Introducing Fall Fashionable Boots for the Family #lugz

Fall is here and time to get the family new boots or maybe some just for mom! Lugz has been making great footwear since 1993 for the entire family. I love one stop shopping, don't you? Even better is online shopping for the entire family. I'm so excited that Lugz is now introducing their new Fall and Winter Line for Ladies and it has everything you'll need to look fashionable, be comfortable and ready to take on whatever comes your way. Want to go shopping? CLICK photos to go see the featured boots! This is a sponsored post but my own opinions are expressed here. I will be ordering and reviewing Lugz boots for my blog. 

Time to treat yourself with a new pair of shoes from Lugz. You can use my special blog code MYTREAT30 for 30% off on boots at Lugz. (excludes sale items and cannot be combined with other coupons and Expires: 11/22/2015) 

Check out current special offers HERE.  

Follow LUGZ online, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Check back here in a few weeks and I will have a review on my new Lugz boots!

Send me a message, tag me or #susieqtpiescafe on any of your social media sites/post so that I can see what you purchase. You can find me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. 

Workout Essentials for Active Moms ad #Underwareness #IC

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Depend. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

I am one of "those" women who love working out. Over three years ago I decided it was time to get healthy. My weight was the highest it had ever been along with my blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. So I started moving! I moved more and ate less and less crap. The more that I moved the more workouts I wanted to try. Unfortunately that also meant my bladder would have unexpected leaking issues when I would do faster running times, dance jumps, and even when I was leading an exercise class! Anyone else experience this bladder leakage while in the action of every day life?

I'm a mom of three and over 40. Just because that is my title doesn't mean I can't be active. I'm more active now than ever! I refused to let me bladder leakage stop me from getting the healthiest possible!  I learned that over 51 million American women also experience bladder leakage. So that is like 1 out of 3 American women! That isn't something we just talk about at the gym but it has come up on occasion. A lot of them ask why they have leakage while working out. As a mom of 3 I'm well aware that common causes are pregnancy, childbirth, and even diabetes. With this knowledge we can arm ourselves with the right clothing at the gym.

When I'm picking out my workout gear, I'm also including Depend Silhouette Active Fit Briefs. These briefs are amazing! They are a moderate-absorbency brief with a thin design for complete comfort with the trusted Depend brand. These briefs look, fit and feel just like low rise underwear. I know that having on the right underwear at the gym is top priority for me, especially when I'm leading my Fit Club or PiYo classes. I'm extremely modest and do not want my undies showing while working out.

These Depend Silhouette Active Fit briefs are made from a smooth cloth-like fabric and are really comfy. I do not even know that I'm wearing them nor does anyone else. I know that no one really wants to discuss bladder leakage because it is embarrassing but please, don't be embarrassed. It is ok to wear the right equipment when working out and this includes what is underneath your yoga pants. I help a lot of women with their healthier lifestyle goals and I will share this info with them. I don't want bladder leakage keeping anyone out of the gym. You have to watch this video! It is hilarious because it is an "Underware Only Gym"!

The Depend brand is on their second year of Underwareness. This is a social movement and charitable cause to break down the bladder leakage stigma! As part of this Underwareness, the Depend brand is encouraging people to show their support for women with bladder leakage. That is why I'm sharing this blog post. You can get in on the action, too! For every photo and video shared using the hashtag #Underwareness, the Depend brand will donate $1, up to $3 million through 2016 to fund charities that advance the research and education of bladder leakage. Amazing right?

Join the movement and request a free sample of Depend Silhouette Active Fit briefs at Underwareness. Get a coupon to use on your first purchase!You can also follow them as Depend on Facebook and Twitter. Search for #Underwareness.

Have you ever been Pulled, Tugged, or Shoved into an Unknown Direction?

Several months back I saw a bible that had journaling in the margins with words and photos. The journaling was done by hand using markers, pencils, colored pencils, etc. The journaling emphasized a verse on that page. I kept seeing more and more journaling to the point where I really felt this could be a way to help me grow in the Word. Have you ever felt a strong pull, tug, or a shove in a direction you never considered?

