8 Weeks of Christmas Goodies and Giveaways

I've been super busy this week making my goodies for my Christmas Open House this Sunday.   Once it is over then I plan on making other goodies that I have found through my link up below! Please link up some treats! Below is one of the recipes I made every year.  Very easy and well loved!

Christmas Bark

1 pkg white almond bark
1 pkg pretzels
1 pkg Holiday M & Ms

Melt bark in microwave according to the directions on package.  Add in pretzels and M&Ms, stir and pour out onto a 11X17 pan.  Put in cool place until it hardens.  Break into pieces and eat!

Check out HOT CHOCOLATE BARK and Peppermint Chocolate Patty Bark
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My giveaways today can be found at the below link up! Enter at the link please!

Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop Gift Card Giveaway

Stride Rite $25 Gift Card (International)

Has to be used at a Stride Rite store. 

Amazon $50 Gift Card (International)

Online gift code 

Drugstore.com $25 Gift Card (International)
Online gift code

Jasmere $25 Online Gift Code (USA)

CSN Stores $100 Gift card and other giveaways on right side bar.

Heart of Haiti Collection through Macys

Have you ever heard of the Heart of Haiti?  They are working to help rebuild Haiti through "Trade, Not Aid." In other words, Heart of Haiti is using commerce and culture to create social change.

Here is what they are doing: 

- Instead of providing one-time funding through charity, Heart of Haiti is creating opportunities for Haitian artisans to earn income with dignity by creating jobs and income for the people of Haiti.

- Through the sale of Heart of Haiti products, artisans are able to earn life-changing income for themselves, their families, and their communities. The initiative is enabling artisans to repair homes, pay school fees, and feed and clothe their families. The income also allows them to have access to better nutrition, improved education and healthcare.



DID YOU KNOW that The Heart of Haiti collection has already led to employment of 350 artists in Haiti and has provided some financial benefits for an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people in the country.  Each item made is made by hand using recycled materials.  Some of their products include: vases, candleholders, serving trays, picture frames, mirrors, coasters, necklaces, clutch purses and more with a price range of $25-$60.


How can you help?  Check out the Heart of Haiti collection on Macys.com.  Any of their products  would make wonderful Christmas giflts!

Disclose:  I wrote this post to spread the word about Heart of Haiti through a Mom Bloggers Club member program and that you will receive a Heart of Haiti pendant as a thank you.

Million Minute Family Game Challenge Update

I've been very behind in posting our minutes in the Million Minute Family Game Challenge.  I checked today and the total for minutes played by all registered groups is 653,053 which brings us really close to 1 Million Minutes! Come on people get playing!! haha  Our group, CrazyGamers is up to 22,819 minutes played.  If you haven't joined in you can still register and participate!  

Combat Commander: Europe and Normandy

Below are some of the games that we have played over the past 3 weeks.  Are you familiar with them? What have you been playing?

Telestrations

• LOTR Risk
• Black Jack
• Magblast
• Luck of the Draw
• Gowns & Crowns
• Trivia
• Wits and Wagers Family (Another giveaway coming up soon)
• Pretty Pretty Princess
• 5 Second Rule
• Canasta
• Traders of Carthage
• Dominate Species
• Universalis
• Formula Motor Racking
• Fight for the Throne
• Chess
• What's Yours Like
• Magic the Gathering
• Pirates of the Spanish Main
• Life
• Sequence Dice
• Twilight Struggle
• Carcassone
• Telestrations (Review and Giveaway coming up)
• Forbidden Island (ENTER TO WIN a COPY-ends 12/15)
• Ticket to Ride
• Go Fish
• War
• Connect 4
• D&D
• Memoir 44
• Labyrinth
• Mancala
• Spinning Wishes
• You've Been Sentenced
• Combat Commander: Europe and Normandy

Dominant Species (Don't you JUST LOVE that the cat is in this box?)

 Lil' bit of DUCK DUCK GOOSE by the teens!

Last but surely  not least in any way, a dad playing PRETTY PRETTY PRINCESS with his daughter! What a hero!

Peppermint Chocolate Patty Bark Christmas Recipe

YUM! We love making bark at Christmas and this is the 3rd one I made this year. Every year we make White Christmas Bark.  Click to get the recipe.  This year I had 1 extra chocolate bark that needed to be melted so I created two new creations for my Christmas Open House.   Click here for Hot Chocolate Bark.

