I know we have three more weeks till summer’s official, but Memorial Day always seems to kick things off and get you in the mood, doesn’t it? To help things along, how about a summery First Friday Freebie? (I know…I know…there’s been a jewelry motif lately, but it’s one of my weaknesses.)
Here’s a splash of summer fun for you – (pardon the fact that my images don’t seem to be coming out as best as they could lately).
Any outfit is made just a little more beachy and fun with a nautical touch. And who says you need to be at the beach to wear this necklace? It’s a fun find from Factory Connection.
Each of the three chains on this necklace has its own bit of summer bling. The first has an aqua teardrop stone, the middle length holds a gold anchor and the longest chain has a starfish, a sea blue tassle and a tropical flower. I can hear the hula music now.
To enter to win the summer fun necklace, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “Send me some summer fun!” You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, June 3rd, 2022.
NOTE: An occasional problem occurs with subscribers not receiving confirmation emails. Should this happen, email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com so that I can report it and have the issue resolved.
First Friday Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, so you’ll want to subscribe over on the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page where you can subscribe to Midwest Storyteller if you haven’t done so.
I hope you enjoy freebies and share them and my blog stories with your friends and family through all your social media. If you like an idea, recipe or story you see here, be sure to hover over the photo and “pin it”. Help me get the word out!
On the “Freebies”page, you can see what readers have been winning every month.
A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight, June 3rd, by leaving a comment which says, “Send me some summer fun!”
For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.
Our days have been filled with planting, transplanting and pretty-ing up our outdoor spaces. I’ll try to share some photos soon. It’s a beautiful season and I hope you’re able to get out and enjoy it, too!
We’re moving into June, but it’s time to announce May’s winner –
Susan from Kansas City, Missouri!
Congratulations, Susan!
Susan won the shell hoop earrings and don’t they look pretty on her!
I hope you enjoy wearing them with your summer outfits, Susan.
Susan won by commenting as directed on my post on the first Friday of the month. The earrings are a great find from Factory Connection. If you’d like to see past winners and their gifts check it out hereon my Freebies! page.
Not yet a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller? Hopefully, my Freebies, not to mention the stories, recipes and other great content, will entice you to become one – freebies are for email subscribers only.
NOTE: Subscribe with an email you intend to keep and check the week after the drawings. This is my only means of notifying winners. If it isn’t up to date, you may not get your gift!
Computers, tablets, smartphones – they each give this blog a different appearance, but you can easily find the subscription area in the menu under “CONTACT”. Confirm your subscription when the email arrives. If you’ve don’t receive a confirmation email, please email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com – it seems that from time to time, a subscription will get “stuck”.
Subscribers get an email reminder each time there’s something new – like when there’s a FREEBIE on the First Friday of every month.
Comment as directed on the post that offers the Freebie and you’ll be entered to win.
Freebies help me reach more people. I need you to help me share all the fun with your friends and family. When you share MeWe, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, you’ll give them the opportunity to subscribe and win also. Subscribing is free. Freebies are free. Let’s be clear – Smuffy is spoken for, but his stories are free. Does it get any better than this?
On June 3rd, you’ll see the new Freebie. Enter to win that day. A winner is chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight. Then, check your email in the days following.
Smartphone reminders help.
Take a moment make yourself familiar with the complete Freebie Rules by clicking HERE.
Subscribers, be ready to enter to win on Friday, June 3rd, 2022.
Next up: I’m still working on bringing you a Smuffy story – another true tale and one that might make you blush. I know it made him blush. We’ve been delayed in our usual pursuits around here due to planting time and endless games of toddler kick-ball and bubble blowing in the nice weather. We like to put first things first.
We’ve just made a few people smile and a few others confused by offering a cheerful “May the 4th Be With You” and followed up yesterday with a nod to Cinco de Mayo even if we had no idea where Puebla is or when and what the fuss was all about. It’s so much simpler and easier to explain to all your friends that today is First Friday Freebie Day!
