PAY PER POST! What? Are you serious?

YES I am serious. I have found this wonderful site called Pay Per Post. As the name implies I am able to earn money by posting my opinion on all sorts of products, topics and marketing. This is my very first post so I am just learning the ropes on all the how to do it's, when to do it's and what to do (it's?). The site is very thorough and self explanatory, but I am more of a hands on learner. I am very excited about this opportunity not only because it is an extra way to earn money, but also because I get to feel like my opinions count. Not only count, but are actually worth something!
make money

Members, Liz of So, how did you hear of Pay Per Post one might ask me? Well, one of my ETSY Homefront TeamFray Baby Bibs and More introduced Pay Per Post to me via her blog. She explained what it is, why she does it and how it benefits her. She did such a good job at promoting it that well that I jumped right in and signed up. I am looking forward to all the new connections that I will make through the Pay Per Post Program and the new friends that come as a result of all the new connections. I am a big fan of networking in all forms and fashions. I love talking to people and enjoy sharing my thoughts on many issues, most especially marketing.

Superhero Tips from the "Green Girls" - Saving the Planet One Lightbulb at a Time!

I believe it was Mr. Kermit the Frog who said it best, "It's not that easy being green."

And boy was he right!
To recap what I've learned recently, Liz in Germany has this wonderful set up where they come more than 2x a month to pick up each type of recyclable item (paper, plastic, glass, aluminum, etc.). I've also learned that in Washington State if you don't bring your own bags to the stores then you have to pay a fee to use the plastic disposable bags. And here, in beautiful East Tennessee? Well IT'S NOT THAT EASY BEING GREEN!

Here is my van packed full of recyclables to take to the recycling center separated as best as possible... but when I arrived I discovered not quite good enough.

Cardboard, both corrugated and paperboard. The black bags are full of plastic; milk jugs, water bottles, soda bottles, and even plastic cups... are those recyclable?

Magazines and other "glossy" paper in the little box and the white plastic bags are full of aluminum cans. The brown paper bag is full of mixed paper, card stock, office paper, etc. We don't read the newspaper often and when we do it is usually kindling for the campfire.

Here is the mixed paper.

So as I said, here in this relatively large county in East Tennessee recycling is not as easy as it is in other parts of the country. I think the people who live in the city limits MIGHT have recycling pick up, but then again I never see recycling bins at the end of curbs with their trash cans. Maybe they just want us to work for our "stewardship badge."

Maddie and I are determined to make a difference if even in the smallest ways. I can say that in the past month since we've started really recycling our trash can is much less full at the end of the week. Even her daddy is getting into it and that is really helping to make a difference. What can one person do? Well if that person is a parent they can teach the next generation a better way to live; putting less in the Land Fulls, picking up other's litter is also a superhero thing to do (as I got the opportunity to teach Maddie that today when leaving the fishin' dock).


Hope you enjoyed this post and if you are lucky enough to live in one of those areas where they make it easy for you to recycle, thank someone in charge and ask them how it got started and let me know!

Since I originally penned this article I found out that even the next county over they don't have to sort and recycle because the trash company sorts their garbage since they get the money for it. How fair is that?
We have only one Earth, let’s treat it with respect so our children can learn from our example and have a great place to raise their children.

Children's Book Review

I've decided to add this as a weekly feature since we go to the library all the time getting new books to read at bedtime. I don't really have the time nor the inclination to read an entire adult book (and the ones I do read are "how to" books that I pull just the amount of info I need and pass it on) so I decided it would be fun to do a Book Review on some of the many children's books that we read. This will most likely evolve over time, but for now I want to start with one of the best books we've picked up in a long time.

"Marsupial Sue Presents The Runaway Pancake"
written by John Lithgow and illustrated by Jack E. Davis

One of the best parts about this book to me as an adult is that it is written and illustrated as if its a play. The characters are all in costume as would be for a play and though my 4 year old daughter doesn't get the significance of this, I personally think its absolutely wonderful to set it up this way.

