Mary’s got all sorts of launch-day celebration going on at her place today, including giveaways for those who purchase her book.  Go visit, make a difference, and have fun! 

Plan a Fabulous Party is a post from: The Finer Things in Life

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We’ll be sending this card to the great-grandparents, I do believe.  Well, this card but with our children pictured.  And the correct year, if I remember that little detail.

Tiny Prints is also offering a FREE Military Greeting Card.  Go to the Go to the Tiny Prints Facebook page to get details.

Have you joined the 30 Day Giving Challenge yet?  Yesterday my give was to stay up all.night.long with a sick boy (and a sick husband).  Maybe that’s cheating, but after staying up all.night.long, that’s all I got.  Today we are loading up gifts that I got on clearance last year for our daughter’s religion class Operation Christmas Child shoebox packing party.  So fun!  That’s one of my favorite gives every year.

Give FREE Cards from Tiny Prints is a post from: The Finer Things in Life

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Getting it together to give is important, though.  Giving reminds me of my own blessings, and challenges me to be creative.  It brings opportunity to better know my neighbors.  I’m able to bless people I don’t even know when I give.  Giving feels good! 

For those of you who have been around here a while, I’m happy to announce that the 30 Day Giving Challenge is back!  If anything can snap me out of my good intentions and into action, this is it!

Background

The 30 Day Giving Challenge was started by my friend Alyssa from Kingdom First Mom in 2009. She had a vision for a giving project, so she issued a challenge. Participants were encouraged to spend 30 days giving, and document the journey.  The giving could be any kind of stewardship, big or small, using your time, talent, and treasure.

How You Can Get Involved

If you’re interested in taking on the challenge of giving in some way each day for 30 days, it’s almost time to begin. The 30-Day Giving Challenge takes place each November. We’ll be kicking things off over at Saving and Giving on Tuesday, November 1.

If you want to start thinking about ways that you (and your family!) can get involved, check out the ideas on the 30-Day Giving Challenge site’s Get Involved page. There’s a planning calendar and some ways that you can share your giving stories throughout the month.

If you’re looking for giving inspiration, we will be sharing some ideas for giving each day on the 30-Day Giving Challenge Facebook page.

For Bloggers

If you’re a blogger, there will be an opportunity for you to link up your own post about the 30-Day Giving Challenge at Saving and Giving on Tuesday. Maybe you could post a little bit about the challenge so that your readers can start thinking about ways that they can give. Bloggers can find additional information about weekly link-up opportunities on the Blogger Info page of the 30-Day Giving Challenge website. Feel free to grab this button for your site too.

<a href=”http://www.30daygivingchallenge.com” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://30daygivingchallenge.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/125givinga.jpg” alt=”30-Day Giving Challenge” width=”125″ height=”125″ /></a>

I don’t want to wait until I’ve got it together to give.  Who knows when that will be.  I want to give now, in my imperfect brokenness.  Who’s going to join me?  Let’s do this! 

Get it Together to Give {Day 29} is a post from: The Finer Things in Life

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At the end of a week when our family has been so well cared for, I am reminded again that any act of kindness, small or large, is much appreciated in a stressful situation:  death in the family, hospitalization, illness, just moved in.  My daughter was thrilled with every visit and phone call, every card and gift, and every balloon that brightened her room.  Oh, wait.  Maybe it was her little brother that was thrilled with the balloons. 

A few gifts, though, made the practical giver in me exclaim “What a great idea!”  Here are some ideas that I don’t want to forget for when it’s our turn to bless a child in the hospital.

1.  A Lap Desk with a squishy bottom is comfortable and fun to use in a hospital bed.  (Coloring books, crayons, and Pocket Activity Books go well with this.)

2.  Think seasonal.  My girl was giddy over the balloon tied to the decorated pumpkin that brightened her room.  So much fun!

3.  Pretty hair bands or clips may help counteract the drabness of that hospital gown, and if nothing else, it might be motivation to comb her hair and keep it looking nice.

4.  Fuzzy Slippers or Socks with Non-Skid Bottoms are a must.  Hospital floors are cold, hard, and rather icky.  Keep those feet cozy.

5.  Continuing the cozy theme, a fun blanket makes the room feel less sterile.

6.  TIME For Kids Big Book of How ~ Such a fun book!  It’s well illustrated and incredibly interesting, but easy to read in short spurts, which is great for tired kiddos.

7.  A journal, notebook, and brightly colored pens are great for writing down gifts and hospital activity (when the doctor came in, who visited).  It sometimes helps kids to get their thoughts on paper, too.

8.  Make Your Own Project Box~ These kits are fabulous because everything needed for the project is already in the box.  Our girl enjoyed making bracelets for her favorite nurses one afternoon.

9.  Lip balm and lotion.  Poor thing had a tube up her nose and down her throat for 2 days.  Lip balm felt so good on her chapped lips and some scented lotion refreshed her.

