Archives for April 2013

Make Your Own Sugar Scrub

April 30, 2013 by Amy 5 Comments

A few years ago, I wrote about how I reward myself for clearing out the dishwasher. I set a timer and reward myself with scrubs for my hands.

So, I was psyched to see Simple Scrubs to Make and Give in the Ultimate Homemaking eBook bundle.

The author Stacy allowed me to share the basic sugar scrub.

Basic Sugar Scrub

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar – brown, white, raw, or a combination of these
¼ to ½ cup oil – coconut oil (melted), safflower, sweet almond, grapeseed, or olive – choose one oil or use a combination

Optional extras:

Essential oils

Grated cocoa butter

Vanilla or almond extract

Ground coffee

Dried herbs, ground

I chose vanilla extract. You simply combine the sugar and oil, adding oil to produce the consistency you want. Stacy says, “Body scrub should be soft and somewhat slushy, but not too runny.”

And if you’re not happy with the results she says to adjust in the following ways:

If the scrub is too runny and slides right off your hands, add more sugar.
If the scrub is too dry, add more oil (a little at a time).
If the scent is not strong enough, add a drop or two of essential oil (but don’t go overboard! Once it’s too strong, it’s hard to go back without making scrub for the entire neighborhood).

Lexi tried it with me and she couldn’t get over how sweet it smelled and how smooth her hands felt afterward. I love that I can use ingredients I have in my pantry. Who knew it was so simple?

I put mine in a little mason jar from Hobby Lobby and topped it with some extra fabric I’ve had from IKEA. Perfect for gifts and easy peasy!

Stacy has included all sorts of different recipes and additional information like where to buy ingredients and how to use them. You can buy Simple Scrubs on its own or I’d certainly suggest buying the eBook bundle. And if you have the book already, try one of the recipes out and let me know what you think!

It’s Here! The Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle + Kindle Fire HD Giveaway

April 29, 2013 by Amy Leave a Comment

Happy Monday! I’m so excited about this bundle and hope you will be too!! For 6 days only, more than 75 widely-known bloggers and authors in the homemaking sphere have joined together to offer 97 of their most popular eBooks and eCourses, valued at just over $600, for the incredibly low price of $29.97! That’s just .31 per book! PLUS over $140 of FREE Bonuses! I’m so honored my book Entangled has been included and would like to welcome any new readers checking out my site for the first time! Entangled is a book close to my heart and I hope it’s a blessing to your marriage.

You’ll find books in The Ultimate Homemaking Bundle the following categories:

Organization and cleaning
Cookbooks
Spiritual growth for both moms and kids
Home décor and DIY
Frugal living
Health and fitness
Blogging
Financial tools
Time Management
Pregnancy and baby care

You will not find a more comprehensive collection of homemaking resources anywhere on the web, and particularly not in this price range. For this low price, you gain access to every single one of these resources, so that you can customize your own collection to contain exactly the ones you want and know you’ll use.

You know me, though, I like to count the cost of a deal. Is it *really* worth $29.97? There’s no doubt it’s overwhelming to decide so I did the hard work for you. I took the time to find the books I’m most excited about to see if the math works. Check it out in the video below.

In case you skipped the video, I shared the 15 books pictured below which are worth $86, making them $1.99 each if you JUST got those. But, you get 82 other books you can read, many that are AWESOME but I just didn’t have the time to mention. PLUS you get the free bonuses (anyone like free toothpaste?). I firmly believe a book can change your life so there is no question this is a good deal.

iPhone Photography Guide by Alli Worthington

And listen, you might just find one or two books you like and for sure, just buy those if that’s all you want. Like I said, it’s only a great deal if you use it. It only takes 5 or so to make it worth it though.

For you regular readers, I’ll warn you this week may look a little different than others. I’m so excited about this bundle that I’m dedicating all my posts this week to the sale. Don’t worry, I’m not going to be spammy. I’m just going to take the time to highlight some things *I* get from the books in the bundle because there just really is no way to do it in one post. Whether or not you buy the book, I hope they’ll be informative and FUN.

