Frugal Back Porch

My Messiest Rooms of the House

jenrik06 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:02:42 -0800

Trish over at MomDot is having a contest for the messiest room. Entry with the messiest room wins a new Oreck Halo. SA-WEET - This would definitely come in handy since my Bissell is about to kick the bucket and the holidays are nearly here!!!

I'm embarrassed to say, this is my son's room, our gaming station, and my craft/storage room which are all on the second floor. Part of me wonders if my 8 year old is practicing to be THAT messy 18 year old teenage boy! I blame the cat for my craft room! You buy that right???

So what do you think? Do I have a shot???

Thanksgiving Traditions

jenrik06 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:34:34 -0800

Holiday traditions spell home for me! I grew up with the trip to grandma's house where everyone brought a dish. The smells that filled her house cannot ever be recreated. There are no words to decribe those memories and feelings. Running into Granny's house, giving her a great big hug, taking in her smell! Knowing she'd ALWAYS have the candy cubbard stocked for us. Playing basketball with my cousins and uncles. Seeing relatives, I normally only see a few times a year. Walking around the neighborhood, seeing my Granny's neighbors and their grandkids. The memories! The traditions!

I hope to pass on a love of homemade food that my Granny gave me. It's no secret I like to cook. Everything may not always turn out like I expect or hope but I certainly hope it's a skill my children love as well. Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same without a home cooked meal. Turkey. Ham. Mashed potatoes. Mac n cheese. Cheesecake. Chess and pecan pie. All are holiday table traditions in my home! My mouth waters with the anticipation.

Another tradition is to share in the love of family and friends. Since we no longer live close to family, friends have become very important to us. We hope to spend part of the holiday with some of our close friends. Weather permits, it would be nice to have some time outside. Perhaps a bonfire in our fire pit. Appreciating the outdoor fall weather. Phone calls, emails, tweets, chats, text and picture messages will be our new family tradition to help us stay connected to the ones we love.

Lastly, I hope to inspire my kids to carve out their own traditions that fit their needs. Moving 1,200 miles away from my hometown wasn't an easy decision to make. It was the RIGHT choice for us but that means things like holiday traditions will have to change. It's an exciting adventure. I must find my own voice. Create my own traditions. Share in the love of family and friendships the best way possible. Create my own Thanksgiving traditions.

What holiday traditions do you observe in your family? What tradititons do you hope to pass on?

Read other Twittermoms Thanksgiving traditions here and enter for your own chance at a $50 Target Gift Card.

Delightful Spa Basket Giveaway

jenrik06 — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:49:49 -0800

Head on over to the Front Porch to enter the Spa Basket Giveway. It includes a terry wrap robe, fluffy slippers, eye mask, and a coupon for FREE Yoplait Delights. It ends next Wednesday so hurry to get your entry posted.

Click the image to go to the giveaway page.

iVillage Costume Contest

jenrik06 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:12:18 -0800

We entered iVillage's Costume Contest for a shot at $500 which will come in really handy for the holidays. It's a facebook fan only contest. So if you have a facebook profile and don't mind becoming an iVillage fan, I would be eternally grateful for your vote. Click here to vote for J-Man in his Optimus Prime Costume.

While your on facebook, feel free to friend me! I like friends!

Zhu Zhu Pets - The Top Toy of the Season!!!

jenrik06 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:32:56 -0800

After attending tonight's #ZhuZhuPets Twitter party, it seems this is the hottest toy of the holiday season. It also seems it's already one of the most elusive toys on the market. Target, Walmart, Etoys, and Toys R Us are all sold out online. Consumers are reporting the same status in their stores. I have heard of Ebay bidding wars on these cute little toy rodents but fortunately Amazon shows stock on most of their listed Zhu Zhu Pet products. I have no idea if the price is inflated due to demand but I caution to buy only from online stores with great feedback and a return/refund policy or directly from Amazon. Click on my either the widget in this post or on my sidebar for all the Zhu Zhu Pets listed at Amazon. Hopefully this will help you on your quest for THE toy of the season!

Michael Buble

jenrik06 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:41:30 -0800

He is sooo on my Christmas wish list but I'll settle for his album! ;)

High School Football Division Playoffs

jenrik06 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:36:20 -0800

Keep up our team's scores and stats here or here.

All Join In with Kenny Loggins

jenrik06 — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 07:49:58 -0700

Last month, I was blessed to receive Kenny Loggins newest album, All Join In. I was quite surprised when I popped it in my CD player. I normally listen to country, top 40, or rock music-think 80's hair bands or 90's boy bands. I know, awful isn't it? lol I like something with a snappy beat I can dance and sing along with while I vacuum or do the dishes. It helps keep me motivated!

My eight year old and my three year old love music-all music-but they really seemed to enjoy this album. All Join In is marketed as a children's album but it's so much more. I really enjoyed the music as much as the kids. Tapping my feet and singing along. Of course one of our favorites was "You've Got a Friend in Me!" Maybe it's because the song reminds me of one of our favorite animated films, Toy Story. This song (and the movie) are definitely tops on our jammin' list! (FYI-Toy Story 1 and 2 are being re-released in 3D for 2 weeks in October. YAY!)

My recommendation: Perfect for the whole family!

To help kick off Kenny Loggins' newest "family" album and get some fan feedback, here are four fFREE downloads from All Join In plus a couple of quick questions you can answer after listening.

I hope you enjoy! Follow Kenny Loggins on twitter and facebook for updates on all things Kenny Loggins!

*Product provided by One 2 One Network. No compensation other than the reviewed product was received for this review.*

Where the Wild Things Are - Deluxe Prize Pack Giveaway

jenrik06 — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:48:51 -0700

I'm giving away a deluxe movie prize pack on the Front Porch to celebrate the highly anticpated release of Where the Wild Things Are. The giveaway ends 10/23 @ 11:29pm ET.

Enter to Win a Where the Wild Things Are Deluxe Prize Pack

Tweet with #IMAXWildThings for Twitter Party prizes

View >>

Stock Up on Halloween Candy

jenrik06 — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 06:17:52 -0700

Just in time for all the little ghosts and ghoblins pounding down our doors for sweet goodies. Amazon is offering a significant savings on selected Hershey's, Nestle, Mars, and Wonka chocolate and candies.

Spend $39 or more=Get a $15 discount.

Not bad if you ask me! For details and to order, click here.