Here’s a festive little something for you –
Accessories make the outfit and with these summery earrings you’ll be ready for warm weather days even if you never make it to the beach. They were a fun find at Factory Connection.
These gold tone hoops measure about 2” across. The gold, white and blue faceted beads frame the shells that dangle in the center. They’re just right to set off all those light and airy summer dresses and tops.
To enter to win the shell hoop earrings, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, asking, “May I have the Freebie?” For one of you, the answer is “YES!” You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, May 6, 2022.
NOTE: An occasional problem occurs with subscribers not receiving confirmation emails. Should this happen, email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com so that I can report it and have the issue resolved.
First Friday Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, so you’ll want to subscribe over on the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page where you can subscribe to Midwest Storyteller if you haven’t done so.
I hope you get excited about winning freebies and share them and my blog stories with your friends and family through all your social media. If you like an idea, recipe or story you see here, be sure to hover over the photo and “pin it”. Help me get the word out!
On the “Freebies”page, you can see what readers have been winning every month.
A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight, May 6th, by leaving a comment which asks, “May I have the Freebie?”
For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.
The saying goes that April showers bring May flowers. If that is the case, we should have plenty of beauty to enjoy this year here in the Midwest. May is starting off as wet as April but soon the maddest, merriest month of the whole year will blossom in all its glory. Enjoy a picnic, take walks. Ride bikes. Do some porch sitting. Give thanks for each and every beautiful day for they are gifts indeed.
Linda won the “He is Risen” word art and I know she’ll use it to express her faith in this Truth whether she leaves the wood raw or decides to paint it.
I hope you enjoyed this décor, Linda, as you celebrated the season. Linda won by commenting as directed on my post on the first Friday of the month. The bracelet is a great find from Hobby Lobby. If you’d like to see past winners and their gifts check it out hereon my Freebies! page.
Not yet a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller? Hopefully, my Freebies, not to mention the stories, recipes and other great content, will entice you to become one – freebies are for email subscribers only.
NOTE: Subscribe with an email you intend to keep and check the week after the drawings. This is my only means of notifying winners. If it isn’t up to date, you may not get your gift!
Computers, tablets, smartphones – they all give this blog a different appearance, but you can easily find the subscription area in the menu under “CONTACT”. Confirm your subscription when the email arrives. If you’ve don’t receive a confirmation email, please email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com – it seems that from time to time, a subscription will get “stuck”.
Subscribers get an email reminder each time there’s something new – like when there’s a FREEBIE on the First Friday of every month.
Comment as directed on the post that offers the Freebie and you’ll be entered to win.
Freebies help me reach more people. There’s a whole world of folks out there who are going around “Smuffy-less”, perhaps because you haven’t shared. Don’t cry – just tell them! Join me in sharing his stories and all my recipes and other fun and informative articles here. When you share with all your friends via MeWe, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, you’ll give them the opportunity to subscribe and win also. Subscribing is free. Freebies are free. Let’s be clear – Smuffy is spoken for, but his stories are free. Does it get any better than this?
On May 6th, you’ll see the new Freebie. Enter to win that day. A winner is chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight. Then, check your email in the days following.
Smartphone reminders might help.
Take a moment make yourself familiar with the complete Freebie Rules by clicking HERE.
Subscribers, be ready to enter to win on Friday, May 6th, 2022.
Next up: Some things are only funny with the passage of time. Certain Smuffy tales have to brew for a while.
Let’s be nice and call it April Gotcha Day. It just sounds better and besides, you probably really like the person you’re about to subject to the gullibility test.
My First Friday Freebie, however, is the real deal (in more ways than one) –
I know that a great majority of my readers look forward to celebrating Resurrection Day soon. This year it falls on April 17th. I thought this bit of word art would be a blessing and add a great touch to your seasonal décor as this holiday tends to be another that gets overloaded with “fluff” and we need a reminder of the Reason for the season. It’s a great find from Hobby Lobby.
