The first weekend of the summer...

Fresh Lemon Chiffon Cake

The beginning of summer in our family means the summer birthdays are upon us! Patricia, Laura and I all celebrate our birthday's during these summer months.

We are starting the first weekend of the summer with our mom Patricia's birthday. It will be small, intimate and lovely gathering with food and family.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend too!

Quick and Healthy Meal Options for Mom with Lean Cuisine

Shopping at Sam's Club is a weekly trip for my family. In the past we would do one big trip a month but since my son was born a few years ago we like to go a few times a month to see what new items we see and deals we can find. Plus I find it fun to take my son with me out and about. He likes to go shopping with me, especially when there is Sam's Club samples involved :)

For me shopping at Sam's Club is easier to be able to stock up on items. I am the type of person who wants to have things handy when I need them. The was two grocery stores close by me but one closed so there is only one grocery store and they are somewhat expensive. I do not like to run out of things and end up over paying there since its closer.

Not only do I save money shopping at Sam's Club I save time, something that is priceless! I do use coupons often but I have found with some deals the time it takes to gather coupons, compare prices and map out my plan could be spent playing games with my son or reading a book to him. Not to mention the amount of gas it takes to run all over town gathering the items. Going to Sam's Club I dont need coupons and its just one store.

My husband and I were planning a Hunger Games movie date night. Lean Cuisine for me pizza for him.

I have been trying to make better decisions for food I eat. The last six months have been an emotional rollercoaster for me and it has taken a toll on my waistline! I am looking for food that is just for me to eat. I want to have it be easy to make, small portions, low in fat and at a great price. I dont want meal plans or shakes, I want real food that taste good. I am a fan of Sam's Club Frozen Foods, its easy to cook and convenient to have in the house. While we were at Sam's Club I found a 6 pack of Lean Cuisine Asian inspired meals for less than $11.25. Flavors like Garlic Ginger, Sesame Chicken and Teriyaki all sound delicious! I enjoy eating Asian flavors of food, often its deep or shallow fried so not the best for me. I was so glad to see Lean Cuisine was making a low fat no preservative entree.

 I love to eat fried rice with peas and carrots in it when we go out to eat at Asian restaurants. The problem is the item is FRIED! Not good for my overall health. I planned to add some boiled white jasmine rice and steamed veggies as a nice side dish to my Lean Cuisine. #FrozenFavorites

For our movie date night I tried the Sesame Chicken with Pasta for only 9 grams of fat. The rice and veggie side dish had no fat making this a great low fat and delicious dinner for me. I was satisfied eating my meal, sometimes "diet" food can leave you feeling hungry. Since we were watching The Hunger Games the last thing I wanted to be was hungry! I like knowing I can afford something tasty for my diet needs and still have time to make my family something else for dinner. Next weekend when my Mother in law comes over I am going to serve her and I the Lean Cuisine Ginger Garlic Chicken Stir Fry. I think she will love it!

You can read my Google+ story about my shopping trip to Sam's Club and see all the great samples my son and I tried.

To connect with Lean Cuisine and learn more about the Lean Cuisine Delicious Rewards program you can be a fan on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

*I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and (Nestle) LEAN CUISINE #CBias #SocialFabric

Nana's 55th Birthday Bash Starts Today!

Happy Friday Everyone! Today is a special day for us since we are starting Nana Patricia aka our Mom's 55th Birthday Bash Celebration. Our Mom, Nana to the grandkids and Patricia to her friends will be turning 55. We wanted to throw her an online Birthday Bash. Turning 55 is an awesome milestone. Nana has been writing on the blog for over a year now and has become a big part of what Frugal Family Tree is, after all with out our wonderful Mom we would not be the Family Tree we are.

