I normally am not so on top of things but Harry has been home sick...he has been sick for almost 2 weeks now. Poor guy is having a very hard time between migraines, illness, the stress and transition of his new middle school. It has not been easy. AT ALL. We were watching a movie together and I was looking for something for him on the blog and I came across this post from last year. I do not think it was an accident. I think God was trying to remind me of the busy season quickly approaching. I think God was trying to remind me not to get all worked up about everything that is quickly approachng in the calendar. We have 3 family birthdays (one is a biggie) and an anniversary all on top of the holiday rush and some other more private but time consuming things going on as well. So, I decided to make things less stressful again this year as I like how it worked out last year. So, yep...the cards should be here today. I am trying to simplify things and check things off my list so I can focus on what is really important.
Tiny Prints and Minted are my usual got-to places for holiday cards, invitations and business cards. They both have some good deals going on too (20-25% off right now). So, click on over and see what you like.
The peanuts are featured at Minted again this year:) Minted has so many beautiful cards and the quality is consistently excellent.
{ a Mommy card}
For years and years, all my cards came from Tiny Prints.
I love their designs and the quality is excellent too.
I LOVE this silver polk dot one from Tiny Prints this year.
Right now Tiny Prints has a 25% off sale. Use this link to take advantage of the discount.
Now, let me change the subject to Trader Joe's!
I am SO excited (little things do this to me). We finally got a Trader Joe's here. I used to go to Trader Joe's in Richmond, VA and I loved it. But it has been at least 4 years since I have shopped there. I stopped in briefly today but was overwhelmed at all the choices (and I only had a few minutes). So, dear readers, I ask you to please share your favorite Trader Joe's finds with me. I am interested in gluten free and regular food too. Please share in the comments.
Thank you for all the sweet words and encouragement regarding Kate's testing. Several of you e-mailed me with your own stories and successes and suggestions. I am so grateful. I saved them all and will refer to them once we know what is going on. She had two days of testing and we have a results meeting next week. And she got some great news that I'll share this weekend!
Good for you! And great idea!
ReplyDeleteWe are getting our pictures taken this Sunday for purposes of Christmas cards. I start getting antsy if it's mid October and I don't have them done yet! I'm glad you can check this off your list! I am really sorry to hear of your son's migraines.
ReplyDeleteKim I got mine in the mail last week! I used a new company and loved them! Have a lot going on around here so I had to get it done and had the perfect picture from a summer trip. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteGirl you go... I am going to attempt to try and get the cards together this year... last year I didn't send ... bad me... but this year going to have to take a few photos... kids are everywhere and can't get them in the same spot...
ReplyDeleteLove you and miss you ..
Hugz..
Good for you on the cards, I'm sure they will be adorable since your kids are. I get Christmas started early too, I have about 1/2 of my gifts purchased. I like to have everything wrapped and under the tree the weekend after Thanksgiving. Speaking of the holidays, Trader Joes has the BEST mint dark hot chocolate that comes out with the rest of the holiday goodies.
ReplyDeleteI can walk to Trader Joe's so I'm there pretty often! I love their Organic Creamy Sea Salt peanut butter, the Organic unsweetened apple sauce, their yogurt smoothie drinks, the Gorgonzola crackers and I buy the girls Kids Cliff Z Bars there too.
ReplyDeleteThey have Sea Salt Carmel sauce that is divine and their spices are great too.
They get blackberries once a year that are so good and we also like the refrigerated, already-cooked lemon chicken breasts.
Most years they get a big selection of the "fancy pumpkins" and they have beautiful -- and inexpensive -- orchids and fresh flowers year round.
Good for you Kim! I do not like to wait past October to have my card picture taken. BUT, for the last FIVE years we have had a grand baby born EVERY Oct or Nov!! I know...bizarre! I include them on our card so it's been a little later than usual. This year there are no babies due in the fall so I should be good to go for October!
ReplyDeletePoor Harry. Stress along with sickness is a hard thing. Hold him close. It will pass. Just said a prayer for him...and you!
Love Trader Joes. Their Gingersnap cookies are the best I have ever had! They have pieces of ginger in them and are oh so good! (if you try them, make sure you get the ones in the round, clear plastic container...as opposed to the bag.)
Love Trader Joe's!!! I always get a full cart of stuff there (whenever I have a chance to go - not often). But my must have items are frozen minced garlic & herbs, they come in small cubed trays. It's such a timesaver to use them in cooking, and almost like having fresh herbs.
