Are you a "Yes Mom?"

In a culture that screams "Yes" to every one and everything that the world has to offer, I am a mean mom that says "No" quite often.
"No" to ideology that says truth is relative.
"No" to many movies, music and moments that turn the brain to mush.
"No" to the laziness and disrespect that teens exhibit way too often.
"No" to...well, I guess you get the picture.

The hard reality is that I want to be a "Yes Mom. " I want to say "yes" to everything that they desire. I want them to shower me with instant praise and gratitude for always saying "yes."
I don't want to be the only mom who doesn't let them...
But, guess what? The Lord has graciously given these blessings to us for a minuscule period and I know that "instant yes" is not always in their best interest.

So I choose to be a "Yes Mom" in the little things. The moments that will impact them for eternity. Moments that shape who they are. I say "yes" to the little things that take their breath away, and then even moments that will be solidified in their mind as plain, silly, wholesome fun.

My desire is that they will always remember me as a "Yes Mom." A mom who cares enough to say "No" in the hard moments, but relish my "Yes" in the magical ones.

So instead of saying, "No, don't try on those crazy wigs, you'll get lice,"
I just said "YES."
Decades from now, I pray that my daughters and nieces will always remember this "Yes Moment."

Have you had a "Yes Moment" lately?

Free Target and Starbucks Gift Cards

Many of you took advantage of this Free Target gift card, but now Nicole's Savings Advantage hasn't even sweetened the deal by adding an additional Starbucks gift card. That is what I was waiting for! Please make sure you first read my personal experience with this deal for details.

Save up to 75% when you buy clothes, travel, medicine & more-sign up for just $2.95!
Complimentary $25 Target Gift Card + Sign up now and get a Bonus Free $25 Starbucks Gift card!

(My personal gift card)

(Edited to add) Melinda from frugalgrace.blogspot.com, "I signed up, but wanted to let you know that there is now a new twist in the fine print - you may want to let your readers know. It states: When you remain a member after the trial period, we will confirm your mailing address and send you your free gift cards.
It looks, to me, like you have to remain a member for more than 30 days in order to get the gift cards. Still not a bad deal - $11.95 for $50 worth of gift cards!

Thanks so much, Melinda, It's always wise to read the fine print.

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Don't forget Freebie Wed. at Arby's. Today (7/15), get a free Regular Roast Beef sandwich with drink purchase.

Delicious Dips for any Get Together

Our family loves to whip up appetizers - more specifically...yummy dips.
I understand that dips are supposed to be saved for those special occasions, but why wait for special occasions when they are so easy?

I have mastered healthier, low fat options by substituting low fat cheeses, sour cream, and always adding twice as many fresh vegetables (if the recipe calls for it).
While making dips, learning to experiment with flavors has been a fantastic way to encourage my children with their culinary creativity.

We have been spending lots of time with family this week and there is nothing that rekindles memories of yesteryears more than a family recipe. When I first met my husband, I remember being served this Southern caviar dip whenever we would visit. My mother in law has passed away, but the tradition continues as my sister in law always makes this for our family get-togethers. I just found out this week where the recipe originated from decades ago, and how their family began serving it. Do you know the origin of favorite family recipes? If not, find out, and pass the recipe down through the generations...with the story.

Southern Caviar (recipe passed from GA to MN to WI and then to NC)
No guilt with this recipe...just flavor and sheer garden goodness. This did NOT look like a dip I would enjoy when I first saw it, but one bite and I was in love. :)

• Tall can of black eyed peas (rinse and drain)
  
• One can of shoe peg corn (drained)
• 3-4 green onions (chopped)
• 1/4 onion (chopped..red onion is delicious as well)
• 1/3 of a green pepper (I love to add yellow and red as well)
  
• 2 tomatoes (chopped)
• 1/4 cup Italian dressing (or more til desired consistency)
• 2 Tbs chopped jalapenos (or more to taste)

Mix well and chill. Serve with Frito Scoops

Beer Dip
Considering I am in one of the Beer Capitals of the World right now (WI), I wouldn't be right not to share a true Wisconsin dip. The irony here is that I don't drink ANY beer - never had, never will and I don't like the taste one bit. Yet just a dash of beer mixed into this recipe adds an unbelievably unique flavor. It is so yummy, makes a ton for a get together, and whips up really fast!