As her daughters Sam, Meg and I adore her and consider her one of our closest friends. She makes us all feel just as special as the other and she has 3 of us girls and 2 sons. We want to celebrate Nana's birthday with all of you as we share great gifts, fun party ideas and local Seattle must see places to visit. Our Mom loves yoga, clothing, shoes, watches, coffee, books, stationary, hand bags, baskets which are all awesome gifts that we plan to get her. Our Mom loves the city life. SF, NY, LA, and Seattle would be the place for her to live right in the heart of one of them and be absolutely happy. (its on the will do someday list!)

We also want to introduce her to fun experiences as well. Indulging in a spa day or a nice dinner can be a great way to create wonderful memories. Of course while looking fabulous at 55! We love our Mom so much and want to share with you ways to celebrate your loved ones too. Thank you for our sponsors for being a part of this wonderful celebration.

We hope you have fun with our giveaways to win some great gifts for the Summer Birthdays you are celebrating this year.

Sometimes Mom Needs a Nap

Found this cute pic at theberry.com

This has been an emotional roller coaster of week. Life has a way of piling up with small things that bug you but dont mean much, to loss and regret and then something in the here and now whacks you in the head. I am normally the most chipper, positive, always seeing the sunshine through the rain kinda gal and I still am. A lot of prayer and tears have made me realize to be happy for who I am, who loves me and what my future holds. Ive been exhausted and after about 2 1/2 years without one, I took a nap! It felt selfish to go in my room close the door, computer off, life on the back burner and just sleep. BUT oh man did I wake up feeling a million times better. My mind was so exhausted and needed it. I encourage you to when you are having one of those days or weeks to have a family member, even if you need to call one, to watch your little ones while you take a nap. Like the picture says, "When all else fails take a nap."

photo by me :)

Happy Mother's Day

This is a very old picture of my mother, Ruth. She was born in 1921, and died in 1988.
I still miss her everyday. She was the kind of mother who was loving, and there for me in all ways whenever I needed her. She was the best of grandmothers to my children, and it was a huge and heartbreaking loss when she left us.

I now look at my own grandchildren and know she would have been so thrilled to see these beautiful little people that are a part of her. And she would have been a fabulous great-grandmother, too.

Happy Mother's Day Mom. I love you.

Helzberg Diamonds Show Mom She's Loved "Mom" Necklace Review and Giveaway

To celebrate Mother's Day and the Show Mom She's Loved Helzberg Sweepstakes we are hosting a review and giveaway for a Mother’s Day Sterling Silver and Diamond Pendant Necklace with Hearts that says "Mom" for our readers.

I have been wanting to be a Mom since I was 18, but waited until the time was right, but as a Mom now I realize there is no "right" time for anything. My own Mom is why I wanted to be a Mom myself. She is the most caring, nurturing, supportive woman I have ever known and I get to be her daughter. I tell her all the time I want to be a loving Mom to my son as she is to all of us kids. She never asks for anything for Mother's Day, just a card would make her day and when we were little a hand drawn card and a home made coupon for hugs would be just perfect. As I am sure all Moms want that from their kids. But there are beautiful gifts that Moms like to be a reminder of that love like jewelry. It doesn't have to be something extravagant just a simple everyday item that makes them smile about being a Mom.

This is the necklace you will have the chance to win

This is only my own third Mother's Day and each year is more sweeter than the next. My son is old enough now to draw me a picture and do his best to "sign" a card. My husband on the other hand I want him to get me something that is his appreciation of me as a Mom to our son. I found a great list of Jewelry Under a $100 for Mother's Day Gifts at Helzberg Diamonds. I thought it was a great way to look for something beautiful and also affordable.

I love the Sterling Silver and Diamond Mom Heart necklace for only $49.99. It is sweet and simple. As a Mom we often feel guilty if money is spent on us but this is our day to get something nice and marvel in the chance to be spoiled. I will be wearing mine on Mother's Day to show the world I am someones Mommy!

This would make a great gift for Moms that would like a bracelet

I thought this was a cute necklace too!