Peppermint Chocolate Patty Bark

1 pkg chocolate almond bark
1/4 cup crushed up candy canes
1/2 c. white chocolate chips
2 Tbsp crushed up candy canes for the topping
sprinkles, optional

Melt bark in microwave according to package instructions.  Then add in candy canes and stir until all covered in chocolate.  Then quickly stir in white chocolate and pour out onto a 11 X 17 baking sheet. Top with crushed candy canes any if wanted, sprinkles of your choice.  Once hard, break and eat!

Hot Chocolate Bark Christmas Recipe

YUM! We love making bark at Christmas.  Every year we make White Christmas Bark.  Click to get the recipe.  This year I had 1 extra chocolate bark that needed to be melted so I created two new creations for my Christmas Open House.   Click here for Peppermint Chocolate Patty Bark.

Hot Chocolate Bark

1 pkg chocolate almond bark
1 cup hot chocolate powder
8 broken up graham crackers
1 cup of white chocolate pieces or chips
sprinkles, optional

Melt bark in microwave according to package instructions.  Then add in chocolate mix, & graham crackers. Stir.  Then quickly stir in white chocolate and pour out onto a 11 X 17 baking sheet.  Top with sprinkles of your choice. Once hard, break and eat!

Dear Dial Diary Week 1: Healthy Skin Foods

My biggest overall skin issue is dryness.  My face is oily at times but now that I'm older (umm....only 40) I really have issues of dry, itchy patches.  This is very frustrating for me.  I'm hoping to get some insight into my skin issues by participating in a 4 Week Dial^® NutriSkin™ program.  Each week we will be getting tips on eating better that will help me "radiate a healthy glow" and hopefully give me some control over my crazy dry, patchy skin. 


The program expert is Amy Hendel. Her week Week 1 tips explained that the saying "you are what you eat" holds true to your skin health and your food choices can improve skin's resilience and clarity, slow the aging process and prevent breakouts.  I get occasional face breakout around the time of my menstrual cycle.  I've always had this problem.  Now that I'm older, my neck brakes out the most.  


Amy listed three major aspects of skin care.  Are you familiar with these? I am but yet I haven't put it all together until now.  


Here they are and her tips: 


Hydration: Keep your skin from becoming too dry by drinking lots of water. I think that I drink enough water. If I didn't then I would have more of a dry skin issue. Since my dryness is in patches I'm thinking hydration isn't my issue.

Food suggestions are: Foods fortified with biotin like white meat chicken, eggs and Swiss chard as well as oily fish and flaxseed because they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. 

Blemish fighters: Prevent and fight breakouts by following a proper skin regimen. I've been doing this since teen days. I think that now that I'm older I should be doing and using different products. I'm not though. I still use the same face wash my teens use. Hmmm... that probably isn't a good thing.

Food suggestions are: Foods that are rich in zinc like vegetarian baked beans, garbanzo beans and pumpkin seeds.

Anti-aging: Have regular use of broad spectrum SPF and add Vitamin E to your diet. These will help with prevention of skin damage and wrinkles. Wrinkles come with age, right? So over time we can slow the process? I need to buy some Vitamin E.

Food suggestions: Tuna and fortified cereals along with dark chocolate, tea and watermelon
Dear Dial Diary,
So what am I going to do for the next week? Buy Vitamin E, look into other facial washing products for more "mature" women, use the new Dial® NutriSkin™ body wash, which is suppose to hydrate and moisturize and rid my skin of impurities. It is going to be a crazy week of food because of Thanksgiving.  

 I wonder if this is suppose to be used on the face? I've used it for 2 days in the shower. I tried out the new Cherry seed oil with mint and the Grape seed oil and lemongrass. Oh my these both smell great. They were so thick and rich. They were very silky on my skin. I didn't use them on my face and neck because I wasn't sure if I should since I had used my "teen" facial wash. I would love this in a pump bottle because it is so silky I was afraid that I was going to drop the container! I wondered if my hands and body would be greasy after the shower and they were not. My skin is silky hours after the shower.
I wonder if turkey has biotin in it? Today is Thanksgiving and I'm off to eat some right about.....NOW!

Signing off! Susie

How about you? What changes do you need to make? Have any tips for me or for my blog readers? Please do share!  

Here is a $1 off coupon for the new Dial NurtriSkin!

