A Nice Party

We had a very NICE party with our friends.  I can tell you about it, but I can't show you.  Why?  Well  my cheap camera ate all of my photos.  YEAH RIGHT!  Honestly, it was not the dog ate my homework kinda thing at all.  I am so bummed out that I lost the photos.  Dang electronics!

You see House Party helped me host a Walgreens NICE party.  They were sharing with us about the store brand products that are all 100% guaranteed.  We centered our party around our game night (yet this time it was played in the afternoon).  Knowing how much the snacks would be appreciated with everyone it was a perfect fit.  The Other Mom had made us some really cool snack bowls too from old records.  I loved that!

I am going to give you a list of all the goodies and tell you the best of the best!

For you, the host:

Nice!™ Shopping Tote--large roomy bag that would carry at least 4 plastic bags of groceries!
Recipe items for oatmeal cookies, including Nice!™ Quick Oats, Raisins, Baking Soda and Cinnamon--We cheated and used the Nice!™ Cinnamon to spice up our coffee as it brewed.  The Nice!™ Quick Oats and Raisins made up a great breakfast the next morning too.  You see our card group is also our coffee clutch.  So we was able to extend the fun to two days!

Nice!™ Zipper-Seal Storage Bags--There was so much snack mix that we bagged up extra in these for several to take home with them!

Flower Seed Packet--Princess Emma asked kindly for the Forget Me Not seed packet.  She wants to make a flower garden at home this spring.  So of course we all agreed.

For the party:

Nice!™ Traditional Snack Mix--again, this was huge bag.  It would serve your next party with left overs!

Nice!™ Microwave Popcorn--Did you know we only had 12 kernels that did not pop?  Is that some kind of record?  Fantastic!
Nice!™ Trail Mix (both chocolate and nuts and fruit and nuts) and Natural Almonds Single-serve Snacks--Yummy!  We shared again with Princess Emma so she could have them for lunches.  The rest....dug right on in!  How I love trail mix!
Nice!™ Sturdy Cups--Remember our morning coffee clutch.....yeah baby!  These cups have the protector on them so  you do not burn your hands.  Add on a travel lid and it is the perfect on the go cup.
Nice!™ Shopping List Pads--Great to make notes of what we wanted to get on our next trip to Walgreens.  Also used them when we played games.  Score pads....yeah it worked.
Nice!™ Coupons--those were snatched up real quick.  Everyone loves a savings.

Redbox_® promo code good for a FREE one-day Redbox® DVD rental. Redeemable ONLY at Redbox_® kiosks at Walgreens locations. (This is an electronic offer.)--Now we can start planning our movie day as a group.  Whoot!

Time Outs Giveaway

We have the Grandbabes this weekend again. I love it. But why do we have them? Well because as the book says "Mothers Need Time-Outs, Too". It is even touted on Mommy Needs a Time Out blog.  And I completely agree, don't you.  This weekend the Other Daughter is taking her Object of her Affection to a Star Trek Convention.  What a trip that will be.

In the meantime we are enjoying the kiddos.  Last night was the Friday Night Lights.  It was so much fun to see the kiddos enjoying the excitement of the game.  And I loved the concession stand food, who is with me there?  Today will be games with the kids and hopefully a hot dog/s'mores cookout tonight.  Oh and the local school fall carnival too!  What are your plans?
 But I also want touch on ways to take a time out.  No you do not have to go and sit in the corner.  I use to love my 3 pm bubble baths.  It was perfect timing.  I would slip into the tub with a good book and music and soak for 30 minutes.  Then when I popped out, dry and dressed I was ready for anything.  That was just when the kids came in from school.  A time out really helps an overworked overwrought woman get refocused.  And yes if your a mom, wife and caretaker your overworked daily.  When you take time for just you then you can recharge those batteries.  One of my favorite ways to recharge is by doing a mini me time.  I can load up, run away from home and then find a great secluded area.  Now I can walk around, enjoy the heavens and the earth while letting all of my stress just flow away.  This helps us become better moms, better wives and just better.

I loved hearing this same idea applied to couples to this last week.  That if mom and dad  do not get to be a couple then they can not be the best of parents.  Remember it was by being a couple that you 'became' parents.  Dear and I are also making time for us as a couple.  Weather it be time to cuddle and review the day or each of us rubbing lotion on each others feet.  But that is not our time together passion....nope....you may laugh.  But we love COFFEE.  You should know it.  So we make a pot of delicious coffee (our fav is Folgers), set up all the goodies.  I take mine with sugar and cream (again fav is Land O Lakes Half & Half).  Then sit out on our big ol front porch reviewing the day.  It makes  you feel like you are the king and queen of your own lil domain.  Especially with the birds singing (make sure to have feeders and water out for them this fall/winter) and knowing you have time for just you too.
I am also having a ladies afternoon coffee today.  A group of my friends and prayer group.  We are going to gather on the porch and share our coffee and our prayers for each other.  I can't wait to get out all of our fun coffee cups, the Folgers Special Roast, sweeteners and our Land O Lakes Half & Half on a tray.  I am setting the table on the porch with bright colors and using bible verses printed on colored paper to make conversation starters.  The ladies prayer group is going to be treated to some home baked goodies too.  We are having Pumpkin Dessert Cake.  It so goes with the holiday season.  Fall is wonderful.  A time to review and renew.  A time for....time outs.

 Pumpkin Dessert Cake

2 Cups sugar

3 eggs

1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin

1 stick of melted butter

2 Cups flour

2 Tsp baking powder

1 Tsp baking soda

1/2 Tsp Salt

1 Tsp cinnamon

1/2 Cup chopped nuts (optional, College Girl does not like them)

Mix and pour into 11 x 17 pan and bake at 350 for 35 minutes. 

I do wish to thank House Party for the Folgers and Land O Lakes goodies and party.  I want to thank the publishers for "Mothers Need Time-Outs, Too" book.  As always no one pays me, they just share goodies.  How lucky is that?  But I can share with you.  We have a copy of "Mothers Need Time-Outs, Too" for one lucky winner.  Just leave a comment for me below.  (Remember to leave your email.)  Extra entries are for following on GFC, twitter and facebook.  Comment for each on so I know.