I have to admit – this is one of my favorite posts to write every month. I love going through all of the posts that helped me, inspired me, or just tickled my fancy. And it makes me happy thinking about all of you reading them and enjoying them as much as I did.
Last month was heavy on the inspirational posts, and I hope your heart was touched as much as mine was. This month, I’m leaning more towards the practical side, with posts to help you in the kitchen, in your wallet, and in your life in general. I’m confident there’s something for everyone in this list, so be sure to share your favorite in the comments at the end!
P.S. I’m also sharing the two favorite books I read this month, so make sure you read all the way to the end!
October Fabulous Finds
50 Ways to Use Up Leftover Pumpkin | 52 Kitchen Adventures
Have you ever had to open a can of pumpkin to use in something and had a little bit left over that you didn’t know what to do with? Frustrating, isn’t it? That happened to me a few weeks ago, so I did what any modern homemaker would do – I googled, “ways to use up leftover pumpkin.” Bam! That brought me right to this article, and it was perfect!
I LOVE that she specifies the amount of pumpkin right in the list so you don’t have to click and hunt through every single recipe. I just skimmed over the list until I found something that appealed to me with the right amount of pumpkin. If you ever have leftover pumpkin in odd quantities, then this is a list you will want to keep on hand!
By the way, I chose the pumpkin granola (good) and the pumpkin pancakes (so good).
Stop Telling Moms to Ask For Help | The Stay-at-Home-Mom Survival Guide
This was such a great reminder for us all to stop telling moms (or anyone in need, really) to ask for help and just do it. Step in and fill a need without them having to ask. Because no one likes having to ask for help.
What makes this article awesome, though, is her list of “Things You Can Do to Help a Mom.” It’s full of great ideas that I know would be a blessing to any mom, and I am saving it for future opportunities. There is a wide variety of gifts, actions, and services on there, so I know there is at least one thing that each of us could do for a fellow mom.
Breakfast Burritos in a Jar | Humorous Homemaking
These breakfast burritos in a jar are genius! Once the meat and eggs were cooked, prepping the jars was a cinch. All I had to do to get a hot, filling breakfast the next morning was pop the jar in the microwave for 1 minute, and voila! Instant breakfast. I didn’t even put it on a burrito, I just ate it right out of the jar. It was easy, delicious, and filling — perfect for a busy work morning!
For more time-saving make-ahead breakfast ideas, be sure to check out my post 15 Make-Ahead Breakfasts for More Relaxed Mornings=
11 Easy Ways to Simplify & Improve Your Life | Simple Lionheart Life
If your life feels a little (or a lot) chaotic and frenzied, you will want to read this post from Simple Lionheart Life and put her tips into practice. I do a few of these already, and they help tremendously to keep the chaos at bay. However, I definitely have room for improvement on some of them, and a couple of them I need to start – like #5!
Recommended further reading:
7 Habits I Wish I Would Have Adopted Years Ago
How to Create a Menu Plan That Works For You!
The House That Cleans Itself
100 Ways Thrifty People Save Money on Christmas | Snail Pace Transformations
This was a seriously comprehensive list of ways to save money on Christmas. From entertaining on a dime, to DIY gifts, to thrifty decorating, this list has it all!
Fabulous Books
The Turquoise Table | Kristin Schell
As part of my mini-goals this month, I chose to read the book The Turquoise Table. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend you do so. Her story of how she came to place a turquoise table in her front yard is so interesting, and the relationships, hospitality, and ministry that happened as a result is absolutely incredible. It made me want to go right out and put a turquoise table in my front yard! I live in the country with no visible neighbors, however, so I need to come up with a different plan… In any case, I loved her story, and it was perfect for learning more about the true meaning of hospitality.
Raising Men, Not Boys | Mike Fabarez
As a mom of two little boys, I am always interested in learning more about how to raise my sons to be Godly men. This book was exactly the kind of book I need for that, and I’m calling it a “must-read” for all parents of boys. You can read more about the book and why I’m giving it such rave reviews in my post 3 Books All Moms of Boys Should Read.
Motherhood is a challenging (but awesome) journey, and we can use all the inspiration and encouragement we can get. But sometimes we just need some good ol’ practical tips. And that’s what I hope you found in this month’s Fabulous Finds.
If you enjoyed this list, be sure to leave a comment with your favorite find!
For More Fabulous Finds:
Hey, thanks for mentioning my 100 Thrifty Christmas Tips article. I have been wanting to read The Turquoise Table for a while. I noticed the Kindle copy was just $1.99 when I clicked through your link so I bought a copy! Looking forward to digging in.
You are very welcome – it was a great article!
I am so glad you got the book – that’s a great deal! You will love it!!