Thanks for stopping by! For those of you who’ve never visited my blog before, please take a moment and check out all the amazing giveaways and yummy recipes we have had going on each day since November 15th! It has been so much fun! We are all about supporting Moms in Business! Merry Christmas Everyone!! I hope you’ll take the time this year to focus on the TRUE meaning of Christmas: God Came Near, so that we might draw near to Him! He loves you desperately and wants to have a personal relationship with you!!

What’s my site all about? Helping Moms have the opportunity to stay home with their kids, by teaching them how to create multiple streams of income from home! Our main site: www.reallyworkingfromhome.com Our site is geared for the Christian Mom, but there are ideas and resources for anyone wishing to make some extra money from home! We also offer PR & AD Packages including participation in our Mommy Bags and a monthly Digital Training Magazine!

We talk about all kinds of things over here on the blog:  Groceries, Coupons, Saving Money, Giveaways, our faith in God, Making money from home, freelance writing and more! I hope you’ll stop back and join us!

Special Giveaway:

A $20 Gift Certificate to Go Shopping with  a MomBusiness from our site: www.reallyworkingfromhome.com

To Enter:

Leave a comment on this blog along w/ a way for us to contact you.

EXTRA CHANCES TO WIN!!:

(IMPORTANT: leave a comment for EACH task you complete!)

1. Wish us a Merry SITS~Mas!

2. Tweet this on twitter: RT @mommybags Enter to win a $20 Christmas Shopping Gift Certificate! http://www.reallyworkingfromhome.blogspot.com/

3. Follow us on twitter: @mommybags

4. Find a MomBusiness on our site http://www.reallyworkingfromhome.com/ and comment back here about what you liked about her site!

5. Follow this blog!

6. Become a facebook fan of ReallyWorkingFromHome.com (www.facebook.com/ReallyWorkingFromHome.com.fans )

7. Make a purchase on our Online Christmas Boutique and receive 10 extra entries!!!!! Gifts start at just $5 and shipping is INCLUDED!

Would you like to win an INSTANT Mommy Bag full of goodies??
add our  button to your blog! (To do this, copy our little house on the sidebar and paste it in your blog. Make sure you link it back to http://www.reallyworkingfromhome.com/ )
Every mom who does this will receive an automatic prize. To claim your Mommy Bag, You must e-mail me at marilee@reallyworkingfromhome.com with your name and a link to where the button is posted. Your links are checked randomly throughout the month. Our button must appear on your site the day we check your links to qualify for the Mommy Bag.

Entries will be accepted until Sunday 12/13/09 at 10:00pm MT. Winner will be announced and e-mailed Monday a.m

Dana’s favorite family Christmas Recipe

Ovenight Caramel French Toast

(awesome for Christmas morning, since you prepare it the night before!)

2 T. light corn syrup
1/2 c. butter
1 c. brown sugar

Simmer until syrupy. Pour over bottom of a 9 x 13 pan. Place 6 slices of bread on top.

6 eggs
1 1/2 c. milk
1 t. vanilla

Mix together. Pour half over the bread slices. Layer 6 more slices of bread over the first layer, and then pour remaining egg mixture over the top. Cover and refirgerate overnight. Bake at 350 uncovered for 45 minutes. Serves 6-8.

♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Christmas Notes from Dana ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪

In this electronic age where email and IM dominate, a personal message on personalized stationery is a refreshing change and is sure to be noticed by both customers and family alike! I carry a wide selection of stationery products that are personalized for your business or social use. From thank you notes to invitations to business cards and sales aids (and everything in between), The Story of You lives up to its name and helps you tell your own story to those in your life!

Top Picks for the season:

In this season of list making, notepads are a necessity, and make great stocking stuffers, too! Thank you notes are always handy to have around–make sure you have an ample supply for December 25th activities. And I love sending personalized notecards with the name of my business on them, thanking my customers for their patronage after a large order!