I was selected with 99 other bloggers to participate in the elite Dial Healthier You Member program.  I was sent Dial NurtriSkin products to test out.  This in no way has influenced my post.  My thoughts and options are my own tasty words! 

Get the Nasties out of your mouth!

I love the Colgate Invisible Nasties Campaign! They are getting out the news along with bloggers that you can and will have "Nasties" growing in your toothbrush.  It is up to you to prevent it from happening!  Oral care is very important! Most insurance plans cover you for two preventive cleanings a year.  Do you go to them? Not sure about your insurance? Get a copy of your plan and see what it covers.

Invisible Nasties are little germs and bacteria that hide out in your toothbrush.  We are a homeschool family and here are our


TOP 10 TIPS to Prevent the Nasties:

1. Changing your toothbrush every 3 months
2. Rinse your brush and tap out the extra water after brushing
3. Let it air dry
4. Keep it away from the toilet
5. Keep it away from the cats & dogs
6. Don't leave it lay on the sink 
7. Change it after a cold or mouth sores
8. Don't share it with anyone
9. Brush twice a day
10. Go to the Dentist at least two times a year

Do you like our Nasties? It is fun to have real, tangible objects to explain a lesson. My 11 year old made the adorable nasties! She has a pattern that she made and traces it on to the muslin fabric.  She then sews the up and stuff with them cotton balls!!! She made Mr and Mrs Nasty look a little crazy.   For the clothes she used each doll as a pattern and make them clothes.   I like the happy doll. She looks cute and happy that she is free from the Nasties.

 When it comes to personal body care and needs tweens get a little embarrassed to find out they are offensive to others if they don't brush their teeth or put on deodorant.  That is why it is so important to explain it to them.  It helps to use objects to work things out by acting.  Great teaching tool.

Here are the ones who don't take care of their teeth:

Here is the happy one who is Nasty Free!

We are participating in the fun Invisible Nasties Craft & Learn Contest and could win a custom made t-shirt  and a $100 gift card. Educate and have fun! We tweeted using the hashtag #invisiblenasties


“Colgate-Palmolive Invisible Nasties Sweepstakes” Sweepstakes starts 11/12/10 at 12:00 AM ET and ends 11/30/11 at 11:59:59 PM ET. For Official Rules click here.  Open to eligible legal residents of 50 US/DC, 18 years or older at time of entry.  Void in P.R. and where prohibited.  Void in P.R. and where prohibited.  Sponsor: Colgate-Palmolive Company, 300 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022.

Get Crafty with Vinyl Wall Designs

I'm so addicted to vinyl wall designs. Every where you turn companies are popping up with very cool designs. You can even purchase them at stores like Walmart!  Walmart carries Better Homes and Garden designs.  


There are different types of these vinyl wall designs. Some of the products you have to rub in each letter or design onto your wall while others are super stickers which allow you to just stick on and removed easily.  I have both in my home but I'm thinking that the removable ones are more practical.  I like the flexibility of removing them when I want!  


My "Can You Top This" project came about last week because I purchased some really cool wall designs for my kitchen.  My kitchen theme is Cafe and I found a large coffee cup that is also a chalkboard.  This set is the sticker/removable type.  When I went to adhere it to my wall it stayed fine but the texture of the wall interfered with the smooth chalk board surface.  So I pulled it down and created a even more removable and adjustable chalk board.  I used a Tri-Fold Display Board and stuck the design to it, cut it out and then put it on my wall!  I like it even better than before!


I think this is a great way to use the removable wall designs.

Supplies:

• X-Acto knife
• Elmer’s Tri-Fold Board 
• Removable Tack Tabs
• Removable Vinyl Wall Stickers
• Black Paint Marker

1) Get a board that fits your project.  

2) Apply wall sticker to board. 

3) Use X-Acto knife to carefully cut around design.

4) Once cut out take the black paint marker and go around the edges of the board.

5) Depending on size you should be able to use something simple like the removable tack tabs to put your project on the wall.  You can also use a small nail to give it more stability if needed. 

Tips & Ideas

1) Match up your board with your wall design.  I purchased a white board but then had to go back over the edges with the black paint marker.  I could have saved time using the black board. If you use a white board and then go over the edges with a paint marker. 