This wooden reminder of why we celebrate measures 10” wide at the base and is 5” tall and ¾” in depth. The surface of the letters is raw wood and can be left as is or painted in a fun spring color to match the rest of your décor. The dark edge treatment makes the statement stand out.
To enter to win the “He is Risen” décor, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying exactly that, “He is Risen!” You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, April 1, 2022.
NOTE: An occasional problem occurs with subscribers not receiving confirmation emails. Should this happen, email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com so that I can report it and have the issue resolved.
First Friday Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, so you’ll want to subscribe over on the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page where you can subscribe to Midwest Storyteller if you haven’t done so.
I hope you get excited about winning freebies and share them and my blog stories with your friends and family through all your social media. If you like an idea, recipe or story you see here, be sure to hover over the photo and “pin it”. Help me get the word out!
On the “Freebies”page, you can see what readers have been winning every month.
A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight, April 1st, by leaving a comment which says, “He is Risen!”
For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.
Take joy in the Good News and celebrate it along with every fresh, new spring day that lies ahead. They are gifts that remind us that we have a hope and a future. The world and all its problems we hear on the news every day are in Good Hands.
Do you have a favorite way to celebrate? Leave a comment – I’d love to hear how your family makes the day special.
I fully disclose that as a Certified Lifestyle Coach I do, at times, receive monetary compensation as such. See The Fine Print on the “About Me” page of this blog.
I mentioned in my last post that I was about to get a little nutty on ‘ya and today’s the day. I came up with this recipe myself after scanning over several others that didn’t quite meet up with what I had in mind. Then, I had myself a little think and came up with this great super-simple recipe.
Usually, when I post a recipe here at Midwest Storyteller, I furnish a free printable to go along with it. However, this one is so short and sweet that you can either remember it or jot it down in under a minute so I don’t think a printable is necessary. It is worth it, though, to have this one in your book of favorites!
For those of us eating according to the Trim Healthy Mama plan (or those who practice clean eating in general), nuts can be a great snack, but trouble arises when you perform that necessary task of reading the back label. What started out as a healthy fuel is almost often roasted in an oil that we un-affectionately refer to in THM as “frankenfood”. Almost all the oils out there, even those touted by ads and even your doctor as good, are either a trans fat or they’ll turn into one when heated. Then, some nuts are laden with table salt (bad stuff) or sweetened or even “candied”.
I love cashews almost to the point of needing a twelve-step program to deal with their hold on my life, so I needed to find a healthy source. Plain, raw cashews will do in a pinch, but are not quite what I prefer.
It being one of my better days in the kitchen, I nailed this one on the first try. Add that to the fact that prep and baking time came to a whopping ten minutes and clean-up amounted to putting a bowl in the dishwasher throwing a piece of parchment paper in the trash and you have something even Drive-thru Sue can cheer about. I shared these with the members of my weekly THM group session and they’ve been asking for the recipe.
Ready? Here goes! Be sure to see the notes at the end of the recipe.
Coach Barb’s Roasted Chili-Lime Cashews (S)
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a medium to large mixing bowl, melt 1 tablespoon extra-virgin coconut oil; stir in 1 teaspoon lime juice and 1/8 teaspoon each of the following: mineral salt, chili powder, smoked paprika and red pepper flakes.
3. Add one 26 ounce bag of raw cashews to the bowl and toss until well coated.
4. Spread the cashews onto a large cookie sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8 minutes, watching closely!
Notes: The extra-virgin coconut oil gives an ever so slight hint of sweetness. I’ve tried this with the refined, unflavored oil and it’s good, but this is just a tad better. Feel free to add more lime juice and seasonings as you please. You could even make these super hot ‘n spicy, but I choose not to so that everyone can enjoy them and not just the hot-heads. I use the Glenda’s raw cashews from Sam’s Clubmost of the time, but you can also find the raw cashews at Natural Grocers and most likely at any bulk food store. Remember, all ovens vary, so don’t wander off! Stay right there and peek through the window every minute or two. As you can see in the photo, some of the nuts do get dark tips in even just eight minutes and they’ll burn easily. Also good to know – just after roasting, the cashews taste weird and have a completely different texture than they will when they have completely cooled, so be a little patient with them while they achieve their full glory.
