With Memorial Day, Labor Day, and summer right around the corner, it’s time to think picnic! On Sunday afternoon our homeschool group held its annual year-end shindig with a homey, old-fashioned theme. I helped coordinated the event, and a lot of thought went into the details.

Hopefully this will help you plan an event this summer!

Decorations

Mason Jars with Daisies, Ribbon, and Dollar Store Pinwheels (see top photo)
You’ve probably got a few Mason jars floating around your house. We do. Our pretty centerpieces consisted of Mason jars filled with yellow daisies and red, white, and blue pinwheels from the dollar store (3 per package) and tied with red and white ribbon.

Dollar Store Disposable Checkered Tablecloths
Our tablecloths were colorful, inexpensive, and disposable—perfect for a picnic!

Red, White, and Blue Paper Chains
Did you know that building paper chains can entertain children for long periods of time? I purchased individual packages of red and blue construction paper at Staples for $1.99 each and used printer paper for the white. The strips were 1-1/2″ wide and I recommend stapling them together; we tried tape and some of it came apart later.

The Menu

Because our picnic served such a large number of people, there was a $5 per family fee. We provided fried chicken and dessert and everyone brought a side item. Watermelon wedges (see dessert table picture two above) provide a naturally sweet treat and can be eaten with your hands. Just keep a bottle of hand sanitizer on the table and plenty of napkins for the juice!

{Isn’t the cake glorious? One of the girls on the committee made it.}

If you need recipes for a more modest crowd, on Wednesday I’ll link you to a virtual barbecue on Jen’s blog. Jen invited me and a few other bloggers to participate; we’ll each create an original recipe using one of the new Philadelphia Cooking Cremes. The blogger who gets the most comments on her recipe wins $500 and a year’s supply of Philadelphia Cooking Creme, so if you think mine sounds fabulous, leave a comment on Wednesday and help me win!

Tomorrow I’ll prepare an original recipe that I’ve only made in my head and take lots of photos. Then I’ll write it up and post it here on Wednesday. I don’t concoct a lot of original recipes so I’m a little nervous, but excited, too. My kids are ready to taste test! I bought all the ingredients today, including the Santa Fe Blend Cooking Creme.

Face Painting

A picnic isn’t a picnic without face painting! It’s fun whether you’re doing the painting or being painted on, ensures great photos, and just makes people happy.

Sometimes it branches out (no pun intended) beyond faces . . .

Get paints made especially for faces and don’t forget brushes. Print out a few sample designs to narrow the choices and give your artists something to follow.

Enjoy Yourself

Keep it simple: checkers, bubbles, frisbee, foursquare, face paint. Food and friends—that’s what it’s all about, right? Don’t bring stress to your picnic!

Do you picnic in the summer? What are your best tips for food, decorating, or activities?

Tips for an Old-Fashioned Picnic is a post from: My Home Sweet Home
© 2012 My Home Sweet Home | All rights reserved

Is it just me, or do birthdays and holidays have a way sneaking up on you? I tried to be ready this year and got our Mother’s Day gifts ready early. Unfortunately, because of work and sleep schedules it took two days to get everyone in the house to sign the cards, and then I forgot to tell my husband (a.k.a. my own personal postman) that they were ready to mail. And then he forgot they were in his car until Friday . . .

Even with good intentions, things go wrong.

Well, I’ve got good news for you if you’re still searching for a thoughtful gift. Perfect for any day and any mom, the Mother Letters ebook features a collection of letters written to mothers by mothers. It’s filled to the brim with encouragement, one of the greatest gifts you can give a mom.

I downloaded Mother Letters to my iPad and what I’ve read so far has blessed my socks off. The letter from Ann alone was worth it, gently encouraging a change in my attitude about the work I do in my home.

{One of my photos was chosen as a winner in the Mother Letters camera phone photo contest and is featured in the book! That’s it on the right.}

Guess what? Right now you can buy one copy of the ebook PDF and get a second free to give to someone else when you enter code Buy1Give1 at checkout. That way you’re guaranteed to get something you’ll like for Mother’s Day!

If you’re looking for more in-the-trenches-of-motherhood encouragement, check out Lisa-Jo’s new ebook, The Cheerleader for Tired Moms!

[I'm a Mother Letters affiliate and will receive commission on sales generated from my links.]

In Case Mother’s Day Sneaked Up on You is a post from: My Home Sweet Home
© 2012 My Home Sweet Home | All rights reserved

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.

So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him.

And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

~John 20:1-18

Wishing You a Blessed Easter! is a post from: My Home Sweet Home
© 2012 My Home Sweet Home | All rights reserved

One year when I was a child we went to an Easter egg hunt in a shopping mall parking lot. It was divided into younger and older kids, and I’d just had a birthday in March that bumped me up to the older kids’ group. Although I’m not certain, my guess is that I was around six years old, the same as my youngest daughter.

I remember being the smallest one. The bigger kids raced around filling their baskets with colored plastic eggs, but I only managed to grab three, maybe four. Afterwards, we were instructed to open our eggs. Most contained candy, but one held a ticket for the grand prize, and I held that egg.

It wasn’t a big bag of candy or a picture with the Easter Bunny—it was a new bike! To this day, it still amazes me when I think about it.

I’m sure God understood what a powerful life lesson it would be, although I didn’t at the time. Smallest, least of all, but I was blessed to win the prize.

Do you have a similar story, when against the odds you or someone you know was surprisingly blessed? I’d love to hear it!

My Most Memorable Easter Egg Hunt is a post from: My Home Sweet Home
© 2012 My Home Sweet Home | All rights reserved

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS:
for he shall save his people from their sins.
~Matthew 1:21

It’s not about wrapped presents, decorated trees, or how much shopping and baking you’ve done. This is what it’s all about.