10.  Stuffed animals.  She received several, and used them both for physical comfort (to hug or as a pillow) and emotional comfort.  It was good to have “friends” in the room. 

This list is by no means exclusive.  Remember, it’s the thought that counts… when you act on that thought!  What ideas do you have to add? 

Act on that Thought {Get it Together ~ Day 12} is a post from: The Finer Things in Life

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I’m a mom to a 2 year old and 3 mo. old.  I’m thankful that as of this year I’m a stay at home mom.  Your series, Mommy Come Home solidified the longing in my heart for homemaking.  Anyhow,  now that I’m home I feel more available to prepare and take meals to families that I know who need it (new moms, sick family,  or just because).  We are on a tight budget, but I don’t want this to keep me from blessing others.  I would love to hear your top frugal picks of meals to take to others.

First of all, congratulations on the blessing of being home!  Your hard work and sacrifice will be worth it as you nurture your family and minister to others from your home.  Preparing food for others is my absolute favorite ministry, because I love to cook and bake, and I can do it right alongside what I’m already preparing for my family.

Something that has worked well for me is to not focus on a meat heavy main dish.  In fact, when presented the opportunity, I often choose to make “breakfast for dinner” for a family.  Not only is it easier on the budget, but if several people are taking meals, I don’t have to worry as much about making a duplicate.

I’ll likely make Overnight Breakfast Casserole and Cinnamon Rolls, and then take along some fresh, in-season fruit to go with the meal.  I’ve had many a family thank me for bringing something “different.”  The family can choose to eat it for supper, or save it for breakfast the next morning, which may be nice if they are in a season of quick, simple breakfast fare.

Another idea, if they aren’t counting on a full meal, is to take a basket (collect them at yard sales for pennies) filled with muffins or quick breads and fresh, in-season fruit.  Breads can be frozen and pulled out for snacks, or breakfast.  Some of our favorites are

• Chocolate Pudding Zucchini Muffins
• Fall Comfort Muffins
• Peaches N Cream Muffins
• Poppy Seed Dessert Bread
• Pumpkin Butterscotch Muffins (these, I think, are my all-time favorite!)

That’s what works for us!  How about the rest of you?  What are your favorite frugal foods to fix for other families?  (Recipe links welcome.)

Help a Reader: Blessing Others with Tasty, Frugal Foods is a post from: The Finer Things in Life

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We ran into Walmart over the weekend for a couple things (it’s never just a couple things, is it?!), and had to check the clearance section for next year’s baseball gloves.  Motoring through the aisles, I thought “Whaaa Whaaa Whaaat?!” when I saw it.  The school supplies lists are out! 

I suppose it is about that time, but I’m not looking.  Yet.

While I may be in denial, school really is just around the corner.  In our neck of the recession-affected woods, schools, especially Tiny Town-esque schools, need support from the whole community to serve students well.

One way we try to help that doesn’t cost me anything out of pocket, is participating in the General Mills Box Tops 4 Education program.

For each Box Top clipped and collected at your school of choice, 10¢ is donated.  It adds up quick;  last year schools earned $49 million just from Box Tops!

Right now, WalMart is carrying up to 70 participating products that each have 4 Box Tops!  Be on the lookout during your next shopping trip, and don’t forget to save the tops for your school.

Speaking of a WalMart shopping trip, I don’t know too many people who would refuse a little help with that.  I have a $25 WalMart Gift Card for one of my readers, courtesy of WalMart and General Mills.  Want one?  Simply leave a comment:  Is back-to-school shopping a dreaded chore or a fun event for your family?  How do you make it special?

As always, feel free to over-achieve and earn an extra entry or two by sharing this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, or your own blog.  Please leave a comment with a link to your tweet or FB post.

Giveaway ends Friday, July 29, at 11:59 pm, CST.  A winner will be randomly drawn and notified by email. 

Disclosure: The information and $25 gift card to Walmart has been provided by Walmart and General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

On the Lookout for Box Tops is a post from: The Finer Things in Life

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Our neighbor’s cabbage is ready.  Bring on the bierocks!

We feel so helpless to assist those who most need it in this extreme heat and dry weather, but thankfully, my clever eight-year-old came up with a way to make our garden more than a jungle of more zucchini, peppers, and pumpkins than we’ll ever eat.

Walking home from church on Sunday, she introduced a proposal.  “Mom, you know how our refrigerator is full of squash and zucchini and we keep giving it away?”  Oh, yes.  I know.  “Do you remember that my Sunday School class wants to buy a water buffalo for those kids and we’re trying to make our own money for it?”  Yes, I remember that, too.  “Well, I have an idea.”