ReplyDeleteI also like their thai sauces, inexpensive all natural almond & peanut butter. Their indian sauces and frozen naan is good, too. I use the sauces a lot in my crockpot, throw in chicken and a jar of their indian or thai sauce, and serve with jasmine rice (yup, their brown jasmine rice in always on my list, too:)
Goodness, I could go on and on:) Coconut oil! Candy & chocolate covered blueberries etc, yum:) I think I need to make another trip soon!
We have our session scheduled for pics, so at least I have thought about it!!! And Trader Joe's .... Mmmmm gazpacho!!! And the corn salsa!!! Xoxo
ReplyDeleteLove TJ's! Faves: Raisin Rosemary crips with blueberry goat cheese, chipotle pepper hummus, mushroom asiago chicken sausage, chocolate almond biscotti (to die for), vanilla bean yogurt (tastes like cheesecake), chocolate covered coffee beans, blueberries, and cherries, cilantro greek yogurt dip, Blood Orange soda (mix it with seltzer for a delicious yet still fairly healthy fizzy drink)..I could go on!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with Kate's testing:)
Love that polka dot Christmas card.
WOW! YUM....you are making me want to go back there today (which would be the 3rd time this week) Thanks for all the suggestions!
DeleteI live in Pearland, so I was excited to see Trader Joe's open in Houston. I've never been, but look forward to going since so many people love it. I like hearing everyone's favorite items.
DeleteNo hate from me because I ordered mine in August and they came the first week of this month....matching labels and all!
ReplyDeleteHopsy! I am so impressed!!!!!
DeleteI'll second the ginger snaps, with three kinds of ginger. I love their low salt canned tuna fish and wonderfully priced brie cheese.
ReplyDeletePraying for your sweet Harry, transitioning to middle school can be super stinky!!! Everything is just SO different:(
ReplyDeleteAnd...I don't even know what Trader Joe's is!!!! (lol)
Congratulations on getting a Trader Joe's! I love their snack mixes - especially the Salty, Sweet & Nutty Trek Mix and the Peanut Butter Trax Mix. Ooh, and the cinnamon sugar almonds! I also love their fig cereal bars and their frozen chili rellenos. So much great stuff there!
ReplyDeleteI'll keep poor Harry in my thoughts. It's so hard to be sick at the start of the school year. :(
I think it is great that you can cross one more thing off your list. I always take my girls picture because I'm the only one who can threaten and bribe into giving me a natural smile. I used to bring m&m's for smiles. Even now, when I tell them we are going to take pics at Thanksgiving, they always remind me to bring the candy! We just got a Trader Joe's in Ft Worth near #1's college. I love the Kale, greek yogurt, and artichoke dip with celery. Goes great with a glass of chardonnay. So sorry to hear about poor Harry. I will say little prayers to the Blessed Mother... she helped me when my #2 was so sick. Have a great weekend. Love the pics.
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you. My Christmas cards arrived last week with the matching address labels. I also ordered some more last week because the first set wasn't my favorite.
ReplyDeleteTrader Joes is fantastic. Love everything of theirs but especially their coconut oil and organic quinoa. Yummy!!!
ReplyDeleteFirst sooo sorry about poor Harry! I am overwhelmed for him...poor little guy. I know hes getting tons of TLC at home:) Hope hes on the mend really really soon!
ReplyDeleteI am feeling sightly intimidiated that you are done with your cards, but am allowing it to inspire me to get mine done too! Oh wait....I forgot I never mailed mine from last year! SO I am ahead of the game afterall..well, what do you know:)
Love Trader Joes..though I am seriously addicted to Whole Foods..do you have one?
Oh my gosh! I'm SO jealous! I don't even have a picture in sight for my family!
ReplyDeleteThinking of your family and hoping that Harry begins feeling better and more adjusted and that Kate's results come back a-ok. I've been in your shoes and know the feeling.
ReplyDeleteMy Christmas cards have been on my counter since last week. I'm an early orderer because 3/5 in our family have Dec birthdays! Also, my neighbor and I are in a silent competition about who gets holiday stuff up and done soonest. Last year, she gave me her Christmas card on Labor Day. :)
Lindsey
I don't have Trader Joe's where I am either, but my mom goes there all the time. Not exactly healthy, but they have these mini chocolate chip cookies that are SO delicious I could eat a whole package in one sitting. Their frozen chocolate chip cookie dough tastes like homemade. And they have this frozen asparagus risotto that is delicious. My mom also gets minced garlic and herbs that come frozen in little cubes and taste amazingly fresh! (unlike the minced garlic in a jar- which is fine, but not exactly fresh.) I actually used the frozen cilantro in salsa once and it tasted pretty good! My mom loves these cocoa almonds, and a lot of their snack mixes are good too. You can also get a huge bottle of olive oil there for about 1/3 of the price at a regular grocery store. Enjoy. :)
ReplyDeleteHave you gone to whatsgoodattraderjoes.com ? They do a pretty honest review of what to try and what to skip. My most recent love is the cookie butter!
