Mrs. Smith's Original Flaky Crust Pie #buttersomeoneup Review & #Giveaway

I will admit that it's been a long time since I purchased a frozen pie.  My husband bemoans the fact that I don't bake many pies, either.  It always seems like too much work or too much time.  But then I had the chance to try (at no cost to me) Mrs. Smith's Original Flaky Crust Pies.

We received a cherry pie and an apple pie.  I might have chosen pumpkin.  However, I'm glad we tried the double-crust pie, because that's where the new flaky crust really shines.

This crust is made with real butter, which adds flavor and flakiness that other frozen pies don't have.  This is not the apple pie that Mom makes.  But it's hands-down better than our supermarket's bakery pies, and the crust is flakier and more flavorful than some homemade pie crusts I've tasted.

These pies are ready in about an hour (10 minutes on the counter and 45 to 50 minutes to bake).  We liked the cherry pie more than apple, but that's a personal preference.  Other flavors are Dutch apple, peach, pumpkin and sweet potato.

Links for more information:

• Check out the Mrs. Smith's website
• Use the product locator to find out where to purchase
• Visit Mrs. Smith's on Facebook
• Follow Mrs. Smith's on Twitter

Would you like to try these pies for yourself?  Thanks to Mrs. Smith's, one reader will win two vouchers, each good for one free Mrs. Smith's pie (ARV $6.99 each).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Free Shipping Day: Wednesday

If you're doing your Christmas shopping online this year, don't forget that Wednesday (December 18) is Free Shipping Day!

I've taken advantage of Free Shipping Day almost every time in the past few years.   I've shopped favorite stores and discovered a few new ones.  It seems that more companies are adding restrictions (e.g., you must spend a certain amount to get free shipping), but it's worth checking out.

Click through to see the 600+ online stores that are already signed up to participate.  You can even sign up for an email reminder, in case you're as forgetful as I am. :)  Happy shopping!

I have received no compensation in any form for sharing this information.

Giving Myself Permission

Today I'm joining up with the lovely Faith Barista Bonnie Gray with her writing prompt, "Giving myself permission to ...."

My doctor says, "Think of yourself as in rehab.  This is the work."  She's talking about rehab from depression, but I would add that it's recovering from perfectionism plus years of pushing my people-pleasing self to do too much.

So I'm giving myself permission to take care of myself.  I'm happy to make sacrifices for others, but I can't help anyone if I don't take care of myself.  If I'm drained, exhausted, and mentally worn out, I can't be a good wife, mom, or friend.  It's the same idea as putting on your own oxygen mask before helping someone else.


As my pastor would ask me, "What does that look like?"

I take a break when I need one.  I pray.  I read.  I nap.  I exercise (not because I like to, but because I know it's good for me).  I blog (when I have something to say).  I make cards.  I bake.  I try not to stress when my to-do list doesn't get finished.

I don't do all of those things every day.  Still, to at least one person, it looks as though I'm doing nothing productive.  Housework is often transparent:  no one notices clean clothes (except when there are none), clean sheets, dinner on the table (except when it's not), a dusted room.  Everyone notices what still needs to be done.

That's why I'm taking the professional advice to rehab.  I'm giving myself permission to restore my body and soul.  I'm learning to be a better wife, mom, and friend by putting on my own oxygen mask first.