Specials:

I recently read somewhere that in marketing dollars, retaining customers is much less expensive than the amount you spend to solicit new customers. Repeat business is the name of the game! One of the best ways to do this is to send Christmas Cards to all of your clients! My personal favorite is to find a Christmas card that features a calendar, for if your client hangs it up on their wall, you have successfully created a reminder about your business that will last throughout the entire new year! Now thru December 15th, I am running a 20% discount on products (including calendar Christmas cards!) purchased from my website, www.thestoryofyou.cceasy.com After ordering, send me an email at thestoryofyou@comcast.net and tell me where you heard about the special, and I will invoice you for the full 20% off.

Today’s Giveway:

To Enter:

Leave a comment on this blog along w/ a way for us to contact you.

EXTRA CHANCES TO WIN!!:

(IMPORTANT: leave a comment for EACH task you complete!)

1. Visit Dana’s website and comment about how you would use some of this stationery in your business or everyday life: www.thestoryofyou.cceasy.com  

2. Tweet this on twitter: RT @mommybags Enter to win a $20 pack of foil lined greeting cards from Carlson Craft http://www.reallyworkingfromhome.blogspot.com/

3. Follow us on twitter: @mommybags

4. Find a MomBusiness on our site http://www.reallyworkingfromhome.com/ and comment back here about what they offer on their site.

5. Follow this blog!

6. Become a facebook fan of ReallyWorkingFromHome.com (www.facebook.com/ReallyWorkingFromHome.com.fans )

7. Make a purchase on our Online Christmas Boutique and receive 10 extra entries!!!!! Gifts start at just $5 and shipping is INCLUDED!

Entries will be accepted until Sunday 12/13/09 at 10:00pm MT. Winner will be announced and e-mailed Monday a.m

♪ Mia Bella Candles

♪ Kid’s Craft Mat

♪ Christmas Christian Romance Novel

♪ Reese Witherspoon’s “In Bloom” Perfume (by Avon)

♪ $10 Starbucks Gift Card

♪ E-Mealz Giveaway & Holiday Meal Plan

This past week at my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting, we had a guest speaker come and talk about how her family of 7 makes the most of the holiday season each year. I want to share with you some of her ideas, in the hope that it will inspire you to make similar decisions in your own family!

This mother of 5 shared with us that they never had money around Christmas time, so they tried to find cheap or free activities that they could do each night in December to spend more time together and discover the true meaning of Christmas as a family. She encouraged all of us to (literally) “wrap up our T.V.” for the whole month of December and make our own advent calendars. Each year, her family gets out the wrapping paper and covers over the T.V! Instead of watching the tube in December, they spend each night doing something fun & free (or cheap) as a family.

I encourage each of you to consider doing the same this year. Wrap up your television (or at least extremely limit time spent in front of the t.v.) and make a simple plan for each night in December. Here are some of the ideas that were shared: make a gingerbread house (we made ours with graham crackers and peanut butter!), go out for a lights tour with hot cocoa and popcorn in the car, camp out under the Christmas tree, dig up all of the lose change in your house and take it to various salvation army buckets around town, make a list of all the things you are thankful for, make and decorate homeade cards and goodies to give away!

Let this year be about giving instead of getting!! 

Here’s what its all about:

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” Luke 2: 10-11

My friend Shara, of www.mommyperks.com has written a great article called “A non materialistic entrepreneur’s Christmas?” about the balance between giving and receiving gifts…with the focus on what’s most important in life! I hope you will take a minute to read it!

Blessings to each of you this Christmas season!

Love,
MariLee

Today’s Giveaway:

Click HERE to enter for the E-Mealz Giveaway!

Chantelle’s favorite family Christmas Recipe

Cranberry Sauce

2 c. fresh cranberries
1 ½ c. water
Boil together until berries “pop”

1 (4oz) package of sugar free orange jello
Add powder to cranberry mixture
Cool but don’t chill

Add 1 c. crushed pineapple, drained
Stir in 8 tsp. Equal sweetener
Mix Well
Pour into 8” pan
Chill

Makes 8 servings
(WW=less than 1pt. each)

♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Christmas Notes from Chantelle ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪

I am pleased to offer a product line that is both affordable and high in quality. My customers can choose from a wide selection of Jars, Votives or Wickless melts in over 90 scents….all within the $10-$25 price range.