On top of all that, 21 of the authors are offering an extra incentive to share the sale by giving away a Kindle HD Fire to help you read all these books! How cool is that?

So without further adieu, head over to a landing page which has the giveaway, all the books pictured and linked individually if you prefer, all the bonuses you’ll get, links to buy and all the fine print you need to know.

Please note: This collection is only available from 9 a.m. EST on April 29th to 11:59 p.m. EST on May 4th. There will be no late sales offered.

(in)RL Conference and Five Minute Friday: Friend

April 26, 2013 by Amy 1 Comment

My intent with today’s space here was to tell you about the free (in)RL conference this weekend. It’s free and you can stay right at home and watch. Or, there are meetups going on all around the world where you can meet new friends and watch the webcasts together.

I was honored to film a tiny little segment while I was at Allume last year. I talk about how intentional I’ve gotten with my real life friends since the (in)RL conference the prior year.

Before (in)RL 2012, I knew that meeting with my friends was fun and I’d always walked away happy but it wasn’t until that conference that I understood it was my lifeline.

I needed community.

I don’t know about you but life builds up inside. One child is dealing with sickness and the other friendships and then your grandmother gets sick and then your husband’s and then work is pressuring you with goals and you’re trying to write blog posts until 1am and keep up with laundry and make healthy meals every night and keep up with teacher appreciation gifts and on and on and there just comes a point where you’re full and overwhelmed and you just need a friend to unload on.

And it’s not to dump on them so you feel a lot better. Because the thing is, your friend has a different list that’s just as long and you dump it all between you and then lift it up to the Father and say take this. We can’t do it on our own. We need each other and we need you.

And this week, I found out one of my lifelines is moving away. And I won’t pretend there haven’t been tears. I know she’ll read these words and I know she’ll understand. Because we’re friends and that’s what we do. We cry when things are hard and lean on each other and the Father together.

I hope you tune in to (in)RL this weekend because I believe in the power of community and friendships. It will encourage you and remind you—friends help build your soul, keep you sane and sometimes give you a great reason to have a cup of coffee.

STOP

I didn’t register last year until 20 minutes into the first session. The last opening session doesn’t air today until 9pm EST. Do it, it’s worth it!

Also, I hope you realize all of YOU are my lifelines too. I share my life and you say “me too” and it helps to keep marching on. Thank you for staying with me.

This post is linked with Five Minute Friday.

What I’m Into – April 2013

April 25, 2013 by Amy 17 Comments

On the Internet

Coffitivity

Coffitivity is a web site that plays coffee shop background noise. They say it helps boost creativity while you work.

I have no idea if it really boosts any creativity but I’m at home working often and find that it’s super helpful to have some noise, but nothing I have to pay close attention to. With music, I’m paying too much attention to the lyrics. Although the site does allow you to add in some music if you want.

Pocket

Pocket is my absolute new favorite tool online. I come across SO MANY links to read on Twitter but usually don’t have time to read them. I just click a little button in my tool bar and Pocket puts the link in a list to read later.

Pocket has a great iPad app and I tend to read through my list at the end of the day while I’m lying with the kids at night when they read.

You should totally “pocket” this article for later if you don’t have time to digest it all now.

On TV

Duck Dynasty

I’d been hearing about Duck Dynasty for months and months but without satellite, we’ve been missing out on watching. I couldn’t imagine that we’d get a lot of enjoyment from a show about a group of self-professed redneck duck hunters but I was really wrong.

We borrowed the first two seasons on DVD and got totally and completely hooked, staying up late every night of Spring Break to watch episode after episode all together. I wish you could see Scott cackle at Uncle Si. Jase is my favorite and the girls have a crush on John Luke.

We just realized we could have been watching it online and have watched much of Season 3, much to our disappointment. It’s been forced and bland. But still, Si still seems to pull through with some sort of shenanigan every episode and makes it worth the 30 minutes.