If you need support in your journey to better health and weight loss, head to the Contact page and let me know. I’ll give you all the info on group sessions which I conduct locally in person on a weekly basis. Private coaching can be done in person or by phone. Share with friends and let’s see how many are ready to get Trim & Healthy!
The Trim Healthy Mama Plan is a great way to lose those pounds if you need to, but it’s benefits in balancing blood sugar and hormones and restoring your health are just as important. No food groups are off-limits here and we love our healthy snacks like these tasty cashews.
Do you have a favorite grab ‘n go healthy snack that fits the THM plan? Leave a comment. I love new ideas and being reminded of old ones!
You’ll be needing great snacks and quick prep in the days to come because it’s springtime! Smuffy and I will be planting, getting our outdoor spaces into shape and romping with Lil’ Snookie, so quick meals and snacks to go along with fresh air and sunshine are just what we need.
Spring has sprung! That’s as exciting an announcement as the winner of my latest First Friday Freebie! Hyacinths are blooming, daffodils are getting just a little daffy, tulips are waving their greens as a pre-show and this Freebie is in the hands of –
Eva from New Franklin, Missouri!
Congratulations, Eva!
Eva won the multi-strand “Blessed” bracelet and I think it goes really well with the necklace she’s wearing in the photo.
Enjoy this great accessory this spring, Eva. Eva enters to win fairly often. She does that by commenting as directed on my post on the first Friday of the month. The bracelet is a great find from Factory Connection. . If you’d like to see past winners and their gifts check it out hereon my Freebies! page.
Not yet a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller yet? Let my Freebies entice you to become one – they’re for email subscribers only.
NOTE: Subscribe with an email you intend to keep and check the week after the drawings. This is my only means of notifying winners. If it isn’t up to date, you may not get your gift!
Computers, tablets, smartphones – they all give this blog a different appearance, but you can easily find the subscription area in the menu under “CONTACT”. Confirm your subscription when the email arrives. If you’ve don’t receive a confirmation email, please email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com – it seems that from time to time, a subscription will get “stuck”.
Subscribers get an email reminder each time there’s something new – like when there’s a FREEBIE on the First Friday of every month.
Comment as directed on the post that offers the Freebie and you’ll be entered to win.
Freebies help me reach more people. Would you believe that a very small percentage of the world’s population out there have even heard of Smuffy? That’s sad, isn’t it? Join me in sharing his stories and all my recipes and other fun and informative articles here. When you share with all your friends via MeWe, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, you’ll give them the opportunity to subscribe and win also. Subscribing is free. Freebies are free. Let’s be clear – Smuffy is spoken for, but his stories are free. Does it get any better than this?
On April 1st, you’ll see the new Freebie. Enter to win that day. A winner is chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight. Then, check your email in the days following.
Smartphone reminders might help.
Take a moment make yourself familiar with the complete Freebie Rules by clicking HERE.
Subscribers, be ready to enter to win on Friday, April 1st, 2022.
Welcome to the month of March. The weather may be more unusual than usual around here, but at least you can count on the First Friday Freebie.
Let’s see what you might win –
Looking for an update for your accessories? This multi-strand bracelet is a pretty mix of textures and elements. I always love a mix of fancy and casual – like jeans and a lace top. Here we have the look of pearls, leather, hammered metal and brushed gold all in one piece. I think this lends it to being worn with almost anything. The charms give a remind you that you can always count your blessings and where they come from. Turn on the news for five minutes and you’ll be reminded of how important it is to remember that. It’s a great find from Factory Connection.
To enter to win the blessed bracelet, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I am so blessed!” You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, March 4, 2022.