2) This is such an easy project, I wish I would have done it with some of my other wall decals! You can do this same project without buying the vinyl wall art. Just use chalk spray directly on a foam board and then cut it out in the shape you want! Too bad that I didn't think of this sooner! It would have saved me $$$.

3) My particular coffee cup and saucer was one piece.  I made it into two pieces when I cut it out.  This way I was able to create a little ledge to put my chalk! I didn't have this option when it was just stuck to the wall! Very clever if I say so myself!  

4) This project was so easy and only took me a few minutes to complete!


Here is a list of the Sponsor blogs: (contest over)

• Sarah’s Deals
• Super Saving Sense With Sara
• Confessions of an Overworked Mom
• MamaBuzz
• Create-Celebrate-Explore
• Dealusional

(CONTEST OVER) Do you have a project that involves a Tri-Fold Display Board? If so submit it and you could win $100 Walmart gift card! I submitted my post and photos to the Can You Top This Challenge that I found out through Collective Bias and tweeted using this hashtag #CanYouTopThis 

Christmas Goodies and Giveaway with Natalie's Sterling Silver 3 Carat Princess Cut Stud Earrings

YUM! More tasty Christmas Goodies!!! Keep on sharing! They all look great! Link up (bottom of post), share the button and follow my blog.  Leave a comment on how you are following me so that I can follow you back!

My recipe this week is for Macaroons.  Last week I gave you an old time family recipe to make Cut out cookies.  That recipe calls for 4 egg yolks.  This recipe today calls for the 4 egg whites. So we always make them both.  These are always a hit at my Christmas Open House!

MACAROONS
4 egg whites
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1 c. sugar
1 c. coarse chopped pecans
2 1/2 c. cornflakes
1/4 tsp vanilla
parchment paper

Lightly beat egg whites.  Add cream of tartar.  Continue to beat mixture until eggs are stiff peaks.  Add sugar slowly (1/4 c. at a time) and keep beating while adding sugar.  Once finished with sugar, beat in vanilla.  Fold in nuts and cornflakes with spatula.  Drop by teaspoon onto parchment lined baking pan. 
Bake 275 for 20 min. then turn down oven and bake at 240 for 10 more min.  They will be white with slight coloring.  Tasty!

GIVEAWAY

1 pair of Natalie's Sterling Silver 3 Carat Princess Cut Stud Earrings

USA/Canada Ends 12/13

The perfect marriage of grace and style, these sterling silver 3 carat princess cut stud earrings speak for themselves. You will feel like a million bucks without spending that much when you wear these 3 carat cz stone stud earrings. Let these princess shape imitation diamond stud earrings do the talking for you.

These studs are beautiful!  I plan on wearing them out to the evening Holiday Parties! They shimmer and shine and I WILL feel like that MILLION BUCKS wearing these fake diamond earrings!  I almost wish I had one of their cz rings that look real.  It will have to go on my wishlist! 

   
TO Enter Giveaway: If you are on Facebook please follow Fantasy Jewelry Box.  If you are not on Facebook (why not? lol) then go to their website and tell me something else you would like to have to go with these earrings, maybe a few fake diamond necklaces! haha  (Do both and give yourself 2 separate entries)  Leave your email addy, too.

EXTRA BONUS ENTRIES: Here are simple extra entries. Must do mandatory entry for any of these to count. Leave name/comment or link for each entry.


1) Follow my blog on RSS Feed and Networked Blogs right side bar- 1 entry each

2) Follow on Twitter @Susieqtpies and tweet out "Enter to Get your Million Dollar look  @SusieQTpies Scraps of Life http://goo.gl/VmLDp  " 1 entry per tweet, unlimited

3) Put my blog link on your blog roll and leave link (10 entries)

4) Follow my blog on Facebook, right sidebar (10 entries)

5) Link up a food post on the Christmas Goodie link up (10 entries, unlimited)

6) Leave a comment on any of my other post or giveaways and leave comment here. (unlimited 10 bonus entries for each one) For example, enter my $100 CSN Giveaway

7) Put my button on your blog and leave link

8) Blog about the giveaway and leave link
 
9) Go back to Fantasy Jewelry Box and find something else fun you would like.  I would start with the sterling silver necklace or sterling silver bracelet (5 entries for each link you post here)


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.  Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Dining with Joy by Rachel Hauck

My Take on the Book: I love fiction books that include food! They are usually fun books to read. This one was no exception. The main character, Joy took over her father's TV food show after he died. She became Dining with Joy.  Joy is a spunky, fun and entertaining food hostess who had a tasty secret.   (SPOILER ALERT:) Ever heard of a food chef who can't cook? That is Joy. Her crew knew her secret and helped her conceal it from everyone. This was all fine and dandy until her show got bought out. How can they keep hiding her truth?

