The internet...

  I have a serious love-hate relationship with the internet.  It is so convenient to get WHATEVER you need or want, but it also conveniently gives you a lot of things that you don't need.  I have been careful to make sure I am using the internet in a way that doesn't allow me to compare too much, covet, or just be an unnecessary time sink for me.  Sometimes things put up on the internet become an unrealistic ideal or image in your mind that you just cannot live up to.  That's the part that is not so great.

  Besides online shopping (darn you daily sales emails!! and the fact that I have to shop for 6 people now), most of my time online is spent perusing blogs.  I have a number of blogs that I follow really closely and a bigger number that I have subscribed to in my feedly reader.  All of the blogs I follow provide me some inspiration of some sort (food, art, parenting, craft, faith) or make me crack up with the funny stories or wittiness they share.  This is what I love about the internet.  You can get some great encouragement from some great bloggers out there!

 

This past week I was really happy with what came to me from the internet through my blogs.

These two posts really resonated with me:
http://www.sowonderfulsomarvelous.com/2013/06/moms-when-are-you-going-to-learn.html
http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2013/09/04/practical-ways-to-encourage/ (from same blog I mentioned earlier this week)

I happened upon a great deal:
I check out one particular deal-finding blog, but just by searching for a coupon code for online sites you can usually score free shipping or 15% off.
Earlier this week I was making an 8X8 book on shutterfly.  I searched for a coupon code and found one that got me the book for free, only having to pay for shipping. Oh yeah!  Then I went to check my blog and they had posted about that same deal.
http://www.seattlemomsdealfinder.com/2013/09/free-shutterfly-photo-book.html

I've also found some recipes that have become new favorites in our house.  Here are only a few I could think of off the top of my head:
Chicken Tikka Masala (but I do coconut milk instead of cream)
Brownies (just as good as my espresso brownies.  I've tried both ways, I like the wheat one better.)
Blueberry Crumb Cake
There are so many recipes I want to try, but just haven't.  If I try something that is really good, I'll be sure to post!

Hope you found some encouragement on the internet this week!!