As a Reminder I wanted to re-post about the Helzberg Diamonds Show Mom She's Loved Sweepstakes. You can enter now until Friday April 27th.

Win a $5,000 Shopping Spree for Your Mom

Enter your own Mom in the Show Mom She’s Loved Contest – and encourage your family to nominate you, too. Share with them the special way she makes you and others feel loved at Helzberg Mom is Loved contest page for a chance to win a $5,000 Helzberg Diamonds shopping spree.

Helzberg Diamonds welcomes you to share best stories, photos and videos about the special mom in your life. Contest entries can be shared by children (18 and older), spouses/significant others, family and friends. The contest ends Friday, April 27.

Here is the Official Entry Form and the Official Rules

 GIVEAWAY

Win a Mother’s Day Sterling Silver and Diamond Pendant Necklace from Helzberg Diamonds


To Enter This Giveaway:

 What other item from the Mother's Day Gift list from Helzberg Diamonds would you like to have?

*Leave a comment answering the question and be sure to leave your email address if its not public in your Google account*

Extra Entries: Can be done after leaving a comment for mandatory entry. If the extra entry says 1 extra entry leave 1 comment and 2 extra entries leave me 2 comments and so on.

-Like Helzberg Diamonds on Facebook +1
-Follow Helzberg Diamonds on Twitter +1

 -Follow/Add to your circle  Frugal Family Tree on Google+ ( right hand side) +1
-Like our new fan page on Facebook Frugal Family Tree +1
-Follow FrugalFamTree on Twitter +1 

-Follow PopcornNPearls on Twitter +1

-Be a friend of Popcorn and Pearls on Facebook +1

-Follow Popcorn and Pearls on Pinterest +1

-Share this giveaway on Facebook ONLY, using the Share Button at the bottom on this post. +1 for each share you do. (can be done once a day)

-Copy and Paste This Tweet on Twitter and leave me the link (to find the link click on the time stamp under your tweet. Can be done once a day for the duration of the giveaway)

#Win a Mother’s Day Sterling Silver and Diamond Pendant Necklace from @Helzberg at @FrugalFamTree #Giveaway ends 5/11 http://www.frugalfamilytree.com/2012/04/helzberg-diamonds-show-mom-shes-loved_24.html

 *Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts April 24, 2012 and ends on May 11th, 2012 at midnight PST. Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. I was provided the item reviewed in this post for free by the company or PR company that represents them. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize.

Helzberg Diamonds Show Mom She’s Loved Mother's Day Contest

Win a $5,000 Shopping Spree for Your Mom

Want to make your Mom feel spoiled and have a shopping frenzy?!?

Enter her in the Show Mom She’s Loved Contest – and encourage your family to nominate you, too. Share with them the special way she makes you and others feel loved at Helzberg Mom is Loved contest page for a chance to win a $5,000 Helzberg Diamonds shopping spree.

Helzberg Diamonds welcomes you to share best stories, photos and videos about the special mom in your life. Contest entries can be shared by children (18 and older), spouses/significant others, family and friends. The contest ends Friday, April 27.

Here is the Official Entry Form and the Official Rules.

Keep your eyes out for a Review and Giveaway of a Mother’s Day Sterling Silver and Diamond Pendant right here on our blog. So excited!

Frugal Family Tree Valentine's Day Event Starts today

 

Valentine's Day at Frugal Family Tree is about Loving Your Family. Showing children about loving their family is something very important to us. Our Mom always taught us to be loving, uplifting and caring for each other. We were never compared to one another but valued for each of our special talents that added to us as a whole family. This type of love is one I know I want my son to learn and one Sam is teaching to her sons to love each other and for them to both love their baby sister.

I can recall making Valentine's cards for my parent's when we were little and I am sure there were plenty of macaroni noodle necklaces my mom got over the years. (I so can't wait to get one for Valentines from my son one day!) I remember one year Sam made a cool mirror etching in high school and she gave it to me for Valentines.

