Update On September Writing Challenge

Last month I took part in a writing challenge. The goal was to write and publish a post daily for the entire month. That's right, 30 posts.  Well, I came close - but I didn't succeed with the 30 posts.  I missed one day as there was a death in the family.

I learned something during the challenge - I don't like publishing daily.  I find I stress out about having to have something published each day, and I would rather take my time and if I have the chance, to schedule content over a few weeks.

By doing this, it ensures that there will be new content on the blog in the weeks to come, and if anything comes up then I am covered by scheduled posts.  I can always move things around or post more if I feel like it.

It was, however, a great way to get back into blogging after taking most of the summer off.  The kids and I had a great time together, and I will look back on that time with fond memories. Much better than having spent most of it working.

Top 10 Family Friendly Halloween Movies

We are a movie loving family, and love to choose films that match the time of year when possible. With Halloween coming up, I thought I would put together a list of my top 10 picks for Family friendly Halloween movies

Help Erika and Mason Fundraiser October 22nd #Ottawa

Hey guys - I am posting this on behalf of a mother in my community that is looking for a little bit of help.  If you are seeking something fun for the family on October 22nd, think about joining in the activities for this fundraiser. Chapters Rideau will also be donating a portion of sales on October 20th.

"I am a single mother of the most amazing, resilient and happy little toddler anyone knows. My son is 20 months old and was born with a rare congenital heart defect called hypo-plastic left heart syndrome. Basically, he was born with the left side of his heart critically underdeveloped. The left side is responsible for providing oxygenated blood to the extremities and he doesn't have a lot of strength to fight normal childhood illness like other children.

He has already undergone two open heart surgeries that only improve his quality of life. They aren't a cure. He needs one more surgery next year and more down the road. Despite having undergone so many awful procedures and living most of his life in and out of the hospital at Sick Kids in Toronto, he still has the courage to smile and play like healthy happy boy. The only thing is, I need help. It is extremely difficult going through this alone emotionally but financially. Next year when he has the last palliative option, there is a high chance we will have to stay in the hospital a while. I hope that you will support us by attending!"

Erika 

You can find out a little more information by checking out the eventbrite link or if you cannot make it, consider donating here

Apple HomeKit is Finally Ready to Make an Impression!

More than two operating systems ago – when Apple rolled out iOS 8 – the tech world became abuzz talking about the promise of an Apple powered smart home. The problem? Apple’s HomeKit never really took off the way most thought it would. Some attribute it to an unfulfilled pledge to make interfacing with smart home devices simpler, while others felt that it was too difficult to find a decent third-party mobile app – even though by last count, there were over 20 of them. Others still, found the selection of compatible devices to be woefully underwhelming.

With the release of iOS 10, the first operating system to include a proprietary HomeKit app, critics are once again becoming believers that Apple’s smart home technology will not only be among the leaders in terms of functionality, but from a DIYers perspective, lead the way with the easy to operate and intuitively designed interface that Apple customers have grown accustomed to lo these many years.

October 3rd Monday Madness Giveaway Linky

How is it possible that we are into October already? Thanksgiving is just a week away - crazy.  Every year our goal is to make it to Thanksgiving without turning our heat on - in 12 years, I think we have only made it twice.  So far this year, we are good. No heat has been needed. There have been some chilly mornings, but the lowest the temperature inside the house has gotten to was 16.  It's normally sitting around 17 in the morning, and warms up to 18 or 19 in the afternoon.

Really hoping we won't have to cave before next week....

Apple Recipes, Crafts And Activities #SoFabSeasons

I absolutely love fall and apple season! There are so many great ways to use them and fun crafts for kids also. We go apple picking at the same orchard every year and it's a great way to spend outdoor time together at this time of year.  Today I have joined up with other members here in the Social Fabric community. We know that you will enjoy them and hope that you can create some new fall memories for yourself and the ones you love.   

DESSERT RECIPES
Home and Garden Cafe - Apple Pie Coconut Ice Cream
Joy's Life - Apple Pie Dessert Pizza 
Kitchen Concoctions - Toffee Apple Pie Cookies
The Bandit Lifestyle - Delicious Apple Fritters Perfect for Fall
Roasted Beanz - Easy Crustless Almond Raisin Apple Pie
Wondermom Wannabe - Clean Eating Apple Crisp with Caramel Sauce
Anti June Cleaver - Mini Dutch Apple Pear Pie to Get You Ready for Fall
Basic N Delicious - Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake
Mostly Homemade Mom - Caramel Apple Pie Fudge
Little Blog in the Country - Pressure Cooker Canned Apple Pie Filling
Diana Rambles - Apple Spice Dump Cake
The Tip Toe Fairy - Apple Plum Skillet Cobbler
Five Marigolds - Sweet and Savory Salted Caramel Apple Dip
Intelligent Domestications - Apple Cinnamon Roll Cake & Apple Cream Cheese Icing
Home Maid Simple - Easy Apple Crisp
More or Less Cooking - Best Apple Fritter Coffee Cake
My Big Fat Happy Life - Skinny Caramel Ice Cream
An Alli Event - Apple Bundt Cake with Praline Frosting
Tobin's Tastes - Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip
Ginger Casa - Delicious Apple Cranberry Pecan Crumble
Sweet Sensations - Apple Cobbler with Oatmeal Muffin Crust
A Labor of Life - How to Make Delicious Apple Roses
Julie Is Coco and Cocoa - Fried Cinnamon and Sugar Apple Rings
Polka Dotted Blue Jay - Mini Carmel Apple Bites
Finding Sanity in Our Crazy Life - No Bake Oatmeal Apple Pecan Cookies
Being Tazim - Strawberry Apple Crumble Vegan and Dairy Free
Upstate Ramblings - Caramel Apple Cake
Lily the Wandering Gypsy - Fresh Apple Donuts with Bacon, Caramel Pecan Glaze
Rebecca Lately - Baked Apple Recipe
Simple Food 365 - Light and Fluffy Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Mama Plus One - Homemade Apple Cider Donuts
Bento Lunch (dot) net - Caramel Apple Pudding Parfaits