The National Candle Association website mentions that candles are burned in 8 out of 10 US households. They are also highly appreciated when given as gifts for various occasions such as the holidays (76%), as a house warming gift (74%), a hostess/dinner party gift (66%), a thank you (61%) and as adult birthday gifts (58%).

Scented candles remain the most popular and affordable way to infuse your home with holiday ambiance. That’s why candles are taking the center stage in holiday decorating, gift giving and entertaining plans for 2009. They create an inviting home and bring back memories of years gone by.

My top product picks for the season would have to be our 16 or 26 oz. Gourmet Scented Jar Candles. Available in over 90 scents, they are certainly our “WOW” product because of the quality scent throw and clean way they burn. They have self-trimming wicks and liquefy evenly from top to bottom. They last hours longer than traditional wax varieties and smell absolutely fantastic!

Sales & Specials:

SNOW PLACE LIKE HOME: A comforting blend of warm spices combined with the sweet tart essence of cranberries makes this one a winner for those cozy fall and winter days.
Designer Jar Series, Includes holiday box & gift tag.

Buy 9, Get 3 Free (while supplies last, contact Chantelle via e-mail at:chantellebuhre[at]gmail[dot]com to receive this special offer!)

Receive 12 “Ready-to-Give” Gifts in one of our most popular Holiday scents!

Less than $20 per person!
(including tax &; shipping!!!)

Today’s Giveway:

Free Holiday Scent Sachets, a Catalog + $5 Candle Cash

Scent sachets work great in your purse, car, a drawer, locker or tote bag. One of our top holiday scents will be mailed to you along with a certificate for $5 in Candle Cash! Redeem your “Candle Cash” off any order of $5 or more!

 
To Enter:

Leave a comment on this blog along w/ a way for us to contact you.

EXTRA CHANCES TO WIN!!:
(IMPORTANT: leave a comment for EACH task you complete!)

1. Visit Chantelle’s Shop: http://thesoycandlelady.scent-team.com/shop/home.php and comment here with something you’d like to find under the tree this year!

2. Tweet this on twitter: RT @mommybags Enter to win Mia Bella Candles! http://www.reallyworkingfromhome.blogspot.com/

3. Follow us on twitter: @mommybags

4. Find a MomBusiness on our site http://www.reallyworkingfromhome.com/ and comment back here about what you like about it!
5. Follow this blog!

6. Become a facebook fan of ReallyWorkingFromHome.com (www.facebook.com/ReallyWorkingFromHome.com.fans )

7. Make a purchase on our Online Christmas Boutique and receive 10 extra entries!!!!! Gifts start at just $5 and shipping is INCLUDED!

Entries for our own giveaway will be accepted until Sunday 12/13/09 at 10:00pm MT. Winner will be announced and e-mailed Monday a.m

What is 4Kids Enterprizes? Sherri-Lee has created an awesome  program for kids where you can purchase a subscription for the children in your life to receive educational mail and activities each month for an entire year. There is also a subcription to receive crafts for the year. And coming soon? Literacy 4 Kids and Crafts 4 Kids! What a great Christmas gift this would make for any child on your list. It’s literally a gift that gives month after month…and a fun, educational gift at that!

You can also read Sherri-Lee’s Mommy Perks interview here: http://www.mommyperks.com/vip/?p=3479

Sherri-Lee’s favorite family Christmas Recipe

Nanaimo Bars

1/2 cup butter, 3/4 cup sugar, 5 tablespoons cocoa, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 egg, 2 cups graham wafer crumbs, 1 cup coconut.
Place softened butter, sugar, cocoa and vanilla and egg in double boiler, stir until butter is melted and mixture resembles a thin custard.
Combine graham wafer crumbs and coconut, add to the custard mixture. Pack evenly into a 9″ square pan. Spread with icing.

Icing:
cream 1/4 cup butter, add 3 tbsp milk combined with 2 tbsp vanilla custard powder. Blend in 2 cups icing sugar, spread over chocolate base. Let stand about 10 minutes to harden. Then melt 4 squares semisweet chocolate with 1 tbsp butter and spread over custard. When set cut into bars. YUM!

♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Christmas Notes from Sherri-Lee♫ ♪ ♫ ♪

 Really for me it’s all about family and accentuating the kindness and generousity that we do all year long. And don’t over book. I know many people get so busy they don’t enjoy the season, relax everything will be fabulous if you are with people you love who love you.

Why is my product a great Christmas gift? Well… let’s see. Kids LOVE getting mail, this sets them up with mail every month for a year. And on top of that the mail is fun and educational. This is something they will be thanking you for all year long!

Sales or specials…Order both mail4kids and crafts4kids at the same time and I will include a craft mat FREE. (must order both mail4kids and crafts4kids for one year each).
 E-mail Sherri-Lee at info[at] 4kidsenterprizes[dot]com and mention ReallyWorkingFromHome.com to receive this special offer.

Today’s Giveway:

The Craft Mat

Are you tired of finding surfaces for your kids to do their crafts on?

Are you tired of glue and paint getting all over your table or placemats?

Are they tired of paper sticking to their crafts (after setting them to dry on it)?

Wouldn’t it be nice to have something to take with you that was not only small, light and easy to transport but would also keep your kids busy in restaurants, at family events and provide you with a safe place for them to create their crafts on?

The Craft Mat is the item you have been looking for!

This mat measures 18″ x 12″, is fully laminated and provides fun activities on one side and a blank back for creating your own work of art.

Wipe it off, lay your crafts on it for glueing, painting or other messy activities and don’t worry about your table anymore.

To Enter:

Leave a comment on this blog along w/ a way for us to contact you.

EXTRA CHANCES TO WIN!!:

(IMPORTANT: leave a comment for EACH task you complete!)

1. Visit www.4kidsenterprizes.com and tell me what comes in a regular year round mail4kids subscription.

2. Tweet this on twitter: RT @mommybags Enter to win a Craft Mat from 4Kids Enterprizes http://www.reallyworkingfromhome.blogspot.com/

3. Follow us on twitter: @mommybags

4. Find a MomBusiness on our site http://www.reallyworkingfromhome.com/ and comment with something that you liked about it back here

5. Follow this blog!

6. Become a facebook fan of ReallyWorkingFromHome.com (www.facebook.com/ReallyWorkingFromHome.com.fans )

7. Make a purchase on our Online Christmas Boutique and receive 10 extra entries!!!!! Gifts start at just $5 and shipping is INCLUDED!

Would you like to win an INSTANT Mommy Bag full of goodies??
add our Christmas Boutique button to your blog! (To do this, copy our holiday boutique button on the sidebar and paste it in your blog. Make sure you link it back to http://www.reallyworkingfromhome.com/ )
Every mom who does this will receive an automatic prize. To claim your Mommy Bag, You must e-mail me at marilee@reallyworkingfromhome.com with your name and a link to where the button is posted. Your links are checked randomly throughout the month. Our button must appear on your site the day we check your links to qualify for the Mommy Bag.

Entries will be accepted until Sunday 12/13/09 at 10:00pm MT. Winner will be announced and e-mailed Monday a.m

Valerie’s favorite family Christmas Recipe

What means the most to me during the holiday’s is the warmth of the season – the uniting of friends & family. Therefore in the beginning of the “cold” season I make a batch of my homemade “Hot Cocoa Mix”. Not only does it last for my family, but I can easily spread the warmth to my newspaper carrier, mailman, & neighbors because this recipe makes a half gallon!

Homeade Hot Cocoa Mix
6 cups box dry milk
5 oz. powdered creamer
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 lb. box chocolate flavored drink mix (like Quik)
white chocolate chips and/or mini marshmellows.

Mix it all together. Place 3Tb. mix into a cup. Add 1 cup boiling water. Top with whipped cream.

♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Christmas Notes from Valerie ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪

I have always felt that presents should be about LOVE…not just something to give… to give. The items I offer, are to bring our love one’s into a healthier level, in turn – many more years with us! And that is the ultimate gift…TOGETHERNESS!

Tops picks of the season & why? With so many quality programs with proven results, it’s hard to answer this one. It really depends on the person. If someone really doesn’t like to workout but understands the benefits of it or if “time” is a factor in general, then I recommend a quick in and out routine: Tony Horton’s 10-minute trainer – a full program in 10 Minutes! Believe me it is a workout–breaking a sweat and asking for water! The routines are simple and it comes complete with a chart to give you the best results. In a few weeks the person will see results.

