Sponsor Introduction and a Giveaway

Please help me warmly welcome Lynn from Inspired Baskets by La Bella. I've asked Lynn to share with you a little about herself and the sweet little shop she has going.

From the time I started working, I remember writing up little business plans for my future "gift basket" business. It sounded lovely and creative and fun, but real life comes with words like capital, inventory and marketing... well, my little backroom basket business never materialized. (I've come to find out there are quite a few others like me!) Fast forward about twenty-ahem-years and my business finally found me. Now I am an "older" mom of 3 kids under 9 with a hectic load and still a need to contribute to the family income. I found a way to have an online gift basket store and I'm exploring the new world of internet marketing, but also building wonderful friendships with people from everywhere, thanks to my store. My creativity is exercised in finding new ways to connect with people, and offering gift consulting services to those who need help finding something special. I'm also able to mentor others who, like me, want to have that gift basket business at home, and I truly enjoy seeing them succeed. In all of this, it's my hope to use my business to share the light of Faith with everyone I serve, in some small way. If you're my customer, you can count on my prayers!

Inspired Baskets by La Bella is my online gift store home. Since I’m a Catholic homeschooling mom who needs to work from home, it’s been such a blessing for me to partner with La Bella Baskets, a wonderful company that supports and fulfills orders for my business, so that I’m able to help my family, but not get bogged down in the details of production. I’m “inspired” to offer warm and attentive service and to help busy people eliminate the stress of running around town, assembling, wrapping, packing and shipping a gift. My store offers the largest gift basket selection you can find online – over 300 choices for every person and occasion on your gift list, with flat rate shipping all over the continental U.S. The baskets are really filled with good quality items, not lots of paper filler! Other selections include delicious shortbread cookie bouquets, fresh flowers, and baby items with free personalized embroidery – just to name a few. We also offer a 30% off corporate memberships for companies with volume gift needs, and we can set up online fundraisers for organizations as well. 

Christmas items will be added in the next few weeks!

I love gift baskets. My very favorite baskets ever were left for us in a charming cottage that a very generous hostess offered to us when we traveled to New York for a family reunion. Unfortunately, our hostess was on the other side of the country during our stay, but she very thoughtfully sent two huge baskets of fun to the cottage for us to enjoy during our stay. It was such a thoughtful and very personal touch and we enjoyed them immensely. 

Lynn wonders what your favorite baskets have been? Fruit, flowers, fludge? Leave a comment and let her know and follow her on Facebook and you will be entered to win a very special prize for the heart of your home. Lynn writes, "For your lovely readers, I will offer the winner her choice of one of our 6 Premium Scented Candle Gift Sets.  The set includes 3 round votives, a votive holder, a 13 oz. octagon pillar, and a 7.5 oz. tumbler (jar candle). Total burn time is up to 180 hours. The scent choices are aromatherapy, fruit, floral, bakery, coffee or Holiday. Check out the details here."  

Oh, I love candles, don't you?

Follow her on Facebook and leave a comment here, letting us know what your favorite basket delivery. Giveaway winner announced here next Monday.

UPDATE: For those who aren't on Facebook, Lynn also has a blog where she posts similar topics related to gift baskets. You can follow there!! Also, the early-November special of 10% off all items, has been extended until Nov. 30th. You can pre-order and schedule delivery for any time - great for holiday gift planning. Be sure to enter the code NOV10 at checkout! 

On Monday Morning

I find myself:

::noticing God's glory

I planted sweet blue pansies a few weeks ago and they look at me--all cheerful little faces turned to the sun-- and promise me that they are hardy fellows and will do just fine when the weather isn't so kind. Some people are roses; I think it would be fine to be a pansy.

::listening to 

Crazy Girl by the Eli Young Band. I'm pretty sure that if this song were required listening for marriage prep and every guy understood its message, the length of the average married argument would be cut by more than half. (But I don't like the video at all. I hate it when a video nearly ruins a song.)

::clothing myself in 

three quarter length sleeves. I like my sweaters to have three-quarter length sleeves. They don't get in the way of frequent washing up or cooking or paints or such.

::giving thanks for

a very quiet weekend past, particularly when I look to the very not-quiet weekend ahead.

::pondering prayerfully

November 3:
Think: "When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude." ~Chesterton 

Pray:
God, remind me (gently?) not to take anything for granted. Give to me the gift of sensitivity. Make me ever aware of the many blessings you have bestowed for which I am truly grateful.