• 3 (8 ounce) packages of cream cheese (softened)
• 1 package of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing
• 1/2 -3/4 can of beer
• 1 cup shredded cheese

Mix cream cheese, dressing, and beer til you reach your desired creamy consistency. Then mix in 1/2 cup of cheese, leaving the remaining cheese to sprinkle on top.
Serve with pretzels or scoops.

Need more ideas for cooking with large groups? How about taco dip and quick, easy homemade pizza?

Group cooking in a pinch...what do you have in your freezer? Check out my one hour experiment.

(posted at Boo Mama's)

I can't wait to see what everyone is sharing for Tasty Tuesday Parade of Foods
As always, please follow the simple guidelines or post will be deleted.
1. Include your post showing us your Tasty Tuesday recipe or ideas.
2. Link up below to the permalink of your post. To find out what yours is, simply click on the title of your post and grab the permalink from the address bar.
3. Link your post back to Balancing Beauty and Bedlam as a courtesy to me so everyone will know where to find more recipe inspiration.
Tasty Tuesday Parade of Food Participants

1. Alisa-The Sweet Life (10 minute garden fresh meal) 2. Renata (Homemade lime cordial) 3. INGREDIENTS THAT MAKE ME SQUIRM - Kelly the Kitchen Kop 4. Many Little Blessings (Zucchini Raisin Walnut Muffins) 5. Mom2my9 @ 11th Heaven (Roasted Red Pepper Hummus) 6. Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates (Blackberry Almond Bruschetta) 7. Heather @ Just Doing My Best (Chicken Pesto Pizza) 8. Homemaker Barbi (Cooking Chicken Outdoors - Smoked) 9. Amanda@CopingWithFrugality (Turkey & Bean Burrito Burger) 10. Faith, Food and Family (Oooey Gooey German Chocolate Brownies) 11. Frugal Girls! {E-Z Freezer Jam!} 12. Kate at Centsational Girl (summer berry preserves) 13. Christine @ becomingp31 (No-Roll Biscuits and Oatmeal Muffins) 14. Kitchen Stewardship (Turkey Chili-Topped Turkey Burgers) 15. Tamy ~ 3 Sides of Crazy (Black Bean Corn Cakes) 16. Inside The White Picket Fence (Berry Muffins) 17. TidyMom (BBQ Ribs) 18. Liz@HoosierHomemade(Harry Potter Cupcakes) 19. Susan (chicken broccoli divan) 20. Amy @ Finer Things (kid-friendly snacks) 21. Amanda @ Serenity Now {Choc. Chunk Oat Bars & a Madeover Housewarming "Gift"} 22. Melissa @ Frugal Creativity (cool cucumber salad) 23. Newlyweds (Jalapeno Jelly)

24. Astrid @ Lopsided (zucchini quiche and cherry pie) 25. Darnold23 @ Dining With Debbie (Kitchen Basics Basil) 26. Daily Essentials - Homemade Croutons! 27. Stacie @ Park Avenue (Lime Tortilla-Crusted Chicken Tenders) 28. Thrifty Teacher- Pepper Rice (not spicy unless you want it to be) 29. Lynn's Kit Adv (blueberry pound cake) 30. Amy @LivingLocurto (cajun caviar dip) 31. Phillips Phamily Mama (A Makeover) 32. Phillips Phamily Mama (Pesto Crusted Grilled Cheese)) 33. Kate @ Stolen Moments (apple jacks cereal cookies) 34. Pam (authentic greek salad) 35. Sara (marinated London Broil) 36. Tara @ Feels like home (garlic scapes) 37. Joy in My Kitchen (Gluten-Free Brownies) 38. Melissa @ Mom's Plans (BLT Pasta Salad) 39. Sonshine(aunt nellies best ever muffins) 40. DarcyLee (Sticky Chicken) 41. Lisa (sweet tea) 42. Christi @ A SOUTHERN LIFE (banana recipes) 43. Jane@Frugal Fine Living (Baked Blueberry French Toast) 44. Kristen (banana coffee cake) 45. Cents to Get Debt Free (Tri-Color Bread Braid) 46. Cate @ Budget Confessions (beans and cornbread)