NOTE: An occasional problem occurs with subscribers not receiving confirmation emails. Should this happen, email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com so that I can report it and have the issue resolved.
First Friday Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, so you’ll want to subscribe over on the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page where you can subscribe to Midwest Storyteller if you haven’t done so.
I hope you get excited about winning freebies and share them and my blog stories with your friends and family through all your social media. If you like an idea, recipe or story you see here, be sure to hover over the photo and “pin it”. Help me get the word out!
On the “Freebies”page, you can see what readers have been winning every month.
A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight, March 4th, by leaving a comment which says, “I am so blessed!”
For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.
I appreciate you all and enjoy blessing you each and every month!
A good dose of silliness never hurt anybody. I feel sorry for those who are overly straight-laced or take themselves too seriously.
There are two eras in my life that will always be my most joyful times and those are when Pookie was at the carefree age of wonder and learning and right now when Lil’ Snookie is right in that same stage.
During this stage, everything is a delight, every thought and feeling can be expressed, every question can be asked and nothing is embarrassing. This comes right before THAT stage – you know the one – where everything is boring, thoughts and feelings must be hidden, they’re too awkward to ask questions and everything is embarrassing.
Games, giggles and goofiness – and it’s all guilt-free.
My favorite part is listening to the comments of children who are trying to figure out life, grown-ups and how things work. My mom enjoyed this and kept a record of many of the things that gave her the giggles over the years.
I’ll share some now and save a few for later. I have a feeling they’ll remind you of some of your own stories that you can share with me in the comments. Wouldn’t it be great to write a book with all our combined giggles?
When Snookie was little, she enjoyed her Sunday School class very much and by age three she pretty much had all the songs memorized. She often went about the house singing “Jesus Loves Me”, “This Little Light of Mine” and many others. One day, as I heard her singing, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart…”, I noticed that she had advanced to adding the consecutive verses. The next thing I heard was, “I’ve got the peace of Captain Thunderstorming down in my heart…” Why bother with the peace that passeth understanding when you’ve got good ‘ol Captain Thunderstorming? I suppose I’ll never know who she thought he was or why she thought her Sunday School teacher wanted to sing about him. Hmm…
Mom always got the giggles when she thought of how Pookie interpreted the subject of dentures. After a significant weight loss, Mom had to be fitted with a new pair and I drove her to and from her appointments. Pookie always rode along, absorbing all our discussions in the car. When she asked why we sat in the waiting room without Grandma, I explained to her that Grandma was getting new teeth and we would have to bring her back again when they came in. One day in the following week, Pookie came to me looking just a tad pitiful and asked, “How long till Grandma’s teeth grow back in so she can come eat supper with us?” Just when you think you’ve got things explained…
My Lil’ Snookie lives by the motto, “Speak early. Speak often.” Don’t let anyone tell you that boys will be less verbal than girls! He began with “DaDa”, “bye-bye” and “book” at eight months and hasn’t stopped. His doctor had said that by the time he turned a year old, she’d be in hopes of his having learned ten words, so I decided to write down the words he knew how to use before the one-year check-up rolled around. We were able to furnish that surprised doctor with a list of 110. If he hears a word, he’ll try to master it. His favorite phrase from the start has been “I do”. It is the affirmative answer to any question and the expression of desire. One day as I prepared lunch when he was just under 18 months, he began to pace the floor, chanting “Tattoo!” I had no idea what he meant because most of his words were pretty clear. I almost always knew what he was trying to say (and there’s no way he’s getting this Grandma’s blessing for one of those at any age.) His cries for “Tattoo!” grew louder and intensified until the poor little fellow was going in circles, arms waving, as he hollered, “Tattoo! Tattoo! I do! I do! I do! I do! I do! I do! Tattoo! Tattoo!” Desperate to alleviate his distress, I scanned the kitchen and began to watch his eyes, trying to track down what had him so worked up. Then, I saw it. I picked up the jar. “Would you like some cashews?” I asked. He nodded with excitement, “I do!” I broke them into pieces on a little plate and had a happy boy at last. The thing is – we’ll probably always call them tattoos now.