We like to use Valentine's Day as a way to remind our family of sisters, brothers, nephews, nieces, cousins, aunties, uncles and grandparents that we LOVE them so much. Valentine's Day is also a chance to reach out to someone who needs a little bit of love with a nice card or gift to brighten their day.

I have a very special necklace that Sam and I got as a gift from our parents. It is a heart necklace that says Best Friends and it breaks in half. It is something to this day I still treasure and keep in my jewelry box. We would wear them all the time as kids and teenagers. Having a sister that you can call your Best Friend is the best gift anyone can have! She really is my BFF. Boys can break your heart, pets will come and go but siblings that love you is something that you will always have!

I am always St End and she is Be Fri

We hope everyone has a great month of Loving the ones they love. I am going to try to think of ways to share Valentines with someone that might need some cheering up. Maybe a store worker, a mail carrier, a neighbor, friend I have not talk to in awhile or maybe a random act of kindness to a stranger. A simple Valentine, candy or book can be picked up at a dollar store type of place that might really change someone day.

When Lunch Isn't About The Food

As a mother of five grown children, it's often hard to get everyone together at once. They are all busy with work, children, school, and their social lives. While I'm grateful that Facebook and cell phones and texting keeps us in touch, there is nothing like face to face time with those I love.

So I was very happy to be able to have lunch on Sunday with two of my daughters. If you are a regular reader of this blog then you know that my oldest daughter Samantha recently had a baby girl. She also has two young sons and her life is extremely busy. My twenty year old daughter Megan also has a busy life and I don't get to see her as often as I would like. Megan just had a birthday, so a girls-only-lunch seemed like just the thing to help celebrate. We went to a great little cafe that Megan introduced us to and had a delicious lunch.

Then a little shopping at some cute boutiques where we wanted everything we saw! But of course it wasn't about the restaurant, or the food, or the shopping. It was about spending time with these young women who were once my babies.

Thanks girls, I had a great time. We'll do it again soon!

Why Nana Has Been Absent From The Blog

It was a struggle for me to decide if what happened in my life was appropriate to write about here. I know we all have a tendency in Blog Land to keep it happy, to keep it light, to only show others the lovely and admirable parts of ourselves. But real life comes with the not so pretty parts, and the reality is that a single day can change everything we thought we knew to be true.

In July, my marriage of 35 years ended. It has been difficult, sad, and at times, overwhelming. Some people have asked me what happened, why did such a long marriage end? I could say that the children grew up, that we grew apart, that my husband grew into someone I didn't recognize anymore. All of this is true, but of course, it is not the whole story. I have spent two thirds of my life being married. Even when that person isn't there anymore, they are. You can't erase someone from your mind, even if that's exactly what you'd like to do. But there does come a time when you know it is best to try and move forward.
That time has come for me.

I am so lucky and blessed to have the love and support of my three amazing and beautiful daughters. Laura, Sam, and my nineteen year old daughter Megan, who is smart, and lovely, and wise beyond her years. I not only call these three women my daughters, but I also call them my friends. I don't know what I would do without them. My two wonderful sons have also been there for me with their own love and kindness. Obviously when parents split up, the entire family is effected, even when the children are all grown up, and have families of their own.

I am trying to realize that we are still a family, just a family in a different way. I also know that divorce happens everyday, marriages end, and families must change from what they used to be, into who they are now forced to be. It takes strength and courage and grace to build a new life. It takes time and faith that you will somehow come out a better person. That who you are now will lead to the person you want to become. That is the hope that I have for myself.

I love that my daughter Laura started this blog, and that she was kind enough to invite her sister Sam and I to lend our voices here as well. I look forward to being here again with all of you. I would like to get to know you. There are so many wonderful and amazing women who are blogging today. I am excited to put my own small voice out there with all of you and see what happens.