Joy seemed to struggle with what she knew was right vs. telling flat out lies related to her cooking show.  This proves, too, that when you are doing something wrong you bring others into it and drag them into doing wrong.  She struggled with her faith, too.  From the beginning of the book she had a favorite bible verse, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me." John 4:34 and it was this verse with which she struggled.  She stuggled with not being able to cook yet she was the host/co-host of a cooking show.  Once she worked out her struggles she was able to let go of the fear of not being able to cook and then to actually start cooking. 

I'm always blown away when people tell me that they can't cook. If you can read you can cook. This book isn't just about cooking.  It is about struggling with ones faith, relationship struggles, dealing with the past and moving on, family struggles and more.  It was a very quick read!  The book included a few recipes in the back.  I would have LOVED for the author to have included the recipe for "Country Fried Rice." It was the one recipe that Joy could make and was a hit with her future husband, Luke (he sounds delish, BTW.)

Pick it up and read it!  This is my first book by Rachel Hauck! I cant wait to read more of her tasty words! Want to enter to win a Kitchen Aid?  Thanks to Rachel's publisher you have a chance! Enter below to win her book and then go to KITCHEN AID and enter there.  Once you enter come back and claim 10 KITCHEN AID BONUS entries for this giveaway. That giveaway ends 12/2 so go enter quickly!

About Rachel Hauck

Rachel Hauck is the bestselling author and award winning of Sweet Caroline and Love Starts With Elle, and numerous other fiction titles.

She lives in sunny, though sometimes hurricane plagued, central Florida with her husband and their ornery pets.

Rachel earned a degree in Journalism form Ohio State University and is a huge Buckeyes football fan.

She is the past President of American Christian Fiction Writers and now sits on the board as an Advisor. 

Visit her:

Rachel's website:  http://www.rachelhauck.com/index.html
blog:  http://rachelhayeshauck.blogspot.com/

GIVEAWAY 1 copy USA/Canada and ends 12/18 (OVER)

To enter: Tell me your "go to recipe". If you have it on your blog link it up here. Follow me on Google Friend Connect. Leave your email with this entry.

EXTRA BONUS ENTRIES: Here are simple extra entries. Must do mandatory entry for any of these to count. Leave name/comment or link for each entry.

1) Follow my blog on RSS Feed and Networked Blogs right side bar- 1 entry each

2) Follow on Twitter @Susieqtpies and @RachelHauck 1 entry each and tweet out "Get Cooking with Dining with Joy Giveaway @SusieQTpies Scraps of Life " 1 entry per tweet, unlimited

3) Put my blog link on your blog roll and leave link (10 entries)

4) Follow my blog on Facebook, right sidebar (10 entries)

5) Link up a food post on the Christmas Goodie link up (10 entries, unlimited)

6) Leave a comment on any of my other post or giveaways and leave comment here. (unlimited) 10 entries each

7) Put my button on your blog and leave link

8) Blog about the giveaway and leave link

Thanks to TLC Blog Tours I was given a chance to review this book and participate in the tour. The sponsor sent me a book and will mail out one to the winner of the giveaway. My own tasty words and opinions were expressed here.

Ovaltine vs other drinks and a HOT recipe!

What do your kids drink the most of at home, school and when you eat out? When we are home my girls drink milk. They have soft drinks when we have pizza or a special event at home.  I do buy juice when they request it but it is either milk or water around here.

The majority likes to drink Ovaltine at least once a day.  When we go out to eat my girls almost always order milk or water. It is just like at home.  It depends on the restaurant and what they are eating so sometime they do order ice tea or soda.

Sometimes I will buy juice and soda when I do my weekly shopping but most of the time I always add a container of Ovaltine to my shopping cart. I bet you are asking yourself, "Isn't Ovaltine just sugary chocolate milk??" No, Ovaltine isn't just another sugary drink!  Ovaltine gives my kids chocolatey milk and adds in 12 fortified vitamins and minerals every time they drink a serving.   It is an excellent source of Vitamin E & Iron and a good source of Vitamins A & C.   