In My Kitchen

Chocolate covered espresso beans

Espresso beans by themselves? Grody. Chocolate covered espresso beans? Heavenly.

Love having these to snack on in the afternoon. They’re not cheap though so wait for a sale.

In My Closet

Neutral Sandals

I picked these sandals up for $14 with free shipping from a Loft sale a few weeks ago. I was ecstatic when they were a perfect fit.

If you haven’t noticed in my What I Wore Wednesday posts, I’ve been wearing the hound out of them this month—capris, jeans, dresses—they go with anything.

Striped Maxi

I’ve mentioned it in my What I Wore Wednesday posts but I adore my striped maxi. I can wear it so many ways and I plan to keep experimenting through the summer.

In My Hands

Crocheting

I knocked off an item from my Growth Plan and have been crocheting this month!

My friend Becky met me at Starbucks a few weeks ago and taught me the basics. I’ve been practicing and finished the roll? spool? bundle? of yarn she gave me. It turned out like a very wonky doll blanket. The sides have more waves than a pageant winner in a parade. I’m horrible at it so far but I do like it.

Bella

OK, you haven’t been reading if you don’t know the biggest new thing I’ve been into this month is our new puppy Bella. She’s a terrible amount of work but oh so fun-loving and sweet and worth it.

This post will be linked with LeighKramer.com.

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BONUS ANNOUNCEMENT!

If you are AT ALL interested in eBooks there is a HUGE bundle that goes on sale on Monday FOR ONLY ONE WEEK that you’re going to want to get your hands on. There’s going to be NINETY-SEVEN books in this bundle worth over $600 from your favorite bloggers (including my eBook Entangled) PLUS $140 in FREE bonus offers for only $29.97.

I’ll be putting up a post on Monday listing all the details on how to get it so make plans to swing by!

What I Wore Wednesday 4.24.2013

April 24, 2013 by Amy 4 Comments

It’s Wednesday! I share my outfits from the week with The Pleated Poppy’s What I Wore Wednesday.

I pair my outfits with inspirational photos. Read more about that here.

Email and RSS readers are probably going to need to click over to the site to see the pins.

You have to know all I care about in this picture is how Bella is looking at me, right? I love you, Mommy. I actually do love my new sweater because I got it for like $8 at Old Navy this weekend.

Let’s connect! Like AmyJBennett.com on Facebook (where you can see some outtakes from my pictures). Follow me on Pinterest (where I post these inspirational pictures),Instagram (where you might sneak an early peek of an outfit) or Twitter.

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BONUS ANNOUNCEMENT!

I’ll be putting up a post on Monday listing all the details on how to get it so make plans to swing by!

A Day in the Life

April 23, 2013 by Amy 4 Comments

I read Tsh’s Day in the Life post and was spellbound. What is it about seeing other’s details we love? I don’t know but here’s mine.

6:00 Sleep Cycle alarm goes off. I question why, after I didn’t go to sleep until 1am the night before, I felt the need to set my alarm for 6am. I listen as Scott leaves the bathroom and goes to have an MRI to see about a pinched nerve. Reset the alarm for 6:10 and fall back asleep after I hear his truck pull away.

6:10 Still feel like lead, determine I can take a shower later at lunchtime and reset the alarm for 6:30.

6:30 Open my phone, turn off the alarm and scroll through Facebook. Having the light in my eyes wakes me up every morning.

6:36 Determine I really should roll out of bed since I have to get the kids off to school on my own.

6:40 Try to wake the kids up and then head out to the kitchen to start on lunches.

6:45 Check on the kids again and hear Bella crying. Let Bella out.

6:50 Check on the kids again and finish lunches. Catch Bella mid-air as she falls off the counter.

6:55 Make cereal. Sign papers. Brush hair. Take Bella out again.

7:05 Put some clothes on. Same ones as yesterday. I let Bella out again. She finally poops and I’m grateful that’s one less mess I have to clean.

7:10 Help Emma get shoes and clean up water that’s been spilled from Lexi’s water bottle.