ReplyDeleteHave you been to whatsgoodattraderjoes.com ? My new favorite is the cookie butter!
ReplyDeletePoor Harry....will be thinking of him. Trader joes is awesome. Their frozen salmon is amazing, sea salt edamame my friend Ginna and I ate by the bag (frozen), thomcord grapes, organic basil tomato sauce, and Kim their homemade salsa....get a couple as it won't last...you could eat it in one sitting.
ReplyDeleteI also get sterlings glucosamine there for cheaper than per stores.
Poor Harry. Praying he's feeling much better soon. Good for you for getting some of the Holiday stuff done early...makes it so much easier to actually enjoy the season, right? I have to add that I adored the shots you got of Kate with her bedhead and clever "smartboard" a few posts below.
ReplyDeleteGin =)
The frozen risotto is pretty good-the asparagus is better than the mushroom. I use the Soyaki sauce for chicken. And, of course, the dark/milk chocolate almonds are a great little snack.
ReplyDeleteHope Harry is feeling better! Seriously jealous that you have your cards done and probably in your hands already! I must get moving! :)
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great week!
I miss Trader Joes! We moved away from them about 6 months ago. I like their frozen tamales, and Vodka pasta sauce. I loved their full fat organic yogurt for my toddler. Their holiday coffees and hot chocolates make great teacher gifts for gift baskets too!
ReplyDeleteI experienced my first TJ shopping trip this past summer when I went home to St. Louis for Lucey's surgery. What a great store. I can't wait to travel to the closest one near us. It will be worth the drive. I hope Harry feels better. I'll pray for his healing and transition. I really understand. Good for you getting a jump on your Christmas Cards. I have mine too...only because I did not send the ones I ordered last year and they will be more than fine for this year. ;-)
ReplyDeletei think its great! and i'm sure they'll be beautiful! i'm blogging again, finally :) please come visit, new blog, new name! did you ever order the skirt?
ReplyDelete<3 nicole
I can't believe you (and Shana) are so ahead on your holiday "to do" lists! I'm so jealous, but motivated, too! I've never heard of "Minted" so I'll have to check them out. I've never been to a Trader Joe's either... living in a small town has it's downfalls, too. Your Christmas card looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteOkay.. I'm off to make my holiday list....
I can't believe you (and Shana) are so ahead on your holiday "to do" lists! I'm so jealous, but motivated, too! I've never heard of "Minted" so I'll have to check them out. I've never been to a Trader Joe's either... living in a small town has it's downfalls, too. Your Christmas card looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteOkay.. I'm off to make my holiday list....
Oh dear! I'm so jealous of you (and Shana) getting ahead on your holiday "to do" lists! But I'm motivated, too, so that's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteYour Christmas cards look fabulous! I've never heard of "Minted" so I'll have to go check them out.
I have never been to a Trader Joes. I suppose living in a small town has a few downfalls. We have to drive 40 miles just to see a good movie!
Happy week to you!
You are awesome! I can't believe I haven't done a thing about my cards yet. i better get on the ball!
ReplyDeleteMad at you? I want to BE you!! trying to get our pictures done this weekend. Thanks for the sale info. I feel you with Trader Joe's. We got one here 3 years ago but I used to carry a cooler every other week full down to the beach, just found out they are building one there that will open just in time for summer! Praying for Harry and you.
ReplyDeleteMad at you? I want to BE you!! trying to get our pictures done this weekend. Thanks for the sale info. I feel you with Trader Joe's. We got one here 3 years ago but I used to carry a cooler every other week full down to the beach, just found out they are building one there that will open just in time for summer! Praying for Harry and you.
ReplyDeleteOh I SO wish this was the case for me!! I'm working on Thanksgiving, but haven't gotten to Christmas yet!:) Enjoy TJ's, I miss going there so much!!! There is a Whole Foods coming to the Savannah area in about two years, usually a TJ's isn't far behind.....I'm hoping!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the weekend, off to the post office an to pray for y'al!!!!xoxo
Trader joe's tikki masala in a jar- simmer with chicken and serve over their organic jasmine frozen rice is delish. Their frozen spinach dip great to have on hand for entertaining. Thinking of sweet Harry!
ReplyDeleteWe LOVE their Gluten Free crispy chocolate chip cookies!!
ReplyDelete