So without ruining the story for you I will simply tell you that this is one FAST pancake that has no interest in becoming anyones lunch.

There is a fun little ditty of a song in here that we now sing whenever we are driving down the road too. From a parent's standpoint I'm not so sure I really like the song, it's not that its mean spirited it's just not teaching anything good or bad. That is my only gripe about the book, and really that's not bad. From my 4 year old daughter's perspective its the best song in the world. It's repetitive which makes it easy to learn and easy to remember and builds in the characters as it goes on.

The illustrations are bright, colorful and detailed. You have to really look close at each page to catch all the details in each picture.

I highly recommend this book to any mom or dad who wants a fun book to share with their kids. This is one that is great for boys and girls and I'd say a child as young as 2 or as old as maybe 6 or 7, though a little simplistic for the older child it is fun to sing the song which is very "sing songie" in its style. We enjoyed it enough to go and look for some of the other books that Mr. John Lithgow, now bestselling author, has written. Here are the other titles as I've been provided on the book jacket; Carnival of the Animals, I'm a Manatee, Micawber, Marsupial Sue and The Remarkable Farkle McBride.

Homefront Treasury(s)

There are several other treasuries featuring Homefrontier's such as "By the Blood of Our Brothers..." and "Freedom is Not Free" both by Ella Bear Bowtique, "Red, White & Blue I ♥ U" by Cutesie Clips, "All Around the World" by CoJo Creations and finally mine with its name totally lacking in creativity "Support The Homefront"

When Life Hands You Lemons...

What else is there to do but put them into your new purse?

This is the purse that Teresa from MayRae Crochet N Knit made for me. I was so excited and purchased it so quickly that she didn't get time to show others the wonderful craftsmanship of this fun and beautiful piece. So here it is...

Scrumptious Saturday #3 - The easy way out!

This is on request from one of my fellow Homefrontiers as I was planning on skipping out on the recipe today. Liz of Fray Baby Bibs and More asked me if I could do the S'mores which we were having out over a campfire in our back yard this evening. So without further ado...

S'mores The Roland Way!

First I've decided to show the pictures of Hubby and Maddie with the finished product, then I will go through the process of how to make S'mores for those who don't know.


Maddie's expression in these pictures is priceless, she finally gets her S'more in the end!

When I tell people I live in the country they might not fully comprehend how much so until seeing this picture of our back yard. Yes, we have a fire pit in our backyard and are able to have a camp fire to cook hot dogs and S'mores over. For those of you worried about the Fire Department our neighbor is a County Fire Fighter so no need to be concerned. However if you live in less than convenient circumstances to light a fire in your own back yard this can be done over a grill, gas stove or even electric eye stove (just don't let it drip - it'll be heck to clean up).


You'll need Graham Crackers, marshmallows and Hershey's Chocolate Bars (I used the Special Dark as we like those best)

When putting Marshmallow on skewer be sure to use a long one, metal preferable (if you have to use a wire coat hanger, but sure it's not painted). Keep the marshmallow out of direct flame, but be sure to heat it enough to make it a nice shade of tan on the outside as pictured below.

Put the 1/2 the Hershey Bar on 1/2 the Graham Cracker, put toasted marshmallow on top of Hershey Chocolate and top with other 1/2 of Graham Cracker as seen below.

Don't worry, that's chocolate on his hands not dirt!

And Enjoy!

I'd like to note that the new pink bows Maddie's wearing in these pictures are made by Emily of Ella Bear Bowtique. She does fabulous work with her bows!

SuperHero Tips from the "Green Girls" - Saving the Planet One Lightbulb at a Time!

Here I have combined sveral ways to Save the Planet by starting in your own back yard! And besides, who doesn't love sitting under a shady tree, swinging in a hammock or having somewhere for the kids to rest out of the hot summer sun?