Sales/Specials: For every person who orders any product between November 30th & December 15th I will mail them two Food Journal’s to help them on their journey of weight loss. Each journal offers a one week record of what someone is eating, motivational sayings to keep them on track, and shows them how they can turn their transformation story into $25,000! Furthermore, for each $25 spent on my site; I will send a $5.00 Gift Card to Subway.

Today’s Giveway:

“Stillwater Promise” a delightful modern story of faith, forgiveness and love… centered around an enchanting Bed & Breakfast during the Holidays! (Barbour Publishing “HeartSong Presents” Series, Christian Fiction, Romance)

From the Back Cover

“How can Sara trust a man who abandoned her twice?

Sara Lewis’s goal of running her own bed-and-breakfast has taken some pretty tough knocks. Now when her dream of moving into her B&B “castle” is finally coming true, the man who left her to raise their little girls alone shows up talking about his new faith and wanting to be her prince again.

Life has been harsh for James Lewis since he ran out on Sara for the second time. None of his hopes of success in the music industry have been realized. As a new Christian, he truly wants to make amends—but knows he won’t be welcomed warmly. When his mother calls with news of Sara’s “latest” man, James comes home to uncover the truth and try to be the daddy his girls need.

Will James and Sara surrender their marriage to the Lord and allow Him to heal their hurts? Or will misconceptions and selfish ambitions once again cause James to run?

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 “

To Enter:

Leave a comment on this blog along w/ a way for us to contact you.

EXTRA CHANCES TO WIN!!:

(IMPORTANT: leave a comment for EACH task you complete!)

1. Visit Valerie’s website: http://beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/TonkaMom and comment about a product you would like to try.

2. Tweet this on twitter: RT @mommybags Enter to win a Christian Romance Novel! http://www.reallyworkingfromhome.blogspot.com/

3. Follow us on twitter: @mommybags

4. Find a MomBusiness on our site http://www.reallyworkingfromhome.com/ and comment about it back here

5. Follow this blog!

6. Become a facebook fan of ReallyWorkingFromHome.com (www.facebook.com/ReallyWorkingFromHome.com.fans )

7. Make a purchase on our Online Christmas Boutique and receive 10 extra entries!!!!! Gifts start at just $5 and shipping is INCLUDED!

Would you like to win an INSTANT Mommy Bag full of goodies??
add our Christmas Boutique button to your blog! (To do this, copy our holiday boutique button on the sidebar and paste it in your blog. Make sure you link it back to http://www.reallyworkingfromhome.com/ )
Every mom who does this will receive an automatic prize. To claim your Mommy Bag, You must e-mail me at marilee@reallyworkingfromhome.com with your name and a link to where the button is posted. Your links are checked randomly throughout the month. Our button must appear on your site the day we check your links to qualify for the Mommy Bag.

Entries will be accepted until Sunday 12/06/09 at 10:00pm MT. Winner will be announced and e-mailed Monday a.m

Rhonda’s favorite family Christmas Recipe

CHRISTMAS DAY BRUNCH EGG CASSEROLE

(Our FAVORITE holiday recipe we’ve used for going on 20 years! I personally enjoy this because I throw it together the night before and just wake up and pop it in the oven : )

2 c. plain croutons or toast cubes
4 eggs, slightly beaten
2 c. milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. prepared mustard
4 oz. cheddar cheese
1/8 tsp. onion powder
1# Jimmy Dean’s breakfast sausage
May use Egg Beaters.

The night before: Mix croutons and cheese. Put in greased 10″ x 6″ x 1 3/4″ dish. Mix remaining ingredients until blended. Pour over crouton mixture. Sprinkle sausage over the top. Bake at 325 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes. Double the recipe for 9″x13″ pan. Christmas morning, pop in oven while you open the gifts.

♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Christmas Notes from Rhonda ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪

Why is GeneWize a perfect, personal Christmas gift? After examining your DNA, GeneWize will create your personalized formula for nutritional supplements and skin repair serum with 100% active ingredients individually selected to enhance or diminish the biological processes causing you to age. You are the one and only you, and GeneWize is the one and only direct marketing company specializing in genetically customized nutritional and skin care formulas. When you’re holding your GeneWize products, you can say without a doubt, “It’s all about me! Made Exclusively for me!”

Now you can discover your predispositions for aging including cardiovascular, joint, lung and breast tissue health, immune health, brain and eye health, how well you detoxify pollutants as well as to discover what makes your skin age from oxidative damage, environmental stresses, irritation, collagen breakdown and photo-aging. With a 90 day trial of the skin serum, supplement, or both you will get your DNA test and genetic assessment FREE! This means $129/month for the first product and $228/month for both (plus taxes and shipping).

Please contact me with any questions or if you’d like to know about our enroll four pay no more program you can get your product free! http://www.dnaandyourgenes.com/

Today’s Giveway:

A $10 Starbucks Gift Card!

To Enter:
Leave a comment on this blog along w/ a way for us to contact you.

EXTRA CHANCES TO WIN!!:

(IMPORTANT: leave a comment for EACH task you complete!)

1. Follow Rhonda on twitter: @rhondamaguire

2. Tweet this on twitter: RT @mommybags Enter to win a $10 Starbucks Gift Certificate! http://www.reallyworkingfromhome.blogspot.com/

3. Follow us on twitter: @mommybags

4. Visit Rhonda’s site: www.DNAandYOURgenes.com  and tell us what you think!

5. Follow this blog!

6. Become a facebook fan of ReallyWorkingFromHome.com (www.facebook.com/ReallyWorkingFromHome.com.fans )

7. Make a purchase on our Online Christmas Boutique and receive 10 extra entries!!!!! Gifts start at just $5 and shipping is INCLUDED!

Would you like to win an INSTANT Mommy Bag full of goodies??
add our Christmas Boutique button to your blog! (To do this, copy our holiday boutique button on the sidebar and paste it in your blog. Make sure you link it back to http://www.reallyworkingfromhome.com/ )

Every mom who does this will receive an automatic prize. To claim your Mommy Bag, You must e-mail me at marilee@reallyworkingfromhome.com with your name and a link to where the button is posted. Your links are checked randomly throughout the month. Our button must appear on your site the day we check your links to qualify for the Mommy Bag.

Entries will be accepted until Sunday 12/06/09 at 10:00pm MT. Winner will be announced and e-mailed Monday a.m

“In Bloom” Reese Witherspoon perfume from Avon ($34 Value)

Gold Canyon Candle ($12 value)

$20 Gift Certificate for the Online Boutique

Pampered Chef Giveaway ($43 Value!)

♪ E-Mealz Giveaway & Holiday Meal Plan

Shari’s favorite family Christmas Recipe

Corn Delight

1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can cream style corn
1 stick butter
1 cup Velveeta cheese cubed
¼ cup chopped onion
1/8 cup chopped pimento (optional)
1 cup broken spaghetti

Drain whole kernel corn and combine all together. Bake covered 30 minutes then uncovered 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Christmas Notes from Shari ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪

At Crafty Bear Crafts we strive to make each item uniquely yours. Whether it is a fleece blanket with your graduate’s school, name, and year on it or a bib with your child’s birth information. Each item is created to show the recipient how much you care for them!

Our top picks for the 2009 holiday season are:

1. The fleece scarves. Everyone can use them. They are lightweight but still keep the warmth in. At $10 each they make a great gift.

2. Fleece Blankets. Just like the scarf, these are lightweight but still keep you warm. Measuring 50” x 60” they are even big enough to share. Coming in at $23 ($25 with carrying strap) they are a steal and a great way to show team spirit.

3. For the little ones we have pull over bibs. White terrycloth washes up great. They are a generous size to cover the front and the neck will even fit over some toddlers so it could be used when doing crafts. They make a great fit and even a stocking stuffer at $6.50

SPECIALS: Right now until December 5, 2009 we are running a special. 10% off your order (before shipping). Mention ReallyWorkingFromHome.com to recieve this offer. All orders will be sent out by December 19, 2009.

~