My aunt Martha told of the time when they had invited a young mom and her little boy in their new neighborhood over to visit. They got along famously and she asked them to stay and eat, promising them nothing special – just what she had on hand. The little boy was eager to help her in the kitchen as she opened up some canned goods to heat and used a pair of tongs to lower hot dogs into a pot of boiling water. They enjoyed their simple meal and within the next week or two they visited again. Martha offered them lunch again, stating that she hoped they didn’t mind having the same menu as last time. The little boy headed for the kitchen, excited at the prospect, and called out, “I’ll get the weenie tweezers!”
By the time Martha related that story to me, their family had been referring to the utensil as “weenie tweezers” for over forty years.
I know it’s stuck in your head now. Don’t blame me if you spend the rest of your life picking up your tattoos with the weenie tweezers – you came to this blog of your own free will. I’ll never be able to pull those grabby things out of the drawer without a mental nod to that story and now you probably won’t either!
It’s your turn now. Leave a comment with your favorite story or stories from the kiddos. I want to hear them all! Perhaps I’ll share yours in a future fun post.
Next up – March’s First Friday Freebie! See my Freebies! page and share with friends.
I hope you’ve had a laugh. Need another one? Head on over to my Laugh! page where there are plenty more and by all means, check out my Life with Smuffy page. He never disappoints.
Subscribe so you don’t miss future fun!
Make someone smile. Share this post via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and by all means, “Pin it”!
Snow days come and snow days go, but First Friday Freebies – they just keep on happening. Aren’t you glad it’s not the other way around? Here’s to hoping that snow days around here are over for 2022. Three weeks in a row, we’ve had snow or ice that kept folks at home till the temps melted things off. I’m hoping to March on to better days, like the one we’re having today. Now that things have thawed, I was able to get February’s freebie to its winner, let’s meet her –
Ginger from Prairie Home, Missouri!
Congratulations, Ginger!
Ginger won the “Love is Enough” wall décor and considering the colors on this pretty sign, she’ll be able to decorate with it into the spring days ahead.
I hope you enjoy it, Ginger. Ginger keeps her eye on this blog and enters often, so this is not the first time she’s won a First Friday Freebie. She won it by commenting as directed on my post on the first Friday in February. It’s a great find from Factory Connection. . If you’d like to see past winners and their gifts check it out hereon my Freebies! page.
Not yet a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller yet? Let my Freebies might entice you to become one – they’re for email subscribers only.
NOTE: Subscribe with an email you intend to keep and check the week after the drawings. This is my only means of notifying winners. If it isn’t up to date, you may not get your gift!
Computers, tablets, smartphones – they all give this blog a different appearance, but you can easily find the subscription area in the menu under “CONTACT”. Confirm your subscription when the email arrives. If you’ve don’t receive a confirmation email, please email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com – it seems that from time to time, a subscription will get “stuck”.
Subscribers get an email reminder each time there’s something new – like when there’s a FREEBIE on the First Friday of every month.
Comment as directed on the post that offers the Freebie and you’ll be entered to win.
Freebies help me reach more people. There’s a whole world full of folks out there who haven’t even heard of Smuffy and that’s a shame. Join me in sharing his stories and all my recipes and other fun and informative articles here. When you share with all your friends via MeWe, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, you’ll give them the opportunity to subscribe and win also. Subscribing is free. Freebies are free. Let’s be clear – Smuffy is spoken for, but his stories are free. Does it get any better than this?
On March 4th, you’ll see the new Freebie. Enter to win that day. A winner is chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight. Then, check that email in the days following.
Smartphone reminders might help.
Take a moment make yourself familiar with the complete Freebie Rules by clicking HERE.
Subscribers, be ready to enter to win on Friday, March 4th, 2022.