7:15 Get out the door.

7:16 Go back in the house to help Lexi get something she forgot.

7:17 Leave for school.

7:27 Get home and let Bella use the bathroom again in the front yard. Type this as I wait and answer Yes when Scott texts me if I want Starbucks on his way home from the doctor.

7:33 Clean off the counter and take pictures of the bar for the day’s post. The one I worked on until 1am Sunday night is a dud and the one about the bar scheduled for Friday is moving to the front of the line.

7:45 Scott walks in with Starbucks and I ask how his appointment went. He has to go back Friday to get results. Start writing the bar post.

8:02 Realize I need to sign in to work and finish the post as everything gets logged in.

8:10 Put Bella in her crate for a nap.

8:15 Work. The day includes setting goals for the year. Not my favorite task.

8:38 Realize its Earth day and I didn’t send Emma to school in the earth day shirt I bought specifically for today. I also glance at an incoming email and realize I didn’t get Lexi to write a thank you note for teacher appreciation week. Fail. Go back to goals thinking I clearly need some for personal use.

9:20 Bella wakes up from a nap. I let her out. She comes back in chewing on something. I let her, glad she is distracted for a few minutes while I finish a chat with coworkers.

9:30 I call in to my only conference call for the day and sit outside and let Bella play as I am on the call.

9:47 Off the call and good timing because Scott is home from helping install some sort of shelf at the chiropractor’s office and can take over Bella duty. I get back to work, starting up Kristen Howerton’s Killer Tribe session as background.

10:30 Sit outside with my laptop for awhile and let Bella play while I continue to work.

10:45 Take a break to get a sausage patty and coffee. Think to myself all I’ve had to eat was a banana. At least I think I ate a banana. I vaguely remember grabbing one when I got done taking pictures of the bar. Bella also whines and Scott puts her back in her crate for another nap.

10:50 I get back to work researching where I might volunteer for our company’s big volunteer day in June. Start Brad Lomenick’s Killer Tribe session. Also check in on Facebook quickly but don’t see anything interesting.

11:30 Decide to take an early lunch so I can shower while Bella is asleep. As I use the bathroom yet again, I remember that I didn’t just have a banana, Scott brought me Starbucks and the coffee I had mid-morning was actually my second cup. I guess that’s the type of thing you forget when you go to bed at 1am.

12 Clean up dishes and start the dishwasher, make a sandwich for Scott as he runs in the door from seeing his grandmother and back out to help my mom at her business. I get Scott to snap a picture of my outfit for What I Wore Wednesday before he leaves. Finish my lunch break with my prayer time I missed in the morning, answer a few emails and share my post on social media.

12:30 Back to work.

1:45 I go get Bella up because she’s been asleep for so long and I’m worried. I move my laptop outside and let her and Tucker play.

2:08 Scott calls to say he’s done with mom and can pick the kids up on the way home. I’m a little sad.

2:46 Girls get home and I take a break to help with homework, hear stories and figure out snacks.

3:00 Back to work out in the yard. Bella is still wanting to play and Scott starts a fire to burn brush from trimming trees this weekend and calls the girls out to play. They’re not excited about it and just sit on their swings.

3:30 Scott finds a blue egg in the yard and I Instagram it, taken by the color.

4 Everyone comes inside. Bella goes to her crate to take a nap, Scott and the girls start a game of LIFE and I fix Emma some oatmeal and then get back to work.

4:30 Scott leaves to see his grandmother again who was taken to the ER.

4:45 Lexi asks me to put in The Bible DVDs.

5 Quitting time! The girls are starving so I go ahead and heat up leftovers for them. I’m waiting to eat for Scott to get home because he’s supposed to stop by and get shrimp sauce.

5:30 Bella plays in the front yard and the girls and I enjoy the beautiful weather on a blanket. I think of the neighbor whose teenager is giving them fits and say a prayer of thanks for the season we’re in.

5:55 Back in for more of The Bible. Bella wants a nap and I’m hoping Scott returns soon so I can eat.