Here is a quick backstory on me and how I just recently felt pulls, tugs & shoves! Years ago I had a journaling bible which was just a bible that had wide margins so that you could take notes during bible study. I don't remember how I came to have this bible but I loved it. It was full of hand written notes. I loved looking over it to see what I had been learning in bible study. Then Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005 and that was the end of my journaling bible. The flood waters took it from me. It was probably one of my biggest losses from Katrina 10 years ago. Right now it still brings me to tears. Over the years, my mind wandered to my bible and what I had written down about a particular passage we were currently covering. I know bibles can be replaced but over these past 10 years I never allowed myself to get into bible study and really take notes. I think I was just in my own state of shock all those years until I saw some bible journaling on Instagram. 

How in the world can this happen? I know it wasn't of my doing especially since it was 10 years later. I was being pulled, tugged and shoved into this. I really feel as though the Holy Spirit is reminding me of the wonders of the Word of God. Someone asked me if I haven't been going to church the past 10 years. Yes I do go weekly to bible study and to church. The hurricane didn't make me abandon my faith but I feel like I had some sort of heavy weight on me that has been lifted. 

Besides not getting a bible to journal the past 10 years, I also haven't allowed myself time to be crafty. I used to make hand stamped cards, teach stamping and scrapbooking, and more. A lot of my craft supplies did survive the hurricane, oddly enough. My craft area in New Orleans didn't have roof damage and was on a floor that didn't mold. So most of those supplies were saved and are now 10-20 years old! The supplies have all been in my basement and our girls have used them the past 10 years. 

So 10 years of no bible journal and no crafting all came crashing together with this thing called bible journaling that I kept seeing on Instagram. Natural curiosity took over and that led me to find groups on bible journaling on Facebook. I was even friends with Connie, the first Instagram account where I saw this bible journaling. I was totally blown away by what people were doing in their bibles. After checking it all out I told my hubby that I wanted to order a bible! I'm certain that this seemed odd to him since we have bibles in our home, I have a bible and I use one on my phone but I needed a journaling bible to get back into the word. Not only that, but combine it with my inks, pencils, craft supplies, markers, chalks, etc that I haven't used the past 10 years.

I really feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I'm so excited to see where this bible journaling takes me and who will go along the journey with me. I've already met new friends online, created a Facebook group for new bible journaling people, and created my very first Periscope on bible journaling. I'm also finding my every day friends wanting to join in!

If you ever feel a strong pull, tug or shove toward something then stop and look around you. Take the time to go in that direction and pray about it. I did that and I really feel that now, 10 years later I am moving forward and out of the waters of hurricane Katrina that had held me down from really living in the Word of God.  I'm saying prayers of thanksgiving that Jesus had me all along through baptism, absolution, gospel and sacrament which were delivered to me by pastors along the way including my husband. I pray the same for you. 

I will be sharing Bible Journaling 101 On the Cheap ideas so do follow along!

• Here on my blog
• ItsOurDay Facebook Group
• Periscope as SusieQTpies - what is this? Go get the Periscope app for your phone. Then search me and follow!
• Instagram as MakeTime4_Church
• Twitter as SusieQTpies
• Pinterest as SusieQTpies
• Katch.me SusieQTpies

FREE 50 Amish Friendship Recipe Cookbook

Way back in the day I baked A LOT of Amish Friendship Bread, created friendship bread recipes for my own blog and helped create friendship bread recipes for the blog, Friendship Bread Kitchen​ amongst other things.

Today I noticed author Darien Gee​'s Quick & Easy 50 Amish Friendship Recipe Cookbook FREE on Kindle. Go check it out. I was excited to look through it as see my contributions and my name in the back of the book. 

This was one of those fun things I did when I wasn't eating so healthy :) LOL I can't remember when I last baked a loaf but this time of the year makes me want to create a starter and make a few! I might even have a starter somewhere in my freezer! 

Here are some of the recipes on my blog, too! Feel free to pin them and make & share this fall!

Super Baby Soft Pampers Premium Diapers are a MUST!