The jist of it is that my children will take over the garden watering and harvesting in exchange for filling  “donation baskets” full of produce for people at church.  They don’t aspire to earn the full $250 cost of a water buffalo, but I’m proud of them for giving it a go, and I’m excited to have some willing helpers digging through this jungle with me!

(Pumpkins, and some squash, and who knows what else!)

What’s happening in your garden this week?  Be sure to link up your progress.  I’m guessing many of you are feasting on fresh produce by now, and maybe even canning and freezing some of it!  Don’t forget to visit Getting Freedom and Smockity Frocks to see what they’ve been up to in their gardens.

Give with Your Garden {Busy Mom’s Guide} is a post from: The Finer Things in Life

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The beautiful family you see below?  That’s our friends the Schmidts meeting their newborn daughter.  The precious daughter they knew they would spend only a few minutes with in her earthly life.

Right about the time we found out we were expecting baby #3, a girl, the Schmidts went in for their routine 18-20 week sonogram.  Rejoicing over adding a sweet girl to their family of two gorgeous sons, though, was not meant to be, as they found out that their Gianna Marie, while healthy in the womb, would not live more than an hour outside of it.

Courageously, they nourished and loved little Gianna Marie, honoring the sanctity of all life.  They were surrounded by supportive and generous family and friends during this difficult time, and now they want to give back.  Perhaps you can help?

Over four years ago, my wife Jennifer and I were overwhelmed by the generosity of our friends, family and even complete strangers after the loss of our infant daughter Gianna. Our family also benefited from the compassion and guidance provided by Alexandra’s House, a non-profit perinatal hospice. Since then we have volunteered our time to speak on behalf of Alexandra’s House and counsel other families experiencing the anticipated loss of a child.

As we prepared to briefly greet–and then bid our farewell, my dad called and asked permission to build a coffin for Gianna. We were moved by the gesture. My dad often makes wooden toys for each of his grandchildren as gifts. He explained, “This is the only thing I can make for her.” We find comfort in knowing our daughter was laid to rest in a coffin lovingly made by her grandfather.

If I was to receive the tools from Rockwell, I would use them to make coffins to donate to families served by Alexandra’s House. When meeting with other families, Jennifer and I found that men and women often grieve in different ways. Women tend to be more open about their emotions. Men tend to be more reserved and much like myself, bury themselves in their work. I believe this project would allow men through a healing labor, lovingly craft a coffin that would beautifully protect their child for eternity. My hope is to provide families a tangible way to express their love for their child.

The Schmidts have entered a Facebook contest to win some tools.  Tools that will be used to build coffins for infants.  Voting is simple, with just a click here.  No registration, no hassle.  Voting ends May 20, and I would love for my Finer Things readers to swing the results in their favor.  You can vote once per day.  Would you, please?   

Support for Families Facing the Unthinkable is a post from: The Finer Things in Life

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There are 35 baby thank yous in my “project” bag; signed, sealed, but not addressed, even after I made the cutest stamps for them.

Our Christmas cards, the ones I was thrilled to have made for $4.90, are still sitting at the end of my bed… along with cards from 2009 and 2008.  (Anybody still want one?  )

Just today when my sister brought my girls home from an outing, she asked if I found the tape runners.  Oh, yes… the tape runners!  The ones I told her I would mail over a week ago so she could work on her son’s scrapbook album.

I won’t tell you how long it’s been since we wrote to Imon.

Sympathy cards, unsent.

Wooden letters (to spell out their names) for my children’s walls, unpainted.

Let’s not even discuss the kids’ scrapbooks!

I’m good with ideas.  I usually know what needs to be done.  It’s the execution that gets me every. single. time.

A couple weeks ago I was handed a great reminder.  A little kick in the seat of the pants that reminded me it’s not the thought that counts. One day that week I saw a friend hurting.  Never mind that I didn’t really see her, as she lives in another state, but I felt her pain via the amazing make-the-world-smaller tech tool that is skype.  She was seriously sick with the flu.  Her family, including her husband and all four children, were sick with the flu.  They needed some help!

And so I did something.  We did something.

We were unable to do for her exactly what we wanted to, but we did something. We weren’t able to “fix the problem” but we did something. We couldn’t make all her worries disappear, but we did something.

You know what?  It felt good to do something, and not just think about it!

If I want to live intentionally this year, and oh, I really do, then I need to stop it with the thinking, planning, and list making and do something! I’m ready to resign my role as The Queen of Good Intentions, because really, it’s not the thought that counts.

The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention.
~John Burroughs~

It’s Not the Thought that Counts is a post from: The Finer Things in Life

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If you’re shopping clearance this week, keep in mind different things that might be useful for giving throughout the year.  I also saw Christmas-themed pajamas and socks that would be a practical addition to the shoe boxes.  By purchasing items now, even more children can be blessed by your gift next Christmas!

Have you scored any great Christmas-clearance items this week?

Christmas Clearance for Giving is a post from: The Finer Things in Life

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