Shady Characters
Plants not only lower greenhouse gas emissions and provide habitats for wildlife; they can also lower home energy costs. Trees with high canopies on the west side of your property will provide shade from the afternoon sun. Shrubs that allow filtered light and breezes are appropriate for more localized shading of east- and west-facing windows. Deciduous trees and vines are useful on your home’s southern side, providing cage to shade against the summer sun while allowing light warmth during winter. Be sure to shade your air conditioning unit. You can enjoy significant yearly savings in home heating and cooling costs by landscaping wisely.

Multi-Story Living
Nature finds its balance in a complex network of mutual dependence, with each species providing several useful benefits to other flora and fauna. In natural forests there are several distinct layers of vegetation in which different animals live. Try to replicate this in your garden with a combination of tall trees (pines or sycamores, for instance), smaller trees and tall shrubs (maples, cherry trees, magnolias, hydrangeas, mountain laurel), shrubs (boxwood, junipers), ground cover (grasses and creepers), and a litter layer of leaf matter, fallen branches, logs, and rocks. Use terracotta pipes as substitutes for hollow logs to give small mammals and amphibians a place to hide from predators such as cats and dogs.

Cover Up
Between 60 and 70 percent of our treated drinking water is used to water lawns, and the average irrigated home lawn consumes more than 10,000 gallons of water each summer. Conserve water by replacing little-used grass areas, such as your front yard, with a native garden that reduces street noise and increases privacy. Putting mulch around plants and on lawns can cut the amount of water lost through evaporation by up to 70 percent Pine bark mulch can even be used for children’s play areas: It is just as safe as grass and requires no watering.

And I just had to add this adorable picture of Maddie while showing the native plants around the house of course. Ahhh, back when she had ringlets!
We have only one Earth, let’s treat it with respect so our children can learn from our example and have a great place to raise their children.

Another Treasury!

Here is yet another Treasury I was able to get in the Treasury West! As usual I like to show it with the alternatives because thats how I think it should look.

Springtime Stock!

So, for those of you who know me you know that I've been working like a mad woman lately. This is a selection of what I've been working on. I've also been working on Mommy's Little Helper Items and will have many new ones to show when I have a Grand Re-Opening (date TBA). I am constantly in motion, I love to create and come up with new ideas or maybe I should say my own twist on old ideas. I prefer the classic look for little girls and this is what I strive to create. I hope you all enjoy looking at my currently listed Spring Offerings and as always more will be coming along soon. If there is something you see that you might like in a different size, please feel free to leave a comment here or contact me at my etsy shop by clicking on the pictures above and it will link you there. I will do my best to accommodate all custom orders and if what you are wanting is no longer available I will work with you to create something similar and yet custom just for your little Princess.
Thank you for taking the time to visit 1MaddieAndMommy and look for more items coming soon to 1MaddieAndMe.etsy.com!
Best Wishes,
Kristina

Here's a Sneak Peek!

Here is a sneak peek of what I have been working on - this is 2 of the outfits I made today. I'll have items listed in my shop later this week and look for the post on how my show at the Preschool goes.

WOW - Thanks!

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Now I am really flattered! Here are 2 MORE Treasuries that have included my items. Thanks Homefront you really know how to make a gal feel good!

Check it out! I've got something from each shop in a Treasury! Thanks Laungnome! Click on the Treasury to be brought to the original site!

Lovely Items From the Homefrontiers

Treasures from the Homefront - Keeping the Home Fires Burning! I've included the alternates because I love them and couldn't have it all on there like I wanted. I always view it this way so I thought I'd show it the way I love it. Click away at each item - the more you click the better it is for the entire team and for each individual shop. Thanks to all the team members for their talent and creations but mostly for their sacrifices as their loved ones are often far away from them. Please keep these lovely people in your thoughts and prayers for their sacrifice is no less than that of the spouse who is off in a foreign land. We love and appreciate you for all you do; past, present and future!

Kristina