#BloggersforSandyHook & features from two fun link parties

Where do you start to find the words to write about what happened in Connecticut?  How to express the sorrow even though we are far away and those lost are perfect strangers?  Our family cried as we watched the story unfold, held our boys especially tight as we tucked them in Friday night and felt slightly guilty that our family was whole and together.  There will never be a good time to move on, there will never be anything said or done to make it up to the families whose lives were devastated, there is nothing to do to bring those loved ones back.  On Friday, I'll post a recipe along with our regular link party in honor of the victims, families and community of Newtown, CT for #BloggersforSandyHook ... you can join even if you don't have a blog.  It's little, but it's something.  And something is better than nothing.

And now (with a few less exclamation points than usual), take a look at my favorite three recipes shared at the Bloggers' Holiday Heirloom Recipe Link Party ... and don't forget that you can head over to take a peek at all of the recipes linked up and grab a copy of our free e-cookbook HERE!!

Amy at Home Sweet Thrifty Home shared her grandma's recipe for pumpkin bread ... what can I say?  I am a sucker for pumpkin!

And I think I'm going to have to start a new birthday tradition and make Ashley's Mississippi Mud (no bake!) dessert ... head over to Domestic Imperfection for the easy recipe!

Take a look at Grandma Bea's blueberry cobbler shared by Melissa at no. 2 pencil ... almost looks too good to eat.  Almost ;)

Okay, now onto the features from the{what's shakin' link party} #39!  You can still link up your amazingness HERE ... ummm, and did you see you can win an iPad mini?!  Merry, merry!!

Sooo, Jocelyn at BruCrew Life made an awesome sounding raspberry chipotle turkey pocket sandwich that looks SO.darn.good!  This will be coming to lunch boxes around here soon!!

I really LOVE these super cute naughty or nice printable tags from The Life of the Party!!  My boys better be on their best behavior!

Inspire Me Heather shared her family's tradition of making a garland from holiday cards ... what a sweet way to keep those holiday memories a part of their celebration for years to come!!

Speaking of garland, Made in a Day has 5 easy holiday garlands to dress up any window, frame or tree!!

Stacey from Glued to my Crafts shared a sweet and sentimental (and crafty!!) way to preserve her anniversary flowers in an ornament!

And because I recently tried tiramisu for the first time - I know! - and I think I might be obsessed, I can't wait to try this tiramisu pudding from French Press!!

Grab a pretty little button if you were featured and post it proudly ... you deserve it, friends!!

So there is my little dose of happy in a dark couple of days!  This week, I am going to try to smile a little more, hug a little tighter and pray a little longer!  Hope to see you back here again soon!!

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