Mommy Snack Time with Del Monte Diced Peaches with Cinnamon and Brown Sugar #delmonte #CBias

As a mom, a wife and a blogger free time for just me seems to be a fairy tale! But in the last few months I have made the time to have Mommy Time. I take an hour or so once a week to hang out by myself to enjoy a snack and read one of my favorite magazines. I used to laugh that my mom called the bathroom the library but she was not kidding. It really is the only time you can guilt free close the door and just read lol.

I have always loved to eat peaches. It feels summer like and the color of the fruit cheers me up. Since I am a busy mom having Fruit Cups makes enjoying peaches so much easier. Recently I tried the New Del Monte Diced Peaches with Cinnamon and Brown Sugar. When I went shopping for these it was my day to relax for an hour (sometimes it does not last even that long if my son is cranky) so I decided to make the Peaches my topping for one of my favorite snack treats, ice cream.

 When I got home with the items I needed from my local Walmart and my ingredients for my Mommy Snack I had my husband take my son to the other room for them to play trucks and super heroes. For me part of my Mommy Time is being able to enjoy cooking something for myself without a little one under my feet. 

I first put two cups of my #DelMonte Diced Peaches with Cinnamon and Brown Sugar in my pan along with the light syrup that comes in the cup. I put it on a med-high heat to reduce the syrup and make the peaches golden. Then I scooped up some Vanilla Bean ice cream added my warm sweet peaches, then topped with cool whip and more cinnamon. It smelled so good in the house from warming up the peaches it felt like a perfect fall day!

 One of my favorite activities to enjoy when I am taking Mommy Time is to read my magazine Martha Stewart Living. It my one indulgence for me to have a monthly subscription to the magazine. I love reading it from cover to cover. I even love the ads in it! I find all sorts of recipes, crafts, ideas and products I would like to try. I have enjoyed Martha Stewart since I was a kid reading my moms Martha books. Its even my dogs middle name lol crazy I know right!

Its the little things like reading your favorite magazine while you eat a delicious treat that help re-energize you for the next week of being a mom, wife and blogger.

 

 And as most Mommy Snack Time I have before I am done eating and reading my magazine I see a sweet little guy in front of me looking up at my treat asking for a bite! He loved the Peaches with Cinnamon and Brown Sugar so I made him a bowl with ice cream, cool whip and a dash of cinnamon, just like mommy had.

I loved the New Diced Peaches with Cinnamon and Brown Sugar I now follow Del Monte Foods on Twitter and liked Del Monte Foods on Facebook. That way I can hear about other new products they come out with and I am hoping great recipe ideas!

You can see my complete picture story on my Google+ Slide Show by clicking the picture below.

Mommy Snack Time with Del Monte Diced Peaches with Cinnamon and Brown Sugar #delmonte #CBias

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias All opinions expressed in this post are mine and your experience may vary.

Pink? Purple? Lace? Bows? OH MY!

After the news of a Baby Girl I have been on the hunt for all things "girlie" and it is hard. To be honest having two boys I have never really let myself "go there" in the girl department of any store. I always felt there was no need to torture myself, I may never have a little girl so why even look?

Seriously, I never really looked how weird is that? Now that I have a reason (Thank you GOD) it is so overwhelming to me. There are a million things to look at and see that I am having a hard time committing to anything. I know it is not a "real" problem and once I get a grip on things it will get easier but in the mean time my head is swirling with pink and purple everything!! And I am loving every second of it ;)

My brother is not an Alient right?

JJ has been learning/struggling with learning to be nice to his little brother. Although Baby L is a tough little guy, he is still a baby and we are forever telling JJ this.

While eating lunch the other day JJ says: My brother is not an alient (that is what he calls an alien) right Mom?
Me: No he is not an alient.
JJ: So he is a real boy and not an alient from another planet?
Me (again) No he is your little brother.
JJ: Well then I guess I will not try to destroy him anymore.
Me: (belly laughing)

Haha although he meant it at the time, he has since tried to "destroy" his brother many times. Boys!