hobby Lobby or most craft stores where scrapbooking materials are sold) - craft glue or hot glue/glue gun Directions: 1. First decide in which order you wish to place the nativity characters. For ours, we placed the Holy Family together on one side … [Read more...]

Ring In The Holidays With The Peanuts Gang! @Snoopy #Giveaway #Ad

    As you all know, I have been a Peanuts Ambassador for the past few years. The entire Peanuts gang has been such a huge part of my childhood and my life and I am so proud that my sons love them too. They immediately fall in love with anything that includes their beloved Peanuts characters so I am always on the lookout for Peanuts-themed gifts, especially around the holidays. Here are some of my favorites this season: Hallmark Peanuts Holiday itty bittys Set: Outfitted for Christmas in holiday editions of the beloved characters, this Peanuts itty bittys set serves as the perfect seasonal display or stocking stuffer. You can also take Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Woodstock out to play with this fun-filled carrier shaped like the beloved beagle’s doghouse. As an added bonus, Hallmark will donate $1.00 to Toys for Tots each time one of your readers buys a Peanuts Holiday itty bitty on their own. SRP: $32.75 for the whole set or $6.95 individually. The Peanuts Guide to … [Read more...]

Help Children With Cancer This Holiday Season! #tacklekidscancer @tacklekidscancr #Ad

    The holiday season is in full swing and, during this special time of the year, it is so important to embrace the full meaning of the holidays. While many get caught up in giving and receiving presents, others are treasuring the things that really matter in life like family and loved ones.     These support systems become especially important for families with children who are battling pediatric cancer. Tackle Kids Cancer provides an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children with cancer.  It is a way for a child to help another child, and families to help other families.     Unfortunately, only 4% of government cancer funding directed towards pediatric cancer, and childhood cancer being the number one cause of death by disease in children – funding in all forms is crucial. Those of you who are long-time followers of this blog know that as a Leukemia Survivor, advancing cancer research is very important to me. As a mother, my heart bleeds for these families … [Read more...]

Entenmann’s Little Bites Butter Cookie Muffins Are Here! #LoveLittleBites #Ad

    The holidays are upon us and that means getting together with family and enjoying delicious foods and desserts at these gatherings. In our home, delicious products from Entenmann's® have always been a staple at any family meal. As a matter of fact, my grandmother would serve their delectable cakes during any festive occasion.     Entenmann's Little Bites Butter Cookie Muffins are back as a seasonal favorite and just as buttery delicious as ever. They are perfect for festive get-togethers and scrumptious snacking anytime. With less than 200 calories per pouch, Little Bites Butter Cookie Muffins never contain high fructose corn syrup or trans-fat.     It is so easy to enjoy their yummy goodness knowing that they are made with real butter and have less calories than other sweet treats. Not to mention that they taste so good! I like to enjoy them with a hot cup of coffee but my boys like to eat them with a cup of hot chocolate.     Entenmann’s Little Bites baked snacks started … [Read more...]

Hallmark Channel’s “Christmas at Holly Lodge” Premiering this Sunday, Dec 3rd at 8pm/7c! #ChristmasAtHollyLodge @HallmarkChannel #Giveaway #Ad

    It's official, the Christmas season is upon us and that means that all of my favorite holiday shows will be available for me to binge watch during the weekends when I am off from work. Every year, I look forward to Hallmark Channel's Christmas programming because it is always family-friendly and it allows me to spend quality time with my husband and sons watching movies that really embody the Christmas spirit.     We will be kicking off  this family tradition during this first weekend in December by watching Christmas at Holly Lodge which is premiering this Sunday, December 3rd at 8pm/7c! The movie is about a major developer who sends Evan to evaluate the value of Holly Lodge, he and lodge owner Sophie have an instant attraction. But when Sophie realizes the reason for Evan’s stay, she must convince him the lodge is a bad investment -- while trying not to fall in love. It stars Alison Sweeney, Jordan Bridges, and Sheryl Lee Ralph. I've always loved these actors and I'm a sucker … [Read more...]