Hey everyone! I hope you are having a super summer! One of the things that I do in the summer is work at my friend's home day care. This is really rewarding for me because I am a mom to 3 girls which 2 of them no longer live at home. The last one is busy with school and work so I see her less and less each passing week. Empty nesting is real! So I've set the stage for you why I love working at the day care, right? It gives me snuggle time with little ones, teaching potty training and even...yes I even find joy in changing diapers!!!! This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Pampers

So my experience with Pampers goes back many years but today I'm here to share with you about the new Pampers Premium Care diapers! I have always LOVED Pampers! I love the smell (out of the box) but as a day care worker there are more features to rejoice about!

The Pampers Premium Care diapers have a cool absorb away liner which pulls the wetness and mess away from the skin. We change diapers all.the.time.all.day.long so no one has to be in a wet or messy diaper but messes happen and we don't want our babies bottoms to be sore! 

The material is breathable to keep air circulating around their super soft skin. I did notice that these premium care diapers had extra absorb channels to help distribute wetness evenly for  up to 12 hour protection. Even though they don't nap for 12 hours at the daycare, they are still sleepers and we love this reassurance that they are sitting in a pile of wetness in one spot.

Look at this little cutie and her dollie! Both are wearing a fresh diaper and are happy! I love how little ones want their babies changed, too! 

What do you look for in a diaper? If you are looking for any of the above features, give Pampers Premium Care a try! They will be available later in the month at your neighborhood Walmart! 

You can follow them on Twitter @Pampers or @Walmart and you can check out Premium Care Diapers online! If you want to see what others are saying about these super soft baby diapers, then do a social media search for #MothersPromise. 

Oh and guess what? You could be 1 of 4 winners in the Instagram Giveaway! Enter today as it ends in a few weeks!

Summer Fruit Recipes

I love summer stone fruits, how about you? Soon we will be filling our fruit bowl with plums, peaches and nectarines. What are some of your favorite summer fruits? Here are two recipes to make this summer for your parties using plums and raspberries! Which will you make first? IF you are looking for more recipes check my recipe box and the top tabs on my blog! 

Plum Tart

8 to 12 servings

 

 This tart is made with easy-to-use puff pastry crust, a custardy filling, and fresh plums. It looks like a French country tart.

 

1 sheet frozen puff pastry (from a 17.3 oz box)

6 plums, a little soft, just not too ripe

4 tablespoons butter, plus extra for greasing

1 large egg plus 1 yolk

1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 tablespoon whipping cream

 

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Move an oven rack to the lowest shelf.

 

Place a 9 or 10-inch tart ring or tart pan with a removable bottom on top of a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Take some soft margarine and with your finger, rub the margarine around the inside of the ring or sides of the tart pan or ring.

 

Take the sheet of puff pastry out of the freezer. Thaw the puff pastry at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes or use the “Quick thaw method for puff pastry” (see Foolproof Tips and Techniques).

 

Unroll the pastry on top of a piece of parchment sprinkled with a little flour. Roll the pastry about 1 inch larger than your tart ring or pan. You will need to sprinkle some flour on your rolling pin so the pastry does not stick to it. Place your hand under the parchment and flip the pastry into the tart ring or pan, using your fingers to gently press the pastry into the corners. Peel the parchment off the pastry. Again, use your fingers to make sure the pastry is in the corners and then drape any extra dough over the top of the ring or pan. Roll your rolling pin along the top of the ring or pan to cut off the excess dough. Place in the freezer for 10 minutes while you prepare the plums and filling.

 

Take each plum, cut in half around the pit and then slice each half into 1/4-inch slices.

 

In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the butter in the microwave for 30 seconds to soften, but not completely melt it. In a bowl, place the whole egg and yolk, 1/3 cup of sugar, and vanilla and whisk. Add the flour and baking powder and mix with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula. Add the softened butter and whipping cream and mix well. Remove the pan from the freezer and spread this mixture evenly inside the tart ring or pan.

 

Take the plum slices and, starting on the outside of the pastry, place the slices on their sides, in concentric circles. Pack the plums in tightly. Bake on the bottom oven rack for 25 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of sugar on top. Place back in the oven on the middle rack and bake another 10 minutes. Remove to rack to cool. To serve, if you used a tart ring without a bottom, slide the tart onto a serving plate and then pull off the ring. For a tart pan with a removable bottom, place your hand under the bottom and lift the tart up and out of the ring. Store covered with plastic at room temperature for five days or freeze for up to three months.