MORE APPLE RECIPES
Broken TeePee - Salmon and Rice Noodles on Apples, Carrots & Zucchini
Revel & Glitter - Autumn Cranberry Apple Pear Salad
Happy Go Lucky - Bacon Cheddar Apple Dip
Honest and Truly - Delicious and Easy Mini Apple Pancakes
Smiling Notes - Healthy Apple Pie Oat Pancakes
Creative Southern Home - Apple Bread
Beyond Mommying - Apple Bacon Grilled Cheese
Momcrieff - Apple Pancake Rings for Breakfast or Snack
Tiaras and Tantrums - Favorite Autumn Apple Snacks
Injenious Life - Gluten Free Applesauce Muffins
Everyday Party - Simple Caramel Apple Cider
A Paper Arrow - Apple Bread for the Fall
Happy and Blessed Home - Delicious Apple Recipes
Mom Saves Money - DIY Dehydrated Apple Rings
Gluesticks Blog - Baked Apple Chips
Life With Lorelai - Caramel Apple Crumbly Bread Recipe
Ava's Alphabet - Baked Apple Pancake
Life with Lovebugs - Spiced Applesauce and Oatmeal Muffins
For the Love of Crust - Homemade Crockpot Apple Cider
Oat & Sesame - Maple Your Applesauce
Southern Mom Loves - Cheddar and Apple Goldfish Snack Mix Recipe
My Life Cookbook - Cinnamon Apple Breakfast Bread (Gluten Free)

ACTIVITIES

Tales of Mommyhood - Apple Picking Favorite Family Activity
Mama Luvs Books - Apple Picking in Rhode Island
Kori at Home - Apple Tot School Unit with FREE Printables
Jenny at Dapperhouse - DIY Apple Basket Sorting Game
To & Fro - Tips for Apple Picking with Your Family

CRAFTS

Little Mama Jama - Apple Stamping Sensory Activity for Preschoolers
Creative Ramblings - Fabulous Fall Wood Apple Sign
Woods of Bell Trees - Quilted Apple Pillow
For What It's Worth - Apple Themed Party with DIY Apple Craft
The Kennedy Adventures - Paper Plate Apple Craft
Babs Projects - Apple Scented Potpourri Pouches
Great Contradictions - Apple Themed Candy Bar Wrapper Printables

BEAUTY
Momerish - Apple Pie Sugar Scrub Perfect for Fall Pampering

Can you believe all these incredible Apple themed posts? Bookmark this page so you can come back and try out all the recipes, crafts and activities with you and your family! Check back next month when Social Fabric features posts with a pumpkin theme. You can always search the hashtag #SoFabSeasons to find more of what you're looking for!

Tips To Help Keep Your Vehicle Clean And Organized

I have written in the past about how disorganized I am. I think I have even shown pictures of the inside of my vehicle before.  When I got the Malibu, I decided that needed to change. I was tired of having to clean the car and move things around just so we could have someone else sit in the vehicle.

One thing that drove me nuts after having kids was the salt and dirt on the back of the front seats. They are constantly putting their dirty shoes, or mucky boots on the seat backs.

Diono has car accessories that help with this. They attach to the head rest and have clips on the bottom to help keep from swinging. They also have pockets that you can use for storage (books, electronic devices, magazines, pens/crayons etc)

the one on the right is specifically meant to save the seat back :) the other is for organization/storage

Mr. K and I just did a long road trip (Ottawa - Kitchener and back) and having a storage container would have been so handy for his water bottle and snacks to be kept in.  Unfortunately I didn't have mine at the time, but now that I do it's lovely.

My number one tip would be to empty the vehicle of garbage and junk every time you get out of it. Use a pop up trash bin or have a box/bag handy that all wrappers and waste can be placed into - then have someone grab it every time you exit the vehicle. Even if you aren't home, most parking lots have garbage cans in them somewhere.

Do you have any tips?