6:10 Scott’s on his way home so I start frying some rice and reheating chicken.

6:30 Scott returns and we eat! The Bible is still playing and I continue to answer questions like why is he wearing a diaper (sumo-ish wrestlers perform for the king)? And why is Joseph mad she’s pregnant (oh geez)?

6:45 I hang up some clothes, empty the dishwasher and reload it while Scott is replaying some of The Bible he missed.

7:00 I sit down to put this post in draft stage. After such a late night, I’m exhausted and want to go to bed early.

7:20 Scott asks for help with the dishes. He got a little behind on his duties and it’s not normally this bad.

7:30 All done with the dishes and we feed the dogs. I Facebook a picture of the dogs eating out of each other’s bowls. Tucker always cleans up after Bella and Bella always wants some of Tucker’s for dessert.

7:45 We go out to Cook Out for milkshakes. It’s been months since we’ve been there. I get Peanut Butter Fudge. Is there a better flavor? I think not.

8:15 We’re home and I give Bella a bath on her back end. The downside to long hair. We shoo the kids off to get their outfits for tomorrow and brush their teeth.

8:30 I lie down with each of the girls and read Stephen King’s On Writing as they read for school.

9:00 I come back out to my desk and finish this post while Scott plays Call of Duty.

9:26 Lexi comes out and says she wants me to lay with her again. I tell her I’ll check on her when I go to bed, which I hope isn’t long now. The pictures are giving me fits.

9:39 Emma comes out to say Lexi is already asleep in her bed. I tell her Daddy will come and move her in a little bit. He’s on the phone about work.

9:58 I finish this post, schedule it for tomorrow and head straight to bed. I’ll read some more On Writing and hopefully be out by 10:30.

Tomorrow will be entirely different as I have to go in the office for meetings and Wednesday even more different than that as Scott will be sleeping work off and we have small group out our house in the evening. With both mine and Scott’s fluctuating work schedule, it’s rare two days look just alike in a week but today was a pretty typical relaxed, work from home day.

What do your days look like?

The Bar

April 22, 2013 by Amy 10 Comments

Two months ago I put up a post To Bar or Not To Bar trying to determine if we should knock out a wall between our kitchen and dining room.

Most of you confirmed what we were thinking—to bar!

Here’s the before again:

So, Scott has spent the last two months making a bar out of this area.

Much of the time at the beginning was determining what we wanted to do. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out if I wanted all of that side wall gone or not.

Finally, Scott made the decision for me and took a hammer to the wall.

After we lived with it that way, I determined I just couldn’t handle it completely open. It was driving me crazy to walk in and see the side of the countertop. So, we decided on half a wall.

We also have spent much of the two months thinking we’d put another short cabinet back there with glass on both sides. However, after we talked to a cabinet maker we realized it was just too much money. Plus, the open wall let in so much light into the kitchen, we kind of liked it without one.

While the project didn’t take a lot of money, it sure did take a lot of Scott’s labor.

I’m a lucky gal to have a guy that can do all this himself.

So, let me introduce you to our new bar:

We are loving it SO MUCH. Even Lexi, our change-hater, has taken to it quickly. The girls use it to eat breakfast and do homework. When we have dinner guests, the kids sit there. We find that guests congregate around it and it’s opened the rooms up so much.

It’s one of those projects where you just shake your head and wonder why you didn’t do it years ago.

Twitterature – April 2013

April 19, 2013 by Amy 6 Comments

Joining with Modern Mrs. Darcy for her monthly link-up for books called Twitterature. The premise of this link-up is to share short, casual reviews of books we’ve been reading.

The past month has been busy as I finished up several books in one weekend and then started my Growth Plan which includes a ton of books.

I’m trying out a new gallery plugin to display the reviews–let me know what you think!

Pursued by Jud Wilhite

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Whether you consider yourself a “good girl” always striving to be perfect or a “bad girl” with a past, Pursued will remind you God wants you just as you are.