 

Upside-Down Raspberry Cake

Makes one 9-inch cake; serves 8 to 12

 

You will like the combination of fresh and baked raspberries in this dessert. Plan to make this when you can find good quality raspberries. When I was in cooking school in Paris, we used gorgeous raspberries in our desserts that were the size of quarters.

 

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, very soft

3 cups fresh or frozen raspberries, plus 1 cup fresh raspberries to decorate

11/2 cups plus 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided

5 large eggs, separated

1/4 ounce (1 envelope) active dry yeast

3 tablespoons warm water

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

 

Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Take a 9-inch spring form pan and detach the bottom. Cover the top of the pan bottom with aluminum foil and then wrap the excess foil under the bottom. Attach the pan sides to the bottom, lock in place, and then unwrap the foil and wrap up around the sides of the pan. Use 1 tablespoon of the margarine to grease the bottom and sides of the pan.

 

In a small bowl, toss the 3 cups of raspberries with the 3 tablespoons of sugar. Place in the bottom of the pan and spread to evenly cover the bottom.

 

With a stand or hand-held electric mixer or by hand with a whisk, beat the egg yolks with the 1 1/2 cups sugar in a large bowl for 5 minutes on high speed, or until the mixture is thick. Scrape the bowl down halfway through.

 

In a separate small bowl, mix the yeast with 1teaspoon sugar and warm water. Let sit 5 minutes. Add to the egg and sugar mixture and mix. Add the remaining 7 tablespoons of soft margarine and whisk well.

 

In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer on high speed to beat the egg whites until stiff and then fold into the batter.

 

Pour the batter on top of the raspberries. Bake for 45 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the cake comes out clean. Let cool.

 

To serve, run a sharp knife along the sides and then remove the outer ring of the spring form pan. Place a serving plate on top of the cake and then turn the cake over onto the plate. Remove the bottom of the pan. Just before serving, scatter the 1 cup of fresh raspberries on top. Store covered with plastic in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Recipes may be reprinted with the following credit:

Recipes copyright: Paula Shoyer, The Kosher Baker: 160 dairy-free recipes from traditional to trendy (Brandeis 2010); photography credit : Michael Bennett Kress

Slide the City Coming to Your City This Summer #Slidethecity

I was just thinking the other day that it would be so fun to have large inflatables for adults! I even shared a photo from 10+ years ago of my hubby in an adult like inflatable but that was the last time I saw something for adults. Now that this has been on my mind I got a really cool email about Slide the City! It is a huge water slide for kids and adults! Here is the scoop for one in the St Louis area. Check your city for one as well! 

On Saturday, July 11th - Market Street will be transformed as participants ride inflatables down this giant slide spanning three city blocks. With music, local vendors, and giveaways, this family friendly event promises to be a highlight of the summer. My readers SAVE with promo code USFAMstl -- Get your tickets here! 

A portion of the event proceeds will be donated to Saint Louis Area FoodBanks. The St. Louis Area FoodBank feeds the hungry by distributing food through a network of more than 500 partner agencies and engages the community in the fight against hunger. Participants can purchase a one, three or unlimited slide pass. Tickets are now available, starting at $13. 

Is there an age or height limit?
All who are over 46 inches tall and over 5 years old are invited to slide, but remember if you're under 18 you'll need to get a sign off from your legal guardians.

Are there group rates available?
If you have a group with 20 or more participants send us an email.

What do you do to address water conservation?
Water conservation is also a priority at our events. We strive to have zero environmental impact on the community. The Slide was designed to have zero water loss, and it treats and recycles the water safely and efficiently throughout the day. When permitted, we donate the water back to the community. Methods of disposal include local reclamation centers, parks, golf courses and other places dependent upon local regulations. 

Don't forget, for a LIMITED TIME, my readers will SAVE $5 with promo code USFAMstl

I'm going, how about you?