Act: 
People who are survivors--who have survived accidents or illnesses--are often graced with an enhanced appreciation for life. They have learned, through pain and suffering, not to take a moment for granted. They know the fear that comes with having life threatened and so they have an acute awareness of the hope and joy that comes with having the threat subside. They might awaken in the morning after the crisis has passed with the sense that with the sun dawns a new life. And, despite the lingering pain, they feel the joy that comes with knowing that they will live to do His work. All the simple things that "regular" people take for granted are so sweet to the survivor that they bring tears to her eyes. That is the gift, the great reward on earth, that comes with suffering. The gift is there for each and every one of us. Unwrap the gift in all its wonder. Enjoy your time, your life. Don't take a moment for granted. Take them all with gratitude.

From Small Steps 

::clicking around these links

Here are some of the places I've visited recently:

Thoughts on how hurried we are and how being like a child means slowing down.

A wonderful anecdotal post from Kimberlee, who fosters creativity so beautifully in the heart of her home.

Andy Rooney on Women over Forty (wise man, that one).

The heart of the Penn State tragedy

Beautiful thoughts as a daughter comes of age.

And this one brings tears to my eyes every time I re-read it.

::turning the pages of this book

Grace for the Good Girl by Emily Freeman. So, that's what you call the demon I've been fighting all my life. Good to name it. God bless Emily, for giving voice.

 

::thinking thoughts as I go about my daily round

I have so very much to do between now and January first. My mind is spinning.

::creating by hand

A new quilt! I have four squares finished now and I'm just so very pleased. I love, love, love this art.. 

::learning lessons in

quilting. I can't get enough of this ecourse at Whipstitch. I'm so glad I jumped in.

::encouraging learning 

Despite herself, I think Mary Beth is finally seeing the merits of her anatomy class. I got quite the lecture the other day on how we're all woefully calcium deficient. And she's probably right.

::carefully cultivating rhythm

Ugh. We've been without our big van for a couple of weeks now. And then Mike's car broke down. Oh, and Mike has been in France for a week. And mary Beth has had dance rehearsals that don't follow the class scheudle at all. When the driving routine gets rocked, rhythm is seriously disrupted and it makes me a little crazy. He's home now and I think we'll get the car thing solved immediately. All will be well.

It's the morning after a homecoming; I always feel like all will be well on the morning after a homecoming.

::begging prayers

for two people very close to me who had big medical deals last week and will learn results this week. Praying for stength and grace and courage for all of us. 

::keeping house

I had so hoped to have painted and finished a few dozen of my renovation tasks before decorating for Christmas, but details got ensnared and we delayed beginning. Now, I'm thinking we'll just wait until January? I don't know...

::crafting in the kitchen 

with pomegranates. I love them and my kids know they are special and share a short season with peppermint shakes at Chick-Fil-A. Did you know that pomegranates have long been held to be a fertility fruit? I have six babies born nine months after pomegranate season. I'm a believer in that there myth.

::loving the moments

 when the big boys' girlfriends play with my little girls. A big family bonus, for sure.

::planning for the week ahead

lots of car details today.

Patrick plays in Columbus tomorrow. He had a pretty amazing game last week. Every day is an adventure with that child.

a very intense week of rehearsals.

Kingdom of Sweets and Holiday Rhythms on Saturday and Sunday.

Patrick has two soccer games this weekend.

Nicky has at least three games and Stephen has at least four. 

I will spend the week making sure we're ready for the weekend:-)

::capturing the images of my days

 

Let's Make Pepperoni Rolls

Begin with 1 lb frozen bread dough, thawed  OR 1 pound homemade dough. If you make homemade dough, you need to knead. Then, 

On a lightly floured counter with a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough into a 16X10 inch rectangle.

Blend 3 beaten eggs with 1 1/2 cups grated or shredded romano or parmesan cheese.

Spread the egg and cheese mixture over the rolled out dough

Cover the egg and cheese with about 4 ounces pepperoni slices.

Top with 4 ounces Provolone slices.

Roll tightly, lengthwise.

Bake on a lightly greased cookie sheet at 350 for 35-45 minutes.

Pair it with a football game.

::Oh, and if anyone out there takes this recipe and adapts it to a gluten-free version, please do share. These smell amazing and are very hard for me to resist::

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual.  Photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Super Cute Cupcakes

Bake cupcakes as usual and make a batch of frosting of your choice.

Cut mini marshmallows on the diagonal

Dip the cut side of the marshmallow pieces into colored sugar

Frost one cooled cupcake (I frost and decorate one at a time so that the frosting is soft)

Carefully arrange the dipped pieces on the frosting to make petals

Fill the whole top with petals or leave a little circle to sprinkle the center with little pearls or jimmies or other sprinkles of your choice. or Ballerinas. Ballerinas are always good.