A Sunday Scripture (What Christmas is All About) is a post from: My Home Sweet Home
© 2012 My Home Sweet Home | All rights reserved

Today I feel a little bit like Santa. Or at least an elf. I’m an affiliate with DaySpring, and last month they asked if I had favorite items that I would like to offer to My Home Sweet Home readers at a heavy discount in December.

I chose items that I personally enjoy and would make meaningful gifts: the By Grace Alone Pendant and the He Fills My Life With Good Things Mug. I’m wearing the necklace and drinking out of the mug as I type this!

The By Grace Alone Pendant is a little bit like Amish Friendship Bread but you don’t have to feed a bread starter or figure out what to do with all those loaves and you certainly won’t gain any weight. It works like this: a friend compliments you on your necklace; you order one as a gift for her; another friend compliments her on her necklace; she orders one as a gift for that friend; and the chain continues.

This story is based on personal experience.

The necklace normally sells for $19.99, but right now you can get it for $7.99, no promo code needed. Actually, the entire Necklaces and Pendants collection is seriously discounted!

I use DaySpring mugs daily. Our cabinets are full of them and I give away a lot as teacher, birthday, and Christmas gifts (and later I smile seeing them in friends’ homes, in use). The He Fills My Life With Good Things Mug is my favorite new design: I love the shape, color, and happy blue bird waiting for me at the bottom of my hot tea.

The mug lists for $9.99 on the site, but if you enter promo code Mug75 at checkout you can buy it for $2.50—that’s a stock-up price for sure! You MUST enter the promo code for this deal.

This sale ends on the 16th, the last day to order for Christmas delivery. Happy shopping!

Last-Minute DaySpring Deals for Christmas! is a post from: My Home Sweet Home
© 2012 My Home Sweet Home | All rights reserved

This Thursday, December 8, three of my kids and I will be there when The Story Tour: A Christmas Spectacular hits Philips Arena here in Atlanta.

The Story is an unparalleled project from the best-known artists in Christian music that tells the story of God’s love and redemption from Genesis to Revelation in 18 songs.  The Story Tour : A Christmas Spectacular features Max Lucado and Randy Frazee along with a stellar musical cast including Steven Curtis Chapman, Newsboys, Francesca Battistelli, Natalie Grant, Selah and Anthem Lights.  The tour will be a fully produced multi-media experience with the artists performing The Story album in its entirety, in addition to favorite Christmas classics.  Complete with stunning visuals projected on a massive screen encompassing the entire stage, The Story Tour: A Christmas Spectacular is a spectacular Christmas celebration perfect for audiences of all ages.

Selah’s Todd Smith wrote a guest post this week at (in)courage about The Story Tour that I encourage you to read for additional background on the show.

The Story Tour looks like a great way to celebrate the Christmas season with your family, and I’ve got discounts to help you do that more economically. First is the Family 4 Pack, which gets you 4 lower-level tickets, 4 hot dogs, and 4 Coca-Cola products for $100 (a savings of $34).

Click the graphic below for a half-price sale on other ticket options.

{Disclosure: Tickets were provided to me in exchange for sharing the news about this event. Opinions expressed are my own.}

The Story Tour: A Christmas Spectacular Live this Thursday at Philips Arena is a post from: My Home Sweet Home
© 2012 My Home Sweet Home | All rights reserved

Admittedly, I enjoy a brief foray into the maddening crowds of Christmas shoppers—after all, we did roll out of bed at 5 a.m. and hit one store on Black Friday—but for the most part I’d rather shop from home. Here are some Cyber Monday deals that you might want to catch.

 DaySpring is running an incredible deal through today: 30% off of the entire store (excluding buy 1 get 1 free totes and 14 super specials, which I’ll tell you about in a minute) when you entire code code SUPER30 at checkout. There are other sales this month, like 30% off on all canvases, so you can combine the deals.

The 14 Super Specials sale also ends today. Links and sale prices for individual items are listed below.

Here are the deals:

1. Love Came Down – Tea Towels – Set of 2 $12.99 $5
2. Love Came Down – Names of Jesus – Reversible Table Runner $24.99 $9.99
3. Christmas Carol Tree $49.99 $20
4. Nativity – Trio Tea Light Holder $24.99 $9.99
5. God Sees the Real Me – Sculpted Art Panel $40 $10
6. Rejoice in Him – Sculpted Art Panel $48 $18
7. Wonderful Grace Serving Tray $48 $18
8. God’s Heart for You – Sterling Silver Necklace $49.99 $20
9. God’s Heart for You – Rhodium Plated Necklace $34.99 $11.99
10. Message Block Set $49.99 $15
11. God Will Be With You – Mirror $59.99 $19.99
12. Nativity Hurricane Candle Holder Trio $59.99 $23.99
13. Ever Grateful Trivet $9.99 $4

NAPP is also running some great deals today on NAPP memberships, KelbyTraining subscriptions, Photoshop World conference passes, and books, DVDs, and bundles from KelbyTraining.com.

This post contains affiliate links.

Cyber Monday Deals You Won’t Want to Miss is a post from: My Home Sweet Home
© 2012 My Home Sweet Home | All rights reserved

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
~ 2 Corinthians 3:17

In Celebration of Liberty is a post from: My Home Sweet Home
© 2012 My Home Sweet Home | All rights reserved

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD
~Psalm 33:12

Wishing you a restful holiday with family and friends, enjoying the freedoms given by God our creator and protected by the men and women of the military who’ve served and honored our country.

Remembering on Memorial Day is a post from: My Home Sweet Home
© 2012 My Home Sweet Home | All rights reserved