Holiday Rice Pudding Recipe @NestleLaLechera #unidosconlalechera #Ad

    The holiday season is finally upon us and I am so excited that I am practically bursting at the seams! I absolutely love every single thing about this magical time of the year. One of my favorite things to do is to spend time with my loved ones enjoying delicious meals and desserts. It's the perfect opportunity to create beautiful memories together that we can reflect upon fondly for years to come. For Hispanic moms like me, Nestlé® La Lechera® has been a key ingredient in creating these special moments.     Since 1910, La Lechera has been committed to helping moms in the kitchen with quality, consistency and creativity that they can use to bring their families together.  It is the perfect ingredient to help you pamper your loved ones with delicious desserts that fit your busy lifestyle. It’s tradition and quality that bring our traditional dishes to life. Anything you make with La Lechera, is guaranteed to create unforgettable family memories to last a lifetime.     Ever since … [Read more...]

Prep For The Holidays With Samsung! @BestBuy @SamsungUS #Ad

    You might not have realized it yet but, the holidays are right around the corner! As you get your home ready for entertaining friends and family during the holidays, you can count on Best Buy to help you find you the right Samsung appliances at an unbeatable price. Their expert advice can support you in preparing for and cooking some of your favorite meals.     Imagine a stove where you can use WiFI connectivity to help you remotely monitor your oven for peace of mind. You can even turn on/off, preheat, and adjust temperature or time from your smartphone for the ultimate cooking experience. The Samsung - Microwave Combination Wall Oven with Flex Duo™ can help you do just this and more!     Also, you can bring your refrigerator to the next level by getting updates on your groceries. Create shopping lists and peek inside your refrigerator from anywhere. You can even set expiration notifications to keep all your food fresh. The Samsung Family Hub 4 Door refrigerator can keep you … [Read more...]

Survive Spending The Holidays With Family! #EnjoyTheGo @Charmin #Ad

    This Sunday, my entire family will be descending upon our home like a plague of locusts so that we can all celebrate Christmas together.  Don't get me wrong, we all really love each other but we are all also aware that we can get on each other's nerves when we are forced to spend a significant amount of time together.  I'm sure many of you feel the same way about spending the holidays with your family.  You can't live with 'em, and you can't live without 'em!     In our home, our bathroom has become a sort of sanctuary for everyone to get a little breathing room while the rest of the family continues to annoy each other in the living room.  While pulling off a successful holiday gathering can be rewarding, sometimes the only way to recharge your batteries is to hide out in the bathroom and get some much needed peace and quiet.  Whether it be scented candles, reading material, or five-minutes of silence, I'm a firm believer that Charmin … [Read more...]

Build New Worlds With Minecraft! @Minecraft @BestBuy #Ad

    If you have kids, you have already been bombarded with holiday wish lists this year.  Every list that I have seen has included Minecraft, including the lists of my own two sons.  They love building and exploring exciting new worlds and my husband and I love that Best Buy has an assortment of Minecraft games and collectibles.       Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures.  If allows players to explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles.  The games are very family-friendly and great for kids. The toys and collectibles make great gifts for anyone already into the game.      Players in Creative Mode with unlimited resources or mine deep in Survival Mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off dangerous mobs.  They can do all this alone or with friends.  Best Buy carries a large assortment the assortment of … [Read more...]

Snowman Earrings

    I am way behind this year on Christmas shopping.  Normally, I would have already finished buying all presents by mid November.  I'm trying cut down on my spending budget and making sure I give some personalized gifts that will show my loved ones just how much they mean to me.  My godmother loves to wear themed costume jewelry so I thought it would be a great idea if I made her some earrings.       Since it is winter and she has been rocking her winter accessories, I came up with a plan to make her some snowman earrings using supplies that I could purchase right at our local art supply store.  You'd be surprised how many great gifts you could make with just a few items that you could buy locally and are pretty inexpensive. Snowman Earrings Materials Needed: Tools (small wire cutter, round nose pliers, and chain nose pliers) 22mm Fishhook earwire 3″ Head pins Glass snowman beads Tiny silver … [Read more...]