This is the drink of choice because of all the added benefits.  For me, compared to soda and juice, I feel that the milk is the best choice and the once a day Ovaltine is an even better choice.  It is good to drink something that has a nutritional value and not just flavored sugar water.  No matter what they drink moderation is key to balanced nutrition.


Here is a really cool chart from the Ovaltine website on what your kids should be eating for their growing bodies.  Click the link above and go check out the page on Nutrition.  I love that you can compare different foods with Ovaltine.  It helps put the drink into perspective with what foods your kids are eating.

What is your kid's drink of choice?

Click to enter the two giveaways.
Enter to win a Nestle product gift basket that includes Ovaltine
Enter to win one of six free containers of Ovaltine and get $1 off coupon and recipe ideas

 Hot Cocoa Recipe!

1 lg. plain powder creamer
1 lb. powder sugar
1 sm. box powder milk
1 container of Ovaltine

Mix all the above dry ingredients in a large bowl or large Ziploc bags. Store in a container or these bags.  Use 1/2 cup per 8 oz of hot water.  (Use more or less depending on taste)   Top with whipped cream, sprinkle of cocoa powder, nutmeg or cinnamon.  Stir with a candy cane! If you love marshmallows then bring them on!  I just purchased snowmen and gingerbread men marshmallows for my Christmas Open House.  Enjoy

This mix makes a tasty gift. 

I am involved in a Nestle Ovaltine  blogging program. I have been given compensation to work with them.  My opinions are my own tasty words and thoughts! Buy the product and form your own opinions! Share them with me, too!

5 tips for editing and creating beautiful digital photo projects

Tis the season of photos! I give photo cards, photo books, photo mugs, photo calendars and more as gifts!  I was just reading the Thanksgiving Issue of Martha Stewart Living and Martha Stewart said that she takes about 2,000 photos a month!  I don't think that I take quite that many on a regular month but I can easily shoot 200-400 photos at one event.   How about you? Are you a crazy photographer?   Here are a few of my photo tips! I can't wait to read yours!

5 tips for editing and creating beautiful digital photo projects


1) Always have your camera with you.  This is the only way you can create beautiful photos.  I'd rather lug around my camera bag and not shoot a photo than not bring it and wish that I had it!  The type of camera you use is important, too! I use a Canon Digital Rebel XTi which I love. This is my 5th Christmas with this camera and I'm still not ready to trade it in.  I lug it around wherever I go.  If you want small, grab one of the Canon powershoot cameras.  They take simpler photos and is a tad easier to use.

2) Take natural looking shots of your subjects.  Don't always have them pose for a photo.  Some of my best shots come from shooting when the subject wasn't even paying any attention to me.  Once you get taking these random shots more you will really get the hang of it and your eye will be trained to look for good ones!  I love the above one of my daughter.  Don't be afraid to shoot a lot of photos! They are digital! Just delete the ones you don't want.

3) Upload your photos to a trusty photo storage program on your computer and online.  I use Picasa. It is free through Google.  You can store your photos on your hard drive and upload them to their web album.  This program includes very basic editing tools.  It also puts your photos into folders.  I put my in by date taken and tag what the event is.  You can share these photos with others, too!

4) Don't be scared, edit those photos!  I use to be a purist and accept whatever shot I got from my camera.  Now I'm  really into editing.  The good thing about Picasa, it saves your original file, so if you hate what you editing you can always undo or go back to the original.

 I use programs like Picasa, Picnik and  Adobe Photoshop Elements for fun editing.  Some editing is simple while other editing can totally change the look of your photo.  The photo above was in color with my daughter holding a frame.  We decided to use editing software to put fun things in the frame.  I wish now that I would have done this with all my girls and put their name in the frame.

5) Get out the props!  This was the first year I brought props when I took my girls on a fall photo shoot.  This is a great way to get in action shots.  Take pictures of them with their favorite toy, book, instrument or animal.  You will be amazed at your photos! 

So don't miss out on taking great shots of your kids! Get taking hundreds of photos of your kids! Upload them to a trusty site and get editing!  You can create fun and add flare to your photos with a little bit of editing!  It is adicting!
Share some tips with me on photo taking and/or join me in the Twitter Moms Blogging Program!  I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Adobe blogging program, making me eligible to receive a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.