47. mub (no roll pie crust) 48. dreamer (teriyaki chicken) 49. Katie (fajita & club salads) 50. Angela's hubby Derek 51. Comfy Cook (Western style cornbread) 52. Natalie with A Touch of Country FRUIT PIZZA 53. jacobi (peanut butter chocolate cookies) 54. Carol @ Joy in the Journey 55. Charlene @ Secrets of a Southern Kitchen (baked chicken and rice) 56. Kelli @ SustainingCreativity (Recipe for Beauty) 57. Kara (Fiery Chicken Salad) 58. It's Frugal Being Green (Grasshopper Pie) 59. Julie@Come Have a Peace (steak marinade) 60. Geri@heartnsoulcooking 61. Jessica (Homemade Banana Nut Bread) 62. Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet (Triple Chocolate Ice Cream) 63. Joy @FrugalMenuMamas 64. The Working Home Keeper (Soaked Oatmeal Blueberry Muffins) 65. Prairie Cottage Rose (Civil War Pancakes) 66. Easy Oven Baked Fiesta Chicken (Penny Pinching Diva) 67. Tracey @ Girls to Grow (Chicken Spaghetti) 68. Alea @ Premeditated Leftovers (peanut butter fudge) 69. Tami

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One dollar....one minute magic

I am a home maker that loves accountability. My heart's desire is to be in intentional in all aspects of my life, not just with my family. My intentional balancing act also consists of my home, finances, time with the Lord, and a myriad of other essentials I could list. But quite frankly, when the busyness of life gets in the way, those mundane domestic tasks are often the first to get pushed aside.
That's why I couldn't believe how happy it made me when I took two minutes to transfer my dish soap to this cruet. Yes, it's the little things that make my day.
During my planting last fall, I went with a wild card full of lily bulbs. There was no guarantee of the colors that would bloom, so I was a bit disappointed when they were primarily orange.
I decided to work with the colors, rather than against them, and picked orange dish soap (that I got free from my triple coupon week) to put in my $1 yard sale cruet.

Just this simple act changed the mundane to the magical. I love to pour my soap from here...it makes me feel all royalish. :)
Now if I could just pour, walk away, and have the servants wash them for me, then, I'd be true royalty. Oh wait, I do have servants that are trained to do this mundane task. I believe they are called my children. Do you have royalty in your house?

(Posted at: We are That Family, Tuesdays Unwrapped)
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I have a fun brainstorm coming up where we can hold each other accountable for one month in the little things of life.
30 days of intentionality can transform the way we think about SO MANY things. But trust me, I will only set the timer for ten minutes a day, experimenting with how many areas I can take "outside the box" in transforming the little things from mundane to magical. :)
Does anyone want to join in?

No more complaining...

Seriously ladies - we have no right to complain about nursing ever again. You think you're tired? These babies not only have really sharp teeth, but claws as well. Nope - no complaining here.
My years of nursing were just fine!

Our poor lab mommy can't even go to the bathroom with one moment of peace. She's so over this.
Do you know the feeling? I'll never complain about my sweeties knocking on the bathroom door and interrupting me ever again.
Oh, we are feeling for you, poor thing....we'd be panting like that as well. (Now, I just wish I had her skinniness problem. Why didn't I ever have my babies and then be exceptionally thin?)
For the first time ever she's getting canned dog food to fatten her back up, and she is loving dinner time.
The time has come to say goodbye to these bundles of sweetness, and we are all mourning the fact. My daughter is convinced that having six dogs would work out just fine, but she surely hasn't convinced me. I'm all about balancing beauty and bedlam, but I do still have one good brain. :)